“A few days ago, he came back with serious wounds from the sword match. The doctor didn’t know that his organ had ruptured, but it was belatedly that a problem had occurred, and he died…”
“I’ve heard stories of knights dying from the sword match. But I never know it actually happened.”
“Yes, but…”
Cecil laid down my meal for today and continued speaking quietly.
“He was not trained by the knights of the same age. His opponent in the match used excessive violence even though there was no need for it, so Count Celcius will hold the responsibility for his injuries.”
“…”
“That’s the end of the story I know, Lady.”
Of course, I already predicted this. It’s nothing but a man’s death. However, Shuteri was a commoner who had not yet been knighted. The opponent was coming from the Marquis Andras family. The weight of life was never equal in this world, so the trial’s outcome was obvious even if Count Celcius will take responsibility for that.
‘Considering that the place where they competed was a stadium where mutual consent was the basis…’
Carl would have been free or fined a paltry fine. But I’m sure Carl will take care of this. If that’s why they’re being noisy, that’s it. I glanced at the sandwich in the middle of the table to hide my smile.
‘The power of the holy relic is great. No matter if he woke up or not, I can’t believe I can completely beat the knight.’
It was common for a person to suddenly die from an abdominal injury caused by a fight. Moreover, if the body was torn and broken like that, even if someone hit his injured abdomen again, it was impossible to know the truth of his wound again except if his wound opened.
Again, I was not on the list of suspects this time. With this, I easily get rid of the lump in my chest.
“Today’s meal is delicious too. Cecil, you can go rest now. Just clean up the dishes in the evening.”
“Yes, Lady.”
I wanted to laugh, so I chased my maid out of my room. With a sweet excuse, I made Cecil leave my room. Then I became happy as if it was a lie that I had been in a bad mood until now.
‘Meat and bread went easily in my mouth now. In the past, I used to feel nauseous and frustrated just by putting something in my mouth, but now I feel more comfortable with my organs.’
I had a breakfast like that and made plans for the day. In the middle, I gently rolled up my pajama sleeves to confirm the mysterious bruises.
‘Ah, how about this…’
Fortunately, I received minimal help to change my clothes from the beginning because I was too shy to show my naked body to Cecil, so I hadn’t been caught yet. But how long will Cecil remain unsuspicious of me? It will always be considered strange that the young Lady has bruises on her body from quarreling with someone.
Then I recalled Carl Andras in my mind for a moment.
‘His family has been killing people since the founding of this Kingdom. Considering their monstrous achievements, they must have core skills besides mere talent…’
Thud.
After eating the soup, I put down the empty bowl on a silver tray and fell into my thoughts.
‘Where is the vital point of the human body? What kind of poison is applied to the tip of the weapon? How to wield a sword? There are limits for a book on the market that can teach me, so I should get his help, right?’
The conclusion of my thought is that I should meet Carl. Then I decided to put it off for a while.
‘I have to go see Ronwe.’
Isn’t the butler waiting for me, who is working hard to get better?
Being able to speed up his illness with a basket of fruit was more enjoyable than the sweetness of the juice. In addition, once his condition worsened, it was difficult to deduce that the pain worsened when he quit eating popira, which is the reason his illness worsened.
‘Good. How can I miss seeing him dying?’
I decided to spend my time diligently. I immediately got up from my seat, changed my clothes, and finally called Cecil to help me when I opened the back of my pajamas.
“I will go out. Isn’t Sir Ronwe still sick? I was so worried about him that I couldn’t enjoy the banquet even when I went to the palace.”
“Ah, then I will prepare it as Lady said.”
Cecil seems to be getting more and more conscious these days. She was quick enough to take care of everything I needed to go out now.
“Thank you.”
From my point of view, I had only experienced being abused and lazy servants, so it was natural for me to feel grateful. Cecil didn’t respond to my words and went out to prepare the carriage.
‘It’s too obvious if he eats popira every day, so shall I buy some cheap medicine from the town herbalist today?’
* * *
7. Various Charms
About five minutes after that.
My long-black hair had improved from Cecil’s combing, but it still looked disheveled when I went out the door. I’m 15 years old now, but I will soon enter the social world after my birthday. As I recently rehearsed, I walked with how the nobles should walk.
‘This walk is too slow and puts strength in the muscles… Wait, isn’t this good to train my body?’
As I walked so gracefully, I could see a red-carpet staircase leading down from the second floor to the first. I also saw the chandelier that ate Seir’s life had been replaced with something else. I took a leisurely look at the scenery of the mansion and walked forward, but…
“Lady, Lady Vanora.”
“?”
It was just about the time I saw the main door of the mansion. The door slid open, and a maid in a uniform approached me at a quick pace. She looked in a hurry that she almost ran.
“Cecil?”
I found her and walked a few steps closer, then Cecil gave me an envelope.
“That, the visitor… I haven’t heard about the visitor, but they’re waiting for Lady Vanora at the door.”
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“…The Young Master of Duke!”
The seal used on the letter was somehow familiar. This coat of arms with an insignia and a sword hanging from a part of the fortress wall drawn in a square shape. It was the coat of arms that every noble could recognize.
“Lord Aloken Jalier!”
“He asked me to deliver the letter to the Count. I already tell Lady, so I will go up now.”
I’m sure I was going to meet him someday, but I can’t believe he’s visiting without a word.
‘The servants must have turned upside down by now.’
I walked out hurriedly like Cecil did before. When I opened the door, what I saw was a carriage made of ebony wood, which was large enough to believe that it had come from the royal family.
“Ah, we’re here for the Lady. Lord said that you don’t have to prepare the tea.”
“Pardon?!”
There I saw the Count’s aide, who was at loss in front of the servants. The last thing that caught my eyes was that man. He was two spans taller than me, and his vivid black hair contrasted the blue robe he wore even in the warm weather. Aloken Jalier bent his slender eyes and smiled while greeting me.
“Lady Celcius, I have come to pick you up.”
“…to pick me up?
“Would you excuse us for a moment? I have a long word with Lady Celcius. As I said, you don’t have to prepare the tea.”
With those words, the crowd of servants disappeared. In front of the quiet mansion’s door, Aloken finally began a proper conversation.
“Why are you so surprised? I’m here to tell you the result you’ve been waiting for. Thanks to your treatment, the unconscious Duke really came to his senses.”
“That means…”
“I put the proposal together in the letter I just sent.”
The way he handled this was so straightforward. To be honest, I can’t believe it worked out so well that it almost made me dance. Fortunately, my joy was only expressed by a small smile.
‘The whole world is on my side! I can get rid of someone like Naverius later if I have spare time. With this, the name of Aloken’s fiancée was earned, so first of all, when I debuted…’
But as I began to plan new revenge in my head, Aloken suddenly spoke.
“Then I will invite you to the ball as promised, so get on the carriage.”
“To the… ball? Wait, are we going to the Sangtepul today?… Right now?”
“You’re not even wearing pajamas, so is there any problem?”
Now I realize why the social world had consistently raised questions about his character. Aside from the rumors that he got the title by killing his younger brother, who on earth makes such a sudden invitation?
“There is still time left for the ball schedule, but the problem is the state of the Duke’s body. He was barely awake with a little consciousness. So I want you to help me as the main point of our deal right now.”
“…”
“Anyway, you promised me a successor’s position, so our talented astronomer will definitely help me, right?”
I couldn’t answer the sarcastic remarks that followed.
The first official meeting between I and Aloken ended in an instant. I complied with the request to treat the Duke immediately. When heard the news that I was headed to the Sangtepul, my father remained silent.
‘He still doesn’t see me as his child. Even he came out to send my younger brother off whenever he went out to the town.’
Clatter.
The carriage was so quiet that only the clatter sound rang. Our destination was quite close to the royal capital.
‘It’s my first time going there.’
At this time of year, geraniums bloomed everywhere in the Sangtepul, creating a magnificent view that all the nobles wanted a villa there.
‘Is this the villa where Aloken’s father, Duke Jalier, came down to recuperate?’
When the carriage stopped, I naturally got off and looked around a bit. But after a while, Aloken, who had already got off first, was bewildered when he saw me get off by myself.
“Did you get out of the carriage by yourself?”
I noticed it belatedly. Being used to being alone, I didn’t really care about it. Still, it was common for nobles to get off the carriage under the escort of a servant or someone.
“Uh, my feet already stepped on the ground. What can I do about it?”
If it had been the timid me in the past, I would have been trembling at the thought that I had made a big mistake now. However, my new life was blinded by wrath, and I didn’t make a fuss about it.
“…”
Aloken looked at my behavior for a moment. Maybe it’s the first time he has seen someone with behavior like me, so I think I’m getting his attention.
“Now I will tell the Lord the medicine that will cure your father.”
When I stood in front of the villa, I began to discuss the main topic.
“I brought Lady Vanora from the Celcius family. Prepare the tea. I’m thinking of having a political discussion with the two of us.”
I said that it would be difficult if other people heard about it, so Aloken prepared a seat for me. In that way, I could enter the villa in no time, and the interior of the building I encountered upon entering was even more surprising.
‘Are they all real jewels?’
Since their mansion is located in the northern land where it snows, I thought the villa used for recuperation would be somewhat insufficient, but it seems I have been mistaken. It was dazzling luxury from the end to end of the hallway for a mere place to recuperate Duke Jalier. Even the beautifully coated jewels were used between the mirrors when I looked closely. A thief might be able to play and eat for the rest of their life by stealing that mirror.
‘If you try to steal it, you will die on the spot. Seriously, what kind of place is this?’
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The dazzling works of art made me rather alert.
The young man who sits calmly in front of me is no better than a black panther. He was the son of Duke Jalier, who was called a powerful man just below the royal family. I didn’t even want to imagine him becoming my enemy.