Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
âI wonder if there is anyone in this mansion who will truly treat him well. Besides, how would he feel if he finds out that he was betrayed by his own blood and was comforted by his so-called ornaments?â
Aria laughed then said to the Countess, âIâm sorry, but I wonât let Mielle be left untouched although my father woke up. I will also punish Cain even if the county family is doomed.â
âWhat are you sorry for? Thatâs a very good judgment. You canât leave the snake strangling. Iâll help you, too.â
The Countess gritted her teeth as if she had reminded her of Aria who had been falsely accused. She was terrified because she couldnât take a step out of the room.
If Aria had no background, she would be afraid of the Count and his children even though she was the Countess, but Aria had already won numerous supporters and powers, and she even had the Crown Prince on her back.
Therefore, it would be better to trample on them and get the virtue of a grown-up daughter and son-in-law rather than to curry favor with a man who treated her as an ornament.
While Aria and the Countess were resting in the garden, Cain went into the Countâs room alone. Cain told the servants, who were massaging the Countâs body, to go outside.
âBut, but the doctorâ¦â
âI have something to talk to my father for a while, so do it again later.â
âTalk to the Count? Is he in a position to talk now?â The servants hesitated to go out, but they still did. He sat by the head of the Count who was staring at him.
âFather.â
When he called him, the Count blinked. There was no change in his face, but it was a reaction that seemed to be asking why. At Cainâs casual appearance, Cain hesitated a little and then opened his mouth again.
âMielle⦠sheâs in jail now.â
Cainâs words brought waves back into the Countâs eyes. He had thought she might have been punished for pushing him down, but he didnât know she was in jail.
He had just woken up and hadnât heard anything about Mielle. What Mielle had done was a terrible, immoral crime, but it was enough if he dismissed and covered it as an unfortunate incident in the family.
âBut prison? Why? Who in the world accused her?â Cain continued to speak as he saw the color of the Countâs face becoming black.
âShe was⦠on the charge of trying to kill her father. Sheâs been in trouble because I couldnât get the permission even if I applied for bail. I think⦠itâs because the Crown Prince is involved in the middle.â
The Count rolled his eyes when the Crown Princeâs name suddenly appeared. It was shocking that Mielle was in prison, but it seemed to ask why even the name of the Crown Prince came out.
âWell, in fact, Aria was driven to the criminal at first. Then the Crown Prince stepped in.â
As he was unable to tell the whole truth, he said some parts, taking off their faults, and the Count closed his eyes. It was Mielle who had intentionally taken him to Ariaâs room, so he seemed to be making a rough guess. There was nothing to benefit from continuing this story, so Cain quickly changed the topic.
âAnyhow, Mielle said she had made a mistake, and sheâs very worried about you. She cries every day and regrets her mistake. So, please help Mielle.
Cainâs words sank the Countâs eyes low.
âMistake?â At that time, the face of Mielle, who had pushed him down the stairs, was as vivid as if it was painted. It was never the look of a person making a mistake. It was a clear intention. Still, Cain continued to stress that she had made a mistake until the Countâs face was full of tiredness.
â⦠If you are in a state you canât answer, I must have been too talkative. Iâm afraid youâre tired today, so Iâll leave now. Take a good rest.â
Cain, who was afraid that his mistake would be revealed if he defended Mielle any longer, went out of the Countâs room at the right time. In the empty room, where Cain had left and no one was present, the Count, who had been staring at the ceiling for some time, soon closed his eyes.
In his eyes, many of the karma he had done fell into tears. His own children that he thought were on his side were too heartless, but only his new wife and stepdaughter were sincere. Even his most loved Mielle tried to kill him. Cain had struggled to say that it had been a mistake, but the Count, who clearly remembered the look of Mielle while pushing him, felt keen that it was not a mistake. Tears didnât stop at the feeling of being denied everything that he had done so far.
They were all his karma. It was a matter of his own accord. It was an irreversible past that he only realized now that he could no longer lift a finger.
While looking back at his life and shedding tears of regret and resentment, the Countess, who had been away for a while drinking tea with Aria, entered the room. As if she had had no leisurely face, the Countess hurried up to the Count, making a very worried face.
âWhere are the servants? Why are you alone? Are you feeling better? Would you like some water? No, do you want me to massage you? Oh, my God⦠look at these tears, are you hurt somewhere?â
When she saw the Countâs terrible state, the Countess was worried about him, and the Countâs tears that he was holding back burst out again. Though she was a woman of humble origin, she must have been a warmer woman than anyone else.
Nevertheless, resentment and bitterness were in his heart at what he couldnât express anymore. If she knew this or not, the Countess smiled brightly and held his hands.
âNow that youâve got your doctorâs words and youâre awake, youâll get better soon. Iâll do my best to help.â
As if he had found a ray of hope in the face of the talking Countess, the Count glistened his eyes.
* * *
With the dedication of the Countess, the proper prescription of his physician and the constant efforts of everyone in the mansion, the Count was soon able to get his energy back. As his doctor said, his lower body showed no signs of improvement, but it was possible for him to move his arms or hands a little bit. Of course, he couldnât pick things up or turn around unless he had someone to help him.
âWould you like some water?â
âYes.â
He could also speak briefly. She didnât know if it was because he was not feeling well yet or because he didnât want to talk, but he often answered the Countessâs questions.
âBy the way, today is Mielleâs trial day. Shall we go there for a while?â
â⦠No.â
Despite Cainâs relentless efforts, the Count offered no help for Mielle. Despite Cainâs efforts to bring news of the poor Mielle often⦠Of course, it was the Countessâs effort. She helped him to stand firm as he had been shaken his heart.
âYouâd better take good care of Mielleâ¦? Aria said it was okay, and⦠but I think the good child should be given a chance to repentâ¦â
ââ¦â
The Count shook his head faintly. Even though it was a small move that wouldnât be noticeable if she didnât look closely, the Countess nodded her head as if she knew it.
âSheâs a good kid, so sheâll soon understand what you mean.â
The Countess massaged his hand to justify the Countâs coldness of abandoning her own daughter. There was not a shadow in her smiley face.
âCome to think of it, the doctor strongly advised me that you should take a rest and recover in a resort. Why donât you buy a villa at this time? A villa where you can get a good rest. Iâll check it out and buy it without bothering you.â
â⦠Ok.â
No matter how much the Countâs condition improved, he would not be able to live and work normally. Therefore, it was clear that the county family would fall into Cainâs hands as it was.
âSo why not take away even the property in return for humiliation and persecution?â The Countess, who had a chance to take the property from the Count, smiled brightly at him, who believed in her and answered yes.
* * *
âConsidering the Countâs awakening, Iâm sentencing Roscent Mielle to five years of house arrest.â
At Freyâs sentence, Mielle collapsed again to the floor. âHouse arrest? Why should I be punished when my father is not dead? And why didnât my father request for a plea for mercy?â