The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

g how to deal with it, Countess Cohen, who had not said anything, asked cautiously.

 

“Your Majesty, what are you going to do?”

 

“The authenticity of the contents has not yet been confirmed, so shouldn’t we check the facts first? It could be something someone left to put me in trouble, so let’s investigate from our end first.”

 

Baroness Verna nodded at Rodelia’s words.
She rubbed the back of her hand as if she was thinking of something, and then opened her mouth after a while.

 

“You can’t be swayed by writings that you don’t know the source of.
There’s an information broker I’ve been transacting with a lot lately, should I ask him to look into it secretly?”

 

“An information broker……?”

 

“It’s a pretty big place so it’s credible.”

 

That was definitely a good method.

 

Rodelia instructed Baroness Verna to inquire about Countess Cullen, and then wrote the invitations to the tea party that was going to be held soon.

 

*

 

“Your Majesty, this is the list of the ladies who will be attending the tea party.”

 

By the time she had forgotten about the slave dealings, replies to the tea party invitations she had sent have arrived.
Rodelia paused her work and accepted the list given by Baroness Verna.

 

“And……the information about Countess Cullen is also attached to the last page.”

 

“Thank you, Madam.”

 

Rodelia had a relaxed expression as she calmly looked at the list.

 

Fortunately, most of the ladies sent positive responses.
Of course, the majority of them were from lower aristocratic families, and not everyone accepted with good intentions, but that was enough.

 

“Huu…”

 

Rodelia flipped to the last page with trembling hands.

 

She married Count Cullen when she was 18 years old.
Two years after marriage, she gave birth to her son, Simon Cullen…….>

 

The front of the document listed basic information about Countess Cullen.
Rodelia’s gaze, as she read quickly, stopped at the bottom of the document.

 

<……She has been running a perfume business for about a year.
It has grown fast enough that it was able to import and export to other countries in a short period of time.
In truth, it has been identified as a large-scale slave merchant guild, in which the main products are young and beautiful boys, with the bulk of its customers believed to be high-ranking ladies or middle-aged male aristocrats who enjoy p*d*rasty.
Currently, the reservation system is held for 3 days of every month, and it is known that even VIP customers are not allowed to enter unless they hold a pass issued by the Countess herself.>

 

“This kind of thing….”

 

Her mouth dried up and her hand holding the paper shook.
Who in the world tipped her off about this thing?

 

The maids looked at Rodelia’s serious reaction with concern.
After calming down, she carefully told her maids.

 

“What was written on the note is true.”

 

“Oh my…!”

 

“Perhaps this is bigger than I expected.
It seems that there are many aristocrats involved…….
and at the rate of how things are, I think His Majesty has consented.
Here, read it.”

 

Rodelia handed the document to the maids.
Soon after, their emotions turned to shock.

 

“Oh my God…”

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“Well… I’m so confused right now.
Is the person who sent the note asking me to solve this case, or…….”

 

‘Is it to help me?’

 

Rodelia didn’t finish the end of her sentence.
Fortunately, the maids were not curious about what she meant.
Probably because the fact that slavery is prevalent is already too shocking for them to think of anything else.

 

There was silence for a while.
Then the silence was broken when Countess Cohen cautiously expressed her opinion.

 

“Why don’t you talk to the Marquis of Florence first?”

 

“I’m sure father already knows.”

 

No doubt, he was not breaking such a grievous affair open because he was likely waiting for the right time.
Presumably because she’s the empress now and offending Kane won’t do him any good.

 

Rodelia tapped her finger on the desk, wondering what to do, then slowly said.

 

“First of all, send a letter to Countess Cullen.
I want her to come.
It’s better to hear the reason directly from her.
And please proceed with the investigation of the other ladies who accepted the invitation.
And…… write to that person.”

 

*

 

“Her Majesty has sent you a letter asking you to meet her.”

 

In a dark place, the fire burning brightly in the fireplace repeatedly cast and erased shadows on the man’s face.

 

The man turned his head at the news he had been waiting for and accepted the letter given by the servant.

 

“Shall I send a reply, Your Grace?”

 

Cold eyes turned to him.
Cerdian, who was reading the letter with his chin on his hand, slowly muttered.

 

“Tell her I’ll come see her at the time she wants.”

 

A faint smile spread on Cerdian’s lips.

 

Rodelia took the bait.

 

He had already predicted that she would seek him out, but he didn’t know she would write and ask him to meet so soon.

 

From the looks of it, he had built up some faith.

 

Cerdian was very pleased with that.
What will Rodelia bring up?

 

The attendant bowed his head and left the room.

 

“I’m willing to be used.”