The Duke's Flower is Precarious (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 142

“I… I…”

As every eye in the courtroom fixed on her, Rozeline stammered. Her mind went blank white, and she couldn’t tell which words to speak first.

Yet, one thing was certain…

“I want to live…! Even if I must pay for my sins… I want to live my life by my own will…!”

It was a desperate yearning for an autonomous life.

Just as Aidel had said, Rozeline’s past life had always been dictated by someone else’s desires. The goal of rising to an untouchable, unassailable position had never been one she’d chosen for herself from the start.

She had lived like a swan tamed into obedience, conditioned to believe that survival demanded such a path. Though her surface appearance floated gracefully above the water, beneath it she had been flailing ceaselessly, fighting just to stay alive.

“That must be why… I always admired my sister…”

My sister, who wore an old, worn dress instead of a newly made one… who refrained from using perfumes and scented oils… who chose to stay home reading alone instead of attending dazzling social gatherings… who walked steadfastly down the path she had chosen, unbent even under oppression…

“I always… envied her…”

Even at this moment, watching Aidel—who had willingly chosen to give her this chance—Rozeline’s heart pounded fiercely. What swelled inside her chest was not the jealousy she once felt, convinced she could never become like Aidel.

“I too… now…”

She finally found the courage—the desire to live by her own will, just as Aidel did. Her pulse quickened, and Rozeline’s frozen lips began to move again.

“For all the evil deeds I have committed thus far… I sincerely repent and accept full punishment for my sins.”

No trace of falsehood could be sensed in Rozeline’s trembling voice. Tears of remorse streamed down her cheeks as she readily admitted her guilt.

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m