Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 109

“And another thing—I recall that you and Mary were always scheming together, yet she hasn’t begged me to save her. Doesn’t she have even the slightest sense of camaraderie?”
Sara spoke through her tears, as if offering an excuse.
“Mary said… she said that Miriam was stupid and brought that upon herself, but that she wouldn’t make such a mistake, so it’s fine. She doesn’t feel any sense of danger at all. She just… by any means necessary, she’s desperate to catch the eye of Her Highness the Empress. She doesn’t believe anything I say….”
“Whether I save you or not makes no difference to me. If anything, I’d find it rather satisfying.”
Who had opened that door? I couldn’t remember anymore.
I’d already forgotten.
Perhaps I’d left the Rose Palace without even realizing it. I glanced briefly toward the side where the second-floor terrace stood.
The Rose Palace, now rebuilt, was magnificent—so much so that nothing falling from the second or third floor would ever plummet off a terrace anymore.
White curtains hung from every open window facing the terrace, billowing in the summer breeze. It was a beautiful sight. When Titania had fallen, it must have been just as beautiful.
“You showed no pity when the Princess Titania was dying, so why should I pity you simply because your family or your village people might die in the future?”
“…….”
Within me, that young, selfish, foolish Titania stirred back to life and whispered.
Kill them all. Show no mercy. Make them scream as they watch their families die before your eyes. It was endlessly childish. It was also the voice of pure inferiority laid bare.
They had families. They had people they cherished. Why only me…….
Why only me.
Within the white curtains, the shadow of the midday sun danced each time the wind blew. Like the scream of someone dead before their time. Like the rustle of tears long since dried.
“I don’t pity you, and I don’t sympathize with you. I won’t rescue you for no reason. But it seems neither bad nor unjust to give you one chance, so that your innocent family—or your entire village where your family lived—doesn’t disappear because of your crimes.”
Sara bowed her head hurriedly.
“You’d best hope you become of great use to my affairs. I don’t trust you, and you’ll have many lives to account for.”
“I… I will do anything you ask of me!”
I gazed at the fluttering curtain and murmured to myself.
But, Titania. Choosing to change for the sake of loved family is not a sin…….
I, too, am trying to live differently now, thanks to our mother and father who exist only in memory…….
There is no reason to ever forgive the true enemy, the Empress Cleo.
But even so, it would sound like deception to young Titania’s ears.
It is easy for those who have much to give. For one who has never gone hungry to yield a single meal to a beggar is easy. For a beggar who has starved for a week to yield that very meal to another—no one finds that harder.
What chance does a child who has never once known a parent’s love have of forgiving an enemy who now cries out to be spared on account of concern for that very family? Hardly any at all.
…But I cannot live that way.
“You realize I might ask you to do something that will almost certainly kill you?”
Sara, trembling, met my eyes as she spoke.
“If… if something happens to me, but I complete whatever task you give me…. Could you promise that at least my younger sister will be saved?”
“What if I lose to the Empress and end up unable to save even one sister of yours?”
“……Then it doesn’t matter whether I die now or later—the result is the same either way.”
Sara bowed her head before me.
“Whatever… whatever you command me to do…. I will carry it out. With… with sincerity. I will devote myself completely. Please forgive the past…. And have mercy on my younger sister.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you.”
Creak—the window swung shut of its own accord in a late breeze. Bang. Like the sound of a ghost falling.

* * *

Mary was in a foul mood.
‘I thought I had carefully groomed the Princess just right.’
At first, she thought she was finished—doomed. She could no longer enter the Rose Palace, could not become part of any particular household, and instead found herself doing every conceivable odd job and menial work she’d never imagined before. Even while doing it, she’d been anxious. Would the Empress kill her? The last time she’d seen her, she’d seemed furious….
But not long after, the Empress summoned Mary and gave her secret orders. It meant she would use Mary again, importantly. The Princess would soon complete the Dedication Ceremony and return to the Imperial Palace. At that time, you are to return to the Rose Palace household and secure your position at Titania’s side. When the time comes, there will be much work to do.
If she’d been going alone, she would have been more uneasy. But Sara had been with her. Sara, too, was shrewd, and hadn’t they worked in tandem for a long time?
The Princess had changed and done all manner of things, they said, but there was certainly exaggeration mixed in. She’d obtained a strange sword, and her relationship with her betrothed had improved, or so they claimed…. That ‘Titania’ who used to throw tantrums when her betrothed left, smashing the dishes on the table and raging?
It would be fine.
And what had Mary or Sara done that was so great, anyway? It was nothing more than what everyone does. If that’s a sin, aren’t all the people of the Rose Palace sinners? And as they say, isn’t it just natural to mock a fool for being foolish?
Rather, Mary and Sara were among the first contributors to Titania’s favorite adornments. Their skills were quite good. Because of the Empress’s orders, they couldn’t build real connections and couldn’t expect advancement, stuck in the Rose Palace squeezing out what little money they could. Besides, hadn’t Titania liked Mary and Sara well enough before she’d injured her head….
But Sara’s attitude had changed somehow.
‘Think about it. Didn’t you notice the Empress changed her attitude?’
‘Changed? Come on, the Rose Palace had a fire and all that curse business, so of course she’d be upset. But she still gave us another chance, didn’t she? If we mess up this time, we’re really in for it. We need to get ourselves together and follow her orders.’
‘We’re not like Natalie the head maid. We’re just lowly servants—if she says die, we die. Aren’t you worried?’
‘Now that you mention it, what’s so great about being a head maid? We’re satisfied being servants because we’re commoners. If we had been able to attach ourselves to some great noble house, we could’ve worked as ladies’ maids and lived grandly, waiting on noble ladies. In the Imperial Palace, that’s what a head maid is!’
‘……Don’t you think about Miriam? You were closer to her than me. When we stole that entire dress and cut it into ribbons to sell, we made quite a bit thanks to Miriam—enough that we should be grateful and owe her everything. She stayed up all night stitching with us….’
‘Pfft, honestly. You’ve been acting strange lately. Why are you spouting such nonsense? Miriam is the reason we ended up like this. If you’re going to steal, you do it quietly. But she got caught and made such a fuss with talk of cursed swords and curses and who knows what else, making us fall even further out of the Empress’s favor! If she wants to die, let her die alone!’
‘I don’t think we see eye to eye. I’m leaving.’
‘Hey, hey! Where are you going!’
That was the last conversation Mary had had with Sara, so of course she was in a bad mood.
Truthfully, at first she’d been worried when she came to see the Princess for the first time—worried that Mary might receive orders to punish her, or worse. Her heart had practically leaped out of her body. But surprisingly, the Princess was no different than before. She welcomed her gladly, pouted childishly, and in the end forgave her and gave her work. Mary felt somewhat elated.
Well, she’d just try some new hairstyles she’d been researching, and decorate with all manner of jewels and flowers. The Princess would be grateful and happy soon enough. After all, Mary’s skills were second to none.
But she hadn’t expected to have a rival among the newly arrived servants—aside from Sara.
Mary examined the clothes while surreptitiously glancing at the woman beside her.
“What’s your name?”
“Bonita.”
“That’s a pretty name. Where are you from? I’ve worked here a while, and I don’t think I’ve seen you before for someone doing this kind of work.”
“Oh, I haven’t been here long. That’s probably why you haven’t seen me before.”
Bonita fumbled clumsily with the clasp of the jewelry box, then smiled. Seeing this, Mary felt reassured.
Hmm, for someone claiming to be a lady’s maid, she handles the Jewelry Box awkwardly—doesn’t seem very experienced. Her looks are just so-so too…. Since Her Highness the Empress didn’t give any special instructions, is she really worth worrying about? Seeing Bonita struggle to open the clasp properly, Mary spoke kindly.
“It doesn’t open upward. You have to turn the clasp like this, on the side.”
“Oh….”
Bonita’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Where did you come from not knowing this?”
“I… I came from quite far away. Where I’m from, the clasp is on top, so you just pull and it opens easily….”
“Is that so? I wonder what style that is?”
Mary, who prided herself on being a knowledgeable lady’s maid, pondered the question. As if answering her unspoken thought, Bonita spoke gently.
“The Southern End of the Empire. The very edge of the Southern End.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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