The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned – Chapter 41

Author: alyalia

“Could it be that Elza’s matter is also…?”

“…”

“Did it start from there?”

“I raised questions with Sir Roderick about the gypsy matter.”

It was clear that the story about the gypsy affair had reached him.

“So what? Just like with the leader of the Grid Merchant Guild matter, it’s been resolved.”

“But that was before Sir Roderick was assigned there, wasn’t it?”

“…At that banquet, you were already… conspiring.”

“There’s someone far more formidable behind me than you think. And I haven’t just been wasting my time all along.”

“You think you’ve won because you’ve turned me into this? You’re as good as dead now…! Father will surely kill you. Why didn’t you just hide and live as if you were dead?”

“Do you think the duke family will save you?”

“What?”

“Sure, they might use their power to make your charges disappear. There’s no decisive evidence, just your confession as the only proof. But the scene where you tried to kill Baroness Boris is irrefutable.”

Each minor mistake wasn’t a big issue, but when those mistakes piled up, they inevitably surpassed the point of being overlooked.

“Moreover, the Diponz family is in a situation where they have to be cautious of even small scandals. If they’re not careful, they might completely lose Queen Ingrid’s favor to Duke Perus, with whom they’ve been in a power struggle. Thanks to your insistence on marrying Baron Elton.”

As the conversation continued, Claire’s face turned pale. She hadn’t expected her to have such a grasp of the situation.

“Claire, the duke’s family will gladly discard you. Not only did you marry against their wishes, but now you’ve attempted murder. They’ll surely paint you as insane. For the sake of their honor and power, they wouldn’t hesitate to do so.”

She wanted to deny it, but couldn’t bring herself to. Like her, the members of the Diponz family had blue blood running through their veins to the bone.

“So whatever you say about me will just sound like the desperate excuses and lies of a half-crazed woman.”

“…Ha…” Claire let out a deflated sigh and closed her eyes tightly. It was a complete defeat. All her fighting spirit and resistance vanished without a trace.

Shailoh stared at Claire, who had lost her energy like a knight who had surrendered, and asked her quietly. “Have you been happy these past three years, Claire?”

“…” Surprised by the sudden question, Claire lifted her head instead of answering.

“On the day we meet… you asked me the same question.” Shailoh continued speaking calmly. “Don’t you remember? What you said to me. That after eight years of happiness in your stead, it was only fair for me to pay the price.”

Just then, the carriage began to slow down and eventually came to a stop. As Shailoh opened the carriage door to leave, she whispered to Claire, who had bowed her head weakly. “That day, I was relieved to see you happy.”

“…”

“So, how does it feel to pay the price?”

There was no response. Shailoh then closed the carriage door.

* * *

A few days later, the capital was abuzz with the sensational headline. As expected, the matters concerning Oliver and the gypsies were buried, but the attempted murder of Baroness Boris was treated as a major crime. Closed trials were held day after day, and wherever people gathered, it was the only topic of conversation.

“I heard Baron Elton sent divorce papers, saying he had nothing to do with the attempted murder?”

“The details haven’t been disclosed, but it seems like a crime of passion, doesn’t it? They were such a loving couple…”

“I heard Baroness Elton, who was severely jealous, suspected Baroness Boris of having an affair with her husband and called her out.”

“Oh my, I never would have thought.”

The vicious rumors continued to spread, and the residence of Baroness Boris, who had narrowly escaped death, was filled with baskets of flowers and letters of consolation almost daily.

“You’re quite popular, Olivier.” Entering the bedroom, which was overflowing with flowers, Shailoh smiled faintly. “At this rate, you’ll be buried under flowers.”

“Popular? These are the same women who were quick to gossip about me whenever I appeared. They’re all just curious about what really happened that day.” Olivier waved her hand dismissively and laughed.

As Shailoh scanned the mountain of invitation cards piled on the silver tray, her eyes lingered on one card in particular. “…Octavia Perus?”

That name was familiar. The niece of Duke Perus, rumored to be engaged to the third prince.

At the same time, the excitement that had been bubbling within Shailoh was doused as if cold water had been poured over her head. That woman was none other than the third prince’s prospective fiancée. Because of her, Caleb was placed in an even more precarious position. The stronger the third prince’s faction became, the more unstable Caleb’s position grew.

And that wasn’t all. Even though Claire was lost, the Diponz family was still intact, and her revenge was far from complete.

“…It’s time to make a move.”

Though a small blow had been dealt, the enemy remained strong. There was no time for complacency. The next steps needed to be prepared.

As Shailoh resolved herself and looked down at the card, Olivier, who had been resting in bed for recovery, approached unnoticed. “You’re holding that card at just the right time. I’ve been invited to an engagement party tonight. Would you go in my place, Shailoh?”

“Olivier…”

There was no way she could go. If Caleb’s existence were discovered, it could lead to a disastrous outcome. Shailoh shook her head, about to refuse, when someone knocked on Olivier’s door.

“You have a visitor, Madam.”

“Oh, you had a prior engagement. I’ll be on my way then.”

“Take care on your way. Ah.” As Olivier opened the door to see Shailoh off, something seemed to come to mind, and she suddenly asked. “Did I ever tell you? My relationship with my husband was a bit strained. I was too caught up in my inferiority complex, unbecoming of a baroness, and obsessed with avenging Oliver to pay him the attention he needed.”

“…No.”

“I didn’t realize it, but my husband was deeply hurt and almost closed off his heart. If it weren’t for your help, I might have lost something truly important.” Olivier gave a sad smile, lowering her gaze before looking up with a determined expression. “I recently visited Claire and found out where Oliver was buried, on the condition that charges wouldn’t be pressed in court.”

“Olivier.”

“I haven’t achieved perfect revenge, but I’ve uncovered the truth about my brother’s death and where his remains are buried, so I’m going to stop here. My parents want this too, and I doubt Oliver would want to see me consumed by revenge any longer. …Saying it out loud, it sounds like an excuse.”

Shailoh observed Olivier’s ever-changing expressions with curiosity. First came guilt, then sadness, and finally relief. Her face, now free from the burdens that had weighed her down, looked happier and more at ease than ever before.

“Are we… still friends?”

Sensing something in the gaze fixed on her, Olivier swallowed nervously and asked cautiously. Her face, like a child afraid of being rejected by a friend, made Shailoh chuckle softly.

“Of course. Regardless of revenge, Olivier, you’re my friend.”

“Shailoh…”

Overcome with emotion, Olivier hugged her. Awkwardly returning the embrace, Shailoh patted her friend’s back.

In a voice tinged with tears, Olivier whispered. “The future hasn’t come, and the past has passed. Even if you dream of revenge, live fully in the present. The present won’t come again. Shailoh, this is advice from a friend.”

Nodding, Shailoh left the manor.

With the help of a maid, Olivier headed to the parlor, opening the door with a tense expression. Sensing movement, a man who had been admiring the ornaments on the mantelpiece turned around and removed his hat.

“Nice to meet you, Baroness Boris. My name is Evan Diponz, who contacted you yesterday.”

“What brings you here, Lord?” Olivier clenched and unclenched her fists behind her back, managing to lift the corners of her lips.

* * *

It wasn’t until Shailoh arrived at the townhouse that she realized she was holding Olivier’s engagement invitation card. Doris, who had taken Shailoh’s coat, pulled out the card and handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

“Oh my goodness. I should have returned it.” Shailoh sighed softly as she took the card. “She’s probably meeting a guest right now, so maybe I can return it tomorrow?”

“That sounds good.”

Shrugging, Shailoh crumpled the card into her pocket.

“By the way, you have a guest today, Milady.”

“A guest?”

As Shailoh looked puzzled by Doris’s words, someone suddenly approached.

“Sasha.”

“Caleb.”

With a bright smile, Shailoh walked over and embraced him. The familiar scent of bergamot, now almost a part of her, lingered at the tip of her nose. It had been ten days since they last met.