The Duchy of Arden (5)

The tricks varied. Some families promised to find them a better job, others offered them a large sum of money, or even a house or store.

But….

‘The young lady does not have a weakness!’

As an ordinary young lady, she has weaknesses of course. However, these were not the ‘weaknesses’ they were looking for.

Neither the Whirsens nor Rosetta had any such weaknesses.

This is because the original Rosetta was a one-dimensional villain who was used and destroyed, and the Whirsens were created to be a family of the third sub-male lead.

In essence, Rosetta Whirsen was destined to be tricked by Isabelle into disappearing into the dew of her death because of her simplicity. Even if someone else had possessed her body, her extreme caution and care would not have created a weakness.

So those who served her swallowed hard in regret. No matter how much money and power they tried to lure them with, they had no information to give.

And so it came to pass that Count Whirsen’s servants were considered by the world to be quite loyal. For the Count, this unintentionally enhanced his reputation as a nobleman.

When their attempts to exploit weaknesses failed, they went for the kill.

When you have the prestige of nobility, you can’t ask for favors in front of many people…. They were eager to meet privately with Rosetta Whirsen’s parents, Endymion and Selina.

They had already received a list from the Emperor’s entourage of the families that had framed Rosetta. Endymion and Selina would have been happy to receive an invitation from any of the accused families.

Of course, some people were able to get invitations through their connections, but Endymion and Selina would have walked away from any such invitation.

Gerald was not immune to such harassment from the perpetrator’s family; he was followed to the Knights and asked to deliver a message to Rosetta.

Only when the impatient Gerald exploded and began to challenge them to a duel did they stop. They didn’t think they could hold Gerald down with a sword.

When this happened, Endymion asked the emperor to keep the assailant’s family away.

The emperor, Alexis, granted the request. He announced that anyone who approached Count Whirsen or Iris Leon in private would be severely punished for interfering with the ongoing trial, and that the maximum sentence would be imposed for interference in an ongoing investigation.

The evil hands going for Count Whirsen had ceased, but not entirely. Endymion and the Count’s servants were relieved.

?

“If you had only bullied me, I might have been able to forgive you.”

Iris looked at the assembled young ladies with a cold face, their outwardly guilty expressions unable to hide the resentment in their eyes.

“I can’t do that to you, who have blamed the innocent lady for your misdeeds.”

In essence, forgiveness was a mercy granted only to those who had paid the full price and were deeply remorseful for their wrongdoing. Iris could not read it in their demeanor. It felt like they were putting on an act just to get through this moment.

‘You can’t fool my eyes, trained by drama and movies.’

These were words that Iris would have said even if she hadn’t possessed Iris’ body. She was forgiving of those who had wronged her, but not of those who had harmed others. Their sins were even more heinous when they blamed others for their wrongs.

“You think being a saint makes you something!”

“You’re a fake nobleman!”

“That’s why you were abandoned by Michael!”

Iris’ brow furrowed as she watched the young ladies walk away, each one spewing venom at Iris. This was how difficult it was to act as Iris. If it were her, she would have laughed at their plight.

Even if she forgave them, do they think Michael would leave them alone?

Michael, the schemer of this all, would never forgive anyone who touched the one he loved. He doesn’t want Rosetta to see him like that, so she’s sure he’ll be working behind the scenes…, destroying their house one by one.

Before him, punishment from the Emperor or the law would be a mere slap on the wrist.

As they left the parlor, they panicked as Logan, the Duke’s son, and Patrick, the Marquis’s heir, hurried in. Glaring fiercely at them as they hastily retreated with their faces covered, they rushed to Iris’s side.

“Are you okay, Iris?”

It was Logan who took the seat next to Iris, but it was Patrick who came to her feet and took her hand. Iris gave them a weak smile.

“I’m fine.”

“They are unable to repent of their sins, even in the presence of Her Majesty.”

Logan said with a hint of annoyance. The faces of the ladies he had just passed were still fresh in his mind.

“…I’m here in a hurry because there are reports of unsavory families pestering the victim’s family. I see.”

Unsavory families.

A reference to the twenty-seven families involved in the case. No one knows where it came from, but the word had gotten around in social circles. It was a phrase that signaled the beginning of a slow process of ostracization.

“I turned me down once, so they won’t be coming back. I’m perfectly fine, it’s..Rosetta, she’s the one I’m worried about.”

She knew she shouldn’t call her by her first name since they weren’t even acquainted, but Iris didn’t want to call her the Duchess of Arden, because that should be her name.

Neither Patrick nor Logan found Iris’s use of the title odd, so they didn’t point it out. They were the only ones here.

“She has Prince Michael.”

“Even with him by her side, she was falsely accused for a year. No one would believe her, so she kept her mouth shut, but it must have been painful.”

Logan said, nodding. He wanted to lower Patrick’s antipathy toward Rosetta, if only a little, so that it would be easier for him to approach her.

“…Are you sure she was framed?”

Patrick asked hesitantly, still unable to trust Rosetta. The idea of her being a victim made him uncomfortable.

“Every time I’ve been bullied, there’s been someone blocking my view, or I’ve been attacked from behind so I can’t see who it was…. It was like that, and I never saw Lady Whirsen do anything to me.”

Rosetta was more inclined to help her, if only in a clumsy way.

When she poured water from the vase on Iris, who had nearly been scalded by the hot tea, she wondered if she had been bullying her under the guise of helping.

Of course, when she was accused of being the culprit, she switched to avoiding Iris.

“It must have been very painful for her, because later on, even her family blamed her.”

Patrick’s expression shifted uncomfortably as Logan once again defended Rosetta. Of all the people here, he was the one who was the most angry. He was also the one who had treated Rosetta the most harshly.

“…You mean I owe her an apology.”

He wanted to mutter something profane, but he was conscious of Iris’s presence beside him.

Even though Rosetta was one of the victims, Patrick didn’t feel the same way. Maybe it was because he had been antagonized by her tiresome letters in the first place.

Leaving Patrick alone with his thoughts, Logan turned his attention to Iris, who had a request for the High Priest.

“Lady Leon. You have requested an appointment to the Duchy of Arden?”

“What?!”

It was Iris who was asked, but it was Patrick who spoke first. Patrick looked at Iris with a stunned expression on his face.

“Is this true, Iris?”

“Yes. I was going to tell you both when I decided.”

Their reaction was expected. Logan gave Iris a troubled look as she boldly admitted it. Patrick looked puzzled.

“Why…. is it necessary for you to go to the Duchy of Arden….”

“I only chose to go there because I need to serve as a saint anyway, and because of the grace I have received from Prince Michael.”

“Saint. Are you sure you want to do that? With the scandal with Prince Michael, it’s not a wise idea to go to the Duchy.”

Besides, Michael was a newly married man. It might give the impression that Iris had pursued him because she couldn’t let go of her love for him.

“This is something I’ve had in mind for a while. It’s also my little wish, so please don’t object.”

Even if the two of them objected, Iris would go through with it, but she had said it. Patrick visibly softened at the words. Logan sighed deeply.

‘So she has not given up on Prince Michael?’

He was already married. And now that Rosetta Whirsen’s innocence has been proven, it’s Michael, not Rosetta, who’s up to no good…. It is unlikely that Lady Leon will travel to the Duchy of Arden to rescue Rosetta.

“If you do not change your mind…, I will accompany you, for I have a duty to the Saintess.”

What the High Priest had asked Logan to do was to change Iris’ mind, but it had failed. All that remained was to keep Iris from falling for Michael, if she did.

Although Logan is a paladin, he is second in line to the Duke of Valer and holds the rank of a Count. This meant that he could move relatively freely within the Temple.

Just as Iris could apply to the Temple and choose where she would be stationed, Logan would be able to do the same.

“You mean you’re going to the Duchy of Arden, too?”

Patrick frowned and glared at Logan. He didn’t like the idea of Logan with Iris, but there had to be someone to stand up to Michael.

‘That doesn’t have to be Logan!’

As much as he wanted to prevent Logan from joining them, and insert someone else, the Marquis of Lansfield’s power was not enough.

“…After all, you’re talking about Prince Michael. Then I’ll join you.”

“That won’t be necessary.”