Jared and Olivier were at the Alway Ducal Family mansion the day after Tobias and Conrad’s visit. The time had already passed noon, but they decided to visit at this hour, thinking it would be a bother if they showed up unannounced, having only sent a letter.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Olivier, Jared. Thank you for coming,” Duke Alway greeted them himself.
“Honestly, I was surprised about Conrad. I’m struggling with it myself,” Duke Harald said with a wry smile, to which Jared and the others could only offer vague smiles in return. After all, the object of Conrad’s affection was who she was. While they wanted to support him, he had his own position to consider, and more importantly, marrying the daughter of Wahash, the head of Waalthe, would be difficult.
“Come, it’s hot outside. Let’s go inside the mansion. I’ve prepared some cold tea.”
Urged on, Jared and the others entered the mansion. The reception room, where they were led for the first time, was cool. It seemed they changed the location they received guests depending on the season. Although it didn’t get much sunlight, it was cool instead. Perfect for summer.
As drinks were soon brought, the Duke opened his mouth. “I want to talk about Conrad, but before that— I know the incident the other day was truly difficult. I apologize again for getting you caught up in adult matters.”
“No, I am grateful that I was able to pass judgment on Annette as a result.”
“It helps that you say so. By the way, did you hear what happened to Annette Paggio afterwards?”
“No, I’m not aware.”
He knew she had been imprisoned, but he didn’t know what happened after that. He had no interest anymore. He just wanted her to suffer until she died and rot away.
“I hesitated on whether to tell you, but I think I should let you know in case you hear about it eventually. Annette attempted suicide in prison.”
“—Is that so. I see,” Jared replied.
“She apparently bashed her head against the wall and bit her wrists, desperate to die. While the injuries aren’t fatal, it seems she’s done it several times.”
There was no doubt that her prison life was unbearable. Knowing her, she wouldn’t be regretting her crimes. It was comical that the mastermind behind her mother’s suicide was trying to kill herself. He couldn’t help but wish for her to just break.
However, for just a moment—thinking of Claire and Rex, his chest ached.
“Are you alright?” Olivier asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Olivier-sama,” Jared replied.
“I’m sorry, perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything?” Olivier asked.
“I’m glad you asked. I was able to confirm that she is definitely paying for her crimes.”
As he conveyed that he wasn’t bothered, the two showed expressions of relief. However, Duke Harald looked uncomfortable.
“There are difficult things to say. Due to this recent suicide attempt, a petition has reportedly arrived from Annette’s mother. She asked for Annette to be released from prison, stating she would accept punishment and confinement.”
“Father, surely not…”
“Rest assured, your plea will not be granted. She was involved in the death of the former court mage Liz Murphy and colluded to ensnare the Ducal and Baronial families. While she’s free to petition, it’s meaningless.”
Olivier visibly relaxed at his father’s words.
“As a precaution, there’s a possibility she might try to contact Jared. So please be careful. If you, the son of Lord Liz, were to say you forgive her, the situation would become complicated, and it might be taken into consideration.”
“I would never do that. If she had tried to atone for her crimes at an earlier stage, things might have been different, but it’s too late now.”
If she had carried the guilt for her mother, Liz, for a long time and tried to atone, like his stepmother Karina Daum, it would have been a different story. But Annette had insisted she was not at fault until the very end. He couldn’t possibly forgive her just because she tried to kill herself after being imprisoned and demanded it.
He might have considered whether to forgive her if Annette had died, and only then.
In the first place, even if Annette asked for forgiveness, Jared’s heart wouldn’t move if her family petitioned. Even if Claire and Rex asked him, it would be impossible. She was the cause of his mother’s hastened death, and she had tried to kill Olivier, including his father, stepmother, and younger brother. How could he possibly forgive her?
“I have a request.”
“Go ahead and tell me.”
“Please convey this to Annette’s mother. If she appears before me and asks for her daughter’s forgiveness— I cannot guarantee I can restrain myself.”
“—I understand. I promise I will convey your message.”
“Thank you.”
As Jared expressed his gratitude, the Duke continued. The execution of Marquis Listener and Viscount Paggio was scheduled for a week later. The Marquis reportedly accepted his defeat and remained quiet, but the Viscount was apparently causing a commotion, desperately trying to save his own life.
It was pathetic that they wanted to protect their own lives while trying to take others. Marquis Listener, who was more resigned, was still better. Although he was warned that there might be contact from the families whose titles were revoked, Jared had no intention of doing anything, just like with Annette.
“It’s outrageous. If they had been the victors, I would be dead, and the Ducal family would not have been spared.”
I couldn’t agree more. Because they lost, they regretted it, begged for help, and their families followed suit. But if the positions were reversed, they wouldn’t have given a second thought to the people they had tried to ensnare. This was why he disliked nobles. He knew not all nobles were evil, but he couldn’t help but think that anyone with the title of noble was arrogant. Trapped in noble society, Jared vowed he would never become like them.
