“I don’t want to see my mother again. I’ve just started to feel comfortable… “

Cedric recalled the last time he saw his mother and shrugged his shoulders. He could still hear her sneering at him, pointing a finger at him.

Diego impulsively reached out to Cedric. He hugged Cedric and put his chin on the boy’s head. There was a sweet caramel smell from the boy’s round forehead. He had caused a commotion in the kitchen this morning, so it might have been the smell from that time.

Diego started to cry even louder, as if finding solace in Diego’s embrace. Diego gently wiped Cedric’s back as he sobbed. Cedric had just said that if someone did something wrong, they should be punished. But it was unclear how far he could comprehend the concept of punishment. Would this young child truly wish for his mother’s death? Diego stared into the void and asked a question that Cedric couldn’t hear.

You forgave me for killing our father. Would you forgive me if I killed your mother?

No, even asking such a question is shameless. You have every right to seek revenge on me. Just as I started to hate them after losing my mother. I feel pity when I think of you, but even so, your mother is my mother’s enemy.

Diego held back a self-deprecating smile. The child who would cling to him in moments of loneliness might grow up to vow revenge. He often acted like an adult, but he was too young and small to make sound judgments. Believing in Cedric’s reassuring answer right now was nothing more than wishful thinking, and Diego knew it.

Yet, the warmth they shared as they embraced each other was comforting. Diego thought it was similar to stray cats huddling together to sleep on a cold winter street.

* * *

Lionel walked with a cheerful demeanor. He had hesitated to button his collar all the way up before, but today’s occasion called for proper attire. The destination he was heading to warranted attention to his appearance. After all, well-dressed attire has a tendency to inspire trust in others. Above all, Lionel was in a very good mood because today was the long-awaited day of his trial.

He was generally considered to be light-hearted, but he was a man who deeply cherished a few people within his inner circle. Who wouldn’t be pleased to hear that the mistress who had tormented his friend all his life was receiving the judgment of the law? For Lionel, it was a feeling of relief. If he had given him a good push to drive her away, it would have been even better.

The probability of any variables occurring at today’s trial was close to zero. All he had to do was make sure the other party got what she deserved for the crime she committed. There was no need for a grand gesture. Once the Duchess leaves the city today, his friend will be able to greet his new family with a clean slate.

‘A new family member.’

Lionel chuckled. He was reminded of a woman named Estella he had met at the last ball. She was undoubtedly beautiful, which was rare for someone from the countryside, and seemed to have some education. But judging from the way she treated Diego as a ‘good person,’ her ability to judge people seems lacking. Or maybe her standards were very low.

Lionel couldn’t understand what attracted Diego to her as a potential wife. Diego dismissed her as a ‘smart but predictable woman’ when he asked about his reasons for proposing, but in Lionel’s eyes, his friend was already deeply in love with her. The look of someone in love is inevitably noticeable. Diego, who had just entered his first relationship, couldn’t hide his true feelings. If it were Lionel, who had experienced all the ups and downs of romantic relationships, it might have been different.

“Countess Avril, where are you headed?”

As soon as their eyes met, Lionel caught the person who turned away. But instead of responding to Lionel, the person stubbornly kept moving forward. It was as if she couldn’t hear Lionel’s voice. Lionel stuck his hands in his pockets and took off at a run to catch up to Camilla. Fortunately, no one was following behind them. Lionel caught up with Camilla and asked as they walked side by side.

“Did you spend the night out last night? I saw you coming out of my father’s residence this morning.”

“……”

“Surely we must be going to the same destination, so why are you turning away?”

After all, we’ll meet at the trial anyway.

Lionel added with a smirk. Only then did Camilla turn around abruptly and look at Lionel. The smile on his face deepened.

” You are going to see the Duchess Berta, aren’t you?”

Camilla finally stopped walking. She realized there was no use in trying to escape.

Camilla turned back around. If Lionel was going to follow her anyway, it would be better to shorten the distance to their destination. Camilla stood up straight and said,

“She’s been a kind person who’s watched my back. I should at least see her off on her final journey.”

“Ah, you’re going to make the Duchess sad before it’s even over.”

Lionel replied with a hint of regret. Camilla’s eyes became triangular.

Camilla knew that regardless of how the trial ended, the result would be the same for Anna. There was no race as sensitive to their own interests as the nobility. They were benefactors who easily forgot, but they were also bastards who deeply engraved their grudges into their bones. Diego couldn’t help but tear Anna’s neck apart after she lost everything and had been abandoned.

Camilla looked at Lionel and said,

“You’ve taken away everything precious from me one by one. First, you took my virginity, and then you trampled on my self-esteem. Now you’re even taking away my friend?”

Lionel’s expression was momentarily blank. He had not expected her to speak so directly about the past. It was the first time since she had gained the title of ‘Countess Avril.’

Lionel was taken aback, but he soon found the right answer to give. There was no one around to see them anyway. If she brought up old memories, there was no reason why he couldn’t do it. Lionel shrugged and said,

“I’ll let it slide for the last one, but the first two are a bit unfair. I slept with you because we liked each other, didn’t we? Cami.”

“Just call me that name one more time.”

Camilla replied in a measured voice. That nickname was something she allowed only for someone special. And she no longer had anyone to be called by such a name.

Camilla raised her chin gracefully, keeping her gaze fixed ahead. She deliberately used a cold tone and said,

“Prince, I am no longer the palace maid you used to mock without reservation.”

“You’re the one holding onto my past title. You’re the only one in this palace who calls me ‘prince’ instead of ‘crown prince’.”

“It’s because I’m saddened that the heir to the throne has fallen into this state. It’s a shame that even if I were to give birth to a son, it would only be a bastard…….”

Before Camilla could finish her sentence, Lionel stepped forward. With narrowed eyes, he stood in front of Camilla and asked,

“Lies.”

“……”

“Do you miss those days?”

Lionel and Camilla locked eyes. She kept her lips sealed and glared at Lionel with an intense expression. Only anger could be read from her harsh gaze. Clearly, he’s not naive like Diego. She couldn’t possibly guess his hidden emotions just by looking at each other’s faces.

But Lionel didn’t think it was working out well for them. Being familiar with romantic relationships meant they had experienced many failures. The skills acquired by such individuals might already be a sign of impending defeat.

“Step aside, Your Highness. Other people have arrived.”

Camilla said with an unchanged expression on her face. Her gaze was directed towards someone beyond Lionel. Lionel turned around and caught sight of the person who had interrupted their conversation.

Once he realized who they were, he couldn’t think of them as mere intruders. Lionel and Camilla were almost in front of the tribunal, and right now they were the stars of the show.

Diego and Anna were standing at the entrance, conveniently arriving at the same time. They could have ignored each other as they entered, but both kept their gaze fixed on the other without saying a word. Eventually, Diego was the first to speak.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Thanks for your concern, I slept soundly.”

Anna replied with a twisted smile. On the other hand, Diego maintained a kind smile.

“Are you prepared for a rebuttal?”

“A rebuttal? Did you even give me a chance to prepare for that? If you had brought the children as witnesses, it would have been certain.”

“I didn’t bring the children. I was advised that it would be bad for their education if their mother was detained because of their own testimony.”

“How considerate of you.”

Anna said sarcastically. Perhaps he was afraid that she might have false hopes, Diego immediately added with a sharp tone.

“Of course, just because the children are not here doesn’t mean you won’t face consequences.”

Anna agreed with that opinion. Diego had skillfully trapped her like a skilled hunter, and she was caught in his snare. Despite her efforts to resist until the end, everyone had turned their backs on her. Upon reflection, it seemed that her death had been predetermined since Diego killed her husband. She had been denying that fact all along.

Anna thought. She wondered what had triggered him to act. Was it because she sent an assassin to sever his bloodline? But Anna didn’t regret orchestrating Diego’s murder. If there was one regret, it was this.

‘I should have sent someone more expensive to make sure he’s dead.’

“Diego.”

Diego stopped at Anna’s call. Anna smiled mischievously and asked with a meaningful tone,

“We can only know the outcome once everything is finished, right?”

Diego stared at Anna’s confident face for a moment. Then, with a smirk, he walked past her and stepped inside. Anna, too, wiped the smile off her face and followed him inside with a cold expression.

* * *

T/N: sorry everyone. I’m dropping this novel at this point. if someone wants to translate this, send me a message on discord so I can tell you where I left off. ?(????)?* ?????