To talk alone with Alice? What good would talking with Alice do about the Debus Family's alleged smuggling? It was clear that this Merritt had ill intentions. Nimus, having weathered many storms, naturally saw this as clearly as a mirror.
Nimus's eyes involuntarily narrowed as he looked at Merritt.
But Merritt lounged comfortably in his chair, even closing his eyes to rest, not bothering to glance at Nimus. His attitude was clear—if you want your family's name cleared, have Alice come talk to me.
Nimus pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Lord Merritt admires Master Lin Lei's 'Awakening from a Dream' sculpture. It's understandable you'd wish to speak with Alice. Very well, I will go back and discuss it with Alice."
At these words, Merritt, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and smiled at Nimus beside him. "Haha, then Nimus, please go back first. As long as I can have a good, private talk with Alice, I believe I will come to understand your Debus Family much better."
Nimus immediately stood up, his manner humble and polite. "Then, Lord Merritt, I will take my leave. We entrust our Debus Family to your care."
Merritt nodded lightly.
Nimus promptly withdrew.
Now, Duke Merritt was alone in the entire drawing room.
Merritt held his wine glass, murmuring softly, "Goddess, Alice..." A hint of self-satisfaction and yearning appeared on his face.
Merritt, as the Right Chancellor of the Fenlei Kingdom and a titled Duke, held a position of immense prestige. Within the entire Fenlei Kingdom, fewer than five people ranked higher than him.
A man of his stature had seen every kind of woman.
Merritt did indeed appreciate women, and though he was now over seventy, a powerful warrior could live for two or three hundred years. At just over seventy, he was in his prime strength. Merritt publicly had twelve wives. However, a popular viewpoint among nobles was—
Wives at home can't compare to lovers outside, and lovers outside can't compare to the one you can't have. The unattainable is always the best.
But for a man of Merritt's status, very few women were beyond his reach. Those who could truly make his heart stir were exceedingly rare.
And Alice was certainly one of them.
Ever since the sculpture 'Awakening from a Dream' became famous, many people considered the woman depicted in it to be a 'Goddess'! A goddess was unattainable, and someone of Merritt's high standing naturally desired nothing more than to possess a goddess like Alice. But the difficulty was immense.
This time, however, was an opportunity.
"Alice, my goddess?" A smile that was hard to conceal spread across Merritt's face. He then tilted his head back and drained the crimson wine from his glass in one gulp.
Nimus sat in the carriage on his way back, his brows deeply furrowed.
Alice was Kalan's fiancée!
If he asked Alice to meet privately with Merritt, it would be tantamount to pushing her into the fire. When faced with Kalan's questioning later, he could manage. But if word of this got out, the damage to the Debus Family's reputation would be immense.
"Sigh, if the family is destroyed, what's left to talk about regarding reputation!" Nimus shook his head with a sigh.
Now, the Debus Family had reached the most critical moment. If found guilty of smuggling, the entire family would be annihilated, and their assets completely seized by King Clyde. Although the family had planted roots elsewhere, ensuring the line wouldn't end entirely...
Yet, almost all of the Debus Family's industries were within the Fenlei Kingdom.
If they failed, who knew when the Debus Family could regain its former glory.
Compared to the family's future, a little gossip was nothing. After all, when had the noble circles ever been short of filthy scandals?
"However, this matter depends on Alice agreeing herself," Nimus began to worry. "I cannot simply force Alice to the Right Chancellor's mansion."
He hadn't particularly cared about Alice's innocence. She was just a woman!
But Nimus understood...
"This Alice... she has a special relationship with Lin Lei. If I force her, and Lin Lei finds out, then..." The thought alone sent a chill of fear through Nimus.
Lin Lei held a unique position in the Fenlei Kingdom.
Though titled a Baron, Lin Lei was actually a member of the Church of Light. Originally, Clyde had even invited Lin Lei to become a noble of the Fenlei Kingdom, promising they would stand as equals, not ruler and subject.
Clearly, Clyde wished to win Lin Lei over.
Because every noble in the Fenlei Kingdom understood that if Lin Lei was willing, he could easily become a White Priest of the Church of Light, and within a few decades, becoming a Cardinal was very likely.
A Cardinal held a status even higher than a king!
"I cannot force her." Nimus felt a headache coming on, worried Alice would refuse. He tried to see things from Lin Lei's perspective.
Alice was, after all, Lin Lei's first love! If he, Nimus, pressured Alice into going to Merritt and she lost her innocence, Lin Lei's fury would be unimaginable!
At the Debus Family residence.
Many members of the Debus Family had gathered in the drawing room, including Alice and Ruo Lin. This large group was all waiting for Nimus's return.
They were all worried about the future of the Debus Family!
"Second Uncle is back! Second Uncle is back!" A middle-aged man standing at the drawing room entrance, craning his neck in anticipation, spotted Nimus and immediately shouted.
Instantly, the entire Debus Family contingent swarmed towards Nimus. Alice and Ruo Lin exchanged a glance and quickly stood to greet him as well.
"Second Uncle, how did it go?" the middle-aged man asked immediately.
Nimus looked at the crowd before him, forcing a slight smile. "The situation is manageable for now. Everyone, please return to your quarters for now. Alice, please stay behind; I have something to discuss with you."
Nimus still held considerable influence within the family. Upon hearing his words, the crowd could only disperse one by one.
Alice felt confused, wondering why Nimus wanted to speak with her alone.
"Sister Alice, I'll head back to my room then." Ruo Lin shook Alice's hand and whispered. In a short while, only Alice remained in the drawing room.
Nimus stepped into the room.
"Second Grandfather, is something wrong?" Alice said, her heart uneasy.