After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 71

“You’ve already finalized the dismissal list?”

Grandfather had made his decision—several retainers were to be cut.

Such a bold move was unprecedented in House Mergen.

Still, it was clear that this drastic decision was tied to the matter of naming a successor.

“I’ve selected candidates from other families to fill those positions. You should review them.”

“Yes. I’ll go over them carefully.”

“Roosevelt has gone missing. We won’t pursue punishment, but he may become a future problem. Find him—quietly.”

“Yes, understood.”

I gathered the documents Grandfather handed me.

“For now, the retainers will stay quiet. It’s a good time to deal with difficult matters. Use this opportunity wisely.”

Grandfather, as always, giving me a shrewd little strategy wrapped in casual advice.

“I see your point.”

“And another thing. Deborah’s engagement is still unresolved.”

That issue had weighed on me for a while now.

Still, Grandfather pushing for a resolution—when he’d been the one to tangle it in the first place—felt more than a little unfair.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Prince Henry isn’t the type to yield easily.”

“But once I’m officially named as the successor, he’ll back off quickly.”

At my reply, Grandfather nodded.

“Even so, tread carefully. Affairs involving the imperial family should always be approached with caution. Lutetia has never been known for letting things go quietly.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Now, off you go. You’ve got work to do.”

I bowed and stepped out of his office.

He was moving fast with everything. I couldn’t help but wonder if he still feared the lingering effects of the poison.

In any case, it had lit a fire under all of us—including me.

“Irene! There you are! You have to speak with the Lord again about our situation!”

“There are innocent people here too! We were just used by Chloe!”

“We’ve served Mergen loyally for years! Does this kind of treatment make any sense to you?!”

The retainers who’d been dismissed had come to find me.

“Go back. Pleading with the lady won’t change anything.”

Elliot tried to stop them, but it was useless.

Cornered men don’t see reason. They see only the edge they’re about to fall off.

They pushed past him and came right up to my desk, clasping their hands in front of me.

“Lady Irene, please—we beg you. Just reconsider, even once.”

No pride. No conscience.

These people were not worthy of the name Mergen.

I looked them over, one by one.

“We understand if you feel betrayed, but we truly had no idea Chloe would go that far!”

“Do you really believe my grandfather removed you out of spite or betrayal?”

At my words, they exchanged uneasy glances.

“He’s cleaning out Chloe’s loyalists, right…?”

“No.”

I shut that down without hesitation.

And for their dull minds, I even offered a kind explanation.

“My grandfather is removing dead weight. Useless baggage.”

“W-what did you say?”

“Did she just call us dead weight?!”

They bristled at my words.

“Does that bother you? So your pride’s still alive. If only your loyalty and wisdom matched it, maybe you wouldn’t be in this position.”

“You’re going too far!”

“Oh? Even now, you think I’m an easy target? Just because I’m Irene of Mergen? Look at yourselves—groveling before me, begging for mercy.”

Their faces flushed red, then pale, then red again—like fireworks of embarrassment and rage.

“Compared to me, you’re not even worth the dirt under my feet.”

Irene was born of Mergen’s bloodline.

And it wasn’t just about ability.

Her life, every moment of it, had been a series of trials and sacrifices—for this house, for its future.

And what about these fools?

They’d chased after money, power, status—or were simply too stupid to see through Chloe’s games.

They weren’t even worth pity.

“You should’ve died with Chloe. At least then we could’ve believed you had some shred of conviction.”

“You vile little—!”

“Don’t drag Mergen’s name through the mud any further.”

My voice cut through their protests like ice.

“This house doesn’t feed and shelter parasites.”

Now their anger truly bloomed.

Petty, but oh, how satisfying.

“If you don’t want us to seize the money you’ve stashed in secret, I suggest you leave quietly. Think of it as Grandfather’s final mercy.”

They trembled with fury.

But there was nothing they could do.

“Elliot, please escort our guests out.”

“Yes, milady. This way, gentlemen.”

The retainers had been reduced to little more than dismissed guests.

Elliot gave them a firm push, ushering them out of the room.

After they were gone, I walked over to the window.

I stood there for a while, until I saw them—shoulders slumped, trudging away from the estate.

It was… satisfying.

Very much so.

“They probably think this is just a temporary loss of title.”

They likely didn’t even grasp the true weight of what had happened to them.

Once they realized how useless they were without Mergen’s name to shield them, they’d be groveling in the gutters.

Honestly, the thought of it made me a little excited.

That’s the weight of the Mergen name.

To some, it’s a curse they can’t let go of. To others, it’s the only lifeline keeping them afloat.

It all depends on how you use it.

“Goodbye now.”

I waved out the window— To those about to face the harsh, merciless world.

When summer begins on Mergen soil, the festival season arrives.

Even if personal tragedies fill your life, the world, as always, spins on just fine.

With the succession issue about to stir up trouble again, Karlin suggested we enjoy the festival while we still could. It was the first day, after all.

I had mountains of work still piled up…
But Elliot’s pointed question—“Are you planning to bury yourself in work again?”—forced me to rethink things.

I decided it was time to take care of myself.

To feed this body the best food, dress it in the best clothes, let it rest properly, fill its eyes with beauty, and its heart with joy.

It felt like the only form of atonement I could offer… to Irene.

“Milady, come this way! You know what they say—festival fun starts after you’ve eaten!”

Karlin was more excited than I was.

After everything she’d been through, she deserved some fun too.

“You’re right. Let’s do that.”

She linked arms with me and pulled me along through the festival streets, leading us toward the night market.

“How do you even know where everything is?”

“Everyone from Mergen knows! Milady, haven’t you ever enjoyed a festival before?”

“Well… I’ve helped plan them, sure.”

“That’s not the same as actually enjoying one!”

I tried to remember. Maybe when I was very young?

Karlin blinked, wide-eyed, when she saw me actually trying to recall.

“You really do look like someone who’s lived in a bubble.”

“Wait, how is that related?”

“How can someone not know how to enjoy a festival?”

“Haha…”

“Well then, I’ll make sure you learn today! We’re going to see everything—the famous performances, the best street vendors, the legendary wishing tree—oh! And snacks, of course!”

“The… tree?”

When I asked, Karlin stretched her arm and pointed up toward a hill in the distance.

“There’s a tree up there. It’s been around since Mergen was first founded. They say it’s the spirit of the land—you didn’t know?”

“Ah, you mean the Irotishi Tree.”

“Yes! During the festival nights, it’s said to release a mystical aura that comforts the soul.”

I’d heard something like that before.

“Alright. Let’s see it all—so long as my stamina allows.”

“Oh please, don’t act delicate! You’ve been riding horses just fine lately!”

Karlin’s steps picked up in excitement.

All around us, the people of Mergen were making noise.

Loud voices, laughter, shouting vendors, haggling customers…

It was the sound of joy—chaotic and comforting.

We started exploring the festival in the late afternoon. By the time night had settled in, we’d arrived at our final stop.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

The Irotishi Tree.

It was massive—easily the size of a two-story building. Its trunk alone was enormous.

“It’s lived for centuries. Of course it has mystical powers, right?”

“It’s just a tree.”

Karlin pouted at my response, clearly disappointed by my lack of romanticism.

“That area—is it for prayers?”

Near the tree, a fence had been set up to keep people from getting too close. But at one side, there was an open path.

People were quietly lining up to approach it, joining their hands and bowing their heads one by one.

“It’s where people make wishes. Let’s get in line too!”

“But…”

That line was… long.

I wasn’t thrilled about that part.

“Good thing I came prepared!”

That’s why she’d been walking around with all those fruity drinks in hand—she handed me one with a proud smile.

Karlin really did think of everything.

“Come on, let’s go!”

There was no stopping her.

And honestly, we’d come this far. No point ruining the mood.

Besides, if we waited, the line would only get longer.

So, I followed Karlin and joined the long line.

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