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Chapter 86 Part 3 – 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.

The current Countess Rosenthal looked much younger than her age and seemed fragile like a little girl. Her heart must have returned to the night of the fire that separated her from my father. Seeing the messy crying expression that she would never show as the queen of high society, father smiled.

「…… Don’t cry anymore. I forgot to say an important word. Although I’m the only one left amongst our group back then, all of us have always wanted to say this …… Welcome back, Rona.」

I’m sure she must have longed to hear those words for decades.

「…… Wendell-sama ……!! …… I ……!! I ……!!」

After hearing that, she was so overwhelmed with emotions that she couldn’t properly put her feelings into words.

「…… I’m …… back ……!! …… Wendell …… -sama ……!!」

Barely squeezing out a reply, Countess Rosenthal clung to father’s chest and began to cry loudly like a little girl.

「…… I’m sorry ……!! I’m …… crying again. I just can’t hold it back ……!!」

「…… It’s okay. It was my fault. I’m so sorry …… you had to go through so much painful experience …… You can cry as much as you want. At the very least, I can lend you my chest for you to cry on ……」

There was something shining in the corner of my father’s eye as he said that.

After crying for a while, Countess Rosenthal calmed down a little and began to speak with sobbing pauses.

「…… Actually …… I wanted to say my name right away …… I wanted to go back to everybody’s side. But, I couldn’t do it ……!! I couldn’t bear to ……!!」

My heart hurts for her. Why couldn’t Rona reveal her identity …… Why didn’t she go back to father’s side? From what I’ve heard until now, I got a slight idea of the terribly sorrowful reason.

「Will you tell me the reason? Rona. We all kept looking for you. There was not a day that went by that we did not think of you. Marielle-san said that at the very least she wanted to save other children like Rona, which is why she set up an orphanage ……」

When father said so, Countess Rosenthal nodded and smiled sadly.

「I know. I heard from the children of the orphanage. That Marielle-san always thought of me as her younger sister …… I, too, have always looked up to Marielle-san like she was my older sister. I wish I could have met her at least one more time while she was still alive ……」

When she said this, several tears flowed down her cheeks.

「…… But I survived in that sea of ​​flames. If that’s the case, that Inquisition official, Matthew, is probably still alive as well …… That poisonous snake-like guy won’t give up. If I stayed by your side, I’m sure I would get you all into trouble again. Because of me …… again ……!! When I think that there is a chance that all of you would end up like my younger brothers, I ……!!」

She must have recalled that nightmarish night. As if trying to protect Countess Rosenthal who could not stop trembling, father hugged her shoulders tightly.

「…… We also paid close attention to Matthew. That devil certainly died back then. There is no doubt about it. We’ve checked the death records of the church numerous times. Rona, you’ve splendidly avenged your younger brothers.」

Countess Rosenthal let out a sorrowful cry with her face buried in father’s chest.

「…… It’s all thanks to Wendell-sama and the others that I was able to avenge my younger brothers …… I couldn’t do anything for my younger brothers ……!! …… Much later, after I became a favored mistress, I, too, confirmed Matthew’s death in the secret records of the church . But, does it even matter? In the end …… my younger brothers are not going to come back to life ……!! It’s all my fault ……!! Why did such a kind Ronny and Teddy have to die and someone as dirty as me was left to survive ……!!」

As if to stop Countess Rosenthal’s cries, father put more strength into his arms.

「Don’t say that you’re dirty. Don’t degrade yourself. You did nothing wrong. You risked your life to save your younger brothers that night. I’m very well-aware of that. …… You’ve always been beautiful ……!! And you are still a proud, blooming winter rose.」

Father comforted her, but Countess Rosenthal did not nod. She just smiled happily at father’s compliment.

Father turned pale. He understood. That this is the smile of a dying person. She has not forgiven herself and intends to pass away after having this reunion with father as a reward.

「…… Fufu, people would laugh if they heard the ‘poisonous scorpion of the imperial court’ being described like that. But, I’m so happy. When I was about to throw myself off the bridge, Wendell-sama said the same thing to me. I was so happy at that time. It was a beautiful memory that shines in my dirty life. …… To think that I can listen to you saying that to me again, it feels like a dream. Now …… I have no more regrets in life ……」

「Rona ……!! No!! Don’t go!! I still have so much to tell you ……!!」

Even when father called out to her, Countess Rosenthal only showed a troubled smile and shook her head apologetically.

…… Inside her heart, the rain of self-condemnation and sorrow for the loss of her younger brothers continues to pour down. She has no intention of forgiving or saving herself. And not even father can change that determination.

But perhaps the Ruby of the True Emperor can stop the rain of sorrow for Countess Rosenthal and save her heart. If only I can use that power that showed to everyone the memories of the deceased three old warriors ……!!

「Please, answer me ……!!」

Clinging to the last hope, I prayed to the Ruby.

Because this is too sad ……!! Above all, her younger brothers would never want this kind of ending!!

But …… the Ruby didn’t respond at all.

Now that the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe who mediate with the Ruby have been silenced, I can’t freely exercise the Ruby’s power. I wasn’t the one that activated the previous healing power and ‘Dark Illusion’.

I feel so powerless. This is no different from when I was just a baby being protected.

I bit my lip in disappointment and frustration.

「No, you’re wrong. Working hard all by yourself is not a strength. Hold the Ruby in front of you. Scarlet.」

Bradd said so gently as he patted me on the head.

When I obeyed his words with a quizzical look, he actually laid his hand on the True Emperor’s Ruby.

「Bradd!? Stop it!!」

That’s going to activate the curse of the True Emperor’s Ruby!!

I screamed and tried to pull back the Ruby, but Bradd stopped my hand with his other hand.

「It’s probably gonna be okay. Just now, when the Ruby touched my back through the fabric, I had a feeling that it was going to assist me.」

Bradd was right. The shine of the Ruby grew brighter, but nothing abnormal happened to Bradd. Even though when he touched it previously, his whole body got engulfed in flames ……

「…… Sca-chibi. If you can’t do it alone, we’ll help you. You gave me the opportunity to use ‘Blood Atonement’. Then it should be possible to do the opposite. Should I say that it’s a man’s intuition?」

Bradd winked mischievously.

This is the first time I’ve heard of a man’s intuition. You know, you’re the only one who failed to transform into an adult form, not to mention that you’re still dressed as a woman. You’re not much taller than me, now that I’m in my adult form. However, there is warmth in his words. For some reason, his words are persuasive. Bradd said earlier that I inspire him, but it’s the opposite. Bradd is always the one who gives me courage. I felt a pang in the bridge of my nose. Yeah, I’m starting to feel like we’ll be able to handle this.

「…… You guys too, Seraphy and Arnold. Let’s work together. Put your hands on top of the Ruby. We’ll support Sca-chibi with our fighting spirit. As long as there’s an opportunity, I’m sure this kid can pull off a miracle.」

Prompted by Bradd, the two joined in and put their hands on top of the Ruby as if they were going to depart for the front lines.