/
“The one in trouble is Rany, so why are you the one on the verge of crying?”
I didn’t notice that I was clenching my fists until Bertin’s hand tapped on the back of my hand.
The sense that had disappeared slowly came back numbly as I opened my fist.
He lowered his voice and said,
“It’s fine. I’m planning to finish everything by today day.”
“. . .”
“From now on, there won’t be such a thing of her getting troubled because of this problem ever again.”
I felt that I was strangely becoming calmer at his soft voice.
When I glanced up, Bertin was smiling, but he looked like he had a lot on his mind in another sense.
Then, he, who quickly hid his expression, took the lead.
“Her complaints might be innumerable even though she was only being detained for a few hours. We should hurry before she gets any more angry.”
* * *
Just as Bertin predicted, Raynia Rocke was spitting insults inside.
“Really, that idiot. How long is he planning to make me wait?”
When she, propping her chin, heaved a sigh, the knight watching on her clicked his tongue.
His face was questioning why she did such a thing when a bright future would wait for her once she graduated as a student of the academy.
“That’s not your business.”
There were a lot of humans who were interested in other people’s business.
However, when someone reached out for help when a problem occurred, there were only a few who would truly help.
Undoubtedly, not many would help completely out of goodwill.
However, it was not easy to suspect and slap away the hand that was reached out in a hopeless situation.
“If a problem arises, I think I can help you.”
The sweet voice seduced Raynia.
When the boy, the owner of glittering purple orbs, which were so pretty, said that and reached out his hand, Raynia Rocke was flattered.
Without doubt, anyone would respond the same.
Bertin Gramia was the owner of fine beauty who could make countless people’s hearts beat just by a smile.
But his inside was dark.
Raynia appraised him with a clear head.
Affection from hatred was also affection, and although for now she wouldn’t get angry from looking at his face, what was dark was dark.
While she was deep in thought, someone opened the door to the room where she was detained.
As she raised her head, dazed at the lightly approaching footsteps, she saw a smile on her face.
“No one took care of your meals because of the busy situation, right?”
Mago Philip handed her the tray she brought over.
Stew with a savory smell and bread were set before her.
Raynia unreservedly began to quickly put the food into her mouth.
When the plate was half empty, a subtle voice tickled her ears.
“It seems like Young Lady Miller isn’t thinking of helping you anymore.”
“. . .”
“It must be disappointing even though you’ve been together for a long time and you even followed her to this academy.”
She suddenly felt regret.
She actually wanted a meal filled with potatoes.
“Besides, even the Rocke Merchant Guild can’t protect you. This happened in front of His Imperial Highness after all.”
Raynia’s spoon stirred the carrot.
The food wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t to her taste.
“If you want, I—”
“What are you getting at?”
“Sorry?”
“Stop dancing around in circles and just say it. What do you want? Since earlier you’re talking about my dad and then about Marianne, and kept repeating the same thing.”
It was funny to keep up appearances in this kind of situation.
Even salons and banquets would reject her because her technique irritating others was so skilled.
Mago, who looked flustered at Rany’s remark, soon returned to her smile.
However, the uneasiness that was slowly seeping in her face could be seen.
It must be because Raynia looked very confident.
She must be confused. The normal person should be getting very scared and when a hand reaches out, I should be desperately trying to catch it. But I didn’t do that.
What Mago overlooked was that Raynia had fallen off the cliff before.
As well as the fact that she was burned badly because she grabbed the reached-out hand at that time.
Mago’s eyes moved frantically, and then she closed her mouth with an awkward smile. Then . . .
“Raynia Rocke.”
A flat voice rang inside the room.
The knight of the Imperial Knight Order strode in, and then he creased his face when he saw Mago.
“This place is off limits.”
“Ah, I felt pity toward the young lady who’s still only a suspect. She was probably hungry in detainment . . .”
The knight, who apathetically heard Mago’s excuse, raised Raynia up.
Raynia, who ate everything but the carrot, held the bread with a hand and blinked.
“His Imperial Highness summoned you.”
When Raynia, who suddenly bit the bread, followed the knight, Mago Philip followed them in panic.
Her face was full of doubts that she could not understand.
* * *
“Your Imperial Highness, I brought Raynia Rocke.”
The Crown Prince, who looked tired, nodded.
Mago, who entered following Raynia, quickly scanned the room.
Marianne with a calm face, and Viscount Rocke, who was uneasy just like earlier.
The face of the frightened Dmitry was not only pale white, but his lips were also trembling.
“Say it yourself Sir Gramia.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
When she flinched at the new name, a low and nice to hear voice rang out.
Mago Philip’s eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe it.
Bertin Gramia, whom she didn’t know of his arrival, drew a picturesque smile . . .
“Young Lady Raynia Rocke is innocent.”
. . . and asserted Raynia Rocke’s innocence.