Chapter 45: The One Who Knows the Past part 2
Dott cheered inwardly, though beneath her dress, her legs trembled slightly. Even with all these precautions, she still felt fear.
‘I’m anxious, so terrified I could go mad.’
She had been too closely watched to even set foot in the underworld guild. For now, she had merely placed an innocuous request through an ordinary mercenary guild. Nothing too suspicious, just a request to obtain a certain kind of pomegranate from a specific region.
Since Dott was of noble status and unable to travel alone, the report naturally reached the Duchess, who had asked, ‘If you wanted something, why didn’t you simply tell me? I would have gotten it for you.’
[“I wanted to accomplish something on my own. Before, I didn’t even know what I desired. But achieving small goals like this brings me joy.”]
[“I understand. You may do as you please from now on.”]
‘Perfect. I’ll gain their trust like this and gradually expand my reach before making my real request to the underworld guild.’
…Yet despite her meticulous planning, Dott often woke up in the middle of the night in fright. The reason was obvious.
‘Morgana! This is all because of you.’
Could it be? No, it couldn’t be. She had to believe it wasn’t possible.
But if that wretched Morgana had retained memories of her past and made different choices…
No. If that fool had realized her talents and rushed to the Magic Tower this time, it would all make sense.
‘If she interferes with the Marquis’s medicine or Count Quessa’s weapons, that will be proof she remembers her past as Eina. Just wait and see!’
‘Morgana, you will never defeat me. No matter how desperately you struggle, I will ensure your downfall. No matter what it takes!’
Dott’s sharp eyes gleamed with determination.
The Duke, who had ordered the princess to be taken to her chambers after her terrifying words, spoke sternly.
“Dear, forget everything Tiana just said. Forever.”
“My dear…”
“Whether it was a nightmare or a prophecy, it is not something that should be spoken of carelessly. A dragon attack. How could we allow such ominous words to spread among the people?”
“You’re right, of course.”
She saw it in a dream.
There was no evidence, yet because it was Tiana who had spoken, the weight of her words could not be ignored. If they had made a mistake, they might have brought the wrong child into the Duchy while the real one stood before them.
Thinking about the coincidences and near-misses, it was hard not to believe her. Even if the truth of it only made things worse.
Lowering his voice, the Duke continued.
“For now, say nothing else and take good care of Tiana. Give her everything she likes.”
“I understand.”
“…You needn’t worry, my dear. I will ensure that when our Tiana makes her debut, she will be escorted by him.”
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, the Duke made an unexpected statement.
“Truly? If that’s possible, please do. It’s quite difficult for me to arrange a private audience with His Highness.”
The Duchess of Klein’s face brightened.
Whether Tiana’s words were truly a prophecy or just the result of a nightmare, only time would tell. In any case, the event wouldn’t take place until next year. Right now, what mattered more was making sure their daughter was the star of the upcoming spring ball.
“Just focus on comforting Tiana.”
After reassuring his wife, the Duke immediately set out to find Kassel.
— — —
Rather than discussing the matter in the Duke’s residence, where too many eyes were watching, he hurriedly arranged a meeting elsewhere.
In a quiet reception room within the imperial palace, Kassel’s expression twisted into a scowl upon hearing his father’s words.
“…She said that?”
“I told your mother to forget about it, but I needed to consult with you.”
“I see.”
She had spoken openly to his parents but deliberately left him out.
Kassel knew why Tiana, who had once been Dorothea, was so wary of him. But even before that, there was the issue of the silk robe during the paternity test.
Why did she insist that everything she said remain a secret? What was she so desperate to hide? Once she formally entered society, every little thing about her would become gossip anyway.
It was suspicious. Deeply so.
More than that, if the matter was this serious, why had she gone straight to his parents without calling him, the commander of the Order of the Knights? It made no sense.
Yes, their relationship was still strained, but he had been making an effort to grow closer. And above all, he had been at the Duke’s residence the entire day before. If she had spoken then, they could have taken action immediately. Why had she waited an entire day?
“The movements of dragons are a highly sensitive matter. Can you investigate quietly?”
“Of course. Depending on the situation, we may need to dispatch soldiers, so it will take some time.”
“Hmm.”
Kassel responded confidently.
“Don’t worry too much. By all accounts, fewer than ten dragons have remained since several hundred years ago. Their extinction has long been certain.”
“…Good. I trust you.”
Leaving those words behind, the Duke departed.
