The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 104

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

【Chapter 104】

 

“Saint…”

 

Susan’s voice trembled.

 

“Yes, I know. It’s hard to decide. But if you testify before the investigator, I will never forget that favor—”

 

“Saint… how could you do this to me?”

 

Susan roughly shook off Yuna’s hand.

 

“I poisoned the Empress’s meal for you.”

 

You know how far I went for you.

 

Susan’s eyes reddened.

 

Helping you meet the Emperor while avoiding the Former Empress’s eyes, having maids spread rumors to isolate the Former Empress within the Imperial Palace.

 

Because I believed you would become Empress, I carried out various schemes behind the scenes.

 

“So how can you do this to me? When you know how hard I worked for you…”

 

Susan blinked while looking at the ceiling to hold back her flowing tears.

 

At the same time, she sensed the end.

 

‘I’ll never live to see another day.’

 

Waiting to die while smelling the mold in prison would be her future.

 

Even among fellow criminals, treatment differs according to one’s backing.

 

The Saint would be saved by the Temple or the Emperor, but Susan had a high chance of bearing all the sins and dying like this.

 

Susan slowly stood up and said.

 

“Yes. You told me to confess my crimes to the investigator. Of course I will.”

 

Because there are more than enough things to tell.

 

“How the Former Empress died! When your meetings with His Majesty began! And how much you were involved in the Former Empress’s death—I’ll tell them everything—”

 

“That won’t do.”

 

Yuna’s voice was closer than expected.

 

Before Susan could wonder, her hair was grabbed.

 

“Ahhh!”

 

Yuna knocked Susan down, climbed on top of her, and placed her hands on that slender neck.

 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry Susan…”

 

But you’re the one who did wrong.

 

If only you had kept your mouth shut, we would have been happy.

 

We could have had a mutually beneficial relationship.

 

“Even now, just say you won’t tell.”

 

“Urgh…”

 

“Just say one word. I’m saying I’ll forgive you. Hmm? Just one word…”

 

“Gasp, urgh, ugh…”

 

The only response was breathing sounds.

 

Susan’s hands scratched the floor. Her eyes rolled back unable to bear the pain, and her toes groped at empty air.

 

Soon her strength left her and thud, her hand fell to the floor.

 

“…”

 

All movement completely stopped.

 

Yuna sat there dazed for a long while, then belatedly took a deep breath.

 

The fact that she had killed someone.

 

The fact that she had directly taken a life with her own hands became real.

 

The sensation remained vividly at her fingertips, too clear to deny.

 

“…”

 

But soon her mind cooled.

 

‘I had no choice.’

 

I had to survive too.

 

The rationalization happened surprisingly quickly.

 

“I’m sorry it came to this, Susan.”

 

Only one of us could live anyway.

 

Someone had to bear all the sins and rot in prison, or wander as a fugitive like Royhum.

 

‘But I’m the Saint.’

 

Then wouldn’t it be right for Susan to take all the sins?

 

At that moment.

 

“Gasp…!”

 

A maid who entered the Investigation Room saw that scene.

 

It took several seconds for her to process the sight before her eyes.

 

The tray with food slipped from her hands. Along with the sound of dishes breaking, food scattered, but the maid didn’t realize what she had dropped.

 

When only the maid’s breathing filled the silent space.

 

Yuna, who slowly raised her body, turned around.

 

“Oh my. What did you witness?”

 

It was a gentle voice that didn’t match the situation.

 

Hmm?

 

Tell me.

 

The corners of her mouth were smiling, but her eyes had sunk into emptiness.

 

The maid trembled, unable to move a single step due to the fear rising to her toes.

 

The terror that she too could die like that Head Maid ran up her spine and swept over her head.

 

“The, the Head Maid… originally had a chronic illness and passed away from great shock during the investigation. She absolutely did not die from external pressure.”

 

She barely squeezed out words with a cracking voice.

 

“You are wise.”

 

Yuna looked down at the maid for a moment, then smiled.

 

Yuna’s cold fingertips traced up the maid’s cheek. The maid reflexively hunched her shoulders.

 

“When I become Empress, I’ll keep you by my side.”

 

“I, I am grateful…”

 

The maid lowered her head but couldn’t stop trembling.

 

She didn’t know what the future would bring, but for now, relief at being alive mixed with fear pressed down on her.

 

Afterward.

 

The Head Maid was carried out with the clear handprints on her neck roughly covered with cloth.

 

The Emperor who ordered this also knew the Saint’s ‘usefulness.’

 

“Keep silent.”

 

With just one word, it was decided how that day’s events would be recorded.

 

According to various people’s interests, the Head Maid’s death became due to chronic illness.

 

But those who cleaned up the scene knew the whole story.

 

“Is… is it alright for such a person to become Empress…?”

 

When a young maid muttered, an older maid restrained her with a sidelong glance.

 

“Be quiet.”

 

But while mouths could be silenced, thoughts could not be stopped.

 

‘The Former Empress was not like this.’

 

That person, though ambitious about work and demanding of people, treated people as people.

 

But the Saint?

 

Though she appeared holy and benevolent on the outside, she treated maids like tools and used them.

 

‘If one must risk their life for someone, wouldn’t it be more honorable to die for someone who sees people as people?’

 

But she couldn’t bring herself to say those words.

 

The Elder Maid bit her lower lip firmly.

 

* * *

 

A few days later.

 

The news of Head Maid Susan’s death was announced.

 

“‘Unable to bear the shock when all her crimes were exposed, she died.'”

 

Though there were many suspicious aspects. The Imperial Palace announced it that way.

 

All the embezzlement funds from the scholarship foundation were concluded to be Susan’s doing.

 

The Saint was also partially involved, but she avoided punishment considering it was an ‘error born from ignorance.’

 

The Head Maid had taken on all the major charges as well.

 

“It’s a typical scapegoating…”

 

Mel clicked his tongue.

 

“The dead can’t speak. Only the Head Maid ended up wronged.”

 

Susan became one who died dishonorably, and her body was already cremated, making it impossible to clearly determine the cause of death.

 

“Still, we got what we wanted.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

What they really wanted was to prevent the Saint’s reinstatement.

 

[Although all the sins lie with Susan, I too have fault for not properly managing my subordinate, so I will reflect in seclusion.]

 

The Saint stepped down from all positions and entered the Temple.

 

“Well, we won’t have to see that face for a while.”

 

Afterwards, the Saint was assigned to the Prayer Room, and it was said no one would see her face.

 

It seemed the Religious Order was strictly controlling things internally.

 

She was naturally processed for resignation from the Deputy Bureau Director position as well.

 

Since the Temple had taken back the seed of trouble, this was a fairly happy ending.

 

After the matter was settled.

 

“I convey my gratitude.”

 

Professor Frederick, the complainant, came directly to the Tax Bureau.

 

“We only did what needed to be done.”

 

Rianel, who had returned to her Team Leader position, received him.

 

Though the fact of reinstatement was gloomy, her attitude was more proper than anyone’s.

 

“Someone I respect once said this. Gratitude should not be spared and should always be expressed.”

 

Wilbrin looked puzzled.

 

“For someone who said that, you came empty-handed?”

 

“Well… the truth is my circumstances aren’t very abundant…”

 

The professor awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

 

“I’m sorry. Most of my salary goes to helping students… But I think the person I respect would be more pleased with such a choice.”

 

And he added shyly.

 

“When next month’s salary comes in, I’ll prepare something proper for you.”

 

“Excellent.”

 

Rianel said.

 

“This is judged to be a wise investment in the future. I support your choice.”

 

In the midst of revealing who embezzled money from the scholarship foundation, here was someone who used his own money to help students. He deserved praise.

 

“Th-thank you…”

 

Professor Frederick smiled awkwardly.

 

It felt like being recognized by a great superior, making his shoulders rise with pride.

 

Then a sense of déjà vu passed through him at the familiar tone and gaze.

 

‘Where have I seen that before?’

 

Then he failed to notice the teacup at the edge of the desk and hit it with his elbow.

 

“S-sorry!”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Rianel didn’t blink an eye.

 

“Liquid generally falls vertically due to gravity, and looking at the scattered pattern below, I can tell it was an unintentional mistake with no malice. I don’t mind.”

 

Then she sipped the remaining tea as if nothing had happened.

 

‘…Do people normally analyze others’ mistakes like that?’

 

Professor Frederick became suspicious.

 

He had only seen one person in his life who judged others in such a manner.

 

Could it be.

 

‘Professor…?’

 

Then Wilbrin asked.

 

“But what was your reason for taking interest in the scholarship foundation?”

 

“Well, the Former Empress was my supervising professor.”

 

He sipped his newly received tea.

 

“Actually, I knew she had left the establishment of the scholarship foundation as her will. I had visited her several times when she was Empress. I have many… good memories with her.”

 

He closed his eyes briefly, recalling his student days.

 

[Professor, did I fail my grades?]

 

[You’re a student with good self-objectification. You may take pride in yourself.]

 

[Argh.]

 

[What number should I guess on this test to get the highest score?]

 

[It’s judged more efficient to study rather than spend time asking such questions.]

 

[Professor, please.]

 

[I made all the problems essay questions only.]

 

[No way!]

 

[This test will be open book.]

 

[Can we really look at books?]

 

[Of course. Your scores will be the same regardless of whether you have books or not.]

 

[What the hell?]

 

“…”

 

‘Come to think of it, maybe they weren’t all good memories…’

 

Still, Frederick always felt grateful to Ensilen.

 

“I thought she considered me a poor student… but she supported my tuition and looked after me until graduation.”

 

When he asked why, the answer he received was this.

 

[What’s important in academics is not talent but passion.]

 

[But I have no talent and my grades aren’t high. There are many people in the department better than me, so why…]

 

[The concept of talent cannot be reduced to grades.]

 

The words that grades were merely indicators for producing scores changed his life.

 

‘Let me give back the help I received.’

 

‘I’ll become someone who helps students like me.’

 

That’s how Frederick became a professor.

 

“That’s the kind of person the Former Empress was.”

 

This was the scholarship foundation such a person wanted to create.

 

“How could I just watch it fall apart?”

 

Everyone fell silent.

 

Frederick raised his head to stare at Rianel.

 

Her calm expression as she held the teacup to her lips, and her unhurried hand returning the cup to the saucer – nothing was disturbed.

 

All those refined movements and uprightness reminded him of someone.

 

‘It can’t really be, right?’

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