139: The Last Interlude
Everything after that… went smoothly.
The Yamaidome medicine was effective, and the death toll began to decrease significantly.
The main factor was the improved access to medical care in the “back alley,” where the death toll had been the highest. It was officially renamed the ‘future development zone,’ instead of the ‘old town district.’
Of course, the residents hadn’t disappeared. For now, the poll tax was waived until the current crisis—the epidemic—subsided, and after that, they would be employed in the development of the district and the improvement of the capital’s infrastructure.
Other initiatives, small but significant steps towards building a better future, such as relocation assistance and vocational training, had also begun.
As for the criminal organizations, which had been a concern, I had personally negotiated with them, since I knew most of them… and it went more smoothly than expected.
While they lacked respect for the law, many had a sense of… chivalry, supporting the “back alley” community.
While some had turned to crime simply for profit, or out of necessity, considering that we were the ones who had driven them to such extremes, it wasn’t my place, as a ‘noble,’ to judge them.
Several trading companies, led by those who had been influential figures in the “back alley,” were established… and our family… turned a blind eye to their… questionable backgrounds.
I had certain… sections… of the investigation reports… conveniently omitted, so that if anyone looked into it, it would appear as though I had accepted bribes and aided in the survival of criminal organizations.
That (partially fabricated) ‘evidence,’ along with the data from the ‘clinical trials’ conducted during the development of the cure, would eventually be used against me.
I was grateful that one of the elements not explicitly mentioned in the scenario, but which I couldn’t ignore, had been resolved so smoothly.
Our Vanderwaals family didn’t have many connections to such… organizations.
While we sometimes contacted local groups for information—bribing them, making deals, infiltrating them…
…our family was essentially just… information gatherers.
While we weren’t above breaking the law, we generally avoided outsourcing to other organizations, since we were already walking a dangerous path.
While we were often ‘misunderstood,’ our family was a legitimate ducal family, a high-ranking noble family.
If force was necessary to resolve a situation, we used the Vandergant Territorial Army within our territory.
In other territories, including the royal domain, we either reported it through official channels, whispered discreetly in someone’s ear at a social gathering, or anonymously informed the authorities and let them handle it.
So, we didn’t have many connections to criminal organizations.
In the capital, I knew the madam of a certain brothel, having met her when acquiring “Tailor.”
Even that brothel was relatively harmless, simply bribing officials to avoid paying taxes.
Because of this, our family’s influence in the “back alley” was limited, and I had expected the negotiations to be more difficult.
Perhaps we had earned the trust of the ‘local residents’ by assisting in the establishment of civic groups for “back alley” support, ensuring that the aid wasn’t stolen or misappropriated, without any interference.
While I had been nervous about negotiating with the leaders of the underworld, sincerity, it seemed, could bridge even that divide.
However, I felt like some of them had been… intimidated by Ciel’s presence.
Ciel, our head maid and the leader of the “shadows,” was relatively well-known in those circles.
But was she really that intimidating?
“…Something wrong?”
Ciel, who was standing beside me as I sat on the sofa in the drawing-room, returned my gaze. I had been staring at her, lost in thought.
“No. I was just thinking… it’s good that things are finally settling down.”
While winter was approaching, I felt a sense of relief, a burden lifted.
Having come this far, all that remained was to… subtly promote my sister’s reputation… and then calmly walk towards the guillotine.
The Yamaidome medicine had been distributed throughout Eustasia, and even the continent, before the snow blocked the roads… I assumed.
It was up to each nation to handle it, but their own lives—the survival of their nations—were at stake. They would take it seriously.
The [Final Ball] was still a little ways off.
My time was running out.
It had been about a year since I met Leticia, and the scenario of [Moonlight Liberium] was nearing its end.
In the game, the ball happened almost immediately.
Reality, however, was different.
But there was also… a good thing.
Or rather… a bad thing.
“Elder Sister, I’m so glad the epidemic seems to be under control.”
My sister smiled at me, her face close.
Close.
No, wait, wasn’t she… a little too close…?
While it was truly a good thing that the epidemic was being contained…
…did that justify her sitting so close to me on the sofa, which was large enough for two, even three, people?
This was… an intermission.
The space between chapters, a blank space in the scenario.
So, I wasn’t sure how to react to my sister.
Well, the standard response was to be cold and dismissive.
It should be.
While the situation had improved significantly, things weren’t back to normal. The death toll was high, the damage extensive.
Perhaps because of that, my sister hadn’t been making any unusual requests. While we sometimes participated in inspections and visits together, she had been behaving appropriately.
But she seemed… closer… somehow.
Was it my imagination?
There was a knock.
And then a maid’s voice.
“Lady Adelheid, “Tailor” is here.”
“Show them in.”
Leticia, sitting next to me, straightened her posture.
It was difficult to be harsh with her when she was behaving so properly.
Even nobles had their private lives.
――My sister’s reputation was growing, and she was sometimes invited to events without me.
The newly recognized, half-sister, the first in line to inherit the title, being favored over the current head of the family—that seemed like a recipe for disaster.
…The fact that I could think about it so dispassionately was because I was fully prepared to go to the guillotine.
I had no intention of fighting for my position.
Leticia would inherit everything.
My goal was the [Guillotine]… or rather, the [Final Ball] that preceded it.
“The Vanderwaals’ exclusive tailor, “Tailor,” reporting for duty! Is it for the ball gown for the upcoming ball celebrating the end of the epidemic? It is, isn’t it?! And for both of you, of course?!”
“Tailor” burst through the open door with unprecedented energy, their words tumbling out rapidly.
They stood up straight, their usually hunched posture gone, their chest puffed out, which was unusual.
Perhaps due to their hurried entrance, their seaweed-like hair seemed to defy gravity, and their black eyes gleamed with an almost unsettling intensity.
A few weeks ago, during the height of the epidemic, such behavior would have warranted a reprimand for being inappropriate.
However, they were right.
The [Final Ball] was scheduled to celebrate the end of the epidemic.
It was to be held ‘when the cold subsides,’ so… late winter or early spring… it was a bit vague.
It was a two-birds-with-one-stone event, meant to celebrate my sister, the one who contributed the most, showering her with praise and recognition, and to solidify her relationship with her chosen [Capture Target] through dancing and sweet nothings.
No, wait, it also included the denunciation and condemnation of the [Villainous Sister], so it was three birds with one stone.
“”Tailor”, calm down.”
“Y-yes, ma’am. Then, your orders, please.”
“Tailor” knelt on the carpet and calmed down instantly.
However, their eyes still sparkled with anticipation.
“Make a ball gown for my sister. And one for me as well.”
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
“Two dresses might be too much trouble… You can just alter one of my existing dresses.”
The dress I wore in the [Character Portrait], a half-body illustration, wasn’t currently in my possession.
So, I did need a new one… however…
While there was still some time, a ball gown was a major project.
And I was slightly apprehensive about “Tailor’s” perfectionism and their tendency to pour unlimited resources—even at the expense of their own health—into their work, so I suggested an alternative.
“Tailor” stood up, placed a hand on their chest, and smiled.
“—Lady Adelheid, I am a tailor. Please don’t say anything that would take away my scissors and needles.”
“You can hire assistants, you know.”
“I want to do it all myself… These are for an important occasion, so I want to take full responsibility.”
A glimpse of their true feelings, perhaps.
“…You occasionally work as a maid, so take care of your health. The epidemic is still ongoing.”
“Yes, Lady Adelheid!”
At least their response was good.
“Then, for today, we’ll just take measurements.”
I glanced at Leticia, and our eyes met.
I quickly looked away.
While the measurements were taken without incident…
――Just like last time, I felt strangely embarrassed.
