Episode 26
To be honest, despite numerous clashes with my uncle’s family, I didn’t harbor significant ill feelings towards them.
The Terium Empire had abolished the tradition of eldest son succession long ago, and the current Emperor, born as the youngest, had eventually seized power through merit.
As a result, a culture emphasizing merit-based succession had developed.
The Drenihan family was no different.
Although my father was the eldest, equal opportunities had to be given to my younger brother Orzen, and until the family head made the final decision, no one could definitively determine the successor.
In noble families, disputes over succession among siblings were common, and I had considered the wrongdoings of the Orzen family as somewhat expected in that process.
However, recent events in my life were not something to brush aside as a mere succession dispute.
Even if there was no confirmation of an attempt on my life through Draegus poisoning, today’s events were crystal clear.
Jerria lifting her shoulders and my tumbling into the Demon’s Forest, and not exaggerating when I say I truly came back from there.
Even though I had handled everything with indifference until now, it didn’t mean I could be underestimated.
Contrary to what I had thought about the person in front of me being quite wicked, there was also a foolish aspect.
“You dare to be so bold after scheming against my daughter in such a dreadful way?”
Lady Beth tended to see Jerria as an excessively young child.
Certainly, any parent would feel affection for their child, but there was a significant difference between raising a child and treating them as a newborn.
Within the mansion, Jerria held a unique and dominant position.
Not only within the Drenihan family but also among the servants, she behaved as an angelically lovable child.
I alone have delved into its depths.
“Whether it’s scheming or not, you can go and ask Jerria directly.”
“Even if I go, I’m not sure if I can meet her! They say she’ll be taken to that desolate Dermian territory tomorrow, and I can’t see her face even once before that!”
It seems that my grandfather is quite strict in punishing Jerria.
Despite Jerria’s most earnest efforts being directed towards my grandfather, it seems that those efforts had no effect at all.
However, he wasn’t the type to make decisions based on one side’s words alone.
“I heard that Jerria has already had a long meeting with grandfather.”
Setting aside the busy affairs of the family head, he managed to grasp the true relationship with Jerria.
No matter how talented and clever she was, it wouldn’t have been easy for Jerria to lie during a one-on-one interrogation with Tercon Drenihan.
“Aunt, do you really think all of this is false? Are you denying Grandfather’s intentions by intimidating the injured and even challenging his will?”
When I stared directly at her with a teasing smile, Lady Beth flinched.
“What denial…”
“It’s as if you’re implying that Grandfather manipulated me and punished Jerria, completely ignoring his intentions.”
“…”
“If it’s not Jerria, then call the maid who went with her to the Grand Duke’s residence. Instead of holding onto unwarranted hostility.”
I walked past the resolute Lady Beth through the corridor.
The clenched fists and pouting were unmistakably the actions of Jerria and Pandari.
Upon entering my room, I noticed a letter placed on the table.
As I reached for the letter, Nella, who must have heard of my return, quickly entered the room in a single step.
“Miss! I heard the news. Miss Jerria…”
“Yeah, Nella. It’s probably as you heard.”
“My goodness, how could she… No, Miss, your delicate face has a wound!”
Looking at the location my grandfather had mentioned, I observed the injury, and Nella seemed unsure of what to do.
In reality, such a wound didn’t feel like much anymore. Surviving nearly having my limbs torn by a wolf-like demon made this seem trivial. I should be grateful for such a small matter.
However, Nella, thinking differently, brought ointment and applied it to my cheek, which felt slightly irritated.
“What about this letter?”
“Oh, this is from Lord Arzen while you were away at the Karsian territory.”
“Arzen?”
Isn’t he busy with his duties right now?
After the grand celebration of my awakening, Arzen had entered the Imperial Healing Magic Department to prepare for the formal succession.
The Selber Ducal family had a long tradition of healing abilities, and to become the head, one had to undergo training at the Imperial Healing Magic Department for several years. When I heard that Arzen had made that decision, I was genuinely surprised.
‘You have to get healthy.’
‘I’ll wait until you’re ready.’
When I asked Arzen when he would enter the Healing Magic Department, his words came to mind.
He, like Arzen, considered me a precious childhood friend.
I felt a bit sorry for bothering him unnecessarily, as Arzen, who was prepared to wait patiently, might have had concerns about my health.
‘He said he would start from the bottom and work his way up from a junior officer to a general in the Healing Magic Department.’
Once the succession process started, he wouldn’t be able to leave for a while. Did Arzen judge that my health had significantly improved? Arzen, who knew more about my body than anyone else, might have made such a judgment.
“Well, that’s a good thing. Very much so.”
Despite the disappointment of not being able to see him every day as before.
I took a moment to reminisce about recent events and opened the letter from Arzen.
The scent of citrus, my favorite, wafted from the letter.
[To Sierra. Did you have a good time at the Karsian reception?]
Yeah, I had a good time. After all, I’m alive and well.
[I feel a bit disappointed that I have to inquire about your well-being through a letter. I’d feel more relieved if I could see you in person.]
Anyway, Arzen worries too much.
If we meet, he’ll surely hold my hand and fill me with energy for his peace of mind.
“I guess you could say he’s overly concerned.”
Unknowingly, a smile appeared on my lips.
With such concern, I can’t help but think I need to visit him soon.
Arzen likes raspberry cookies, and I should bring them when I go.
I wonder if Arzen and I share the same thoughts?
[Visit the Imperial Magic Department soon, Sierra. I have something to tell you.]
I stumbled upon the last sentence of the letter.
[It’s about your health.]
Arzen, who would normally throw in a cheesy joke as an afterthought, seemed serious.
[Your longtime friend who always thinks about you.]
I put the letter down and moisturized my dry lips with the tea in front of me.
“Nella, please list my name on the visitor list for the Imperial Magic Department by tomorrow.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Normally, to visit the royal palace, you had to wait a week in advance and receive permission. However, it was different for the Dreghenians.
They had the privilege to visit the royal palace on the next day or even the same day. It was a privilege, but I had never used it before.
I could hear the detailed story tomorrow, but I was convinced that the content wouldn’t be trivial.
* * *
From early morning, the mansion was bustling with the busy movements of servants.
In the midst of it all was Jerria, who looked worn out after a sleepless night.
She emerged from her room, still wearing the dress from the previous day, heading towards the carriage waiting to take her away. Her appearance was nothing short of absent-minded, as if half of her soul had already left her.
As I quietly observed her distant figure walking away, a woman rushed into the hallway.
“Jerria!”
Lady Beth ran toward her daughter in a single step. Orzen and Calic followed closely behind.
“Mother…”
Seeing Jerria, who used to be like a delicate flower, now looking like a guilty criminal about to be exiled, Lady Beth couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Why do you have to go to such a place? You should be blooming like a flower now that you’ve graduated from the academy!”
“Father will convince them. I don’t have a place to stay now since he won’t meet me, but soon, he’ll come to rescue you. Endure a little longer.”
Orzen’s family gathered, putting on a tearful show, and some of the servants couldn’t help but feel their eyes moistening.
Jerria soon lifted a large bag and boarded the carriage. She noticed me in the distance for a moment, her body trembling, but soon the coachman closed the door.
The carriage left through the main gate, heading outside the mansion.
Until it became a dot in the distance, Lady Beth stood there like a statue, watching.
People are truly complex.
Just by seeing that appearance, she seemed like a devoted mother to her family. But remembering her yelling in front of me yesterday, she seemed like a completely different person.
If my mother were still alive, would she have shown me such unquestioning trust and dedication?
I briefly recalled the confident face of that lady in the portrait. Soon, I shook off the futile thoughts and turned my steps, ascending the stairs.
The permit for entering the palace had been issued a short while ago.
