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Chapter 86 Part 1 – Things that never change. And a promise. In order to protect the lives of the mother and the baby, Countess Rosenthal will put everything on the line to fight against Alisa.

…… Countess Rosenthal and my father are reunited.

They had a painful parting when they were young.
From that point on, there were many dark nights and long misunderstandings.
And finally, they were able to meet again when she was on the verge of death.

It was a solemn, yet heartbreakingly sad scene.

「…… Wendell-sama …… I’ve always …… dreamed about it …… That one day you would call out my name again and say 「Rona」 …… and then you would hold my hand …… and squeeze it. …… Fufu, how foolish. …… What an inappropriate dream to have for the poisonous scorpion of the imperial court ……」

Countess Rosenthal mocked herself and smiled embarrassedly.
Her voice is gradually becoming fainter.

「…… But I never thought that …… my wish would …… actually come true. …… God, I beg you. …… Please …… let me …… die …… with this happy feeling ……」

In the face of death, she had a very peaceful expression.

「…… Rona ……!! I will call your name tens of thousands of times. I’ll also hold your hand as long as you want ……!! So please, don’t say that you’re going to die ……!!」

Father said in a trembling voice as he wrapped both of his hands around Countess Rosenthal’s hand.

「…… I’m so happy …… Sorry. Ronny …… Teddy …… To think that such an undeserving older sister is going to die with a smile …… But …… I’m certainly bound to go to hell …… So, please spare me this moment …… Wendell-sama …… will you please hold me in your arms …… for my last moment ……」

Halfway through her words, Countess Rosenthal’s hand slipped helplessly from between my father’s hands.

No!!

「…… Countess Rosenthal!!」

「Rona!!」

Mother screamed and father knelt down to hold the limp Countess. Then he hugged her. However, even though she was in the arms of the person she had been waiting for so long, Countess Rosenthal’s eyes remained closed. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she smiled happily.

「…… Rona!!」

Her eyes didn’t open even at the heartbreaking cry of my father.
The slender neck that limply hung down swayed sadly

「…… Arrange for a stretcher and a doctor!! Hurry up!! First, let’s carry her to the Rose room where she can rest!! Get a fire going in the stove inside the room in case her body temperature drops!! What about the blankets!? Where is the Countess’ maid!? Who knows about her chronic illness!? Bring me all the medicines in this mansion!! I’m well-versed in pharmaceutics!!」

While the 「red nobles」 and the servants were struggling to understand the sudden turn of events, Lady York began to give instructions at great speed.

She is certainly competent. But it’s no use.
Because this is not a chronic illness. Even a doctor can’t do anything to help her.

Even though the two of them finally met, I can’t accept that the touch of those fingertips was the last thing she felt ……!!
They’ve missed each other for such a long period of time, and now her feelings are finally understood, and yet ……!!
I can’t accept this ……!!

「…… Bradd!! Please!!」

I cried out.

「I got it!! Leave it to me!!」

With tacit understanding, Bradd had already anticipated my request and was preparing to perform the technique.

Of course, Bradd had done his best to treat Countess Rosenthal. He had done all he could.

But only within the bounds of proper means.
What we are going to do now is, so to speak, a heretical method.

「…… I am now going to strike the Countess in the heart with the ‘Heartless Autumn Leaves’ at minimum output ……!!」

「……!?」

At this declaration, father, mother, and Seraphy looked at Bradd in shock.
Of course they would do so. The three of them had witnessed the ‘Heartless Autumn Leaves’ that had been the decisive factor in the battle against the demon dog Gallam.
They also knew how atrocious it was.

The ‘Heartless Autumn Leaves’ technique. It causes the opponent that is hit by it to explode from the inside. The heart of the victim’s body is first forced to beat beyond its limits. Then, the blood pumping out of the heart becomes a super-high pressure blade that tears the body tissues to shreds.

But this technique has succeeded in getting even the heart of the demon dog Gallam, a monster that once moved around even when its heart has stopped, to move once more. This is the only way to bring Countess Rosenthal back to life. However ……

「…… Tell me honestly. Bradd. The probability of success is less than 50%, right? You can choose to not do this if you want to.」

「Oh man, you don’t trust me huh. You know. Even though I may not look like it, I’m a member of the head family. Just feel like you’re riding in a mud boat and leave it to me.」

Bradd tried to cover it up with a strained smile, but he’s such an idiot. He must’ve meant to say 「large boat」. His voice was trembling at the end of his sentence. Besides, I can tell from his pale face that he’s pushing himself too hard.

Even with his occupation as a professional killer, he never laid a hand on women and children in the previous 「108 times」. The only exception was me, who was the queen.

Even if it was a medical accident, if he killed a woman, Bradd would never forgive himself for the rest of his life. But because of that kindness, no matter how big the risk of getting his heart wounded, he can’t help but extend a helping hand to others.

I felt like I was about to cry.
What a terrible thing I am asking him to do by taking advantage of his good nature.

But I’m not going to cry. If I was going to cry, I wouldn’t have asked him to do this.

「I’m the one requesting you to do it. You are only doing this on my request, so I’ll be the one taking full responsibility. It’s all right. Because I believe in you, Bradd.」

So, instead of crying, I entrusted everything to him.

‘…… I’m sorry. If Bradd ends up not being able to forgive himself, I’ll like him that much more. And for the rest of my life, I’ll keep saying, ‘It’s not Bradd’s fault. It’s mine.’ So please!! Go for it ……!!

In silent encouragement, I tightly grasped the clothes on Bradd’s back as he took on the stance of the ‘Heartless Autumn Leaves’. With an apology and encouragement, I put my forehead against his back.

Bradd’s lips curled into a fearless smile.

「…… Thank you. I can feel your warmth. It calmed me down. Scarlet always really cheers me up. Although you’re a little short, you’re like a goddess of victory. So, wish me success ……!! Let’s start ……!!」

We held our breath and watched Bradd’s attempt ……

「…… Uwagh, it’s hot ……!?」

Bradd screamed.

Huh? Even if a child’s body temperature tends to be warmer, there’s no way my temperature could be that hot ……

「S-Sca-chibi ……!! Let me see.」

Bradd turned around and put his hand on the collar of my dress trying to open it.

「Hey!? Why are you trying to expose my chest!? The one you’re supposed to treat is Countess Rosenthal!?」

「…… That’s not it …… look closely. The Ruby of the True Emperor is ……!!」

When Bradd said that, I noticed that the Ruby of the True Emperor, which had been hidden inside the dress, was beginning to shine so brightly that the glow could be seen through the fabric. It was like a little sun. On its own, the ruby dyed the surroundings in a crimson glow.

The faded rose corsage that Countess Rosenthal had treasured so dearly was vividly colored as if it were in full bloom.

And that’s not all.

「…… So beautiful …… The color is as vivid as it was that day when Wendell-sama bought it for me ……」

In my father’s arms, Countess Rosenthal blinked her eyes and murmured as if she was in a dream.

S-She regained consciousness ……!?

Dyed in the bright glow of the ruby, Countess Rosenthal’s cheeks that were as pale as wax were now colored like a lovely winter rose. The change was so dramatic that it seemed as if a doll suddenly came to life. I reflexively rubbed my eyes. When I suddenly felt a presence and looked to the side, I saw Arnold doing the same thing with his mouth wide open.

「Hey, isn’t the Countess’s complexion getting better ……? It’s like she’s a different person. She nearly died just now, right ……?」

Idiot Arnold, you should fix your way of talking!!

But it wasn’t just my imagination.