Chapter 43: 44

As I spoke, Duke Catlan grumbled as if he had been waiting. I listened to him while smiling and trying to calm him down.

I always feel sorry for him and want to treat him well. However, since I never lived with my real parents in the past and I’m too sorry for the real ‘Liddell Catlan’ to get too close to them, I couldn’t take care of him properly.

After a few moments of asking each other how the other was doing, my father soon closed his mouth as if he was getting to the point and looked at me quietly before opening his mouth. 

[The reason I’m contacting you this time, Liddell, is to let you know in advance that an investigator will be dispatched to your territory soon.]

“An investigator?”

My father nodded.

[The royal family is conducting a number of investigations to try to overcome the current situation, and I’m told that your territory has had an unusually low number of monster attacks lately. We want to find out the reason for this difference.]

“…….”

It had finally come. That thought suddenly occurred to me. No, maybe it was fortunate that I was able to buy time until now. 

“…Who is the investigator? Has it already been decided?”

[I heard it is Sir Roelich who is coming… He’s probably coming to see his younger brother as well as do some work.]

There was someone in my territory who also used the Roelich surname, but it was easy to guess that the person my father was talking about was Sir Ted’s older brother.

Edwin Roelich. He was a young knight who could be considered a leading figure in the kingdom and appeared as a sub-male lead in <I Picked Up My Husband>.

I calmed my mind and opened my mouth, knowing I should tell the man, who had a relaxed attitude, the news first.

“Father, I have something to tell you. Sir Roelich… I don’t think someone of his stature is coming to our territory for a simple reason like seeing Sir Ted.”

[Then, what is it?]

My father, who asked me with a puzzled expression, looked at me and became serious.

[It seems like there is a reason for you to suspect something.]

“…It’s a long story, but to put it simply, it’s probably because of Hisch.”

[Your husband?]

“Hisch is… I found out about it not long ago. He has an ability. Similar to us…”

[…similar to us?]

My father, understanding my meaning at once, repeated it, and then said, ‘Him?’ with a look of disbelief on his face. I nodded.

“Yes. It’s… not an extraordinary or remarkable power.”

Since my loyal vassal had prepared a report mixed with lies in a cunning manner, I was able to match his rhythm.

My father frowned for a moment at my words, then shook his head.

[It’s not historically rare for an unrecognized ability user to appear. But why him of all people? Huh…]

“I know. I was so surprised when I found out too.”

[When did you find out?]

“When my territory was attacked… That’s when I found out.”

At my words, my father fell silent for a moment, deep in thought.

Perhaps he may have been thinking about my arrival in the capital shortly thereafter when I locked myself in the study of the mansion claiming I needed to figure out something.

My father looked at me with a slightly despondent look.

[…Couldn’t you have told me a little earlier?]

“I didn’t have the opportunity. And both Hisch and I… needed time.”

[……]

Although he looked doubtful at my words, there was something else we needed to worry about right now. The man in front of me seemed to know that as he shook his head once and spoke again.

[Did you have any plans not to report it directly to the royal family?]

At the question, which seemed to imply I was hiding something, I shook my head.

“With Sein’s help, we investigated Hisch’s abilities, and we’ve just finished a report that’s at least partially complete. I didn’t intend to hide it, but the royal family found out before we could report it.”

As I have mentioned, I never intended to hide it.

I was just waiting for this to be discovered as late as possible, and for the situation to start rolling.

I figured that even if I voluntarily reported about Hisch, the same thing would happen anyway.

[We still don’t know about that. Does the royal family know that your husband has such abilities? This might just be a simple dispatch investigation.]

“Actually, there is a witness.”

[Who?]

“Miller Firenze.”

My father turned silent at my words.

“On the day my territory was attacked, he was there, right at the spot where Hisch used his powers.”

[I’ve never heard of young master Firenze making an official report like that.]

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“He probably didn’t submit a formal document. Since there’s no evidence or proof.”

[Do you think he just leaked the information? And that is why the royal family is trying to verify it?]

I nodded.

Of course, I did ask Miller that day if he could keep this a secret for the time being.

But even then, I hadn’t expected him to keep it a secret forever.

My father looked at me with a strange expression when he saw my resolute face.

[Liddell, dear. Miller… Firenze was a man who was engaged to you for a long time. Would he really have talked about your affairs like that?]

“Well, I don’t know… Miller might have said something, or he might not have. But it’s safe to assume that he did and prepare for the situation.”

I suddenly remembered that blonde man. And those eyes of his that had looked at me so naively.

My father had mentioned our long-standing engagement, but from my perspective as a transmigrated person, there was little emotional exchange between Miller and me that could have earned my trust.

Of course, he had an innocent side to him. However, I knew that even the most innocent of men keep some ulterior motives hidden in their hearts.

“And it’s that Firenze. He wouldn’t keep something like this from the royal family.”

[…….]

My father closed his mouth, seemingly agreeing with my added comment, but he still let out a sigh nonetheless.

[Why do I feel a little sorry for young master Firenze?]

“…Why?”

Why, really? As far as I can tell from our history, I wonder how much Miller really believed when I was just his political fiancée.

As I looked at my father with a bewildered expression, he tried to change the subject and said.

[… In any case, Liddell. Since we’re not exactly sure why Sir Roelich is heading to your territory, why don’t you just observe the situation without being rash?]

My eyes grew wider at his words.

‘That’ Duke Catlan. I thought he would suggest reporting to the royal family right away or explaining the situation to Sir Roelich, who would be dispatched.

[You seem intent on delaying this matter as much as possible.]

My father added in response to my reaction.

Did he notice? I sighed, cupping my cheek with one hand.

“…Father. If it’s revealed that Hisch has the same ability as us, the Magic Tower won’t just sit still.”

[He is now a Catlan. The situation won’t be as extreme as you think it will be…]

My father stopped talking, maybe realizing something. I’m not sure why he trailed off, but I continued to speak without hesitation.

“I don’t think they’ll try to do anything with Hisch right away. But on the other hand, I’m not sure. You saw for yourself not long ago how they treated me, a noblewoman.”

[…….]

When I mentioned the magician who left me for dead after overusing my ability, my father’s expression darkened.

In a low voice filled with anger, he said,

[…I understand your feelings, but things are different now than they were then, Liddell. If they try to face us, Catlan, head-on, they won’t be able to take anything. No matter what they want. Never.]

With a demeanor befitting the head of a noble family, my father spoke calmly and solemnly, and I trusted him, but…

Seeing my still dark expression, my father sighed and said.

[Everything is uncertain right now, so all we can do is speculate. Just do as I say for now. The worst that could happen is that you’ll have to hand in the report you’ve already prepared.]

“I understand. Thank you for your advice, father. And… thank you for standing by my side and helping me think through various measures.”

Who is the man in front of me? He was the head of Catlan, one of the few dukes in the kingdom, and is known for his loyalty to the royal family.

He had put aside his loyalty to the royal family and put me first to come up with various measures.

At my words, he coughed a few times, and then curtly opened his mouth.

[Why, do you plan on not taking my side when something like this happens in the future?]

Trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, I made an idle remark.

“Oh, no, of course not.”

[ It's fine between families [1] .]

“…….”

[Everything is fine between us.]

At that, I paused for a moment with a smile and then said,

“Of course, we’re family after all.”

1. It’s fine not to say thank you. Helping each other is a given since they’re family.

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