After the sudden death of the former emperor, the whole empire was in an uproar, so the investigation into Noe was postponed.
“My lady, this is the location of the Mage Guild you asked for the other day.”
Fortunately, Kegor did not forget to investigate, so I could resume my investigation of Noe.
“They said they were in Liun in the southern provinces.”
“It’s pretty far,” I answered, checking the address Kegor gave me. I wonder if Agoth can go alone.
“Please prepare travel expenses and transportation so that Agoth can go.”
“Yes. May I give you some advice?”
“What is it?”
“Whether a mage or a scholar, they are people with a strong sense of authority. There is a possibility that they will not easily cooperate with just one young maid.”
“That makes sense. Would it be better to send a request with the family seal?”
“That’s a good idea.”
“It’s reassuring to have a competent advisor by your side.”
Kegor smiled at my compliment and fiddled with his mustache. He looked embarrassed.
Now, shall we start investigating Noe’s backstory?
After taking one deep breath, I started walking towards the study.
***
“I don’t see Miss Agoth.”
A few days after Agoth left for the south.
Hamilton, who visited the duke’s mansion, raised a teacup and said.
“Someone who always stuck close to you and never fell off.”
“I’ve sent her away for an errand.”
“An errand? Downtown?”
“No. A little farther than that…”
Hamilton raised his eyebrows and looked at me for a detailed explanation.
‘If I say she was sent to the Mage Guild, I’ll be asked why, and then I’ll have to tell him about Noe.’
Mm, that will be annoying.
“… I sent her to the main house,” I smiled and lied.
“The times are chaotic, so my mother is worried.”
“That’s true. Since the duke is also in the capital now.”
Oh, he believes it. What a relief.
Speaking of Agoth, I decided to ask Hamilton about Dracoism.
“I heard from Rowena that the gatherings of the believers have significantly decreased.”
“Ah, yes. You’ve already heard.” Hamilton let out a long sigh with a gloomy face. “It has become difficult to find a meeting place. But we don’t know if they’re not holding the meeting or have gone into the shade more.”
“They’re in trouble in many ways.”
“Well, there is no rush. Many ordinary people participated in the meeting. Investigating them one by one will give us clues,” Hamilton said in a relaxed tone.
Yes, he will be relaxed.
He doesn’t put Dracoism matters first. It may be uncomfortable that Dante’s body disappeared, but as long as the Holy Church does not catch him, there’s no need to hurry.
But not me.
Aside from the fact that it has something to do with me.
‘I am the only one who knows the fear of Krusech.’
I’m the one who’s personally experienced the evil deeds that the evil dragon had wrung out.
Many people died, and many cities were destroyed.
When the dragon is resurrected, the nightmare is also repeated. It just has to be stopped.
“Well, anyway.”
As I was deeply immersed in my thoughts, Hamilton changed the topic with a heavy cough, “Are you not arguing with the dowager these days?”
“Ah… Fortunately, I haven’t met her recently.”
“She’s moved to my side. Even so, it’s surprising that she doesn’t interfere as much as she used to.”
“Well, instead of the dowager being meek, Valer is meddling hard from the front, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“What? Is there anything bothering you?”
Hamilton was contemplating whether or not to speak. But soon, with a short sigh, he cleared up his worries and talked to me.
“Now Valer is in a war of nerves with His Majesty over two matters.”
“Two matters?”
“One is… Mm… Listen, and don’t get angry.”
“You mean marriage to Yulika Brande?”
“Huh, how?!”
“I mean, what else could I possibly be angry about?”
Why are you so surprised after throwing away all the clues?
Also, there is nothing to be angry about because it was quite predictable.
“It is impossible to leave the successor seat empty, so please get married as soon as possible and let the country see your children.“
“That’s plausible. What about the other one?”
“If you are going to postpone the marriage, His Highness Prince Fran will be appointed crown prince.”
… Aha.
I remembered the last time I met Yulika.
The reason why Margrave Brande pushed his daughter to the point of using his hand.
If Prince Fran becomes crown prince, even if Yulika later gives birth to a child, the child must compete with Prince Fran.
Until now, Brande had the empress and Valer behind them, but they would become enemies of them.
“The margrave is so…”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing.” I shook my head to deny myself.
“Anyway, His Majesty is in trouble now for those reasons.”
“Well, I guess.”
Valer is suggesting choosing between the two.
It’s like a gesture of ‘we’ll concede this much’.
In such a situation, if Caesar rejects both cases, he may be opposed by the nobles.
“It’s a smart way.”
“Do you think so?”
“Do you think otherwise?”
“I’m a little… I think it seems strange,” Hamilton carefully voiced his opinion with a serious expression. “I can’t shake the feeling that this matter is strange. I think he could’ve pushed it a little harder.”
“Mm… is it because it’s the first time?”
“It could be, but… No, that would be nice.”
That would be nice, but.
I know.
This is the anxiety before the storm.
When they look like they’re not doing anything, they’re not really not doing anything.
“What other cowardly means will he come out with… I’m afraid of that,” Hamilton sighed deeply.
Suddenly, I remembered the dowager who put Yulika by her side and suggested that I should stand by her.
One might say that it is an acceptable embrace even for those who were enemies. On the other hand, however, she’s someone who can throw away as many friends as she wants when they become useless.
She had said, ‘A woman who can do anything for her ambition.’
What is she thinking right now?
***
After Agoth left for the Mage Guild, no one could compete with me at home.
He warmed up by swinging a sword alone in an empty garden house, but it quickly became boring because there was nobody.
I’m lonely because all my disciples are busy.
‘Should I rest today?’
I put the sword back in its sheath and left the garden house earlier than usual.
“Oh, my lady. You finished early today,” Bessie, who was waiting with a towel to wipe my sweat, smiled brightly and said in a teasing tone. “I guess you’re not enjoying it without Agoth.”
“Well, it’s not really like that.” Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I said something different from what I thought…
I was more embarrassed by Bessie’s smile, as if she knew everything, even if I didn’t tell her.
“It’s a nice day today, so I prepared tea in the garden. Why don’t you take a break and go in?”
“In the garden?”
Oh… Come to think of it. It’s spring.
Then I checked the garden side. It was a road I often passed in and out of the Garden House, but it had been a long time since I had seen it consciously.
The branches had dried up during the winter, but the remaining trees were soon covered with pale green. Also, the air was quite warm.
“Now it’s pretty cozy during the day.”
“Yes, I guess that’s true.”
I was so busy these days that I didn’t even know the seasons were changing.
“I’m going to change clothes. Thanks for your concern, Bessie.”
“Yes. Oh, I’ll help you with the clothes.”
“There’s no need. You’re busy enough doing Agoth’s part.” I waved my hand and declined Bessie’s help. I thought I could change clothes by myself.
However, when I came to the room and tried to change my clothes alone, several buttons on my back took a lot of work.
“Ugh… I should have just asked for help.” A grunt escaped my mouth as I whimpered to button my clothes.
‘How did it become natural for me to be served?’
Come to think of it, since I was born as Helena Peresca, I’ve had a life of being served.
As a child, it was as uncomfortable as wearing clothes that did not fit the body, which often made the servants in trouble at the time. Why is my lady so reluctant to be served?
‘In my previous life, I used to live by myself, cut down trees, and even serve others.’
When I went under my master, I cared for that old man at every step. When I followed the mercenaries, I was the youngest and did all the errands…
Even after I became emperor, I refused all kinds of care.
“I’m lazy. I’m lazy.”
But now I whine like this because the dress I’m wearing has a lot of buttons.
“Oh, I’m finally done wearing it.”
I barely changed my clothes, stood in front of the mirror, and took a deep breath.
A blue-eyed woman with long wavy silver hair was reflected in the mirror.
“All right. Shall we go down?” I muttered aloud deliberately as I ran the hair that had flowed down from my chest behind my shoulders.
But after I walked several steps to leave the room-
“… Uh?”
Thump.
I felt pain in my heart.
‘Ugh…!’
I stumbled as I tried not to fall down.
It felt like someone was clenching my heart.
I grabbed my chest with one hand and leaned against the wall, and slumped down on the spot. I had a headache, and a cold sweat ran down my back.
‘Why all of a sudden? Why is this?’
The pain didn’t last long.
It was very brief. However, it was powerful to the point where I felt out of breath.
“Ugh… W-What on earth-”
Discomfort wrapped around my body.
An ominous feeling crossed my mind.
I know this pain.
It was the same feeling I felt when the large monsters rushed toward me on the subjugation mission.
‘It is Dante’s heart that Krusech is sealed in, so why is ‘Helena’’s heart aching?’
A chill ran through my body.
Is this just… a health problem? Is it because of the stress these days?”
Or is it really because of something to do with Krusech?
“Oh my. My lady!”
As I sat down to catch my breath for a moment, I heard Bessie’s voice from the other side of the hallway. Bessie, who found me sitting down, ran in front of me with fuss.
“What’s wrong with you?! It’s been a while since you went up, but you didn’t return, so I wondered what went wrong.”
Ah… the reason I couldn’t go down even after a long time was because there were too many buttons, Bessie…
… But I shouldn’t say that because it’s embarrassing.
“Did you hurt somewhere? S-Should we call a doctor?!”
“No, I just sprained my ankle a little.”
The pain in my heart is now completely gone.
I smiled faintly and lied to Bessie.
“Really?! But you’re sweating like this-!”
“I know. I was so surprised that I even broke out in a cold sweat. I almost shamed myself into the hallway.”
“Are you sure? You’re not sick, are you?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
I got up. I’m not kidding. The pain has really gone away like a lie.
‘But, what was that just now?’
I haven’t felt this kind of pain since subjugating the monsters.
‘I wonder if something is wrong with Krusech, who is sealed in Dante’s heart…’
Everything is just vague conjecture.
Swallowing the uneasiness mixed with doubts, I headed towards the garden as Bessie led.