I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die - Chapter 8.1
I observed Severus’s expression. Throughout the tea, he seemed absent-minded like someone lost in worry. Though concerned, I assumed he was preoccupied with thoughts about the upcoming trial.
But after several hours in that state, I couldn’t just ignore it anymore.
“Severus.”
I called him while setting down my teacup. He continued staring into space, not even registering his name being called.
“Severus!”
I called again, putting more force into my voice. Only then did focus return to his red eyes. His gaze wavered under my steady stare.
“You said spouses share everything, didn’t you? Why are you brooding alone? Is it something I can’t help with?”
If that were the case, I couldn’t do anything about it, but I still wanted to know what had him so deeply troubled. Severus moved his lips slightly.
“It’s about Michaelo.”
“Why hesitate to tell me about him? This involves me, doesn’t it?”
He nodded slowly. I faced him with a reassuring look. His hesitation meant this wasn’t good news for me. Perhaps it related to my parents.
“It seems the tragic accident that befell the Edenberg family was deliberately caused by someone.”
“…Michaelo.”
I immediately thought of him. It was what I had suspected. The suspicious coincidences had bothered me. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had taken everything I had in order to possess me.
“How did you know? No one seemed to know about the accident.”
“Someone who participated in the arson that day sent a letter after hearing your story. Everyone involved that day has been eliminated. From the mansion staff to the priests, Michaelo pushed everyone except himself into the flames. He himself barely survived with full-body burns.”
“So he’s been hiding all this time?”
Severus nodded slightly at my question. Then he told me about this person.
The only survivor from the mansion spent many years in hiding to avoid being discovered by Michaelo. In fact, severe burns made his original face unrecognizable. He had been living under a different name in a small village outside the capital. This allowed him to escape Michaelo’s notice.
“He said he wants to reveal everything now and be free. Michaelo’s cruelty in leaving no evidence or witnesses is chilling.”
I wondered how many people had died because of me. What was most infuriating was that this person had kept quiet all this time and now wanted to unburden himself and find freedom.
“…How convenient for him.”
Learning the truth brought no joy. If everything had been revealed from the beginning, I wouldn’t have had to live imprisoned in the temple.
My past felt meaningless once again. Everything seemed like a lie, making me question what I had been living for.
“Rilke.”
“…I won’t forgive him.”
“You can feel that way until you die. You don’t have to forgive.”
“I want to see his face at least. Where is he?”
“It would be better not to see him.”
Despite Severus’s words, I wanted to meet the survivor. I needed to hear about that day with my own ears to believe it.
***
A woman with her hat pulled low knelt before me. Unseasonably, she wore long sleeves and a lace collar raised to her neck, resolutely refusing to expose even an inch of bare skin.
“What’s your name? I can’t trust someone who won’t reveal their identity.”
“…Ariche.”
“Did you work at the Edenberg mansion?”
“No. I belonged to the temple. You could say Michaelo temporarily bought people for his plan.”
“Very well, Ariche. Raise your head.”
She showed no sign of lifting her bowed head. Was it guilt that made facing me uncomfortable? Yet her attitude seemed somehow relieved, which bothered me. I disliked that she was finding freedom simply by revealing what she knew.
“Miss Ariche?”
“Forgive my disrespect in keeping my head bowed. This is for the Duchess’s benefit.”
“Why are you revealing everything now?”
That’s what I wanted to know. Why would someone who had been hiding from Michaelo suddenly want to speak about the truth of that day? She seemed ready to testify before everyone if I asked.
But nothing in this world comes free. That’s a principle I’d learned through many experiences. There’s always a give and take. So there must be a reason she had kept quiet and was now speaking up.
“I heard the High Priest was imprisoned. Seeing him fall when he seemed so unshakable… it gave me peace of mind.”
“So you came out of hiding because of that?”
Ariche nodded at my question. What a pitiful sense of guilt. I made no effort to hide my contempt while staring at her.
“Tell me everything about that day without omission. How it started, what my parents’ final moments were like…”
“…I have one request, if I may.”
A request? Was she in any position to ask me for favors? I had expected she wanted something, but I didn’t expect such brazenness. To sit before me as a perpetrator and ask for a favor. It was absurd when she should be confessing everything and begging forgiveness.
It was clear she had approached me because she wanted something.
“Why should I do that?”
At my firm response, Ariche seemed flustered. With her hat pulled low, her face remained hidden even when she slightly raised her head.
“Aren’t you curious about the story? I know that’s why you wanted to see me. I’ll tell you everything I witnessed that day if you’ll grant me one small favor. I know I don’t deserve it, but… still…”
She trailed off. There was desperation in her voice, but I felt no pity. Because of her, who had concealed the truth and hidden away for her own safety, my life had been irreparably ruined.
I couldn’t even properly mourn my parents, nor did I have friends among children my age. I lived without receiving or giving love. I hadn’t wished for a luxurious life. I just felt sorry for my past self, who couldn’t enjoy the ordinary things someone my age should have experienced.
I was raised without knowing what existed in the outside world, bred solely to live for Michaelo. I trusted him—the very man who had killed my family and plunged me into despair.
“I have no intention of granting your request, whatever it may be. If you came to bargain with me, you’ve misjudged. I plan to take what I want without giving anything in return.”
“Do you not pity me at all?”
Ariche raised her head and placed her hand on her chest. Her aggrieved expression made me laugh. I gripped the armrest tightly, suppressing my anger.
“Why should I pity you? Conversely, it seems you don’t pity me. Can’t you see the child who lost everything, whose family burned to death before her eyes because of someone?”
Ariche hastily removed her gloves. Only then did her hands become visible. I could see skin twisted and melded together from burns. Without stopping, she removed her hat as well, revealing her ruined face.
I already knew about this from Severus, but seeing it with my own eyes was more horrific than I had imagined.
“I survived that day, but I’ve lived like this ever since. I’ve merely clung to life, hiding from others’ eyes. Can you still say you feel no pity? I was only employed by Michaelo. I didn’t know such a cruel thing would happen! I was told there would be no one in the mansion…”
“Ariche. Did you truly believe there was no one in the mansion? If you were deceived by Michaelo, that’s unfortunate, but since you were hired for money, wouldn’t you have noticed something strange? Even if there had been no people, is it normal thinking to burn down someone’s home and sanctuary?”
It wasn’t that I felt no pity for her. Michaelo must have enticed her with certain words, and she must have had reasons to follow him.
Her attitude, begging for sympathy, clouded my judgment. That’s why sharp words flowed from me without restraint.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry…”
Ariche burst into tears and sobbed. My anger gradually subsided. This person before me was, after all, merely someone who had been used.
