TMDL 19

Chapter : 19

With a sigh, she slowly replied to Astella, whom she was glaring at.

“I happened to learn the truth, so I just wanted to confirm it with you. If this lie continues, the situation will spiral out of control. Then not only you, but even Duke Betelheim could end up in trouble, Astella.”

I really wish she would realize how serious this is. Scandals between a duke and a noble young lady might seem common, but given how special Raiden and Astella’s positions are in the Empire and high society right now…

She couldn’t help but worry about the backlash that would follow once things came to light.

“That will never happen. I really don’t understand why you’re acting like this, Sister. We’ve gotten along just fine all this time—why can’t you trust me all of a sudden?”

“I told you. I heard it directly from the Duke. He’s having a very hard time right now because of your lie.”

“I met him not long ago, and he didn’t seem like that at all. So you’re the one lying, Sister! I firmly believed you would bring the Duke and me together… This is really too much!”

“……”

Who was really being too much here? Astella was desperately clinging to her own defense until the very end.

If she truly hadn’t lied, she wouldn’t be this flustered, nor would she be avoiding going to the Betelheim estate.

There was nothing more to confirm. It was now clear that Astella had lied.

“Fine! If you won’t believe me, then I won’t believe you anymore either!”

Before Freya could say anything, Astella sprang up from her seat in a huff and shot her a sharp look.

“I’m going to tell Father and my brothers everything about today. Don’t come to our house anymore. We don’t need you as my attendant either.”

After declaring that, she glared at Freya, opened the door, and stormed out.

Bang!

The force of the door slamming shut made the glass of water on the table tremble.

Freya stared quietly at the door Astella had gone through, then muttered,

“……So I’ve been cut off, huh?”

It wasn’t the direction she’d planned, but she had finally escaped being a doormat.

That meant her deal with Marquis Valche was over. She’d lost the promised reward—“a life of remaining single”—but in a way, she felt relieved.

Standing up, Freya took one last look at the artificial garden visible through the window and started to walk.

“Well then, I’ll have to hire a carriage.”

After leaving the restaurant and heading toward where the carriage she’d arrived in was supposed to be, Freya let out a deep sigh in front of the door. Since Astella had left first in the carriage, there was none left for her to ride.

She’d expected as much—but Astella hadn’t even paid for the meal. It was always like that, but it still annoyed her. Astella probably received far more pocket money than Freya, who actually earned her own.

‘Let’s just think of it as the cost of cutting off a leech.’

She wouldn’t ever have to pay in Astella’s place again, so just for today. If she thought of it as the last time she’d be taken advantage of, it wasn’t too expensive.

She should quickly hire a carriage and return to the Imperial Palace. There was still plenty of afternoon work waiting.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I walked down this street at this hour.’

Freya glanced around.

The daytime streets of Plomed were full of life: carriages rolling along the road, merchants calling out to customers, people shopping.

Except when meeting Astella, she always had lunch at the palace, so it was rare for her to be out in a busy district at this time.

“Ah…”

The savory scent wafting from a bag of bread carried by a passerby brushed Freya’s nose. She’d just eaten lunch, but once she caught that smell, she couldn’t simply walk past.

‘There was a bakery around here.’

Maybe she’d buy something for an afternoon snack. With a small smile, Freya headed toward the bakery.

It was only a short moment, but the long-lost leisure made her feel at ease. How long had it been since she’d walked alone down a peaceful street like this, with such a light heart?

I should come out more often like this. Even in busy days, having moments like this would help me catch my breath.

“There it is.”

She spotted the bakery not far ahead. It was one she used to visit often before becoming Astella’s attendant. The bread topped with a few grains of salt was the best.

Baked with a whole stick of butter, it was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the harmony with the salt sprinkled on top was perfect. The bread was called, simply, “salt bread.”

She’d never imagined she’d get to eat the same bread she’d had before being transmigrated, here of all places.

The similar bread was said to have been developed by the bakery owner by chance. More precisely, the people here called it “Wiltid.”

It was named after a region famous for its special salt.

‘It was so identical it was uncanny—so much that I wondered if they were putting on a performance.’

And even if the owner really was a transmigrator like her, so what? They made delicious bread—that was enough.

As long as it didn’t affect her life, she didn’t care at all. Compared to that, Astella was the real problem.

“I hope they still have Wiltid left.”

It was so popular that it sold out quickly, so she wasn’t sure if there would still be any. Freya quickened her pace.

But when she saw a carriage approaching from the opposite side, she paused at the edge of the road. The street was narrower than before, so it seemed a bit dangerous to keep walking.

After the carriage passed, she started walking again. Her destination was now right in front of her.

Screech—

“Freya?”

Just a few steps from her goal, as she walked happily, a familiar voice called out from behind. Freya turned her head, and her expression instantly stiffened.

“……Raiden?”

Why was that man here?

The one leaning out of the carriage window and calling her was none other than Raiden.

Could that carriage that had just passed be from the Betelheim ducal house? She glanced at the crest. Two golden eagles facing each other—it was indeed the symbol of the ducal family.

Raiden got down from the carriage and approached her with a bright smile.

“I’m surprised to see you here. What brings you out? At this hour, you’re usually alone at the palace or with Lady Binok of the ducal house.”

“……I just had lunch with Astella and parted ways. I was on my way to buy a snack.”

“Is that so? It’s really surprising to see you here by yourself, Freya.”

Was it really that surprising?

Whenever Raiden visited, Astella was always by her side. He probably hadn’t seen Freya alone very often.

“Oh my, it really is you, Freya.”

“Lady Savanna.”

Savanna, who must have been riding with him, stepped down from the carriage and approached Freya. Greeting her warmly, she took Freya’s hand and asked,

“I heard you’ve been very busy. Are you doing all right?”

“Yes. I’ve had a lot on my plate, so it’s been hectic, but I’m fine.”

“Hehe, good. I’m sure you’ll manage just fine. Since we’ve run into each other like this, why don’t we have some tea together?”

“But weren’t you two on your way somewhere?”

Freya tried to deflect politely, but it didn’t work on Savanna and Raiden.

“We’d just finished an errand and were heading back to the estate. We don’t have anything else planned, so I thought it’d be nice to chat together. Would that be too much trouble?”

“I’m sorry, but I was just going to buy a snack and then hurry back to take care of work—”

“I’ll help you, Freya.”

“Pardon?”

Freya, about to refuse Savanna’s offer, hesitated at Raiden’s smile.

“You’re busy because of the newly proposed policy, right? I’ll help you.”

“No, it’s really fine.”

“Don’t refuse. I know I’ve caused your workload to increase a lot lately. I want to help you get at least a little rest.”

“……”

Then just let me go. Why don’t you understand that resting alone is the most comfortable kind of rest?

As Freya sighed inwardly, Savanna asked,

“You said you were buying a snack. Are you perhaps getting some bread from that bakery over there?”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought so. I’ve been smelling something savory for a while, and I was curious too.”

“That bakery has been around a long time, and their bread is exquisite. It’s well regarded even among the nobility, Mother.”

Raiden chimed in, further encouraging Savanna.

“Oh my, is that so? Then I simply must try it.”

“They even have seats where you can sit and eat, so why don’t we go have a look?”

Watching him naturally guide Savanna along, Freya’s expression turned sour.