CH 129

Conspiracy (2)

She decided to visit Rakain on the news that her mother was in critical condition and she even came here as she had decided, but she didn’t think that she could actually accept it as a mere fact.

She recognized it with her head, but it took some time for her to accept it with her heart.

‘………Kergel.’

If he were by her side right now, he would have already held her hand tightly. Roelin grabbed the hem of the dress before letting it go.

“Only the Empress is allowed to go in. The two of your companions from Seroif may return to their own accommodation for now.”

As they arrived in front of the bedroom, the Head Maid opened her mouth at Roelin before speaking to both Lucy and the Duke of Bönt, who were right behind her.

“Oh, you ought to do that. Duke Bönt, you should take some rest for now. Lucy must have had a hard time from the long journey as well.”

Roelin nodded at the words of the Head Maid of the Palace before she eventually said to Lucy and the Duke of Bönt. Then, Lucy hesitated for a moment to see if she was truly relieved, but she soon bowed her head as if there was nothing else she could actually do.

“Then, we’ll get going for now.”

The Duke of Bönt spoke on behalf of Lucy. Roelin nodded again and looked at the Head Maid after that.

“Guide me inside.”

“Yes, Empress.”

The Head Maid made an awkward expression once again at Roelin’s natural take of command and announced Roelin’s visit to the bedroom.

“Come on in.”

When she heard the permission from inside of the bedroom, the Head Maid opened the door and stepped aside. In return, Roelin began to step into the bedroom instead.

Just like how she had gone into Lenoff’s office a little while ago.

Nevertheless, stepping into her mother’s bedroom felt a little bit different.

It was not her first time in Lenoff’s office, but perhaps it had been due to her first time having entered her mother’s own bedroom?

The door of the bedroom soon closed itself behind Roelin’s back.

“……”

The first thing that greeted Roelin was a very strong scent. It was the smell of her mother’s usual perfume.

However, it was not a scent that should be felt this intense within a bedroom of where the sick had been. Roelin took another step into the room while feeling a strange sense of incompatibility. Still, she could no longer take the next step as she soon ceased moving.

It was because of the empty bed.

……and due to the fact that her mother, Carolina, was already sitting in front of the tea table.

“What’s going on here?”

Roelin’s voice came out to be very stiff. Then, Carolina, who was simply sitting on the sofa, stood up slowly and gracefully before she looked back at her and began to raise the corners of her mouth.

“What is the situation…… A mother made a call to see her daughter. Isn’t that the reason why you’re here?”

“……”

Roelin looked at her mother with a firm expression before turning around. And as she was leaving the bedroom, she could hear Carolina’s voice.

“It has been said that your mother is currently in critical condition, but you’re not even asking if she’s doing okay? I’m rather disappointed.”

“Well, if my eyes aren’t wrong, she looks absolutely healthy right now.”

Roelin stopped again as she gazed back at Carolina and said in a calm voice.

In fact, her mother seemed to be doing very fine. She had a good complexion and was brimming with life. It had been merely a ridiculous lie that such a mother was in a critical condition.

“I don’t really understand why you have called me in with these kinds of lies. Anyway, I’m truly glad to see you in such good health. Well then, I’ll……”

“Roelin.”

Just then, Carolina had called out a name out of her own mouth. Roelin began to tremble unconsciously. Her body had already reacted regardless of her own will.

Since it was the first time that her name had leaked out of her mother’s mouth.

How she had interpreted the reaction made the corners of her mouth go upwards. Carolina came up to Roelin and continued while pulling her in affectionately.

“You don’t really have to leave in such a hurry, do you? It has been a while since we even saw each other, so let’s have a seat here while enjoying a cup of tea as we talk. How could I dare to have called you in by lying that your own mother was in critical condition anyhow?”

Roelin saw that Carolina’s hand was tugging onto her. Finely arranged nails with huge rings on each of her fingers. It might have been a beautifully adorned hand, but somehow, she thought that it seemingly appeared like a snake.

‘Although, it wouldn’t have been a good metaphor for a mother’s hand.’

She shifted to the sofa in order to avoid Carolina’s touch. Then, she sat right across from Carolina. Afterwards, Carolina simply rang the bell on the table.

The maids immediately entered to prepare the tea and desserts to match with Carolina’s ringing of the bell. Roelin just looked indifferently at the things that were set on the table and Carolina’s voice could be heard once again.

“By the way, your face has gotten a lot better. When you were here, you always looked like a sick person since you had been so skinny. I guess life in Seroif is right for you? Whether it’s the food or even the men or whatever it is.”

“……”

At Carolina’s trail of words, Roelin looked up. Her mother’s green eyes were staring at her with great interest.

“You got so lucky.”

“……”

“Since you had been born as the unlucky twin, you should have been abandoned as soon as you were born before your breathing stopped at once. Didn’t you survive only because of your noble blood? You are very lucky just to have that in you.”

Carolina lifted the teacup and winked at Roelin to drink the tea prepared. Roelin then looked down at the teacup in front of her in return.