Not everyone was stunned this time. Considering Annette’s temperament, there was a part that made it understandable.
Even Olivier, who met her for the first time, wasn’t surprised, which speaks volumes about Annette’s personality.
“Annette, how could you possibly…?”
However, questions remained.
Johan’s voice trembled with anger. It was understandable. He had intended to keep Jared away from trouble, planning to entrust him to a reliable acquaintance. He had no idea his son had been placed in an illegal facility of an assassination organization until he heard it just a moment ago. And to hear that his consort had made these arrangements filled Johan with intense regret and self-loathing.
He couldn’t help but wonder if he shouldn’t have tried to keep his son away, but it was already over. No matter how much he regretted it or blamed himself, the past couldn’t be changed.
“Upon investigation, there were multiple reasons, but she wanted her own son to become the head of the Daum barony. It’s foolish, but it’s a common story among nobles.”
As Wahash said, it’s a very common story.
In noble society, the head of a family is considered noble. Some even believe that those who don’t inherit the family line are not truly nobles, despite their title.
While some families pass the inheritance to the eldest son, others to the most capable child, the common desire is for their own child to become the head.
This applies whether it’s the main wife or a consort. It’s not uncommon for the child of the main wife not to inherit the position.
“And to make her own child the heir, Jared was in the way. Jared, who declared he had no talent and wouldn’t inherit the position, was an obstacle.”
“Why! I said he wouldn’t be the heir! He’s not supposed to be!”
“Even so. As the son of the main wife, Liz, and the eldest son, Jared was a threat to her. Furthermore, your father choosing Jared as his successor was also one of the motives.”
Jared was impressed, as if it were someone else’s story, at how thoroughly it had been investigated.
But it no longer mattered. The fact that his mother committed suicide, that his stepmother, whom his mother cherished, was involved in her death, that the kind family retainers had participated in driving him away—it all weighed heavily on him.
If he hadn’t felt Olivier’s warmth, he would have already left this place.
Unaware of Jared’s inner turmoil, the cruel revelations continued.
“Most importantly, Annette Daum—no, I should call her Annette Paggio—was ordered by her birth family, the Paggio viscountcy, to seize control of the Daum barony.”
“No, that can’t be…”
Johan was dumbfounded by this fact about his wife, which he had never known.
He knew Wahash had no reason to lie to him. Despite their limited encounters, Wahash, the leader of the Assassination Organization Waalthe, was—honest.
Of course, he wasn’t a good person, being part of an organization that killed people.
Nevertheless, the Wahash that Johan Daum knew was terrifyingly honest and an indispensable figure.
If killing were simply an evil act, not only Johan, but his father, and even Jared would be considered villains.
He didn’t know the full extent of Waalthe’s operations, but he understood that an assassination organization was necessary in these complex times.
Wahash, who led such an organization, who was the father of the woman he loved, Liz, had no reason to lie to him—especially not for a lie that brought him no benefit. Even knowing this, he couldn’t accept it.
“It’s the truth. In the process of taking over, her own son’s future would be secured, so she wouldn’t refuse. However, Liz was an obstacle. Even after she resigned as a Court Mage and returned her title, the designation of ‘former Court Mage’ carried significant weight. It was enough to overshadow a mere viscountcy.”
“So that’s why you tried to kill her? But you couldn’t just kill Liz so easily, could you?”
“Exactly. Even among Court Mages, one cannot easily kill their own daughter. However, Annette Paggio seems to have had rather shortsighted thinking.”
Wahash paused for a moment and then turned his gaze to Karina.
With each revelation, her complexion worsened.
“Rest assured, Karina Daum. I, and Waalthe, promise to protect you and your son.”
“…Is that true?”
“You were manipulated. If your beloved son is threatened, you have very few options. I sympathize with your situation. Therefore, I swear to protect you from Annette Paggio and her associates.”
“…Thank you.”
Wahash nodded at Karina, who bowed deeply, and then addressed Johan again.
“Annette Paggio tried to kill Liz. However, she disliked soiling her own hands. The person chosen for this task was you, Karina Daum.”
As all eyes fell on her, Karina no longer remained silent and affirmed his words.
“That’s correct. Annette-sama threatened the life of my son and ordered me to poison Madam Liz. I couldn’t refuse and carried it out.”
“But you failed. Is that not so?”
“Yes. Now I understand why, but at the time, I was surprised that Madam Liz acted normally despite being poisoned. Yet, I was equally relieved. I was glad I didn’t have to harm Madam Liz, whom I admired like an older sister and cherished like a younger sister.”
Karina spoke as if recalling the past, so vividly that it was as if she were reliving it. She let out a sigh of relief.
“However, fearing that Roik would be harmed by Annette-sama if I didn’t, I was trembling and in tears. Madam Liz asked me about the situation and revealed everything. I didn’t know what to do and wanted to cling to something, but I shouldn’t have.”
Supported by her son, Karina’s body trembled slightly with sadness and anger.
“To me, who explained everything and begged for forgiveness, Madam Liz said, ‘I understand, as I also have a beloved son.’ And she said that if I made two promises—she would take her own life.”
Everyone, including Wahash, held their breath, not wanting to miss a single word Karina spoke. The reason for Liz’s death, which everyone had been eager to know, was finally about to be revealed.
“The promises were very much like Liz. One was to love and raise Jared as her own child. The other was to love and support you, Husband, twice as much as she would have for herself.”
