Translator: Nox

Chapter 12

"Jewels, new products, parties... Are those the only things the Duchess is interested in?"

"Why? Is that a problem? As long as it doesn't harm anyone, isn't that fine?"

As I brazenly played dumb.

Noisy sounds came from outside the door, followed by a priest's voice.

"No need. Just open the door and go in. You don't have any weapons, right?"

"Of course not."

The chapel door opened, and someone strode in.

It was Duke Karnel.

With my nerves already on edge, my shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting. Someone's waiting for Aristina outside, but she wasn't coming out no matter how long we waited, so I wondered if she'd caused some other problem..."

"No."

Ruelian pointed to the already removed restraint bracelet.

"Ah, it's over safely?"

His daughter hadn't caused any more trouble. The duke looked relieved as he glanced at Ruelian.

"I don't even know how to thank you for this. The moment you spotted the loophole, you investigated without hesitation and exposed their wicked crimes right away. The Rosen family owes Yeha a great debt."

"I merely fulfilled my duty."

"That's no easy task. I failed at it, so as family head, I'm truly ashamed. To let such a criminal infiltrate my house because I couldn't even screen the servants properly."

"They infiltrated with determination—even the Imperial Palace would have been fooled. Don't blame yourself too much."

Ruelian glanced at Duke Karnel's pale face and said.

"You're already not in good health, Your Grace, yet leading a great noble house all alone like that is impressive. You look pale—please rest."

"Ah, I'm fine. Really."

Duke Karnel shook his head.

"With the family disgrace washed away, I feel like I could fly. I was just tense throughout the trial, so my face is temporarily pale. Plus, I had a long talk with the imperial side about this."

"Right, imperial advisors came..."

"Yes. The Second Prince was originally going to attend, but he sent a proxy at the last minute, so I looked into it."

The duke lowered his voice.

"Turns out the Second Prince was injured."

"Injured?"

"Yes. On the night of July 13th—the very night your daughter ran away and picked the flower. It seems the Second Prince was involved in some kind of armed clash. Probably a duel."

"Again?"

Ruelian said in exasperation.

"Good grief..."

"What's wrong?"

"Someone from his side requested herbs from our Church. Said a subordinate knight was injured in training."

"He must have been too embarrassed to tell even you, Yeha. Makes sense."

"Anyway, in that case, I should deliver the medicine personally and discuss this incident while I'm at it. No matter how well the advisors relay it, they can't explain it as well as I can."

"Oh! If you do that, I won't have a single worry left. Aristina, hurry and bow your head to Yeha in thanks."

My father turned, but I was no longer there. I had already reached the door.

While listening to their conversation, I had secretly backed away step by step until I reached the exit.

Duke Karnel looked baffled.

"When did she get there?"

"You said someone was waiting for me, so I was in a hurry."

I stood at a distance and paid my respects to Ruelian.

"Thank you for your consideration, Yeha."

"No problem. Shop well, then. See you soon, Duchess."

He said with a grin.

It sounded like a polite farewell at first glance, but it didn't feel that way to me at all.

"Yeha. A report."

Just then, a holy knight covered in dirt—as if he'd been on an outing—entered, drawing Ruelian's attention that way.

But only briefly. While listening to the holy knight's report, his gaze turned back to me.

He stared piercingly, persistently, then pointed at me while asking the knight all sorts of questions.

'Gathering info on me?'

A chill ran down my spine.

For someone with zero interest in others to go that far.

It meant the secret I'd accidentally discovered was that important? What on earth was he doing at night?

A person who could have anything with a word—why disguise himself and sneak around? It definitely wasn't anything aboveboard...

At that thought, I flinched.

'Murder, maybe?'

Wild speculation was taboo, but it was the only thing that came to mind.

A high-ranking figure turning into a serial killer at night. Wasn't that a common story?

'Come to think of it, Ruelian has no alibi for that night either. He was sneaking around.'

My mind reeled.

"Father... Is it okay for God's proxy to just kill people like that? Won't God be angry?"

"What fresh nonsense is that after wrapping it up so well?"

Duke Karnel, walking ahead, turned with a pathetic look.

"Don't tell me you can't distinguish between murder and execution? What nearly happened to you was execution. Execution. It's different from murder—even sending a hundred to the guillotine has no effect on divine power."

This meant murder would affect divine power.

Of course. If Ruelian were really a serial killer, God would have stripped his qualifications long ago.

Still, I had to keep all possibilities open.

'Ruelian Rackroitz: Prime Suspect Candidate.'

I stamped it firmly in my mind.

He'd probably keep watching me closely for a while. I needed to play dumb and avoid him well.

'Like this time.'

I nodded as I walked.

"By the way, Father, who was waiting for me?"

"Over there."

Duke Karnel replied.

"Now, wrap it up properly."

Who could it be that he thought it important enough to come fetch me personally...?

It was someone worthy of that.

"Miss Aristina."

A black-haired noble lady in a white dress, gracefully bowing under a parasol held by attendants.

I was surprised at the sight.

"Serene?"

"Yes. She said yesterday's attendance was enough and tried to stop her from coming, but she was so curious about the results that she came anyway."

Serene walked over slowly and stood before me. Then she hesitantly spoke.

"S-So, you weren't trying to poison me, right, Miss Aristina? The reconciliation tea party itself was your sincere intention, right?"

"That's what I've been saying."

I replied.

"Though of course you wouldn't want to believe it..."

"I'm so relieved!"

Tears welled up in Serene's blue eyes.

She seemed startled by her own reaction and hurriedly composed herself.

"Then, I would like to return the favor for the tea party you hosted for me."

Serene handed me a white envelope from her butler and turned away.

Money envelope? I thought automatically, but no way.

Opening it revealed a pretty, elegant card inscribed with 'Serenity.'

The onlookers buzzed excitedly.

"Isn't that a Serenity Salon entry ticket?"

Apparently, it was a free pass to the highest-class tea salon run by Serene—one you couldn't buy no matter how much money you offered.

'Cleared the protagonist's misunderstanding and got this.'

I happily tucked away the free ticket.

Thus, under the duke's watchful hawk eyes, I successfully wrapped things up nicely with Serene.

"Duchess! Duchess Aristina!"

"Just one word, please!"

The aftermath of the trial was far from dying down.

Having soaked up all the attention and savored the thrill, I wanted none of it now.

I had only one interest.

I hurriedly followed Duke Karnel toward the carriage and asked.

"Father, wait."

The duke turned.

"Big dreams, huh. Cleared of the murder charge? Fine, but suddenly wanting to ride in the same carriage as me?"

"Pardon?"

I was briefly dumbfounded, then opened my mouth.

"No. I have zero desire to ride in the same carriage as you, Father. I just wanted to confirm if my confinement order was lifted and my status restored..."

The duke's brow twitched. He said coldly.

"The confinement order is lifted. This matter ends here."

Ah, good.

With this, I had fully regained my duchess status. A success in slightly raising my rock-bottom survival odds.

Farewell, everyone!

I flipped my blonde hair perkily and boarded the carriage waiting outside the chapel.

* * *

The Rosen Ducal House's immense wealth comes from various sources.

The ducal house owns prime businesses and gem mines across the empire.

Thanks to ancestral luck, they also secured the capital's prime real estate early on, generating enormous revenue.

Boasting that wealth, the main mansion was magnificent in itself.

"Duchess."

Beyond the lined-up employees bowing their heads.

Not plastered in gold or jewels, yet everything gleamed luxuriously.

And there was some powerful force emanating from it.

'The power of capital?'

Of course that too, but not all.

I scanned everywhere with sharp eyes.

Strange patterns engraved at regular intervals on the ceiling caught my eye. Slightly faded, but reflecting rainbow light.

"What are those?"

"Pardon?"

The butlers hesitated briefly before answering my question.

"The first family head had them drawn when building the main mansion."

"Only the main? Not the annexes?"

"Yes. The annexes were built later."

Was that why the annex defenses were breached?

I definitely shouldn't set foot in that unlucky place again.

"Put this back where it was."

After returning the Angel's Rags bundled by the Holy Church, I gathered my dress skirts and headed to my residence on the fourth floor.

The maids who had attended me in the annex followed in a line.

"Welcome back!"

All the main mansion employees were at the fourth-floor entrance, bowing their heads. Like welcoming a gang boss released from prison.

"As you can see, we managed everything without the slightest deficiency in your absence."

"What would you like first? Cleaning inspection? Duty log review?"

"Hungry."

I cut them off and answered.

I hadn't eaten anything since the bread and water from the priests that morning.

"Ah, right away, Duchess!"

As soon as I sat in the fourth-floor private dining room, steaming dishes were placed before me competitively.

I first put a piece of bread resembling French toast in my mouth.

'Delicious!'

Soft egg-soaked bread paired perfectly with golden syrup. Honey-drizzled white cheese and fresh ham. It all felt like sweet reward.

'Happy.'

Come to think of it, it was similar.

After a particularly tough day at work, I'd treat myself to something delicious with saved money and catch my breath.

And I'd always say this.

'Good job, me.'

That was how I endured.

That was my survival strategy.

"......"

Freely enjoying the delicious food, I muttered softly.

"Good job, me."