The Man Behind The Closed Door

Eleanor’s POV

My body still felt slightly weak when I woke up that morning. The pain the system had inflicted on me the night before was gone, but the memory of it remained painfully clear.

I rubbed my chest before getting out of bed.

“Wonderful. Now I can't even feel safe when I'm asleep.”

[System: Good morning, Eleanor.]

I rolled my eyes as the glowing panel suddenly appeared.

“Don't greet me as if we're old friends.”

[Main Quest Time Remaining: 363 days.]

The panel disappeared after displaying the countdown. I didn't want to waste any more time thinking about the system. There were other matters I needed to deal with, particularly the financial records I'd discovered yesterday.

Robert still hadn't explained the two different signatures on the series of payments. If I wanted to find out what was really going on, I needed the complete documents and someone with the authority to approve their release.

Edward.

I didn't particularly want to bother the man, but it seemed I had no other choice.

After breakfast, I asked a servant to escort me to the Duke's study.

“Is His Grace in his study?” I asked.

The servant nodded. “I believe so, Your Grace. He has been there since early this morning.”

“Very well. Please inform him that I'd like to speak with him.”

“Is there anything in particular I should tell him?”

“No need. Just tell him it's about the household budget.”

The servant bowed before leaving. I waited for a while, but when he returned, he didn't bring the answer I'd been hoping for.

“I'm sorry, Your Grace. The Duke is currently meeting with a visitor from the family office. He has asked not to be disturbed for the time being.”

Damn it! Why was it so difficult to see him?

I sighed. “Does he know I wish to see him?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Very well. I'll wait.”

I had no intention of forcing my way into someone's study when he had explicitly requested not to be disturbed.

However, after waiting for quite some time, I began to lose patience. I stood up and walked down the corridor toward Edward's study. At the very least, I could ask him directly how much longer his meeting would take.

But just as I was approaching the door, I stopped in my tracks when I heard a man's voice coming from inside.

“That document should have been settled long ago, Your Grace. The longer it remains unresolved, the greater the risk of the information being leaked.”

I frowned, trying to recall the storyline of The Duke's Unwanted Bride, the novel I'd read in my original world. I remembered a few details about the Alistair family and the Valedorian Empire, but there had never been any detailed explanation about old documents or whatever problem they were dealing with.

Perhaps that part had never been mentioned. Or... had I simply forgotten?

Edward's voice came a few seconds later.

“I know. That's why I don't want anyone else touching it until everything has been examined.”

“However, if someone finds a copy of that agreement, we cannot guarantee its contents will remain concealed.”

Agreement?

My brows drew together even further. Something about the conversation made me reluctant to simply walk away.

“What about the late Duke's old documents?” the man asked again.

I froze.

The late Duke Alistair?

The mention of Edward's father immediately caught my attention. I knew he had died several years before the story began, but I'd never read much about his family's affairs. In the novel, his death was only mentioned as one of the past events that had shaped Edward into the man he was today.

“No one is to access those documents without my permission,” Edward replied firmly. “Including those who believe they have a right to their contents.”

“Then what about the previous agreement—”

“Enough. We'll discuss it once I've confirmed that all the necessary files are available.”

I held my breath.

An agreement. Old documents. The late Duke Alistair.

The three seemed connected, but I had no idea how they related to the financial irregularities I was investigating. Did those documents contain a business agreement? Or something far more important?

I took a step backward, intending to leave the corridor before anyone noticed me. But the sound of a chair scraping against the floor inside the room made me stop.

“Is there anything else you need to discuss, Your Grace?” the man asked.

“No. You may leave.”

I quickly turned around, but it was too late.

The study door opened just as I was about to walk away. A formally dressed man stepped out, carrying a document case. He glanced at me in surprise before giving a polite bow.

“Your Grace, Duchess.”

I returned his nod. “Good morning.”

The man quickly walked away, leaving me alone in the corridor. A moment later, Edward's voice made me turn around.

“Eleanor.”

He stood in the doorway, one hand still resting on the handle. His gaze shifted from my face to the corridor where the man had just disappeared.

“What are you doing here?”

I lifted my chin. “I came to see you.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Not long.”

Edward stared at me without expression. “Did you hear our conversation?”

I was slightly taken aback by his direct question.

“I just happened to be passing by.”

“And you happened to stop right in front of my study?”

“I was waiting for the servant to deliver my message.”

“The servant already informed you that I was receiving a visitor.”

I sighed. “Yes. That's why I didn't come in.”

“But you still stood outside the door.”

“Edward, I wasn't eavesdropping.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Then what did you hear?”

I hesitated for a moment. If I said too much, he might become even more suspicious. But pretending I hadn't heard anything at all would sound equally ridiculous.

“Just a few words,” I finally answered.

“Such as?”

“Old documents. Your father. And an agreement.”

Edward's expression changed immediately. It was subtle, but enough to make me realize I'd just mentioned something I wasn't supposed to hear.

“So you did hear us.”

“It wasn't intentional.”

“That conversation was none of your concern.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I never said I wanted to get involved.”

“Then you would be wise not to look into it any further.”

His tone irritated me.

“You always say the same thing whenever I ask you about something.”

“Because there are things you don't need to know.”

“Interesting. So, as your wife, I'm only allowed to know the things you consider appropriate for me to hear?”

Edward didn't answer immediately. He glanced toward his study before looking back at me.

“If you came here to discuss something, then say it.”

I remembered the real reason I'd come.

“This is about the household budget. I've reviewed some of the purchase records Robert gave me.”

“And?”

“There are irregularities in several transactions. I asked for the complete documents, but Robert said he needed your approval.”

Edward fell silent.

“I also found two different signatures on the same series of payments,” I continued. “I want to examine the original documents before drawing any conclusions.”

“Robert has already reported it to me.”

I was slightly surprised. “So you already know?”

“I'll look into it.”

“Then may I have access to the necessary documents?”

Edward studied me for a long moment before answering.

“I'll consider it.”

I sighed. His answer wasn't exactly satisfying, but at least he hadn't rejected my request outright.

“Very well. I'll wait for your decision.”

I was about to turn away when Edward called my name again.

“Eleanor.”

I stopped and looked back. “Yes?”

He studied me with an expression I couldn't quite read. The atmosphere in the corridor suddenly felt colder than before.

“There's something I'd like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Edward took a step closer. Now, only a few steps separated us.

“Have you ever seen any of my father's documents?”

***