Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 67

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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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Episode 67

In the past, no illegitimate children had ever appeared in the Ambrose Duke’s household.
At least not before I died.
If I hadn’t come to Ambrose, as the Olson Count’s daughter claimed, then Terion would never have surfaced either.
If my existence had the greatest impact, then it was surely…….
‘The succession of Ambrose continued.’
That was the biggest part.
Especially since my conditions weren’t favorable.
It was likely they’d have thought Terion far better than some broke, mixed-race girl—and yearned for that outcome.
But then why has the Olson family remained so quiet?
If they’d stepped forward, I would have been pushed out of the succession dispute immediately.
Even if they hated illegitimate children, would they really let slip such a golden opportunity to have their bloodline become the next head of Ambrose?
I furrowed my brow. Something kept nagging at me.
The Olson household, and…….
“Sahart Village.”
The place where Terion was born.
After much deliberation, I summoned that man.
“Ahem, the young master’s precious relation has sought me out!”
“…….”
Philip Ridley, working hard as always today.
A serpentine man who oversaw all information flowing in and out of Ambrose.
In front of others, he chuckled and fawned, but the moment we were alone, his eyes went utterly cold.
‘Still not used to it…….’
I rubbed my brow and made my request of him.
To investigate the Olson family and Sahart Village.
I expected him to ask ‘Why would you want that?’, but instead Philip asked this:
“What makes that place concern you?”
I rolled my eyes and answered honestly.
“Just intuition.”
Philip’s eyes narrowed.
He probably thought I was being absurd. But I couldn’t explain it any other way.
I thought he might curse me out, but instead he nodded readily.
“Understood.”
“What?”
“I said I understand.”
So why? Even to my ears, it sounds like nonsense.
Though I was the one asking the favor, Philip’s willingness to simply comply seemed strange.
My expression must have shown it, because Philip smiled.
“Why do you look at me that way when I’m agreeing to your request?”
“That’s exactly why it’s strange. Did the Duke say something to you?”
“He said nothing.”
Well, that makes sense.
I thought there was nothing to be disappointed about, but Philip continued.
“Nor did he tell me not to help you.”
……What does that mean?
Before I could ask, Philip bowed his head slightly and left the room.
Left alone, I blinked.
So Ambrose Duke was tacitly permitting my investigation into Terion and his mother……?
Suddenly, an irritating voice echoed in my ears.
‘You need to look after your own bowl.’
Anyway, that old man will annoy me for life.
I furrowed my brow, then burst out laughing.

* * *

Just one day later, Philip returned with news beyond imagination.
“……The Olson Count and Countess committed suicide?”
“Yes. Four days ago. They’re keeping it quiet internally for smooth succession, but an official announcement will come soon.”
The sudden news of Olivia’s parents’ suicide, right after I’d begun my investigation, left me speechless.
In my confusion, I asked in a low voice:
“Why?”
“That cannot be determined. Even the lawyer couldn’t reach them. They left a will directly to the cousin who would inherit the title, and he burned it immediately after reading it.”
“……It was definitely suicide, though?”
After struggling to ask, Philip nodded.
“Certain.”
What’s happening? How is this developing?
I covered my confused mouth with my hand.
“Philip, do you have any theories?”
“At first glance, there are no apparent problems within the household. The most significant recent matter would be nothing but the daughter and granddaughter’s loud scandal.”
“As expected…….”
So they found it so shameful they chose to die?
It wasn’t an unreasonable explanation. For such old-school nobility, it was possible.
As I fell into thought, Philip continued:
“And according to testimonies from those around them, the Count and Countess appeared extremely anxious recently.”
“Anxious?”
I turned his words over in my mind.
Shame and anxiety weren’t entirely separate realms.
But still…….
A glimmer of hope suddenly took shape.
Noticing my eyes brighten, Philip handed me several documents.
“I’ve organized the rest of what I found on the Olson household and Sahart Village. Neither shows anything particularly conspicuous on the surface.”
“I see. Then, about that.”
“Unfortunately, verifying bloodline is not simple. Both the method itself and the results—regardless of what they show—would become a family disgrace and subject of ridicule. The Ambrose retainers alone would oppose it vehemently.”
That would be the case. I wanted to ask even knowing the answer.
I opened my mouth.
But Philip was faster.
“Even if you could persuade the retainers, the reaction from the imperial court and nobility would be fierce. There’s a reason the history of Atera has so few cases of great houses undergoing bloodline verification. Conservative elites tend to prefer covering things up and looking the other way.”
Yes. I know that too.
I furrowed my brow and tried to speak again.
And again, Philip beat me to it.
“I don’t recommend a brute-force approach. Especially not when all we have is suspicion. You’d likely face backlash instead.”
“……Must even Ambrose’s eyes resort to Mind Reading?”
Philip chuckled softly.
Meanwhile, my energy drained away.
His words were all correct, but it felt like I was taking the long way around when an easy path lay open.
If I just confirmed the result first, everything would be settled easily.
Anyway, the rigidly closed world of nobility. So inefficient in the name of honor. Even when suspicious, you have to manufacture a legitimate excuse…….
“……It’s possible, isn’t it.”
“What?”
I asked him to repeat, grumbling that I hadn’t heard.
Then Philip calmly said again:
“You might not be from Ambrose either.”
“Yes. I suppose.”
You could suspect that too.
I stared vacantly ahead.
Philip had spoken only truths.
If a child who looks identical to Ambrose’s son is under suspicion, then I—who merely possessed his keepsake—am no different.
‘You could just have the same face!’
‘The Ring could have been found or stolen!’
There was room for mutual condemnation, just like the opinions that divided at the tea party.
And besides, my mother didn’t even know who he was.
But.
“As an information broker, answer me this: in this world, among men with black hair and red eyes, does anyone exist who is more handsome than the young master?”
“……I have not seen one.”
“Then I must be the young master’s daughter.”
My mother confirmed it. He was the finest of that combination of features.
My mother never jokes about a man’s face.
‘Though if we were talking about black hair and blue eyes, the results might differ…….’
Anyway, that’s how it is.
At my firm words, Philip left with a look of exasperation.
In the quiet room, I pored over the other information on the Olson household.
‘There’s really nothing suspicious at all.’
It was an old noble family, exactly as stereotyped.
The only daughter, Olivia, grew up as a proper lady within that household atmosphere.
Then, in time for the Debutante season, she moved from the Eastern Region to the capital, and as if discovering a new world, she ran about freely—until she didn’t.
“That’s what they always say about raising children too strictly…….”
They cause big accidents all at once later on.
Shaking my head, I next examined the report on Sahart Village.
First, the location.
A territory of Freeman Baron in the Eastern Region.
‘Small. A protruding border area, so quite isolated.’
Even within such a fief, Sahart was the smallest village, stuck at the very edge.
I hadn’t heard much about Freeman Baron.
As if Philip had anticipated my confusion, some additional notes on Freeman Baron were included.
“……And they’ve maintained long-term exchanges with the Olson household, having a close relationship?”

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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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