I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 37

Simon opened the council chamber’s vault. Inside lay a pouch of gold coins Liliana recognized, and a single letter.

The sound of Elina grinding her teeth echoed.

“I told you to dispose of it! You said it would be used for a sick family member. Didn’t you say that?!”
“Records must be preserved,” Simon replied calmly, unmoved.

“Simon, count the coins.”

At Leivis’s command, Simon checked each coin with practiced ease. The clink of gold stacking on the desk continued until all were tallied.

Leivis nodded.

“There are fewer than I gave.”
“I never touched them,” Simon declared firmly, his gaze unwavering.

Liliana too had never touched them. Yet Leivis smiled faintly, as if satisfied.

“Yes. Now the numbers add up.”

He murmured.

(Numbers…? What calculation…?)

Everyone wondered, but Leivis said nothing. He picked up the letter from the vault.

(That letter… it isn’t mine…)

The envelope was different, no wax seal. He drew out the opened letter, read it, then called the butler.

“Is this Liliana’s handwriting?”

The butler examined it carefully, then answered clearly:

“No. It’s imitated, but not hers.”

Tension filled the room. Leivis remained calm, studying the letter.

“I see. Then where is the real letter, and who wrote this?”

He spoke as if to himself, yet to everyone present.

“…Um…”

Anne stepped forward hesitantly, producing an envelope from her apron.

“Perhaps… this is the real one?”

It bore an unbroken wax seal. Leivis accepted it, checked the seal.

“The Elsdean crest—the lion of flame and lily. This is Liliana’s.”

He looked at Anne.

“Where was it?”
“Under Elina’s bed…”

Elina’s face turned deathly pale.

“You…” she groaned.

Anne glanced at her, then back to Leivis.

“…Since it bore Madam’s seal, I thought it strange. A draft wouldn’t be sealed. So I kept it, just in case.”

Leivis turned to Liliana.

“May I open it?”

She nodded faintly. He carefully cut the seal, read the contents, and tightened his lips in satisfaction.

“…As expected. The requested sum matches exactly what I gave her.”

He showed the letter to the butler.

“Yes. Without doubt, Madam’s handwriting,” the butler confirmed.

Liliana always asked him to check her letters. He knew her hand well.

Leivis compared the forged and genuine letters side by side. His expression turned mocking.

“Placed together, the forgery is crude. Had the real one been copied, it wouldn’t be this poor. You lost it before forging, and wrote from memory.”

His sharp gaze fixed on Elina.

“Elina. You forged this letter, didn’t you?”

She turned away, pained.

“The mistress ordered me…”
“Why? There’s no reason. She could have written the amount directly.”

His words made her gasp.

“It was for later—yes, now! To frame me! That woman is a hopeless wife—”
“Then you should have reported it. The housekeeper and butler are here. They are ordered to report any irregularities.”
“That’s why I’m saying it now—!”
“…”

His golden eyes blazed like fire revealing truth. Elina shrank under the weight, silenced.

Leivis sighed, his face briefly sorrowful, then turned to Liliana.

“Liliana desires nothing, asks for nothing.”

—Because she never wanted to be seen as a bad wife. Never wanted to be a spendthrift. She was used to wanting nothing. Her family had never given her anything.

“If you wish to aid such family, I won’t refuse. Sending money itself is trivial. I will review it, of course.”
“…”

His voice carried kindness. Tears welled in Liliana’s eyes.

Leivis turned back to Elina.

“But if anyone seeks to ruin my wife, I will never forgive them.”

His voice was low, filled with unyielding resolve and anger.

“Why did you try to brand Liliana with embezzlement?”
“That’s not… it’s different…”
“Different? How? If you have an explanation, speak. If you have proof, show it.”
“…”

Silence.

“So now you remain mute. Yet I still have questions for you.”

At that moment, two more servants entered the chamber: Van the gardener, and Marie the maid.