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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Feel Despair Too (2)
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Ariana entered the luxurious room and headed straight for the dressing room. The dressing room, much larger than Ariana's own, contained several wardrobes and display cases.
Expensive accessories, beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary people, were displayed in the cases, but Ariana didn't even spare them a glance.
Ariana's gaze was fixed on the wardrobe in the farthest corner—a wardrobe where out-of-fashion clothes were hung.
Ariana opened the wardrobe door and pulled out a coat made of brown fox fur.
A chilling smile touched Ariana's lips as she tapped the soft, voluminous fur coat's lining.
It was just as Ariana was about to tear open the coat's lining.
"To come in here to steal clothes in a situation like this… you certainly have a lot of nerve."
Her heart tightened at the languid voice from behind her.
There wasn't much time. She couldn't afford to deal with Cyrus in a situation where Rachel could return at any moment.
There would be no other chance if not today, when Rachel's personal maids and servants, who always guarded her room, were away attending to the noble ladies' tea party.
However, it was true that Cyrus had helped her in a crisis, so she suppressed the irritation that flared up for a moment. Ariana calmly rehung the coat in the wardrobe as if nothing had happened, then turned to face Cyrus.
"Your Highness."
"Are you trying to secure funds to escape?"
"How could I possibly use my mother's belongings to fund an escape? I was merely touching a fur coat I've always wanted to feel."
"And you chose the moment someone died?"
"Because there's no other chance but now."
Cyrus quietly observed Ariana's expression, then smiled faintly.
"You're quite good at lying, even in front of me."
"Why would I have reason to lie before Your Highness?"
"Hmm. Are you going to run away now?"
"No. I have no reason to run."
"If you ran away now, I could help you."
"If I were to disappear now, the Duchess would find some way to pin the blame on me."
"You left the youngest noble lady's handkerchief there."
"Even if Victoria truly was the one who killed that man, would she actually be punished? The handkerchief will only divert suspicion from me for a moment. As long as she has the protection of the Western Duke and Duke Bronte, Victoria will be safe."
"There are things in this world more frightening than punishment. Haven't you thought that far ahead?"
Ariana swallowed a sigh.
Cyrus was too clever, impossibly clever.
Whenever Rachel eliminated a rival, Ariana had always helped her from behind the scenes. Ariana had seen enough of how Rachel dismantled those who were thorns in her side, so she expected Rachel to use a similar tactic against her this time.
If her predictions came true, Ariana had already given Rosalyn a few instructions to ensure the incident couldn't be quietly hushed up.
First, to send a letter in Rachel's name, summoning Victoria near the pergola. Ariana had written the letter herself. She had never imagined that imitating Rachel's handwriting, which she had done while helping her in the past, would be so useful.
Second, if an unfortunate incident occurred, to secretly leave the estate, assess the situation, and spread rumors that Victoria was the culprit.
It was clear that after dismissing the noble ladies, Rachel would try to hide the handkerchief and manage the situation. Even if she called investigators due to witnesses, she would summon those under the influence of the Western Duke.
If the incident were quietly buried, Ariana planned to send Rosalyn out to spread the truth of the matter.
Since there were noble ladies who had seen Victoria near the pergola, Rachel wouldn't be able to conclude the incident without a blemish on Victoria, as she desired.
'I've seen her methods, so I can anticipate her next move. Though I don't know how long these past memories will remain my weapon.'
When Ariana remained silent, Cyrus spoke.
"Investigators have arrived."
"......Already?"
"Yes. Surprisingly, the Chief Investigator himself appeared."
"How...?"
A playful smile flickered across Cyrus's face, then vanished. Ariana's eyes widened as she asked,
"Did Your Highness summon them?"
Cyrus gently lifted Ariana's chin with his index finger.
"Now you finally look your age."
Startled by his unexpected action, Ariana blinked, then subtly stepped back, freeing herself from his hand.
Ariana returned to her usual expressionless demeanor, clasped her hands in front of her, and asked,
"There must be a reason for Your Highness to bestow such favor upon me. What use could I possibly be to Your Highness?"
"Amusing. However, you're too generous with yourself. Do you truly think you'd be useful to me?"
"Perhaps not at this moment, but don't you believe I might be useful someday?"
A smile, elegant and perfect as a painting, appeared on his face. It was a smile devoid of any sincerity, a smile with a purpose.
Another woman might have been enchanted by that smile, but Ariana's heart, instead, turned to ice. His smile bore too striking a resemblance to that of the Third Prince, Harold.
Ariana knew there was only one reason people extended kindness to others: they wanted something in return.
She hadn't known that before, which was why she had been used and died a miserable death.
"Since Your Highness has helped me, I will assist you if there's something you desire. However, if you intend to use me, please abandon that thought. I have no intention of being enchanted by Your Highness and swayed to your will."
"Oh."
Cyrus let out a short exclamation, then stepped closer to Ariana.
"Did you think you were about to be enchanted by me just now?"
"If Your Highness believes so, then it must be."
"It seems you find talking to me tiresome."
"Every woman wishes to hear Your Highness's voice; why would I be any different?"
"You have an excellent knack for avoiding answers."
"You flatter me, Your Highness. I'm merely trying to be like you."
Cyrus watched Ariana, who responded as smoothly as flowing water, with interest. He should have been heading back to the Northern Territory soon, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to leave.
Curious about how far Ariana would go and what she would do, he found himself forgetting his own purpose and simply observing her.
What had happened at the pergola had been dizzying. He didn't want to imagine what would have befallen Ariana if he had returned to the Northern Territory as planned.
Ariana waited for Cyrus to disappear as usual, but he showed no signs of leaving first.
As time passed, she grew more anxious.
Since the investigators had arrived, Rachel would likely be detained longer than Ariana had anticipated. However, Ariana couldn't remain in Rachel's dressing room indefinitely, not knowing who might enter at any moment.
Ariana scrutinized his excessively handsome face.
He merely watched Ariana in silence, saying nothing at all.
Finally, Ariana, unable to bear it any longer, asked,
"Aren't you busy?"
"I still have some leisure."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to enjoy your leisure somewhere nicer than here?"
"This place is fine too. There's pleasure in looking at beautiful accessories."
It seemed Cyrus wouldn't be leaving first.
She had to leave this room now.
Ariana stared at Cyrus for a moment, then lowered her head.
"Please excuse me, I'll be leaving first."
"Very well."
Leaving Rachel's room, Ariana gritted her teeth.
She disliked Cyrus.
While it was true that she had received help from Cyrus, his inscrutable nature was overwhelming. At this moment, she needed all her focus just to deal with Rachel.
His actions, in fact, were only hindering Ariana's plan.
She had to get her hands on the letters before leaving the estate, but now she didn't know if she'd get another chance.
Ariana bit her lower lip repeatedly as she returned to her room.
+++
Cyrus listened intently for a moment even after Ariana left the room. His keen hearing accurately picked up the sound of Ariana's footsteps walking down the corridor.
Each step filled with force.
Seeing Ariana, who usually walked as silently as a butterfly, making such loud footsteps, it seemed she was truly furious.
'That means what Ariana wants is here in this place.'
What Ariana currently wanted was to leave this estate and seek refuge with the Eastern Duke.
Given Ariana's personality, she wouldn't appeal to the Eastern Duke for paternal recognition and ask him for help.
She would likely try to take a "weapon" that would make the Eastern Duke accept her. That weapon might even become Cyrus's weapon.
Cyrus opened the wardrobe door and took out the fur coat Ariana had pulled out earlier. As he felt around the coat, he noticed something rustling inside the lining.
Cyrus tore open the coat's lining and checked inside.
Inside were several letters.
Cyrus confirmed the contents of the letters. There, he found the evidence concerning 'that day's incident' that he had been searching for.
A smile appeared on Cyrus's lips.
"Useful, after all, Ariana."
+++
Rachel barely managed to regain her composure.
"Victoria? Did you see wrong?"
Her own voice didn't sound like her own. Disliking the miserable, mumbling tone that sounded like a stranger, she cleared her throat and spoke again.
"It couldn't possibly be our Victoria's."
"However, it bears signs of use, and the family crest and the name Victoria Bronte are clearly written on it."
The Chief Investigator from the Empire was not intimidated by the fact that he was facing the Duchess Bronte. His gaze, though polite, was firm, indicating that this situation would not be easily dismissed.
"Let me see it."
"It's evidence; you mustn't touch it."
The Chief Investigator unfolded the handkerchief at a suitable distance and showed her where the name was written.
Even before properly examining the handkerchief, Rachel knew it belonged to Victoria. The high-quality fabric, difficult for just anyone to acquire, and Victoria's unique embroidery along the edges.
It was indeed Victoria's handkerchief, embroidered by Victoria herself.
But why was Victoria's handkerchief lying there?
Before proceeding with the plan, she had instructed the maids to clean thoroughly, just in case anyone else got involved. If Victoria's handkerchief had been lying in such a visible spot, the maids would have found and removed it.
"Is this indeed Lady Victoria's?"
Saying no now wouldn't convince them anyway.
Rachel nodded slightly.
"It is my daughter's. But just because that handkerchief was found there doesn't mean Victoria killed that man."
"Of course, I don't think that. However, this handkerchief happened to be lying on the man's forearm."
"......Meaning?"
"Meaning the handkerchief was dropped after this man died."
A small gasp rose among the noble ladies who had been watching with bated breath.
Rachel smiled elegantly and said calmly,
"Even so, it doesn't mean my daughter is the culprit. Perhaps someone stole that handkerchief to frame my daughter and dropped it there?"
After saying it, her own words felt like the truth.
If so, who would try to frame Victoria?
Only one name came to mind.
'Ariana. Ariana. Ariana!'
She didn't know how Ariana had killed that man. She didn't know how she had gotten her hands on Victoria's handkerchief. Nor did she know how she had managed to summon the Chief Investigator here so opportunely.
Even while thinking it was absurd, she couldn't shake the idea that Ariana had accomplished all of it.
She had raised Ariana teaching her nothing, assuming she would grow up foolish. Indeed, Ariana had lived like a fool, struggling desperately and being overly cautious just to earn Rachel's love.
She had never dreamed that such a sharp blade could be hidden behind that dull facade.
Only now did Rachel realize that Ariana had slipped from her grasp, becoming like an untamed beast.
She wasn't merely 16. She was *already* 16.
The Northern Duke had pacified the chaotic Northern Territory and brought it under his heel at the age of 14.
Anyone who harbors ambition and conceals venom can fiercely reveal the blade hidden in their heart, no matter their age.
And now, Ariana was preparing to point that blade at Rachel—no, at the Bronte family.
'Then I must break her. I must shatter her, no matter what it takes.'
Rachel's eyes gleamed coldly.
Rachel suppressed her chilling gaze with effort and spoke softly,
"It shames me to reveal a blemish on our family, but it seems our second daughter has had some ill intentions."
