(51) I don't know the reason for that feeling. (5)
Russell didn't know how to react to his daughter, who was asking for forgiveness, saying she'd never received a birthday greeting. He didn't know what to say to his tiny daughter, who buried her face in her birthday present and tried to suppress her trembling.
Can I hug her? How dare you? In my shoes? In the shoes of her father, who had neglected and abandoned her?
The more he learned about Ariana's life in the West, the more horrific it became. Just when he thought something worse could come out, something unimaginably worse burst forth.
His heart ached at the sight of his daughter asking for forgiveness even in this situation, and he wanted to kill himself.
What have you done as a father while this child has become like this?
Ariana's thin shoulders seemed to reproach him.
So Russell could only stand there, helpless, until the other family members burst in with their hands full of gifts.
“I wanted to throw a grand party, but since the Princess hasn’t yet declared her return, we’ll just have a small, family-only party.”
The “small party” Averseter described was, by Ariana’s standards, quite extravagant. Though it was just family, the vassals and their families who knew of Ariana’s return were also in attendance.
The piles of gifts and the outpouring of congratulations were overwhelming.
Though she’d resolved to die and come back to life, living a life different from her previous one, she hadn’t dreamed of anything like this.
Things like this, sweetness, affection, and warmth— things Ariana’s life had never been granted.
She’d kept a composed smile throughout the party, but so many emotions had surged through her that by the end, she was utterly exhausted.
When Ariana returned to her room, the parlor was filled with presents that the servants had placed there. She unwrapped them one by one, examining the contents.
Most were trinkets, shoes, and hats, but there were also small, pretty daggers, books, engraved teacups, and perfumes.
Ariana, who had asked her maid to sort out her presents and entered her bedroom, realized she still had a present left unopened.
Russell's gift, the first one she'd received, was the one on the bed. She reached for it.
Untying the ribbon and peeling back the ornate wrapping paper, a fluffy, light green teddy bear was revealed. Teddy bears were usually pink, brown, or white, so a light green teddy bear seemed odd.
Suddenly, Isabelle's clear voice came to mind.
"Who wears pink? Light green is perfect for this weather. Your Excellency, I hope her room isn't still pink, is it?"
Ariana quietly buried her face in the teddy bear.
It was a childish gift for a sixteen-year-old girl, but Ariana loved the light green teddy bear so much.
The Western Duke glared out the window with cold eyes.
There had been no word from those sent to the East for several days.
"The Chief of the Investigation Bureau is leaving for the Empire early tomorrow morning."
The Western Duke's confidant delivered the news.
"Kill him. Leave no trace and have him declared missing."
"Yes."
After the confidant left, the Western Duke headed to the Bronte mansion to meet Rachel.
The atmosphere at Bronte Manor was tense. It was only natural, given the numerous rumors swirling around Ariana's disappearance.
After Ariana's disappearance, the Brontes were no longer invited to parties, large or small. Whenever a carriage bearing the Bronte emblem rolled out onto the street, everyone whispered and gave it a disapproving stare.
Consequently, the Brontes were unable to venture outside, waiting for the rumors to subside.
"Father."
Rachel's face was quite battered as she greeted the Duke. Her hair was disheveled, and the bags under her eyes were hollow. The Duke's gaze, staring at her, was utterly cold.
"You worthless thing. It's just a rumor among the common people. What are you doing holed up in the mansion?"
"Things aren't good. Victoria is still being talked about..."
“What’s Victoria doing?”
“She’s locked in her room and won’t come out. She doesn’t talk, and she doesn’t eat properly... I’m worried.”
“Tsk tsk.”
The Western Duke was particularly fond of the clever Victoria, so he was very displeased that Victoria had ended up in that state.
“Ariana is with the Eastern Duke.”
“Yes? Is that true?”
“Yes. I sent someone, but since there’s no contact, it seems like they tried to kidnap Ariana, but it went wrong. It’s hard to deal with the Eastern Duke with just a few assassins.”
“How did it get that far?”
“How would I know that! How on earth did you manage your child?”
Rachel bit her lower lip at the Duke’s reprimand.
“The Eastern Duke has been constantly trying to see his daughter, so there will be a custody battle. Ariana will testify that you abused her.”
“What should we do?”
“I’ve sent people to kill anyone who could be a witness. I’ll summon Jacob and your daughters, but Helena and Victoria are too young, and Jacob will make up the excuse that he can’t leave the mansion, so they won’t appear before the judge.”
“Can’t we hire a judge? Or have the trial held in our own territory?”
“Would the Eastern Duke not even consider that? He’d definitely file a lawsuit with the Empire.”
Rachel’s face paled.
“No way. The Eastern Duke fell out of favor with the Emperor and now refuses to even set foot in the Empire.”
“He’s more affectionate than you think. He’s a man who would die for the White family. He’d do anything to get his daughter back.”
Rachel was astonished.
He’d die for the White family?
Throughout her time in the East, Rachel only encountered the cold gaze of the Eastern. The previous Eastern Duke and his wife avoided her, seemingly unwilling to get close to her. Langsty, the second son, always eyed her with suspicion, and Fellowes only yelled.
It was a place where even if she tried, she couldn't form a bond.
"If the Eastern Duke asks His Majesty the Emperor, it might be a cardinal, not an archbishop."
When a trial was held, the judge and the archbishop sat together on the bench, observing the proceedings, consulting with each other, and making a decision. However, if the matter was serious enough to warrant the Emperor's attention, the cardinal might intervene himself.
"Cardinal Eodes cares about his children. I will find a way, but this is a battle with no chance of winning. So, brace yourself and prepare properly. There must be no taint in what you say."
Even after the Western Duke left, Rachel's expression didn't improve. In fact, it darkened.
What she thought would be over with just finding Ariana turned out to involve the Eastern Duke and even the Empire.
'Ariana...'
She hadn't expected that such a young thing would move the East and the Empire. Of course, the Western Duke would try to influence the Imperial judge, but the cause lay with Ariana.
'This is not the time to be doing this.'
She had to prepare. No matter what Ariana did, no matter what lawyer the Eastern Duke brought, she had to prepare witnesses who couldn't be defeated.
No matter how much the Bronte family was plagued by unsavory rumors, Rachel was the daughter of the Western Duke, the Princess of the West.
There were more than enough nobles in the West to mobilize for Rachel.
The custody trial was scheduled for May 7th at the Grand Court. The day before departing for the Empire, Ariana was summoned to Russell.
Russell and Geor were in the office together. Geor gave Ariana his usual searching gaze whenever he encountered her.
"Ariana, things have gone wrong."
Russell's words made her heart sink, but she stared at him without showing it. Russell spoke, looking embarrassed.
"I sent someone to the West, but they were faster."
"The head of the investigation is dead."
"We couldn't even confirm his death. He disappeared after he left for the Empire. We tried to search for him, but there was no trace."
Ariana was certain the Western Duke was behind this. Rachel wouldn't have thought to kill the head of the investigation beforehand.
'The Western Duke is smart. Rachel isn't difficult, but the Western Duke is definitely difficult.'
She knew Rachel's methods well, but the Western Duke hadn't accurately figured it out until Ariana died. Her heart tightened at the thought of fighting the Western Duke, but Ariana said calmly,
"There are many ways to leave no trace. But it's okay. There are still more witnesses."
Geor's eyes narrowed, amused by Ariana's calm demeanor.
“The Duke and Duchess of Rowenta weren’t the only imperial nobles who attended the garden party at Bronte Manor.”
“Do you remember them all?”
Ariana nodded at Geor’s question.
“I do.”
Ariana slowly recited the names of the imperial nobles present.
“Wow.”
Russell didn't know how to react to his daughter, who was asking for forgiveness, saying she'd never received a birthday greeting. He didn't know what to say to his tiny daughter, who buried her face in her birthday present and tried to suppress her trembling.
Can I hug her? How dare you? In my shoes? In the shoes of her father, who had neglected and abandoned her?
The more he learned about Ariana's life in the West, the more horrific it became. Just when he thought something worse could come out, something unimaginably worse burst forth.
His heart ached at the sight of his daughter asking for forgiveness even in this situation, and he wanted to kill himself.
What have you done as a father while this child has become like this?
Ariana's thin shoulders seemed to reproach him.
So Russell could only stand there, helpless, until the other family members burst in with their hands full of gifts.
***
“I wanted to throw a grand party, but since the Princess hasn’t yet declared her return, we’ll just have a small, family-only party.”
The “small party” Averseter described was, by Ariana’s standards, quite extravagant. Though it was just family, the vassals and their families who knew of Ariana’s return were also in attendance.
The piles of gifts and the outpouring of congratulations were overwhelming.
Though she’d resolved to die and come back to life, living a life different from her previous one, she hadn’t dreamed of anything like this.
Things like this, sweetness, affection, and warmth— things Ariana’s life had never been granted.
She’d kept a composed smile throughout the party, but so many emotions had surged through her that by the end, she was utterly exhausted.
When Ariana returned to her room, the parlor was filled with presents that the servants had placed there. She unwrapped them one by one, examining the contents.
Most were trinkets, shoes, and hats, but there were also small, pretty daggers, books, engraved teacups, and perfumes.
Ariana, who had asked her maid to sort out her presents and entered her bedroom, realized she still had a present left unopened.
Russell's gift, the first one she'd received, was the one on the bed. She reached for it.
Untying the ribbon and peeling back the ornate wrapping paper, a fluffy, light green teddy bear was revealed. Teddy bears were usually pink, brown, or white, so a light green teddy bear seemed odd.
Suddenly, Isabelle's clear voice came to mind.
"Who wears pink? Light green is perfect for this weather. Your Excellency, I hope her room isn't still pink, is it?"
Ariana quietly buried her face in the teddy bear.
It was a childish gift for a sixteen-year-old girl, but Ariana loved the light green teddy bear so much.
***
The Western Duke glared out the window with cold eyes.
There had been no word from those sent to the East for several days.
"The Chief of the Investigation Bureau is leaving for the Empire early tomorrow morning."
The Western Duke's confidant delivered the news.
"Kill him. Leave no trace and have him declared missing."
"Yes."
After the confidant left, the Western Duke headed to the Bronte mansion to meet Rachel.
The atmosphere at Bronte Manor was tense. It was only natural, given the numerous rumors swirling around Ariana's disappearance.
After Ariana's disappearance, the Brontes were no longer invited to parties, large or small. Whenever a carriage bearing the Bronte emblem rolled out onto the street, everyone whispered and gave it a disapproving stare.
Consequently, the Brontes were unable to venture outside, waiting for the rumors to subside.
"Father."
Rachel's face was quite battered as she greeted the Duke. Her hair was disheveled, and the bags under her eyes were hollow. The Duke's gaze, staring at her, was utterly cold.
"You worthless thing. It's just a rumor among the common people. What are you doing holed up in the mansion?"
"Things aren't good. Victoria is still being talked about..."
“What’s Victoria doing?”
“She’s locked in her room and won’t come out. She doesn’t talk, and she doesn’t eat properly... I’m worried.”
“Tsk tsk.”
The Western Duke was particularly fond of the clever Victoria, so he was very displeased that Victoria had ended up in that state.
“Ariana is with the Eastern Duke.”
“Yes? Is that true?”
“Yes. I sent someone, but since there’s no contact, it seems like they tried to kidnap Ariana, but it went wrong. It’s hard to deal with the Eastern Duke with just a few assassins.”
“How did it get that far?”
“How would I know that! How on earth did you manage your child?”
Rachel bit her lower lip at the Duke’s reprimand.
“The Eastern Duke has been constantly trying to see his daughter, so there will be a custody battle. Ariana will testify that you abused her.”
“What should we do?”
“I’ve sent people to kill anyone who could be a witness. I’ll summon Jacob and your daughters, but Helena and Victoria are too young, and Jacob will make up the excuse that he can’t leave the mansion, so they won’t appear before the judge.”
“Can’t we hire a judge? Or have the trial held in our own territory?”
“Would the Eastern Duke not even consider that? He’d definitely file a lawsuit with the Empire.”
Rachel’s face paled.
“No way. The Eastern Duke fell out of favor with the Emperor and now refuses to even set foot in the Empire.”
“He’s more affectionate than you think. He’s a man who would die for the White family. He’d do anything to get his daughter back.”
Rachel was astonished.
He’d die for the White family?
Throughout her time in the East, Rachel only encountered the cold gaze of the Eastern. The previous Eastern Duke and his wife avoided her, seemingly unwilling to get close to her. Langsty, the second son, always eyed her with suspicion, and Fellowes only yelled.
It was a place where even if she tried, she couldn't form a bond.
"If the Eastern Duke asks His Majesty the Emperor, it might be a cardinal, not an archbishop."
When a trial was held, the judge and the archbishop sat together on the bench, observing the proceedings, consulting with each other, and making a decision. However, if the matter was serious enough to warrant the Emperor's attention, the cardinal might intervene himself.
"Cardinal Eodes cares about his children. I will find a way, but this is a battle with no chance of winning. So, brace yourself and prepare properly. There must be no taint in what you say."
Even after the Western Duke left, Rachel's expression didn't improve. In fact, it darkened.
What she thought would be over with just finding Ariana turned out to involve the Eastern Duke and even the Empire.
'Ariana...'
She hadn't expected that such a young thing would move the East and the Empire. Of course, the Western Duke would try to influence the Imperial judge, but the cause lay with Ariana.
'This is not the time to be doing this.'
She had to prepare. No matter what Ariana did, no matter what lawyer the Eastern Duke brought, she had to prepare witnesses who couldn't be defeated.
No matter how much the Bronte family was plagued by unsavory rumors, Rachel was the daughter of the Western Duke, the Princess of the West.
There were more than enough nobles in the West to mobilize for Rachel.
***
The custody trial was scheduled for May 7th at the Grand Court. The day before departing for the Empire, Ariana was summoned to Russell.
Russell and Geor were in the office together. Geor gave Ariana his usual searching gaze whenever he encountered her.
"Ariana, things have gone wrong."
Russell's words made her heart sink, but she stared at him without showing it. Russell spoke, looking embarrassed.
"I sent someone to the West, but they were faster."
"The head of the investigation is dead."
"We couldn't even confirm his death. He disappeared after he left for the Empire. We tried to search for him, but there was no trace."
Ariana was certain the Western Duke was behind this. Rachel wouldn't have thought to kill the head of the investigation beforehand.
'The Western Duke is smart. Rachel isn't difficult, but the Western Duke is definitely difficult.'
She knew Rachel's methods well, but the Western Duke hadn't accurately figured it out until Ariana died. Her heart tightened at the thought of fighting the Western Duke, but Ariana said calmly,
"There are many ways to leave no trace. But it's okay. There are still more witnesses."
Geor's eyes narrowed, amused by Ariana's calm demeanor.
“The Duke and Duchess of Rowenta weren’t the only imperial nobles who attended the garden party at Bronte Manor.”
“Do you remember them all?”
Ariana nodded at Geor’s question.
“I do.”
Ariana slowly recited the names of the imperial nobles present.
“Wow.”
Geor exclaimed in amazement at the names she recited without hesitation.
Whenever she attended an important event or party, her aide would bring a list of the nobles in attendance.
Memorizing all of those names was a tedious task, but he couldn’t help but be impressed that Ariana, who had only happened to be called to the party, remembered them all.
“The Princess is truly clever. It won’t be long before she pushes me aside and becomes the Duchess.”
“Your Grace, I have no desire for the Duke position, so don’t worry. Your Excellency, these two people, who witnessed my plight with pity back then, will be of help when the trial begins.”
“I-I see.”
"Also, it would be a good idea to have the lawyer mention the disappearance of the investigation chief, who coincidentally left to testify. That would sow a little suspicion in the audience."
Russell and Geor inwardly clucked their tongues.
Of course, they were thinking the same thing, but Ariana's opinion conveyed a different meaning. Everyone was astonished that Ariana, who had never stood in court before, knew how to control the atmosphere of the courtroom.
"The Western Duke is a man of many schemes, so I can't be at ease, but I can also devise ways to foil his schemes. I would be grateful if you could let me know whenever a problem arises, so that I can draw on whatever wisdom I have, even if it's just a little, to avoid causing trouble to Your Excellency."
A daughter's intelligence might be a source of pride for some, but not for Russell.
Every time Ariana's intelligence was revealed, he pictured her life as it had to be. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest.
Unlike Russell, whose expression darkened, Geor smiled cheerfully.
“You’re reassuring, Princess. Then I shouldn’t worry about the trial and prepare a grand celebration for your return from the Empire.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll just be quiet...”
“No. There’s no such thing as quiet. Even if I said let’s just go quietly, Abustar wouldn’t accept it. Since it’s a celebration to announce the Princess’s return, he’d want it to be the most extravagant in the world.”
“The Little Duke?”
“Yes, he really loves parties.”
Abustar, who had been mentioned by Geor, was having a serious discussion with Langsty in the ducal office.
“It would be good to have a sky-blue ribbon draped across the entire street. Ariana’s hair is sky-blue.”
“It’s excessive.”
“Nothing is excessive, Father. Ariana has not received what she deserved, so giving her more than she deserves is not enough.”
“Why don’t we make a statue of Ariana or something?”
“Oh, that would be great. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we made it out of gold and placed it in the main square?”
“...”
Whenever she attended an important event or party, her aide would bring a list of the nobles in attendance.
Memorizing all of those names was a tedious task, but he couldn’t help but be impressed that Ariana, who had only happened to be called to the party, remembered them all.
“The Princess is truly clever. It won’t be long before she pushes me aside and becomes the Duchess.”
“Your Grace, I have no desire for the Duke position, so don’t worry. Your Excellency, these two people, who witnessed my plight with pity back then, will be of help when the trial begins.”
“I-I see.”
"Also, it would be a good idea to have the lawyer mention the disappearance of the investigation chief, who coincidentally left to testify. That would sow a little suspicion in the audience."
Russell and Geor inwardly clucked their tongues.
Of course, they were thinking the same thing, but Ariana's opinion conveyed a different meaning. Everyone was astonished that Ariana, who had never stood in court before, knew how to control the atmosphere of the courtroom.
"The Western Duke is a man of many schemes, so I can't be at ease, but I can also devise ways to foil his schemes. I would be grateful if you could let me know whenever a problem arises, so that I can draw on whatever wisdom I have, even if it's just a little, to avoid causing trouble to Your Excellency."
A daughter's intelligence might be a source of pride for some, but not for Russell.
Every time Ariana's intelligence was revealed, he pictured her life as it had to be. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest.
Unlike Russell, whose expression darkened, Geor smiled cheerfully.
“You’re reassuring, Princess. Then I shouldn’t worry about the trial and prepare a grand celebration for your return from the Empire.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll just be quiet...”
“No. There’s no such thing as quiet. Even if I said let’s just go quietly, Abustar wouldn’t accept it. Since it’s a celebration to announce the Princess’s return, he’d want it to be the most extravagant in the world.”
“The Little Duke?”
“Yes, he really loves parties.”
Abustar, who had been mentioned by Geor, was having a serious discussion with Langsty in the ducal office.
“It would be good to have a sky-blue ribbon draped across the entire street. Ariana’s hair is sky-blue.”
“It’s excessive.”
“Nothing is excessive, Father. Ariana has not received what she deserved, so giving her more than she deserves is not enough.”
“Why don’t we make a statue of Ariana or something?”
“Oh, that would be great. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we made it out of gold and placed it in the main square?”
“...”
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