Chapter 47
Abelus demanded an explanation.
“Why?”
“…It wasn’t a logical decision. It was because of something Lady Calidora said.”
Abelus’ eyes widened at that.
Paulrus, who had briefly lifted his head, pressed it back down to the floor.
“She said I… wasn’t useless. That those who said otherwise were wrong. When she said that… she looked like a goddess.”
If it had been any other child, the story would have sounded unbelievable.
But with Calidora, it was different.
“And Abelnutt will only use his power to protect the goddess!”
That girl really might have said something like that.
“If what she said was truly wrong… then maybe other things I believed were wrong too.”
Paulrus was crying now.
“No, it wasn’t just because of what she said. You were already doubting. Her words merely gave you certainty.”
Abelus spoke calmly.
“I… That is…”
Paulrus gasped as though struck, but managed to speak.
“You’re right… Your words are true.”
“But that doesn’t mean anyone will forgive what you’ve done. Let me ask—why didn’t you raise your doubts sooner?”
“…”
“Were you threatened?”
Abelus’ voice was sharp, full of killing intent, as if he might rush out and execute Erasinus on the spot if the answer was yes.
But no answer came easily.
For Paulrus, it was a deeply difficult question.
Was he threatened by his father?
Yes, in a way.
But that wasn’t the whole reason. What had truly made him abandon reason and obey his father wasn’t fear.
“No… I just believed in my father.”
“Why?”
“Because… I loved him.”
With that, Paulrus collapsed in tears.
Abelus looked at his cousin, feeling a twinge of pity—but he didn’t try to comfort him.
Instead, after waiting a moment, he asked again.
“One more thing. Why did you come to me?”
“That…”
The first answer that came to mind was Calidora—because she told him to.
But for some reason, now it felt like he had to say something more fundamental.
“Because you looked like someone who understood what pride meant.”
It was a different answer from before.
Abelus, slightly surprised, responded in his usual firm tone.
“I don’t know what pride is.”
“Sorry?”
“I just make decisions in the moment. Maybe it’s not the wisest way to live. But—”
Abelus thought of someone he had opposed just hours ago—someone who lived by the exact opposite principles.
Someone who had insisted that killing a powerless child was honorable.
“At the very least, it keeps me from believing I’m wise when I’m not.”
Now that he had gotten all the information he needed, Abelus decided to leave.
He planned to speak with his uncle before dawn.
“If the way I act looked like pride to you, then I suggest you try it too.”
With that, Abelus left the study, relying only on the moonlight.
When he’d first entered the room, he had thought to coax a confession by offering leniency—but now, he no longer felt the need.
At dawn, Erasinus was escorted away by the Legion of Flame.
Somehow, overnight, the head of the household had uncovered a number of other serious crimes committed by Erasinus.
He announced them publicly to the family, which greatly diminished any lingering resentment.
“What are you talking about?! Do you even have proof?”
There were still a few who shamelessly protested.
“Geez, Nonus is so persistent…”
Erasinus himself didn’t say a single word.
“Do you understand what’s being said right now?”
The retainers looked at me with awe as I muttered to myself in the corner of the hall.
But the ruckus caused by House Erasinus didn’t last long.
“Here’s your proof.”
Ankus shoved a bunch of recovered keys in their faces.
As expected of Ankus. He found all the keys!
If we backtrack a bit, the ring had fortunately been in the care of Priestess Soshia.
When I told her that the other keys had been hidden in the corridor, she relayed that to the head’s retainers.
They had spent the entire night searching and had recovered them all.
After the criminal procession left the mansion, I slept for more than half a day in the head’s office chair.
Only in the afternoon did I wake up, and Abelus came to deliver the news.
He said the trial had been conducted in secret, with only members of the household participating.
But according to Abelus, Erasinus hadn’t said a word during the entire trial.
He neither admitted nor resisted the charges—he simply accepted the punishment as if it had nothing to do with him.
The only moment he showed real emotion was when Paulrus appeared as a witness.
“Pa–Paulrus?”
Abelus nodded casually, perched on the edge of the head’s desk.
“But… he’s his father.”
“…”
Abelus didn’t answer and changed the subject.
Paulrus was unanimously pardoned.
It was partly because he was still young, but mostly because his older siblings supported him.
At first, Nonus and Bivia had acted as though they’d die for their father. But when Paulrus began to testify, they gradually changed their stance.
“There was no coercion? Well, if that idiot said so, I guess it’s true. I mean, I do recall seeing him dunked in boiling water for a seizure treatment or something. But maybe I imagined it.”
“Father wasn’t in his right mind! Ask Mother. Don’t you think she had a reason for staying away at her family’s home for so long?”
“Why should Paulrus be punished? What would he even know?!”
“Paulrus’ only crime is having a soft heart!”
A surprised elder asked if they understood what consequences their words might bring—but once the siblings started resisting, they didn’t stop.
“But he’s your respected father!”
“Respected?”
“…”
“I never respected him.”
“I did, once.”
“All my life, I feared him.”
It was said Erasinus heard those words clearly.
“What happened to those two?”
“Nonus will enlist in the Legion of Flame, and Bivia will leave Ignitus next spring as planned.”
At some point, Ankus had entered the office and gave the explanation.
“I thought things would fall apart.”
“They’re still part of House Ignitus, and the circumstances of Erasinus’ exile haven’t been made public. Nor will they be. The Lord believes it’s best to keep this quiet—especially for your sake, my lady. He’ll explain more in detail someday.”
“Okay.”
I nodded without protest.
I trusted the Lord’s judgment. It had to be the best course of action he could come up with.
But still…
I wiped the sweat from my face and couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Abelnutt, it’s too hot…”
He had been using his authority power in the room for a while now.
Even Ankus was pressed against the cold marble pillar to cool down. And I? I was wrapped in a blanket and quilt, practically sweating to death.
“…”
Abelus looked at my flushed face and silently released his power.
“Sorry.”
No need to apologize.
His face was pale. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him for anything more.
Ankus quickly changed the subject.
“My lady, young master, it’s time. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
“Understood.”
We both nodded.
Following the family’s tradition of showing children the consequences of wrongdoing, we were headed to witness Erasinus’ exile.
The Lord had exceptionally permitted me not to go due to my condition, but I insisted.
Because I wanted to see what was going through Erasinus’ mind.
If he’s thinking anything foolish, I won’t let it slide.
