The cause of Madam Baden’s death was revealed to be arsenic poisoning.

More precisely, it was suicide by poison.

When the Imperial Guard arrived and examined her body, arsenic was detected in the tea she had last drunk.

The culprit was the lady-in-waiting who had brewed her tea.

However, the maid denied her crime to the end.

She admitted she had intended to kill Madam Baden, but claimed the woman was already dying before even drinking the tea.

Because of the ‘Gargoyle’s Curse’.

The guards naturally scoffed and took the maid away. What era did she think this was, talking about curses?

The arsenic used for the poisoning was presumed to be from the green gemstone in the ring Madam Baden wore.

When examining Madam Baden’s body, the gemstone from her ring was missing.

‘She had intended to use that to kill Kardiel.’

But in the end, she herself fell victim. Should we call it karma?

Madam Baden’s body was soon moved to her residence.

Just as Wilhelm York Baden, whose investigation was completed and punishment determined, would be returning home as well…

‘Will they also have a month-long period of mourning, including the funeral?’

If so, it would be quite troublesome.

Or not? Now that the Baden family is no longer nobility and cannot employ servants, they don’t need to follow social etiquette.

They probably can’t even put food on the table if they don’t go out immediately.

Ah, the maid’s motive for the crime was also quickly revealed.

To summarize, it seemed to be due to discord in their relationship, with the maid claiming Madam Baden had tried to kill her first.

Even if it was just the suspect’s word, it was quite shocking. I thought they had a deep bond since Madam Baden had personally brought the maid.

“But that maid didn’t look very healthy either. I wonder what on earth happened in that room in a week’s time.”

“Well. It might really be the Gargoyle’s Curse.”

“Pardon?”

“Or perhaps the curse of the Green Room?”

“……”

Lord Joseph is talking nonsense again.

I ignored his words and closed the door to the guest room where the incident took place.

Only then could I finally lower the handkerchief covering my nose and mouth.

“By the way, even though the room is full of moisture, I don’t think there’s a need to go this far.”

“It is necessary. You’d better warn the servants to cover their noses and mouths as much as possible when cleaning the room. Be careful with wet mops too. Ah, wearing gloves is essential.”

It was truly a troublesome set of instructions, difficult to comprehend.

Of course, the guest room might feel eerie since someone died, but it was just a death by poisoning, wasn’t it? Anyone would think it was a place where someone died of an infectious disease.

Seeing my expression, Lord Joseph chuckled softly and said in a joking tone:

“Did you know? In the past, arsenic was used to dye vivid green colors.”

I naturally scoffed.

“I have no idea what era that story is from. If you’re talking about Scheele’s Green that was popular decades ago, its use was completely banned by imperial decree 10 years ago…”

Ah.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.

That’s right. The green curtains, bedding, and carpets decorating Madam Baden’s room are from 10 years ago.

Moreover, they were specially ordered by my late husband for his wife…

“……”

Some puzzle pieces fell into place. Or it felt like I had encountered a truth I shouldn’t have known.

My mouth gaped. I didn’t know how to express the disgust boiling up from within.

“Ugh!”

“Madam, are you alright?”

My legs gave out without me realizing.

If Lord Joseph hadn’t caught me right away, I might have collapsed in the hallway and vomited everything inside.

It felt like some buried hatred for a certain person was rising to the top of my head, turning my vision red.

“Madam, calm down.”

That damned bastard. How could he die so peacefully after killing his wife, abusing his children, and killing my child twice?

“Madam.”

That son of a bitch shouldn’t have died so easily. He should have died more painfully.

To receive even a fraction of what he did, he should have died being tortured, his limbs torn apart.

No, he should have at least faced trial. Then at least his name could have been trampled.

The thought that his body is still quietly buried in the Daiern ducal family tomb makes me feel like my heart will explode.

The most terrible thing is that when I die, I’ll be laid to rest next to that bastard’s grave.

“…I feel like digging up his grave.”

“Hmm.”

Haa. But what can I do?

He is already dead. He can no longer be tried or suffer any more pain.

In the end, the pain is for the victims. The suffering is a lifelong burden for the living to bear.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have at least slapped him once when he was alive.

For the first time, I regret the past days when I vowed never to use violence in front of the children, feeling sorry that they had suffered for so long under the violence of their father, that demon.

“I don’t know if this will comfort you, or perhaps I should apologize, but actually…”

Lord Joseph, who was supporting me, whispered softly in my ear.

“Exactly eighty-five times, I killed Duke Carlos Nikolai Daiern with my own hands.”

……?

Pardon?

My gaze, slow to comprehend, turned towards Lord Joseph.

“It’s a shame it’s all undone now, but the image of the Duke begging for his life with a contorted face in his final moments was quite memorable.”

He concluded with a faint smile.

“…He was like an insect.”

“……”

It was a shocking statement. To the point where I had to doubt my ears about what I had just heard.

I certainly hate my dead husband.

However, separate from that, for the first time I felt a distance from Lord Joseph, who spoke so casually about killing people.

‘Is that something to boast about?’

Is that something to say in front of me, his wife?

My values are thrown into confusion. Lord Joseph’s face looks different to me now.

But thanks to that, my mind cleared up in an instant. The red-hot vision that had been raging with excitement cleared, and reason found its place.

“Lord Joseph.”

My voice sounded chillingly resolute to my own ears.

Instead of answering, he smiled, folding his eyes. An expression as if he sensed something.

And it was the same for me.

Before Lord Joseph could act, I grabbed his shoulders first and urgently continued speaking.

“If you’re thinking of rewinding time now, don’t.”

“……”

The slightly furrowed brow proved that my premonition had hit the mark.

“You proposed to me, didn’t you? Then you must promise me this one thing.”

Strength returned to my legs. Standing up, I looked straight into his red eyes and said,

“From now on, don’t erase my emotions and experiences as you please.”

“……”

“Don’t make me doubt you. I don’t want to be disappointed or betrayed again by someone I should cherish and care for. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

My words seemed to be very bewildering. Lord Joseph’s pupils dilated greatly.

However, I needed a definite answer on this matter.

For me, the relationship of trust with a partner is a very important issue.

Even if it’s a strategic contract marriage to fulfill each other’s needs and conditions, it’s the same.

At the very least, I don’t want to live in fear of the person I have to harmonize with.

I decline the anxiety of not knowing what this person has done after erasing my memories.

Lord Joseph’s expression, silent for a long time, was quite peculiar.

His brow furrowed, then he squinted his eyes, then pursed his lips, and even trembled his chin slightly.

I don’t know what he’s thinking.

What’s clear is that this is a face I’ve never seen from him before.

“That’s……”

He finally opened his mouth. That’s when it happened.

“Stepmother. It seems a surprising guest has arrived downstairs. By the way, what are you two doing right now?”

“Ah…!”

Startled by Kardiel’s voice, I realized only then that I was still gripping both of Lord Joseph’s shoulders.

As I let go of him as if pushing him away, I heard a groan mixed with exaggeration, “Ugh.”

Regardless, I turned around as if nothing had happened and approached Kardiel.

“It’s nothing. I wasn’t feeling well, so Lord Joseph was supporting me.”

“……If you’re not feeling well, it would be better to call the physician.”

“Yes. It would be good to do as you say. And it would be better to decline the guest if possible. Not only is the mansion’s atmosphere unsettled due to Madam Baden’s incident, but above all, it’s right to refuse rude guests who come without prior notice.”

I could feel Kardiel’s clear blue eyes alternately gazing at me and Lord Joseph.