TWMP 91

Chapter 91

“Welcome Home.”

Heidi’s face turned pale at Crocan’s words.

Seeing her horrified expression, as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard, Crocan gave a gentle smile and said:

“Of course, I don’t mean you must tell him right away. You’ll need time as well.”

“W-What are you saying…?”

“I only wish for my daughter to return safely to Xeros.”

Rebellia Piace, safely returning to Xeros?
Lies!

Meeting Crocan’s gaze, Heidi let out a hollow laugh.

“Your Excellency, I think it’s better if you don’t lie.”

“….”

“You’ve never once thought about how Lady Rebellia could safely return to Xeros, have you?”

“….”

“What you’ve always thought about is how you could have her killed without dirtying your own hands. That’s why you asked me to do it, isn’t it?”

Heidi spat her words with all the mockery she could muster.

But Crocan’s face remained calm—almost pitying—as he looked at her.

“Oh dear… it seems you don’t remember that situation very well, Lady. I’m sorry, but the one who wanted to kill my daughter… wasn’t me. It was you.”

“W-What are you talking about…!”

“You refused when I said I’d tell His Highness the Crown Prince the truth and save Rebellia. You said it wasn’t certain that the Grand Duke of Esperos had kidnapped her—and that, for the sake of good relations between our two nations, it would be better not to. Didn’t you say that with your own lips?”

“…”

“You said there could even be war. So you declared that Rebellia Piace should die as Heidi Elliana.”

Heidi’s eyes widened, her tongue tied.

It was true—she had said that.

But back then, it was…

“B-But you agreed with me then! You said sacrificing hundreds, even thousands of lives to save Lady Rebellia’s one life wasn’t right!”

“Yes, I did. But when I said I’d seek help from a Count, what did you say then? You refused, because you feared it would cause strife in your own family.”

“….”

“To me, that child was family.”

At Crocan’s cold reply, Heidi bit her lip hard.

…I’ve been played.

The more she thought about it, the clearer it became.

Back then, Crocan had also wanted Rebellia dead—but he had twisted her words, making her carry all the blame.

She had been too shaken then to realize his scheme.

But no more. I won’t be used anymore.

Heidi drew a deep breath, lifting her chin in determination.

“If my words hurt you, I apologize. But I don’t want you calling me for matters like this again.”

“….”

“In the end, Your Excellency agreed and decided with me, did you not? I will no longer be used in your affairs.”

She bowed lightly, then turned away.

Yes… I can do this. As long as I don’t let him see me as weak.

Her heart trembled with fear, but also a strange relief. For the first time, she had resisted him.

As she reached for the doorknob, Crocan’s voice came from behind:

“Even if I tell His Highness the Crown Prince of your words—your decision won’t change?”

“Yes. You may tell him. His Highness will believe my words over yours.”

Crocan narrowed his eyes.

“…So you mean to say I’d be lying just to divide you and His Highness?”

“If you don’t intend to stir trouble between us, then I won’t either. That seems like a fair deal, doesn’t it?”

“Hahaha!”

Crocan suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Heidi’s face twisted in anger.

“What are you laughing at…?”

“You’re right. Lady Heidi Elliana—the flower of Xeros, beautiful and beloved.”

“….”

“So even if I only speak the truth, there’s no guarantee His Highness will believe me over you.”

His smiling face filled Heidi with unease.

Then, covering the gemstone on his eyepatch with his hand, he said:

“If this Remstone weren’t also a recording crystal…”

…What?

Crocan met her frozen stare and continued:

“Every word and action you’ve shown me is recorded in this stone. Even what you just said a moment ago.”

“Th-That’s impossible…!”

Crocan removed his eyepatch and held the Remstone before her.

Inside the glowing crystal, a tiny vision of herself appeared—her own lips moving.

‘Yes. You may tell him. His Highness will believe my words over yours.’

Her voice rang clearly in the quiet room.

Heidi’s face drained of color.

Crocan only smiled at her and asked softly:

“Well then, Lady Elliana… does it still not matter?”

Heidi bit her lip so hard it bled, her eyes filled with rage.

“I know the Marquess has never been a good father to you.”

“But I don’t want to take our relationship lightly.”

“Marry me, Rebellia.”

“I want to be your man.”

Rebellia shut her eyes tightly, leaning against the carriage window.

No matter how much she tried to stop, Calliere’s words kept echoing in her head.

“Marrying you means giving you a proper home—not just a tiny cabin. A place where you can rest without fear.”

“Of course… if that home could be one where we share the same feelings, that would be even better.”

His teasing smile had almost made her nod.

If she hadn’t met her father… if she hadn’t learned of her mother’s situation… she might have nodded, taken his hand, and accepted.

That was how tempting his proposal had been.

“I want to be your man. The one you can trust and rely on. Even if I’m not a husband, I’ll still protect you from your father.”

“Use me, Rebellia. Let me take away the burdens that weigh on your heart.”

Her heart thumped wildly at his words.

When she asked if he had known her feelings all along, he had only replied in a calm voice:

“I’m not helping you with pure intentions. I only want to carve out a place for myself in your heart.”

“You were too full of worries, so there was no space for me. So I decided—I’ll erase the things that trouble you, and then fill that empty space myself.”

“Ah! My lady, look! The Grand Duke’s castle!”

Mei’s cheerful voice broke her thoughts.

Rebellia lifted her gaze out the window.

The sun was setting behind the castle, painting it in beautiful light.

“Welcome home, Lady Rebellia.”

Mei’s bright smile warmed her heart.

Yet the pouch her father had given her still felt heavier than anything else in the world.