SWWYV CHAPTER 147

Chapter 147

Garfield was found near a reservoir close to the capital. (T/L: A reservoir is an artificial lake where water is stored.)

He had been dead for more than a day. (T/L: Man!!! NO WAYYY!!! UGHHHH!)

The cause of death was poisoning.

“Poisoned by Rosarphi.”

Killian’s eyes trembled upon hearing the report about Garfield’s death from the military police officer who had come to visit.

“Rosary pea… you say?”

“Could it be the Black Moon’s doing?”

The officer seemed to think that only the Black Moon would use Rosarphi to kill someone.

Killian was confused.

“When exactly is the estimated time of death?”

“Approximately a day and a half ago. It appears he died shortly after the search of the Grand Duke’s residence concluded.”

The officer explained.

In that case, Killian was still being held and interrogated at the Imperial Palace during that time.

“Who would have thought proof of Your Excellency’s innocence would come about this way?”

Coincidentally, Garfield’s death once again proved Killian’s innocence.

He had died from Rosarphi poisoning while Killian was detained.

But that only made Killian more perplexed.

If the Empress had ordered Garfield’s murder with Rosarphi, she wouldn’t have done it while Killian was detained.

Beatrice wasn’t foolish enough to make such a mistake while trying to frame Killian as the Black Moon.

So, there was only one conclusion.

Garfield had taken his own life. (T/L: Garfield WHY JUST WHY!! UGGGGGGHHHH!. I swear I’m not crying.)

Killian’s gaze wandered aimlessly.

He couldn’t comprehend it.

Why would Garfield commit suicide?

He had just begun to fully trust him. He thought he could finally talk more with him.

Killian clenched his fists tightly.

Was he afraid of the Empress?

But he had…

“What happened to Garfield’s daughter, Anne…?”

Killian suddenly remembered Garfield’s only remaining family member.

Garfield cherished his only daughter, Anne, immensely.

A few years ago, she married an ordinary man and recently announced her pregnancy.

Killian also remembered Garfield saying that he felt strange about having a grandchild.

“We are currently trying to contact her.”

“…Where is Garfield’s body?”

“He is in the mortuary for now. There have been no decisions made since the cause of death was revealed.”

“I will cover the funeral expenses. Please inform me once you reach Anne.”

“Of course, Your Excellency.”

The officer saluted Killian and withdrew.

* * *

“Garfield is dead?”

Beatrice had also received the news.

“And poisoned by Rosarphi…”

Ha, Beatrice let out a laugh.

To use the Rosarphi she had given him to kill to Killian.

“…How foolish.”

Of course, problems arose from using a lowly commoner.

Beatrice bit her lip.

‘Killian is now completely out of suspicion.’

No one would doubt Killian now.

“Garfield had a daughter, didn’t he? What happened to her?”

She remembered how much Garfield adored his daughter.

It was his weak point.

And the Garfield she knew wouldn’t have killed himself and left his daughter behind.

“She died during childbirth last week…”

“Died?”

“Yes. It was a difficult birth…”

Beatrice’s lips twisted upon hearing that.

Last week, she had been hosting the tea party to gauge Killian.

Knowing everything now, Beatrice’s expression hardened.

The shackles binding Garfield to her had vanished. Yet, she had assigned him tasks without knowing that.

Not thoroughly checking on the life of that commoner woman was a grave mistake.

“…Leave me.”

Beatrice, her mind in turmoil, dismissed everyone and irritably crumpled a piece of paper.

To think things would go so wrong because of a seemingly insignificant butler.

As Beatrice exhaled in frustration, Elizabeth, her white cat, approached and rubbed against her feet.

The soft touch of the cat calmed Beatrice’s anger.

“You’re the only one I can trust, Elizabeth.”

When Beatrice spoke, Elizabeth meowed.

Feeling soothed, Beatrice’s gaze turned calm and cold.

“Right, I can’t remain tied down by Killian.”

Until now, she had kept the illegitimate child alive as bait to catch the Black Moon.

But the Black Moon was not easy prey. Moreover, the Black Moon was pursuing Estelle, the illegitimate child.

“If I leave things as they are, I might ruin everything.”

It seemed necessary to adjust her priorities.

Postpone dealing with the Black Moon and first eliminate the confirmed illegitimate child.

Doing so would force the Black Moon out of hiding.

Beatrice stared coldly at the Black Moon case report.

***
Garfield had no remaining family, and his distant relatives lived too far from the capital to attend his funeral. 

Killian took it upon himself to arrange Garfield’s funeral. 

Garfield was buried next to his daughter’s grave near the capital. 

Despite his still-healing body, Killian attended the funeral, watching Garfield be laid to rest and offering a flower.

Sophia felt sorrowful about the lack of visitors at Garfield’s farewell. 

The only attendees were the people from the grand duchy. Garfield had dedicated his entire life to the grand duchy, aside from his daughter.

As they returned in the carriage, silence filled the air.

‘It’s funny, but in such a situation, the first person I think of is Lady Sophia.’

Why hadn’t she realised it before?

‘With such a devoted lady by his side, there’s no need to worry about Master anymore.’

He should have noticed then.

Caught up in the immediate situation, she hadn’t paid attention to Garfield’s expressions and tone. 

That night, Garfield’s tone was unusually calm, filled with deep sadness. 

Sophia had assumed it was just because it was late or due to his guilt and sorrow about Killian.

If she had listened more closely to Garfield’s story that night and had taken more interest in the sadness he was hiding, what might have changed?

Sophia pressed her palms to her eyes to stop the tears. Killian was suffering too, and she didn’t want to cry in front of him. 

People said Garfield’s death proved Killian’s innocence, but neither felt any joy.

“…It’s all my fault.”

Killian muttered, breaking the silence.

“If I hadn’t sought the truth, everyone would still be alive.”

Fideut, Percel, and now Garfield.

In trying to uncover the truth about his parents’ deaths, more lives had been lost. Killian was deeply conflicted about his pursuit. What was the point of finding the truth if it meant others had to die?

The world would continue just fine without the truth. In the end, wasn’t it all just selfish desire? He could have lived in ignorance, enjoying the wealth and status the royal family offered, blissfully unaware. 

If he hadn’t investigated the illegitimate child, Estelle would have been safe.

“… Everything went wrong because of me.”

Killian turned his anguished face towards the window. Seeing him in pain, Sophia’s heart ached.

“It’s not your fault.”

Sophia took his hand from across the carriage.

She understood why he was tormented. He felt he could only change himself.

But wrong was wrong.

“It’s all the empress’s fault.”

Fideut, Percel, Garfield, and even the grand duke and duchess’s deaths were all Beatrice’s doing. She continued to live without a shred of guilt.

So why should Killian suffer?

He just wanted to remember his parents and set things right.

If something needed to be corrected, it was Beatrice, not Killian.

“Your self-blame only justifies the empress’s actions.”

Sophia squeezed his hand tightly, trying to awaken him. 

Killian’s red eyes focused on her, eventually reflecting a glimmer of light.

“…I fear you might get hurt because of me too, Sophie.”

Killian enclosed Sophia’s hand in his.

“I’ve had nightmares often since childhood.”

As a child, he had nightmares about his parents. Although he didn’t remember, he was told he used to have seizures when he had those nightmares.

He was so afraid of sleeping that Mikhail would often stay with him. He distrusted adults, fearing one of them might be the red-braceleted killer of his parents.

Mikhail became his only comfort, and thanks to him, the nightmares gradually lessened. 

But recently, the nightmares had returned frequently.

Was it because of anxiety? He had nightmares when Fideut and Percel died. After the torture in the underground prison, nightmares visited him every time he closed his eyes.

In his nightmares, he always read a book where Killian Viprons Rivelon was the villain. 

And because of him, everyone he loved died.

(T/L: WAIT! What? Which book? Dang!!.)

 

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TRANSLATOR:

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