The lawyer readily revealed the will he had.

Grandfather’s handwriting had several distinctive traits, instantly recognizable by anyone who had seen it once. I memorized that handwriting until the last letter and quickly examined the will.

“……”

“……”

The handwriting on the will was indeed Grandfather’s. My blurred vision found the date written at the very bottom.

The will had been written about five months ago from now.

“…Was the last will truly written on this date?”

Upon my question, the lawyer looked at me, puzzled. My siblings also seemed to sense something odd and turned their eyes toward the lawyer, demanding the truth.

“The last will was indeed written three days ago, but it was in my handwriting, not the count’s, thus it has no legal force. Legally, only a will written in the owner’s handwriting is valid, young lady.”

I felt like I had been struck on the back of my head.

Father looked relaxed, oddly out of place given the situation. He had never expressed dissatisfaction about my inheritance.

…Could it be?

No matter how he manipulated the lawyer, how did he predict Grandfather’s death?

“This is absurd. This is…!”

“Right, only the original handwriting has legal force? So, even if one is in a state of complete exhaustion, they must still hold a quill?”

As my siblings protested against the lawyer, I felt an intense shudder more than ever before.

Chaos broke out near Grandfather’s tombstone. Those still lingering looked at us and muttered amongst themselves, giving us odd looks. Scanning their faces, I noticed something odd.

Among the crowd paying respects at Grandfather’s funeral, there were people on Father’s side. Ah, it wasn’t Yurik who would take my life later, it was Father.

“There are many onlookers. It’s already decided. Stop the fuss and accept it.”

Father approached Mother.

“Lise wants to go with us.”

“Do you think that can easily happen? Try it then. But be cautious. You may save a child not of your blood and lose the ones who are.”

Mother clenched her teeth in fury. Rodney and my other siblings looked as though they would stomp on Father right there and then. But now was not the time.

Showing unnecessary emotions now would only result in hurt and loss.

‘I don’t want to bring unhappiness to the people who are important to me because of myself.’

“Mother, let’s go.”

I tugged on Mother’s sleeve.

“Lise.”
“Grandfather has passed away…….”

“…….”

“I hate fighting.”

Upon hearing Grandfather’s news, everyone’s tense shoulders relaxed. My father openly mocked me as if surprised by my peaceful retreat.

“Well thought out, Lise. Your grandfather seemed to have a fondness for you, so we should make his last moments comfortable.”

“…….”

Ignoring my father’s words, I turned my back.

“By the way, how is that cheeky boy doing? Your mother seems quite concerned.”

My father continued speaking without a care. That cheeky boy he was referring to was Roger.

‘……Wait a minute. What’s today’s date?’

Suddenly, I remembered an appointment. I had forgotten I was supposed to meet Roger at the Rosfork Fountain. Unfortunately, today was the day, and the sky was gloomy.

“Why are you asking Lise? She should be with Sylia.”

My mother retorted to my father’s words.

I had to stop by the Barkus residence before returning to the Marsen mansion.

“What are you talking about? She is currently staying with me at the Marsen mansion.”

“……At the Marsen mansion……you say?”

I turned my head to look at my father’s face. His confident expression proved he was not lying.

“Huh? Isabelle, weren’t you the one who took that cheeky boy?”

To my knowledge, Roger’s father had been staying in the capital and was now in a faroff continent. It was not a place Roger could go alone.

So then, where is Roger?

Where could he be?