Chapter 43
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43
Of course, Hena didn't fully trust Daisy’s words. She couldn't just believe a sudden claim that Canna wasn't her real sister.
And yet, the thought had been circling her mind for days.
She remembered the times Canna had behaved strangely, her lack of common sense, and the way she had looked delighted while watching Donau die. A sudden thought struck her: Is she acting that way because she really isn't Canna?
If she truly cared for her sister, she should have felt revulsion at the idea that someone else had taken her place—just as Daisy, who had adored Lady Evangeline, did.
Her sister was the one who had been sick her entire life; to think that another soul had snatched her body the moment she was cured? The thought alone should have filled her with fury.
"Even if Canna has changed, even if she’s someone else entirely… seeing her smile like that makes me want to do anything for her."
But when it came to Canna, Hena was weak.
After chewing over Daisy’s words dozens of times and waiting for Canna to return late into the night, Hena finally admitted it.
In whatever form, whoever she was, Hena just liked having 'Canna' by her side. She wept, disgusted by her own selfishness.
"Daisy. I must be going crazy, right?"
Hena managed a smile, even with tears still clinging to her lashes.
"Hena…"
Daisy felt a piercing regret. She was looking at living proof of how a single, supposedly charitable comment could break a person. She shouldn't have said it wasn't her sister just because she’d spotted a line across her neck.
A word spoken out of misplaced generosity, petty pity, and an attempt to ease her own guilt had shattered Hena’s mind.
When they worked together at the mansion, Daisy had heard that Hena earned money for the treatment of her sister, her only remaining family. To Hena, her sister was her entire world. To be told that world was a lie—the shock must have been immense.
"I think I understand what you mean."
"You do?"
"I was certain Lady Evangeline was a monster who stole our mistress's body. That’s why I fled the mansion and even reported her to the Temple. But when I was backed into a corner, she was the only one I could turn to for help."
"And you? Do you intend to ignore the help the Young Lady gave you?"
"The Evangeline Rohanson you knew is already dead."
This was the sharp rebuke Daisy had received from Canna. Daisy relayed Canna's words to Hena, who listened in silence.
"And Lady Evangeline helped me. Right now, my gratitude is stronger than any feeling of dread or disgust. Hena, are you going to call me crazy and curse me?"
Hena shook her head. It was thanks to the change in Lady Evangeline that Canna’s body had recovered, and now the two of them could live without financial hardship. Hena was afraid of Lady Evangeline, but she was also grateful.
"And, well… I want to apologize. I think what I said back then was a mistake."
In truth, Daisy had intended to bring this up before Canna returned.
"A mistake?"
"You know that demon by the Young Lady’s side, that Jelly person? All the corpses Mr. Jelly brings back to life have red marks on their necks."
She didn't mention that it was because their heads had been severed and reattached.
Resurrected corpses usually only mimicked the behaviors they had in life. However, Canna was far more human than the people Jelly had revived. Of course, given Lady Evangeline’s precedent, she couldn't say for certain.
Daisy had intended to apologize, saying she had judged incorrectly and that Hena's sister was likely the same person, but it seemed she was too late.
"That’s why I was mistaken."
"Is that so?"
"I mean, your sister used holy water, didn't she? Sir Gabriel said that those who have died and been brought back have their flesh scorched if they touch holy water."
As Hena remained listless, Daisy hurriedly added more evidence. It was something Gabriel had told her, discovered while interrogating Priest Berga, who had been revived by Jelly.
"Holy water…"
Contrary to Daisy’s hopes, Hena only grew more uneasy upon hearing those words. The only time Canna had used holy water was when she was being treated for her illness. Since then, she had refused to have the wound on her neck treated. That was why the scar remained.
Why did Canna refuse the treatment…?
Hena wanted to slap herself for the thought that suddenly surfaced. Lady Evangeline had plenty of holy water. If Canna were to get hurt again, even worse than before—badly enough that she had to use holy water—would I know the truth then? The thought flashed through her mind.
"Sister, did you wait long?"
As if she had only popped out to deliver flower petals to the Young Lady, Canna returned quickly and clung to Hena. Hena stroked Canna’s hair.
But Hena knew she could never bring herself to hurt her sister. That meant she would have to live in anxiety for the rest of her life.
* * *
Gabriel arrived late at the Knights' quarters after personally dropping the children off at the orphanage. Explaining the situation and going through the procedures had taken more time than expected.
Raphaella, who was writing a report for the upcoming meeting, welcomed Gabriel back.
"Good work, Commander. I could have gone instead."
"No. I told the Young Lady I would handle it."
In truth, it would have been fine if Raphaella or any of the other knights had done it.
The reason Gabriel had gone personally wasn't out of a sense of responsibility for the children's future. To begin with, Gabriel wasn't the devout and righteous man the public believed him to be.
It was entirely because of Evangeline—specifically, the reluctant, almost unfamiliar look she wore.
Whether it was because the children were connected to Daisy or not, Evangeline had shown an unusual amount of interest in them and treated them gently. Since she cared for them, Gabriel found himself compelled to do the same.
"Thank you."
Gabriel was the one who had witnessed the moment Evangeline dropped her mask as a noble lady. He noticed that the moment she received a child's thanks, her weary facade had cracked.
"...Right."
The inner Evangeline, whom Gabriel could only glimpse by intentionally overstepping his bounds and acting with calculated rudeness, had been revealed by a mere thank-you from a child.
How could such a trivial greeting unsettle her so?
Does she like children?
No. It probably wasn't such a positive emotion; perhaps she just became a bit softer? According to Daisy’s explanation, the fact remained that Evangeline had saved the children.
For a moment, the image of the passing carriage and its red wheel tracks flashed through his mind.
If Gabriel himself had met Evangeline back when he was an orphan, would he have received her help? Would that white, cold hand have been extended to him?
Since it was a past that could not be changed, Gabriel quickly shook off the thought.
"Then again, it’s probably much more effective for you to ask the favor than me, Commander," Raphaella grumbled. The priest in charge of the orphanage was exceptionally righteous—so much so that he tended to snub nobles obsessed with wealth. Since Raphaella’s noble background was well-known, it was obvious he wouldn't have been welcomed.
On the other hand, a self-made Knight Commander who had come from an orphanage would have been welcomed with open arms.
It's not like I lived a life of luxury.
Raphaella, who had always been an outcast in his own family, stewed in his dissatisfaction. He found it unfair that he was treated like a stranger by his own house the moment he joined the Temple.
His already strong distaste for nobles was likely to worsen after hearing that the wealthy had been trafficking children. To make matters worse, one of the priests on the transaction list happened to be of noble birth.
"What about Merai?"
"We have her detained in the basement for now."
Raphaella reported on the progress. Merai had been locked in a holding cell immediately, and a report had been sent to the higher-ups. Since a priest was involved in human trafficking, the matter was deemed serious, and a meeting was scheduled immediately.
Merai’s fate would likely be decided at that meeting.
"Commander, I believe Lady Rohanson’s name will come up during the meeting."
In Priest Berga’s case, there was no direct connection, so Evangeline wasn't mentioned, but this time was different. Since Bishop Zabaniya had witnessed Evangeline and taken an interest in her, the topic would surely arise.
"Regarding the Young Lady’s identity… do you intend to tell them everything?"
The person who might be the culprit behind the Donau incident, the owner of the crest, the one commanding resurrected corpses, the existence beyond reason pretending to be a noble lady.
If everything were revealed, Evangeline Rohanson would not escape death. Or perhaps, the opposite would happen.
"I wonder…"
Gabriel closed his eyes. From somewhere, he heard the sound of a very slow heartbeat.
* * *
"Did you sleep well, Miss?"
No. I didn't sleep a wink.
I tossed and turned all night at the thought of having to see Gabriel soon.
While I was this distressed, Canna's face was so bright it looked as if flowers were blooming around her. She must have reconciled with Hena last night.
"Where's Hena?"
"She said she was going to stop by the old butler's place with Daisy."
In the first place, the reason Hena was depressed wasn't Canna’s fault, but mine. I suppose finding out the lady you serve is a possessor would be a lot to handle. Canna said she would talk to her, but…
"Did the talk go well?"
"Yes! Thanks to you."
After I finished eating with Canna, Hena and Daisy came to find me.
Wait, didn't they reconcile? Hena still looked a bit gloomy.
"What's wrong with her now?"
Jelly seemed to be thinking the same thing, tilting his head as he looked at Hena. She did look like she was in bad shape… her eyes were red, probably from crying yesterday. I guess they had a tearful bonding session.
On the other hand, Daisy looked like she’d had a deep, peaceful sleep. Meanwhile, I’m over here pulling my hair out in agony because of a certain someone!
No, wait. Technically, it is my fault. If you possess a villainess, you're supposed to act wicked. But because I was too nice, I created a discrepancy and got caught. But I'm in a body that will die if I don't reform! If I had kept committing evil acts, I might not have died immediately, but I would have eventually met my ruin.
However, seeing as I still end up on a death route no matter how hard I try to reform, the narrative force of the original story is truly terrifying. It’s trying to frame me as a villainess no matter what! Really. Now they’re probably going to say I’m not just a witch, but possessed by a demon or a ghost.
I don't know anymore. The only thing I can trust is that Gabriel has fallen for me. The moment his rose-colored glasses come off, I’m dead.