Chapter 54 (1/2): CASE 3. The Third Bride (29)

The Grand Duke looked as if he had been struck with a massive blow from his heartbreak.

At Marie’s request for him to ‘please leave for now,’ he departed as if he were crumbling apart.

He looked pitiful enough in his own way, but Marie was our first priority.

“Marie, are you okay?”

Lure, who came up as if taking a relay from the Grand Duke, asked with worry. Judging by the timing, she must have been waiting below the whole time.

She probably guessed what kind of conversation would take place and gave them space.

“Don’t cry. Why waste precious tears on someone like the Grand Duke?”

I also tried my best to comfort Marie.

“If you were hurt by those rumors, there’s no need to worry anymore, Marie. No one will ever be able to say you saw ghosts because of a mental illness again.”

“What is it, Master? Did you do something else in that short time?”

“It’s nothing big. I just created a few more people who saw the ghost.”

If only one person sees a ghost, that person is considered crazy. But what if two or three people see a ghost?

‘Then this castle just becomes a haunted castle, that’s all.’

“Haunted Castle” was a nickname far more suited to this place than the Celestial Tower. The Grand Duke’s infamy would soar even higher, but why should I care?

“Now, instead of rumors about a crazy bride possessed by a ghost, there will be rumors about a crazy Grand Duke who creates ghost brides.”

“You did a great job, Master! I think it’s okay to do even more! Grand Duke Kalan said himself that he doesn’t care about his honor in the slightest anyway.”

“Really? Then should we actively go around spreading rumors?”

“I’ve made so many friends in this castle. Starting tomorrow, I’ll go around saying I saw our young lady’s ghost, too!”

“Should we hang white lace cloths here and there at night? We’ll be mass-producing ghost witnesses.”

Perhaps she recognized our efforts to cheer her up.

“What is that…”

Marie lifted her head and gave a faint smile through her reddened eyes.

Contrary to my worries, she didn’t look as bad as I thought. There were no symptoms of hyperventilation, and her complexion was normal.

“I’m really fine. Of course, it’s not that I’m not upset, but I actually feel a sense of relief.”

“Relief?”

If that was the case, it was a relief for us, too… but was that possible? She wasn’t confusing the feeling of her heart breaking with relief, was she?

“It’s true. Actually, I realized something while talking to Sister Elise earlier.”

“What did you realize?”

“Ah, this sister is actually a very strange person.”

“…?”

“The Grand Duke also looked cool, but he’s actually a very strange person, too.”

…Should I join her in badmouthing the Grand Duke right now?

While I was hesitating on how to react, Marie gave a refreshing smile.

“So, I realized that I’m not the only strange one.”

“…!”

“I’m not the only strange person. I’m not crazy, and I’m not a sinner who caused Sister Elise’s death.”

Marie had been consciously or unconsciously aware of her “abnormality” all this time and had blamed herself for losing her sister because of it.

That Marie had decided to stop blaming herself.

‘It’s been about… one month since I met Marie.’

In just that short time, Marie had grown.

“Marie…”

Just as the sensitive Lure’s eyes were moistening with emotion.

“It’s all thanks to Sister Lure.”

Lure looked startled and dazed at Marie’s words.

“Me, me? What did I do?”

“You showed me, Sister.”

Marie smiled shyly as she lifted a strand of her braided hair.

“How to escape when trapped in anxiety.”

This was true emotionally and physically.

Marie had learned how to manage her anxiety from Lure, and using that method, she had been able to braid a rope and create an escape route.

“So, it’s all thanks to you, Sister.”

“That’s… No, I just…”

I grinned at the two of them.

“What are you so shy about? You deserve the thanks, Lure. You were the best detective’s assistant.”

“Of course, I’m grateful to Sir Heis as well.”

Despite my teasing of Lure, I couldn’t help but feel shy myself.

“No, well… it’s not like I did much.”

I wasn’t just being humble; I was truly embarrassed.

The truth of the case had been revealed, after all.

‘Marie would have been safe even without me.’

In fact, she might have known the truth much sooner and avoided unnecessary anxiety.

“I was just a child who knew nothing,” Marie said, her cheeks flushing. “I didn’t even know the hearts of the people beside me, and I lived thinking the greenhouse was the whole world. Then, I met Sir Heis and stepped out of the greenhouse for the first time. I learned many heartbreaking truths.”

Marie lowered her eyes.

For a moment, I thought she might cry, but when she looked up again, she was still smiling.

“It wasn’t that it didn’t hurt. But I’m grateful that I found out now. If it weren’t for Sir Heis, I would have remained just a child.”

“……”

“Sir. Thank you for pulling me out of the greenhouse.”

Marie laughed. It was a smile so bright and radiant that the Grand Duke might have collapsed if he had seen it.

“Sir Heis, and Sister Lure. Thank you for being with me until now.”

It was a feeling that warmed my heart.

Then, Lure stepped forward boldly.

“Hey! There’s something I really want to do right now.”

Then, she clenched her fist tightly and thrust it into the air.

“…?”

Marie looked puzzled, not knowing what it meant. I struggled to hold back my laughter.

‘She learned something, at least. She didn’t thrust her fist at a person’s body this time.’

When I extended my fist and touched Lure’s.

“…Ah!”

Marie also understood the situation and moved immediately.

—Thump!

The three fists met in the air.

“Then…”

Lure, her face turning bright red, led the chant.

“Phantom Thief Lure Team! Mission complete!”

“”Mission complete!””

With our fists touching and looking like a mess, we all smiled brightly.

It was the moment the long case finally came to a close.

—Epilogue—

After all the incidents were wrapped up, the only thing left was the farewells.

“Even if you’re leaving, shouldn’t we share a final goodbye? There are many who wish to speak with you. Ah, I’m certainly not saying this out of some wicked desire to see Lady Marie’s face just one more time.”

Following the Grand Duke’s suggestion, we had a grand farewell time. A noisy gathering was held, bringing together everyone involved in the Grand Duchess kidnapping case.

It was a strict and secret party that no outsider could ever enter.

“Ahem! Heis, I must apologize for misunderstanding you.”

“No, Mr. Clinette. I misunderstood you as well.”

“I’ll apologize too. But I have to say one thing! Even so, wasn’t hitting me with a wine bottle a bit much? I could have died if it hit my head wrong!”

“I’m telling you this now, but that really wasn’t me.”

At first, the atmosphere was somewhat stiff with apologies being exchanged. Even though everything had been revealed as a misunderstanding, the lingering resentment didn’t just vanish instantly.

However, after a few drinks, the atmosphere thawed in an instant.

“Sooo, is Miss Lure going back to the capital? That’s too bad! You’re so scrawny, you look just like my granddaughter, like you’re about to collapse any second! It makes me want to keep feeding you something!”

“Heis! By the way, why didn’t you wear those flashy clothes today? Were you afraid I’d steal them because they shine too much? Hahaha!”

“Alright, everyone drink up! Drink! Let’s all toast to this bittersweet farewell!”

“I’m not drinking! Especially brandy, absolutely not!”

“I knew that, so I poured juice in Lady Marie’s glass!”

“If Lady Marie isn’t drinking, then I won’t drink either.”

“Hmph, what do I care? Do whatever you want, Your Highness!”

“Lady Marie…”

“Now, now, that’s how everyone becomes an adult, Your Highness! Cheer up!”

“To commemorate this day of our harmony, cheers!”

“Grand Duke! If you ever make me tell a lie again, I won’t let it slide!”

“Hahaha! Lady Sara! Is it true you taught me the real fork in the road because you were annoyed with lying? I thought you predicted that I’d predict your actions, so I predicted the path you predicted and then… uh, how far did I count? Oh, right! Predicting and predicting…”

“Goodness, Sister Lure! I think you should stop drinking!”

“Marie! Sister, Sister wanted to mimic you, so she asked the Grand Duke for a wig—! But no matter what I saw, there wasn’t any hair as pretty and sparkling as yours! So in the end, Sister sewed it herself! I sewed every single strand while being scolded by Lady Sara for the fur flying everywhere! So don’t hate me—. I did everything wrong, so call me Sister too, not just Sister Lure!”

“Ugh! Lady Marie! Please take this drunkard away! I can’t believe I have something like this as a roommate…!”

“Sir Heis! Could you give us a toast? Listening to this idiot is so boring it’s ruining the taste of the wine!”

“Shut up, you moron! This is how a toast is supposed to be done!”

“Alright, everyone! To the day we meet again, cheers!”