Olivier let out a bitter chuckle at Johan’s confession.
For better or worse, it was the fact that he had tried to use her notoriety that led her to meet Jared. The bad rumors weren’t as useless as she had thought.
“I never imagined I’d become a Court Mage. Well, if I were Liz’s child, perhaps it would have been possible, but for me, it was like a bolt from the blue.”
“I imagine so.”
“There’s nothing more I can do now. Jared has decided his own path. In that case, I thought I would just watch over him. Jared, I know this is selfish and only serves to relieve my own feelings, but please let me say this. You’ve reached the same position as Liz through your own efforts—you make me proud.”
Jared’s eyes widened, never expecting his father to be proud of him. However, he tried to say something, but couldn’t find the right words and closed his mouth.
Johan, satisfied that his feelings were understood, shook his head, telling his son he didn’t need to push himself.
“What were you planning to do about the heir to the baronial family?”
“When I decided to marry Liz, I needed an aristocratic title, so I obtained a baronetcy, but ultimately, I am an upstart noble. It’s fine if the line ends. Fortunately, Jared is self-sufficient, so there’s no need to worry anymore. Above all, Olivier is by my side.”
“Yes, I will be with him, so you don’t have to worry about Jared.”
“I appreciate your reassuring words. I don’t care what happens to my mansion, but I can’t say the same for my father’s. If my younger brother wasn’t going to be the successor, I was considering making Roik the heir to my grandfather.”
“And what about Rex?”
Finally, the question Jared directed at his father was about his father’s own affairs.
“I considered having Rex inherit my position, but that child has been too heavily influenced by Annette’s negative traits. The incident with Rena, and other actions, have been too much. Even though he is still young, he doesn’t have the makings of a head of household.”
“I see. That’s a conclusion you reached after careful consideration, not just because he’s Annette’s son, right?”
“Of course. To be honest, right now I don’t even want to think about Annette or her child, but what I’ve said is the truth.”
Trusting Johan’s words, Jared asked no more questions.
Jared was also aware that Rex had problems. The only reason he was currently protecting his not-so-lovable younger brother was due to a threat to his life. He wasn’t concerned with whether Rex would become the head of the family or not.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Ah, ah, I’m sorry, I caused you so much trouble.”
“It wasn’t all trouble.”
Finally, Jared was able to offer a smile to his father. Johan, too, beamed with joy at his son’s modest smile. Learning about his father’s hidden feelings and thoughts lightened his heart a little.
He didn’t know if they could build a close father-son relationship now, but at least their relationship wouldn’t be tense anymore.
The fact that his mother, who now only existed in memories, had used his father to give birth to him was beyond shock; it left him speechless. He still felt like it was a lie, but the fact that Olivier, who was sensitive to lies, hadn’t said anything to Johan made him believe it was true.
It was unfortunate that his parents hadn’t loved each other, but his mother, who had been kind to him, was real. There were no grudges now, nor any disappointment. His mother was his mother. And that was enough.
“Excuse me, Father-in-law, are Liz’s rooms still preserved?”
“Of course.”
“I apologize for the intrusion, but may I see them?”
“Not at all. They’re in the room to your right as you leave here. If you’d like, I can guide you.”
“If it’s the adjacent room, that’s fine. I’ll excuse myself then, so why don’t you two talk for a while?”
Looking at Jared and Johan, who wore faces that seemed to be asking for help, Olivier smiled, noting how much they resembled each other.
Come to think of it, their tendency to act for someone else’s sake, disregarding themselves, was a trait they shared. Johan’s actions were a bit clumsy, but it reminded her of what Jared had done for Olivier.
Now that everything had come to light, they should be able to reconcile.
Just as Olivier, as a woman, could speak to her mother, Jared should have things to discuss with Johan as a man. With Olivier present, it might feel awkward.
It was a bit of a drastic measure, but she decided to leave them alone.
“Well then, I’ll take a brief look at Liz’s room.”
“Just a moment, Olivier.”
“Jared—if you could, I’d like to talk. Olivier was kind enough to do this, so if possible, just the two of us.”
“…Alright.”
Jared, who had started to get up, reluctantly sat back down on the sofa at Johan’s request.
Olivier, finding her fiancé’s reaction endearing, gave a small bow to Johan and left the room.
She closed the door and moved to the room on the right.
Liz’s room appeared to be maintained as it was when she was alive. Not only was the bed made, but it was clear that the room was cleaned daily. The sweet scent filling the room was likely from the perfume Liz used to wear.
“I’m sure Father-in-law still loves Liz from the bottom of his heart.”
Even though she didn’t know Liz, to be loved this much would be the highest honor for any woman.
She had learned that Liz had committed suicide, but she couldn’t understand the reason. Liz Murphy, with the power of a Court Mage, should have had the strength to eliminate the source of her troubles. Even if Karina was being threatened over the matter with Roik, Olivier thought it would have been easy for someone ranked within the top twelve in the country to crush a viscount family if they had been serious.
Indeed, Olivier, having witnessed the power of Jared and Pfeil firsthand, couldn’t comprehend why Liz would have committed suicide.
This was why she had come to her room.
“Now then, let’s investigate why Liz committed suicide and whether she truly used Father-in-law.”
If she was a woman, she would have written a diary. Any secrets she desperately wanted to keep hidden would also be concealed so that no one else could see them.
If Liz had a reason, Jared and Johan would be saved. Just as she had been saved by Jared in the past, now it was her turn to save them.
Olivier rolled up her sleeves, filled with determination.
