As soon as I returned to the estate, I summoned the butler.

“What became of the investigation I commissioned from the information guild? Why haven’t I heard anything yet?”

“Ah…”

The butler visibly startled before hesitating. With an awkward look on his face, he cautiously glanced at me.

“The preliminary report has already arrived, but I decided to hold onto it until the investigation was complete so I could present everything to you at once.”

“Bring it.”

“Yes, Master!”

The butler hurried off and returned with the report.

“Here it is.”

⟪Preliminary Report on Fiache Ivrante: Medical Records⟫

※Compiled with reference to the medical records and professional opinion of Jennifer Angelica, former physician to House Moulton.

– XX Year, February 2: Initial examination of Fiache Moulton, adopted daughter of House Moulton. Condition: healthy.

– XX Year, April 12: Treated for bruising to the thigh. Reportedly fell while playing in the garden.

– XX Year, May 31: Treated for facial abrasions. Reportedly scratched by a cat. (The wounds are inconsistent with cat scratches. Based on their size and pattern, they are suspected to have been caused by a child’s fingernails.)

– XX Year, June 24: Treated for swelling to the back of the head. Reportedly fell down the stairs.

– XX Year, July 19: Treated for abrasions to the left shoulder and bruising to the arm. Reportedly fell from a swing.

– XX Year, October 10: Treated for multiple abrasions beneath the left eye, on the neck, and across the chest. Reportedly scratched by a cat. (Blood traces were found beneath Bianca Moulton’s fingernails.)

– XX Year, November 17: Treated for hypothermia and vomiting. Displayed an extreme fear of Bianca Moulton. Cause unknown.

– XX Year, December 20: Found unconscious in the attic.

– XX Year, January 9: Diagnosed with selective mutism. Cause unknown.

※Investigator Noel Pound’s Assessment

Evidence indicates that Fiache Ivrante was subjected to both physical and emotional abuse while living with that family.

Jennifer Angelica, who treated Fiache on December 20, believes Bianca most likely locked Fiache in the attic and is convinced it was not an isolated incident.

For that reason, I made several attempts to investigate Bianca Moulton further. However, I was unable to obtain any meaningful information from the household’s current staff.

A more thorough investigation is recommended, focusing on dismissed servants and Jennifer Angelica, the family’s former physician.

“Why was the report delayed?”

“I became preoccupied with selecting Your Grace’s fiancée… My deepest apologies.”

For the butler, who normally prided himself on flawless efficiency, to make a mistake like this…

‘There really must have been an overwhelming number of applications.’

“Have you read the report?”

“My apologies. I haven’t had the chance to review it yet.”

I thought as much.

That explained why he’d completely forgotten about it.

“Read it.”

“Yes, Master.”

The butler swiftly read through the report.

Halfway through, his brow twitched.

After finishing, he neatly straightened the pages and handed them back to me.

Outwardly, he appeared perfectly composed.

In reality, he was furious.

The eyes that normally remained calm at all times were quietly seething.

“Give me your assessment.”

“I understand now why House Moulton’s former physician was willing to cooperate so readily, even to the point of providing confidential medical records.”

I let out a faint chuckle and nodded.

For a noble family’s physician, confidentiality was paramount.

A physician who leaked medical records could very well find themselves ostracized by noble society.

‘But… she must’ve pitied Fiache beyond words to risk doing something like that.’

There hadn’t been a single day when Fiache hadn’t been hurt.

Most of her injuries were nothing more than bruises and abrasions.

Nothing life-threatening.

Which only reinforced the conclusion that the culprit had been another child rather than an adult.

‘Bianca, no doubt.’

The problem was that it would be difficult to prove Fiache had been abused.

Just as Marchioness Moulton had claimed at the boutique, they’d simply dismiss it as children fighting amongst themselves.

‘What a damned joke.’

I forced the curse rising to my lips back down.

“I hear Marquess Moulton owns Fabius. Tell me everything you know.”

“House Moulton’s founding ancestor was a Master-class mage.”

“A Master?”

“Yes, Master. He was granted the title of marquess in recognition of his achievements. However, none of his descendants ever produced another mage of comparable talent. As a result, the family’s influence gradually faded from the center of power.”

“A house founded through magic was bound to decline if later generations failed to measure up. Go on.”

“The current head of House Moulton is Marquess Gris Moulton. He inherited the family after being recognized as a General-class mage.”

In other words, House Moulton had declined to the point where a mere General-class mage was enough to become its head.

“And ten years ago, he married Floria Ribbon, the eldest daughter of House Ribbon, and relocated the family’s seat to the capital.”

“That must have been when the Marquess established Fabius.”

“That’s correct.”

House Moulton had only begun attracting attention again after establishing Fabius.

“So they must have made a fortune through Fabius?”

“They actively incorporate magic into not only the structural integrity of their buildings but also their appearance, so their average contract value is extremely high.”

“That would limit the number of potential clients.”

“Fabius only accepts commissions from nobles in the first place. At present, nearly every noble house does business with them.”

For a mage, Marquess Moulton had a surprisingly keen head for business.

Judging by his premium pricing and differentiation strategy, he’d successfully exploited the nobility’s vanity.

“Master, shall I have every construction proposal Fabius has ever submitted reviewed from top to bottom?”

“Why?”

“I doubt this was the only time they embezzled funds. Why don’t we uncover every instance and file suit to recover the losses?”

Even if we uncovered the embezzlement, he’d simply pin the blame on the estate steward and walk away clean.

Still…

It wasn’t a bad idea.

I nodded.

“Very well. Find everything.”

“Shall I begin legal proceedings as well?”

“A lawsuit is too lenient. If they dared lay a hand on House Ivrante’s ward, then the very least we should do is make sure they can’t earn a living in the capital.”

The butler bowed deeply, his face filled with admiration.

“As expected of you, Master.”

“Tell the information guild to begin a full investigation. I want them to uncover every last speck of dirt.”

“At once.”

In truth, what Fiache had suffered while living with House Moulton had nothing whatsoever to do with House Ivrante…

…but neither the butler nor I saw any reason to point that out.

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