Wellmy’s Defeat
Translated by: ME
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*****
(What... what did he just say?)
While Wellmy stood there in a daze, Irvine’s voice rang out.
「What is this... what do you mean?! What happens to the Earldom? I’m supposed to inherit it!」
His panic was entirely for his own future. It wasn't a word of concern for Wellmy, nor a question about the weight of the declarations made in this room. It was purely self-centered desperation: (What becomes of me, the second son of a Count?)
Eides replied to those words with a look of pure distaste.
「You no longer have any such right, Lord Irvine. As I have just stated, not a drop of Ernest blood flows within Wellmy. Now that this has come to light, her right of succession is void.」
Succession was recognized first and foremost by direct lineage. The biological reality of the blood in one's veins took precedence over the legal status of being a Count's daughter. Therefore, if it was true that Wellmy was the daughter of Master Crates and Isabella, she could not inherit.
Hypothetically, if Irvine were a cadet branch of the Ernest family or remained engaged to Lola—the direct descendant—he might have been permitted to hold the title as a placeholder for a single generation. If Lola accepted him and bore a child, that child would have a claim. But even then, if Irvine were to later father a child with a different woman after inheriting the title, that child would have no right to succeed him.
This was all hypothetical, of course. There was no world in which her sister would ever get engaged to this man again.
And yet.
「L-Lola! You were just dumped by the Magus Lord, weren't you?! In that case, get engaged to me again!」
(How can this man be so incredibly stupid...?)
Wellmy couldn't understand how he could utter such words after the way he had treated her sister at the academy. Her mind, though still hazy, was beginning to regain its faculty for thought.
Though Irvine wasn't even worth addressing, Eides interjected.
「The House of Ernest will not survive in the first place. The price for their deeds is far too steep. ...Unless, of course, you have a way to repay the national reparations and debts other than by surrendering the peerage.」
It was a meticulous crushing of Irvine’s last hope.
「No...」
「Furthermore, your own house is under suspicion for collusion with Ernest and similar acts of treason. It will be quite a sight to see what becomes of them.」
As Eides delivered the finishing blow to Irvine, Wellmy reached out with trembling fingertips and asked:
「Why... then why was it necessary to break the engagement with my sister...?」
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized it was a poor move. It made it sound as though Wellmy didn't want the engagement between Eides and her sister to end. Whether he noticed her intent or not, Eides looked down at Wellmy with that same cold, cruel smile.
「It’s only natural. Even if she is the child of the previous Count, she is still a tainted woman who shares a blood connection with that fool behind you...」
---
*SLAP!*
---
The sharp sound echoed through the hall. In an instant, a tension unlike anything before dominated the room. With blood rushing to her head, Wellmy screamed in a fit of pure rage.
「Do not insult my sister!!」
It was only when she saw the surrounding silence and shock that she realized this was a complete blunder.
(Ah...)
I’ve done it. She stole a glance at her sister, who was holding her hands over her mouth, eyes wide with astonishment.
The secret was out.
The palm of her hand was stinging and numb from the force of the swing. Eides, whose cheek had been struck by Wellmy, slowly turned his face back toward her, his expression frighteningly cold.
「I’m surprised. ...I shall commend your courage for raising a hand against me.」
At those words, the color drained from Wellmy’s face in an instant, but she stood her ground, clenching her teeth in defiance.
I failed. I failed.
There was no way to talk her way out of this now. If it had come to this, she might as well go all out.
「I was wrong about you, Eides Ormirage! I heard the Magus Lord was a man who valued merit, but I see I was mistaken!」
「Do you know who you are speaking to?」
「Who else could it be but you?! Don’t you dare act so high and mighty when you’re a fool who doesn't even know my sister’s worth! Did you not even look at the reports she wrote?!」
The proposal for a magic formula to reduce mana consumption in healing magic.
The hypothesis regarding herbal combinations to enhance healing capabilities.
And her graduation thesis, which combined those findings to alleviate the burden on mages in the medical field.
「My sister wrote those incredible papers while single-handedly managing the estate's documents to the point of exhaustion! Her intellect was such that she received invitations from the Ministry of Magic's own research division!」
That alone made her an extraordinary talent.
「And her management of the territory! Even with a father who gambled everything away and a mother who wasted funds on jewelry and dresses, she displayed the skill to keep the estate afloat! My sister did that alone, while still in her teens! Her beauty, her etiquette, the sheer amount of mana symbolized by her eyes! Her genius for manipulating magic! Every single one of those traits is a treasure of this world, and you...!」
There was no way a person like her should be cast aside and left to fade away for such a reason.
「She isn't someone of such cheap value that you can let her go just because she has a fool for a blood relative... if you have such blind eyes that you can't see that, then—throw away that arrogant title of yours right this instant!!」
And she had thought she finally saved her. She thought that once her father, her mother, and she herself were gone, her sister would finally be free. That she could live happily without any more suffering.
「I thought if I entrusted her to you, that dream would come true...!!」
She had been wrong. The blind one was Wellmy herself. Eides Ormirage was nothing but a pathetic man.
「I would have been a million times better off entrusting her to that coward over there!!」
Enduring the tears that welled up in the corners of her eyes, Wellmy glared up at Eides, her shoulders heaving as she caught her breath.
Everyone was silent.
Eides, who had been slapped and shouted at, looked down at her with those blue-purple eyes that were impossible to read, his face a mask of stone.
It was Irvine who broke the silence.
「H-Hey, you coward! You, get your hands off Lola!」
At his words, Wellmy looked toward her sister. Leo was holding her shoulders, drawing her close as she looked down, covering her eyes.
「That woman is mine...!」
「Shut up, Irvine! You aren't my sister's fiancé or anything else anymore!」
「Wh-what...!」
When Wellmy screamed at him without even turning around, Irvine was left speechless.
「I am speaking with Eides right now! Since both you and I will surely be charged with lèse-majesté for our stupid comments today anyway, just go ahead and die!」
「L-Lè... lèse...?」
「You didn't even realize that?! Did you never once stop to think why the school regulations stated, 'During the period of enrollment, all matters regarding the royal family shall be treated as an exception to formal etiquette'?!」
It was obvious if one thought about it. The Crown Prince was in the same year as Wellmy and the others. Before entering the academy, there were rumors whispered at tea parties—would His Highness the Crown Prince be enrolling? But after enrollment, no one could find any trace of him.
But Wellmy knew. A few others must have noticed as well. Looking back at the past, no one who became Crown Prince had ever actually "attended" the school.
The aristocratic academy was supposed to be a part of social life. Yet, a notice was sent out saying he would only take the examinations. If one looked into it, there was a record: every year the Crown Prince reached school age, a son of a Baron with the same surname—who had no territory and whose name had never been heard—always enrolled.
The Baron's son always placed in the top ranks of his class. However, on the posted grade sheets, he never quite hit the peak; he was always just at the edge of the top class. Instead, the Crown Prince's name was always near the top.
(A Crown Prince who exists only as a shadow.)
Setting aside the fact that he didn't attend, his grades were excellent. The "poor Baron's" grades were a lie. Wellmy realized it was a bluff to show he was there... a way to hide his identity and to identify those with the strength to see through it and approach him.
His true grades were recorded under the name of the Crown Prince. And the first time Wellmy had thought of swapping her reports with her sister’s was when she first saw those grade sheets.
「Isn't that right? Crown Prince Leonir Lionel! I never said I would entrust my sister to a coward like you!」
Wellmy snapped at Leo, who was still holding her sister’s shoulders. Did he think he was playing the part of a shadow knight? He stayed close to her, but when Irvine harassed her, he never tried to protect her, nor could he reveal his identity because he was a coward who feared the King.
That was how it looked to Wellmy. Even if he intended to take her sister in later, it couldn't be said that he had protected her sister's student life. He could have revealed his identity sooner and used his authority to sweep her away; he could have protected her in a much better way than Wellmy ever could, yet he hadn't.
At Wellmy’s declaration, Leo gave a wry smile and twirled his finger. The ring on his index finger glowed, and the magic concealing him broke. His hair was purple—the proof of royal blood. His eyes were gold—the color of those who excel in offensive magic. Even if his features hadn't changed, the impression he gave was entirely different.
「I-It can't... be...?」
She no longer cared about Irvine’s stunned groan. She had said everything she wanted to say. Her plan had collapsed. Either way, Wellmy could not escape ruin.
That was what she thought. And yet.
「Heh... hahah!」
A rumbling laugh escaped Eides's throat.
「...What a magnificent tirade, Wellmy Ernest.」
As if it were the most amusing thing in the world, he wore a vibrant, joyful smile—completely different from before—and his eyes sparkled.
「Let me tell you something. you will not be charged with lèse-majesté. Nor will you be charged with any of the other crimes I mentioned.」
「Huh...?」
As Wellmy stood there blankly, unable to understand his words, Eides brushed back his silver hair and spoke.
「You are the true whistleblower who exposed the Count, are you not? I merely played along. ...Minister of Justice Kilrain and the Crown Prince have signed a document pardoning Wellmy Ernest of all crimes related to this matter, and His Majesty the King has approved it.」
「..................What?」
She couldn't wrap her head around it. As her gaze darted around in confusion, Eides continued.
「This country has laws that protect a whistleblower as a witness. I suppose you didn't bother to look that up, since you intended to go down with the ship yourself.」
Eides placed a finger under Wellmy’s chin, forcing her to look up at him.
「It was an interesting game. To think you tried to manipulate me according to your own whims... I admire your nerve.」
He then cast a brief glance at the people behind Wellmy... her parents and Irvine. In an instant, the joyful spark vanished from his eyes, replaced by his usual ice-cold gaze.
「Take these fools away. Their business here is finished.」
The soldiers looked at Minister Kilrain, who nodded with an exasperated sigh and gave his permission.
「They are still nobles for the moment. His Majesty will deliver the final judgment. Take them to the noble's prison near the royal castle.」
「Yes, sir!」
「...」
「No, no! This is a mistake! This is a trap! I am...!」
「Why me too... I-I just didn't know anything...!!」
Father was led away, speechless—or perhaps unable to even think—at his downfall and the truth about his daughter. Mother resisted, letting out a piercing shriek. Irvine seemed to still not understand his own guilt. Each was taken away.
And Wellmy, unable to keep them all in her sight, had her chin held by Eides.
「...Let go of me.」
「Do you think you’re in a position to make demands?」
「...It doesn't matter now.」
Wellmy no longer expected anything. But at least her parents and Irvine were gone. And apparently, Wellmy was to be pardoned. Since she hadn't given a single thought to how she would live afterward, the pardon felt like a terrible nuisance. Even if she were cast out as a commoner, she had no trade, no means of supporting herself alone.
(I wish they would have just punished me along with them.)
But if the King's seal had already been applied, there was likely no overturning it.
「Now then, Wellmy Ernest. ...In honor of the skill you displayed in lancing the "pus" that was Count Ernest from this country, I shall grant you a reward of my own, separate from the law.」
When he asked what she wanted, Wellmy responded immediately.
「Give every bit of the pardon granted to me to my sister instead. ...If you do that, her graduation status won't be revoked, and she will be able to go anywhere with the recognition she deserves, won't she?」
Her own life—which she had intended to throw away for her sister's sake anyway—didn't matter. She just wanted things to be better for Lola, even if only by a little. Eides nodded with satisfaction, as if he had seen something in Wellmy’s proposal. Why was he looking at her with such amused eyes?
「Wellmy...」
Her sister spoke in a voice that sounded as if she were on the verge of tears, but Wellmy didn't look at her. It was more accurate to say she couldn't, but even if she could have, she wouldn't have. Wellmy was not needed in Lola's life from here on out.
「How noble of you. Is that truly all you want?」
「And don't break the engagement with my sister.」
Wellmy was no longer wearing a mask. She didn't care how much she was frowned upon, so she spoke all her demands honestly. Even if her sister were free, she would need money and backing. She thought it would be best if that came from the Magus Lord, who could recognize her sister's talent.
She realized now that his earlier comment had been a deliberate provocation to force Wellmy to reveal her true self. And the slap he had allowed her to land—which he surely could have avoided—was his own way of showing sincerity for the insults he had uttered.
Faced with her demand, delivered while her face was held by those cool fingertips—the skin of which was harder than she expected—he wore a sardonic smile.
「I wonder about that. I have no wish to play the interloper and steal the lover of the Crown Prince, whom I am quite fond of.」
「I don't trust that man. Cowards betray you the moment they sense danger.」
When she said it so clearly, the room buzzed again at her extreme lack of respect. However, since the Crown Prince himself said nothing, no one else dared to speak. Eides, still holding her chin, leaned his head in slightly.
A strong, refreshing scent of perfume wafted over her. A low, secretive, and amused voice slipped into her ear along with the sensation of his breath.
「Hmm. Well, as for that, I believe he can be allowed to make his excuses later, don't you?」
When he pulled back, Eides looked down at her teasingly. Even though she knew she was playing into his hands, her irritation grew. Wellmy didn't understand why her emotions were being stirred up like this. Was it because she was frustrated that her entire plan had been seen through? Or was it because she was angry at being played like a toy?
It felt like both, yet neither. But still, Wellmy did not stop resisting. She understood that a lie would never work against those purple eyes. If she didn't speak her true heart, this hateful man before her wouldn't even bother listening.
「Look, I'll give you anything else I have to give. I'll do anything. So please.」
「Hoh, for example?」
He was asking, knowing full well what her answer would be. Clenching her teeth, Wellmy glared up at Eides. All she had to give him was something small.
「I have nothing but this body. But don't you think you could enjoy it at least a little? ...I'm not as beautiful as my sister, but I'm fair enough, aren't I? I won't complain if you treat me like a slave. If you don't even want to see my face, I'll accept execution, or being sent to a northern convent, or anything else... so...」
Wellmy felt a single, warm tear trace its way down her cheek.
「Just save... my sister...」
That was her only wish. That was the only reason she had lived until now.
「You sisters say the exact same things, don't you?」
「...?」
「"Anything." You're certain there's no falsehood in those words?」
Before she could ask what he meant, Eides continued.
「Yes.」
When Wellmy nodded to his question, he wore a satisfied smile and declared:
---
「Then, you shall be my wife. Wellmy Ernest.」
---
Eides’s words struck Wellmy with the same shock as when he had announced the end of the engagement.
「...?」
As she stood there blankly, Eides let out a low chuckle.
「You don't care about anything as long as your sister Lola is saved, do you? Wellmy Ernest. In that case, become my bride. If you do, I shall save your sister. I shall even provide her with the backing she needs to live as she wishes.」
(As long as you accept my demand.)
As he spoke, Wellmy peered into those blue-purple eyes to truly search for his intent for the first time, and she gasped. Despite his words and teasing attitude, his eyes were full of a sincere brilliance.
That's right. At the debutante ball where she first met him, the man she saw at the very beginning had eyes like these.
「I have been looking for a woman like you for a long time. At what age did you begin your planning? When you were just over ten? You were already wearing a mask at the academy. And at that ball as well.」
(He remembered.)
To Eides, she should have been just another young lady among many, someone he had briefly bumped into.
「Your eye for people is certain. Both Lady Carla and the Crown Prince recognized that. There were quite a few who accurately saw through your intentions. Goldray, the Count’s butler, and Crates. —And Lola as well.」
(So that was it.)
Until he said it, she had tried not to think about it. But once she accepted that there was no way her clever sister hadn't realized the truth, it all fell into place.
In that case, the curtain-call for this farce—this dance Wellmy had performed as a lone jester in the palm of Eides’s hand—could only be reached by accepting the conclusion he desired. There was no escape. Wellmy had been utterly defeated.
「Courage and cunning, perseverance and a talent for curse-breaking. You never shy away from effort, seeking the best path and striking out on a gamble for maximum effect... you are a bold woman, one who even plotted to use me as a pawn.」
「I'm honored by your praise.」
Though she meant to spit the words out, she realized her tone held a sulky ring. She wasn't at all happy to be praised by the person who had defeated her.
「Your answer, Lady Wellmy of the House of Ernest?」
「I accept your offer. Magus Lord Eides Ormirage. ...From this moment on, I am yours.」
At Wellmy’s response, a cheer went up for some reason. No doubt it was an unexpected ending for the audience as well. Eides let go of her chin, then wrapped his hand around her waist and lifted her up.
「Honored guests! As promised, allow me to introduce her. The fiancée of Eides, head of the House of Marquis Ormirage: Wellmy Ernest!」
At those words, Wellmy truly realized that this had been set up from the very beginning. Because at the start, he had said:
「I shall introduce the fiancée of the House of Marquis Ormirage.」
He had never once said that person was her sister, Lola.
*****
She got check'd and become his mate... Sorry I'll shut up.
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