The Grand Duke’s Daughter

No one died.

Inside the study, Reyn gazed at the report on the table, pointing to those four stark words as he looked at Ark, who stood before him. “You’re not joking, are you?”

Ark lowered his head, his brow furrowed, and his voice solemn. “Based on the investigations by the Blackwing Knights and the enforcers, we repeatedly confirmed the population within the territory and found no bodies left at the scene. Only then did we arrive at this conclusion.”

Reyn’s brows furrowed deeply. He tapped the desktop intermittently, a habitual gesture.

That towering pillar of flame from several nights ago had caused no casualties?

He gently rubbed his throbbing temples, sighing. “Then, what about the investigation into the Dreamweavers?”

Ark’s expression was peculiar as he dutifully played along. “They don’t exist.”

Reyn looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What do you mean, ‘they don’t exist’?”

Ark began to explain. “We found no trace left by the Dreamweavers. After we confiscated a batch of ‘Sweet Dreams’ from the gang organizations, no more ‘Sweet Dreams’ appeared in the Lower City. If Dreamweavers truly existed in the Lower City, then they likely perished in the great fire that night.”

Reyn suddenly slammed his hand heavily on the desktop, stating in a deep voice, “So, an outsider managed to bypass port inspections?”

Since Dreamweavers existed, yet not a single registered resident in the territory had died, the only possibility was that they were stowaways.

Even stowaways, though unknown to the public eye, were still under the Rheinhebo family’s surveillance. This implied that the Dreamweavers had evaded the Rheinhebo family’s watchful gaze.

After a brief moment of thought, Reyn spoke. “Jack Reagan. Why would a local become a Bishop-level Dreamweaver?”

“The enforcers reported that it was due to compatibility. Jack Reagan had a very high compatibility with Utopia, which also made him more susceptible to its corruption.”

Reyn tapped the desktop twice, softly. “Resolve the manpower issue as quickly as possible. There are simply too many places that need attention.”

Ark bowed his head. “My Lord, regarding this matter, allow me to report. The wealthy residents of the Upper City, who constitute the bulk of the Church’s funding, seem to have found a new patron.”

Reyn’s head snapped up. Bishop Carlos and his priests had already fled the territory, and the Elder Council members had long since perished. Who else could be their patron now besides him?

He quickly realized the implication, his voice turning cold. “Which noble?”

“The Rose Merchant Guild, under the name of Victoria Michelle, Grand Duke Michelle’s youngest daughter.”

Reyn’s pupils constricted sharply. The Empire had four hundred and twelve noble titles, plus the Imperial Family, corresponding precisely to the Empire’s four hundred and thirteen city-states. Yet, there were only four Grand Dukes. Grand Duke Michelle was renowned as the Lord of the South, infamous for his plundering.

The Rheinhebo family derived honor from their title, but they were also constrained by it. Compared to heretics, this Lord of the South was a far more terrifying entity. Even the servants within the Michelle family had noble blood flowing through their veins.

Reyn’s expression began to grow anxious. “Has this been confirmed?”

Just as Ark was about to reply, an urgent knock suddenly sounded from outside the door, followed by a young man’s nervous voice. “My Lord, Miss Victoria Michelle wishes to see you.”

Reyn’s expression changed drastically. He said in a low voice, “Ark, please welcome our esteemed guest.”

As the door opened, a young woman with long azure hair, dressed in an opulent sky-blue cloud-gauze gown, slowly stepped into the room. Reyn rose from his seat, the anxiety on his face instantly vanishing. Soon, servants entered to arrange exquisite desserts and black tea on the side table.

Reyn politely guided her to a seat, then spoke softly, “Greetings, esteemed Miss Victoria Michelle. May I ask what important matter brings your distinguished presence to this humble territory?”

Victoria smiled faintly, her approachable demeanor betraying no hint of malice. Her voice was as soft as water. “Respected Count Reyn Rheinhebo, I am not merely a noble; I am also a merchant. And the most frequent activity for a merchant is investment.”

Reyn couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, speaking gently, “Are you saying you wish to invest in me?”

Victoria lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip, maintaining her smile. “I am prepared to initially provide you with four hundred million to aid in the development of your territory.”

Reyn was not swayed by the enormous sum. He met Victoria’s ocean-blue eyes. “Merchants, now, merchants don’t engage in losing propositions, do they? Yet, the only truly valuable asset in this territory is a single profound iron mine. But for the Michelle family, that’s hardly anything, is it?”

Victoria chuckled softly at his words, then said gently, “In this world, there is only one thing I truly yearn for.”

Reyn’s gaze subtly shifted. He offered a polite, light laugh. “Yearn for? Miss Victoria Michelle would use such a word? It sounds as if it’s the most precious treasure in the world.”

Victoria gazed intently at Reyn’s fair face, as if wanting to imprint his image deeply into her eyes. Her crimson-lipsticked lips parted slightly. “It is… a treasure I would embrace, even if it meant losing everything.”

Reyn maintained his smiling expression, but inwardly, his heart churned with tumultuous waves.

The atmosphere had become so bizarre, it was as if a deeply smitten maiden was confessing her love! But this was absolutely impossible. Victoria Michelle was clearly deliberately creating this mood. If he were truly just a hot-headed young man in his early twenties, he might indeed have fallen for it.

Yet, his experience from two lifetimes, and as a modern man, told Reyn that this was merely bait cast by Victoria Michelle. And for a Grand Duke’s offspring to use such a method as bait, it was clear that the prize she intended to catch must be terrifyingly valuable.

Was she after the Rheinhebo family’s territory?

The territory of a Count would indeed be a highly valuable asset for Victoria Michelle.

Four hundred million in funds… this was clearly poisoned candy, but Reyn had no power to refuse.

He quickly sorted out the situation, then spoke gently, “Then, Miss Victoria, how do you intend to invest this four hundred million?”

Victoria’s face suddenly lost all composure, like a child caught secretly with candy facing the shop owner’s gaze. She spoke nervously and guiltily, “Is ten million for a single matchstick acceptable?”

“Huh?”

“I was too greedy. Is one hundred million for a single matchstick… acceptable?”

Reyn could no longer describe his feelings. If Victoria meant what he thought she meant… how could that be possible! He admitted that his face could indeed charm many naive young maidens, but it certainly wouldn’t include a Grand Duke’s offspring.

There had to be some conspiracy he hadn’t realized, but what could Victoria do with his time after buying him? It couldn’t possibly be that she truly desired his body, could it?

Unable to make a decision, Reyn naturally smiled and said, “Miss Victoria’s proposal is indeed very tempting, but there are still many issues within the territory that I need to address. These are not matters that money alone can solve. I believe Miss Victoria must have heard the rumors, haven’t you? This territory is plagued by numerous heretics causing trouble, and even Witches from the Witch’s Assembly.”

Victoria first lowered her head in disappointment, then her eyes filled with a new light of hope. She rose from her seat and bowed to Reyn in farewell. “I understand. I will make the arrangements and ensure they will not know.”

Reyn smiled as he saw Victoria off. Once he confirmed that she had indeed temporarily departed, his expression instantly became exceptionally solemn.

He had managed to muddle through today, but he didn’t know how long the excuse of heretics would last. If he couldn’t scare Victoria Michelle away, then he would face an even greater threat than the heretics themselves.