The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 72

And my husband was staring at me, his body stiff as a board. His face was twisted with betrayal as he muttered under his breath. “No, Riwes.”

 

“Huh? Why not?”

 

“Giselle is my—”

 

“Aaah!” Worried that Riwes might be disappointed, I let out a sudden shout without thinking. Both of them turned to look at me.

 

Duke Kalinos fixed me with a gaze brimming with disappointment. Why? Why do I suddenly not want to disappoint these two in this situation? Why am I so self-conscious about this?

 

On one side, the most adorable child in the world. On the other hand, the most generous employer in the world, who’s paying me five billion. It was a rather awkward predicament.

 

Trying to escape the situation as quickly as possible, I grabbed Riwes’s hand, which was still clutching mine tightly, and said, “Alright, good little one. Time for bed, okay?”

 

Riwes thought for a moment, then his eyes went wide as if he’d had a revelation. “If I sleep, will I grow really tall?”

 

“Mm-hmm, that’s right.”

 

“If I sleep, I’ll become a grown-up faster!”

 

“Uh… yeah, that’s right?”

 

Riwes squeezed my hand with his tiny fingers and whispered softly, “T-That, you mustn’t go anywhere…”

 

* * *

With my hand firmly held, I sat down next to Riwes as he lay on the sofa, drifting off to sleep. Even as he slept, the small, delicate child clung to my wrist as if I were the only one he could rely on.

 

I don’t feel like I’ve done anything particularly special. But to a child, even a brief moment of eye contact and a gentle voice must have felt extraordinary. I can’t bring myself to let go. In the end, I stayed by Riwes’s side and decided to use a voice-blocking magic device to have a conversation.

 

Duke Kalinos, acting as if it were nothing, showed me the artifact, as if it were a failed experiment, and started talking, but I felt differently. As expected of Duke Kalinos, a true researcher, with all sorts of fascinating magical artifacts. It was the kind of artifact that would be called revolutionary if it ever hit the market.

 

I found myself once again impressed by the Kalinos family. They must have done an absolutely terrible job marketing this thing if no one even knows such an amazing artifact exists.

 

Unaware of my thoughts, Duke Kalinos spoke with barely contained fury. “While I was with Riwes, I sent an informant to the Sirentium family. The informant tried to find evidence, but it seems the family is hiding everything very thoroughly. All the potential witnesses have been paid off and are keeping their mouths shut.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“We’ll need to dig deeper, over a longer period of time. But to do that, we’d have to send Riwes back to the Sirentium family for a while.”

 

I gently stroked the boy, who was sleeping soundly in my arms. “That’s not possible.”

 

“Yes, if that happens, the child will only be hurt again.”

 

I grinned wickedly and waved my hand. Power is meant to be used, especially when it comes to dealing with troublemakers. It’s the perfect tool.

 

“They should cough up every penny they’ve taken so far and pay for their crimes, don’t you think?”

 

“You’re absolutely right.”

 

I lowered my voice and whispered to him. “I’m going to shake down the entire Sirentium family all at once, and here’s how I’m going to start—.”

 

#17. Honeymoon

The next morning, Rahana Sirentium, unable to sleep a wink out of sheer rage toward Giselle, woke up with puffy, red-rimmed eyes. And when she was told to return to the Sirentium territory, she was taken aback. So, in the end, that woman, Giselle, caused trouble, didn’t she?

 

She bit her lip hard, glanced around, and then shouted, “You want me to go back alone?”

 

“For now, yes. The carriage is ready—”

 

“I can’t go by myself when Lord Riwes isn’t even here. It’s illegal for a guardian to leave their ward. Lord Riwes will be coming with me, and His Majesty himself guaranteed it.”

 

Just then, the maid who had served her cold water whispered softly, “Oh, Lord Riwes will, of course, be returning to the Sirentium family.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“According to Lady Giselle, the carriage loaded with money will be going as well.”

 

Has that woman, Giselle, finally come to her senses? Something about it still felt off, but Rahana narrowed her eyes and thought. We have the legal documents on our side. They’re even signed by the emperor. Even Madam Yuliana had to back down, so what can she, the new mistress, possibly do? With that thought, she felt a bit more at ease.

 

The astronomical child support and Riwes would ultimately return to the arms of the Sirentium family. But when Rahana arrived at the Sirentium territory alone by carriage, something strange awaited her. The closer she got to the mansion, the more she noticed red handkerchiefs hastily tied to every tree, as if to welcome someone’s arrival. It was unsettling, as if the handkerchiefs were stained with blood.

 

“What is this…?”

 

Startled, Rahana peered out the window. At that moment, Giselle, dressed in a dazzling gown and dripping with sparkling jewels, tilted her chin toward her with an air of arrogance. Rahana hurriedly got out of the carriage and, eyeing Giselle and Riwes, whose hand Giselle was holding tightly, spoke sharply.

 

“Please hand Lord Riwes over. I don’t know why you’re here, but—” She was trying, albeit awkwardly, to maintain proper etiquette.

 

Just then, a low, rumbling voice sounded behind her. “I didn’t realize my wife and I weren’t allowed to visit the Sirentium territory.”

 

…Duke Kalinos, clad head to toe in armor, had appeared.

 

“G-Greetings, Your Grace.”

 

Duke Kalinos, in full armor, was a terrifying presence all on his own.

 

Giselle pulled a small document from her pocket and said, “We’re planning to stay here. We’re on our honeymoon, after all. Oh, and of course, Riwes is with us.”

 

A noble family’s honeymoon could generate all sorts of extra value. It was a good thing. If only it weren’t happening at such a bizarre time.

 

“My wife said she thought it would be an interesting honeymoon.” As Duke Kalinos murmured coolly and lifted Riwes into his arms, Rahana shivered and furrowed her brow ever so slightly.

 

Giselle leaned in and whispered to Rahana so only she could hear. “It must have been fun for you, being the queen of this territory, tormenting a child weaker than you or just standing by and watching.” She tilted her head slightly as she spoke. “So I’m going to try it myself. A little taste of perfectly legal abuse.”

 

“…!”

 

“Feel free to look forward to it.” With a cold warning, Giselle turned her back on Rahana and strode confidently into the Sirentium family’s mansion

 

Inside were Rahana’s father and mother, then one who had abused Riwes, along with his tutor and nanny.

 

* * *

It was in the breakfast hall of the Sirentium mansion. Riwes, perched on Giselle’s lap, was nodding off, struggling to stay awake.

 

“Our little one seems very tired, doesn’t he?”

 

“Does he? He seemed happy to be back at the mansion, though.”

 

Rahana’s words were sharp, but in the chilly atmosphere, only Giselle’s bright, ringing laughter echoed hollowly.

 

“Oh, this is fun.”

 

“Pardon me, but I don’t see what’s so amusing.” Marquis Sirentium replied curtly. His face showed not a hint of amusement, but Giselle didn’t spare him a glance.

 

Instead, Duke Kalinos raised his hand and asked, “…Why? Is it a problem if we’re enjoying ourselves?”

 

Every time the armored Duke Kalinos moved, his armor clanged with an ominous, metallic sound. Even for the notoriously brazen Sirentium family, they were no match for Duke Kalinos.

 

They exchanged glances, then quickly flinched and replied, “Not at all. T-There must have been a misunderstanding. You’re free to enjoy yourselves as much a-as you wish.”

 

“Mm-hmm, got it. Then, shall we start with introductions?” She pointed her finger at the woman standing furthest to the left.

 

“That’s Riwes’s nanny.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You probably neglected Riwes.”

 

“Pardon?!” The nanny jumped up, waving her hands in protest. “No, never! I may be from a fallen noble family, but I’ve always acted honorably!”

 

“Well, we’ll see about that. Next.”

 

Duke Kalinos, standing beside Giselle, handed her a report. “This is the Sirentium family’s tutor. His name is Viento.”

 

“Hi, Viento. Nice to meet you.”

 

“Yes, ni-nice to meet you, Duke Kalinos and Duchess Kalinos.” His face was slick and oily, almost shining.

 

Giselle shook her head and flipped through the report. “Viento. The tutor hired for Riwes’s education. There are rumors you’ve been too quick to use corporal punishment on the child.”

 

It seemed like nothing much would come of questioning them one by one. Yet, as Giselle revealed her deep knowledge of their household affairs, the faces of the Sirentium family members twisted with indignation. That’s right, the real monsters are you people.