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Chapter 42
At the same time.
At Countess Caslit’s estate.
While the tea party was in full swing, a woman in maid’s clothing entered through the back door of the manor. In truth, she was a knight disguised as a maid.
As the knight moved along the corridor, laughter echoed from the tea room. Chloe’s high-pitched voice rang clearly even through the walls. The knight moved carefully, avoiding attention.
Fortunately, dressed as a maid, no one she passed suspected her. The knight carefully made her way into what appeared to be the study. Noble estates generally had similar layouts. It seemed she had found the right place.
Documents were neatly arranged on the desk. The knight removed her gloves and carefully examined them. Nothing unusual. Inside the drawers were letters and various contracts.
Not this.
What she needed was evidence that Countess Caslit had ties to Hejest. The knight felt along the bottom of the drawer. While she was somewhat reassured by the laughter outside, she held her breath and lowered her body further.
“Ah!”
Something caught with a dull sound, and the bottom of the drawer popped open.
The knight took out the documents and unfolded them. It was titled Association of Migrated Nobles of the South.
An association?
It had been founded only about two years ago. Its stated purpose was to promote harmony among relocated nobles and carry out charitable work. She scanned the member list. As expected, only the names of migrated nobles were listed. Not a single native southern noble was included.
Among the documents were records of membership fees, and for charity work, the amounts were excessively large. However, there was no indication of where the money went or how it was used.
No matter how she looked at it, it was a hollow organization. Still, the fact that it was hidden meant there must be something secret behind it.
The knight memorized the contents as thoroughly as possible, then returned everything to its original place. With a soft click, the drawer returned to its original state.
Having achieved her purpose, she held her breath and pressed herself against the door, focusing on sounds outside.
Three people.
After waiting until all of them had passed, and once silence returned, she slightly opened the door. Peeking out, she scanned the surroundings, then quickly slipped outside and closed it carefully. She then walked naturally, as if she had always been on that corridor.
The knight exited the manor and stood beside a carriage, as if waiting for the duchess.
Aisen’s pink-ribbon carriage arrived at the ducal estate. As she stepped down, Chloe waved her hand out the window with obvious disappointment.
I looked back at her with a weary expression.
In the end, it was only after Countess Caslit, completely exhausted, surrendered and ended the gathering that Chloe finally stopped talking. Even then, she had to directly ask me to take her home.
I recalled the pale-faced ladies who had only looked at me.
She had taken down that many people alone. Amazing Chloe.
Though I clicked my tongue internally, I still waved at her.
“Today was so fun, Roana! Let’s go together again next time!”
Next time? There won’t be one.
I felt just as exhausted as if my ears were bleeding. I truly regretted encouraging Chloe the entire time. I never thought I’d learn the importance of keeping my mouth shut like this.
“Yes, thank you, Chloe. Please send my regards to Aisen.”
“Of course! Next time, it would be even better if Aisen came too! I’d like to show you what kind of person he is!”
Please don’t.
I shot a glare at the coachman. Understanding my signal, he quickly set the carriage in motion. Watching Chloe’s carriage disappear, I let out a long sigh.
The knight who had been standing with me spoke.
“Shall we go inside, Duchess?”
“Yes. Did things go well today?”
“Thanks to you. Are your ears alright?”
“…No. Check them. Are they fine? I’m not bleeding, am I?”
The knight gave a faint smile.
“Did you manage to obtain anything?”
“It seems so. But the final judgment is up to His Excellency.”
At least it was a relief that my efforts were useful. It would have been frustrating if I had gained nothing.
As we chatted lightly and walked toward the entrance, a familiar figure appeared at the door.
“Cheres?”
Cheres had come out to greet me. After checking the time, he spoke in a low voice.
“You’re late.”
“Yes, I am. It’s already evening.”
At my reply, Cheres tilted his head.
“Was something the matter?”
“…It was a gathering with Chloe.”
“Ah.”
It was heartbreaking how quickly he understood.
“I know Chloe isn’t a bad person.”
She looks at me like she’s absolutely delighted—I couldn’t not know.
“…If there is something you want, I will make it happen. No matter what it is.”
“Please do that, Cheres.”
“You’re not hurt?”
“No.”
Cheres exhaled. I could see the tension leaving his shoulders. It felt strange—having someone worry about me.
I had always been the one worrying about others. Without me, my nieces and nephews would go hungry. No one had ever worried about my meals or my health.
So this is what it feels like.
Like a dry heart receiving spring rain.
Maybe that’s why I muttered like I was sulking.
“My ears hurt a little.”
“Your ears?”
Cheres’ expression shifted slightly—something between pity and guilt. It made me laugh.
“That carriage was really something. Did you see it? Just riding it felt like a mental assault.”
At my long sigh, Cheres gave a low chuckle and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“You’ve had a hard day.”
“Still, it’s fine. I did get something out of it. And this knight here also seems to have found something.”
“We’ll discuss the rest inside.”
Cheres held out his hand first.
Since I had never been escorted like this before, I tilted my head. He spoke quietly.
“The stairs are high.”
They are, but… I use them every day?
Still, there was no reason to refuse his kindness.
I took his hand.
It was large and rough, covered in calluses from years of swordsmanship. A hand that had held a blade all its life. Yet it carefully wrapped around mine.
We climbed three steps.
So this is how he expresses things. Not through fancy words, but through gestures—lighting a fire in a fireplace, placing a fur coat over someone in spring. That was Cheres’ language.
And in it, I felt sincerity.
He met my eyes and slowly released my hand.
Strangely, I felt a sense of regret. A strange feeling.
The season felt like it was beginning to itch at the tip of my nose.
Between us, flowers seemed to sway gently in bloom. The warmth left on my hand was almost dizzying.
But the day didn’t end there.
In Cheres’ office, Bogus was also present. As soon as we took our seats, we moved on to the main topic—reporting today’s results. I went first.
“I attended the gathering and approached Countess Yotlrey. I emphasized that I am the daughter of Hejest, and her expression changed. She seemed to think she might be able to switch sides again. It’s clear she attended the gathering to reconnect with Hejest. According to her, Countess Caslit frequently volunteers with church priests. I find that activity suspicious.”
Cheres crossed his arms.
“Hm. What about the other nobles there? Were they the type who would support that?”
I recalled the pale-faced introverts who had simply endured Chloe’s talk. None of them had attempted to speak privately with Countess Caslit. That likely meant either there was nothing to discuss… or it was already over.
