Peace had settled over the Flatd Castle. After overcoming a recent crisis, the soldiers and servants within the castle were noticeably more at ease.

One of the most significant changes was the stricter selection process for apprentice knights, following the incident with Kellic. The more insolent and uncouth knights were dismissed, leading to a natural reduction in the number of knights abusing their status. As a result, the servants could breathe more easily, and young children like Lizzy no longer had to do harsh jobs like cleaning chimneys.

“I wonder when the Marchioness will come to the castle again?”

Lizzy had grown quite close to the head chef after the day she first met Olivia, who had shown her kindness by having a meal prepared specially for her by the chef. Today, Lizzy was chatting with the chef while munching on fresh carrots.

“I overheard the adults talking; they say she’s at the imperial palace. Recently, it was revealed that the redhead using magic wasn’t the Marchioness, and she made a great contribution, so she’ll probably receive a reward.”

“That would be nice.”

The head chef, who had been feeling weary, had learned a lot from watching Olivia lead the knights and soldiers during the recent war. He realized that he had been in a deep rut and hadn’t taken care of those weaker or less fortunate than himself, including Lizzy.

This realization spurred the chef to prepare food with renewed enthusiasm during the war. Even after the conflict ended, he ensured that enough non-perishable war rations were stockpiled, just in case.

However, he was still curious about Olivia’s current situation.

“But why haven’t we heard anything definitive yet? You’re smart—do you have any idea why?”

The chef, who had come to rely on Lizzy quite a bit, asked her while sitting down. Lizzy bit into her carrot with a crunch.

“My father was a knight too, and he said the relationships among knights are very complicated. So, I don’t know for sure, but it seems the higher-ups take longer to reach conclusions. But that might not be a bad thing—it could just mean they need more time.”

“I see.”

The chef, in his fifties, found himself comforted by Lizzy, who, despite being only about ten years old, had a much more objective view of the situation than many adults who carelessly spread rumors. He thought it was no wonder Olivia had noticed her.

“You know, Lizzy, I have a feeling—”

“Yes?”

“The Marchioness might come to the castle for an unexpected reason.”

“Not just for an inspection?”

The chef was impressed that this little girl even knew the word “inspection.” He was now certain that his hunch was right.

“Just wait and see. And if that happens, don’t forget about me, okay?”

“What do you mean, ‘if that happens’? What are you talking about, mister?”

Lizzy shook the chef’s arm, but he just laughed, chewing on his carrot. Lizzy sighed, giving up, and finished off the rest of her carrot with a huff.

The chef spent the following days holding onto his intuition. And a week later, after it was announced that Gael Abyss had been sentenced to life imprisonment and transferred to a prison under the supervision of Charbert, Olivia arrived at Flatd.

She wasn’t alone. She was with Duke Marsden. All his guards still referred to him as a duke, suggesting that the rumor of his title being revoked was just that—a rumor.

“I’m happy to see you all. I’d love to greet each of you properly, but I have a very important reason for being here.”

Olivia glanced around as if searching for someone before finally fixing her gaze. The chef followed her eyes and saw that, indeed…

“Lizzy!”

Olivia ran over and embraced Lizzy as if she were clutching a cherished doll.

“How have you been? I came because I missed you.”

The chef’s intuition had been spot on. Olivia hadn’t come for any grand reason like an inspection or review—she had come just to see Lizzy.

* * *

A week earlier, Hellebore had delivered his judgment to Marsden.

“I will restore your title. However, you must surrender all materials related to forbidden magic, to the Imperial Family and cease any further pursuit of practitioners of dark magic.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Furthermore, you are forbidden from leaving the Empire until my trust in you is fully restored.”

Olivia was initially puzzled but soon understood Hellebore’s true intent. The revival of Olivia had technically occurred outside the country, so Hellebore couldn’t fully trust Marsden to leave the Empire on official business yet.

However, if Marsden abided by these conditions, he could enjoy a peaceful life with Olivia. There was no reason to refuse, as it was a relatively lenient sentence.

“And there is something I wish to show you, Duke.”

Hellebore handed Marsden a thick file with an unexpectedly somber expression. Marsden accepted it calmly with both hands.

“This file contains information on those responsible for the deaths of your family.”

“…What?”

“When you were both preoccupied, the Imperial Family conducted a more thorough investigation of the Count’s estate.”

Olivia couldn’t contain her curiosity and moved her chair closer to read the file with Marsden.

The file detailed how Baron Bartram and the late Count Abyss had learned dark magic and plotted to kill members of the Marsden family.

Marsden closed the file and fell into deep thought. He recalled the day when all his family members were killed, and his grandfather, the late Duke, was on his deathbed. Though unable to move a finger, his grandfather suddenly rose upon realizing his grandson was still alive.

“Hide under the bed, quickly!”

“But they’ll surely notice—”

“I’ll pretend to be dead. Who would think to check under a bed with a corpse lying on it?”

Doubting it would work, Marsden nevertheless did as his grandfather instructed and crawled under the bed.

His grandfather had lied. Marsden heard the rattle of medicine bottles as his grandfather swallowed painkillers. Then his frail body convulsed before becoming still.

As his grandfather died, assassins entered the room. Wrinkling their noses at the foul smell, they only gave a cursory glance around before muttering something about finding “the remaining child” and leaving the room.

Marsden halted his reminiscing and closed his eyes. Olivia quietly took his hand.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Marsden said sincerely, once he had regained his composure. Hellebore smiled at his friend, who now seemed to be feeling some measure of relief.

“Please think of this as affection from a friend. In that spirit, I want to ask you both: where do you think Gael Abyss should be placed?”

At the sudden change of topic, Olivia and Marsden widened their eyes in surprise.

“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”

“The imperial prison isn’t the only place where he could be held, after all.”

Ah, Olivia’s eyes sparkled with understanding. Seeing her reaction, a soft smile formed on Marsden’s lips as well.

“Then, would it be possible to… throw him into my prison? No, I mean, to imprison him there?”

“He is the one who murdered the Marchioness, so I will allow you, as the Marchioness, to handle his punishment. However, the minimum sentence must be life imprisonment. I don’t want to see that kind of murderer walking free, but I’m also not inclined to have him executed.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure he lives a long and painful life.”

Olivia expressed her gratitude repeatedly to Hellebore and began to contemplate how to treat Gael in a way that would prolong his suffering.

“By the way, I’ve heard that a precious life was born in the imperial palace today?”

Hellebore shifted the conversation as he looked up at the night sky.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Ronae Bartram has given birth to a son.”

“What will you do with the young ladies of the Bartram family, Duke?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“They probably don’t know about any of this.”

Marsden’s previously relaxed expression shifted as he realized the implications. The two sisters were likely unaware that their father had slaughtered the members of the Duke’s household.

Olivia, also aware of this, calmed her earlier excitement and focused on Marsden’s response.

“At that time… Lady Ronae had just been born, and Lady Lottie hadn’t even been born yet.”

“And so?”

“I do not wish for guilt to be passed down through generations. As Your Majesty knows, through all the events we’ve endured, we’ve genuinely become friends.”

Marsden briefly exchanged glances with Olivia, who gazed back at him with a steady look, as if encouraging him.

“A new life has been born, and I told Olivia that this child is like a gift that arrived during a time of sorrow.”

“I see.”

“I want those who deserve punishment to receive it, but those who were young and made mistakes due to their lack of wisdom should be allowed to start anew.”

“Does that include both the Duke and the Marchioness?”

Hellebore asked playfully, to which Marsden replied with a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Very well, then. Thanks to the Duke’s magnanimity, the Bartram family can start afresh. The Abyss family, however, will disappear into history.”

Hellebore stretched briefly, as if he were merely discussing trivial matters.

“This is a good opportunity to scout new talent. But first, I must quickly wrap up my business with Katlan and return. I’ll head to bed now.”

As Hellebore stood up, Olivia and Marsden also rose. Hellebore, who had intended to leave with just a simple farewell, suddenly stopped and turned to face the two.

“I’m genuinely happy to see that you both seem to have found your path. As a friend, even more than as an emperor. Until we meet again.”

Hellebore crossed the garden with light steps. Olivia and Marsden exchanged a smile as they watched him go.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories