How To End This Marriage-Chapter 66: Ablia’s Secrets

"Duchess, are you inside? Can I come in?" Vix’s voice broke through the silence, interrupting my contemplations.

"Yes, come in," I replied, granting her entry. She arrived bearing food and fresh clothes for the disheveled woman who had been waiting with eager anticipation.

The woman’s eyes widened as she beheld the array of food before her. "Food! Finally, food is here. All of this is mine. No one is going to touch them. All of this belongs to me alone," she declared, her possessiveness over the meal apparent as she circled it protectively.

Vix looked puzzled as she set down the provisions. "Duchess, who is she? And why is she behaving like this? Didn’t you ask me to bring food for yourself? Then why is she here?" she inquired, her brow furrowing.

"No, I did ask for her. I found her when I went outside. No hotels allowed her inside, and I couldn’t find a suitable place to leave her, so I brought her with me. She kept saying she was hungry, so the food is the only thing that can calm her down," I explained, watching the woman as she began eating with fervor.

Vix tried to comprehend the woman’s circumstances. "How was she living like this?" she wondered aloud, unable to fathom the harsh reality the woman had endured.

"I’m not sure. I’m not sure how everyone keeps living like this. If seeing just one person in this condition affects me like this, how will I feel when I see crowds of people facing the same situation?" I mused, my voice tinged with sadness and determination.

"Crowds?" Vix questioned, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, crowds! She’s not the only one behaving this way. There are thousands of people living in similar conditions. I have to take swift action to address this issue," I declared, a sense of urgency coloring my words. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

As our conversation continued, I noticed Grant standing at the door, patiently awaiting my attention.

"Did you bring everything I asked for?" I inquired, shifting my focus to him.

"Yes, I brought everything as you ordered," he replied dutifully. However, before handing over the ledgers, he hesitated and raised a question that had been weighing on his mind. "But, Duchess, shouldn’t you seek the Lord’s opinion on this matter?"

"The Duke’s opinion? Why?" I queried, genuinely interested in his perspective.

"After all, you are discussing matters concerning Ablia, which falls under his jurisdiction. Shouldn’t he have a say?" Grant suggested, his tone laced with uncertainty.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I contemplated his suggestion. "Grant, do you remember the first time I asked for all the documents of this mansion and Ablia? What did you tell me?"

His brow furrowed as he recalled the past. "That the documents haven’t been checked by anyone for years. I used to check them when I first arrived at this mansion, but that was for a short time. It’s been a long time since anyone even touched those documents."

"Exactly, Grant," I affirmed, satisfied that he remembered. With a nod, he departed, understanding the point I was making.

"So how could you even ask me to seek the Duke’s opinion when he hasn’t even glanced at the documents during the years before I arrived? If he didn’t do it then, why would he do it now?" I added. With a nod, he departed, understanding the point I was making.

"Ah, Vix, could you please take this lady to a guest room? I think she needs to see a doctor. I’m not sure what’s wrong with her, but I believe she’s going through a lot, so it’s best to have her checked by a physician," I instructed.

"As you wish, Duchess. I’ll have the maids clean her up first and then check if she has any physical injuries. After that, I’ll call for the doctor," Vix assured me before leading the woman away.

Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I called upon Erios. "Erios, please review these files. Even if you don’t fully understand them, check if anything seems unusual in the documents. I’ll investigate further."

Erios nodded and began examining the ledgers while I continued to flip through the pages, my eyes focused on the budget allocated for the state’s welfare. Everything appeared to be meticulously maintained, with millions of gold coins earmarked for Ablia’s development, and signatures from the citizens confirming receipt. Yet, the evident lack of progress and the region’s dilapidated state couldn’t be ignored.

"Erios, did you notice anything unusual?" I inquired, my gaze still fixed on the ledgers.

"No, the budgets appear to be meticulously maintained. It’s challenging to find any discrepancies here. But where is the money allocated by the Duke? It’s documented that he sanctioned millions of gold coins monthly for Ablia’s development and the mansion’s upkeep. Yet, you mentioned the maids wearing the same uniforms for five years. Who is siphoning off the funds meant for the people?" Erios voiced the same concern that had been troubling me.

"Let me investigate this myself," I decided, rising from my seat and stepping out into the hallway. The mansion’s bustling activity continued unabated as I raised my voice to command attention.

"Attention!" I called out, demanding the focus of those present.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, filled with both curiosity and exasperation.

"What’s going on now?"

"Didn’t she create enough chaos a moment ago?"

"Yeah, I wonder what she’s planning this time," I overheard the whispered complaints from the assembled staff, but I paid them no mind.

"Yes, Duchess, do you require something?" one of them inquired.

"Yes, I need everyone’s attention for an important discussion," I asserted, determined to get to the bottom of the financial discrepancies that plagued Ablia.

"What is it?" they asked, curiosity piqued.

"Tell me, tell me your salaries, which are paid by the Duke," I requested, prompting a collective gasp of astonishment that swept through the crowd. It was clear they were contemplating the implications of my inquiry.

"Duchess, aren’t you aware of our salaries? They are always documented in the budget, and we sign for our pay," one of the maids replied, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes, I am aware. That’s why I’m asking again. Tell me how much you receive," I pressed further, determined to uncover the truth behind Ablia’s financial mysteries.