“—Hospitalized in a psychiatric ward because of mental illness… Suicide… Violence against family and neighbors due to drug addiction, arrested several times, before finally being abandoned by his family, and is now a slum dweller…”

Because of what happened to Joshua, I became curious about what my other comrades were doing, so I did my own research.

While some led a normal lives, there others were plagued by nightmares like me. Some had even taken their lives while others became criminals like Joshua. There were even those who had died.

Apparently, those who had become addicted to drugs couldn’t get past their traumas even after the war had ended. To abate those fears, even if by a little, they turned to drugs.

I threw the document containing the result of the investigation onto the desk and looked up at the ceiling.

“Why did this happen?”

—They just didn’t want to die.

They just wanted to return alive.

They just wanted to be reunited with their families and loved ones.

No one wanted such an outcome.

“—Will I end up with the same fate?”

There was no saying that I wouldn’t lose myself and end up following the same path as them.

After all, I went through the same thing. I killed countless people. I lost many comrades. Between me and them, there weren’t that many differences. When I thought about it that way, I couldn’t help but be scared.

Before I became a threat to anyone—before I threatened the name of Lowenberg, perhaps it’d be better to end this life with my own hands.

Then, a brittle laugh spilled out of me.

“What did you survive for?”

I didn’t survive to live a life like this.

“Lady, a subpoena has come from the royal family.”

A steward handed me a latter. Certainly, it had the seal of the royal family.

“What for?”

“Well…” The sullen-faced Eric, who came alongside the steward, answered with a sigh.

“During the inspection of the orphanage, you were escorting the princess, right? Did something happen?”

Well, the princess’ naivety was revealed…

Come to think of it, she did say that she’d report my tyranny to the king.

Did she take action?

In other words, that visit was completely meaningless.

Was it just a waste of time?

Well, getting involved with them wasn’t a big deal. Although, if I could, I’d like to remain uninvolved for a long time, but that was no longer doable because of this summon. Not like it was possible either way, given that I was now a duchess.

“She chastised the garments of the children in the orphanage for being ragged. She also insisted that each child be given their own room. Furthermore, the inspection had to be put on hold after she made a display of asking where the servants were.”

Upon hearing my reply, both Eric and the steward went agape.

“Wait, hold on…”

Desperately trying to comprehend what I just said, Eric clutched his forehead.

“Servants? One room per child? What sort of place did you inspect? Did you go to the mansion of a low-ranking aristocrat?”

“The orphanage.”

“Milady, what do you mean by ragged?”

“Actually, the children were wearing the same clothes as any other commoner, yet according to the princess, their clothing should be tailored at the royal capital’s boutique.”

“I don’t understand.”

Eric seemed about to scream.

“Who would’ve thought rejecting all of her suggestions would result in a subpoena?”

“Still, you have no choice but to obey. Should I proceed with the necessary arrangements?”

“Of course.”

Prompted by the steward, I lifted my heavy hips.

“Eric, in case of an emergency, I entrust Lowenberg to you.”

“Don’t say something so ominous…”

I smiled wryly at Eric who thought that I was exaggerating.

A naïve princess and the royal family who spoiled her rotten.

There was no saying what would happen.

---

***T/N: Ugh the princess is such a medieval karen!!!! My Iris wasn’t even allowed to grieve!!!!

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