You Said You Wanted Us to Break Up - Chapter 54

Ethel is Merwen’s castle.

Now that I think about it, I recall the time when Sezna came to confront me about Merwen being detained. It seemed to be related to embezzlement, but I couldn’t remember the details, as I hadn’t heard them clearly.

Still, isn’t it a bit much to hold a trial over embezzlement? Just as I was about to say that, Sioden spoke.

“He admitted to conspiring with Rowen.”

“What? Merwen colluded with Rowen?”

I asked in disbelief, and Sioden confirmed my question.

“Yes.”

Of course, hearing his affirmation did not instill any newfound belief in me.

Still feeling dazed, I asked him, “Why? ”

Sioden did not respond.

It must be a reason that was difficult to share with me, so he could remain silent.

In any case, what I really wanted to ask was already determined.

“What about the possibility of misunderstanding?”

Only after I spoke did I realize that this might sound like I was doubting his judgment.

“I don’t suspect you. But there’s no reason for Merwen to cooperate with Rowen.”

Even I, who was pointed out by all the circumstances as the culprit, felt as if I were being falsely accused from my perspective.

But could I guarantee that Merwen wouldn’t have a similar situation?

“If I say it’s my family’s fault and take responsibility together, it’s one thing, but Merwen isn’t even related to Rowen. If he is wrongly judged, it would be truly unfair.”

I did not want Merwen to suffer unjustly because of Rowen.

Among the people of Raslet, I had only been close with Merwen, which weighed on my heart, but more than anything, I felt unprepared to take responsibility if Merwen were falsely accused because of Rowen and the truth was revealed.

Sioden spoke in a definitive tone, as if to say that I was worrying unnecessarily.

“Ethel admitted his guilt with her own mouth.”

“But I did the same,” I replied.

Sioden paused.

Suddenly, I thought that perhaps I shouldn’t have said that to him, but it was a bit too late to take it back now.

Ultimately, after cautiously observing his reaction, I added, “On the day Merwen’s Glasyr died, I also admitted that I did.”

* * *

Sioden remembered everything that had happened that day.

In the dark dawn before the sun had even risen, Ben knocked on his bedroom door.

“Your Highness, something urgent has come up.”

Upon hearing those words and stepping out of the room, a shocking piece of news awaited him.

“The tree of Lady Merwen has died.”

As he headed to the scene of the incident, Sioden had one hope: that this time it wouldn’t be related to Iella.

Merwen’s Glasyr had been left directly by Lerox. The words he had spoken at that time were still vivid in his memory.

“Evelyn killed the Glasyr meant for that child. So I must prepare it for her, even if it’s mine.”

Separately from the impulse he felt to cut off his father’s tongue at that time, Sioden had no dissatisfaction with the act itself. Rather, it would be more accurate to say he was indifferent. Even if the forest where the Glasyr grew had burned down, he would have felt no emotion.

However, if Iella was involved with the Glasyr that Lerox had left for Merwen, the situation would be different.

If Merwen and Iella were entangled, things would become twice as noisy. This was because Lerox’s remaining friends were unnecessarily loud and numerous.

Rhyss brought a man to him.

“This is the criminal caught at the scene.”

It was Rowen’s knight.

To make matters worse, the knight claimed that he had done all of this for Iella.

Before the knight could assert before the elders that he was in an illicit relationship with his master, Sioden cut off his head.

Of course, this was far from a sufficient resolution to the problem.

He needed to handle the situation before his retainers learned about it. That thought filled his mind completely at that moment.

If this became known outside, the retainers, led by Rupid, would storm the castle.

Then they would raise their voices to put Iella on trial this time.

Such a thing must not happen.

It would be a significant insult for someone of Iella’s high status to stand trial. Since he couldn’t allow anyone else to judge her, he would have to sit in the judge’s seat himself, which was akin to saying he would live like a stranger to Iella forever.

What woman could tolerate a husband who would declare her guilty in front of others?

If a trial were held, a verdict would have to be rendered, and he felt lost about what punishment to impose.

It was customary for a spouse to compensate double if they harmed the family’s assets.

However, Glasyr was something that could not be quantified in material terms.

The dead knight was also a problem. Hadn’t he been spreading rumors about being in an inappropriate relationship with Iella?

He had cut off the knight’s head, but other witnesses could still appear at the trial.

Adultery was more than sufficient grounds for annulment of marriage.

He could neither put Iella on trial nor allow another witness to emerge. Therefore, there was only one method left.

Iella had to admit her guilt in front of him, and as soon as he heard her confession, he would decide on the punishment.

Dealing with the situation before a third party could intervene was the only solution.

The elders would not be able to enter the castle until dawn.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, there was no time for decorum. Sioden quickly put on his formal attire. It was the bare minimum he needed to claim that he had officially heard testimony from Iella.

When he entered the bedroom, Iella seemed to have just awakened.

Perhaps he had woken her up. However, there was no time for apologies, so Sioden seized her wrist immediately.

In the forest, Iella claimed her innocence.

“I never did such a thing.”

It wasn’t the first time she had said this, but he couldn’t accept it now more than ever. The dawn was closing in on them.

His heart raced, and his words grew harsh. He was desperate to cover up the incident despite having seen all the evidence, yet Iella wouldn’t budge an inch, which infuriated him.

However, trying to persuade her gently was hindered by the pride he hadn’t completely cast aside, and raising his voice felt like an unthinkable act.

In this helpless situation, his genuine feelings and insincerity mixed chaotically and spilled out.

“This is not your family home. It means there’s no father to support you, nor loyal brothers.”

It was just him here.

“Don’t you understand that the more you deny this, the bigger the problem becomes?”

So please, just listen to me.

“As you said, it’s just once. Just once would be enough, so please be honest.”

Even after saying everything he needed to, his heart felt heavy.

Iella looked at him with tear-filled eyes. The sorrow in her green eyes tightened his chest.

On her pale cheeks, which seemed about to cry at any moment, Sioden nearly blurted out that he would investigate.

He knew that if he did, he would have to confront Iella with the accusation of adultery.

He became so foolish whenever he stood in front of Iella.

Fortunately, Iella’s confession came faster than his surrender.

“You’re right. I… I did it…”

That was it.

That was enough. Truly enough, but…

“…I understand.”

He couldn’t even comprehend why it felt like a stone was placed on his heart.

* * *

In any case, Iella’s statement provided a suitable basis.

Hearing those words, Sioden immediately returned to the main building and issued an official document. The punishment was indefinite confinement in a separate building. Although it was said to be indefinite, he intended to lift the confinement once the situation calmed down.

In the following days, he hurriedly dealt with the aftermath of the incident, believing he had done his best to wrap things up. Though the results were lacking, he felt he had acted without guilt in his conscience.

But now, looking back, he felt he had failed to uphold anything.

Iella, glancing at him in silence, offered an explanation.

“I’m not trying to blame you; it’s just that Merwen might have a similar situation…”

Sioden had corrected the incident for the woman who suffered because of him.

“The events of that time were my fault. I was insufficient and failed to judge properly, placing the responsibility on you.”

“No, that’s…”

“It was my fault.”

Iella had no reason to understand his circumstances. The decision-making power had been his in that situation.

All wrong judgments lie with the one who had the authority to decide.

“You claimed your innocence, and I did not listen. Regardless of the circumstances, my misjudgment does not change.”

He bowed his head to the woman in accordance with etiquette.

“I’m truly sorry.”

Then Sioden thought, would these words really resonate with Iella? At this point, she might feel that his apology lacked sincerity.

But was there anything else he could do besides apologize?

Thinking that the phrase “I’m sorry” might be tiresome and that shortening it would be arrogant.

Iella rolled her eyes at his words. Her delicate face, which became gloomy at his presence, was filled with discomfort. In an effort to minimize her resentment, Sioden asked in a gentle voice.

“Will you attend the trial? It would be good for you to see the false charges against you being lifted.”

Iella lowered her gaze and shook her head.

“No, I don’t want to go.”