The Kind Older Sister Is No More

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And so, all of the workers were confined to prevent the remaining assassins from escaping. Aside from that reason, he did not wish to show them an ugly scene. In which, a person who used to work in the same castle was being tortured during the interrogation. After all, these were all the faithful servants who protected and managed the castle when its owner was no longer present. It was Noel’s idea to reduce the distress as much as possible.

In a shady basement, all kinds of torture devices were placed in a tiny room without a single ray of light. And in the centre were two figures of a man and a woman tied to chairs.

One was Lina, the maid responsible for preparing Irene’s tea, and the other was the only assassin whose life was spared by Noel.

The assassin was unconscious with his head drooping, and Lina resented the attachment of her own soul. She wished her soul could be free from this body so that she would no longer need to endure this dreadful agony.

“Who instructed you to put sleeping pills in the Duchess’ tea?”

“N-no, it’s not like that! What do you mean sleeping pills?! The Duchess must have misunderstood! I-I have never...!”

“No one has touched the Duchess’ tea but you, is it not? Then did some ghosts come and put sleeping pills in there?”

At Tag’s words, Lina shook her head. She had suffered so much that she felt like she was about to go mad from the torture.

“Really... I really did not…the Duchess is mistaken. I-I don’t know. I have never touched a sleeping pill or anything like that...”

But despite her earnest voice, Tag carried on; his face, cold. It was not the answer he wanted.

“Argh!”

As the wounds on her body increased, Lina’s screams got smaller and smaller. She did not have the energy to make a sound anymore. Instead, the sound of a hoarse voice leaked out from her lifeless body. It was then that the door creaked open, and Noel came in.

“Did you get the confession?”

“Not yet, she is still saying she has never seen sleeping pills. Did the Duchess wake up?”

Noel nodded at Tag’s question.

“She is now resting in her room after seeing Louiselle’s condition.”

“I see. I’m glad that she woke up healthily.”

Upon saying that, Tag scrutinised Noel’s expression.

Maybe that’s why you’ve become a little more relaxed.

During the three days when Irene was unconscious, his frozen and gloomy aura was no different from being surrounded by the northern wind. Now it had somewhat softened a bit, maybe it was a sign of relief. Yet, it was only for a short while, it only lasted till the point when his gaze reached Lina as she cried out, the maid seemed close to having a seizure.

“Y-your Grace! I truly didn’t put sleeping pills in her tea. It’s unfair! Please call the Duchess, let me meet her.”

“Do you think you can call her?”

“Th-that...! But...!”

“If you don’t want to tell the truth, that’s fine. If that’s the case, there is no hope in your revealing your accomplice. Tag.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not coming here anymore. Take responsibility and find out who’s behind it.”

“Alright.”

Lina went out of her way and acted desperately at Noel’s words, but Noel left the basement after looking at her with frosty eyes. Then Tag, who followed him, asked anxiously.

“...are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t like it, that sort of thing.”

Noel’s brown pupils turned dark at Tag’s words.

“Certainly...I do not find it pleasant.”

“...”

“But it’s the nature of this place. I have no choice but to see bloodshed, to become cold-hearted and cruel. That’s why I didn’t tell you about my family’s complex situation. I never wanted to get involved in this dirty fight in the first place, I was rather pushed in reluctantly.”

“…Your Grace…”

“However, I keep thinking about her. She must have been very shocked because this would be new and unfamiliar to her.”

“Your Grace is not at fault. I’m sure she had also predicted it.”

“Yes, she was already expecting to get caught up in this whole mess. But still…”

Noel’s eyes were glued to the ground as he muttered in a melancholic voice.

“I wish it would always be quiet and peaceful around her, let that person be indulged in happiness and tranquillity.”

“...”

“It’s a contradiction and a deception itself, the fact that I want her to stay by my side and be at peace.”

Tag had a strange expression as he gazed at Noel.

I’ve never seen His Grace like that before.

He was a fierce and ruthless man, who never failed to survive on any battlefield. He mercilessly slashed the throats of those who blocked his way to glory. All of the mercenaries, including himself, joined the mercenary corps this time with admiration and respect for him. Tag admired him the most among their unit. However, it was the first time the respectable man appeared so weak. It was not that his recognition for him had disappeared or anything. But...

Maybe, though just a little bit, you have become human.

Maybe it was because he had never seen the duke worry or care for someone. There was a slightly different atmosphere.

Tom, so this is why you told me not to hate her.

Tag was jealous of Irene. He joined the mercenary group aiming for the position next to Noel and planned to follow in his footsteps. But before he knew it, the person standing next to Noel was not him, but a woman he had never seen before. He was ashamed, he was green with envy, which led to him hating her for no specific reason.

Tom, who had noticed it, told him before he departed from the duchy.

‘Don’t hate her too much. You will come to appreciate her presence next to the Lord.’

He wondered what nonsense it was at that time, but now he knew what it meant. He never thought the devil himself would ever know anything about emotions. But now that he was able to show such humane feelings, it was truly an extraordinary change.

“The Duchess must be waiting for you. Please return.”

At Tag’s words, Noel looked at him quietly for a moment, then nodded.

“Very well, I look forward to your cooperation here.”

“Yes.”

When Noel went upstairs, Tag sunk into silence as he stared at the tall figure from behind, a moment passed, and he went back into the basement. Then screams from inside the hellish room rang out once again.

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