Chapter 73

Elome tensed up without realizing it.

“Miss, surely… you’re not planning to pin everything on me, are you?”

Elome thought she needed to do something—whether it was clearing her throat or subtly nudging the nearby table—anything at all.

“Miss!”

“?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation.”

Grania narrowed her eyes at Elome, glaring, but she didn’t stop.

“I think we need to persuade the master.”

“Elome, don’t you see that my brother and I are having a conversation? How rude!”

“Your Highness ordered to identify and bring in whoever among the viscount’s household was at fault, but I don’t think that’s the right approach.”

“What?”

As Grania tried to block her, Marte stepped forward.

“Go ahead. Explain why you think that.”

Grania glanced nervously between Elome and Marte.

“What could she possibly know, brother… It’s just…”

She was afraid Elome might say something unnecessary—more precisely, that she might reveal what she herself had done.

But Marte seemed determined to hear the maid’s thoughts.

“Grania, didn’t you once say you’d believe anything this girl said, even if she claimed she could turn water into cheese?”

At Marte’s words, Grania fell silent.

If she intervened any further, it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

But she couldn’t let Elome speak recklessly either!

“Now, tell us what persuasion you mean.”

Grania grabbed Elome’s wrist, but Elome opened her mouth with a resolute expression.

“Your Highness may be thinking differently.”

“Thinking differently?”

“It’s just my humble guess, but I feel like you might be testing us.”

Marte tilted his head at Elome’s words.

“Explain in detail.”

“Do you think it would look good to others if the master publicly singled out a member of the household?”

“Hmm.”

“Perhaps Your Highness is expecting a different answer or reaction. If you were to respond as the head of the house, covering for the household’s faults, wouldn’t people admire your magnanimity?”

In truth, Marte assumed it was his mother who had dismantled the astrologer’s hut.

She often went to read cards with other ladies, and perhaps she had acted impulsively after receiving a bad fortune.

‘Just imagining my father dragging her to the castle after discovering the culprit…’

Marte swallowed dryly and looked at Elome.

Elome continued.

“If the master responds generously, Your Highness might understand the situation kindly.”

“But Your Highness isn’t that forgiving.”

“Still, you should try explaining it to him once.”

Elome bowed politely once more.

Marte remained silent, likely pondering her words carefully.

‘It’s clear that Your Highness set a trap.’

Elome quietly strategized, keeping a composed expression.

The Duke was definitely laying a trap over a fortune-teller’s hut he had never even hired.

If that’s the case, their only option was to navigate it skillfully.

“Earlier, Miss and I were having this very conversation,” Elome said, glancing at Grania.

Receiving her gaze, Grania pursed her lips and nodded in agreement.

“Yes, brother. I was discussing this with Elome.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Even if Lord Rohenimo or mother acted that way, bringing it directly before Your Highness feels a bit unsettling. It’s right to show loyalty to him, but shouldn’t we protect our household ourselves?”

“…”

“Try telling father.”

Marte sighed deeply.

“Alright, I understand. I don’t know how father will take it though.”

After Marte left, Grania sank onto the sofa.

Perhaps from the tension finally releasing, her limbs tingled.

“Elome, bring me a glass of water.”

“Yes, Miss.”

While Elome went to get water, Grania sprawled on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

Had His Highness really discovered something?

Even if he noticed something unusual, he couldn’t know she had hidden it.

Only she and Elome knew that fact.

“Miss, are you alright?”

As Grania gathered her thoughts, Elome cautiously handed her the glass.

“Elome, we need to go to the castle right now.”

“Eh? To the castle?”

“I heard from father. There was an unfortunate incident, and I want to apologize… Do you think it’s acceptable to visit for this reason?”

Of course, this was a lie.

If mother came and found the servants, it would be clear it was her doing.

‘We’ve come this far… and almost everything is in my hands.’

She didn’t want to face Zeirak’s cold gaze again.

It hadn’t been this way from the start.

When she first possessed the third daughter of Viscount Shurein, Grania had been filled with dreams.

<To think I could see Zeirak up close… and in person!>

Though a minor character, the mere fact she could meet Zeirak was exhilarating.

She hadn’t cared how she came to possess this body or whether the original owner was safe.

To a romance fantasy fan, Zeirak Cygnus was the perfect male protagonist.

Even from afar, it was enough to watch him. Even brushing past him accidentally was happiness.

But gradually, desire grew.

Since she had possessed the body, shouldn’t the story revolve around her?

She tried maneuvering, but nothing went as planned.

Until Elome Buster helped her.

“No, Miss. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“It’s better for the master to speak on your behalf. If you intervene, it could raise suspicion.”

“True, but…”

“Let’s wait to see what the master decides. Lord Rohenimo and mother haven’t arrived yet.”

“We must act before they come.”

For the first time in a while, Grania said something decisive.

“If both say no, father’s interrogation will start again.”

“I hope Lord Marte speaks well on our behalf.”

But unfortunately, things did not go as they hoped.

Though Marte explained the lord’s responsibilities diligently, it was meaningless to Frederick.

In the end, Grania resolved to act herself.

“Elome, you started this, so you’re responsible for it till the end.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Advisor Orie moved his pen so fast his hands were nearly a blur as he responded.

“Then we will proceed as instructed.”

“What about maintenance on the Vein Road?”

“It’s proceeding without issue.”

He kept his eyes on his notebook as he continued asking.

“Your Highness, and what should we do with the guards on standby after the southern wall repairs are finished?”

“……”

“Your Highness.”

“……”

“Your… Highness?”

Zeirak suddenly stared out the window during the conversation.

His vacant expression made one hesitate to call him again, but they couldn’t disturb the duke’s contemplation.

‘I thought he was starting to recover a bit.’

After Liberata disappeared, he had seemed mad for a while, but recently, he appeared to have regained some composure.

However, after the bookstore incident, something seemed different—whether due to mood or a change in mindset.

‘His Highness must regain composure soon. This is serious.’

“Hmm hmm.”

When Orie cleared his throat, Zeirak turned his head back.

Seizing the moment, Orie quickly asked again.

“What should we do with the guards?”

Zeirak had been thinking of Liberata the whole time.

Whether being asked or in silence.

What would Liberata have answered to this?

She seemed to speak casually, but her words always carried depth.

‘By now, she must have read the letter.’

Thinking of Liberata, he wanted to take the letter from the drawer immediately, though he already knew it by heart from reading it so many times.

“…Your Highness?”

As Zeirak lifted his head, Orie fired off his question again.

“What should we do with the guards once the wall repairs are complete?”

“Did any leave or cause accidents?”

“No, none.”

“Then have them all return.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s leave it at that.”

After going through the remaining documents, Zeirak set his pen down.

“Dismissed.”

But the advisor hesitated, looking like he still had something to say.

Someone outside the door was waiting for Orie to finish reporting.

“Your Highness.”

“?”

“I mentioned several times that personal visits aren’t allowed for the time being, yet they insist it’s necessary to retrieve something.”

Zeirak looked up at Orie with tired eyes.

“Retrieve something?”