A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 42.1
Perhaps he misunderstood my overly serious reaction.
Ethan handed the box to me again, speaking in a placating tone.
“You don’t need to worry so much. I won’t tell Father.”
In his eyes, I looked like someone panicking after losing an expensive gift from the Duke.
‘I wish that really were the case…’
Reluctantly, I accepted the box he was holding out.
“…Thank you, Brother.”
The gem was smaller than the ones in the Duke’s gift, but the earring Ethan brought was also set with blue diamonds.
To think he could acquire such a rare gemstone so easily when these were only found inside Gates.
It made me keenly aware, once again, of the Blake family’s influence and Ethan’s position.
“…Well then.”
It seemed giving me the earring had concluded his business, as he turned to leave.
But having wasted time on small talk, I hadn’t managed to ask what I really wanted to. I quickly stopped him.
“Brother.”
“……?”
“Did you happen to meet the Purifier at the banquet?”
As if the female lead’s name were a trigger, Ethan’s expression instantly turned cold.
“…No. I visited her before the banquet started, but they said she wasn’t feeling well and had gone to bed early.”
“I see…”
“But why are you asking about Llewellyn?”
He looked at me with guarded eyes as he asked, seemingly worried I might lash out hysterically at her again, now that I had my memories back.
Suppressing the twisting in my gut, I gave him the response I’d prepared.
“I wanted to apologize.”
“…What?”
“I don’t remember exactly why, but apparently I dragged Llewellyn to Tollen, right?”
“……”
“Regardless of the reason, I heard she was put in danger because of me. I don’t feel good about that. I wanted to apologize and tell her it won’t ever happen again.”
“You’re saying… you thought of that yourself…?”
As I spoke fluidly, Ethan looked genuinely taken aback.
It was clear he hadn’t expected Edith, who once hated Llewellyn with a vengeance, to ever say such a thing.
Just as I had done earlier, he narrowed his eyes and scrutinized my face before asking,
“…You’re not hiding some other motive, are you?”
“What kind of motive?”
“I only know the gist of it, but you and she didn’t exactly get along.”
“I still don’t plan to be friendly with her. I’m just tired of hearing the same thing over and over.”
“Hearing what?”
“Everything I ever did was out of jealousy toward the Purifier, that I was cruel, or that I tried to kill her… I barely remember anything, and it’s exhausting being falsely accused.”
“……”
“I’m the one who almost died, you know.”
At my words, he flinched and turned to look at me.
He still seemed to be trying to figure out my true intentions.
But I simply continued with an innocent expression.
“So I thought I’d apologize and make it clear things will be different going forward. That’s all. No ulterior motives.”
“…Well, owning up to your actions is always a good thing.”
He finally seemed convinced and gave a small nod.
“If I do meet her, I’ll let you know in advance.”
“What about you?”
“Hm?”
“No, nothing.”
I withdrew my gaze from above his head, where his rampage percentage had ticked up ever so slightly.
It was a relief. If he had ended things with some half-hearted show of remorse or admitted guilt, it would’ve been harder to just walk away.
“…Ah.”
As I shook my head nonchalantly, looking unconcerned, he suddenly frowned, as if something had just occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I heard Grand Duke Belnac was attacked by an unknown assailant in the guest palace next to the banquet hall that day. Did you know?”
Of course I knew. Better than anyone, actually.
“No, I didn’t.”
“The Grand Duke’s side submitted a request for cooperation in the investigation… You didn’t happen to see anyone suspicious outside that day, did you?”
I barely managed to control the muscles in my face from twitching.
“No.”
“That’s a relief, then. Good.”
“But… why would they send a request for cooperation to the Duke’s household?”
“Nothing to concern yourself with. It seems they just sent it to every family that attended as a formality.”
With that, Ethan finally left.
I waited until he was well away from the greenhouse before springing to my feet.
Then, I practically ran back to my room.
Bang!
“Nancy!”
As I burst through the door, Nancy, who had been tidying the room, jumped in surprise.
“M-Miss! What’s wrong?”
“When I came back the other day, was I missing an earring?”
“Ah… Yes, yes! How did you know?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Master Ethan said you might be upset if you found out, so he offered to speak to you about it himself…”
“Haa…”
My vision momentarily went dark.
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