Chapter 114: The Fate of the One Who Tried to Cut Open the Golden Goose
by rosalie“It wasn’t me, Your Majesty!”
Count Willem bowed deeply.
“Willem, what was the reason for carrying out such a reckless act?”
“I apologize, but I was unaware of this matter.”
“The Finance Minister claims ignorance? And how could such a critical issue proceed without any report to me?”
“Percy Cornwell, the newly appointed Count and Inspector, claimed to have received reliable information from a distinguished individual… I trusted his words and granted permission. That was my mistake. I am deeply sorry.”
The emperor, looking down at the white-haired count who was bowing his head, stood up and approached him.
“Percy Cornwell?”
“He is the elder brother of Her Highness the Crown Princess, and was recently granted the title of Count.”
“The Crown Princess’s brother? Why was he suddenly put in charge of inspections?”
“That… that is…”
“Are the Crown Princess’s family members already trying to seize power?”
“My apologies. The truth is, the informant was Her Highness the Crown Princess herself… I believed the information to be credible, which was my mistake.”
Willem bowed even lower.
“Ha.”
The emperor rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh. He leaned back deeply into his chair after sitting down at his desk again.
“Immediately apprehend Percy Cornwell, hold him accountable, and banish him to his territory. I will also issue a decree prohibiting members of the Cornwell family from entering the capital for the time being.”
“As you command.”
The emperor, still displeased as he looked at the count bowing before him, gave a somewhat softened order.
“You may raise your head now. If Baron Graham files a complaint, grant him whatever he wishes. Summon the Crown Princess as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And Count Willem, you will also submit a written explanation of the events.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
＊
Cornwell stormed into the Butterfly Palace with hurried steps, unable to hide his tense and scrunched-up expression.
Unfortunately for him, an unexpected figure was present at the palace.
“Oh, Count Cornwell.”
It was Crown Prince Arthur who greeted Cornwell, who froze in place, unable to step further inside.
“Y-Your Highness.”
“Brother?”
Rosetta, who had been enjoying tea with the Crown Prince, recognized her brother and greeted him with a radiant smile.
“What brings you here, Count Cornwell? You seem to be in quite a rush.”
“I have urgent matters to discuss with Her Highness the Crown Princess…”
“Even if you are the Crown Princess’s family, you cannot simply barge into her quarters without permission.”
“That… that is…”
Cornwell, his pupils shaking, bit his lip as he made eye contact with Rosetta.
“Arthur, it’s alright. I’d like to speak with my brother.”
Rosetta took Arthur’s hand, a gesture seeking his permission.
Arthur’s gaze shifted from Cornwell to Rosetta. Though his eyes remained smiling, his grip on Rosetta’s hand tightened.
“I’m not okay with it.”
“Arthur?”
Ignoring Rosetta’s call, Arthur commanded Cornwell.
“Would you kindly leave, Count Cornwell?”
The chill in Arthur’s words sent a shiver down Cornwell’s spine.
“…….”
“Before I have someone drag you out?”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness.”
With no choice but to comply, Cornwell awkwardly retreated from the Butterfly Palace. However, as soon as he stepped outside, he was apprehended by the Imperial Guards waiting alongside Willem.
“Let me go! Finance Minister, please speak to His Highness the Crown Prince! Didn’t you personally issue the official document permitting the audit?”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Are you trying to pin this on me? I know nothing of the sort!”
“Th-that can’t be…”
“I merely issued a formal request for cooperation in the tax investigation! If you don’t want to add forgery of official documents to your list of crimes, you’d better keep quiet.”
The Finance Minister’s sudden change in attitude left Cornwell utterly devastated.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Try to understand. This is a direct order from His Majesty the Emperor. As of now, the Cornwell family is banned from entering the capital.”
“What?”
“You’ve been exiled.”
“Aah.”
Cornwell’s body went limp as the Imperial Guards held him by both arms. Then, as if realizing the gravity of the situation, he began screaming at the top of his lungs.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess! Your Highness! This is unfair! You were the one who provided the information! Your Highness!”
The man’s desperate cries and the sound of footsteps echoed clearly, reaching both Arthur and Rosetta. Rosetta furrowed her brows as she sat beside Arthur.
“Arthur, why is my brother being taken away? What happened with the Graham family?”
“……”
Arthur remained silent, sipping his tea with an expressionless face, as if savoring its aroma.
“Arthur?”
“What have you done, Rosetta?”
“What? Didn’t you tell me to speak to Count Willem if I needed anything…?”
“I told you to speak, not to cause trouble.”
Arthur smiled faintly, glancing at Count Willem, who had just entered the Butterfly Palace.
“It seems Count Willem has something to say. Go on, Rosetta. I’ll stay here and enjoy my tea.”
“……”
Despite Rosetta’s uneasy gaze, Arthur maintained his gentle smile as she escorted out of the Butterfly Palace. Even as she followed Willem out, Rosetta kept glancing back. When the doors finally closed behind her, Arthur’s artificially raised lips twisted into a sinister grin.
“This is quite troublesome… I had high hopes for you, Rosetta.”
＊
Following the results of the tax investigation, the Graham family filed an appeal, and the emperor promptly demanded that the imperial newspapers issue a correction. He even sent a handwritten letter.
[To Baron Douglas Graham, who has been a steadfast pillar of the empire as an honest taxpayer, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Though I wish to return the excess taxes in full, I fear it may disrupt the imperial finances. In recognition of the baron’s contributions, particularly his substantial payment of military taxes on behalf of impoverished citizens, I hereby bestow upon him the title of Count and grant my personal territory as his new county. I hope you will accept this honor graciously.]
“That’s wonderful news.”
“Yes, congratulations!”
Xavier and I stayed at the Graham estate for a few days, worried about my parents, instead of returning to the ducal residence.
“Thank you. It seems His Majesty felt apologetic and decided to show his favor to our family.”
Later, I learned that the personal territory granted to the Graham family by the emperor was a prime piece of land, a fertile granary region.
“Thank you, my dear son-in-law. It’s all thanks to the duke’s meticulous efforts.”
“It’s because Father-in-law has accumulated great virtue.”
“Such elegant words, our Xavier.”
My mother clasped her hands together, beaming with joy.
She seemed utterly delighted.
Since this incident, my parents had been openly showing their excessive fondness for Xavier.
“He’s so handsome. So smart. So kind-hearted. And even has a great physique! He’s perfect!”
“Thank you, Mother-in-law.”
Mother, please. You’re embarrassing me.
Feeling my face flush, I grabbed Xavier’s arm.
“Mother, Father, we should head back now. We’ve left the ducal residence unattended for too long.”
“Yes, you should go.”
“Right.”
Though they said so, their disappointment was evident in their expressions.
“We’ll visit again soon.”
“Yes. Let’s all go on a trip together next time.”
Xavier suggested a family trip without a hint of hesitation.
“A trip sounds wonderful. Next time, it would be nice for the five of us to go together.”
“Dear!”
Even as my mother scolded my father, her face was filled with anticipation.
“Yes. I’ll do my best.”
“Xavier!”
What does he mean by that? He says the most outrageous things in front of my parents.
Knowing exactly what ‘doing his best’ entailed, my cheeks turned bright red.
“Hahaha, our Yuria seems embarrassed.”
“Hahaha. Indeed.”
“She looks adorable to me.”
Unfazed, Xavier added another strange comment.
My mother, who had been laughing along, stepped closer to us. She took my hands in hers, gently holding them as she spoke.
“Yuria, I’m on your side. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to tell us, alright?”
“…Yes, Mother.”
Mother.
Though I couldn’t even remember the face of my mother from before I transmigrated, just hearing the word made me feel nostalgic.
Now, no matter what anyone said, the blonde woman in front of me was my mother.
My mother’s gaze shifted from me to Xavier.
“Xavier.”
“Yes, Mother-in-law.”
“Lower your head for a moment.”
“…Pardon?”
Surprised by the unexpected request, Xavier stiffened. Nevertheless, he obediently lowered his head toward my mother.
I watched nervously, wondering what she was up to. To my astonishment, my mother began stroking Xavier’s glossy black hair.
“Good boy. Our dear Xavier, you’ve grown up so well on your own.”
“!”
Xavier’s teal eyes widened in shock. Yet, he didn’t shy away from her touch.
Smiling warmly, my mother gently brushed his bangs to the side.
“It must have been so hard for you. But you’ve grown up so wonderfully. Thank you, and I’m so proud of you. As I’ve said before, Duke Xavier Auguste is also our son.”
“Mother-in-law…”
“You can lift your head now.”
As Xavier slowly straightened his back, I looked at his face. His expression, slightly flushed, was different from his usual demeanor.
“Call it foolish sentimentality if you want. But if the late Grand Duchess Auguste were here, she would’ve said the same thing as me.”
“…Thank you.”
Xavier’s voice quivered slightly.
＊
After Count Cornwell’s exile, Rosetta remained confined to the Butterfly Palace, reflecting on the events of that day with a shudder.
“Why didn’t Arthur help me? What about the Graham family? And why did he do nothing when my brother was banished?”
She abruptly sat up in bed.
That day, Rosetta had followed Count Willem to none other than the emperor’s office.
Arthur’s father, the emperor, had never been particularly fond of her from the start.
‘Because Arthur loves you, I accepted you as the Crown Princess. But I will not tolerate any more trouble. Live quietly, like a mouse. If you cause any more disturbances, I will not hold back.’
To think he said such things to me with a face identical to Arthur’s!
Rosetta had stormed out of the Butterfly Palace in her thin indoor dress, not even bothering to change into proper attire.
“Your Highness! You can’t go out like this!”
“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”
Ignoring the maids calling after her, Rosetta marched forward without hesitation or fear.
She soon arrived at the main palace and called out loudly for Arthur.
“Arthur! Arthur! Where are you?”
“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”
“You can’t go in right now!”
Despite the attendants’ attempts to stop her, Rosetta pushed open the Crown Prince’s door.
“Arthur?”
But Arthur wasn’t there.
Looking around, Rosetta remembered the rear garden.
Stepping out through the back entrance of the palace, she found herself in the expansive garden. The unusual weather had left the flowers and trees not just lush but almost overwhelming.
It didn’t take long for Rosetta to spot Arthur. His silver hair gleamed brightly among the vibrant red flowers.
“Arthur!”
Rosetta’s hurried steps slowed as she approached.
He wasn’t alone.
Beside him stood a woman she recognized.