TISND Chapter 133

Chapter 133

The Eskel family was utterly ruined. The entire empire rejoiced at the news.

Across the markets, shops held sales to commemorate Eskel’s downfall, and some restaurants even offered all their food for free for a day. Everywhere on the streets, people whispered about the freezing-to-death Eskel family finally meeting their end.

“Ha ha ha! Eskel! Eskel finally went down!”

“I told you. Shady folks like that never last long.”

“How many people must have been waiting for this moment?”

“Our prayers have been answered! That damned family has finally fallen.”

The empire was as lively as if a national festival were taking place. Strangers clinked glasses in taverns, cheering, “To the downfall of Eskel!” Some even danced and sang in the streets.

“Those damned Eskel bastards!”

“Serves them right!”

The emperor granted Raul, the crown prince, full authority over the situation he had witnessed with his own eyes. Regardless of wealth or status, the knights raided the homes of nobles involved in the incident, gathering evidence.

The York family was among them.

In particular, the York family’s sins were as grave as Count Eskel’s, if not worse.

“What? Wasn’t the York family on the emperor’s side?”

“All the while, they were secretly collaborating with the count?”

“Those wretched scoundrels!”

Just as their vanity and pride had once stood tall, the tightly shut gates of the York family’s townhouse now lay wide open. People crowded around, gawking at the ruined townhouse. The servants who had worked there shuffled their feet, unsure of what to do.

“Oh, madam! Oh no!”

“Where are you taking my mother? Where?”

Amidst the onlookers stood Helena. She learned an unexpected truth—Lady York was involved too. When they talked about bringing down Eskel, they were so bold, but now that it had collapsed, they fell along with it.

Helena recalled the red hair she had seen in Bacchus. That striking red hair was a symbol of the York family. That was why she had chosen Melissa York as her cover. When all was over, she wanted the York family to fall alongside the Eskel family.

“How dare you lay a hand on a noble?”

“It is His Majesty’s command to arrest all those involved.”

“Mother! Mother!”

When the knights finally took Lady York away, Melissa collapsed to the ground, wailing. Those who had been tutting in disapproval lost interest and went on their way. Then, Melissa noticed Helena standing quietly nearby.

“You, you!”

As Melissa approached with a face twisted like a demon’s, Jane, who was supporting Helena, tensed up.

“It’s okay, Jane. Don’t be afraid.” Helena whispered to her.

Though Melissa drew closer with a terrifying expression, Helena remained still, unflinching. Her calm gaze only agitated her further.

“Was this your doing?!”

“What do you mean?”

“Because of you… because of you, our family…!”

“Our family is ruined too.”

And then, Helena added.

“Wasn’t it Lady York who always went around saying she would bring down the Eskel family?”

“…!”

Melissa bit her lip at her pointed remark. Helena, who had been observing her steadily, spoke dryly.

“In a way, haven’t you achieved your original goal? Eskel is ruined, after all.”

“But… but our family…!”

Melissa seemed to be under the delusion that her actions had brought danger upon her family. As if poking around Eskel’s secrets and causing a stir had led to this catastrophe. It was a complete misunderstanding. Melissa had never uncovered any secrets from the start. She had merely gobbled up the bits of information Helena had deliberately leaked.

But Helena had no intention of clearing up her misunderstanding. There was no reason to extend such mercy.

“See, if you’re going to dig into someone else’s business, you should at least understand your own situation first.”

“Are you even human? How can you stand there with such a calm face?”

Melissa shouted angrily.

“Your family is ruined! Did you… did you plan this from the start, hoping this would happen… and set me up on purpose?”

“…”

“Helena Eskel! You’re worse than an animal. Do you know that?”

“The real animalistic behavior,” Helena retorted to Melissa’s outburst,

“…is preying on helpless children.”

“…!”

“I did nothing wrong. I merely responded appropriately to someone less than human.”

With an indifferent expression, she continued,

“Trash belongs in the trash can, after all.”

“What did you just say? Are you done talking? Hey! Hey!”

No matter how much Melissa screamed, Helena didn’t listen. There was no point—her words were bound to be meaningless anyway.

—

“Worse than an animal.”

Helena recalled Melissa’s words. Yes. Some might say that about someone who destroyed their own family and lineage.

Maybe that’s why I’m being punished.

Just when I finally wanted to live.

The punishment is to accept the reality of my impending death.

When I was sentenced to die, only then did I meet the people I wanted to spend my remaining days with.

I received warmth and love I had never felt before in my life.

And yet, despite all that—

I have to leave so emptily.

Helena, overwhelmed with grief, closed her eyes tightly and returned to the Eskel estate.

With the count and the heir both imprisoned, the atmosphere at the Eskel estate had turned desolate in just a few days. The perceptive servants had already left, and those who remained were gripped by anxiety. They whispered among themselves, wondering if the countess might be imprisoned next. She would likely be investigated, too.

Back at the estate, Helena began preparing to leave for good. There wasn’t much to pack, anyway. A few items she couldn’t bear to throw away: gifts from Countess Enphirem, a bonnet Emma had given her, and a bracelet from Joshua.

Helena carefully packed these precious gifts and prepared to leave the estate. Whether anyone searched for her in the future or not, she intended to disappear completely.

As she waited for Jane, who had gone to prepare a carriage for her escape, Helena looked around.

“Is it you?”

The voice of the countess came from behind. Helena quietly turned around. The countess’s meticulously styled hair was now disheveled, and she reeked of strong liquor.

“…Yes.”

Helena responded.

“Why did you do this? Because I… I poisoned you? Was this revenge? Did you know all along it was me and plan all this?”

“Yes, that’s right. I knew from the start.”

“No matter what, what wrong did we do to you? What on earth should we have done to prevent this from happening?”

While the countess cried and wailed desperately, Helena remained eerily calm and unshaken. She had already given up. Perhaps that was why—because she had let go of all her emotions, regrets, and attachments.

“You know, Mother, I think… love would have been enough for me.”

“…”

“And if not love, then maybe… just a warm meal. If I had that, maybe I wouldn’t have done all this.”

Helena looked up at the countess and asked,

“Mother, did you ever give me even a single warm meal?”

“…”

“…You know, about a year ago, when you brought me that warm tea, I was so happy.”

“…”

“When I drank it, it felt so warm and I was so grateful… I nearly cried from how good it felt.”

“…”

“I didn’t even know it was poisoned, and I drank it so thankfully.”

Despite Helena’s words, the countess made no response. Instead, she merely muttered through falling tears,

“I should have killed you from the beginning.”

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