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Chapter 85 Part 6 – I’m!! Heading into battle!! When feelings and fingertips come into contact.

「You have shown me something wonderful.」

A loud applause resounded. The crowd of red nobles opened a path. Countess Rosenthal smiled and walked over. She was accompanied by my mother. The countess glanced at the unconscious Viscount Brewer on the floor and secretly whispered in my ear.

「That was so satisfying. Viscount Brewer still has this kind of personality ‘14 years later’. Hopefully he learned a lesson from this incident and will be a little more remorseful.」

「???」

Huh? What does she mean? While I was dazed and unable to understand the meaning of her words, Countess Rosenthal beckoned a lady and introduced her to us. She quickly rushed over as if she had been waiting for it. Her intelligence and determined spirit were evident in the sparkle in her eyes. She was the first person to run up to mother earlier.

「She is Lady York. She is a difficult person who has a strong desire for improvement and a love of scheming, but she’s smart and never betrays anyone she approves of. And she loves dancing. I think she’ll be a good friend to Cornelia-sama.」

Despite the unreasonable words used to introduce her, Lady York proudly puffed out her chest. It seems that she was pleased by the stamp of approval given by Countess Rosenthal. Her glossy golden-brown hair swayed. She has the image of a small, cheeky Yorkshire Terrier. And it is true that she has a look of respect toward mother. But for some reason, she’s looking at me with a sideways glance as if timidly probing. It’s like she’s checking to see if the wild beast would attack her. How regrettable.

Eventually, perhaps deciding that it was safe, Lady York and her group began to praise my mother. Mother had a flustered expression as Lady York made a fuss about her like she was an idol. In particular, Lady York even went so far as to decisively engage in skinship as though conversation alone is not enough. Could it be that this lady has a lesbian spirit like Alisa …… It was too heavy a load for my mother who was a shut-in and her response was flustered and incoherent. I was worried that that would make the ladies become disillusioned, but the girls were rather excited with their affectionate gazes. Well, it looks like they’re in a ‘love is blind’ state.

If Countess Rosenthal had not ordered them to disperse, they might have abducted mother and plunged into the after-party. Lady York and her group left reluctantly, but their excitement was still going strong and they were talking away in the distance. At this rate, the 「Legend of Cornelia-sama」 would be circulated everywhere. My modest mother would die from shame.

But fortunately, tonight’s ball is a one-night illusion.
If Countess Rosenthal’s evil eye is lifted, no one will remember anything.
However, Count Rosenthal negated the plan to protect mother’s quiet daily life.

「…… It is certainly true that tonight’s ball is a reenactment of the ball held 14 years ago done through the power of the evil eye. However, it is not just an illusion. The events that took place here will be overwritten in the participants’ memories as true. Taking the place of the memory of Cornelia-san’s bullying. You guys will be the only exceptions who remember both events.」

Eh!? So, in other words ……

Seeing my surprised expression, Countess Rosenthal nodded. Then she turned to look at mother.

「Even after the power of the evil eye is lifted, everyone will remember that Cornelia-san danced the 「Thunderbolt」 at the ball and was highly praised. It’s a small gift from me. With this, there will be no more red nobles that will look down on you. Although I don’t think something like this will compensate you for your long suffering ……」

Countess Rosenthal put her life on the line to hold this ball for the sake of mother’s future ……!!

Countess Rosenthal bent down and coughed painfully. Mother rushed to support her. Her complexion was pale. Countess Rosenthal quickly hid it with her fan, but she was vomiting blood. With the help of mother, she managed to reach the couch and sit down, but she could barely support her body with the backrest and armrests.

「…… It looks like the time limit has come. What a sorry state I’m in. This must be retribution for all my sinful deeds. I was prepared to die in an ugly manner, but ……」

Countess Rosenthal had a bitter smile.
Mother held Countess Rosenthal’s hand with tears in her eyes.

「…… No, Countess Rosenthal, you’ve been kind enough to me. I’m sure …… even that night 14 years ago ……!! If only I’d realized your kindness sooner ……」

The countess gently wiped mother’s tears with her fingertips. Her fingertips were trembling. The countess had rapidly become so weak that even that simple movement was too much for her. Even so, she still doesn’t stop acting tough. She is trying to lighten mother’s emotional burden as much as possible. Her gentle bravado touched our hearts.

「…… You have no learning ability, do you. I taught you before. Don’t show your emotions easily. You shouldn’t cry for a bad woman like me …… How embarrassing. A woman that is headed to hell is supposed to be sent off with a sneer. Tears are what you shed when you say goodbye to your friends ……」

At these words, mother kneeled on the floor, held Countess Rosenthal’s hand to her chest, and smiled while crying.

「…… In that case, it is right for me to cry. I’m sure that since that day fourteen years ago, we have always been friends. It’s just that both of us didn’t notice it. …… You are kind and proud …… A friend that I’m proud of. You always have been and always will be my friend ……」

Mother’s tearful voice was broken around the end. The pale Countess Rosenthal smiled like an older sister watching over her younger sister.

「…… You really can’t read the atmosphere …… It’s not fair of you to give me such happy words when I’m on the verge of death …… It makes me want to protect you for a long time …… But, it’s already ……」

And then Countess Rosenthal looked far away. She was looking at a scene from her lost past. The moonlight shining through the window illuminated her lonely smile.

「…… I don’t want to die …… I want to be more of a help to you …… It’s so frustrating. I always can’t do anything properly …… Ronny, Teddy, I know I’m such a useless sister, but please, let me see you in the afterlife. I owe you a lot of …… apologies ……」

Countess Rosenthal’s consciousness began to cloud. Her tone of voice had reverted back to the old Rona. Her hazel eyes faded to gray. This is a phenomenon that occurs just before a person dies.

「Countess Rosenthal!! Bradd!! Do something!!」

Mother screamed and looked at Bradd with a desperate look in her eyes. Bradd touched Countess Rosenthal’s neck, then he quickly stood up and quietly shook his head.

「…… I can only ease the pain a little. Let’s let her go. Countess Rosenthal had burned up her life for Cornelia-san. It wouldn’t be strange if she passed away long ago, but she has been holding on by sheer willpower. Unless a miracle happens, she’s already ……」

Mother and Bradd’s voices did not reach Countess Rosenthal. She stretched out her fingertips and fumbled for the old rose corsage that adorned her own hair. The countess timidly smiled with a shy smile.

「…… My …… rose ……」

A faint blush appeared on her pale cheeks.

「…… I wish …… I could have seen …… that person …… one more time ……」

She mumbled in a barely audible voice. Both my mother and I sensed that she was talking about father. Tears like morning dew ran down the countess’s cheeks. Her eyelids slowly closed. Her fire of life was fading ……!!

We could do nothing but watch in silence. The ruby that I was clutching in my hand wouldn’t respond. It was so frustrating. How powerless I am. After a long period of misunderstanding, mother and the countess finally came to understand each other. Their friendship had just begun. And yet we can only stay silent and watch the untimely farewell.

「…… Please, open your eyes ……!! …… Countess Rosenthal ……!! You mustn’t die without being rewarded ……!! God ……!! This is such a sad ending ……!! Is this how a person who sacrificed herself for the sake of other people is treated ……!?」

Mother was the only one who could not give up. She hugged the countess and lamented.

「…… Mother ……」

Right at that moment when I bit my lip.

「…… Cornelia!! Are you okay!!」

With a gust of wind, father burst into the ballroom. The glow of the golden candlesticks illuminated his handsome face, his vivid red eyes and red hair, and his red riding outfit. Time seemed to stand still. Countess Rosenthal’s eyes, which had been nearly closed, widened at the sight that reminded her of a painting.

Father found mother and looked relieved, but when he saw Countess Rosenthal in her arms, he was bewildered and couldn’t understand what was going on. He looked around us as if asking for an explanation and his gaze stopped at the hair ornament that Countess Rosenthal was wearing. He tilted his head in a puzzled manner for a moment, then he blinked and a look of surprise spread across his face, as if he had been struck by lightning.

Father’s red iris clearly saw Countess Rosenthal’s hazel eyes and brunette hair. His staggering body and grunts showed just how much shock he had received. He realized who Countess Rosenthal, the woman he hated, was.

「…… You …… could it be …… are you Rona ……? …… That’s right. There’s no doubt about it. The color of your hair and eyes are the same as Rona ……!! Damn it, why didn’t I notice this before ……!!」

Father ran toward us in astonishment while cursing himself. He had lost his usual composed expression and was looking as eager as a young boy.

「…… Wendell …… -sama ……」

Light returned to Countess Rosenthal’s eyes and new tears spilled out. Her outstretched fingers touched father’s hand.

「…… Rona, you, you’ve always kept the hair ornament I gave you. Such an old thing like this for so many decades ……!! And yet, I didn’t even realize that it was you …… Not only that, I even considered you my wife’s enemy and hated you ……!! I’m sorry ……!!」

The faded color of the rose corsage spoke of the years it’s gone through.
Countess Rosenthal gently shook her head.

「…… It’s okay. I have become so dirty. …… It’s natural that you didn’t realize it. But Wendell-sama remembered me. You found me. So, please don’t cry anymore …… because I am surely happier than anyone else in the world right now ……」

Countess Rosenthal gently stroked father’s hair as he cried in regret.
Her shy smile was full of satisfaction as if she had no more regrets. There was not the slightest trace of the woman who had been feared as the poisonous lady of the imperial court.

She had finally returned to her true self.
Her long and painful journey under the mask of a wicked woman was over.

A miracle had occurred.

At the very end, God had properly rewarded Rona, Countess Rosenthal, for her earnest first love.