The contemplation was brief.
Sigmund was the type of person who preferred to act rather than hesitate, and he chose to take the risk of knowing rather than remaining in the dark.
-Rip!
The envelope was easily torn open. As he pulled out the paper inside with his fingers, he read the written words carefully.
[Another person with the same symbol has appeared. They haven’t done much, so I don’t know what their intentions are, but I thought I should let you know in advance.
Appearance: A knight with pink hair and golden eyes
Location: Near the Duke of Knightley’s territory
Characteristics: Unpleasant. Occasionally meddlesome for no reason.
I didn’t get to ask anything last time, but I have a lot of questions for next time.
P.S. I might not be able to contact you for a while.
P.P.S. The ring feels a bit uncomfortable.]
It was a letter that was quite a headache in many ways.
While the mention of another person with the symbol and the possibility of not being able to contact her for a while were noteworthy, the rest of the content was distinctly her style.
Like the part about the “area of appearance” or the crossed-out section.
‘Is she implying the person with the symbol is some kind of wild beast?’
Seeing her meticulous complaint about the ring made Sigmund snicker.
‘Well, that’s that, but the important thing is the symbol.’
Sigmund’s gaze landed on the phrase ‘I have a lot of questions.’ He had many questions of his own.
What the symbol meant, why his master was acting so suspiciously, and why he remained tight-lipped, among other things.
‘But my master won’t tell me.’
Sigmund’s keen instincts were shouting this truth.
Even if Idel pressed Vilred for answers, his master would likely evade the questions rather than reveal everything honestly.
No matter how much it was related to her ‘curse.’
‘…And somehow, I feel like the reason is deeply connected to me as well?’
Sigmund, sharply staring into the air, folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket.
‘I think I need to make a separate deal with the customer.’
The thought of Idel and him putting their heads together and laughing made his arm hair stand on end, but…
‘It won’t be boring, I suppose.’
Aside from his own feelings, they usually worked quite well together.
With his thoughts organized, Sigmund scrunched up his face outside the shop, as if Idel had unilaterally cancelled their agreement and he was in a very bad mood.
Until he found some clue, Sigmund had no intention of sharing the letter Idel sent with his master.
“What’s up? Why are you here already? What about the client?”
“She accidentally rubbed the ring. That esteemed customer of yours.”
“She rubbed the ring by accident?”
“The maid who’s been here before was waiting instead. Why? Do you think I just came back because I was bored?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Looking at Vilred, who trailed off, Sigmund let out an exasperated sigh.
“I’m so sick of getting tangled up with that customer more than the contract requires. If I get misunderstood like this, I might just collapse in frustration.”
“Ah, okay, I got it. I’m sorry. Want me to grab another reagent?”
“Forget it.”
Sigmund waved his hand dismissively and headed into the study inside the shop. He was planning to search for any communication artifacts he could make with his own skills.
“…Sigmund, do you want to eat something you like for lunch?”
“Ah, I said forget it. Just change the ring when you have time. She said it’s uncomfortable too.”
“Really?”
In front of his master, who subtly initiated conversation, he cleverly concealed the truth. The stiff texture of the paper tucked away in his pocket felt oddly like it was poking at his heart. Just a little, though.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
While Sigmund was struggling to create artifacts, Idel found herself at an unexpected meal with unexpected people.
“Wow, this is something! I jokingly asked to be included, but… I’m not sure if I should be here.”
“What are you talking about? It’s even better with Sir Patrick here! The kids seem to be more at ease with you around too.”
“…Yeah, right.”
Idel muttered to herself so quietly that no one could hear and scanned the people sitting at the table.
Patrick, the Duchess, Gianna, and Dante.
This oddly awkward combination of people were all guests at the ‘Let’s Get to Know Each Other’ gathering organized by the Duchess.
Regardless of the outcome, everyone present had fought with each other at least once.
‘Why Patrick is mixed in with them is a mystery, no matter how much I think about it.’
Patrick was continuing his conversation with Rowena, using his usual exaggerated tone and gestures.
Seeing him chatter away like a social butterfly, despite sharing the same symbol as Melisa, made her feel inexplicably irritated.
‘He’s really annoying.’
As she had written in the letter sent to Sigmund, Patrick had been lingering around her while maintaining a certain distance.
‘He had come to the apothecary with the Duke during the nosebleed incident, and this morning, he suddenly asked whom I resembled more, my dad or mom.’
He didn’t say anything particularly alarming or feel like he was going to touch her, but he did seem to be observing her subtly.
At first, she suspected he was collaborating with Melisa to keep an eye on her, but she quickly dismissed that thought.
People with that symbol weren’t some kind of love support group, and they wouldn’t help Melisa’s romantic endeavors without reason.
‘In the end, it all comes back to square one. I have no choice but to ask Vilred.’
Having thought that far, Idel let out a small sigh. It was a trivial action, but Rowena didn’t miss the sound of Idel’s sigh.
After lightly wrapping up her conversation with Patrick, she cautiously approached Idel.
“Idel? Are you okay? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
“…….”
“Oh, I’m not trying to scold you. There’s no need for formality among family. I’m just worried that you might be uncomfortable in your seat.”
Hearing the Duchess’s words, Idel subtly rolled her eyes.
Dante, Gianna, Patrick, and even the servants were all looking at her.
‘Now that I think about it, Diane mentioned that. When she got caught up in the gossip, she reacted strangely.’
Seeing them exchange glances now, she felt she understood.
Looking at them now, Idel could sense what was going on.
‘In other words, they’re still sizing me up.’
They were trying to gauge whether they could torment her without her saying a word, assessing if any trouble might come her way.
Like a pelican checking if it can swallow its prey with its mouth open.
‘If that’s the case, I need to create an opportunity.’
It would be much more stable for her to pull the trigger rather than Melisa.
Quickly organizing her thoughts, Idel let out a blatant sigh. Perhaps due to her repeated sigh, the Duchess’s expression soon turned to concern.
“Idel?”
“Ugh, really….”
As if she hated even saying such things, Idel covered her face with both hands.
Startled by Idel’s sudden action, Rowena stood up and approached her.
“Wait a moment, dear?”
“Don’t touch me….”
Like a child filled with discontent, Idel shrugged off the hand that touched her shoulder, stubbornly resisting.
After a brief struggle,
Idel, who had been grumbling and refusing to show her face, suddenly let out a rough breath and dropped her arm.
Her eyes, filled with resentment, annoyance, and discomfort, sharply pierced Rowena.
“Why are you treating me like that?”
“What?”
“There’s no one here who wants to play, and nothing is fun. I hate it all!”
Idel avoided Rowena’s gaze, clenching her fists tightly, her fingers trembling.
“Why can’t I even breathe freely? Everyone here hates me anyway!”
Idel’s outburst filled the dining room with a momentary silence.
Seeing the tense expressions of the servants in the room, Gianna silently gasped.
‘Idel’s strategy…!’
Although she felt a pang of sadness at her mother’s troubled expression, Gianna steeled herself.
According to Diane’s explanation, this was like a “hero’s secret mission”!
At that moment, as Gianna recalled her role and was about to speak up to help Idel…
“It seems there is a misunderstanding.”
An utterly straightforward voice came out first from beside her.
