Chapter 4

A few days had passed, and Bertille was still confined to her room, often spending her time sitting on the sofa and reading books.

She had reassigned the original maid to another job and recently appointed a new young maid. This was because she wanted to avoid contact with the people who had been in this house for a long time.

The new maid, despite her confusion, was able to respect Bertille’s wish to avoid meeting people and managed to work well, despite being new and likely having many uncertainties.

"Miss, a letter from His Highness, the Second Prince..."

The maid, holding a tray with the letter, reported hesitantly. When Bertille raised her eyes from the book to confirm, the seal on the letter was indeed that of the Second Prince.

"Please burn it."

"What!?"

The maid’s eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting Bertille to want to burn a letter from the royal family. It was a natural reaction. Even if it was an order from her mistress, a simple maid could not carry out such a disrespectful act. If something went wrong, the maid would be held responsible.

"Just put it down somewhere."

"A-ah, yes..."

The maid gently placed the letter on the table.

This was the second letter from the Second Prince since Bertille regained consciousness. She had read the first one but did not reply, so he must have sent another one.

In the past, it was unimaginable for letters to come so frequently. He was not the type to get anxious and send another letter if he didn’t receive a reply.

Not only had Bertille regained consciousness, but her memory had also returned, and this news had reached the Second Prince. He might be desperate because of that.

Like the people in this marquis family, the Second Prince had been attracted to Minori. He must be anxious that Bertille, who remembered his past treatment, would dislike him.

As she looked at the letter with a cold gaze, there was a knock, followed by the sound of the door opening. Thinking it was Tristan again, she was surprised to see her father. The maid, who had let out a small "Ah..." upon seeing him, seemed to have just realized she had forgotten to lock the door.

Bertille sighed and stared at her father. He looked more haggard than the last time they met.

His dark brown hair and blue eyes. While her three brothers had slightly lighter hair, he resembled this man closely. In the past, she had felt lonely for not inheriting either of these traits, but now she was glad she didn’t.

"The head of this house still believes it’s acceptable to enter a lady’s room without permission. ...Ah, but I wasn’t included in the list of ladies you should treat with respect, was I?"

"...You wouldn’t have given permission anyway."

"I don’t see the need to meet you."

Bertille turned her attention back to her book and flipped a page. The maid was flustered, and her father told her to leave, but Bertille didn’t say it was okay, so the maid stayed.

"I can’t blame you for hating us. We’ve done terrible things to you. I’m truly sorry—"

"You are so self-indulgent."

With a thud, Bertille closed her book. Then, in a clear, almost calm voice, she continued:

"No matter how deeply you may regret it, those seventeen years cannot be erased. Your apologies are just self-satisfaction. They are actions to lighten your own hearts, not for my benefit. Eventually, you will blame me for not forgiving you, thinking that apologies should be enough to earn forgiveness. That’s the kind of people you are."

"Th-that’s not—"

"Considering that you saw a helpless infant as a murderer, I think it’s only natural that you would do this, don’t you?"

Tilting her head slightly and giving a sharp look, her father was speechless.

(Yes, you can’t argue with that.)

Because it was all undeniable fact.

"Your guilt, regret, and apologies are nothing more than temporary. People who have repeatedly oppressed others unjustly will loudly claim it’s unjust when they are finally judged. That’s the psychology of the perpetrator."

During the time Minori lived as Bertille, many servants were dismissed from the estate. This was because her father and brothers had heard that they had been belittling and insulting Minori, just as they had done to Bertille. Most of the dismissed servants insisted they were not at fault until the end.

Treating Bertille as a criminal was a behavior that had been accepted as normal in the Raspade Marquis family for seventeen years. The change was only in her father and some of the servants, while the dismissed former servants genuinely believed they should not be punished.

The head of the family, including the man standing before her, was undoubtedly responsible for creating such a household.

"Realize that wishing to be forgiven is a luxury and a sign of arrogance."

If everything could be forgiven with an apology, there would be no need for punishment. Forcing someone to accept an apology is a sign of not truly reflecting on one’s actions.

It is also extremely arrogant to assume that one is forgiven just because they have been punished. Whether to forgive or not should be left to the discretion of the victim.

"Blood relation alone does not make us a family. We have never spent a single moment as a family, and that will never change. Therefore, I will not go out of my way to forgive you all."

The past few months of family-like life were experienced by Minori, not Bertille.

"...Bertille"

"Are you not listening? If you intend to stay in this room, I will leave."

Her father, who must have heard from Tristan, frowned deeply and then said, "Fine," before leaving the room. His back, as he walked away, resembled her eldest brother’s.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

She reassured the maid, who looked worried, and gave her permission to leave. Alone in the room, Bertille let out a sigh of relief.