Celebrity Lady

Chapter 117

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The next day.

Seems like its not exhaustion, but By any chance, did you feed my brother something nasty out of spite? You shouldnt make him suffer even if you dislike him, right?

Oh, no, youve got it all wrong. I didnt have a meal with him yesterday. I never expected him to throw up on the street like that. Maybe I was a bit too harsh

As Lark found a moment amidst his busy schedule, he was taken aback by the question from Rubette, who had come to see him as promised.

Was it really severe? What did you talk about?

Its nothing important.

Rubette stared intently at Lark, who shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, and then let out a deep sigh. Youve been investigating my family, and its about time you tell me, too.

Ah, well

You probably dont want to tell me for my own sake. I might be shocked and end up vomiting on the streets like my brother.

In response to Rubettes keen deduction, Lark scratched his cheek awkwardly.

I appreciate your efforts all this time, even though you dont need to concern yourself with this. Ill be waiting while preparing myself.

Why wouldnt I concern myself with it? Your problems are my responsibility now.

Heh.

Oh, and Can you tell the duke to visit the palace sometime this week? I need to discuss things with him and requests to make.

Youre talking about my dad, right?

Yes. Its awkward for me to contact him directly and tell him to come, so Id appreciate it if you could ask him.

Rubette nodded in understanding as she watched Lark with an embarrassed smile. But what kind of things do you want to discuss?

Im guessing he might be shocked and return like my brother, right?

Lark chuckled bitterly.

Itll be fine if youre by his side, Princess.

Ill make sure of that.

It wasnt difficult to deduce that all the suspicions had turned out to be true. Not wanting to pry open Larks mouth to confirm the facts, Rubette simply smiled and got up.

Um.

As she was about to leave the room, she leaned in, pressing her lips to the tip of her index finger, and then placed it on Larks lips.

?

Rubette chuckled as she saw Larks surprised and dazed expression. Were still business partners, so lets keep the physical affection to a minimum. I have a meeting with some traders in the afternoon, so Ill leave first. See you later.

Uh, okay.

Goodbye for now. You too, Ren~ Waving her hand in farewell, Rubette swiftly left the office like a breeze.

Lark, who had been standing there in a daze for a while, cleared his throat and straightened up. Then, he passed by Ren, whose shoulders were slumped.

I envy you

Hmm, stop with the useless chatter.

Forcing a smile and suppressing the corners of his mouth that kept rising, Lark walked past Ren.

In one corner of the office, there stood a massive stone tablet covered with a cloth.

Lets get to work.

Startled by Rubettes sudden appearance, Ren had covered the stone tablet with a makeshift cloth. Lark swiftly removed the cloth. The stone tablet was filled with evidence of numerous crimes.

Rows of densely written text. Someones name. Photographs. Several sheets of paper

Molga Diollus = The lady of Bert County, Molga Bert

Count Bert, Gail Bert = The younger brother of Molga Diollus, helper = shaman

Benjamin Herman = Family physician of Duke Diollus, bribed, accomplice (captured, imprisoned)

With sinking eyes, Larks gaze stopped at one particular spot.

2nd Prince, Nathan.

Collaboration with the shaman. Traces of rare ingredients used by the shaman were found on the Bert estate.

The shaman is presumed to be Gail Bert.

Their connection likely began when Gail Bert operated an illegal shop to make money.

Later, Nathan, the 2nd Prince, requested Gail Berts assistance in a scheme to usurp the throne

If we hadnt followed Molga, this person

Uncovering the shamans true identity would have been difficult.

Lark responded to Rens shivering words.

The shaman who had been coerced into confessing to expedite Rubettes isolation, of course, was a decoy. However, they had only suspected that the shaman was an imposter. Finding the real culprit seemed challenging

Why do villains always stick together like this? Well, it saves us from having to work twice.

An unexpected discovery came to Lark while investigating the Bert estate as they pursued Molga. There were numerous unnamed herbs in Gail Berts secret herb garden on the Bert estate. The ingredients of the elusive shaman potion that had been impossible to trace. The components of it

Gail Bert

Ren tapped his name on the stone tablet. If we can make this guy confess, we wont even need to investigate further; we can just throw the 2nd Prince in jail.

Lark then sighed with fatigue and lowered his head. If he confesses, its a death sentence, and if he sticks to silence, the 2nd Prince, who doesnt want to die with him, will somehow find a way

If it were me, Id stick to it until the end. Getting him to talk wont be easy. Even with twenty fingers and toes, he wont open his mouth. And

Ren nervously pulled at his hair. If it comes out that we interrogated him like that, no matter how much of a scoundrel he is, it will tarnish our reputation, right?

Yes, so lets ensure we get him to talk gracefully without any harm.

Huh? How?

We need some help. Lark stretched his body, relieving a stiff neck.

Help? From whom?

Didnt you hear earlier? Were going to ask Duke Diollus for help.

Huh? Diol urk Rens mouth snapped shut. You mean the dukes spirit?

Yeah.

This is insane cruel. Why have you become so cruel?

Cruel? Whats cruel about it? Lark frowned and turned to Ren sharply. After what theyve done, you think those bastards should peacefully end in hell?

Well, no, but Ren glanced at Lark with a pale expression and shivered as he traced the names on the stone tablet.

Well, there you go. Hanging would be a better fate.

In the laws of the Descarde Empire, the most severe punishment for those who committed serious crimes was execution by hanging.

However, there was a punishment even more severe than that, one not found in the legal code. It was called the Illusionary Punishment. This punishment was only administered when a contractee had a spirit called Illusion, and the spirit had to agree with the contractee.

Another name for the spirit llusion was Executor.

Ugh, Ive never actually seen anyone subjected to Illusionary Punishment, but just hearing about it makes me shiver

The moment Illusion executed the Illusionary Punishment, the silent culprits would begin foaming at the mouth and confessing like madmen within less than a minute.

No one could determine the nature of the illusion that Illusion had implanted in them. One thing was certain: the illusion was incredibly mentally exhausting, making the culprits feel like it lasted for hundreds or even thousands of years. Even though, in reality, only a mere minute had passed

Why did this have to happen when the Executor showed up? Ren muttered. Illusion was currently contracted to someone.

And the contractee of Illusion Coincidentally, was the man who would probably most like to have a grip on a certain knife, Leonard Diollus.

But no matter how terrible they are, theres no way Illusionary Punishment would be handed down in a court of law

Thats right. Larks eyes gleamed. Theyll have to experience it before they even get to court.

There was no trace of mercy in his wry smile.

***

Three days later, the first snow of November blanketed the land.

Leonard Diollus, the Duke Diollus, returned from an outing he hadnt taken in a long time. He had received an unexpected summons from the crown prince, prompting him to go to the palace. There, he engaged in a three-hour conversation with the prince.

Your Excellency.

His adjutants, Goth, voice carried an unusual tone of concern.

Leonard remained silent, though something within him felt different, despite his outward composure appearing unchanged.

Y-Your Excellency! Goth rushed to support Leonard, who swayed heavily with an expressionless face. Are you all right?

Im fine. Leonard extended his arm to decline the support and paused, closing his eyes tightly. His breath felt strangely constricted.

Leonard resumed walking.

And then

Ah, Leonard.

Of all times.

He encountered Molga as she descended from upstairs. Her eyes were lowered, and she moved as if trying to avoid him.

However, Leonards voice reached Molga before she could retreat further.

Maam.

Y-yes?

I spoke with Viego.

Is something wrong?

I was narrow-minded. My discomfort with your presence is my own issue. The children, however, are a different matter.

It may have been painful when I asked for our separation. Please, feel comfortable staying here. It seems my children want that too.

Ah. Molga covered her mouth in astonishment, tears filling her eyes instantly. Leonard, I

Ive understood your feelings for some time now. Ive always known that my presence makes you uncomfortable. Thats why I tried not to hold it against you. But after all these years together Tears welled up in her eyes again, tracing paths down her cheeks. Her beauty was so pure and captivating that anyone would want to console her immediately.

That demonic face.

Ive always thought you were too harsh. Yet, I understand When I considered stepping out to find a way to provide for my children

Dont worry.

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

Having offered Molga a warm smile despite her choked words, Leonard continued his steps at a painstakingly slow pace.

As he made his way back to his room, the once-smiling expression on his face gradually morphed into a terrifying visage. His countenance contorted hideously, his body quivered uncontrollably. His eyes were bloodshot as though on the brink of bursting. The intensity of his anger was so palpable that it exposed his clenched teeth and caused the veins in his fists to bulge.

Uh ha, huh

It was a maelstrom of rage.

In the face of such overwhelming emotion, Goth, who stood by his side, trembled.

Haah, ugh.

Impulsive rage had seized his body, and he struggled to catch his breath properly.

His vision blurred.

Honey, I know you cant stand the grand duchess, but please dont embarrass her too much. Your expression is downright terrifying. If I were in her shoes, it would be hard for me to even look at you.

What had his wife done wrong? Her only fault was showing kindness to a deeply concealed monster.

But still Im grateful that the grand duchess is here. What would I do if our children grew up without a mother?

Honey, Im sorry. Our Ruby is still so young Even if you dislike the grand duchess, shell always be there for you. So please, please, dont harbor too much hatred toward her

Molgas presence in their home wasnt solely due to his deceased fathers will. It was because his compassionate wife believed that Molga was the one who could fill the void left by her. She had implored Leonard to open his heart just a little.

Ugh, ha, haha

She knew nothing.

Poor woman, completely unaware

By any chance, if I were to die first, would you consider marrying again?

Dont talk nonsense. Youre not going to die.

Haa I worry because it seems like youll never find another woman. Who will take care of our children? Youre so unapproachable.

The last moment when she had smiled, even with the shadow of death looming over her face. That face, which he would never see again

In that moment, within his blurred vision, almost as if by magic, the image of his deceased wife appeared.

Rona.

Was it a hallucination?

No

Dad?

Rubette.

She was the spitting image of her mother.

Rubette, who had frozen in place, seemingly taken aback by her fathers expression, slowly approached with a somber look.

With a heart shattered into fragments, Leonard stifled his sobs as he tightly embraced his daughter.

Rubette, drawing near, asked no questions. She simply held her father, offering comfort as he wept.

Haah, aaah

Only after enveloping himself in the warmth of his daughters presence did the tears he had been holding back with all his might finally spill from the mans eyes.