Chapter 24

Three people entered. A very brief moment was an opportunity. Ninia examined the person at the very front.

The man was past middle age, his hair a mix of white and blond, befitting his age. Though he had a thin frame even in his formal attire, his green eyes were vividly alive. Ninia knew his name.

‘Marquis Lesnov Villian.’

He was famous as a close aide to the empress, and whenever Ninia had occasion to meet the empress, Lesnov was also present.

He was a noble the empress kept like her right arm. With this, what Ninia had guessed turned out to be correct.

‘It really is because of surveillance.’

The purpose was so obvious it was impossible not to know. Her gaze rested on another person. This time, she was a little flustered.

‘A young lady?’

Abundant blonde hair reaching down to her waist and clear green eyes captured one’s attention. Was she a little younger than Ninia? The woman standing next to Marquis Villian was a young and beautiful lady.

The young lady, perhaps noticing her gaze, curved her eyes and smiled at her. It was a bright and lovely smile. Ninia returned the smile briefly out of courtesy and greeted the guests who had come from afar.

“You must have had a hard time coming all this way. Welcome to the Danteorre territory, Marquis Villian.”

“Thank you for such a warm welcome, Your Highness.”

Marquis Villian showed her his respects. Had the journey to the north not been smooth? Ninia sensed a veiled barb in his words.

However, it was an aftertaste so short it could have been mistaken for an illusion. Marquis Villian naturally brought up her past.

“It is the first time I have seen you since you were a saintess. I was truly surprised.”

“That’s right. I am but a mere human, so it is difficult to know the future.”

Ninia spoke the prepared words without showing any emotion. She already knew that whoever came from the capital would talk about her past.

“It is simply amazing to hear Your Highness, who was so close to the goddess, say such a thing. Of course, you are no different now.”

At the marquis’s words, Ninia simply responded with a smile. He did not know whether she had abandoned the goddess or not.

After finishing his greetings with her, Marquis Villian said he would introduce his companions and pointed to the young lady next to him.

“This is my niece, Miernelle Villian.”

“I am Miernelle. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Miernelle grasped the hem of her dress and bowed her head. Ninia naturally accepted the greeting, but inwardly, she felt a sense of unease.

“Welcome, Lady Miernelle.”

It wasn’t as if she were going on a tour; it was uncommon to accompany a noble lady on such a long journey. Even considering the purpose, it was still strange.

Before Ninia could finish her thoughts about Miernelle, another person she hadn’t identified earlier was waiting to be introduced.

He was a person she had never seen even during her time as a saintess. When she met the eyes of the brown-haired man, a gentle smile formed on his lips.

“I am Count Reid Anterno, Your Highness. It is the first time I have had the pleasure of greeting you. It is a great honor to meet you.”

Reid introduced himself without hesitation. Seeing his bright expression, he seemed to be a person who knew how to be polite but was not inherently shy.

“Welcome, Count.”

“Thank you for your warm welcome. It feels as if the fatigue from the long journey is melting away.”

A unique cheerfulness could be glimpsed in the handsome man with a neat face. On the surface, he seemed to be a good sort. It was when Ninia was judging him and exchanging light greetings.

“Thanks to Your Highness personally welcoming us, everyone is grateful. By the way, it seems His Excellency is a little late.”

Marquis Villian naturally cut off their conversation. Ninia noticed that the relationship between Marquis Villian and Reid was not good. It meant that, at the very least, they were not in the same faction.

Without showing any emotion, she answered the question Marquis Villian was curious about.

“His Excellency is temporarily away. He sent word that he will participate in the evening banquet.”

“Oh, is that so. He seems to be very busy. Well, having just finished a war, it is understandable that there would be many problems here and there.”

It was rude to be away despite knowing that guests were visiting. But Marquis Villian only laughed it off and didn’t hold it against him, though that was likely not his true feeling.

Ninia knew the way nobles spoke well. Marquis Villian was indirectly asking what could possibly be in this desolate land that he wouldn’t even greet his guests.

“If it is that kind of problem, Count Anterno here could be of help. He is a talented individual who has even studied abroad in a foreign country.”

“Haha. Thank you for your words.”

At a glance, it seemed as if Marquis Villian was praising Reid, but if one knew even a little about the empire’s political situation, it was a completely different conversation.

The Piechen Empire was a country with a sense of imperial superiority, and it had a strong tendency to ignore or exclude other countries.

Those who left the empire to study abroad were mostly close to being fugitives who had reasons to leave the country in a hurry.

‘That’s why I’ve never seen him before.’

Ninia slowly took in the unfamiliar face. Marquis Villian was sneering at the Grand Duke for receiving help from a fugitive, but it didn’t matter.

‘I knew they would be rude.’

If they truly treated Ninia as the Grand Duchess, they would not have been able to speak so carelessly.

Count Troyd and Marquis Villian were one and the same, but if there was a difference, it was that the marquis was more like a noble.

That meant it was not easy to ascertain his true intentions. Ninia made eye contact with the esteemed guests and then guided them.

“You must be tired from your long journey, so it would be best to rest until the evening banquet. The butler and maids will guide you to your rooms.”

“It is an honor to serve you.”

Severus stepped forward and took charge of Marquis Villian. Miernelle and Reid were assigned rooms under the guidance of a maid.

Lentus Castle had a separate annex where esteemed guests could stay. It was a place quite far from the library. Even though she knew they couldn’t enter without a key, she couldn’t feel at ease.

It was when Ninia was feeling relieved watching the guests move to their rooms.

“I’m not tired.”

Miernelle stopped in her tracks. The maid who was guiding her had a flustered face and didn’t know what to do.

At his niece’s words, the marquis also stopped and burst into laughter.

“My niece is so childish. Please understand with your broad generosity.”

“Not at all. I am rather glad that you are not tired.”

Ninia shook her head. It was a long journey where it wouldn’t be strange for a person with weak stamina to fall ill from just riding in a carriage, but Miernelle’s complexion and behavior showed no signs of fatigue, as if her words were not a lie.

“It seems young people are different. I am an old man, so I must rest, but if you are alright with it, how about having a cup of tea with Miernelle, Your Highness.”

For Ninia, who had halfway let her guard down, it was a bewildering proposal. Moreover, there was no one in the castle of a rank to entertain the marquis’s niece.

‘It would have been better if I had even a lady-in-waiting.’

There was no reason to refuse. She had no choice but to nod her head.

“It is not a difficult matter. I will order tea to be prepared.”

“I have to ask a favor as soon as I arrive. Please take good care of my niece.”

The marquis spoke as if relieved and disappeared, following Severus. Now, only Miernelle and Ninia were left.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I am happy to be able to chat with you.”

“Not at all. I have gained a conversation partner.”

Ninia and Miernelle were guided to the tea room. It was a place that had never been used, but the interior was tidier than expected.

“Please wait a moment.”

While Ninia and Miernelle sat facing each other at the table, a maid went to get the tea. The maid who had guided them was a face Ninia knew.

She was one of the maids who had been talking about Ninia with Rosa when she had gone out into the corridor for charcoal before.

Perhaps because it had been arranged beforehand, the maid soon came with a teapot containing tea leaves and a tea set. It was as the maid was setting down the teacup.

Miernelle, who had been staring at the maid, blinked and asked.

“Isn’t asking what I want to drink first?”

“……Ah. That is.”

The maid’s hand stopped in mid-air. Miernelle looked dumbfounded at the maid who didn’t even apologize.

“I-I’m sorry.”

The maid apologized belatedly, but Miernelle’s expression was still not good.

Ninia knew that the maid’s late response was due to her being flustered. The maids working here were commoners, all of whom had never properly served a noble before. It was natural that they did not know the etiquette for tea.

As time passed, the atmosphere was bound to become chilly. Ninia stepped in between them.

“It’s because we only have one type of tea available right now.”

“……Oh my, excuse me.”

Miernelle covered her mouth and looked surprised. Her face, flustered at the fact that there was only one type of tea, was the very picture of a typical noble lady.