Charges were brought against those who had attempted to harm Clara.
Attempted murder.
Given that the target was a still-underage marquis, the punishment was undoubtedly even more severe.
Meanwhile, Adel, even after being treated by a doctor sent from the ducal house, found herself confined to a guest room.
She had bruises all over her body, and the slightest movement brought a wave of pain.
At least her bones weren't broken, which was a relief.
When evening came, Clara came to see Adel.
Clutching a well-worn rabbit doll.
It was unbearably cute.
When Adel's gaze landed on the doll, Clara frowned slightly.
"I'm not a child who carries around a comfort toy."
"Huh?"
But you're holding it.
And it looks incredibly good on you!
At Adel's puzzled reaction, Clara quickly thrust the slightly flattened doll into Adel's arms.
"It's useful when you're in pain."
"Huh?"
"It's good when you're hurting! That doll!"
"Ah..."
It seemed this was the doll Clara held when she wasn't feeling well.
Judging by how flat it was, she must have spent many painful nights with this rabbit doll for a very long time.
That meant it was clearly a precious item.
"T-to lend me such a... revered Rabbit-sama..."
"It's Ori."
"Huh?"
Adel looked at the doll Clara had given her again. Did it perhaps have a yellow beak?
But there was no such thing.
This was a rabbit. Not a duck.
"Its name is Ori."
Then, Clara kindly added an explanation.
"If you hold it, it doesn't hurt. So I'll lend it to you. Ori."
Adel smiled faintly and hugged Ori to her chest.
Strangely enough, the pain seemed to lessen a little.
She didn't know if it was the doll's magic or thanks to Clara's concern.
"I'll take good care of it and return it to you."
"...Do as you please."
"But, my lady, won't you need the rabbit... Ori?"
Adel was worried about Clara's feelings. After her father, now even the nursemaid she had trusted had turned out like that.
"I'm fine. I had my suspicions for a while now."
"Surely not about the poison too...?"
Clara didn't answer, but it was probably an affirmation.
Well, the Director of the 'Manpower Dispatch Office' who obtained the information about the poison wouldn't have failed to convert it into cash.
If paid enough, he would have sold the information to either Clara or the Duke of Winchester. What kind of poison it was, even including the antidote.
Once the specific poison to be used was known, deducing which food to mix it with became relatively simple.
"Anyway, it was too dangerous. I don't know why the Duke agreed to such an operation."
Using young Clara as bait!
Adel was furious, but Clara looked puzzled.
"Why would I need the Duke's approval?"
"Huh?"
"I only asked for his cooperation. Deciding on and executing the operation was entirely my responsibility."
...Ah.
Well, Clara was right.
Deciding how to weed out the rebellious elements within the family was solely the authority of the 'head of the family.'
'It seems I made unnecessary interference.'
Even without Adel stepping in, Clara would have protected herself just fine.
No, Adel had rather become a burden.
She had almost caused Clara to be seriously injured on the stairs.
'What was I doing, worrying about someone of the lady's standing?'
Feeling somehow ashamed, Adel buried her face deep into the pillow.
"The nursemaid... she was blackmailed. By the retainers."
"I see."
"Even so, nothing would change."
Her whisper-like voice held a subtle hesitation.
'...Ah.'
Adel thought she understood what Clara was conflicted about.
Clara wanted to forgive the nursemaid.
Having similar memories, Adel knew.
Even after learning she was being deceived with false love and used as a tool...
Adel had been unable to completely let go of her mother.
Even if it seemed foolish, she couldn't help it.
"If you wish, it's okay to forgive her."
"That won't do."
"But..."
That's what you want to do, isn't it?
...Before Adel could even finish that thought, Clara spoke first.
"How dare she bring poison into my home? Do you think I would forgive such an act?"
One act of forgiveness invites another danger.
It was cruel, but it was a plain truth.
Clara had a duty to make a strict choice, if only to protect everyone in the family.
Adel turned her head slightly to look at the little girl.
'Ah...'
Her eyes were red.
So vividly red that it seemed crimson tears would roll down any moment.
Yet, Clara's expression was as impassive as usual.
"I will, definitely."
Clara spun around and perched on the edge of Adel's bed.
"Hold the nursemaid accountable for her crime."
It sounded like words to steel her own heart.
So she wouldn't be led by her lingering affection into making the wrong choice.
"...You're the only one who told me it was okay to forgive the nursemaid, Miss Adel."
"My lady."
Clara tilted her head back. Her luscious silver hair cascaded softly over her shoulders.
"Actually, it's a bit of a foolish thing to say."
A faint smile appeared on Clara's lips for a moment.
"But I didn't dislike it."
When she looked back, her eyes had regained their original beautiful blue hue.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The following days were peaceful.
Well, not entirely, from Adel's personal perspective.
"Good heavens, Adel! I knew you could do it!"
Rose, having learned that Adel was occupying a 'guest room,' swaggered in to see her.
"You protected the lady, didn't you? Really... there's no lady as splendid as you anywhere!"
That's how the rumors had spread, it seemed.
That Adel had protected Clara.
'Though in reality, I only got in the way.'
Rose abruptly pulled Adel, who had only managed to sit up halfway, into a tight hug.
"Adel, my daughter!"
"Ah, it hurts...!"
Adel instantly hugged Ori tightly.
"You're my pride!"
It felt strange.
To be honest, Adel had wished for Rose to acknowledge and love her for quite a long time.
And this was the situation she had dreamed of.
But still...
'It's surprisingly not joyful.'
Would it have been different when she was younger?
"So? Which room has the lady granted me? Did she perhaps say I could choose?"
Oh dear, if she honestly answered, 'She never said anything like that,' would she get slapped again?
"The lady gave it to me."
Clara happened to arrive just then.
Rose shoved Adel aside and rushed to the doorway, beaming.
"Oh, my lady! Welcome. I was just waiting for you."
Her surprise was momentary, as Clara answered with a stern expression.
"Why?"
"Why, because our Adel saved you, my lady!"
Poor Rose was about to hear the truth now.
That Adel had no merit in this incident.
"Right, she did."
...Huh?
Clara continued.
"But that has absolutely nothing to do with you, Mrs. Rose, does it?"
"...What?"
Rose was left speechless, her face blank with shock.
"Leave."
The sight of the young lady marquis sweeping back her silver hair as she said this was truly divine.
And when her words came to pass as stated, Adel nearly let out a confession of faith on reflex.
"I believe."
No, it came out.
She had never seen anyone subdue Rose so easily in her life.
Even the previous marquis had often lost his temper when dealing with Rose.
"Were you praying?"
"It just ended."
"That's a relief."
Clara held out the documents she had brought.
"This is...?"
"Look."
Upon inspection, they were documents introducing real estate.
A splendid residence in the capital, with a drawing room, bedrooms, and even a study.
It seemed there couldn't be a more luxurious house for a single noble to live in.
"Are you planning to purchase this, my lady?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, now isn't a good time to buy. What if you postpone the purchase?"
Adel tried to show off a bit of knowledge.
Having been looking for a studio apartment until recently, she had a little expertise.
"I know that too. But the doctor said Miss Adel will recover in three days, so there's no choice, right?"
"Huh...?"
What did Adel's recovery have to do with this luxurious property?
"If you like it, that's fine. There's nothing to repair, so once you're better, you can go and—"
"Wait a moment!"
Adel was so flustered she almost crawled out of bed.
But the pain in her back immediately made her collapse.
Adel quickly squeezed Ori. Hoping it would work its magic.
"Are you saying you're bestowing this house upon me now? Why?"
Clara stared at Adel for a moment, then answered as if it were obvious.
"Because Miss Adel saved me. And my life is quite valuable."
"No."
As the back pain subsided somewhat thanks to Ori's blessing, Adel finally managed to lift her upper body.
Somehow, she ended up kneeling on the bed.
"Even without me, you would have been safe, my lady."
"Probably."
"Yes, so—"
"Or, I might not have been safe. Who knows about a path not taken?"
For a moment, an aura of aristocratic dignity and wisdom emanated from her marshmallow-like white cheeks.
Adel nearly let out another confession of faith but struggled to compose herself and answered.
"In any case, it's far too generous. I'll just accept the sentiment. That's enough for me."
"I'm not giving you sentiment. So just take the property."
But looking at the house's features, she could feel Clara's sentiment.
The layout that allowed sunlight to reach every corner of the house.
Being in a safe area, so one could live there alone with peace of mind.
Also, it was on relatively high ground, so there was no worry even on days of heavy rain.
"Then, I'll have it ready for you to look around once you're better."
As Clara turned to leave, Adel spoke to her again.