Chapter 9

Late that night, after I had my father sign the document, an unusual tension ran through our Ackerson Duke’s mansion. It was a time when everyone should have been asleep, and the mansion should have been quiet. However, now, many military police were bustling in and out of the mansion.

"Big brother, are you alright?"

"Of course, Remia, there’s no need to worry."

In front of the worried Remia and me lay the object that was my father. He was sprawled on the floor, his limbs awkwardly bent, and several military police officers were surrounding him, examining the scene.

A few moments ago, my father suddenly started suffering in front of me, spitting blood and collapsing, and then he passed away. Indeed, it was a situation eerily similar to what had happened to Remia before. However, I have no intention of covering it up like my father did. I have nothing to hide.

"Did the Duke drink this tea and then become like this, sir?"

"Yes... I was discussing the transfer of the title with Father, and he started suffering in the middle of it..."

"I see..."

I answered the military police’s questions and handed over the signed transfer document. This way, there would be no suspicion that I was behind the murder to claim the title. Since I immediately called for a doctor when Father collapsed, that shouldn’t be a problem either. By the way, Mother fainted from shock, and Robiana is being protected at the castle for safety. Thanks to that, it’s quiet and peaceful.

"Big brother, didn’t you drink it?"

"Yes, I was about to take a sip when Father started suffering, so I was saved."

"…I’m glad."

As she said this, Remia looked at the teapot the military police were holding with a bitter expression. It was probably the same thing that had killed her before.

"Who prepared the tea?"

"Father’s maid. The butler has already restrained her, so please interrogate her."

"Understood. We will temporarily take custody of the body and the evidence. Is that alright?"

"Of course. If it helps to uncover the truth of Father’s death, I’ll do anything..."

I already knew the truth of his death. Father had ordered the maid to target my life. When I was called to discuss something, I wouldn’t have drunk the tea so easily. Father knew this, so he drank the tea first to show it was safe. He must have told the maid to prepare a safe cup for himself. Thinking it would be like this, I casually switched the teacups. As expected, Father collapsed immediately after. If you’re planning to poison someone, don’t take your eyes off the teacup for even a moment. But Father’s foolishness saved me.

"It’s his own doing..."

No one reacted to my softly spoken words.

After that, Father was determined to have been poisoned by the maid. The maid insisted on her innocence, claiming it was a request from Father, but she was eventually sentenced to death. She was the same maid who had participated in Remia’s poisoning in my previous life. I thought about letting her off if she couldn’t resist Father, but I knew she had participated in the poisoning for selfish reasons both in this life and the previous one. In the previous life, she was paid, and this time, she had secured a promise to become Father’s mistress. I had no mercy for such a woman.

After that, as soon as the mourning period for Father was over, I became the Duke without any issues.

◇◇◇

Half a year later, Robiana married Prince Lemuel. It seems she decided that the shock of Father’s death caused her to lose the baby. While I was impressed by Robiana’s cleverness, Remia and I began preparing to leave the capital. We had originally planned to leave earlier, but Mother was being too troublesome. She kept insisting she didn’t want to be separated from Robiana and was giving her money and doing as she pleased. I had no choice but to send a male prostitute to the estate to keep her occupied. At first, she complained, but she soon became infatuated with the young men and calmed down. I plan to send her back to her family with a suitable excuse once she settles down.

As for Robiana, it seems she is having a hard time with her princess education, just like in the previous life, and she sends me letters almost every day.

"The Prince is so insistent on studying that it’s unbearable. Please tell Big Brother to be more considerate of his wife. And, please provide the funds for a tea party for my dear sister."

The content of the letter is exactly the same as in the previous life, and I can’t help but laugh. Robiana hasn’t changed at all. She enjoys luxury without caring about her duties as a royal, but unlike Robiana, Prince Lemuel is quite anxious. Immediately after marrying Robiana, he was stripped of his position as Crown Prince. While it’s said that the selection process will be redone, it’s unlikely he will regain his position as long as Robiana is by his side. The Prince frequently sends letters asking for the support of our Ackerson Duke’s family, but I have no intention of accepting.

Because,

"My dear sister has always been, and will always be, Remia."

Remia is finally getting married to Julian next month. Julian didn’t end up inheriting the earldom he was supposed to. He is now a simple knight and plans to come with us to the duchy. Julian has the skills to become a royal guard in this life, but he says he wants to support me with Remia. He said we should live happily together. Remia and Julian comforted me when I couldn’t help but cry.

Ah, I am truly happy. But I haven’t forgotten that this happiness is due to my [Arrogance].

Hey, Robiana...

Do you realize the difference between your previous life and this one? Do you understand what you had in the past but don’t have now?

"Probably not in this lifetime..."

Only Remia, Julian, and I know this. So, we just wait. We just wait for you to be driven to the brink, and we will wait, forever.

Today, my sister died. She committed suicide, unable to bear the fact that she couldn’t have children. The infamous fool princess, Robiana. This was the end I wanted for my sister.