Marilyn and the maids were busy arranging Ashika’s hair. They meticulously gathered every strand, pulling it up and securing it firmly.
While leaving her hair to the maids, Ashika stared blankly at the letter in her hand.
“This is the third one now, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right. What will you do about it?”
Julma asked from a few steps behind, careful not to interfere with the maids’ work.
The Duke of Talion was a man with sky-high pride in his family. Yet this was the third time he had requested a meeting despite her refusals.
“What would I do? I have no reason to meet Duke Talion.”
As she spoke, Ashika carefully folded the letter and put it away.
Julma’s gaze turned peculiar watching this. What did she intend to do with that letter? His expression revealed this question.
Ashika, seemingly unaware of her own actions, frowned in thought.
‘Does he really have something important to discuss? Or does he want to receive thanks for his help last time?’
It was true that she had received assistance at the council hall, but it was an awkward matter neither wished to bring up again. She thought he was pretending not to know.
‘This makes me uneasy somehow.’
This was the first time someone had been this persistent, and despite her rejections, she felt a creeping anxiety.
“And there’s one more problem. About what you asked us to acquire last time.”
“What about it?”
Julma kept his words careful, mindful of the maids.
“The messenger returned empty-handed. It was too expensive to afford.”
“Didn’t I tell you to send enough money?”
“Yes, you did, but it still wasn’t enough.”
“How much could it possibly cost…”
Suddenly, Ashika recalled Nile’s words promising to do anything if she would just obtain the medicine for him. And how people had gathered when they heard the poorhouse was providing free high-quality treatment.
‘They treated such an expensive illness at the poorhouse?’
She wondered what information Nile actually possessed. This went beyond merely suspicious.
‘I should keep him alive first, then question him.’
Since he had essentially offered his life, he wouldn’t easily run away.
“Provide whatever support is needed. Also, tell the caretaker to clean the place.”
She remembered how Nile had expressed displeasure at his own disheveled appearance.
‘I’m concerning myself with the strangest things.’
Though that wasn’t how it started, somehow she felt like she was caring for a stray animal.
“Yes, I’ll follow your instructions.”
Julma gave a slight bow and left.
Despite it being a rare outing, Ashika felt somehow uneasy. A series of strange and suspicious events, none with clear reasons, made her feel all the more anxious.
****
There was commotion in front of Baroness Isna’s mansion. The main gate was wide open with workers going in and out, while outside the walls, people gathered to peek inside.
“What day is it today? If I’d known it would be this chaotic, I would have brought more guards.”
Libron, who had accompanied Ashika instead of Jeanne, looked around worriedly.
“The Baroness occasionally holds special events. They’re quite interesting, so even those without invitations get curious. Don’t worry, they’ll have enough security staff.”
Ashika stepped into the garden with casual confidence.
In the center of the garden, all the usual decorations had been removed and replaced with animal cages taking up half the space. There seemed to be dozens of cages of various sizes, each containing different animals.
Birds with dazzlingly vibrant colors, small cute four-legged creatures that looked like dolls, and creatures with long bodies like lizards but covered in fluffy fur. The cacophony of sounds that had been audible since their arrival came from these animals.
“As you can see, today’s theme is rare animal exhibition and auction.”
“Baroness Isna is truly eccentric.”
Libron muttered with a sigh at Ashika’s explanation.
There would be no one else in the Empire besides Baroness Isna who would bring wild animals into the center of a noble residence and hold an auction.
“It’s the Baron who’s the odd one, not the Baroness. Who else would import these creatures?”
“I didn’t know you enjoyed such things, my lady.”
“I enjoy the Baroness who shows these things. Libron, wait here.”
After positioning Libron at a spot with a clear view of the garden, she proceeded inside. On the opposite side from the animal cages, gazebos and tables for relaxation were arranged in rows.
“Oh, Lady Igraine! Welcome.”
The Baroness, who had been busily moving through the venue, spotted Ashika and rushed over.
“You’re showing us something truly extraordinary today, Baroness.”
Ashika expressed genuine admiration.
“My husband has recently become obsessed with collecting rare animals. They’re all different kinds, but they’re all docile, so don’t worry.”
The Baroness smiled warmly and beckoned to Ashika.
“Lady Igraine, come over here. There’s a really adorable creature here.”
In the middle of a table where noble ladies had gathered was a cage the size of a birdcage. The attendees startled but couldn’t take their eyes off the cage.
“Oh my, look at this. Its face looks like it’s smiling.”
“It has such a pretty voice.”
“What is this exactly? A monkey?”
It was a monkey about the size of two palms put together. With its round face covered in fluffy white fur, it was so cute one would want to hug it.
A young lady who appeared to have just come of age spoke excitedly.
“It seems gentle. Could we take it out of the cage?”
“My lady, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve heard this fellow is more clever than it looks. We’re planning to auction it, so it would be better if you participated.”
At the Baroness’s explanation, the lady looked disappointed.
“I’m not even allowed to keep a cat at home.”
While many nobles kept pets, there were just as many who detested them.
“Then at least enjoy looking at them today, my lady.”
The Baroness laughed gently, consoling the disappointed lady.
As Ashika took a seat at one of the tables, a waiting maid brought tea and refreshments. Watching the bustling garden gave her a feeling that all her scattered thoughts were flying away.
The Baroness had already disappeared, busy attending to coming and going guests. She was giving everyone plenty of time to view the exhibits before the auction began.
“I’m glad I came.”
Perhaps she had been unknowingly exhausted after enduring the ordeal of a broken engagement. It was a relief to be among people without being the center of attention. Ashika leisurely sipped her tea while watching people move about the exhibition.
However, before she could even finish half of her tea, a small commotion erupted at the next table.
“Oh my! Oh my!”
“What should we do?”
Just as Ashika’s gaze shifted sideways, a white blur suddenly flew into her line of sight.
“Huh!”
“Kyaaaaaaa!”
The scream came from a noblewoman sitting right beside her.
Ashika froze as she felt something gently attach itself to her face. The baby-soft monkey’s four limbs clung to her face, grabbing her hair, before it leaped off toward the center of the garden.
“Lady Igraine!”
The teacup Ashika had been holding had already shattered, and her clothes were a mess. Not screaming was the only way she could maintain any dignity.
The commotion continued afterward.
“Someone catch that one!”
“Another cage has been opened!”
“Guards, bring nets!”
The tiny monkey, no bigger than two palms, had lifted the locks on several cages. A few birds flying away was manageable, but when a long lizard-like creature crawled out, the garden descended into chaos.
“Lady Igraine, are you alright?”
Ashika blinked her dark eyes and, realizing there was no further threat, regained her composure.
“I’m fine… Yes, I’m fine.”
Though she managed to answer, her shoulders rose and fell as she gasped for breath from the shock.
“I thought you might have fainted while sitting.”
Several alarmed noblewomen gathered around Ashika. The maid who had been serving her also approached to examine her clothes.
“What should we do? Your dress is ruined.”
Unfortunately, she had worn a light sky-blue dress today. The dark brown tea had spread unattractively across her chest.
“Wouldn’t it be best to at least clean the stain briefly? What would you like to do?”
The maid offered a handkerchief to Ashika and volunteered to guide her. Ashika hesitated momentarily before rising from her seat.
The guards were chasing after the escaped animals, and the garden was in the midst of chaos. It seemed best to leave the area for now.
“Where should I go?”
“Please follow me this way.”
The garden’s layout had been changed for today’s event. Nearby were several gazebos for attendees, and a little further away, tents had been set up.
Following the maid’s guidance, Ashika entered one of the tents. Unlike typical etiquette rooms, it was filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items stacked up to the ceiling. It appeared to be a space for event staff.
‘It’s like a storage room.’
As confusion crossed Ashika’s face, the maid carefully responded.
“I thought this would be better than the noisy event venue. Would you mind waiting for a moment?”
With those words, the maid left the tent. Shortly after leaving, she returned with a thin cape.
“If you would remove your outer garment, I’ll clean the stain and bring it back. In the meantime, please wear this.”
The maid with clear brown eyes looked at her. She was a young girl with a youthful face, not yet of age. After hesitating briefly, Ashika gestured to the maid.
“Could you help me with just the top?”
Over her dress, she wore a decorated outer garment with delicate lace trim at the edges. The maid’s movements were awkward as she helped remove the waist-length decorative outer garment.
“I’m sorry. I’m not skilled at handling clothes like these.”
The calluses on her hands suggested she wasn’t a serving maid.
‘The Baroness must be overwhelmed today. She’s not usually this unprepared.’
The mansion seemed too far away, which was probably why she’d been brought to the tent, but something felt off. Though somewhat perplexed, Ashika brushed it off, considering how unique today’s event was.
“I’d appreciate it if you could hurry.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll be back in a flash.”
The maid looked around the tent and found a round chair for Ashika.
“Please rest here in the meantime!”
Leaving a bright smile, the maid rushed outside. She didn’t forget to close the tent entrance on her way out.
The inside of the tent was bright but somewhat stuffy. Despite being in the shade of trees, the midday heat made the air humid and oppressive.
Ashika gently perched on the chair the maid had provided. The round wooden chair was hard and uncomfortable, causing her to shift her weight several times. She sighed heavily, wondering what all this was about.
“Maybe I should have just gone home.”
But she immediately shook her head. This was a rare outing, and she didn’t want to return to the mansion so feebly.
“Perhaps I should keep a pet? It was cute.”
Despite the impudent creature having stepped on her face, she found herself growing increasingly fond of it. The mere thought brought a smile to her face.
“It seemed small enough to fit right in my arms.”
As she thought this, she suddenly stiffened, straightening her back.
“No, I can’t.”
If she kept something she loved close by, she might unwittingly show her emotions. That could inadvertently reveal her true feelings. Regrettable as it was, she couldn’t reveal any weakness over such a trivial matter.
Sitting stiffly with her back straight felt strange. A space completely isolated from the distant noise of the event venue, where she was entirely alone. With barriers on all sides, there were no eyes watching her.
As tension gradually left her body, her gaze shifted around the tent interior. Before she knew it, Ashika had risen from her seat and was examining the stacked items.
Round nets, large neatly folded meshes, thick ropes, and various metal rods of unknown purpose.
“They were frantically looking for nets earlier, I wonder if they caught them.”
Though the shabby tools used by laborers were certainly new to her, they didn’t feel unfamiliar. That was quite strange.
“Why is there a sickle in a place like this? Is it a gardener’s tool?”
“So you even know what a sickle is used for.”
“Ahh…!”
Ashika reflexively covered her mouth to stifle her scream. As she turned around, she immediately recognized who it was.
“Whew, I didn’t expect the tent to be this hot. You’re quite adept at making people suffer, Lady Igraine.”
Ashika stood frozen, her eyes as wide as they could possibly be.
