“…What?”
Luna was baffled by the news from the dining hall.
“Eventually, Sir Matun was dragged out in front of all the nobles and servants.”
Lilli shook her head, still in disbelief.
“Hmm, so the ointment made by the princess wasn’t the cause either… Why on earth did they get such a skin disease?”
She added, “I heard from the butler that it’s a skin disease common in slums. Even the doctors of the capital were quite perplexed.”
As Lilli said, most of the doctors and servants in the duchy came from the capital and were of commoner status or higher.
“Could one of the new servants have disguised their status?”
Therefore, they never saw or experienced skin diseases that were common in slums on the outskirts.
“Otherwise, how could such a filthy and despicable disease enter our Felicite mansion… Ah.” Lilli halted, realizing she had forgotten that Luna herself once roamed the slums.
“Then, did older sister say anything special?”
But Luna seemed preoccupied with something else.
“Special? What do you mean?”
“Ah, no…”
Luna sipped her water nervously. How does she know? Luna wondered.
From today’s events alone, it seemed Siani knew a lot. How did she know about her wrongdoings of even the low-ranking nobles from the frontiers, let alone the high-ranking ones? How much does she know? Does she know about Luna’s involvement in this incident?
“The festival is coming soon, so I’m going to make desserts to share with everyone.”
“You yourself? Why don’t you order the maids to do it?”
Recalling her memories, Luna quickly shook her head. It can’t be. That’s impossible. If Siani had known, she wouldn’t have left Luna alone like this.
But what if she knows and is pretending not to know? The thought sent chills down her spine.
Siani’s indifferent demeanor was scarier than her outright hostility. It felt as if she was playing with Luna in the palm of her hand.
* * *
Meanwhile, another person was watching the situation in the dining hall from outside.
“The regular council of nobles starts today at the duchy, you know that, right? I have some precious fruit wine, so I guess I should send it as a gift.”
“Then… Father, I will go there myself.”
“Really? Good idea. While you’re there, enjoy the dinner.”
Ash, carrying a gift from Grand Duke Benio, was also there. According to the rules, since he hadn’t arranged a visit in advance, he should have left the gift at the main gate and returned. But being there in person, he was allowed into the inner sanctum.
Father must have intended this. The message was clear: mingle naturally and gather inside information.
“…”
But Ash halted at the entrance to the dining hall.
“Because I’m Felicite itself.”
He quietly observed Siani in her red dress. The flowing golden hair, the relaxed gaze. It felt strangely unsettling.
I always used to help her.
Siani often suffered at the hands of the nobles, and he used to intervene on her behalf. But now, she seemed to need no one’s help. Why did it feel… like there was no space for him by her side anymore? So, Ash waited outside the dining hall for a long time.
“I waited all day for you.”
“So? What do you want me to do?”
Did time pass as slowly for Siani on the days she waited for him?
…Ah!
Suddenly, he saw Siani walking out of the back door. She paused, seemingly looking for something, then stopped abruptly. Though the figure was faint in the distance, he knew she was looking in his direction.
Surely, Siani couldn’t have failed to recognize me. After spending so much time together… Ash let out a soft sigh without realizing it.
“Siani!”
“Rere!”
But just as he was about to step forward,
“Why are you here?”
Siani smiled brightly and vanished into the wall gap. As if she never saw him at all.
“…”
The long hallway fell into silence.
Rere.
Ash repeated the name Siani had called out. She had slipped away from him calling that name too at that day. Then…
Is she keeping that guy in the mansion now?
Ash’s face twisted in disgust.
* * *
Where is Redian? Why can’t I see him?
I couldn’t find Redian in the dining hall or other rooms. Had he already gone to the training ground? But then,
“…Uh?”
I spotted someone hiding behind a pillar. Felicite’s pillars were grand, but they couldn’t hide that silver hair and tall stature.
What is he doing there? I cautiously approached Redian and tapped him on the shoulder. “Rere, what are you doing here…!”
In an instant, I was pulled into a secluded space.
What the?
Enveloped by Redian’s embrace, his warmth and scent were distinct.
“What are you doing here?”
“Shh.”
Redian gestured towards the other side of the pillar. I stuck out my head slightly.
“I can’t believe a high-ranking vassal was dragged away in such an unsightly manner. Matun provided us with so much information.”
“We must be cautious in the mansion, Father.”
“Such monstrous people, mingling with them…”
“They say birds of a feather flock together. That’s why the duchy has been cursed since her birth.”
I recognized the voices immediately. He’s the duke’s second brother, right? Uncle Okereman and his eldest son, Jeff. People who are said to be Felicite’s direct descendants couldn’t, even though the walls of the mansion had eyes and ears.
“…”
At that moment, I realized Redian was quietly watching me.
“Why?”
“…”
He didn’t respond, but his expression suggested he was worried I might be hurt.
Oh my, is he worried about me?
I smirked, signaling I was fine. The gossip didn’t bother me. Moreover, it was funny to see them running away from me, hiding in the hallway, and talking behind my back.
“Is there any way to flatten her nose? Especially with those despicable Norma.”
“Father, especially with the upcoming monster hunting competition…”
But then
Monster hunting competition? Hearing this, I couldn’t just ignore it. I concentrated hard to overhear their conversation. However, they lowered their voices too much, and I couldn’t hear anymore.
What are they plotting now?
I had ways to counter those who targeted me. Their intentions were transparent, and I could suppress them with my status. But it was different with the Norma.
What are they thinking?
My mind raced instinctively. How can I find out? What can I do now to stop them?
As I bit my lower lip in thought,
“…!”
Redian gently grabbed my chin as if telling me not to do it.
“How audacious. Won’t you let go?’
“Relax. You’ll hurt your lips.”
Again, treating me like a child.
“Won’t you let go?”
“Sigh.”
His tender gesture pressed my cheek. Eventually, the tension in my lips eased.
Tsk. Somehow, I felt quite undignified at the moment. Just moments ago, I had high-ranking nobles kneeling before me.
“There is no need for your lips to be hurt because of them.”
His blue eyes, looking down at me, felt peculiarly profound.
“Don’t be angry, Master.”
Redian lowered his head and whispered softly enough for only me to hear.
“I will handle it.”
“…What?”
I felt strange at that moment. Was it because of the mask he wore or the closeness between us?
“You don’t need to do everything, Master.”
And so… For the first time, it felt like I had someone on my side.
Terima kasih ♥