Chapter 67: The Consequences of a Cunning Scheme
Chapter 67: The Consequences of a Cunning Scheme
Lady Lâtel is far more dangerous in terms of presence…
The Duchess of Klein raised her fan as if to cover her mouth, then changed her mind and lowered it, instead observing the newcomers from her seat.
There they were.
Lady Morgana and the mage, Fay.
‘Hmm.’
What first caught the Duchess’s eye was the neatly pinned-up, soft pink hair, a childish shade of pink Tiana had firmly declared her dislike for to the servants, though she never showed such feelings in front of Lady Morgana.
Still, the light green eyes sparkling beneath that hair were quite pretty. And the plain white dress, modest and lacking a single piece of jewelry, suited her surprisingly well.
‘She’s one of the Crown Prince’s people. Surely, she’s not short on money. But considering where she is, perhaps she dressed plainly on purpose? At least she’s not tactless.’
The Duchess sifted through her memory.
She’d had chances to see her before. But since Morgana was from the same convent as Tiana, and because her daughter avoided her, she had stayed away whenever they might have met. Even at the previous gathering of their two houses, she had inquired whether that mage would be present. Upon hearing she wouldn’t, she had attended.
Most likely today as well… Had there been any rumor of Fay attending, she wouldn’t have come.
‘Choosing this gathering over the reading salon was a wise decision.’
Meanwhile, Fay had received something from the salon attendant and tucked it into the book she brought, then turned away.
Is that the spring flower bookmark they’re giving out today?
“Duchess Klein, this is a gift for all our guests today. Which would you like?”
As the attendant approached, the Duchess asked, “What did that mage receive?”
“Pardon? Ah, you mean Lady Morgana. She chose this one.”
On the tray the attendant held was a collection of vividly pressed spring flower bookmarks. It seemed Fay had chosen the bright yellow one – canola flowers.
Cherry blossoms or peonies or hyacinths are much prettier. Why would she pick that?
The Duchess hesitated briefly, then chose the same one.
“Thank you.”
She hardly spoke for the rest of the gathering. Though many sneaked glances her way out of curiosity over the presence of a duchess, when she did not speak much, people began to chatter about their own accomplishments.
The salon’s guests were indeed diverse.
A ship captain who crossed the seas several times a year to trade with the Eastern continent. A merchant who had gained great influence in a local territory. A judge known for fair rulings. A historian who’d authored a famous book. A designer who set a new trend with a striking dress pattern. A former mercenary who’d become wealthy by slaying a mana-beast with a magic stone.
‘Boring.’
To the Duchess, their accomplishments were things that could be bought, more than adequately, with money and manners. It was only natural, given that the capital was the heart of everything. Even unfamiliar stories would, within half a year, become stale chatter repeated at gatherings and balls.
Just as her eyelids grew heavy from the fatigue of endless events and banquets…
“Please, hand one to each guest here. It’s a gift from me.”
A calm, clear voice rang out, not loud, but melodious. The Duchess’s eyes shot open.
‘Lady Morgana…?’
“What is this? Oh my, it’s shaped like a heart!”
“It’s called a Heartol. Long ago, it grew wild in many regions, but after ancient times, its natural habitat disappeared. Now, it can only be created and eaten through summoning magic. You don’t need to peel it, just bite right in. It’s sweet and refreshing.”
After explaining, Fay picked one from the basket and took a bite. Its color was similar to that of a ripe peach as her lips sank into it.
Watching this, the Duchess felt a smile creep onto her face, unbidden.
Eat plenty, dear.
‘What…?’
Why would such a thought cross her mind?
It unsettled her.
When the Heartol basket finally made its way to her, she took one, intending to hand it to an attendant to put away. Just then…
“What a pleasant atmosphere this is.”
“Who—? Oh!”
She turned to the speaker who carefully sat beside her, then widened her eyes in shock.
His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Sillas!
“Shhh.”
“W-what brings you here…?”
Was he in disguise? Ah! If only I had woken Tiana and brought her with me!
The Duchess internally cursed herself as she retrieved her folded fan to cover her mouth and glanced sideways. Just as she’d suspected, the prince wore a brown wig. His cloak, worn at the sleeves, hinted at his incognito nature. If she’d been standing, she might have stumbled.
“Here, I am but the wandering knight, Gladys, Duchess.”
“….”
“It tastes quite good.”
The prince took a bite of the Heartol Fay had handed out. The casual way he ate it was so natural, the Duchess could hardly believe her eyes.
And she realized. This isn’t the first time. His Highness has surely roamed the capital in disguise before!
Even so, her lips trembled as she spoke.
“W-what brings Your Highness to such a place?”
“The same reason you wish to oversee the affairs of the Empire. While I cannot roam the entire realm, I can still listen. I simply want to hear people speak freely as they would to a wandering knight.”
“…Ah.”
Yes, I should have brought Tiana.
Even if she skipped the reading salon, if only she’d come to this gathering! She could have at least greeted His Highness.
That day, Crown Prince Sillas visited the Dalia Hotel salon in secret. He exchanged not a single word with his subordinate mage, Fay, and quietly listened to others before leaving. Whether Fay knew the prince had been there, the Duchess couldn’t say, but it didn’t matter to her.
What did matter was the opportunity her daughter had missed.
How wonderful it would have been to bring the noble Lady, who longed for the Crown Prince, to him. Escorts were one thing, but this was a far better opportunity in a personal sense.
‘Regret is useless now. His Highness skipped even the Orleans and Quessa family gatherings. How could I have known he’d come here?’
By the time the Duchess left the Dalia Hotel salon, the spring rain had stopped. Fay’s umbrella spell was gone, and the clear sky showed through.
It would’ve been nice to see that intriguing spell one more time.
Her lingering regret turned to irritation when, upon returning to the manor, she heard her daughter had gone out after sleeping in.
Had I known, I would have waited and brought her. Even if she’d joined later, she might’ve at least met the Crown Prince!
“She must’ve taken some servants with her?”
“Yes, Madam.”
She’s been tired for days, yet the moment I leave, she goes out? Something feels off.
“Where did she go?”
She placed the spring flower bookmark with the canola flower on the table and set the uneaten magical fruit atop the fruit basket.
“To the Guild of Righteous Laborers.”
“Again?”
She was unimpressed with her daughter’s destination.
There were plenty of better places to visit. She could’ve gone to the salon at the Dalia Hotel alone, even. But why does she keep frequenting a guild known for doing ‘useful errands’ for nobles?
‘Worse yet, that guild is rumored to have ties to the underworld.’
Tiana’s requests weren’t anything special, just rare fruits out of season or intricate lace with unusual patterns. Her tasks hadn’t changed much from the start.
At first, the Duchess had allowed it for fun. But today, she felt far less tolerant.
Was it because of that mage, who didn’t stand out yet drew everyone’s attention? Or because she couldn’t bring Tiana when His Highness made a surprise appearance?
Why does my heart feel so heavy?
“…Shall I go and bring her back?”
“No need. Just prepare a bath for when she returns. The rain may have stopped, but the air is still chilly.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Perhaps it’s time to hire a full-time tutor to instill some proper discipline. She should learn that the life of a noblewoman is not an easy one.
As she considered her daughter’s future, the Duchess suddenly remembered. Today’s scholar guest, Pochette, hadn’t asked about Tiana’s well-being at all. Even though she had unilaterally withdrawn her request for his tutelage, he had shown no signs of displeasure. The memory made her sigh.
Avoiding gossip and never being a topic of conversation isn’t always a good thing.
Sending off the maid, the Duchess sat quietly and gazed at the spring flower bookmark on the table. It wasn’t a precious object by any means.
“…”
She told herself there were no lingering feelings, but she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. Rising, she slipped it between the pages of a notebook she sometimes used to jot down thoughts. Then she retrieved the magical fruit she had left atop the fruit basket.
What was it called again… Heartol, was it?
His Highness had enjoyed it, after all.
‘…Hmph.’
Feeling oddly restless, she bit into the fruit. The sweet, cool taste that spread through her mouth sharpened her foggy mind.
It was delicious.
‘So she does have some talent after all.’
The Duchess had expected Morgana to boast endlessly about being a Drakan Rider in such a public place, but she had been unexpectedly quiet. She had even entertained the guests with two curious magic spells.
As she slowly savored the Heartol, the Duchess subtly revised her judgment. Perhaps her husband’s taste wasn’t so off, after all.
She still didn’t feel the urge to grow closer, but maybe there was no need to dislike the girl, either.
‘If His Highness keeps her as a direct subordinate… well, that’s a guarantee of sorts, isn’t it?’
Despite her logical reasoning, the sweet and tangy taste of the Heartol lingered in her mouth for a long time. Her fatigue had entirely vanished.
For the first time in her life, the Duchess found herself smiling gently while thinking of Lady Morgana.
* * *
Later that night, well past working hours.
Kassel was in a private audience with Crown Prince Sillas.
“Your Highness.”
As always, the prince’s expression was calm. Even though he was handsome, Kassel, with his signature red eyes, was often said to be intimidating, someone difficult to approach.
“Kassel, I trust you.”
“…Your Highness.”
“You had your reasons for submitting this report without additional commentary, I’m sure?”
Sillas held up the report Kassel had submitted after returning from the Chionel territory. Kassel nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
A subtle fury glimmered in his pale golden eyes.
“I’ve never heard of the House of Viscount Karris before. But even if they were a minor noble family from the outskirts, they didn’t deserve such a cruel fate.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“A suspected arson… and a case of swapped remains? How could something like this happen? Whether they were murdered or abducted, we must restore them to their rightful place!”
“I fully agree. That is the essence of justice.”
The prince’s clenched fist trembled atop the report.
“You believe the priests who performed the burial were complicit with the perpetrators, at minimum?”
“This has the Grand Temple’s fingerprints all over it. According to the innkeeper where we stayed, priests almost never travel out that far under normal circumstances.”
……
T/N: I could sense Mama Klein would start to remember their previous life just like Kassel did 🤔
