[TIDK] 112 – Invitation from the Royal Family

After the subordinate left, Hughan watched Andrei leave. Andrei was aware that the royal police would try to kill him. A careful strategy was necessary.

Isaac recently heard that Scarlett wasn't feeling well and told Andrei. When he went into Scarlett's workshop, she greeted Isaac cheerfully. "Oh, you're here?"

But Scarlett was a child who smiled and laughed even after being scolded by her uncle and coming to Isaac's side. Just knowing that she was laughing didn't give any indication of her feelings. Isaac put down the luggage he brought and asked kindly. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine. Oh, how about the Crimson family? Uncle said he would prove that you lied.”

"Yes. I'm not sure what he's thinking.”

"Don't worry. I believe in myself.”

Scarlett's words made Isaac smile. Then he took out the box he brought and said. "This might be an uninteresting story. After hearing your story last time, I realised that my sense of smell became very sensitive. So I thought about becoming a perfumer.”

Scarlett's eyes widened at Isaac's words.

"Wow, really?"

"Yes. Oh, I'll start small. I mean....”

Isaac quickly added, "I won't make the family go bankrupt by doing a big business or something.”

Scarlett burst out laughing at his words. "I haven't said anything yet, though.”

"Oh, really... What do you think?"

"What do I think? I think it's wonderful, of course.”

"Really?"

"Yes. It's a really commendable idea. I'm already proud of you, even though you haven't done anything yet.”

Isaac chuckled at Scarlett's words.

Scarlett spoke up again. "Just the fact that you thought of doing something is commendable. You've gone through such a big change. I even worried that you might rebel against me later on.”

Isaac and Scarlett had always been close as siblings, but their relationship was never without its fair share of teasing and playful banter. As they sat together in Isaac's room, Scarlett jokingly mentioned something about rebelling, causing Isaac to pause and take on a serious expression.

"You forgot that I'm your older brother, Scarlett," Isaac said with a hint of concern. "What are you talking about, rebelling?"

Scarlett didn't miss a beat and immediately fired back, "Who was it that caused me to go to the police station a few days ago because of an accident?"

Isaac looked a bit flustered, but Scarlett simply laughed it off, putting him at ease. As he opened a box filled with fragrances, Scarlett eagerly looked on, curious to see what he had brought.

"I'm sorry for giving you the first one I made. But I couldn't think of anyone else but you while studying fragrances and making my first one.”

Isaac handed her a perfume he had made himself, and Scarlett accepted it gratefully. As she opened the lid and smelled the fragrance, she could detect a subtle woody scent, mixed with the delicate aroma of roses.

“Wow.”

"It's so good," Scarlett exclaimed happily. "Does this kind of fragrance suit me?"

“I’m certain.”

Isaac assured her that it did, and Scarlett couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. She was already planning on using it every day.

"Thank you. I'll use it well.”

Isaac breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled at Scarlett's excitement. It was moments like these that made their sibling bond even stronger.

♔♔♔

The Dumfelt family had been in a sombre mood for several days.  "A new invitation has arrived from the royal family.”

Viktor sat on a soft chair hung on a window sill and drank alcohol constantly. Although he had been drinking too much for days, there was no one who could stop him.  He seemed to have lost his direction since there was no pirate to kill. Blythe delivered news of a new invitation from the royal family, but Viktor seemed uninterested, lost in a daze since Andrei Hamilton’s confession. Blythe couldn't understand why Viktor wasn't more enthusiastic about the invitation.

"Now...wouldn't it be okay to show your face?"

"I'm not sure.”

"You should accept this invitation," Blythe urged Viktor.

"Why bother?" Viktor replied nonchalantly, staring out the window.

Blythe became more emotional, reminding Viktor that it was something the young master had wanted so badly. But Viktor remained unmoved, consuming the whisky in his hand and sitting in a soft chair by the window.

Viktor leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and seemed annoyed.

As they argued, Blythe noticed the windows were open and warned Viktor to close them, fearing he could fall out.

"It's not a height that would kill you.”

“I don't know why you think that way. You could die even if you fall from the 5th floor. The balcony on the 3rd floor is all marble.”

"If I died from that, I wouldn't be here.”

Evan, who was standing outside the door, agreed with Viktor and nodded.

"That's right, Blythe.”

Geez, those naval officers....

Blythe often thought that these naval officers from the aristocratic families were as barbaric as anyone could be. Fortunately, Viktor spoke up. "I'll go if they call me next month.”

Blythe was satisfied that there was at least some news to tell, and hurriedly ran to deliver the news. Soon, Blythe returned. Then Viktor asked why he hesitated to speak.

"What is it?"

"The Queen...went to the monastery, your highness,” Blythe revealed.

Viktor's expression changed, and the mood in the room shifted once again. The news left them all feeling uncertain about what was to come.

Blythe spoke up. "She went to see Lady Marina.”

Viktor had an indescribable expression on his face. "Let her be.”

"Pardon?"

"Let her do what she wants.”

As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and noticed a carriage entering the garden. When people got off the carriage, Blythe and Viktor looked outside together. Blythe said with a worried expression. "I think there's another commotion."

“Meet me there. I'll be down soon."

At Viktor's words, Blythe and Evan bowed their heads and left.

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