DDSWTB 22

Chapter 22

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“G-Gilbert-sama, I—I have never mistreated the young lady, not even once! I am innocent!”

Lily’s voice trembled as she cried, pleading with Gilbert.

“You’ve already been investigated for everything you’ve done up to now. Vice thoroughly looked into it.”

With that, Vice — who stood beside him — handed a report to Gilbert.

“For the past year you’ve repeatedly struck Tiana Astell on areas covered by her sleeves and skirts with something like a whip. You spread malicious, unsubstantiated rumors to the other servants. Theft of jewels and dresses. Embezzlement of the maintenance money intended for Tiana, and many other outrages are listed in this report. Is that correct?”

Gilbert began to summarize the investigation and pressed Lily.

Lily hung her head and began to tremble. Her deeds had been brought to light.

“I’m asking you, but there’s no answer. I’ll take that as an admission.”

Gilbert stepped closer to Lily, touched her fingers and snapped two at once.

“Gyaaaahhh!”

Lily couldn’t bear the pain and screamed.

But this was the underground prison and a soundproof barrier had been set — no one could hear Lily’s cries.

“Still no answer?”

“I—I did it…!”

Lily admitted far more easily than expected.

“So, did you plan the embezzlement by yourself?”

Gilbert advanced further. Lily was too terrified even to speak.

“Silence again, huh.”

Gilbert said, sounding exasperated.

This time he broke two more fingers — different ones from before.

“Gyaaaahhh… I-I’ll tell you! I—I will! The head maid brought up the embezzlement and I went along with the idea!”

Gilbert nodded. The report from Vice mentioned it, but he wanted to hear it directly.

“You spread those rumors because Isabella told you to, didn’t you?”

“Y-yes, she told me to!”

“Then, did you hurt Tiana on Isabella’s orders as well?”

“T-that’s….”

Gilbert sighed and reached toward Lily’s fingers.

“W-w-w-w-w-wait, she didn’t order that… uuugh!”

She blurted out in panic.

“I see. So that part you did on your own.”

As Gilbert murmured, footsteps came from behind.

“Have you heard everything?”

The duke had come to the prison.

“Father, she says she was instigated into the embezzlement by Isabella, the head maid. As for the assault on Tiana, she claims she acted alone.”

The duke gave off an overwhelming aura of murderous intent.

“Do you realize who you laid a hand on?”

Lily collapsed into sobs and writhed.

“Father, how do you wish to deal with this? I want to do it myself,” Gilbert said.

“…Leave it to the injured party, Tiana, to decide. Gilbert, is that agreeable?”

 

Lily fainted from terror.