I Will Abandon My Family! - v5 Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16 (Patreon)

v5, Chapter 14

Betrayal
Supported by Henry, I doubted my eyes looking at Father.

Father, who had endured unreasonable treatment all along, would never have resorted to violence against weaker individuals than himself.

Yet...

"That hurt... What are you doing?"

"You're a foolish and dirty woman through and through."

"Huh?"

Father struck Dania.
He never allowed violence towards others.
He had always said that even if he were to experience it, he shouldn't inflict the same pain on others.

"Inhuman. You're no longer a human; you're a beast wearing human skin."

"Me... a beast?"

"Yes. You don't see people as people. You killed your biological father for selfish reasons. Shepherd would have eventually killed me as well."

Father... how difficult it must have been for you.

"I... "

"I was in the way, right? That's why you wished to cast me out of the mansion and let me die in the wild."

Even without plotting an assassination, we were left on our own with nothing but the clothes on our backs.
And we were practically killed by the two, who took away all our property.

"But you were naive."

"What...?"

"You thought you were excellent without understanding your place. You can't create anything on your own... Nobility isn't something an individual can stand on alone. The territory passed down through generations is not something to be taken for granted."

Shepherd treated what was given to him as if it were his by right.
Us, nobles, thrive thanks to the support of many.

Without considering the consequences of mistreating the commoners, the territory would be in jeopardy.
The wealth of the Ranford family didn't come out of thin air.

"You're incompetent... too different from Marie."

"Don't mock me! I... I..."

"Marie showed exceptional talent from a young age. If she had been treated well, she might have become a lady-in-waiting by now."

Father said regretfully.
It wasn't until I went to school in the Capital that I was able to study properly, where I learned manners by observation.

"Some people are born with talent. But you don't have it... otherwise, why haven't you changed?"

"Shut up! It's all because you're incompetent... that's right."

It's pointless to say anything.
Yet, why does Father try to speak?

"So foolish... there's no genius like Lord Diaz."

"Lady Oriana."

"He is a genius who has given wisdom to the young King since the start of his academic years. Oh, and let me tell you one more thing. The reason Lord Diaz was desired as a son-in-law by the Ranford family is because their daughter was so foolish."

"That... "

"The former Viscount was troubled by his wife and daughter, who squandered his wealth, and even if he wanted to divorce her, he couldn't leave the two bums to do whatever they wanted, could he?”

To protect my Father, Lady Oriana raised Shepherd's chin with a fan and glared at him.

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v5, Chapter 15

Desperate Words
Lady Oriana's words further cornered Shepherd.

"Do you think you can get away with disrespecting Lord Diaz, who is His Majesty's close aide and a dear friend, without facing charges of disrespect?"

"Eh..."

"Of course not, right? Now that he holds the position of a Marquis, do you think a commoner like you can be forgiven for showing such disrespect?”

It was too late for him to realize now.
Shepherd still clung to the idea of being family, but why couldn't he see it was impossible?

"You have been removed from his family register. You are not connected by a single drop of blood. We even have a certificate of authentication. That woman engaged in promiscuous activities with men even after marrying Lord Diaz. Your father is nothing more than a former servant who was her lover. Truly disgusting... but Lady Marie, she is Lord Diaz's daughter. After all, they look exactly alike, don't they? This certificate confirms their parent-child relationship."

"No... it's a lie! It's a lie, a lie!"

No one sympathized with Shepherd as he shouted with his hands covering his ears.

"Even if you block your ears, it is futile. Even if there is a blood relation, legally, according to the family register, you are strangers... the insults you hurled at me have been properly recorded."

"Record..."

"That record has already been sent to my subordinates in the Capital. Why do you think Marie chose this secluded mansion? It is insurance for the worst-case scenario."

"Father..."

I deliberately chose this mansion for a reason.
This mansion, with its tight security, had various traps.

Father had set up one of those traps after we were previously robbed.

"Insurance...?"

"Do you think I would meet with the two of them without any preparation?"

"What kind of trickery is this!"

"I did not expect to come out unscathed. Considering everything that has happened, it was easy to imagine the two of them laying hands on me."

The memories of the past still linger.
But I didn't want to be broken any further.

"If, by any chance, these two were acquitted, many people would suffer. To ensure they are definitively thrown into jail, we need to create crimes... assault, confinement, attempted murder."

"That's cruel!"

"I don't want to hear such words from someone who has done so many terrible things. I'm not a puppet to be manipulated."

I couldn't let these two cause more victims.

So, at that time, I executed a plan, anticipating the worst-case scenario.

I didn't want to make it the worst-case scenario.
But undoubtedly, these two were the ones who turned me into a demon.

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v5, Chapter 16

Last Words
"That’s enough."

With Father's words, the accompanying Knights took the two away.

"Wait, please! Let's start over! I will forgive you!"

"Yeah! Help us!"

I don't want to hear anymore.
I know their words are futile, but I want to cover my ears.

They don't understand how terrible what they have done so far is.
Is there really nothing I can do against the two who have destroyed even my Father's life?

"I will say one last thing. I never loved you."

"Huh?"

"There is only one woman in my heart. I have no love for you, I am just indebted to your father, who offered to protect my beloved and pay for her medical expenses.”

"That's… a lie! How…”

Shepherd shouted with his hands over his ears, but no one sympathized.

"Why would I love you? Always denying me, lamenting in front of the mirror that you are the tragic heroine..."

So she was doing something like that?
I'd say Father is more of a tragic hero.

"My only support was Marie's existence. Otherwise, I would have divorced you sooner... I guess that feeling came through to you, too, didn't it? You are always greedy for more."

"You deceived me so well!"

"Oh yes, I also deceived you. I never felt any affection for you."

Father, with an expression that had become completely cold, had no familial emotions left.
But he shouldn't say it out loud.

It was me who said it...

"Marie, don't blame yourself. I should have divorced her sooner."

"Father..."

"But even if we had divorced, it would have been difficult for me to gain custody... That's why your leaving the house at that timing was a good opportunity."

Father insisted it wasn't my fault.
It was unavoidably frustrating.

"If I hadn't been born, you might have divorced sooner..."

"That's not true. I wouldn't have left that house until Father-in-law passed away. And if you hand’t been born, I wouldn't have met my wonderful son-in-law."

"Father-in-law..."

"Henry, you are my dear son."

No one is at fault.
Father's words made me unable to stop crying.

"Something like this... something like this shouldn't be forgiven... guaaaah!"

"Stop ruining the emotional scene."

"How coincidental, Lady Anesia. I completely agree. I would like to tear them to pieces right here and right now.”

Shepherd's screams echoed, but no one stopped them.

"Yes, yes, you will spend the rest of your life in prison after the trial."

"There are plenty of charges. And with no money, it will be impossible to bail yourselves out, you know? Do you know happens when commoners keep laying hands on high-ranking nobles?"

"Hiieh... "

Now they realize how heavy the sins they committed are, but it's too late.

Besides, I had already set traps to ensure they would be found guilty in the trial.

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