Chapter 24: Twist on a Twist (2)

Wait, what? You arrived at dawn and already did all that?

“There were people who appeared suspicious based on the circumstances. They’ve all been taken into custody.”

Though she wore a slightly somber expression, my stepmother spoke firmly.

“And during the search, the police found suspicious traces in a tea leaf container in the kitchen. They collected it to test whether it reacts with the medication Rose was prescribed. The doctor is also currently under investigation.”

Insane. I’d never seen someone bulldoze through a problem like this before. I swallowed hard. Despite the sad look in her eyes, my stepmother flashed a bright smile.

“So don’t worry and eat up, my daughter.”

Ugh. I hesitated.

This was moving way too fast. I mean, I stepped out for a bit and came back to find that the suspects and evidence were already secured? What kind of anticlimactic storyline is this?

Usually in fantasy romance novels, something always slips through the cracks and the real culprit escapes, leading to a dramatic climax filled with frustrating twists.

This needed more observation and investigation.

Yes, let’s put this on hold for now. Definitely on hold.

“Well… I might have eaten too much last night, so I’m actually not that hungry yet. Would it be alright if I ate in an hour or two?”

“Of course, that’s perfectly fine. Just don’t forget to take your medicine after your meal.”

I got through it! Yes! I silently repented for looking down on my fiancé’s food delivery service. I’ll be relying on him for a while. I’ll repay this kindness in land someday.

After that, the breakfast gathering passed with light conversation and no particular topics of note. My stepbrother, once again, didn’t touch the meat. Now that we’re on speaking terms, I’ll ask him later if he’s a vegetarian.

I spent the rest of the morning peacefully fiddling with my camera in my room. I mostly took shots of the garden from the window, and it looked like I’d captured something quite lovely.

As I was adjusting the composition, I heard a knock at the door.

“Young lady, Madam is inviting you to join her for a walk.”

Ack! First, hide the camera.

As soon as we stepped outside for a walk, my stepmother started talking.

“Rose, did you enjoy your meal?”

That’s such a naturally Korean sort of question.

“Yes, yes!”

My fiancé’s delivery had been a bacon sandwich. Excellent volume, great balance, an ideal breakfast set. The taste was solid too, so I’d give it four and a half stars. I’ll ask him which shop it came from and go with him sometime.

“I’m glad. Did you remember to take your medicine before the meal? It’s a new prescription we had formulated after consulting a well-known doctor.”

I’m sorry. That medicine is still tucked safely in my desk drawer… At least I can lie convincingly.

“Of course.”

She smiled with visible relief. Not that she needed to, but somehow my conscience started acting up again… Calm down, conscience. You’re fine. 

There’s no way I’m taking psychiatric meds when I’m perfectly sane. 

A brief, peaceful silence followed. My stepmother seemed to be gazing around the garden with a wistful expression. Was she reminiscing about her younger, romantic days?

“My dear Rose.”

“Yes?”

Whoa, that startled me.

“To be honest, I was really hurt that you didn’t tell me about the poisoning right away.”

She looked forlorn. This tone, this mood is all too familiar. A classic line in a convoluted fantasy family tree drama.

Wait… is this the start of a ‘family bond restoration’ event?

“It’s been five years, but I thought… so even now, I’m not someone you can trust as a mother.”

With a faint, bitter smile, she spoke calmly. I swallowed hard, racking my brain for a proper reply. Come on, brain, output maximum favorability dialogue…!

“But I can’t say I don’t understand.”

She turned fully to face me.

“A stepmother trying to poison her for the inheritance… it’s not exactly an unbelievable thought.”

“Cough…”

I nearly choked. I can’t believe she said that so bluntly. As expected from someone who swooped in at dawn with the police and found suspects and evidence in just three hours. Direct to the end.

“But don’t worry, Rose. We were already planning to have you move out once you became an adult.”

“What?”

I had no idea they were planning to kick me out, and now you’re just casually telling me this?

Regardless of my internal panic, my stepmother carried on smoothly, smiling.

“Geryl’s an adult now too, so there’s no need for you to worry about us. We’ve been saving up for the past few years and even found a place in town.”

Then, like a joke, she added, “Of course, it’s not as spacious as this mansion. But it’s a cozy place. You’ll come visit, won’t you?”

Ma’am, are you really hitting me with an ending monologue without warning? What is this conversation that sounds like it belongs at the end of a long saga, after all the trials and conflicts have been resolved? I didn’t even do anything, so why is everything being taken care of so smoothly around me? Is this not a dating sim, but a healing fantasy where the beloved protagonist just has everything solved for her?

Still, my stepmother continued with heartfelt sincerity.

“If Rose thinks of us that way, we’ll always be family.”

“Y-Yes… of course.”

I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore, but it must’ve been the right thing because the mood was warm and peaceful.

Alright, let’s try taking the lead in the conversation.

“Um… what kind of work do you do these days?”

“Oh, I support an archaeological expedition.”

That was unexpectedly adventurous… I had assumed she was doing the usual fantasy noble job, like running a merchant guild.

“I’ve been translating ancient texts written in languages that are no longer used.”

Incredible. That’s not an easy specialty to make a living from. But from the way she’s been working busily, she must be really talented. I was genuinely impressed.

“That’s seriously amazing!”

“Oh my, thank you.”

She beamed. And I felt pretty good too, since it seemed like I’d definitely earned some affection points.

Whatever. Whether this is a healing story or a dating sim, who cares? Even if the target audience appeal is fuzzy and there’s no clear climax, that’s fine by me. I’m all for easy progress! Maybe I’ve been dropped into a second-rate novel, who knows?

Anyway, things seem to be going well with my stepmother and stepbrother. And I’m getting along better with my fiancé too. Not bad for a fantasy transmigration protagonist. Nice.

* * *

“Ha.”

Moore let out a derisive laugh.

The room was a mess. Torn curtains and bed sheets were strewn across the floor. Every drawer of the desk had been yanked out and tossed aside carelessly. The shelves were dismantled and their contents spilled everywhere.

Every possible hiding spot had been thoroughly ransacked, leaving only exposed frames. The intensity of the search left behind an eerie aftermath. Yet the man didn’t seem particularly affected. The moment he stepped inside, he could tell something that should’ve been there was gone. But that wasn’t much of a problem. He could have it replaced and delivered within two days.

What truly stood out, however, was the large, blood-red scrawl on the opposite wall. The sheer size of the writing reflected the hatred of the one who wrote it.

‘B*st*rd child’

This time, Lucas did not laugh.

“…Looks like I really do need to kill them.”

He muttered in a low, emotionless tone, pulling a small notebook from inside his coat.

At the bottom of the worn journal he used as a diary, a faint line of cursive was smudged: ‘R. Aubert’.

A dry, bitter laugh escaped him. His words were laced with a loathing that even he didn’t fully realize had taken root.

“Guess trash finds its own kind.”

Rose’s fiancé slipped the notebook back into his coat. Then he smoothed his expression. A natural smile formed on his face.

These gestures used to come as effortlessly as breathing, but lately, they took more effort. It was an unpleasant thing. Still, there was work to be done. He stepped out of the room. Having delayed long enough, he intended to wrap things up quickly.

* * *

“It’s time for your walk, miss.”

“I already went earlier.”

I gave a little wave to the attendant, who, unfailingly punctual, came at the usual hour. It wasn’t the same person who’d informed my stepmother about the walk earlier. Maybe this one’s assigned specifically to her?