Chapter 124: Aftermath
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124: Aftermath
The Grand Duke didn't so much as blink.
Pushing aside his wounded pride, the Count continued calmly.
"Meisel may have been insubordinate toward Her Highness the Consort, but it was merely a lapse in judgment born of a young lady's jealousy."
The Count’s voice trailed off as he insisted there was no intent to harm the Consort. This was because the Grand Duke was staring at him with an ominous intensity.
"Is that so?"
"O-of course..."
"I don't know where she obtained that drug, but it must have been quite expensive."
The Grand Duke’s voice sank to a chilling depth.
"Does the Count truly believe his daughter bought something so precious just to use it on a head maid?"
The killing intent radiating from the Grand Duke constricted every one of the Count's pores. As the pressure intensified, the Count found it difficult to breathe, his head lolling back.
When Norton, who was standing guard, made a small sound to draw attention, the Grand Duke reluctantly reined in his aura.
"If the Lady had used that on the Grand Duchess, every trace of the Arbor name would have vanished from this land."
The Grand Duke spoke slowly, turning his gaze away from the wheezing Count.
It was a clear dismissal, but the Count couldn't bring himself to turn away. If he backed down now, Meisel would undoubtedly be sent to a monastery. He was desperately searching for any excuse to persuade the Grand Duke when—
"Count Arbor. Do you think I'm staying quiet because I don't know?"
The words fell upon the Count's ears with terrifying weight.
"I... I don't know what you mean."
"You should."
The Grand Duke ran a hand roughly through his hair.
"You seem to be under a misconception, but you aren't particularly good at hiding your greed."
The Count clamped his mouth shut like a clam.
Is he talking about me planting Arbor people as officials throughout the Grand Duke's Castle? Or making the Merchant Association President my man? Embezzling the association's assets through him? Or perhaps...
There were too many things to pinpoint just one.
"The only reason I haven't laid a hand on you is that it's a bother. That's it."
The Grand Duke looked him straight in the eye with a sharp gaze.
"Don't make me go through the trouble."
I've been feeling the urge to upend everything lately anyway.
His black eyes shone brilliantly, as if piercing through the Count's inner thoughts. The Count understood the message loud and clear.
If he argued any further regarding Meisel, all the benefits and profits the Arbor family had traditionally enjoyed would be officially put on the chopping block and thoroughly investigated. And the Count had much to hide.
Ultimately, he had no choice but to leave the room with a heavy expression.
It was when Count Arbor arrived at his estate and stepped out of the carriage, stumbling slightly. He saw a silhouette walking out of the mansion.
It was Tiern Vieri.
"Tiern!"
The Count hurriedly called out to his nephew.
"What on earth are you doing here? Have you seen Meisel?"
He had been looking for Tiern at the Grand Duke's Castle for a long time to see his daughter, but he had failed to find him and had only just returned home.
As Tiern walked toward the carriage, the light fell upon his pale, stoic face that had been hidden in the shadows. His expression was frozen hard. He was carrying a small travel bag on his back.
"Why don't you answer me!"
Tiern, who had been silent, finally spoke up.
"I am moving my residence to the Grand Duke's Castle."
"..."
"Thank you for everything."
As if that was all he had to say, Tiern walked away without a hint of lingering regret. Seething with rage, Count Arbor grabbed his nephew's arm with his wrinkled hand.
"By whose permission? Do you think I've been feeding and housing you for nothing all this time? It was so you could be useful at a time like this!"
The Count poured out the anger he couldn't vent at the Grand Duke onto Tiern.
"Ungrateful brat! What? You're leaving? Do you think the Count's estate is some common inn?"
"I believe I've paid my dues sufficiently by providing the Arbor family the prestige of having the Captain of the Blenheim Knights under their roof."
"Have you ever done a single thing to help the family because of that!"
No matter how small the request, this nephew of his had never once listened, always holding his head high with stubborn pride. He was the spitting image of his parents—completely inflexible.
"If that was your goal, I won't be of any help in the future either," Tiern said calmly. "You know the only reason I stayed until now was because of Meisel. Now that the reason is gone, there's no reason for me to stay here."
"You pathetic wretch! You spineless, stupid fool!"
The Count pointed a finger at Tiern's face.
"I've heard the rumors. You're guarding the Marquis's daughter?"
His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"Have you already forgotten how your father died? Can you still call yourself the son of Vieri after that?"
At those words, Tiern's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Do not speak of my father so lightly."
The Count huffed but shut his mouth. The nickname 'The Mad Dog of Blenheim' was given to Tiern because there was no telling what he would do if he was crossed. Even as his maternal uncle, the Count didn't know what kind of erratic behavior Tiern might display if his pride was wounded.
"I've thought about it for a long time. What my father would think of me serving Her Highness the Consort."
Tiern spoke in a level voice, as if he had pondered this deeply.
"Now, I can say for certain. If my father were alive... he would have liked Her Highness very much."
"T-that's preposterous...!"
"Regardless, it will be uncomfortable for both of us if I stay here."
Tiern gripped the Count's wrist that was holding him, applying just enough pressure to make him let go. Even though it was only for a moment, the Count's wrist felt numb.
"Instead, I will send word of Meisel occasionally, as far as I am able. Take care of yourself."
"Y-you...!"
But Count Arbor could not stop Tiern as he walked away.
*
Meisel was exiled to a monastery.
Thanks to the exposure I had deliberately orchestrated, the rumors spread through the entire social circle in less than a day. Count Arbor tried his best to suppress it, but the fact that a murder had occurred in the Grand Duke's Castle, combined with Meisel's two previous attempts to frame the Grand Duchess, held him back.
They say Meisel pleaded and begged to see Loik until the very day she left. Naturally, her request was denied.
Tiern was in charge of escorting Meisel to the monastery. When he stopped by before departing, I found it difficult to look him in the eye for some reason.
It was an undeniable fact that Meisel had committed a crime, but if someone asked if I really had to gather the noble ladies and have her arrested in front of them, I wouldn't have much of an answer.
However, Tiern bowed his head and left without showing any particular sign of resentment.
Marzella's body was said to have been buried somewhere outside the Grand Duke's Castle.
To think Meisel killed Marzella.
When I first confirmed that fact in the dungeon, I stood there speechless for a long time. In my memory, Meisel was nothing more than a one-dimensional villain. In the original story, I thought she was only capable of spilling tea at tea times or ruining dresses. She wasn't a character who would do something so horrific.
Though, seeing how sloppily she handled the aftermath, it was definitely Meisel.
Did Meisel intend to kill Marzella? Or did Marzella die unexpectedly? Either way, I couldn't let my anger subside.
She killed someone?
Who does she think she is?
The reason I hadn't stepped forward every time Meisel played her little tricks was that I didn't want the trouble to escalate. Meisel was a villainess character anyway. Since the evil deeds she could commit were predictable, I didn't want to stir the pot unnecessarily.
I was foolish. I should have crushed the spark the moment I saw it.
While I was busy acting kind and generous, standing by with my hands behind my back, someone died. It's the same here as it was in reality. If you don't fight back when you're bitten and instead just avoid it, you're treated as weak. The difference is that in reality, being seen as an easy target just makes you someone's emotional trash can, but here, you can actually die.
I carved my third resolution into my heart since my possession.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
I would pay her back properly this time. I would make it so she could never even dream of becoming the 'future Grand Duchess' for the rest of her life.
And I had certainly punished Meisel as I intended. Count Arbor was blocked by Loik, and the harshest punishment a noble could receive for a crime against a commoner—exile—was handed down.
Not that it brings the dead back to life.
Is it because I disliked Marzella that I feel this way? My heart remained heavy with an inexplicable sense of guilt.
As I was lost in thought, a pair of gentle black eyes came into view.
"Do you perhaps have no appetite?"
A steaming bowl of Spicy Tomato Stew was placed before me. Perhaps because my mood had been low for the past few days, Loik was being excessively mindful of me.
He moistened his lips anxiously and said, "Still... why don't you try just one spoonful? You seem to have grown too thin over the last few days."
Had I?
I suppose I had been a bit out of it. Only then did I notice Loik's worried face. He had indeed lost weight, making his jawline look even sharper. His particularly dark black eyes searched for my reaction.
Instead of answering, I gave Loik a bright smile.
"Is the snack for the knights today also Spicy Tomato Stew?"
Loik looked puzzled.
"I heard from Sir Norton. He said that every time Loik makes tomato stew, he makes a whole cauldron of it, so the knights are eating their fill."
At those words, Loik looked embarrassed.
"That's... because I learned how to make it by the cauldron... I don't know how to make it in small portions."
"What kind of excuse is that?"
I let out a small laugh.
"I'll have to ask Sir Leon to teach you again."
Only after seeing me laugh did the tension in Loik's face ease, as if he were relieved.
"Did Norton dare say such a thing? He should consider it an honor to eat tomato stew made by the Grand Duke."
I was enjoying the rare sight of Loik making a joke when—
Knock, knock. A sound came from the door.
"Her Highness. I have brought Master Raphael."
It was the voice of Reta, who had returned to her duties. When she opened the door, a head of chestnut hair peeked inside.