[TIDK] 97 – Charity Party Scene

Viktor leaned against the window frame for a while, and soon Scarlett was seen leaving the mansion wearing a light purple brimmed hat.

She ran to Isaac, who got off the carriage in front of the mansion. Then, as she looked into Isaac’s face, her shouting could be heard, “Hey!” Seconds later, the sound of a slap on Isaac’s back reached Viktor’s office.

The corner of Viktor’s mouth went up a little bit at Scarlett’s appearance, which he had never seen before. After the siblings’ carriage left, Evan entered through the open door. His expression, which had never been so serious before, was stiff.

“Before I came here, I went to the Royal Police Station.”

“Why?”

“Earl Isaac Crimson was in prison, causing trouble.”

Viktor replied, still looking out the window at Evan’s report. “I see.”

“The Royal Police are somehow involved every time.”

Even with Evan’s words, Viktor didn’t respond.

After Scarlett’s carriage was out of sight, he looked back at Evan and said, “I’ll be at the Royal Police Headquarters soon.”

“You’re going to go yourself?”

“Whether it’s confusing in her memory or she’s had insider contact, it’s clear that something happens after every time my wife visits the Royal Police Station. So I’d better go.”

Evan spoke awkwardly.

“It would be against your sincerity to go into the Royal Police Headquarters like that. Especially… You know, His Highness Irène doesn’t like you.”

“So?”

He split some melted ice and filled it with new ice.

“I’m not a royal anyway.”

“I mean, what do you mean by that now?”

“It doesn’t mean much if I put my name on the royal family and my mother is reinstated. I would know.”

“...”

“How long will it take?”

“On the way in or out of the Royal Police?”

“Both.”

“Two months from now.”

“Okay.”

Viktor poured a new drink and asked. “What about the man next to Scarlett?”

“Andrei Hamilton seems to be a royal police officer. But let me investigate more.”

“Good.”

Before Evan stepped down immediately, he enquired. “Did you leave that white bread behind?”

Then Viktor looked down at the bread, and Evan said, “If it’s for you, why don’t you eat it?”

Viktor picked up the bread. Then Evan bowed a little and stepped back. Pallin, waiting outside, spoke with apprehension.

“How can you communicate with the captain so normally?”

“It’s the art of living.”

“In your case, there are times when it’s more like hypnosis than the art of living.” Evan wrinkled his eyebrows and moved on.

♔♔♔

Three days later, a charity party was held late at night at the banquet hall of the Hunter family in the northeastern capital of Salantier.

When Viktor, dressed in a suit with his mother Marina, got off the carriage, everyone focused on the two. Let alone Marina; even Viktor was not a frequent party figure.

The party’s mood changed since Viktor entered the Hunter family banquet hall. Viktor Dumfelt was far from the rugged sailor people were expecting. There was no one whose eyes he didn’t catch as he appeared.

Curious glances followed him in the hall.

Contrary to the wishes of noble ladies interested in him, Viktor did not enjoy private conversations. Instead, he spent time smoking cigars with gentlemen thirty years his senior.

On the other hand, Marina was over the moon. She waltzed all over the party, appearing saner than they thought. She had learned to speak like royalty from a young age and was eloquent and entertaining.

In the past, the party participants doubted that Marina Dumfelt’s mind was sound.

Meanwhile, Nina approached Viktor and talked to him. “You look happy, Mrs Marina.”

“Thanks to you.”

“Viktor.”

When Nina called, Viktor noticed her.

Nina looked at the man whom Yuli Irène couldn’t stand. Yuli wasn’t on his level.

Everyone said Viktor Dumfelt probably died when he didn’t return from the sea for half a year.

But when he returned alive, Nina thought he should have died at sea. Then she wouldn’t have to suffer like this.

It was painful to stand behind his back and look at his face waiting for him to speak in a gentlemanly manner.

‘That kind of man is bad for women,’ Nina thought.

She asked. “Will you accept me if I come back?” Viktor replied in an indifferent voice. “I appreciate your kindness.”

Nina laughed spiritedly at his answer.

Marina, who had been enjoying the party, laughing and chatting, began to act aggressively at some point.

Recognising that she was suffering from body fatigue and delirium, Viktor walked up and told Marina.

“Let’s go back now.”

“It’s fun, so let’s stay a little longer. Please?”

Marina begged like a child. Viktor shook his head and said. “Let’s go before we get tired, Mother.”

“I don’t want to.”

Marina tried to push Viktor away, but he didn’t budge.