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Chapter 37
“This is strange.”
Kaian of the Anima Division of the Peard Troupe was lost in thought.
He leaned back in his chair, stretching both legs out on the desk as if lying down. With his hands clasped behind his head, he had found a surprisingly comfortable position.
Kaian wiggled his toes as he recalled how he had come to join the troupe—back when he had obtained an imperial pass to meet Dwen.
“Wait… did you just say that?”
“That Evan has fallen for a playboy.”
“But Evan already has a fiancé he met in Cent.”
“Yeah… the problem is that the person happens to be Lady Vanessa.”
“…I’ll go see him.”
“Wait, Kaian! I told you to take the knight initiation test—where are you going?”
“What are you asking? I’m from the Peard Troupe. I’ll go deal with that woman right now…!”
“Stop, Kaian!”
Dwen had physically stopped him as he tried to dash to the troupe.
“Why? Are you planning to confront that woman?”
“You just need to separate Evan from her!”
Thus, he had been sent on the important mission of revealing Vanessa’s true identity to Evan. Kaian snapped out of his memory, unclasped his hands, and ruffled his hair.
“But there would have to be some truly significant news to separate them.”
At first, he thought he and Robert were getting close, but lately, it seemed Robert was avoiding him. Kaian had informed Evan when he thought Robert might be meeting separately at the birthday party—but instead, he caused a scandal that made everyone gasp.
Gradually, Kaian began to question whether Vanessa was truly the subject of all the rumors. He had imagined her as indulgent, reckless, and decadent, living a chaotic private life—but when he met her, she was completely different. She didn’t blend with others; in fact, she seemed almost to choose isolation.
“That doesn’t change the fact that she dared betray Evan.”
Kaian ground his teeth and narrowed his eyes. His dark brown eyes, as deep as night, lingered first on Vanessa’s desk and then naturally shifted to Robert’s.
“That guy…”
In truth, Robert was the most suspicious. Outwardly neat, cheerful, and socially adept, there was something about him Kaian couldn’t read. He scratched his brow, uneasy.
“Especially that cold look in his eyes.”
It reminded him of the dull, clouded gazes of the kingdom’s knights, who often vented their anger on him during his days as a slave.
‘Guys like that, once free from rules and order, will thrash about like fish in water.’
Kaian waved his hand in the air to clear his thoughts, then lowered his legs from the desk. Beneath them, the blank documents he had been hiding were revealed.
“Should I investigate Robert, or not?”
He pondered lazily, scratching the back of his head, then yawned. Stretching out his legs on the desk again, he relaxed.
“Fine, whatever happens to that woman isn’t my problem.”
He raised a document to shield his face from the light and peacefully dozed off.
I received a report from Donna that Kaian and Robert, who had departed from the Peard Troupe, had arrived at the mansion.
I came to the main gate to head to Cent with them… and of course. That explained why it felt empty in front of my room.
“Vanessa, I’ll go as your escort knight, okay?”
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu at this scene. Yes, it was similar to that day—the day I had decided to leave for Cent.
“Huh? Since you failed the knight initiation test, you have plenty of free time!”
Sherry held my hand and shook it side to side. I followed her movement with blurred eyes.
No… it was different.
I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. A year ago, it was only Sherry—but now, two more people had joined.
“Accompanied by Duke Dustin? Vanessa, I can’t let you go alone.”
The count stepped forward with a stern face, as if he couldn’t back down. His towering presence felt like a massive wall.
“Right, Father is correct.”
Dave nodded in agreement and stepped forward.
“Then, then!”
Finally, Sherry joined in. Even Donna, standing beside me, flinched back at their overwhelming energy. I was trapped between the carriage and them, glancing around in astonishment.
“……”
Kaian was there, watching the Peard family with an exasperated expression.
Why! What! Who! Do you think I want to watch this melodrama? My head throbbed, and I pressed my hand to my forehead. I couldn’t linger any longer and had to put aside my complaints.
Using the same tactic again, I freed one hand from Sherry and placed both hands over my chest. Then I muttered gloomily:
“You’re not worried about me; you’re afraid I’ll mess things up, aren’t you?”
A tone of disappointment slipped out, even surprising myself. I had never studied acting in my past life, but I turned my face to hide my expression.
“Yes, I know. You must be worried. Just trusting me until now has been enough—”
At the end, as if overwhelmed by emotion, I covered my mouth with my hands. The count looked stunned, speechless.
“Vanessa…”
Dave froze like a stone, unable to continue.
“V-Vanessa, it’s not that—”
“Vanessa!”
“Ugh.”
Sherry shoved his head and pressed her face close.
“That… that can’t be! I believe in Vanessa!”
Sherry shook her head violently, her hair flying, denying it firmly. Then she grabbed Dave’s clothing and shook him so hard his body rocked back and forth.
“Dave! Right? Answer me now!”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“Did you hear that, Vanessa!”
Sherry released his sleeve, and Dave fell backward, landing on his bottom. His stiff collar had been mercilessly crumpled in her hand. He adjusted his glasses with a dazed expression.
“Vanessa!”
The count marched straight toward me, keeping his gaze locked on me.
“Ugh! Father.”
He stepped on Dave’s thigh along the way, but no one mentioned it. Observing quietly, Dave’s hierarchy seemed questionable.
The count took my hand gently as if it were a delicate fruit. Seeing his serious face, I felt guilty.
“Surely, no father would doubt his daughter.”
“Really?”
I lowered my hand from my mouth and calmly surveyed them.
“Then you trust me and won’t make things difficult, right?”
“…….”
“You’re not coming along?”
Taking the opportunity, I delivered a decisive blow. Their eyes widened, then returned to normal. A moment of silence swept over them; they exchanged glances, resigned. They exhaled, knowing my action was to separate them, yet powerless.
It looked like it might rain today. Dark clouds hovered over their slumped shoulders.
“Then I’ll take that as your permission.”
I pretended to stretch and withdrew my hand from the count. He followed my movement with a lingering gaze, as if disappointed.
“Then Kaian, Robert. Let’s depart.”
I ordered them, then headed to the specially prepared carriage. The Peard family crest waved from the sharp ornaments of the small carriage.
Just before stepping into the carriage with Donna’s help, Sherry approached cautiously and grabbed my sleeve.
“Vanessa, are you still very angry with me?”
“Angry?”
My question was short-lived. I realized, with a sudden jolt, that Sherry was blaming herself for the contract while I had been busy preparing for the reception of the Regent.
I lightly patted her hand holding my sleeve.
“Don’t worry about that, sister.”
“But…”
Sherry’s lips drooped, sulking. She had stirred Evan’s emotions, but it was only my misunderstanding and hasty conclusion; Evan’s heart hadn’t wavered even once.
I shook my head firmly.
“It’s not your fault.”
Sherry slowly lifted her head, glancing cautiously. She seemed somewhat relieved.
“Then… then Vanessa.”
Hesitating, Sherry stretched the end of her sentence, then lifted her gaze firmly. I could see her Adam’s apple move as she swallowed.
What is she going to say now?
I pressed my lips together nervously. She had a tendency to surprise me with unexpected things.
“Sister, what is it—?”
“C-Can I send letters?”
“…Huh?”
I was taken aback by her unexpected words. Sherry rummaged in her arms and produced ten yellow envelopes, offering them to me with both hands.
“I actually wrote them in advance. Look, look.”
Sherry held the letters in one hand, pointing to each in turn.
“This one is for the way to Cent, this one while looking out the window, this one after meals, this one while drinking tea, this one for snacks…”
She listed them all, then shyly smiled at the last envelope. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
“Read this when you miss me.”
Sherry held the envelope out with both hands.
“….”
I stared at her with a cold, expressionless face, but her hands holding the envelope suddenly appeared in my line of sight.
“I have one too.”
One was Dave’s hand.
“Ouch, my arm hurts.”
The other was the count’s hand.
They pushed and competed, each trying to give their letter first. Sherry, losing patience, shoved Dave’s hand away.
“Follow the order, Dave!”
At that moment, Perry, perched on my shoulder, swept aside her hair like a curtain and peeked through. Perry glanced around at them and clicked his tongue.
