“It has been reported that Sir Noah Cartier continues to ask for an expedited return to his estate.”
Ah…. Is that what you said?
‘Well, Noah didn’t want to go, he was forced to by imperial order, and now he’s guarding the border.
“Well, the border problem will be solved soon enough, so we don’t have to worry about that.
That’s the good thing about knowing the future.
You don’t worry about things that you shouldn’t worry about.
Anyway, for now, let’s try to calm down the Archduke of Judah, who’s on his own.
“No, Your Highness. What I’m trying to say is something else.”
I coughed loudly and spoke out my prepared words.
“This time, by the grace of His Majesty the Great Emperor, a new mine of crystal has been discovered in the Cartier estate. My family would like to take advantage of this opportunity to further enhance the glory of the Empire, so we kindly ask for your permission to mine and distribute the spirit stones.”
Successfully speaking without chewing your tongue!
‘Last time I practised, I chewed my tongue twice, once in front of Grace and once in front of Exaltation.’
I looked at the Grand Duke of Judah, half proud, half encouraged.
He looked a little surprised to see me like that and muttered, ‘What are you talking about?
‘What do you mean, you’ve been practising a lot, haven’t you, and you say I’m poisonous? Ah! You mean I’m poisonous!
Hoo hoo hoo, yes, I’m this poisonous and scary!
I lifted the tip of my chin in pride.
Looking at me with a strange expression as I became a little arrogant, the Grand Duke of Judah said.
“My dear Cartier. The imperial court does not interfere in the affairs of the provinces, which are essentially their own.”
“Yes, I am aware of that, of course. “However, I would like to obtain a formal export licence, as the crystal is used to make magic tools.
If I sell it without permission, I’ll be accused of smuggling or something.
“…… I see.”
Sure, sure.
“In fact, I know you’ve been accused of smuggling iron from another estate to a foreign country, and it’s the beginning of a scandal.
I snorted inwardly and smirked.
“Besides,” I continued, “something good has come to the estate through your Majesty’s grace, and I thought I ought to thank you.”
I lifted the lid of the box I was holding in my hand.
“…Oh!”
A dazzling yellow and purple light exploded out,
“That’s…….”
“So this is the real deal, no, the real deal!”
Woo-si, you did a good job, but your tongue got twisted at the end, and……!
Hiding my slightly reddened cheeks, I pushed the box containing the spirit stones forward.
The Grand Duke of Judah jumped to his feet and accepted the box with a grateful smile.
His eyes glittered greedily as he held the box, or more precisely, the spirit stone, in his hand.
“…I understand Cartier’s wishes, and may your future actions be favoured by the all-seeing Deus.”
Archduke Judas utters the words of blessing that are common across the continent.
Even so, his eyes are fixed on the yellow crystal instead of me.
“The king will be especially pleased with this gem.”
As I watched, I sighed inwardly, convinced.
“There’s no way in hell that that spirit stone will fall into the hands of our heroine.
* * *
After a private audience with the Grand Duke of Judah.
I walked out of the Imperial Palace with Rake.
Unlike when I came, my hands were light.
But my heart was heavy.
‘I really wanted to meet Linus.’
As I told Lake, I wanted to be Linus’ friend.
To do that, I’d need to see him more often…….
‘What’s the point of me coming to the palace, anyway?
It wasn’t even like our house was in the capital, it was half a day’s journey from the capital.
‘What excuse do I have to come to the palace next time?
Lake, who had been following closely behind me as I walked away deep in thought, said.
“Lady. Are you sure you’re not going back to your quarters?”
“Eh? Ah, yes. I have a stop to make before I go back to my quarters.”
“And that place you need to go is this way?”
Lake looked confused as he asked.
He should be, because the road I’m on is not a clear main street, but a dark alleyway.
The kind of road you avoid at all costs.
“Yeah, that’s right,” I say, “and if I keep going down this road, I’ll end up where I need to go…, huh?”
Wait. What’s that saccharine thing on the ground?
It’s not… rubbish.
It’s big for a cat.
But for a human, huh?
Wait, is that a child?
“Rake! Hey, is that a human child?!”
“……!”
Lake looked in the direction I pointed and gasped.
“I need you to check on that kid!”
“Okay!”
He quickly picked up the child who had fallen to the ground and lifted him to his feet.
His eyes were closed beneath his dishevelled saccharine hair.
“He’s not dead, is he…?
As I gazed anxiously at the face, I suddenly had a strange feeling.
‘Wait.’
That face, where have I seen it before?
The last time I remember seeing it was just a few hours ago-.
Whoa……?
“Is that Linus Delstein?
I asked, wondering if I was mistaken.
But no matter how I looked at it, that was Linus del Stein.
Even the saccharine robes he wore were of a quality that even the most wealthy nobleman could not afford.
I can’t believe a child with saccharine hair would collapse in something like that.
“No matter how you look at it, it’s just Linus, isn’t it?
No, but he’s the emperor, he’s the main character.
What the hell are you doing out here?
I don’t know if this is the Imperial Corridor, but this is a back alley outside the castle……!
I was very confused, but not so confused that I couldn’t show it.
“Rake. What’s his condition?”
At my calm (?) question, Lake quickly checked Linus’ condition.
“He’s fine. Pulse is normal, breathing is normal.”
Seeing his calm response, I thought to myself.
“He doesn’t recognise Linus.
Perhaps he hadn’t seen Linus’ portrait in the egg room because he was only near the entrance.
‘There’s no need to reveal Linus’ identity to Lake.
I concluded.
Lake looked at Linus carefully again.
“Miss. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with this child’s body after all.”
“Really? I’m glad…….”
I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
“Whoa, wait?
But if there’s nothing wrong with his body, why was he lying here?
Surely you weren’t sleeping here-.
I purred.
“…….”
“…….”
The rumbling sound of my stomach silenced both Lake and me.
I stared at Lake, and somehow my gaze made him blush and gasp.
“It’s not me, miss, I had a hearty lunch earlier.”
“Yes, I know. When I ate lunch, you ate with me, Lake.”
Lake nodded at my words.
“I know. That’s because the lady said we’re all here to make a living, so let’s make sure we have a full stomach.”
“……Yes. I did.”
So I ate a lot of food and snacks and went to the palace.
And I’m pretty sure Lake was there, too.
And that means-.
purrs…….
At the sound of it again, both my and Lake’s eyes turned to Linus at the same time.
The child’s eyes were closed, and he could see the thinness of her cheeks.
And a body that looked very small for a thirteen-year-old.
“Ha.”
I sighed deeply and crossed my arms.
“Let’s get back to …….”
Somehow, just as I’d joked with Tegent, I’d picked up a real person.
The main character, too.
* * *
“Well, well, well, young lady. Are you coming back now? How is the palace-oh, my God, who is that child?”
When I returned to my quarters, Masha greeted me affectionately, as if she had been waiting for me-. I was about to say something when I was startled.
“I picked it up.”
“What? You picked it up?”
Masha searched the child’s face with a puzzled expression.
I explained the situation when I picked up Linus.
“He was lying on the road. It looked like he hadn’t eaten for a long time.”
“Oh, my God!”
Masha exclaimed, looking at Linus’s pinched cheeks and pale face.
She looked even more pitiful because Linus’s face was covered with dirt…….
“I’m going to go to the kitchen and see if there’s anything you’ve made, or rather, can make!”
Marsha, quick to decide and quick to act, hurried off.
“Rake. What happened?”
Unlike Masha, who was full of pity, the other escort with Lake seemed wary of Linus.
“This boy collapsed on the way so lady pick it up.”
“What? So you’re telling me you brought someone you don’t even know?”
I said quickly, seeing the other escort’s face turn grim.
“I said I’d bring him, so he’s not at fault, don’t blame him.”
“…Lady.”
He looked surprised as I stepped forward and shielded Lake.
“But miss. If anything bad happens if you pick someone up from the street-”
I said confidently to the still worried escort.
“It’s okay, this is a child who won’t be any threat.”
At least for now.
Unless it’s Linus, who’s grown up to believe that the world is dirty and people are ugly.
“Besides, he’s the main character, the main character.
He was what this world needed.
“…Okay, I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
That would be fine.
“Yeah. Then let’s get this kid to bed. Can you help me?”
The two drivers complied, but still looked worried.
I could understand their concern.
‘After all, didn’t our house just win the lottery, no, no, no, didn’t we just lose a mine of spirit stones?’
The knights’ concern and vigilance were not unwarranted.
If El’s brother had been here, he would have told them to put Linus back where he came from.
‘…When you say it like that, it sounds like I’ve just picked up a puppy or a cat.’
Anyway, Linus was soon lying on my bed in my hostel.
Meanwhile, Masha told me she had just started boiling a beef stew and disappeared back into the kitchen.
I told Rake to fetch the doctor, just in case.
The remaining escort stood guard outside the bedroom.
Naturally, it was just me and a dazed Linus in the room.
“Let me at least wipe your face.”
I muttered as I reached for a towel.
Parrr.
My curled eyelashes fluttered.
