My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 48

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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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The boy who had been crouching in the corner lifted his head.
Then, hesitatingly, he shuffled forward and knelt down beside his father.
“I’m sorry, Baroness. I was the one who threw the stone.”
…So, this young child was the culprit who threw the stone at the horse?
Not that man?
I stared down quietly at the boy.
Though he was apologizing, he didn’t seem truly remorseful.
Above all, his demeanor was strangely defiant.
I crouched down in front of the boy, whom they called Tommy, and met his eyes.
“Because of the stone you threw, the horse panicked, and I injured my ankle and wrist. If my husband here hadn’t saved me, it probably would have been much worse.”
A flash of guilt flickered in Tommy’s eyes.
But it lasted only a brief moment. What replaced it was something closer to hostility.
It wasn’t an expression a child who didn’t know me would make.
On the other hand, Tommy’s father turned pale as a sheet.
It was only natural, considering that harming a noble was a capital offense that could lead to execution.
“Please spare his life, I beg of you. Please……. He’s still foolish and young……. We have a sick daughter at home, so I couldn’t look after my son properly, which led to this. If you must punish someone, please punish me.”
I kept my eyes fixed solely on Tommy.
“Why did you do it?”
Tommy cast his gaze downward. The boy’s lips tightened, then relaxed. He clenched and unclenched his fists a few times before answering.
“I was just bored, so I did it. I didn’t know the stone would bounce that way, but then I heard screaming and got scared, so I ran away.”
Tommy’s father appeared to know absolutely nothing.
Conversely, no fear could be found in the eyes of the boy who claimed he had run away because he was scared.
A strangely defiant attitude, lies, and animosity.
Putting it all together, I felt certain.
This wasn’t just a simple childhood prank.
That child had thrown the stone because someone instigated him to do it.
They probably promised to treat his sick younger sister. To ensure he wouldn’t hesitate at the crucial moment, they likely badmouthed me to justify his actions.
After all, that look on his face only appeared when someone believed they were acting in the name of justice.
“I’d like to speak with this child alone for a moment.”
“There’s a room inside.”
The investigator opened the door to a place that looked like an interrogation room.
…Even so, wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous to be completely alone with a child who harbors hostility toward me?
While the investigator led the child into the interrogation room, I looked back.
Sensing my gaze, Scheit took a step forward. But I shook my head.
I knew Scheit wasn’t the culprit.
However, it could have been planned by the people of Archduke Yulisian or Princess Isoldra, whom he took special care of.
Instead of Scheit, I signaled Sindy with my eyes.
Sindy looked back and forth between me and Scheit, then came trotting over.
Click.
The moment the door closed, I lowered my voice.
“Who told you to throw that stone?”
Tommy’s pupils began to wander wildly. His hands trembled, and he avoided my gaze.
“Th-there’s no one like that. I just did it by myself…….”
“Did they say they’d make sure your sister gets treated?”
“…….”
He looked as if his secret had been laid bare. Yet, his mouth remained firmly shut.
“So you don’t intend to speak? That’s fine. I have ways of finding out everything anyway. It probably won’t take very long for that person to end up on the guillotine.”
The boy’s face drained of color.
Without pressing him further, I rose from my seat and opened the door.
I saw Scheit crouching down, and Tommy’s father, who was bowing his head to the floor while desperately clutching the hem of Scheit’s trousers.
The sight was pitiful.
Letting out a sigh, I stepped closer and gently helped him to his feet.
“I never intended to push for an execution in the first place.”
Even if I did, my conscience would trouble me so much that I wouldn’t be able to sleep properly.
Only after witnessing that display did I stand up and address the investigator.
“There’s no need to take this to trial. The child seems to have made a mistake while playing, and he appears to be reflecting on it, so just let him go.”
At my words, the investigator showed a startled expression.
But he soon nodded in agreement.
“As expected of the Baroness. You are truly generous. Then, I will release him with a warning as you requested.”
Only then did a look of relief wash over Tommy’s father’s face.
“Thank you, Baroness. Thank you so, so much! I will never forget this kindness! Tommy, what are you doing, you rascal? Hurry up and say thank you!”
Tommy, who had been sitting alone in the interrogation room, came out with trembling hands and gave a reluctant bow.
I offered Tommy a brief smile before heading outside.
Scheit caught up to my side and lowered his voice.
“I thought you would at least punish the child’s parents.”
“They have a sick child at home. And that boy, Tommy, didn’t seem like a bad kid either.”
“You are merciful.”
“That’s right. So I hope that man goes out and spreads rumors about my mercy. To a lot of people, at that.”
Scheit let out a small chuckle.
“I really can’t tell if you are pure or pragmatic, Baroness.”
“Let’s go with the former.”
“You seem closer to the latter.”
This man, seriously.
When I narrowed my eyes and glared at him, he turned his head away, covering his upturned lips with his long fingers.
Swallowing his laughter, he stopped walking.
What is it? Why did he stop all of a sudden?
As I tilted my head to look at him, he replied.
“Since we’re already out, I believe I should stop by the Palace.”
Did Kildian call for him?
In any case, the matter here was settled, and Sindy was with me, so I nodded casually.
“Very well. See you at the mansion later.”
Scheit offered a brief nod of farewell and departed.
As soon as he left, Sindy stuck close to my side.
“My Lady, is it really alright to let him go so easily?”
“He said he has business to attend to.”
“No, not the Baron! The boy who threw the stone at you. He was clearly put up to it, and it felt like he would have confessed who ordered it if you’d scared him just a little bit more. Why did you just let him go?”
“No. He wouldn’t have spoken.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Over the past five years, more than forty people have been executed publicly in the Square. That child must have grown up watching prisoners being hanged or sent to the blood-stained guillotine. And yet, even while trembling, he didn’t open his mouth.”
“You’re right. He didn’t even cry.”
I nodded. Despite his young age, he had grit and knew how to keep a secret.
“There’s no need to terrify a child like that any further. He was simply used because of his desperate desire to cure his younger sister.”
“Then what do we do now? We haven’t even caught the person who tried to harm you, My Lady…….”
“Don’t worry about that, Sindy. I have you.”
“Me?”
Sindy blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
Smiling, I turned around and placed my hands on her shoulders.
“Yes. Follow Tommy from now on. He’s a boy who understands gratitude, so he will definitely seek out the person who hired him. Since I told him I have a way to uncover the mastermind, he’ll want to deliver that news.”
Sindy let out a gasp of admiration as comprehension dawned on her, and she nodded.
“If the mastermind is ruthless, they might try to silence Tommy permanently by killing him. Since Tommy could become a vital witness, please guard him as well while you’re at it.”
“Of course! Just leave it to me!”
She was so enthusiastic that it made me slightly worried.
“But you know your safety comes first, right, Sindy? If it seems dangerous, don’t act recklessly.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
* * *
“I haven’t seen your maid around lately, Baroness.”
I hesitated for a very brief moment.
Whether I should tell him or not.
However, in a situation where I didn’t know who the mastermind was, I couldn’t open my mouth carelessly.
If Princess Isoldra or the people of Archduke Yulisian were behind this, he wouldn’t be on my side.
“She went down to her hometown because of some personal business.”
Watching him nod, I turned my attention back to the mail that had arrived for me.
“Hmm…….”
Beside me, Scheit, who had been watching me decipher and write down the ancient language from the notebook, raised his head.
“What is the matter?”
“It’s just a bit strange.”
His expression prompted me to explain further.
“Nothing has arrived from the Metterni Marquisate’s daughter for several days now. The Duchess of Beutelen and the Count’s Wife, Eloen, have been sending invitations consistently, and they even sent letters saying the gifts arrived safely……. Could there have been an issue with the dress?”
As I murmured to myself, Scheit set down what he was reading.
“Hmm.”
“What is it?”
“In fact, when I visited the Palace yesterday, I saw the Metterni Marquisate’s daughter with Princess Lucretia.”
“With Princess Lucretia?”
“Yes. Papilion was worried that you might have changed your mind, Baroness. He mentioned that your close associate has been spending a lot of time with Prince Kildian’s fiancée lately.”
“Since when have they been keeping each other company?”
“They say it has been a few days.”
The sudden cessation of contact, and her beginning to mingle with Princess Lucretia, coincided exquisitely with the timing of when I sent the dress.

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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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