Chapter 77: The Fall of Rosemary (2)

The underground dungeon was dark and damp, stinking of rank mold.

The clammy air pressed against the skin.

Drip, drip—the sound of water falling from the ceiling shattered the stillness.

Edelweiss waited until the sleeping Rosemary awoke. Locked inside the iron bars, wheezing in ignorance, Rosemary’s eyelids slowly lifted.

“…What is this?”

Planting her hands on the floor, Rosemary barely pushed herself up and looked around. She seemed to have no idea why she was imprisoned underground.

‘Finally awake.’

“……Edelweiss, what’s going on? Why am I here?”

Clutching the bars, Rosemary pressed close, confusion swirling in her eyes. Edelweiss met her gaze and knelt.

“Don’t you remember? In Metter Palace, His Majesty started doubting whether Prince Adolf was really his son.”

“…So what?”

“You collapsed right there. The imperial physician examined you—and…”

“……!”

Words failed Rosemary; blood vessels bulged in her eyes.

“Her Majesty Roxanne discovered you’d been pretending to be pregnant. That’s why you’re down here.”

“AAAAAAH!”

Rosemary tore at her hair and screamed. Fear flooded her face, draining it of color.

“Edelweiss, t-tell Father! Tell him to get me out! Please? It’s filthy, it stinks—why do I have to be here!”

Sobbing, she clung to the bars and shook them. Edelweiss stared without a word.

“Why should I?”

“ …What do you mean, why ?”

“Why should I save someone who tried to kill me?”

Rosemary’s eyes widened in shocked disbelief.

“ …But I’m your sister!”

Her voice rose, then cracked. An attempt at a forced smile collapsed as her jaw trembled.

“I was just frightened! Grabbing your hand was an accident! You lived in the end, didn’t you? And now you’ll pretend you don’t know me because of that?”

The words spilled out, broken and uneven.

“Then was making me infertile with lily tea an accident too?” Edelweiss asked in a calm voice.

“Y-you, how did—since when—”

Rosemary’s violet eyes shook with horror.

“I knew from the start. Did you really think I was too stupid to notice?”

“……”

“Oh, and you thought Anna was on your side? So you forged my handwriting and told her to give that letter to the Boniel Times?”

Rosemary’s throat flushed red; her head drooped.

“A-Anna told you? When?”

Edelweiss answered with a slow smile.

“From the beginning. The opal earrings at my wedding—everything. Anna was never on your side.”

“…You wretches!”

“By the way, that ruby necklace? I took it to auction myself. I even limped on purpose.

Since you’re a cripple, copying you was easy.”

She had fallen silent with her head down, but suddenly a thin laugh slipped out—

at first a dry hiss, then a twisted, crazed cackle as her lips curled.

“ You—someone like you—dare deceive me? How dare you!”

Her eyes burned with murderous fury, her face contorting grotesquely.

“I’ll tell everything—everything!”

She rattled the bars wildly, thrusting her face close.

“And who will believe you?”

“…What?”

“Think about it. You already faked a royal pregnancy and slandered me. Who will take your word now? They’ll just call you mad.”

“You think I’ll leave you alone once I get out?” Edelweiss let out a short, cold laugh.

High treason against the Imperial Family—

Depending on severity, the sentence was often life imprisonment.

“Get out? You’ll soon be tried for insulting the Imperial Family.”

“……”

“The lightest penalty for that crime is life. And you pretended to carry a prince’s child. With the Empress accused of adultery and Adolf’s paternity in doubt—just to clear their names, they’ll likely demand execution.”

“……”

“They can restore honor only if you die.”

Fear flickered in Rosemary’s eyes.

“Father will… Father will save me.”

She whispered, as if hypnotizing herself.

Her fingers clutched the bars, still trembling, her gaze clinging to a hope.

“Yes—when he only felt guilty for never entering you in the registry or naming you Lady of Stern, he’d have moved heaven and earth to save you.”

“……”

“But he knows now. That you’re really Count Sandor’s daughter.”

Rosemary’s breath stopped; the violet of her eyes dimmed.

“And that every bit of the slush fund you made with the double ledgers has gone straight to Count Sandor.”

Leaving those words behind, Edelweiss turned away.

Behind her, a series of shrill, animal screams echoed through the corridor.

***

Tessen had asked Edelweiss to come to the ducal estate, saying there was something to discuss regarding Rosemary.

At first, she assumed the Duke of Stern was summoning her to save Rosemary. Even after learning that Rosemary was Count Sandor’s biological daughter, the Duke had raised her believing she was his own, and he had always cherished her deeply.

Edelweiss arrived determined to stop him—whatever it took.

When she entered the meeting hall, it was already packed with vassals, many of whom had clearly heard the news and were venting their outrage.

“My goodness, I should’ve known ever since she deliberately threw herself down the stairs to gain the Duke’s sympathy! Who would’ve thought she’d go so far as to fake being pregnant with Prince Adolf’s child?”

“At least we can be grateful she was never formally adopted as the Duchess’s daughter. At the very least, her crimes weren’t committed under the Stern name.”

“Hah! What does that matter? Everyone knows she’s the Duke’s illegitimate child!”

They didn’t even hesitate to call her “that woman” now.

Amid the shouting, Tessen entered the room.

“Quiet, everyone. I’ve summoned you today for an important announcement.”

He took his seat, calming the heated atmosphere.

An announcement?

Edelweiss glanced at Tessen in confusion. Why wasn’t the Duke here if this was about Rosemary?

“Lord Tessen,” asked Count Belzer, “what will you do? The trial begins tomorrow. Forgive my boldness, but—you’re not planning to protect her, are you…?”

In response, Tessen raised his hand, showing the signet ring.

“As of today, I have officially inherited the title of Duke of Stern.”

“……What?”

“Let it be known—Rosemary Benel shall no longer be under the protection of House Stern. Baron Benel, I leave the choice to you.”

Everyone stared, stunned into silence at the unexpected turn.

Tessen turned to Rosemary’s adoptive father.

“Will you disown Rosemary Benel?”

Baron Benel furrowed his brow in thought. Edelweiss instinctively knew what he was weighing.

Now that power has passed to Tessen and the Duke has effectively abandoned her… keeping her as his ward would only bring damage to the Benel family.

After a moment’s pause, Baron Benel nodded firmly.

“Yes. I wish to disown Rosemary Benel.”

A heavy silence fell, as if cold water had been poured over the room.

No one said a word.

“Then I will accept your declaration. It shall be submitted before the trial begins tomorrow.

Rosemary will stand trial as a commoner.”