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The End of The Fools and Eides’ Past

[Part 1]

Translated by: ME

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*****

「...I’m impressed.」

「I thought you might be. Even after I took Wellmy in, it was a bit unexpected for me as well.」

Master Crates had come to visit that day, and we were all sharing a meal together. He is my biological father, and we had met so I could sign the documents to be officially recognized as his child. As he sat beside Eides, the two of them were busy praising my deportment.

「Your curtsy has always been beautiful, but how on earth did you master the etiquette of the high nobility in such a short window of time?」

It had been a month and a half since I arrived at Eides’s estate and began my studies to become the wife of a Marquess. I had already received what amounted to a passing grade from Eides himself.

In response to Master Crates’s question, I offered a bright smile.

「Actually, the tutor who looked after my sister and me when we were children was the Marchioness of Colwella.」

「!?」

Master Crates’s jaw dropped at my words.

「The Marchioness of Colwella? You mean... the woman who handled the education of the current Princess Consort?」

「The very same.」

I hadn't known this myself until recently, when Sister Lola happened to bring it up during a visit. She mentioned that since I'd come to this house, I hadn't really been scolded or met with exasperation regarding my necessary studies or etiquette.

While my grades at the academy had been near the top, I had always assumed that was due to the strength of Sister’s reports.

But...

『That alone wouldn't have put you at the top, Wellmy. You didn't really struggle with etiquette or the written exams, did you?』

『Now that you mention it, no. I just assumed everyone found it that easy. I specifically chose girls for my entourage who weren't particularly bright, after all.』

『Wellmy...』

Sister had given a wry smile at my phrasing before explaining.

『Marchioness Colwella, who educated us, was an exceptionally talented woman.』

She told me the whole story.

「Apparently, Sister's mother was close friends with the Marchioness, and because of that relationship, she agreed to act as my tutor.」

In reality, she was likely there for Sister’s sake rather than mine. Normally, one wouldn't know the inner workings of another household unless they made a specific, pointed effort to investigate.

Because she had made a promise to the late former Countess Ernest—『Please look after my daughter when she comes of age』—the Marchioness had reportedly applied for the position at a fee far below her usual rate.

While she knew the former Count Ernest (who is now in custody) had taken a mistress as his second wife and brought a daughter with him, she hadn't realized that daughter was the same age as Lola. Based on the letter's content—『I wish to educate the child who will succeed House Ernest』—my parents had entrusted her with my education. By then, Sister was already living in the detached building.

And despite their friendship, the Marchioness was busy working as a tutor for the Royal Palace and other high-ranking noble families. Since the late Countess Ernest had been bedridden and rarely attended tea parties during that period, the Marchioness had never actually met Lola.

I shared these circumstances with the two men.

「The Marchioness did have her suspicions, apparently. Not about my grades, but because my eye color and features didn't resemble Sister’s mother or the Count.」

When looking at my mother, Isabella, and Master Crates side-by-side, it was obvious that my features were a blend of theirs.

「I see... and then?」

「Marchioness Colwella provided Sister and me with an education equivalent to that of a Crown Princess.」

『One can never have too much knowledge or etiquette,』 she used to say. I think she also wanted to ensure that the daughter of her late friend wouldn't be looked down upon just because her mother was gone.

「She was a strict woman, of course, but I figured that if she was teaching me, she would do the same for Sister, so I had her 'demoted' to the detached building.」

「...And at what age did you do this, exactly?」

As Master Crates's face twitched for some reason, I silently picked up my teacup and offered a serene smile.

「I was twelve.」

「It's hardly out of character, Crates. If it's Wellmy, she'd manage at least that much.」

Eides raised a corner of his mouth in amusement. Once Marchioness Colwella’s suspicions were resolved and she’d spoken at length with Sister, she learned the truth about the Ernest household's internal affairs.

「Apparently, she was furious about Sister's treatment. But in exchange for keeping quiet and not interfering, Sister was able to master etiquette and manners far beyond a passing grade.」

Since that was what eventually caught Leo’s eye, one truly never knows what might turn out to be a blessing. Knowing that my choice hadn't been a mistake made me incredibly happy.

「'If it's Wellmy,' huh... well, I suppose you're right. She's earned the approval of even your discerning eye.」

Master Crates changed the subject with a wry smile. Later, after Eides had excused himself for work, he stayed in the drawing room to finish the paperwork with me.

「Now then, once this is submitted and approved, you will be officially recognized as my daughter.」

「Thank you, Father.」

It still felt a bit embarrassing, but I addressed him as such. He had looked so incredibly happy the first time I called him that.

「Yes. ...Wellmy. I've always thought of Eides as a younger brother. Seeing the two of you get engaged makes me more happy than I can say.」

「...Yes.」

「Eides likely won't tell you himself, but I want you to understand him.」

Master Crates gave me a warm smile before his expression grew serious. His voice was soft and pleasant, just like back when he was giving me lessons in curse-breaking.

「Have you heard that the sentences for the Ernests and Irvine have been finalized?」

I nodded at his question.

「Yes. My former father is to be executed, and my mother will be sent to a remote convent while retaining only her noble status...」

The sentence for the former Count Ernest was fair. In addition to treason against the state, he had attempted to murder the daughter of his elder brother—the rightful heir.

As for my mother, I wasn't entirely sure. Even if she were reduced to commoner status, she wouldn't escape banishment from the capital. At her age, whether she was returned to the peasantry in the countryside or sent to a convent, both would be harsh for her.

「That's right. ...The decision not to return her to commoner status was my request. I wanted to minimize any chance of her contacting you. Given her personality and her taste for luxury, she would only cause trouble for others if she were a commoner now.」

「That... makes sense.」

My mother had been kind to me. Perhaps "indulgent" would be the more accurate word. Having come from an orphanage and hating poverty to the point of loathing it, she likely didn't want me to ever experience such a thing. That was probably why she hated Sister—because Lola had been cherished as a noble from birth.

However, I felt no sympathy for her. At some point, I had come to decide that Sister was my only true family.

「Irvine only had to pay a fine, didn't he...?」

「Yes. It seems the Crown Prince didn't desire a heavy punishment for the lèse-majesté committed against him. No matter the 'contract,' if you went unpunished while he was executed or banished, nasty rumors would surely spread. ...Besides, it seems House Schnieger itself wasn't involved in any wrongdoing. The second son is incompetent, but the head of the house and the eldest son seem to be capable men.」

I was surprised to hear the word "incompetent" come from Master Crates. He was usually so careful with his words... even when speaking of the mother who had betrayed him.

「You're quite biting regarding Irvine, aren't you?」

「Of course. He was the root cause of the suffering endured by my daughter and her precious sister. ...To a young woman, being touched against her will is far more loathsome than petty gossip, insults, or crimes she had no hand in, wouldn't you agree?」

I offered a wry smile at that.

「I surrendered myself willingly, after all.」

「Even so, had I known, I could have come forward sooner. I could have protected you.」

「It wasn't your responsibility, Father, so please don't regret it. Besides, I likely would have refused the offer anyway. I hadn't yet worked out the arrangements to save Sister.」

In the end, I believe that was the only way for both Sister and me to be saved at once. Leo, Master Crates, Sister, myself, and all the others... we were all connected by individual lines, but it took my letter of accusation to Eides to bring those lines together into a single cohesive whole.

Master Crates still looked unconvinced, but he moved the conversation forward regardless.

「As for what happens to Irvine, that’s for his family to decide... but Eides paid him a visit and handed out a rather severe 'sanction,' so I don't think he'll be bothering you or Lola again.」

「With his personality, I doubt he'll even show his face at a ball. He has far too much pride for that.」

Being whispered about and mocked was likely the thing he hated most. Still, I was curious about the nature of Eides’s "sanction." Master Crates didn't seem inclined to elaborate, however, and spoke of something else.

「Also, Wellmy. He won't speak of it himself... but I intend to tell you about Eides. Will you listen for a while?」

I looked back into Master Crates's eyes. Instead of their usual gentle light, they were tinged with a deep shade of sorrow.

「Is it... a secret of Eides's?」

「Perhaps. But it's likely not a weakness. At least, not to him.」

「My, what a shame. But yes, I want to hear it.」

I straightened my posture as Master Crates began to speak with a faint smile.

*****

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