My Ruin to You - Chapter 127

Deception breeds suspicion.

“I simply can’t understand it. Suppose we accept your claim that there was no time to call for reinforcements. But in such a desperate situation, how could you have had the means to collect the heads?”

At the time, she had dismissed it as nothing more than the fury of a commander who had lost his subordinates. No—just yesterday, she hadn’t even considered doubting it. But looking back now, it was all too meticulously orchestrated to be brushed off as a simple misunderstanding.

Edan of the 1st Unit and Merrick of the 2nd. Coincidentally, the most loyal knight and attendant had been separated into different units, and after the Marquis’ arrest, only Edan—a knight of the Grand Duchy—had survived, while all the Imperial knights perished. At first glance, it seemed impossible for Edan alone to have slaughtered so many knights, especially since they were all Manifestors.

But just as Roseline had experienced, if sleep-inducing magic was used against them in a defenseless state, even the Imperial knights would have been helpless.

Then why?

The suspicion pointed toward Valen, and the answer was simple. What he wanted wasn’t a living Marquis—so he eliminated the potential witnesses who could stir up trouble. As for the reason, theories diverged: either it was a ploy to leave Roseline as the sole remaining party involved, burdening her with heavier responsibility, or perhaps the Marquis had known something.

“Is His Highness involved in this plague?”

A snowball formed in Roseline’s hands. She set the fist-sized lump down and gathered more snow. Her hands were red and numb from the cold, but she didn’t seem to notice. The wind bit into her cheeks, and her breath misted white with every exhale.

“I won’t answer that.”
“You should.”
“…”

“If you answer me, I’ll pretend I never heard anything, no matter what you say. But if you refuse, I’ll ask His Highness directly. And then whatever peace you’ve managed to find will be over.”

Her voice, carried on her breath, was calm. The squealing mouse stayed silent. Edan, watching the small figure hunched over and her frozen red hands, clenched his fists.

“I was the one who disposed of the bats, my lady.”

The unexpected admission made Roseline glance back. Beyond Edan’s rigid expression, she could see the drawing-room window through the lattice frame—and Valen standing there, watching.

Feeling the weight of his gaze, Roseline waved lightly in his direction before turning away again. Edan didn’t look back, though he could guess where her eyes had gone. As her reddened hands idly shaped the snowball, he finally spoke.

“I had been watching over him even before you descended to the Marquis’s territory, my lady. I do not know what suspicions you hold, but I can say with certainty—had it not been for His Highness’s judgment, you would not be here now, shaping snow so peacefully.”

“Then this plague was merely an accident?”
“Yes.”
“And your mission was solely to monitor the Marquis? That is—what I mean to ask is whether your duties included keeping watch over me as well.”
“…That is classified.”
“I see. Are the Commander and the knights who entered the castle unharmed?”
“…”
“Your silence is answer enough.”

Roseline placed a smaller snowball atop the one she had set down earlier. Though crude, it now vaguely resembled a snowman. With a soft huff, she straightened her knees.

“Sir Edan, I have a favor to ask.”

Edan’s wary gaze flicked to her, suspicion tightening his features. Roseline, glancing around, pointed at the snowman.

“Could you find me two twigs?”
“…I will look.”

Though still guarded, Edan obliged, scanning the area. After a moment, he plucked a thin branch from beneath snow-laden shrubs, snapped it in two, and handed the pieces to her. Roseline then rummaged through her cloak pocket and pulled out the squealing mouse’s cage, offering it to him.

“Could you hold onto this for me?”

She had been on edge ever since buying the damned thing, terrified it would shriek at the wrong moment.

“Yes. I will take it.”

Edan accepted the cage without question. “Since you’re taking it, you might as well raise it properly,” Roseline said, turning back to the snowman. Just as she stabbed the twigs into its body—

“W-wait a moment!”

A second-floor window slammed open, revealing the Count’s daughter. Startled, both Roseline and Edan whirled around. The young lady waved awkwardly, her smile sheepish.

“Oh dear, I must have startled you! But if you don’t mind my asking… what was it you just handed to the knight?”
“A squealing mouse,” Roseline replied.
“What a coincidence! I’ve been desperately searching for one!”

Edan shot Roseline a questioning glance, while the Count’s daughter leaned halfway out the window, eyes sparkling.