Yes. Apparently, his sister, who had married a distant relative, was chased away by her husband after her family's downfall. He was so angry about it that he attacked his brother-in-law and died.
Natasha Gruenhals, who had been poisoned by her own family and rendered unable to bear children, had left the Imperial Capital at the time, marrying a distant relative before the news spread through society. Soon after, Megara became Abelus's mistress and ran wild, making Natasha disappear as if she had never existed.
However, Cledwin never stopped monitoring the Gruenhals siblings, and after seeing Neris's past, his surveillance became even more thorough. The fact that the family had barely done anything in this war, yet he had stripped them of their titles and banished them completely, was, of course, due to an excuse—Eustace had privately tortured Abelus—but it was basically an act of revenge.
Apparently, Natasha's in-laws didn't like her much. After all, she was a daughter-in-law they had taken in because of the Gruenhals ducal family's background, but hadn't the status of that ducal family been steadily declining?
To make matters worse, one of the women who had been rendered unable to bear children by Natasha had apparently guessed the truth and told Natasha's in-laws. She claimed that since Natasha was now part of their family, they should compensate her for ruining her life.
They didn't like their daughter-in-law to begin with. Not only had it been revealed that she was such a despicable person, but she had also lied about being able to have children and gotten married?
Natasha's in-laws had a vast expanse of land and a castle that they had received as a dowry from the Gruenhals ducal family. They locked Natasha up in a dilapidated hut at the very edge of that land. And when the war ended and the Gruenhals ducal family's titles were revoked, they banished her completely, with nothing to her name. They didn't return a single coin of her dowry.
Eustace, who had gone to his sister because his family was ruined and he had nowhere to go, saw this. Enraged at the sight of his beloved sister in such a terrible state, Eustace went to find his brother-in-law, sword in hand, and apparently died after being beaten by a group of thugs.
Natasha, who had witnessed this, was also said to be on the verge of death. She would probably die soon, having lost everything she cared about, only to suffer.
Cledwin felt no sympathy, knowing well what that wicked pair had tried to do to his wife. But it wasn't exactly a good story for a child, so he only read the details himself, not hearing them from Rex's mouth.
The Baron of Nine… his family was completely ruined by the war and he sold his title. He was trying to leave for a foreign country, but his carriage crashed on a rainy mountain road and he disappeared. It was highly likely that everyone died.
The Earl of Berta… he died in the war. His daughter, Rhiannon, also died after the war, her wounds worsening after a serious injury. The heir to the title, with nothing left in the family, also sold his title.
The Earl of Islani… his family survived until after the war. But Cledwin had no intention of keeping the vicious Alecto Islani in the new Empire's social circles. Neris would be fine even seeing his sniggering face, but he wouldn't be. The Earl of Islani's family was suddenly ruined for reasons they couldn't understand, and all its members were scattered.
The Marquis of Kendall, after relinquishing his title, lived a modest life, maintaining his dignity. But since the death of Idalia, he was gradually losing his strength, so the best thing to do was to take good care of him.
He had almost repaid all his debts. Valentin Elandria, with his tenacious grip on life, was repeatedly falling ill after being beaten by Isabelle in that rural monastery, miraculously recovering each time. He might think it was a miracle, but Cledwin knew the truth.
He knew that his subordinate, who was monitoring the monastery, was repeatedly treating Valentin just enough to keep him alive.
Neris herself didn't care much about Valentin, compared to Nellusion, even though he was the one who had directly killed her. Perhaps she had expectations for Nellusion, but she had never expected anything from Valentin from the beginning.
That's why Cledwin hadn't told Neris that Valentin was still alive. He knew himself that it wasn't very impressive to still be obsessed with the misfortune of a powerless woman… It was simply good enough for him if she didn't care.
"Good. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes."
Rex bowed politely and left the office.
During the short time before the next document was brought in, Cledwin adjusted his hold on Arbyone. The little baby was truly changing day by day, and she was quite heavy compared to when she was first born. Of course, she was still a long way from being a human weight, and she was still closer to an angel's weight.
The baby, who loved being in her father's arms, rested her cheek against his shoulder. Cledwin, overwhelmed by her warmth, weight, and the strong scent of baby, forgot all the thoughts he had been having and smiled.
"It's a good thing you can't read yet."
The baby blinked her Jewel Heart, which was still a long way from becoming one. Cledwin thought she was absolutely adorable. How she blinked when she didn't understand, already so much like her mother.
"Mom and Dad could read and write by the time they were three. Since you're our child, you'll probably be able to read and write around that age too. And you'll still be begging me to read you books for a long time after that, but it'll probably be after it becomes quite difficult to keep secrets from you."
Those listening from the side thought he had just revealed his immense ambition for his daughter's education. Of course, our genius princess could do anything.
Cledwin deliberately swayed his body slightly back and forth, and the baby giggled again. He kissed her cute little face several times.
"I'll finish everything that's bad for your education before then. I promise."
❖ ❖ ❖
News of the new Emperor and Empress's enthronement spread throughout the Empire. Early in the afternoon, people who would normally have returned to their jobs after a short lunch break commemorated the day with a short moment of silence in their homes. This was because the new Emperor and Empress wanted everyone to have a break. Except for unavoidable exceptions.
However, the people of Penmerwick, the new Imperial Capital, took a break but didn't stay home. They were filled with even more joy than the day before and flocked to the front of the Imperial Palace. And they got to see the Emperor and Empress appear on the balcony.
It wasn't a new sight. The Emperor and Empress had already had a parade yesterday. But wasn't this the day? The day they could address them with the new national name.
"Long live the Emperor and Empress of Ameteria!"
"May the Meindlandt royal family be forever glorious!"
The crowd cheered wildly at the couple, who smiled beautifully and waved. No ringleader was needed. One era had ended, and another had begun. Moreover, in the best way they could imagine.
The fact that the ruler of the Empire had changed didn't make them all happy and wealthy right away. But hope was what made people happy.
That little by little, really little by little, but surely, falsehood would be dispelled by truth, and injustice would be overthrown by justice.
The cheers reached a crescendo when the blessed heir, Princess Arbyone, appeared in the nursemaid's arms. She was still a small baby, and those far away couldn't even see her properly, but her mere presence was enough.
The Emperor and Empress gently watched as Arbyone yawned with her small mouth. The clear blue sky and the scattered white clouds were reflected in her bright eyes. And in the middle of it all, her mother and father, who were there for her.
In the warm sunlight, the baby stretched out her hand. And she confidently grasped the happiness that surrounded her like a curtain, rippling.
***
The sound of fireworks echoed through the old warehouse in the mountain monastery.
Valentin was the only resident there. She was crammed into a dirty corner of this warehouse, where mice roamed freely at night and insects swarmed during the day.
Just a short time ago, she was one of the most noble women in this country, the Empire of Bisto. There was no one who could compare to the beautiful Valentin, the direct descendant of a grand noble. She was supposed to live a luxurious and honorable life.
The Elandria ducal family, the most historic and prestigious noble family in the Empire, and indeed in this continent, was a symbol of the eternal alliance with the royal family.
The Crown Princess, destined for greatness. The future Empress. A being who should be resting on a golden bed, draped in the most expensive silks and adorned with the largest jewels in the Imperial Capital.
That was the life that should have been Valentin's.
But now, she was barely clothed in rags. She had no jewels, not even a decent ribbon. Her once lustrous long hair had been chopped off by Isabelle, who claimed she would sell it to a wig maker.
Valentin, who had always been proud of her appearance, now tried to avoid even looking at a water bucket. In just a few months, she had changed so much that it was unbearable to look at. She didn't want to see herself.
To see herself, the pitiful creature who was being abused day and night, forced to work in the fields, and now crammed into this warehouse, groaning in pain.
Valentin had nearly died several times over the winter and spring. Sometimes her wounds from beatings festered, and sometimes she was too cold or hungry. At first, she thought it would be better to die than to live like this, but after surviving several real crises, she had to admit that she still wanted to live.
It was better to eke out a miserable existence. Maybe she could return to her former life someday.
Today, she was lying in bed, sick again. She heard the fireworks from outside, and they said they were being fired from the direction of Caten. Was there something to celebrate? This monastery was already isolated, and Valentin couldn't contact anyone from the outside, so she had no way of knowing what was going on.
The last news she had heard was that the royal family had definitely lost and the Grand Duke's side had won. And the people of the Elandria family had been captured by the Grand Duke's side, and they would probably be executed.
But how could she know? Valentin had not seen any of it with her own eyes. Maybe, maybe… such a pathetic hope, or rather delusion, kept creeping into Valentin's confused mind.
What if it was all rumors? What if the royal family had actually won? No, even if the royal family had really lost and the Elandria family had been ruined… it wasn't necessarily the end, was it? The royal family had many loyal subjects, so maybe one of them would raise an army and chase away the Grand Duke…
Crrrreek. Valentin's delusion vanished like a bubble as the warehouse door opened.
"Valen, our lazy Valen. Did you lie down again just because I was gone for a bit? You're such a pain in the neck."
Isabelle, wielding a club, grinned as she entered the warehouse. Valentin cowered in fear. But instead of resorting to violence as usual, Isabelle squatted down next to the mat where Valentin was lying.
"Even dogs understand words, when will you grow up? Huh? Well, it's a good day, so I'll let you off this time."
Today was the day Isabelle went to town to buy supplies, once a week. It was a good day to escape, but after failing to escape several times and receiving truly horrific treatment, Valentin no longer dared to leave this place on her own.
Valentin got up, knelt down, and looked down at Isabelle's feet with trembling eyes. If she met her gaze, she would be beaten again.
Isabelle, satisfied with Valentin's demeanor, opened her mouth.
"That, you see, is the sound of fireworks celebrating the enthronement of the new Emperor and Empress. I don't care who the new Emperor is, but do you know who the new Empress is?"
The new Empress? Who would dare? Valentin flinched, and Isabelle whispered, delighted.
"It's Miss Neris, yes. That smart girl. She was a bit cocky, but maybe she was just ambitious from a young age. Anyway, she's better than you, isn't she?"
Better? Who? Valentin screamed. Stars flashed before her eyes. She couldn't tell if it was from being beaten by Isabelle or from being so shocked.
"What are you yelling for? You're worse than a dog, you're ungrateful for having a bed like this and food to eat! You've been noisy, so you're going to starve today."
Valentin finally fainted. The world around her was too horrible. How could this be reality? Wouldn't it be better to die?
But the thick darkness continued to be only black.