Chapter 48

Rosie, who had been caught off guard, was left speechless.

She never expected Rizel, known for her poor judgment despite her good memory, to hit her weak spot. Of course, it was also thanks to the Empress and Camilla’s brother, who had spent hours yelling at her to teach her.

“W-well, it’s not like that…”

“Then you must admit that my brother’s execution of the former Emperor has nothing to do with him, right?”

“…I admit it.”

Rizel looked triumphant, but Rosie’s defeat wasn’t over yet.

“…Yes. I admit it all. Raul Berze’s actions were carried out under a national judgment, and his predecessor, Count Arthur Berze, was an extremely moral man.”

Everyone was shocked by her seemingly straightforward admission of defeat.

But Rosie’s eyes were still burning. The trial wasn’t over yet. Her master had taught her not to become a blind follower.

Even if her master would resent her from the afterlife, Rosie was confident she could endure that resentment.

“But isn’t it true that anyone can make mistakes when drunk? Isn’t that right, members of the Duke Argos family?”

Rosie’s next target was Camilla’s father, the current Minister of War.

Always drunk, he caused big and small accidents every day, giving the Duke Argos family a headache.

Camilla couldn’t understand why this girl had the audacity to drag not only Raul’s father but even their family dog into this, but she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.

“…I admit it.”

When Camilla’s brother admitted it, Rosie smirked and turned her head back to Rizel.

“Of course, Count Arthur Berze was more moral than anyone. He wouldn’t deny his mistakes.”

Then everyone realized what Rosie was getting at.

“Surely he must have written about his mistakes in his will. Otherwise, the Berze family wouldn’t have hidden it so tightly.”

Rosie’s voice began to regain its persuasive power.

No matter how important a will was, it was rare to hide it so tightly. Usually, it would be disclosed to cousins or family members.

But the only people who knew about Arthur Berze’s will were his wife and the executor.

“What could be in that will that they’re hiding it so tightly… Aren’t you curious?”

At this, Raul’s mother, Latri, showed discomfort.

“Personally, I think there must be something in that will. If you’re innocent, it wouldn’t be bad to disclose it.”

Unable to listen any longer, Latri spoke up.

“How rude. My husband devoted himself to the country and lost his life due to overwork. He wouldn’t play along with the nonsense your tongue is spewing…”

“Three-inch tongue? Does this place feel like a joke to you, even with His Majesty present?”

“….”

Latri, who rarely showed emotion more than Raul, had the atmosphere shifting back to Rosie.

Like a thief feeling guilty, Latri’s words only tightened the noose around their necks.

“Strange. For someone innocent, your reaction seems a bit excessive, don’t you think?”

At this, Latri quietly glared at Rosie.

“Rosie Nevermore, Marquess. Remember this one thing.”

Latri took out a will, rolled up in an expensive-looking silk pouch from her pocket, and continued.

“If you ever get stabbed, it will probably be by my blade. Your three-inch tongue will be cut off, and the rest of your body will be an unrecognizable lump of meat.”

“Unfortunately, I have the skill to protect myself,”

Latri, showing an uncharacteristically emotional face, handed the will to Raul.

“Read it.”

“…Yes.”

“I didn’t acknowledge you, I just dislike that prostitute more than you.”

Raul humbly accepted the will, recalling his father’s face, and unfolded it.

And upon reading the first sentence, Raul couldn’t help but be surprised.

“…This will being revealed in public means a trial is being held over my honor. You must have gone through a lot of trouble to attend this trial over the words of this insignificant old man.”

Everyone was shocked.

It was as if he had foreseen everything and written the will accordingly.

Raul slowly read the will, his voice slightly trembling.

—

“Well, I’ve said my piece, but since this is a will, I should write what needs to be written.

First of all, let me say that my children are only Raul, who can’t even take care of himself, and Rizel, who’s smart but a bit of a know-it-all and cute.

Therefore, the family head’s authority and estate go to Raul. And the gold and jewels I’ve collected in my lifetime go to Rizel.

Ah… I can’t get used to this tone. To be honest, I’ve never held hands with any woman other than my wife.

Even in middle age, with a wife who looks no different from her teenage years, who would cheat? I’m not that foolish Emperor, and unlike some fools, I don’t even like alcohol.

Ah, even though he’s the Emperor, by the time this will is revealed, he should be called the former Emperor. Surely he was executed for his actions. And the one who cut off his head would be my proud son.

Surely, if I had shone during the former Emperor’s reign, I would have used that to tie the hands of the Imperial family and the Duke Argos family. But let me make it clear that such things won’t happen in the future.

If I had lived a little longer, I would have been the one to cut off that trash former Emperor’s head.

And even though my words in this trial might not mean much, let me say it again. I have no illegitimate children. I couldn’t satisfy a woman easily in the first place.

With this, I believe I’ve refuted the main points of the trial, so let me add a few personal words.』

—

He wrote the will in a tone that was anything but dignified, as if he had foreseen the entire future.

—

“Rizel.”

Hearing her name suddenly, Rizel tensed up.

The father she remembered was always a stuffy man buried in work.

“Sorry for not playing with you much, my sickly father. With illness and war overlapping, I didn’t have much time. You might think it’s an excuse, but I really have nothing to say. Still, I shamelessly ask you to get along well with Raul. You’re siblings from the same womb. My wish is for you two to get along.”

“Dad…”

Then Raul turned his head to the others.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and Lady Camilla.”

Calling the three of them suddenly, they were also surprised. Calling all three at once meant he had guessed that Asel would become Emperor and Penelope would become Empress.

“Please take care of my lacking son. I couldn’t teach him much about the world. It must be frustrating, but I humbly ask for your guidance. And Her Majesty the Empress, congratulations on your marriage.”

“It is quite frustrating…”

“He certainly lacks a lot of common sense.”

“Master…”

While Penelope, who had learned politics under Raul’s father, wiped the tears from her eyes, Raul turned to his mother.

“To my beloved wife, Latri Berze.”

“…”

She had already read this phrase several times, so she knew it better than anyone.

“I love you. That’s all I can say. There’s no sentence that can express my feelings for you better than that.”

Even though she already knew the words, she clenched her fists.

“Therefore, I ask you to forget me. Your obsession will hurt Raul. And no matter what happens, don’t reveal that ‘secret.’ Even if I lose the trial and my honor is tarnished, please don’t reveal that secret.”

At this mysterious sentence, she began to ponder. Even though she had read it several times, she started to think again.

Rosie tried to latch onto the part about the secret, suggesting it might be about an illegitimate child.

But her words were cut off by her own name.

“Rosie Nevermore, my beautiful disciple.”

“What did you just…”

“You must be the one who initiated this trial. I guessed as much when I saw your expression upon hearing the news of your sister’s death.”

“From that time…?”

Rosie had prepared herself to endure any criticism.

She wasn’t the type to stop at a few words of criticism.

“Right now, you must be preparing to endure any criticism I might throw at you. But there’s no need for that.”

“Huh…?”

“I just hope your anger doesn’t consume you. Blindness is fine, but letting anger cloud your vision is not desirable.”

As if he had seen right through her, Rosie froze.

“Does that mean… Master, you…”

“I forgive you. So I hope no one stirs up a mud fight with defamation or the like. You’re my precious disciple.”

What broke Rosie wasn’t any criticism, but words of forgiveness and compassion.

—

“…And Raul Berze.”

Raul heard his name called.

“Before, I said things like you being the subject of my life… sentimental nonsense that makes me blush, but what I want to say to you is this.”

Raul’s voice, always as steady as a mountain, began to tremble.

“Live for yourself. I’ll always be on your side.”

—