Yuria’s business is settled for now, but it was also important to finalize the succession of the head of the family.
Even though I know well that my father’s doctor can’t interfere now, I still have to make sure the succession is certain.
There’s no chance for Yuria to rise again.
In the basement sealed by Arwen’s barrier, she will continue to live eternally without being able to choose death.
“All that’s left is for you to ascend to the head of the family now.”
Renold mentioned it dully, but I realized the emotion in his voice was one of joy. I thought the heartache must have been quite severe for him.
When I think about what happened in the past, there’s no need to consider such things in detail, but still… it’s better than not caring at all.
Now that we’ve come this far together, there’s no need to dredge up the past unnecessarily.
I wasn’t in a position to waste time thinking about such matters anyway.
Isn’t it time to really get moving? It’s certainly okay not to worry about Yuria anymore.
Maybe it was because one of the concerns I had been carrying always had vanished that my unusually light head was turning to various thoughts.
“What about Father?”
“He’s in his office, but it doesn’t really matter now, does it?”
To explain one of Taylor’s traditions, if there’s only one successor left, he can inherit the title regardless of the head of the family’s wishes.
Of course, that tradition will vanish now, but it’s a fact that the last one will be me.
After staring at me for a moment, Renold nodded slightly before disappearing.
He probably sensed that he’d be heading to see Father soon.
It was in many ways an unwanted scene that I would rather avoid.
After Renold left, I passed by the attendants who were glancing at me and headed to where Father would be.
As I walked down the corridor, memories of when I first reincarnated came to mind.
The corridor where I dashed off to find Father, anxious and unable to believe I was alive.
Since my purposes and state were completely different from then, I felt a strange emotion arise for no reason.
It was clearly different from before. And it would continue to be different.
A future where Teresa is dead and Yuria doesn’t exist.
What lies ahead of me is unknown, but one thing is certain:
I will move towards a more positive direction than any life I remember.
Knock, knock—
“It’s Robert.”
Even after knocking, there was no response from inside.
So, I swung the door open, and inside, I saw Father sitting in a chair.
On the table was the seal only the head of the family could possess, and I quietly gazed at it before breaking into a small smile.
I have no idea what his intentions are. Given his nature, I thought he wouldn’t easily hand it over.
“What are you thinking?”
“Just following tradition.”
“I thought you might say that the head of the family wouldn’t simply hand it over is also part of the tradition.”
“I deemed it unnecessary. After all, most of the empire wants you to become the head of the family, don’t they? No matter how much I stay here, there won’t be many more futures left for me.”
“Don’t you think? Staying here any longer, the future I’ll face won’t be bright.”
Father, with a couple of fingers spread, replied.
The twisted corners of his mouth revealed unmistakable amusement, but the sharpness in his eyes was gone, replaced by weariness.
Perhaps he was tired now. It would have been nice if he had embraced that feeling a bit earlier, but then again, nothing would change by merely thinking about it.
I quietly moved my lips, looking at Father.
“You probably won’t come back around here ever again.”
“You’re not going to kill me?”
“If there was someone to kill, I would have already done it. But in my eyes, there isn’t anyone.”
“That’s naive. If you keep acting that way, you’ll face various obstacles.”
“I’ll handle it. I’m the head of the family now, aren’t I?”
Father, who had been chuckling with a sharp tone, quietly brushed his face and nodded.
It was Father who handed over the map when I went to find Yuria.
As if he knew precisely that I would take some action against Yuria.
Yuria had indeed suffered after seeing that map, but I couldn’t understand why he moved like that now.
Wasn’t he essentially on my side?
Even when I was dying, he remained silent, so I couldn’t fathom why he was helping me now.
And to be honest, I didn’t want to understand. I called him Father, but my heart had already left that sentiment behind.
Thus, I didn’t want to have a lengthy conversation. I hadn’t come here simply for the headship of the family.
I was puzzled by why he was handing over the insignia so willingly, but there was no need to bother asking about it.
“Then, I’ll just take this. I’ll let you know about the treatment soon.”
“Did you kill Yuria?”
At the sudden question, I looked back at Father. I thought he would have somewhat anticipated this.
Knowing what happened to me when I was younger, he must have guessed that my feelings towards Yuria weren’t pleasant.
I wanted to ask why he didn’t stop me back then, but what actually came out of my mouth was somewhat different.
“I spared her.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d kill her.”
“Watching her suffer while alive is likely more painful. I’ve tied her up so she can’t kill herself. Unless she dies of old age, it’ll be hard for her to die.”
Father chuckled at my indifferent voice and nodded.
It didn’t seem like he was genuinely laughing.
His expression was somewhat wistful, as if recalling something, and I could only continue to look at him in silence.
He who had been smiling bitterly, quietly opened his mouth.
“So, you won’t kill her even after all that?”
“I don’t want to become someone like Yuria. The Taylor you led will likely be very different as well. I don’t believe it’s right for family members to kill each other just to inherit a title like head of the family.”
Whether it was a deliberate provocation or not, Father merely nodded without showing any agitation.
After a long gaze into the void, he didn’t say another word, grabbed the insignia, and turned his back.
I had said everything I needed to say.
As the conversation continued, the memories that surfaced were nothing but unpleasant.
Just as I was moving towards the door, I heard my father’s voice in my ear.
“You look like Serena. You always did, and nothing has changed.”
I frowned at the mention of my mother’s name, and when my father saw my expression, he chuckled softly.
It didn’t seem like he said it to provoke me; it felt genuine, but I was curious about his intention, so I opened my mouth.
“What do you mean?”
Why was he now saying I resembled my mother when he had never mentioned her name before?
After a brief pause, as if pondering the answer, my father quietly replied.
For a moment, it seemed like the coldness in his eyes melted into a gentle light.
“Just as it means.”
With that, my father closed his mouth again.
I sensed that whatever I said, he wouldn’t open up again.
What did Serena Yugress mean to Arthur Taylor?
He hadn’t mourned her death; why was he now seeing my mother in me?
I was curious, but it probably wasn’t anything monumental.
Maybe I would be disappointed if I found out. So I turned my head.
She was someone who no longer had anything to do with me.
Arthur Taylor, Yuria Taylor—
They were people who no longer held any meaning for me.
Caring about them would probably only be a loss for me.
With a thud—
As I closed the office door, my steps down the quiet corridor felt lighter than before.
However, my mind was complicated. A future without my father and sister.
I had no idea what that future, which I had never experienced since being born, would look like.
#
“You don’t seem very happy.”
“I’m not happy. There’s nothing to be happy about.”
Wearing clothes for the first time, I felt awkward.
The ceremonial attire for the Head of House Taylor seemed akin to that of a king.
They called it a Duke’s role, but in essence, it was like a Grand Duke.
The nobles’ deep contemplation over the Head of House Taylor position wasn’t for nothing.
The situation was changing.
The head of House Taylor, unchanged for decades, was now set to change—a moment when the king who wielded the nobles’ power evolved.
Many faced such moments, but it seemed this was my first time being the protagonist.
Looking in the mirror while wearing the fitted ceremonial robe, blue eyes stared back at me.
It was quite different from the image I had when I first reincarnated.
The eyes that had always been empty now held their own emotions.
So… perhaps I was a little nervous. I chuckled softly, seeing my trembling hand.
After going through reincarnations, I thought I was far from nervousness.
But on a day like today, I couldn’t help but feel it.
I was now the Head of House. It was something I had never even imagined when I first reincarnated.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m here with you today.”
“That is true, but will you be alright? If we go out together, there’s likely to be a lot of talk.”
“Are you sure about this? If I join you, there will be quite a lot of talk.”
“Just showing that things will be different from before should be enough. It’s unprecedented for the Saint and the Head of the Family to embark on a journey together. And since we’re friends, it doesn’t matter.”
When Adrian, who arrived from the Moon Tower, smiled faintly, Arwen looked at us for a moment with a peculiar gaze.
It seemed like she was trying to guess the nature of our relationship.
It couldn’t be said that we were simply ordinary friends. There was quite a bit of affection mixed in.
In the end, it was like playing peek-a-boo with our eyes closed.
Yet, it was true that I was receiving help.
As Adrian said, Taylor will change now.
Though it was progress for the future one year from now, during that year, there will be countless changes that could be described as a dramatic upheaval.
Being with Adrian meant that Taylor, who had kept his distance from the Order, would start showing a path completely opposite to the past, beginning with his collaboration with the Saint.
“You must depart now. People are waiting.”
“…Right, let’s go.”
After adjusting the attire of my formal wear, I quietly extended my hand towards Adrian as if to escort him.
“Hold on. It’s right in front of you.”
“Oh, is that so?”
As we clasped each other’s hands and looked into each other’s eyes, we moved forward together.
It was a new phase.
If the path I had walked thus far was about erasing the past, now it was about building a new future.
I didn’t know how this 101st life would end up, but for now, it was clear that things were indeed okay.
If we keep going like this, it should be fine.
Since what I had done up to this point was right, if we continue as we are, I might be able to achieve my goals.
After all, this life was my first, so I couldn’t have absolute certainty about this future.
However, for today, I wanted to keep my heart at ease.
It was the moment to finally confirm that the path I had taken was the right one.
After passing through the briefly dark corridor, bright light poured in, and instantly, I heard the voices of countless people.
At the highest platform of the Ducal Residence, many had gathered, their gazes directed towards the new Head of the Family.
In the distance, I heard Renold’s voice.
His amplified voice, through sound magic, was announcing to the many people about Taylor’s new Head of the Family.
“Presenting the new Head of Taylor, Duke Robert Taylor!”
That Head of the Family, after all.
It was a profoundly moving moment, so holding Adrian’s hand, I simply gazed upon the crowd.
It was different from the stares I received on the guillotine.
Robert Taylor, who had faced countless deaths only to be mocked, was gone.
Now, a new phase begins, and only the 101st Robert remains.
Yet, everything had not come to an end.
My purpose had not been fulfilled, so I closed my eyes for a moment and silently murmured amidst the cheers of the many.
“For eternal rest.”
I still had things left to do.
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