[TKOSINM] 153 - Also A Sinner

The conference hall after Irene and Noel left was in chaos.

What the hell is going on...!

Confused, the elders on Ascardo’s side were the same. Because Ascardo acted arbitrarily without a word of notice, after he left, there was no one to seek advice from.

You sent him out on purpose.

The elders quickly recognised that the Grand Duke had deliberately sent Ascardo away. But no one could protest. Because it was Ascardo who had created this confusion.

“I still have no intention of withdrawing the recognition of the Grand Duchess. What the child did was only to live, so who can say that she was wrong?”

“...”

“However, if the succession to the Grand Duchess takes place without even the vassals of this Duchy convinced, you will not be able to truly follow Noel. Am I wrong?”

No one was able to answer the Grand Duke’s question in a positive way.

In all honesty, the Grand Duke wanted to push ahead with his righteous attitude. It was enough if he admitted he recognised her. Just his word carried weight. It was clear that no one would object if he came out so forcefully. The reason the Grand Duke’s family was able to grow this much was because of his contributions. Above all else, who could say that the current Grand Duke would not pass it on to his grandchildren?

But if you push forward forcefully with that, no one will accept Noel.

In order to enjoy the power the Grand Duke’s position held, any opposition had to be eliminated. This would allow them to succeed to the Grand Duchy more stably in the future.

Even so, this makes me angry.

He had no idea that the child would be treated like this.

I thought he was used to looking at people who didn’t look after him. I thought he had to just do what he always used to, but I guess not. I’m tired, nothing changes. Still, he doesn’t want to give up...

Suddenly, he remembered what Irene had said a long time ago, to his back.

I also hurt him a lot.

Hearing Irene’s words, the Grand Duke remembered himself. He never looked at his young grandson, only his back faced him firmly, and he never said a word of kindness to him either.

I am also a sinner.

He knew better than anyone that the wound could not be healed. So, even if he could not compensate him, he wanted to make sure he could achieve what he wanted.

As the Grand Duke looked silently at the crowd, one by one they shut their mouths and avoided his gaze. As the surroundings became still, he parted his lips.

“Then how about this?”

♔♔♔

Ascardo, who laid Riel on the bed in the infirmary roughly, bit his lip tightly. He bit with enough strength to cause bleeding, but Ascardo did not feel any pain.

“...if you’ve come to your senses, stop and open your eyes.”

Riel slowly opened her eyes as his voice rang out through his clenched teeth. As if shocked, her purple eyes opened.

“What the hell is this? You suddenly approached and said you could bring down Irene Chase! Yet you collapsed first. So what are you going to do now huh?”

“...it was unexpected. I didn’t know her sister would react like that.”

“I shouldn’t have listened to you. Please leave this place as soon as you recover your health.”

“Wait a minute...”

Ascardo, who left the infirmary with Riel, hurriedly headed back to the conference room. His footsteps stopped and took a deep breath.

This is the worst.

He could see how the atmosphere of the meeting room without him would turn. It would be difficult to prove Irene’s worthlessness as he would have liked. Clearly, Grand Duke Kristen would somehow try to win the approval of his vassals. Because that would be good for Noel’s future.

…the opportunity is not over yet.

If not, he could create one. No matter what.

♔♔♔

“Your Excellency is asking you to come.”

Returning to the main building’s room, Irene and Noel were having a leisurely cup of tea. Irene, who was calming her stomach by drinking the earl grey Noel had brewed, looked at the butler’s words in surprise.

“It looks like the result has been decided. Let’s go, Irene.”

“Ah yes...”

Irene put down the teacup with regret and got on the carriage outside the main building with Noel. The carriage once again turned around the house and stopped in front of the annex where the meeting was being held.

Irene, who got off the second carriage, felt that her heart was more at ease than before. It was because Noel’s words had a huge impact on her.

As soon as the two entered the conference hall, their gazes were instantly drawn to them. As if he had returned while he was away, Ascardo was also standing there with a firm expression on his face.

“The two of you stand in the middle. I will let you know the results of the meeting.”

 //Grandpapa reminds me that even if you do someone wrong, the best way to make it up is through actions!

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