Something’s Not Right About This Transmigration - Chapter 13.1
“We commissioned the information guild, but they say they cannot release information concerning House Rubellia. It appears someone has already paid them a great sum to keep quiet.”
For the household of an otherwise unremarkable count, House Rubellia was unusually thorough about hiding its affairs.
Finding that suspicious, Samuel paid extra under the table for a deeper investigation into Frey and House Rubellia.
The answer he eventually received was…….
“According to the testimony of a servant who left House Rubellia’s employment, Count Rubellia appears to have abused the Young Lord. And it appears to have gone on for far longer than a year or two.”
If Samuel had heard this before reuniting with Frey, he would have thought Asis had brought him false information.
But the current Frey was far too different from the person in his memories.
There had been a clear handprint on Frey’s cheek when he climbed over the wall of the Count’s estate. Although someone had plainly struck him, Frey behaved as though it were nothing.
‘And besides…….’
On the day Samuel visited the Count’s mansion to set a new wedding date, the Count had thought Samuel gone and seized Frey by the hair.
Frey had reacted as though he were used to the Count’s behavior.
“If you meant to betray me and leave, couldn’t you at least have shown me that you were happy?”
Then Samuel would only have thought of tormenting Frey for betraying him all those years ago.
But the moment Samuel realized Frey had a past carefully hidden from everyone else, doubts began to surface.
More than a decade ago.
On the day Frey unilaterally broke his promise and failed to answer Samuel’s summons, could something have happened to him?
Could he have been unable to come because the Count restrained him, beat him, and broke his will?
“It was a very long time ago……. But what happened that day remains important to me even now.”
If Asis’s information was true, Samuel had badly wounded a man who looked ready to collapse by threatening him and declaring that he would make his married life hell. That was why Samuel wanted the truth. Had his anger toward Frey been justified, or had he judged him rashly without knowing what had happened?
“But I did not expect His Highness to interfere.”
“This is only speculation, but the Imperial Crown Prince may have known everything the Young Lord had been through.”
“Everything?”
“Yes. Both the signs of abuse and the fact that using his ability endangers his life.”
“…….”
“He might even know why the Young Lord betrayed you in the past. Or conversely, His Highness may have been involved in the matter…….”
“Enough.”
Samuel shook his head, pushing aside the thoughts their conversation had stirred up with Asis.
Whether the man’s speculation was correct or there was another reason entirely.
There was only one thing Samuel had to do now.
“I am tired of judging by circumstantial evidence.”
He would ask Frey himself.
Samuel drew his sword, summoned the strength within him, and slashed horizontally through the air.
The protective magic surrounding the estate shattered, and Regulus’s magic scattered in every direction.
Samuel traced the magic as it returned to its owner, using its path to locate Regulus. Then he sensed a presence behind him.
Without looking back, Samuel gave an order.
“His Highness’s magic is heading south. Go and find the Young Lord.”
“South……. Should we perhaps go to His Highness’s villa?”
“……No. Search Kurpe Village beside it. His Highness will try to avoid every place I know.”
“Yes.”
After Asis’s brief answer, Samuel folded his arms and exhaled at length. Then he stopped the party as they were about to leave the ducal estate.
“I will accompany you.”
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