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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Reason for That Emotion, I Don't Know
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Eastern Duke Russell didn't know how to react to his daughter, who was apologizing for never having received birthday wishes. He didn't know what to say to his tiny daughter, who buried her face in her birthday present, trying to suppress her trembling.
Could he embrace her? Could he dare? Was he worthy? As a father who had neglected and abandoned her?
The more he learned about Ariana's life in the Western Territory, the more horrifying it became. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, something even more unimaginable would surface.
His heart ached at the sight of his daughter apologizing even in such circumstances, making him wish he could just die.
*What have you done as a father while this child suffered so much?*
Ariana's thin shoulders seemed to reproach him.
So Russell could do nothing but stand there, rooted to the spot, until the rest of the family burst in, their arms laden with gifts.
+++
"I wanted to throw a grand party, but since we haven't officially announced the princess's return, we decided on a small family gathering."
What Averster called a "small party" was, by Ariana's standards, incredibly grand. Although he said it was just family, retainers who knew of Ariana's return and their families also attended.
The piling gifts and overwhelming congratulations were almost too much to bear.
She had died and been resurrected, determined to live differently from her previous life, but she hadn't dreamed of something like this.
These sweet, gentle, and warm things.
Things that had never been allowed in Ariana's life.
She maintained a calm smile throughout the party, but so many emotions swirled in her chest that by the time it ended, she was completely exhausted.
When Ariana returned to her room, the reception room was piled high with gifts that the servants had moved. Ariana unwrapped each one, checking what was inside.
Most were accessories, shoes, or hats, but there were also small, pretty daggers, books, teacups with names engraved, and perfumes.
After asking a maid to organize the gifts, Ariana entered her bedroom and realized there was one gift she hadn't opened yet.
The first gift she received, from Russell.
She reached for the gift on her bed.
Untying the ribbon and peeling back the ornate wrapping paper revealed a soft, fuzzy, light green teddy bear. Teddy bears were usually pink, brown, or white, so a light green one felt unusual.
Suddenly, Isabel's sharp voice came to mind.
"Who wears pink? Light green is perfect for this weather. Eastern Duke, surely her room isn't still pink, is it?"
Ariana quietly buried her face in the teddy bear.
It was a gift too childish for a sixteen-year-old girl, but Ariana loved this light green teddy bear very much.
+++
The Western Duke glared out the window with cold eyes.
There had been no news for several days from those he sent to the Eastern Territory.
"The Chief Investigator is said to be leaving for the Empire early tomorrow morning."
The Western Duke's confidant delivered the news.
"Kill him. Leave no trace; make it appear as if he vanished without a trace."
"Yes, Your Grace."
After his confidant left, the Western Duke headed to the Bronte Ducal Estate to meet Rachel.
The atmosphere at the Bronte Estate was grim. It was only natural, as various rumors circulated regarding Ariana's disappearance.
After Ariana vanished, the Bronte family members were not invited to major or minor parties. Whenever a carriage bearing the Bronte crest appeared on the streets, people would whisper and cast unkind glances.
So the Bronte family members remained indoors, waiting for the rumors to subside.
"Father."
Rachel, who greeted the Western Duke, looked deeply distressed. Her hair was dry and brittle, and her eyes were sunken. The Western Duke's gaze upon her was utterly cold.
"You pathetic thing. It's just gossip exchanged among commoners, so what are you doing cooped up in the estate?"
"The situation isn't good. The Victoria incident is still being talked about..."
"What is Victoria doing?"
"She's holed up in her room and won't come out. She won't talk, and she isn't eating properly... I'm worried."
"Tsk, tsk."
The Western Duke had a particular fondness for the intelligent Victoria, so he was quite displeased that she had fallen into such a state.
"Ariana is with the Eastern Duke."
"What? Is that true?"
"Yes. I sent people, but they've lost contact, so it seems their attempt to kidnap Ariana went awry. A few assassins would indeed have difficulty facing the Eastern Duke."
"How did *she* even get all the way there?"
"How should I know that?! How exactly did you manage your children?"
Rachel bit her lower lip at the Western Duke's rebuke.
"The Eastern Duke has continuously tried to meet his daughter, so he will undoubtedly seek a custody trial. Ariana will testify that she was abused by you."
"What should I do?"
"I've sent people to eliminate anyone who might serve as a witness. Jacob and your daughters will be summoned, but claim that Helena and Victoria are too young, and Jacob cannot leave the estate, to prevent them from appearing before the judge."
"Couldn't we secure a judge? Or perhaps have the trial in our Western Territory?"
"Do you think the Eastern Duke wouldn't consider that? He will surely apply for the trial in the Empire."
Rachel's face turned pale.
"No way. The Eastern Duke fell out of favor with His Majesty the Emperor; he doesn't even set foot in the Empire anymore."
"He is a man of more affection than you imagine. The White family has a tendency to be utterly devoted to their family. He's the kind of man who would do anything to get his daughter back."
Rachel was dumbfounded.
*The White family is utterly devoted to their family?*
Throughout her time in the Eastern Territory, Rachel had only ever encountered the Eastern Duke's cold gaze. The previous Eastern Duke and his wife seemed to avoid her, unwilling to be affectionate, and their second son, Langsty, always looked at her with suspicion, while Pelos merely yelled.
It was a place where she couldn't form any attachment, no matter how hard she tried.
"If the Eastern Duke appeals to His Majesty the Emperor, it might not be an Archbishop, but a Cardinal who presides."
When a trial is held, a judge and an Archbishop sit together on the bench, observing the proceedings and deliberating to render a judgment. However, in cases significant enough to pique the Emperor's interest, a Cardinal might personally intervene.
"Cardinal Eodes cares for children. I will look into methods, but it's a battle with uncertain odds. So, compose yourself and prepare thoroughly. There must not be a single flaw in anything you say."
Even after the Western Duke left, Rachel's complexion did not improve. Instead, it grew even darker.
What she thought would end once Ariana was found was now intertwining with the Eastern Duke and even the Empire.
*Ariana...*
She never imagined that such a young girl could move the Eastern Duke and the Empire. Of course, it would be the Eastern Duke attempting to sway the Imperial judges, but the root cause lay with Ariana.
*This is no time to be idle.*
She needed to prepare. She had to secure witnesses who could win, no matter what Ariana did, no matter what lawyer the Eastern Duke brought.
No matter how much the Bronte family suffered from unsavory rumors, Rachel was the Western Duke's daughter, the Princess of the Western Territory.
There were more than enough nobles in the Western Territory willing to act for Rachel.
+++
The custody trial was set to be held in the High Court on May 7th.
The day before their departure for the Empire, Ariana was summoned by Russell.
Russell and Jeor were together in the office. Jeor, as always when he encountered Ariana, gave her a scrutinizing look.
"Ariana, things have gone awry."
Her heart sank at Russell's words, but she didn't show it, simply gazing at him. Russell spoke with difficulty.
"I sent people to the Western Territory, but they were faster."
"The Chief Investigator is dead, then."
"We couldn't even confirm his death. He left for the Empire, and then all contact ceased. We tried to find him, but there was no trace."
Ariana was certain the Western Duke was behind it. Rachel wouldn't have thought to kill the Chief Investigator beforehand.
*The Western Duke is intelligent. Rachel isn't difficult, but the Western Duke is. It's truly difficult.*
She knew Rachel's methods well, but she had never fully grasped the Western Duke until her death. Her heart tightened at the thought that this was now a battle against the Western Duke, but Ariana spoke calmly.
"There are many ways to leave no trace. But it's alright. We still have more witnesses."
Jeor's eyes narrowed slightly, as if Ariana's composed demeanor amused him.
"The Duke and Duchess Roventa were not the only imperial nobles who attended the garden party at the Bronte Estate."
"You remember all of them?"
Ariana nodded at Jeor's question.
"I remember."
Ariana slowly recited the names of the imperial nobles who had been present.
"Wow."
Jeor exclaimed in admiration at the names she rattled off without hesitation.
When attending important events or parties, aides would provide a list of the nobles attending.
Memorizing all those names was a tedious task, so Jeor couldn't help but be impressed that Ariana, who had merely been called to the party by chance, remembered everyone.
"The princess is truly intelligent. The day you replace me as Heir Apparent won't be far off."
"Your Grace, I have no ambition for the position of Heir Apparent, so rest assured. Eastern Duke, these individuals watched my plight with pity at the time, so they will be a great help when the trial begins."
"Th-that's true."
"Furthermore, it would be wise to instruct the lawyer to mention the mysterious disappearance of the Chief Investigator, who was on his way to testify. That way, it can plant a small seed of doubt in the minds of those present."
Russell and Jeor inwardly clicked their tongues.
Of course, they had been thinking the same thing, but Ariana expressing the opinion carried a different weight. For Ariana, who had never stood in a courtroom, to know how to sway the atmosphere of a court was something that surprised everyone.
"The Western Duke is a man of many schemes, so we cannot rest easy, but I, too, can devise ways to break his stratagems. I would be grateful if you would inform me whenever a problem arises, so that I may offer my meager wisdom without bringing disgrace upon Your Grace."
His daughter's intelligence could be a source of pride for some, but not for Russell.
Every time Ariana's cleverness was revealed, it painted a picture of the life she must have led to become that way. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest.
Unlike Russell, whose expression darkened, Jeor wore a cheerful smile.
"That's reassuring, Princess. Then I won't worry about the trial and should prepare a grand festival for your return from the Empire."
"You don't have to. I merely wish to quietly..."
"No. There's no quiet. Even if I suggested a quiet affair, Averster wouldn't accept it. Since it's a festival to announce the princess's return, he'd insist on making it the most extravagant in the world."
"Grand Duke Averster?"
"Yes, that boy loves parties very much."
Averster, who had just been mentioned by Jeor, was currently engaged in a serious discussion with Langsty in the ducal office.
"It would be best to drape the entire street in sky blue ribbons. Ariana's hair is sky blue, after all."
"That's excessive."
"Nothing is excessive, Father. Ariana has lived without receiving what she deserved until now, so no matter how much we do for her, it won't be enough."
"Why don't you just erect a statue of Ariana while you're at it?"
"Oh, that's a great idea. Wouldn't it be magnificent to make one out of gold and place it in the grand plaza?"
"..."
