I sat on the edge of the bed, surrounded by four people.
If it were the old me, I would have shrunk back and not even been able to lift my head. But I straightened my back, summarized the key points of Anastasia's story, and spoke.
They all had grim expressions, and the silence that followed made me take the initiative.
"I understand what my sister said. As you, Lord Cyrus, pointed out... indeed, my father is a criminal."
"..."
"The charges include forgery of official documents... having important documents signed by someone else without proper authorization, which amounts to dereliction of duty as a lord. Mismanagement of the estate and neglect of the people, failure to provide welfare. In short, negligence in the duties of a lord—put simply, a tax thief, right?"
Mrs. Ryu-Ryu let out a chuckle, more out of exasperation than mockery.
"Sure enough. I thought you might have said something about the abuse of your sisters and me."
"Even that is not acceptable. No matter what the reason."
Mio countered, and I nodded.
"Yes, that's true. Until I came to this castle, I believed that all of my father's insults and neglect were my fault. I believed that I was ugly, that I lacked charm—because I was told so and believed it."
"That's a lie. The baron deprived his daughters of their 'value as women' to make them study and work. Once he realized they had excellent potential, he insulted them as incompetent and useless to prevent them from leaving home."
Mrs. Ryu-Ryu bit her nails.
"That's worse than just hating and abusing them. What do you think children are...!"
"I thought I was just helping with household chores and my father's work because I was useless. I believed my father was a fine lord and I was just being taken care of..."
Wolfgang, after a brief apology, handed over a thick stack of papers.
"I have investigated the Shadaran estate's regular income and expenses over the past twenty years. Fourteen years ago, when Lady Sasha was alive, it was in the black. Immediately after that, it fell into the red. The cause was likely the development of science after the war, which led to the flourishing of secondary and tertiary industries, and a sharp decline in the prices of primary products like wheat and beef."
"Well, that's unavoidable. Every farming village is struggling, and many nobles are in a panic."
"However, Lord Gregor Shadaran's only response was to double the tax rate. The result was counterproductive, with farmers leaving the land, a decrease in population, and a worsening deficit. Despite borrowing from the state to turn things around, he did nothing to improve the situation and just spent the money..."
Mio took over from Wolfgang, flipping through the papers.
"However, about six years ago, things gradually improved. By attracting immigrants from other countries, the labor force and tax base increased. At the same time, through careful diplomacy and negotiations with their home countries, cheaper raw materials were imported and higher prices were secured for exports, establishing trade routes. While the estate is not yet in the black, the debt is being repaid. The state is now monitoring the situation, recognizing that the lord is finally doing his job."
Not knowing how to respond, I tentatively raised my hand.
"Um... I think that was probably... me..."
"Yes. I have verified the documents stored at the embassy. The documents written in foreign languages, though signed by Gregor Shadaran, were all written in Lady Marie's handwriting."
"Everything?"
Anastasia's voice was shrill. I had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still surprised me, and I let out a deep sigh.
"I am sorry. I did not know that impersonating family members was a crime. I thought it was wrong, but..."
"Marie is not to blame. She was forced to do this work from the age of twelve. She could not have known it was a crime if no one taught her, and even if she did know, she would not have been in a position to refuse."
Lord Cyrus defended me. I turned to face him directly.
"Yes. To be honest, I do not feel any fault on my part. But will I still be punished?"
"No way!"
"No way!"
The Granado mother and son spoke in unison.
"Such injustice cannot stand! Not just for you, but for the sake of justice, as a human being, I will protect you by any means necessary."
"Actually, we've already taken action. We had the baron's and Marie's handwriting analyzed and determined that Marie had no intention of mimicking the baron's handwriting. Considering her age at the time, it's clear that the baron was at fault for not applying for a proxy. No need to worry!"
"Regarding the estate's poor management, we have documented the decline during the baron's tenure and the improvement since you took over. If you were to be blamed, it would mean that Dilts has no justice. I would go into exile with the Granado Company to Ips!"
Their high-energy declarations brought a sense of déjà vu, and I couldn't help but laugh. I bowed deeply and thanked them.
"So, what will happen to my father's crimes? While it was wrong to force his duties on his daughter without proper authorization, if the estate has recovered, will the Shadaran family be forgiven?"
The four of them exchanged glances, their expressions suggesting they knew the answer. I sighed again.
"---If I return home, that is..."
"Yes. It all depends on your decision."
Lord Cyrus said, his stern brows contrasting with his gentle gaze, calmly supporting my feelings.
"Being incompetent as a noble is a serious crime. It's beyond the scope of ordinary criminal law, but the neglect of duty and the suffering of the people are far worse than embezzlement. It's tantamount to murder. ...In the past, it would have been a beheading, and the family would have been crucified by the people..."
"I don't think it will come to that after the war, but..."
Mrs. Ryu-Ryu, perhaps considering my feelings, spoke in a light tone.
"But the family will likely be dissolved. If the estate cannot be managed, a replacement will have to be appointed for the people's sake. Naturally, the estate and title will be taken away."
"---Do you wish that, Marie?"
...I hesitated to answer.
"If you wish, all the darkness of the Shadaran family can be erased. Abuse is a crime only if reported by the victim, and the lack of proxy application can be excused as an oversight, with a fine. If you return home or continue to serve the Shadaran estate from this castle, the baron can continue his life as before.
If you wish, Gregor's head can be taken. ...For six years, it was all the work of a child, while the baron was just an incompetent exploiter, guilty of dereliction of duty, child labor, and abuse. We have confirmed that he lived in luxury while his family and the people suffered. He has no right to be a lord or a father. It is easier to punish than to help."
"...If the family is dissolved, what will happen to the people?"
"The state will take over the estate or give it to another noble to manage. Your six-year-old brother will be protected here."
"What about Mother?"
Lord Cyrus fell silent and looked at Anastasia. I felt the same way. Deciding on Mother's fate should be up to my sister.
But Anastasia asked a different question, raising her hand slightly and tilting her head.
"Hey, there's something that's been bothering me... Can I ask?"
"Go ahead."
"I understand that Marie worked very hard while Father was lazy. But it seems a bit extreme. ...Managing an estate and making business decisions are difficult, but why couldn't he even write documents himself?"
I tilted my head, realizing she had a point. Accounting involves just calculating and writing numbers, and letters and orders can be written in legible handwriting. It's a task a twelve-year-old could do.
A noble adult, granted a baron's title, should be capable of such tasks...
When I turned to Cyrus and the others for their opinion, they had a complex look on their faces, as if the situation was so absurd it was almost funny.
Lord Cyrus pressed his brow and groaned in a low voice.
"Yes, that is the most serious crime. We cannot allow the baron to attend the engagement ceremony."
"In fact, that's why he's not coming."
Mio, with her usual expressionless face, shrugged as if it were absurd.
"He has been ignoring repeated summonses, and it is now clear. If he were to show up at the engagement ceremony, it would not only affect Lady Marie but also the reputation of the Granado family."
"...I want to respect Marie's decision, including this."
Lord Cyrus seemed determined to stand by this stance.
"Whether you cannot let go of family ties, want a place to return to in a pinch, or wish to avenge years of resentment in the most cruel way possible. Whatever choice you make, the Granado family will make it happen. We will do whatever it takes to ensure your will is carried out.
I have the power to do this, and it is your power. Use it without hesitation.
---Tell me what you want, Marie. Speak your mind, and let your words reflect your will."
...Perhaps this was his atonement.
I closed my eyes and reflected on the past.
Three months ago... my eighteenth birthday... the countless misunderstandings and miscommunications that began that day. Because of them, we have both suffered greatly.
Cyrus Granado is not a perfect man, but he is a great one.
He is not afraid to take risks, and he listens to criticism, regardless of the source. He tries to have discussions and align opinions. Through this, everyone moves forward together.
Looking back, it has always been this way. He was always feeling his way, drawing out even the smallest whims from me, who didn't know my likes and dislikes or what I wanted.
He gave me gentle love without demanding anything from me, even though I could have done whatever I wanted.
It feels like a long, unnecessary detour, but it was a necessary and indispensable part of the journey.
"To be honest... I still cannot fully grasp the truth. Accepting what Lord Cyrus and the others say and demanding harsh punishment for the villains would be no different from before."
I straightened my back, took a deep breath, and clearly expressed my will.
"I want to see my parents with my own eyes, reassess the truth, and make a decision. Then I will give them the punishment they deserve.
I will go to the Shadaran estate. Please lend me a fast horse and strong people to drag my parents out of the house."
"Wait, you're going to storm the place?"
Anastasia sounded excited.
Mrs. Ryu-Ryu laughed, and Mio and Wolfgang started playing rock-paper-scissors.
Lord Cyrus stood up, his stern brows playfully raised, his eyes sparkling like a little boy's.