I thought long and hard about whether there was anything related to two years ago in the casual comments I had heard from people.
After much effort, I managed to recall one thing. The coronation of Emperor Maximilian, who had recently passed away, took place two years ago, and I remembered that Karl had been hiding during the ceremony, waiting for it to conclude.
So, Karl’s presence here now seemed to be an effort to ensure that his cousin could ascend to the throne safely. I wondered if I could use that to dispel Karl’s suspicions.
“Your Highness Crown Prince Maximilian is very concerned about Duke Karl. Ah, since you’ll soon be an emperor, it would be more appropriate to call you Your Majesty.”
It was a matter of life and death. Saying he was hiding to avoid disrupting the emperor’s coronation implied it hadn’t happened yet.
The most plausible excuse to deflect Karl’s suspicions would be something related to the emperor, right?
“What do you mean?”
Karl’s brow furrowed slightly. For someone like him, who rarely showed any sign of being unsettled by others’ words, even this small reaction carried weight. This was it; I needed to continue discussing Emperor Maximilian to ease his guard.
“It’s just as I said. His Highness the Crown Prince knows very well why Duke Karl is hiding here, and because of that, he is quite worried about you.”
“You speak as if the Count has met the Crown Prince.”
“I would never dare approach someone of such stature; I have simply kept you in my thoughts.”
“In thought?”
“A wish for the Crown Prince’s safe ascendance and well-being.”
His eyes still brimmed with suspicion. It seemed he was trying to gauge whether what I said was true, causing his gaze to narrow.
“It seems Count Louisette isn’t exactly on friendly terms with the Crown Prince and me. I find it hard to believe that.”
“Just because something is widely known doesn’t mean it’s the truth, Your Majesty.”
It was only natural for him to harbor such doubts. Until now, the Count Louisette family had maintained a supposedly friendly relationship with Duke Toskur. In reality, their relationship wasn’t as friendly, but that was how it appeared to others.
“So, has the Count come here in response to the Crown Prince’s call then? How could I trust the Count’s words?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t received any orders from His Highness the Crown Prince. However, I wish to convey that my family and I want to provide strength and support to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Grace the Duke.”
“Ha, you? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while.”
The laughter lingering at the corner of his lips was tinged with clear cynicism. Indeed, I hadn’t expected mere words to ease his wariness.
I subtly shifted my gaze, quickly scanning the walls on either side. The small room I had been confined in since returning to the past lacked windows, but here there was at least a small one.
I tried to glimpse what was happening outside to estimate how much time had passed. Looking out into the dimming light, it seemed a considerable amount of time had passed, but without a clock, I felt frustrated at not being able to know for sure.
When could I return to the original time? Was it even possible to go back? Anxious questions followed in my mind, but I could find no answers, which only escalated my unease.
I had no idea how much power the magic stone possessed or how long the magic’s effect would last. Had I known, I would have studied magic a bit more thoroughly.
Regret washed over me as I pondered why I hadn’t diligently studied, given the close ties between the Rougette family and magic. I resolved that if I could return to my original time, studying magic would be my first priority.
For now, I needed to say something to ease the guard of past Karl. Even if I couldn’t fully assuage it, I had to endure until I could return.
“I understand it’s hard for you to believe my words. That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of coming here. Your Grace, I apologize for my impudence.”
Still, the etiquette I had received during the past came in handy, even if reluctantly. If I hadn’t received that training, I wouldn’t even know how to conduct myself before His Grace.
Seeing me bow sincerely, Karl quietly closed his mouth. What was he thinking?
“But it is true that my family and I wish to be of help to Your Grace in any way possible.”
“Just how do you intend to assist me? A simple count claims he wants to help royalty? That’s quite presumptuous, don’t you think?”
“I apologize, Your Grace. I did not intend to overstep your authority.”
“And why should I believe a count? You and your family are quite clearly chasing someone else.”
If it were someone else, it would be about Franz. This was the time when rumors that Celeste was romantically involved with Franz were widely circulating throughout Lahart, and whispers were beginning to spread that the Countess Louisette was secretly funding Franz. It was only natural that Karl couldn’t believe my words.
“That is why I came all the way here to meet Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“You’re speaking in increasingly incomprehensible terms. The fact that you traveled here to see me only raises my suspicions about the Count. How could your arrival provide me with any trust? Moreover, the existence and location of this place are not known to the public.”
“The Countess Louisette’s actual financial strength and intelligence are far more formidable than what is publicly known… If you wish to know, there isn’t anything that can’t be uncovered.”
“Even His Highness the Crown Prince does not know the exact location of this place. How… arrogant.”
“I hope you can forgive my rudeness in coming this far. However, I humbly ask you to consider that I took all these risks just to meet Your Grace.”
As I began to speak, excuses flowed out as if I had prepared them long ago. Was this Celeste’s inherent improvisational ability? I was surprised at how plausible my words sounded.
Seeing my answer made sense, Karl seemed to fall into thought. Tap, tap. His finger began to lightly tap on the armrest of his chair. This was a habit he often displayed when deep in thought.
“Speaking of which, the Count has yet to answer my question. I asked how you got here and with whom. You might have given a plausible excuse for the former, but if you can’t provide a proper answer to the latter, I will hold you accountable for coming here with ill intentions.”
Coming alone to a remote area of the Grand Duke’s territory as a woman is quite a feat. Furthermore, even after entering the Grand Duke’s realm, the journey to this fortress is perilous.
If I couldn’t convince Karl about how I got here alone, the situation could unintentionally escalate into the worst scenario. After all, it certainly looked suspicious for someone from the opposing faction to suddenly appear at the secret hideout of royalty.
“The location of this place cannot be recklessly revealed, so I traveled with the minimal number of people. And just before reaching the Grand Duke’s castle, I sent away all of my closest aides and knights who were with me.”
“You sent away your entire entourage and came here alone to knock on the door? That’s hard to believe. Do you think I would easily believe that a woman came here alone through such treacherous mountains? Do you think I find the Count amusing?”
“I felt that without taking on such risks, I couldn’t trust His Highness the Grand Duke.”
At this point, it’s a matter of life and death. Regardless of the excuses I make, I couldn’t avoid suspicion for coming all the way here alone as a woman, especially to visit a nobleman suspected of siding with Franz.
Thus, I needed to turn that suspicion into trust. Although my solo arrival was dubious, I wanted them to see my sincerity, my resolve, in braving the doubts to come here. Pleading in such a manner seemed to be the only way to navigate this situation.
In truth, even if they didn’t believe me, there wasn’t much I could do. I could say anything to buy time until the magical stone’s effectiveness wore off and then return to how things were.
“My coming here alone as a woman is a testament to my sincerity and loyalty to His Highness the Grand Duke.”
Grrrroooowl.
Of all times for my stomach to growl, it had to be at such a solemn declaration. I hadn’t eaten properly all morning from being busy, and now my stomach was voicing its discontent.
Flustered, I hurriedly tried to control my stomach, but it stubbornly erupted in grumbles and growls.
My cheeks flushed. It felt like the dignity and authority of being an aristocratic lady was crumbling in an instant—a moment I’d heard so much about from Hannah and Lady Margaret. Of all times…
“…Have you not eaten?”
Breaking the silence that followed my stomach’s noise, Karl asked.
“We should eat first, then.”
At this point, I failed to notice how much his previously sharp tone had softened.
