CHAPTER 11
“Jewels, new products, parties… Is that all the lady of the house ever thinks about?”
“Why? Is that a problem? As long as no one gets hurt, what does it matter?”
As I shamelessly feigned ignorance—
A commotion erupted outside the door, followed by the voice of a temple priest.
“No, you can just go in. You’re not carrying any weapons, right?”
“Of course not.”
The chapel door swung open, and someone strode in.
It was Duke Canel.
My tense shoulders relaxed just slightly.
“Apologies if I’m intruding. Someone’s been waiting for Aristina outside, and since she never came out, I worried she might have caused trouble again…”
“Not at all.”
Ruelian gestured toward the unlocked restraints.
“Ah, so it’s over without issue?”
Relieved his daughter hadn’t caused another incident, the duke looked at Ruelian with gratitude.
“I don’t even know how to thank you. The way you spotted a flaw and immediately launched an investigation to uncover that vile crime—House Rozen owes Your Grace a great debt.”
“I was only doing my duty.”
“Easier said than done. I couldn’t manage that myself, and as the head of the household, I’m ashamed. To think we let such a criminal slip into our home because we couldn’t even screen one servant properly…”
“They must’ve infiltrated with such care that even the Imperial Palace was fooled. Please don’t blame yourself too much.”
Ruelian glanced briefly at the duke’s pale face.
“Especially considering your health… It’s remarkable that you’ve managed to lead a high noble house alone. Your complexion looks pale—please rest a bit.”
“I’m fine, really.”
Duke Canel shook his head.
“Finally clearing the family name feels like a weight’s been lifted. I just got pale from the stress of the trial. And I’ve had long talks with the Imperial family about this whole affair.”
“Right, I saw some aides from the Imperial Court earlier…”
“Yes. Originally, the second prince himself was supposed to attend, but he sent a proxy at the last minute, so I looked into why.”
The duke lowered his voice.
“It turns out the second prince was injured.”
“Injured?”
“Yes. On the night of July 13th—the night my daughter ran away and picked flowers—apparently, the second prince was involved in some kind of violent conflict. Possibly a duel.”
“Again?”
Ruelian spoke in exasperation.
“I knew something was off…”
“What do you mean?”
“He had someone request medicinal herbs from our temple, saying his knight was injured during training.”
“Embarrassed to admit it was himself, I suppose. Can’t really blame him.”
“In any case, I think I should deliver the medicine myself and discuss this situation with him directly. Even if the aides explain things well, no one can explain it as thoroughly as I can.”
“Oh! If you’d do that, then I have nothing to worry about. Aristina, come thank His Grace properly.”
When the duke turned to call me— I was already gone.
I was at the doorway.
While listening in on their conversation, I had quietly taken steps backward and ended up at the exit.
Duke Canel was bewildered.
“When did she get over there?”
“You said someone was waiting for me, so I was in a hurry.”
From a distance, I bowed to Ruelian.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace.”
“Think nothing of it. Happy shopping. Let’s meet again soon, Lady.”
He smiled softly.
To a casual listener, it sounded like a polite farewell, but to my ears, it was anything but routine.
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll report back.”
Just then, a knight entered, covered in dirt like he’d been on assignment. Ruelian’s attention briefly shifted to him.
But only for a moment.
Even while listening to the knight’s report, his gaze returned to me.
He stared with unsettling intensity and then gestured toward me, seemingly questioning the knight about something.
‘Is he gathering intel on me?’
A chill ran down my spine.
For someone who supposedly has no interest in others, he was going to great lengths.
That secret he accidentally revealed to me—just how serious could it be? What on earth does he do at night that he has to sneak around in disguise? It can’t be anything honorable…
Then a terrifying thought hit me.
‘Could it be… murder?’
It’s wild speculation, but I couldn’t think of anything else.
A high-ranking official who transforms into a serial killer by night? Not exactly unheard of in stories.
‘Come to think of it, Ruelian didn’t have an alibi for that night either. He was sneaking around.’
My head began to spin.
“Father… Is it really okay for the divine agent of the gods to go around killing people? Wouldn’t that anger the gods?”
“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is that after all this wrapped up nicely?”
Duke Canel looked back at me with a mix of pity and disbelief.
“Don’t tell me you can’t even tell the difference between murder and execution? What you almost faced was execution. That’s sanctioned. Even if a hundred people are executed, it doesn’t affect divine power.”
So… that means murder does affect divine power.
Well, if Ruelian really were a serial killer, the gods would’ve stripped him of his power already.
Still, I had to keep every possibility open.
Ruelian Lacroix: Top Suspect Candidate.
I stamped it in my mental notebook.
He’d probably keep an eye on me for a while, so I’d have to pretend not to know anything—just like I did this time.
I nodded to myself and walked on.
“By the way, Father, who exactly was waiting for me?”
“There.”
The duke replied curtly.
“Now wrap this up properly.”
Who could it be, for him to come get me personally?
Ah—someone worthy.
“Lady Aristina.”
From under a parasol held by her attendants, a noblewoman in a white dress bowed gracefully.
I was stunned at the sight.
“Serene?”
“Yes. Everyone else insisted I’d done enough just by attending yesterday, but I just had to know the outcome.”
She walked slowly to stand before me, then hesitated before speaking.
“So… you really didn’t try to poison me, did you? That tea party for reconciliation—was it truly sincere?”
“I told you it was.”
I replied.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but…”
“That’s a relief!”
Tears welled up in Serene’s blue eyes.
Flustered by her own reaction, she quickly tried to compose herself.
“If that’s the case, I’d like to return the favor for that tea party.”
She handed me a white envelope passed to her by her butler, then turned to leave.
A bribe? I automatically thought. But no way.
When I opened it, a beautiful, elegant card was inside. It read: Serenity.
The onlookers erupted.
“Isn’t that a ticket to the Serenity Salon?”
Apparently, it was a free entry to the ultra-exclusive tea salon that Serene owned—something money alone couldn’t buy.
I cleared up a misunderstanding with the protagonist and got this in return, huh.
I tucked the card away with satisfaction.
Thus, even under Duke Canel’s hawk-like gaze, I managed to tie things up nicely with Serene.
“Lady Aristina! Just one statement, please!”
The aftermath of the trial was far from over.
The attention, the buzz, the drama—I’d had enough.
Now, I only cared about one thing.
I quickly followed after Duke Canel as he approached his carriage.
“Father, wait a moment.”
He turned back.
“Ambitious, aren’t you? Just because your name’s been cleared, you suddenly want to ride in the same carriage as me?”
“…What?”
I blinked, caught off guard, then replied.
“No, I have zero desire to ride with you. I just wanted to confirm whether the confinement order has truly been lifted and if I’ve regained my status…”
A muscle twitched in the duke’s brow. He spoke coldly.
“The order has been lifted. This matter is closed.”
Ah—what a relief.
I had fully regained my status as the lady of the house.
My survival odds, which had been scraping rock bottom, had finally improved.
So long, suckers!
I flipped my golden hair confidently and climbed into the carriage waiting outside the chapel.
The vast wealth of House Rozen came from many sources.
The duchy owned prime businesses and gemstone mines throughout the empire.
Thanks to fortunate ancestors, they also secured prime real estate in the capital early on, generating enormous income.
The duchy’s main estate was, in a word, grand.
“Young Lady.”
Beyond the row of bowing servants—
Though not adorned with gold or jewels, everything gleamed with luxury.
More than that, there was a certain power in the air.
The power of capital?
Sure, but not just that.
I looked around with sharp eyes.
Strange symbols were etched into the ceiling at regular intervals. Though slightly faded, they reflected light with a rainbow sheen.
“What are those?”
“Pardon?”
The servants hesitated, then answered.
“They were drawn when the first head of the house built the main residence.”
“Only the main house? Not the annexes?”
“Yes, the annexes were added later.”
Is that why the annex’s defenses were breached?
I vowed never to set foot in that cursed place again.
“Put this back where it belongs.”
After returning the angel’s rag (which the temple had wrapped up for me), I lifted my dress and headed to my fourth-floor quarters.
The maids who had served me in the annex trailed after me.
“You’re back!”
The main house staff had gathered at the fourth-floor entrance to greet me, like prison guards welcoming back their mob boss.
“As you can see, we’ve maintained everything perfectly during your absence.”
“What shall we start with? Cleaning inspection? Task logs?”
“I’m hungry.”
I cut them off.
Since that morning’s bread and water from the priests, I hadn’t eaten a thing.
“O-of course, Young Lady!”
As soon as I sat in my private dining room, a parade of hot dishes appeared before me.
I reached first for the slice of bread that looked like French toast.
Delicious!
Soft bread soaked in egg, paired with golden syrup. Honey-drizzled cheese and fresh ham. It all tasted like a sweet reward.
I’m happy.
It reminded me of something.
After a tough shift at one of my old part-time jobs, I’d buy myself something nice with my saved-up money and take a breath.
And I’d always say:
“Good job today, me.”
Because that’s how I survived.
That was my strategy.
“….”
As I savored the delicious food, I murmured softly:
“Good job today, me.”
