Chapter 33: 33 Debunked Sin

Let's get rid of the High Priestess.

It was on that very night that Deanna decided to do so, after a heated argument with Kai.

"Regarding the High Priestess Saara Malice and the ladies of her court.

A thick letter from the Dark Ones. The cool, flowing handwriting was that of my mother, Elizabeth. The curt brevity of the letter shows just how angry she is.

It's not calm,......, I thought as I read through the contents.

"This is ...... out, isn't it?

In the past two and a half years, Sarra Maris has been in the position of chief consort, but in the meantime, there have been sudden changes in the king, and she has been involved in a number of frauds, like a thief in the fire.

Embezzlement of public funds, privatization of the palace, arbitrary appointments. If that was all, there was no need to show mercy to the head mistress, who had done so much wrong that the Cresta family was furious.

At breakfast the next day, I told Rita and all the maids of honor about the chief's behavior and told them that I would soon have her dismissed from her post. Although Deanna didn't give any instructions, Yuri and the other courtesans were able to control the rumors at will, and secretly spread the "bad news about the lady-in-chief". Now, only a few of the ladies and maids are really whispering about it. The maidservants of the Red Rose are not the most prominent type, but many of them have been working as maidservants since they were young, and they know how to get along in the royal court.

Three days later. After examining the evidence gathered by the capable Darkness, Deanna was thinking about her next move. As usual, the maids of honor are busy, and Rita is currently the next in line.

(I'd like to disqualify the headmistress ...... and have her dismissed from the service at the very least. But in order to do that, you need to let His Majesty know what she's done.

The only reason the High Commissioner is still alive and kicking is because of the protection of those further up the ladder.

The current Minister of the Interior, the Marquis of Landreth, Liliane's father. Circumstantial evidence suggests that this is the case, but there is no proof to back it up. As long as the Marquis of Landrose is protecting the Master-in-Chief, even if he were to give information through proper channels, it would surely be suppressed somewhere. Deanna was convinced of this.

(If you have any physical evidence, you can ...... go after the Chiefess, the Marquis of Landrose, and even the Peony Master at once.

In addition, there are concerns about who will take over after the headmistress is gone. Those currently in the position of Master-in-Charge are generally too young and inexperienced to become Master-in-Charge. Elizabeth and Edward are currently running around looking for a suitable person, but the honest truth is that it is difficult to find such an outstanding person who can overcome this situation of internal and external troubles.

The problems are piling up. I crossed my arms and reached for my tea.

"Dear Deanna, it's Rita. May I have a word with you?

A voice came from behind the door. Rita came in, looking somewhat confused.

"Rita, what's wrong?

Mia, the ...... lady-in-waiting is here to see you.

"Mia?

I briefly recalled the report that I had memorized. In the palace, she is the chieftain's right-hand man, and she was probably sent to spy on and supervise the Red Rose. His family was also a member of the radical "conservative" faction, and it was reported that he was favored by the High Priestess for that reason.

But.

"Yeah, Mia, right. ....... All right, let me through.

Dear Deanna, can I...?

No. Rita, you stay behind the door. If everything goes well, we'll let you in.

Okay.

Rita stepped back and returned a few moments later with Mia. Deanna watched in silence as she sat in her writing chair.

Rita stepped back as she had planned.

"Help me, Red Rose!

I half expected it, but she got down on her knees on the floor. Deanna didn't say a word, she just looked down at her.

I'd rather be kicked out of the palace.　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"...... Why?

I ask quietly.

I have all the evidence I need to prove what you've been doing. You've embezzled public funds, you've appropriated equipment in the palace. I've also had a hard time with the weaker ladies and maids.

Mia remained on her haunches, not saying a word. She knew that everything was known, and she was too afraid to speak.

But based on past cases, I don't think it's a serious enough crime to take your life. At most, you should be dismissed from your job and sent home to house arrest. I'll write a letter to His Majesty with that in mind.

I beg your pardon!　I beg you to forgive me for that!

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

I don't care what sins you can invent. "I don't care what crime you invent. Tell her so!　If I lose this job, I'll be ......!

The rest is unspeakable. When Mia finally clutched at Deanna's leg and began to sob, Deanna's expectations were confirmed.

"Yes, I know, Mia.

She got out of the chair quickly and hugged Mia's shoulders. As she patted her back slowly, Mia's breathing calmed down.

"Are you okay?

"Hey, Red Rose...

'I don't really like that name, do you?'

Chuckling, he helped Mia to her feet and led her to the sofa. Once there, he opened the door and asked Rita to make some tea. She turned around and met Mia's eyes, as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

Giggling, Deanna sat down in front of Mia.

You look surprised.

"No, I'm not.

It's okay. It's written all over your face.

When Mia's gaze fell, Deanna spoke quietly.

It's harder than you think to be the bad guy all the time, isn't it?

"Well...

"You're the right hand of the High Priestess. A lackey. You are useful to the chief maidservant and her fellow maidservants, but you are hated by the good maidservants and maidservants. ...... That was the first piece of information that came to me about you.

It's not information, it's ...... fact.

Yeah. If you only look at one side.

I'm not sure if it was Deanna's words that caught her attention, but Mia raised her gaze slightly.

I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this.

"...... Yes.

You were a part of it. Sometimes you took the lead.

...... That's right.

Mia looked up. Her eyes were strong.

I'm guilty of that, too. I have been guilty of mocking them, throwing sand at them, beating them with fans.

"Yeah. I heard some of them quit their jobs because of it.

Yes. So, my dear Red Rose.

One of them and I had a talk the other night.

You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. There is nothing intimidating about it, but Mia is speechless.

She knew who the fairy was, you know.

"Oh, no...

She said she saw it by accident. --In the middle of the night, she saw you placing a potion in front of an injured maid's room.

--The bullying was getting worse at the time. At the time, when the bullying was getting worse, there was a strange phenomenon that fairies appeared in the palace and gave medicines and bandages to the injured. Yuri didn't like to talk about such things, but Lurie was well versed in the affairs and gossip of the inner palace, and she told me about it as soon as I asked her.

And just yesterday, Edward found out the identity of the fairy and sent me a scribble.

"It's actually difficult for a person with a conscience to play the bad guy. --There's always someone watching.

"...... I threw it away, sir. I'm just the hand and foot of the Matriarch, that's all.

If you really had no conscience, you wouldn't have sacrificed your own life to protect your family.

I'll tell you plainly. Mia's expression tightened.

"How far are you from ......?

"Mia, I know it's hard to mend your ways in front of me, but you're not a very good actor. If you really want me to execute you, you'd have to come stabbing at me with a hidden knife. If you come straight to me with a plea in a time of need, I'll want to help you no matter what.

We're mean, you know.

We're mean." said Deanna with a chuckle. Mia turned pale.

"What are you going to do with me, ......?

"Oh, did I misunderstand you?

You've misunderstood me, haven't you?

It was Rita who interjected in a dumbfounded voice. I'm sorry, Mia.

"I'm sorry, Mia. I'm sorry, Mia, but with Deanna's face like that, it's hard not to misunderstand what she said.

Rita, that's very rude.

Please shut up, Deanna. You should shut up, Deanna. The Cresta family has always been known to misunderstand people when they open their mouths.

"So I've been telling you for a while, we're not very happy about this, you know.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

"Gosh, misunderstanding ......?

"Hmm?　Oh, I'm sorry Mia. Would you like some tea?

What do you mean, "misunderstanding"?

Mia stood up abruptly and Rita tried to calm her down.

"Calm down, Mia. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it.

Oh, so you misunderstood me?

If she smiled at me with a face that looked like she was thinking of something bad, and said, 'You're so mean,' of course she would think that.

"Well..., that's disheartening.

Seeing Deanna's half-hearted indignation, Mia once again makes a 'hello ghost' face.

"Dear Deanna, .......

"What?

The Cresters are ...... the dark lords who control all the evil in the kingdom.

"No, it's not.

Mia clucked her lips. It seems that she is so surprised that she can't even speak.

Chuckling, Diana continued.

I know it's hard to believe, but... I know it's hard to believe, but we've had this face for generations. I know you don't believe me, but we've had this face for generations.

Is that true?

I'm not lying, okay?　Now it's up to Mia to believe the rumors or to believe us.

I'm not lying. I'm not lying.

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I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

I can't believe it. ......

I know, right?

But after all we've been through, I honestly don't think Deanna is a bad person...

Oh, I'm flattered.

Deanna sipped her tea leisurely. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you have.

"Master Diana. If you're not trying to intimidate me, why are you telling me about my family?

You're embezzling public funds and personalizing equipment for the benefit of your family, the Viscounts of Mertroix, right?　The management of the Viscount's estate is very strict and life was very difficult even before you went to work. However, the standard of living has been gradually improving since the appointment of the current queen consort. --The money that was obtained from selling off your embezzled public money and personal equipment was transferred to the Viscount Meltrois family to support the family's lifestyle.

Mia's gaze and shoulders slumped. Perhaps she had hit the nail on the head.

Mia's reputation was not good. She had a bad reputation, especially in the social circles of the innovators and in the court.

But only one. Dualis was the only one who had investigated and questioned the operations of her family's estate, the Viscountcy of Mertroix.

She had been working as a lady-in-waiting since the time of the previous chieftain, but judging from the state of the estate's management, it was only after the current chieftain was appointed that she started selling to her family. I'm not sure what to make of this.

This is what Dualis wrote in his report. A note from Edward this morning. And Mia's attitude towards Deanna.

Judging from the totality, the truth will come out.

"This is just my imagination, but... I'm just guessing, but I'm guessing that you were told about the state of your family's home by the chief of staff, and that she offered to help you.　And after she received a large sum of money and sent it all to her parents' house, she found out that it was embezzled public funds.

That's .......

When you learned the truth, you might have protested to the headmistress. But in the end, you chose to obey her. You thought that if you stayed with the headmistress, you would be able to help your family in their time of need.

"That's right.

Mia spun her words quietly and heavily. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

"The Meltrois territory is part of a region with poor weather conditions. With little rain and no rivers, they suffer from water and food shortages year round.

I know. The southernmost part of the country. It's one of the few exceptions to the rule in our water-rich country.

The people of the land were poor. When I was a child, I forced myself to accompany my grandfather on his rounds of the territory, and I saw firsthand the suffering of the people. When I was a child, I forced myself to accompany my grandfather on his patrols of the estate, and I saw their suffering. ...... I also saw my grandfather helplessly lamenting that he could do nothing for his people.

I have heard that the previous Viscount de Mertrois was a man of great character. I've heard that the last Viscount Meltrois was a man of great character, who worked hard for his people despite the fact that many people pointed the finger at him.

"My grandfather would have loved to hear that.

Mia muttered sadly. Rita turned her worried eyes to Mia.

After my grandfather died and my father took over, things got even tougher. My father felt that my grandfather, who was laughed at by others, was a miserable man, and he focused on socializing rather than doing anything for the people of the land, which accelerated the poverty. I decided to go into the service of the royal court to help the people in any way I could.

...... But the wages of the ladies were not enough to save your ailing estate?

Yes. And then the headmistress was replaced, and Master Saara became the new headmistress.

Mia's eyes wavered painfully. You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"...... So, the headmistress found out about your situation, right?

"Yes. At first, she smiled kindly and said encouragingly, 'You're doing well.

Oh, yes.

"Eventually, he said, 'You are the descendant of a knight who was very active in the Azure Civil War, aren't you?　It hurts my heart to see such a family suffering. Please let me help you.' He began to offer me ...... money several times. The truth is, at that time, I was secretly wondering. I wondered where she got such a large amount of money from.

The secret was revealed when they were shown the Chief Matriarch's hidden account book.

Mia was on the verge of tears. Deanna slowly rubbed her back.

That's when you found out about the embezzlement of public funds, right?

"Yes. I also found out that the money I was sending to my parents' house was for Her Majesty and the Queen,......, and my eyes went black.

That's true. Before I knew it, I had become a criminal.

"I was stunned," said Sarla. I was stunned, but Sarla told me that if I worked for him, I could bring more money and goods to my family. I could not resist the temptation .......

I'm sorry," Mia cried. Deanna rubbed her back and spoke to her.

I know. When your eyes are dark and your helplessness is so painful, you want to cling to it when it offers you a way out of it. No matter how bad it is.

"I knew it was wrong. I knew it was wrong. I knew it was wrong, and I was going to bear it alone if it ever came to light. I didn't want my family or my people to suffer too much.

That's why you came to me. To protect your family, to protect your people.

My father doesn't know anything. I've heard that the condition of the estate has improved thanks to my insistence on spending the money on the estate's management. This is all my decision. Please let me be the only one to blame. Please don't let this happen to my family.

Pity Mia's desperate plea. She doesn't know. She doesn't know that the Cresta family investigated and revealed the sins of the Viscount de Mertroix.

The cruel truth. But if she doesn't tell him now, she'll be wrong. Deanna made up her mind.

"Mia. I'm afraid I can't do that.

Why not?

Because your father knows about your sins.

I whispered quietly, heavily.

The expression slipped from Mia's face.

"...... is a lie.

It's not a lie. Your father knew that the money you sent him was so-called 'slush fund'. He hid the fact that he knew, didn't admonish you, and continued to receive the money.

That's a lie!

Grabbing at Deanna, Mia was furious. She put her hand on Mia's shoulder, restraining Rita from moving reflexively.

It's not true!　I didn't say anything to my father!

"No, you didn't tell him anything. You didn't tell him anything, but your youngest brother, who works in the inner administration office, was aware of what you did.

Mia's eyes widened.

"Claude is ......?

You were very young when you came to the palace, weren't you?　After graduating from the academy, he volunteered to become an official and now works in the Internal Affairs Office. While working in the Internal Affairs Office, he became aware of the embezzlement of public funds by the lady-in-chief of the Inner Palace and learned that some of the money was going to his own family. He advised his father to remonstrate with his sister immediately.

"...... Oh, no.

I checked with him.

Claude, Mia's lips moved soundlessly. Deanna continued in a voice devoid of emotion.

"Your father was angry. If he hadn't asked where the money had come from, he would have been able to ignore it, but now he wanted to expose his own family's misdeeds.

Perhaps Viscount Mertroix was aware of this. Common sense would have told him that the money his daughter frequently sent him was a large sum of money that she, a mere courtesan, could not possibly raise. Any decent parent would have asked her where it came from.

Her father scolded her, and her brother was troubled. But in the end, he too decided to hide the evidence.

"...... Why?

Mia, for the same reason you did.

"Even if it's a slush fund, if it makes people's lives easier.

That's what he said. That's how much the people of the viscounty are suffering.

I'm guilty of something I didn't even know Claude was guilty of.

That's not all. The money you've been embezzling hasn't been used for the good of the people after all.

"...... What?

Finally, Mia's hand relaxed. Rita rushed over to her.

"Dear Diana, that's enough.

"No, it's not. Mia needs to know. It is our duty as nobles.

"...... What do you mean?

Shivering, Mia still asked Deanna. Catching her gaze, Deanna told her.

"It's a paper lie that the management of Viscount Meltrois has improved. Probably to convince you and Claude to keep sending money.

...... Are you sure?

I have it on good authority.

There are people living in the underworld all over the kingdom. The Cresters, with their help, have an information network that covers the entire kingdom. You don't need to ride a horse to get a picture of your destination.

She could sense that Deanna was not lying. Mia finally slipped off the couch. Rita is supporting her, but she seems to be losing strength.

...... No wonder. She now knew that the sins she had committed were completely meaningless.

For the Cresta family, it is just a common reality. It is quite common to find courtesans embezzling public funds and selling them to their own families to line their own pockets. In this investigation, many similar families were found.

But when you add the fact that the courtesan was fully aware of her sinfulness and still chose to do evil for the sake of her people, the truth becomes so much more brutal.

In the tense silence, Mia's lips moved.

......, please.

"Mia?

Kill me, Master Diana. I'm a great sinner. Please .......

A weak voice. Deanna shook her head slowly.

I told you before.　I can't do that.

Why ......?

Because your heart is hard to find.

He gently took Mia's hand. Mia's head shot up slightly.

What you did was wrong. No matter how painful, if you truly care for your people, you should not have reached out to do evil.

"...... Yes.

"But, Mia. You are definitely a nobleman for risking your life for your people, for your family, and for me. Just like your grandfather.

You can't kill someone with such a noble heart.

The moment I told her, she broke down in tears.

"I, I, I made a mistake. I've sinned. ......!

"Who doesn't make mistakes? If you've sinned, you'll pay for it.

If my sins come to light, the Viscount de Mertroix is finished. I'll lose my job. How will I pay?

Don't worry. I can protect you and Claude.

Diana assured him. Mia, who had been crying wetly, looked up.

How can I ......

"Mia, help me. Let's end your suffering.

I shoot Mia straight in the face.

She nodded her head.

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