For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 57
Moreover, many would assume that the Dukedom of House Sharoze would pass to the children of Ian and myself, so there would be no need to worry that Father might meet with an accident and leave us prematurely.
……What?
So all I need to do is convince the Marquis of House Lyven, and the path to my revenge is laid with flowers?
How did I not think of this sooner?
And House Lyven itself…….
‘I remember they desperately wanted to establish technological exchange with the Anthuela Kingdom.’
Lyven was located in the Southern Region and was the House most advanced in the shipbuilding industry, yet they lacked the capability to construct luxury warships of the highest caliber.
Consequently, they couldn’t even lay a hand on the blueprints for the Luxury Warship that was practically Gardelmore’s legacy, and the stress allegedly gave the marquis circular hair loss.
To the people of the Decart Empire, the Anthuela Kingdom was little better than a demon of the seas, but for at least the Marquis of House Lyven and the Duke of House Gardelmore, they were goddesses of the ocean.
Of course, neither House spoke of it openly.
And conveniently, the Third Princess was the daughter of the King of Anthuela, and no matter how little she possessed, she would certainly know what her own country produced…….
‘I don’t know what the Crown Prince gained from the marriage.’
A friend…….
“Your Highness.”
At Vanessa’s quiet summons, Tesse flinched.
As their gazes met in the empty air, Vanessa’s eyes curved softly.
“I’ll help you with that request. I’ve been needing a friend myself, as it happens.”
Let’s raise House Lyven to a Dukedom in this life.
***
The next heir to House Gardelmore was the third son.
The eldest and second sons had perished in an accident in the Lechikartu Waters, leaving him as the sole surviving heir.
Weak in body and sentenced to a short life, the weight of the crown thrust suddenly upon him only hastened his end.
In my previous life, after he died, the Marquis of House Lyven made various efforts to claim the Dukedom.
The result was, of course, failure.
At that time, House Leonard held an overwhelming advantage in standing.
Though that was because I existed then.
But that didn’t mean I could afford to be idle in this life.
The Marchioness Leonard would already be thinking several moves ahead, even if Calail wouldn’t.
Moreover, though I failed to obtain Mareo in this life, there was yet another curious figure at her side.
An information agent who served as the Marchioness Leonard’s hands and feet, one whose movements were so prescient they seemed almost to know the future before it arrived.
If I could uncover the thread of that curious figure in this life, it would be worthwhile.
‘I’ve been searching in spare moments, but I can’t make out their identity at all.’
Neither their residence nor their age is known.
Called only by the name ‘Dain’.
A voice that gave no hint of whether they were male or female.
If Mareo was the mind of the Marchioness Leonard, then Dain was closer to her hands and feet.
The most effective method for my revenge would be to separate that Dain from the Marchioness Leonard, but……that was out of the question.
If the intelligence of a Dukedom couldn’t catch them, even the Imperial Family might only barely manage it.
Ah.
Vanessa sighed softly.
How convenient—there’s someone from the Imperial Family right here.
“……So, Ian said to me, ‘I need to borrow a ship for my honeymoon.’ At first I thought the man was mad, absolute madness, but then I wondered if he’d actually gone insane. After getting married, he changed. Became even more mad.”
Tesse seemed delighted that her request had been granted so readily, and had been like this the whole time since.
Of course, everything that spilled from her mouth was less criticism and more praise—albeit criticism-shaped praise—of Ian Ruscliffe.
She seemed to want to make it clear that Ian Ruscliffe thought of you this much, somehow…….
“So much so that even Your Majesty…….”
“Your Highness.”
Vanessa gently cut off his words.
She had no curiosity whatsoever.
What good would it do to learn now why an Imperial ship appeared in a honeymoon?
Obviously he’d practiced it beforehand for the woman he loved.
Just as he had done when braiding her hair.
Whether Ian appeared to others as mad, or unpredictable, or anything else.
None of that mattered now.
Whatever he did was never truly for her sake, but for the woman he was unrequitedly in love with; she was merely a rehearsal, a practice run.
“Would you happen to be able to help me find someone?”
“Someone?”
“All I know is that their name is ‘Dain’—I don’t know their gender, age, or where they live……but if you could find them, I would make sure to complete whatever task the Crown Prince requested to his satisfaction. If you wish, I could also provide regular monthly reports.”
……
Vanessa’s resolute gaze left Tesse speechless.
Well, she is a daughter of House Sharoze, after all.
Her resolve when making requests is remarkably firm.
She asks to simply be friends, yet speaks of fulfilling this duty with perfect reports and unwavering dedication.
There’s something so rigidly formal about it—it reminds me of someone.
‘Is this why they became husband and wife?’
***
Tesse cleared his throat softly, gathering his wits.
“Are you hoping I’ll place one of His Majesty’s information agents at your disposal?”
It was a tentative probe, but Vanessa answered with an unwavering, resolute gaze and a firm nod.
“If it’s possible.”
“You understand what that means, don’t you, Lady Ruscliff?”
“Yes.”
Even with this second confirmation, her demeanor remained unchanged.
Only then did Tesse let the smile fade from his lips.
The Emperor’s information agents. For all their grandiose reputation, they harbored nothing but an impenetrable darkness whose depths were unknowable.
To need information on someone so badly that only the Emperor’s agents would suffice?
It meant House Sharoze’s own agents could scarcely uncover the identity.
If the Duke of Sharoze’s resources fell short, but His Majesty’s could manage it…
Only one possibility came to mind.
The primary task of the Emperor’s information agents was rooting things out.
More precisely, hunting down those who had once troubled the Empire.
A request requiring agents who worked only in shadow, never in light…
Hmm. Tesse exhaled softly, tapping the table twice with his index finger.
“You suspect a sorcerer.”
“…!”
Vanessa’s eyes widened.
That look—as if she found it remarkable that I could think at all. Surely I’m imagining things?
Ahem! When he coughed more deliberately this time, her gaze returned to normal.
“Ah, yes. I’m not entirely certain, but…”
“The name is Dain. I have a scheduled meeting with His Majesty this afternoon—I’ll broach the subject then.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will ensure the task is completed without flaw.”
“About that… the word ‘completed’ feels a bit…”
This was supposed to be nothing more than a request to become friends.
Why was she accepting it like an order from the Knight Order?
Tesse regarded Vanessa with a wry expression.
No wonder she married Ian.
In his eyes, Ian Ruscliff was a man devoid of charm, rigid as parched earth after a long drought.
When a woman like Vanessa Sharoze—a veritable oasis—had entered his life, Tesse had thought the man might finally acquire a hint of human warmth.
But after facing Vanessa alone today, he realized his judgment had been mistaken.
They were identical. Absolutely identical.
The way they presented themselves so formally before their superiors was precisely the same.
If this was what fate decreed, I’d rather not experience it.
Just moments ago she had seemed like a friend’s wife, but now he felt as though he were facing a female version of Ian.
“You’ll be returning with Ian, then?”
At Tesse’s words, Vanessa blinked, tilting her head as if puzzled by the question.
“Of course.”
“The waiting will grow tedious.”
“Not particularly.”
…
“Is there anything else you require?”
“There isn’t.”
And I’d refuse if there were.
To judge by her bearing, she looked prepared to begin submitting reports by next month.
“That said… there’s no need for regular reports.”
“That is your command, Your Highness. I will fulfill it flawlessly.”
But that’s precisely—please, couldn’t she drop that formal, superior-officer demeanor?
In his heart, he’d genuinely hoped they might develop a pleasant rapport.
Though she was his friend’s wife, Ian Ruscliff was a tedious man, after all.
‘A journey? To Kyrieus? And me as well? Without an escort? …Is it really necessary?’
His tone dripped with a certain condescension, needless to say.
When she learned what happened when the Crown Prince traveled abroad without escort—how trapped he’d been, boxed in on all sides without a single way forward—she finally understood.
Even his father, the Emperor, had resorted to lectures he’d outgrown in childhood. To endure three hours of such scolding as a grown man left her with a single observation: this man certainly knew how to talk when he wanted to.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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