Jared and Olivier decided to stay at the mansion in preparation for tomorrow.
Olivier had wished for Jared to return to his mansion, but she became adamant about witnessing the conclusion. After a near argument, Jared relented on the condition that she would not interfere with the battle and not do anything dangerous.
If Almeida and Rio were at the mansion, they could protect her from various dangers, but this time was different. Olivier knew this, yet she worried about Jared’s safety.
He appreciated her feelings, but he couldn’t wholeheartedly agree. Despite giving in, Jared had decided that if Wahash showed even a slight sign of harming Olivier, he would abandon Annette and prioritize Olivier.
“I thought this before, but Jared, you’re surprisingly good at cooking.”
“When we camp, I do it myself for simple meals, so I naturally learned the bare minimum.”
Tonight’s meal was prepared by Jared, Olivier, and Karina.
While the mansion had cooks, there wasn’t enough time to determine if they were influenced by Annette or not. Johan had said he was trustworthy, but there was always a possibility.
He knew that even the kindest person might be forced to make difficult decisions if their family or loved ones were threatened.
Considering tomorrow’s safety, he suggested to his Father that all the staff be given two days off. Some of the staff, who admired Johan and were willing to face danger, were persuaded by Jared that he didn’t want to involve such individuals in peril.
Fortunately, Annette and her child were not present at dinner. From what Jared heard from the staff before they left, they had gone to her family home. He judged that she had likely gone to her family to cry after realizing her truth had been discovered. Honestly, he was grateful not to have to look at that woman’s face while eating.
Karina was invited by Olivier. Olivier’s concern that it would help distract her made Karina a little more cheerful. He had also told his stepmother, and Johan, the truth obtained from Mother Liz’s diary, assuring them they no longer needed to carry any burden of guilt.
While it was impossible to switch gears immediately, it was undeniable that Mother wished for Karina’s happiness as well.
“Speaking of which, when we first met, Olivier-sama told me to do everything myself, but it was different in reality.”
The household chores are managed by Trane. With no other staff, her burden was heavy. Hannelore and Olivier helped, but Trane was always in charge. Recently, Yeny took the initiative to help with chores, and Rio, who became interested, followed suit. Whenever they had time, Jared would help, and even Pfeil would do the same.
Rosa, who had just arrived at the mansion, was surprisingly good at housework and sometimes competed with Yeny in cooking. Almeida, on the other hand, was treated as a complete guest, but no one complained as she was in charge of the mansion’s defense.
It felt like a single family.
Jared let out a wry smile. This was something that shouldn’t happen in noble society but was common in ordinary households. From Jared’s perspective, who lacked a sense of nobility, he questioned why people didn’t do things they were capable of themselves, but if told that’s what nobility entailed, then that’s all there was to it.
“Noblemen raised pampered lives are reluctant to do their own chores. It’s true that only a few weaklings broke down and complained about not being able to get engaged based on that demand alone, but most of them react negatively. It’s a bit of a warning.”
“…I’m surprised there were a few.”
He didn’t intend to say that noble society was bad, but he wondered how they would survive if they fell into ruin and couldn’t even take care of themselves.
“I don’t do everything myself either. Trane told me not to steal her work, so I’m just helping out. She likes housework.”
“I know.”
The self-proclaimed maid, whom Olivier trusted, maintained a poker face but seemed happy when doing housework. Even without a change in expression, after living together for two months, one could gauge her mood.
“With me, Mother, Trane, you, and Yeny, and before I knew it, Pfeil, Rosa, Rio, and Almeida-sama too – it’s like a single family.”
“–Actually, I was thinking the same thing.”
“Oh, what a coincidence.”
They looked at each other and smiled.
“I wish your grandfather would join us too.”
“The head of Waalthe, residing in the mansion of someone who has targeted him twice for his life – you mean that?”
“Yes. In fact, Pfeil and Rosa are living together, but strangely, I don’t feel any resistance. Pfeil is a slightly peculiar younger brother, and Rosa is a younger friend, I can think of them that way.”
He hesitated whether to admire her broad-mindedness or be flabbergasted. Jared also felt like he could consider Pfeil a friend, so it was similar, but these were not the words of someone whose life had been threatened. In the same vein, Hannelore, who accepted Pfeil and the others more readily than Olivier, was also like that.
For better or worse, once people entered their inner circle, they were… kind to them.
This might be a strong point for everyone, including Jared, but it was also a weak point to the same extent.
“If we show him Liz-sama’s diary, won’t that man stop seeking revenge?”
“Probably not.”
He shook his head, thinking of Annette and her child, who had returned to the mansion as if nothing had happened.
If Annette admitted her guilt, apologized, and calmly accepted her punishment, it would be a different story. However, he couldn’t believe that woman, who had even shown composure upon returning from her family home, would honestly atone for her sins.
From Wahash’s perspective, even if Liz had only six months left to live, Annette had hastened her death, and he could not forgive her. Jared felt the same way.
Mother had used her own life to try and save Karina. She couldn’t save her completely, but thanks to Mother, time had led to the present. It was up to those left behind to settle the score.
Wahash believed that killing would end everything. Jared wanted her to atone for her sins. Both were correct.
Seeing Annette’s arrogant attitude, it might be right to act on emotion, but knowing the truth about his mother, he wanted to settle the matter by proving that she hadn’t just committed suicide but that there was a cause.
Both Wahash and Jared were ultimately just pushing forward with the choices they had made. There was no substitute. Regardless of which outcome they faced, Annette would not remain unscathed.
That is precisely why he could not forgive killing her. Death was the end. He wanted her to admit her guilt, regret it, and repent.
Ending it by taking a life was too easy—Jared’s heart harbored a cruel desire to make Annette suffer, even more than the desire for her to be tried justly.
“Wahash won’t stop. And neither will I.”
“It’s ridiculous for a grandfather and grandson to fight over that woman.”
Jared did not reply. He still could not acknowledge Wahash as his grandfather. If he accepted him, it would mean acknowledging Wahash as his grandfather.
Olivier, perhaps sensing Jared’s feelings, did not press further.
“Let’s go to bed soon. No matter what I say—you’re determined to fight, so I won’t object anymore.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll sleep over there. Goodnight.”
“—Wait.”
“Yes?”
Jared, holding only his pillow from the bed, was about to lie down on the floor when Olivier’s strained voice stopped him.
“I don’t intend to steal my fiancé’s bed. Let’s sleep together—Don’t look so surprised. We’re engaged, so it’s fine, isn’t it? I’m not asking you to hold me, I just want to sleep together.”
Jared’s room, though tidied, had its bed neatly made, ready for use. He now understood it was a result of his father’s care. The bed was large enough for both of them.
It wasn’t the first time they had slept together, so it wasn’t anything new.
“Jared, you are important to me. More important than you can imagine. So, please don’t die. Because if you die—I don’t know what I might do myself.”
“—Don’t threaten me.”
“Then don’t say things that would make me threaten you.”
“I won’t die and leave you behind, Olivier.”
“Then that’s fine. Come here.”
He had no intention of resisting and followed as she invited him to lie down together in the bed.
Her hand reached for Jared’s and he felt her warmth. He intertwined his fingers with her slender, supple ones.
Olivier’s heartbeat, audible even without listening closely, gently lulled him towards sleep.
“Goodnight, Jared.”
“Goodnight, Olivier-sama.”
As he heard her gentle voice, Jared closed his eyes and surrendered himself to sleep, much more easily than he expected.
