DSFL | Chapter 71

~Chapter 71~ 

The next day.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I went straight to find Atticus.

“Miss?”

He looked surprised to see me so early in the morning, but quickly greeted me with warmth.

“I hope I’m not bothering you.”

“How could you say such a thing, Miss?” He smiled.

Well, I was relieved to hear that…

Atticus had me sit down and, with practiced ease, brewed a pot of tea. As the warm fragrance filled the room, I decided to get to the point.

“I have something to ask you about my engagement with Ricardo.”

“Please, ask anything.”

He placed the teacup in front of me. I gently played with the handle as I spoke.

“…I heard the engagement happened because of a promise made during the Magic War.”

“Yes.”

“But… was that really the only reason?”

Didn’t Harness have some other intention?

I stopped myself before saying it aloud. But knowing how sharp Atticus was, he likely understood what I meant.

He paused, lost in thought.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“A man like Lord Bluea wouldn’t give away someone as precious as you over something like that.”

That much I already knew.

Grandfather always wished for me to live proudly as a duchess.

“However… it seems Lord Harness had something else in mind.”

“If Hessen doesn’t want to cancel the engagement, it confirms they’re targeting Dremokan.”

“I want to uncover the Empire’s hidden secrets.”

Voices from the past—Cedric and Idette—echoed in my head.

The vague picture I had started to take shape.

I recalled something.

“Didn’t the Duke’s wife… take her own life?”

“I believe it was more of an accident than a suicide. An unfortunate incident.”

Atticus stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Then, do you think that was also part of the curse?”

He closed his eyes deeply, as though weighing something heavy, then opened them again.

“…People don’t say it aloud, but many believe it. I think Lord Harness called it a suicide to cover up the truth of the curse.”

“Why would he hide that?”

I didn’t understand at all.

“Because being known as a ‘cursed family’ comes with a terrible stigma.”

But… he was a hero.

A man who risked his life to save the Empire.

Who would scorn someone like that just because of a curse?

If anything, they’d sympathize with him—just like with the Roygin family.

“Lord Harness lost his wife during the war. Her body was never recovered.”

“…I see.”

“They were one of the most loving couples in society… I’ve never seen a bond like theirs.”

I remembered hearing about it once.

Harness and Veronica—an epic love story that had even inspired a popular play among commoners.

A man who lost the one he loved…

If I were Harness, I’d want to find the truth behind her death—no matter what.

Even if it wasn’t clear that Dremokan caused the tragedy, his grief would still turn into hatred… and blame.

What Harness wants most…

It must be revenge.

And since he was no longer young, Ricardo would have to carry that burden in his place.

At that realization, I slowly closed my eyes.

So this is what you wanted to tell me… Ricardo.

“I serve Lord Bluea, but I also wish for Lord Harness’s peace.”

“…I see.”

“I’m alive today thanks to both of them.”

I didn’t know what kind of expression I should wear anymore.

“Thank you. You’ve helped me a lot.”

But all I could think about was Ricardo.

As I was about to leave the room, Atticus suddenly called out.

“By the way, Miss.”

I paused at the door.

“I’ve heard a strange rumor going around among the ladies lately.”

“…What kind of rumor?”

“They say… the Tower Master has awakened.”

My face instantly fell.

***

I never liked tea parties.

I didn’t really enjoy gossip either.

Especially after the whole ordeal with Ricardo, I’d been avoiding society.

Bang!

“This is outrageous!”

Idette slammed her fist on the table and stood up in anger.

“P-Please calm down…”

“I can’t calm down!”

I’d come to ask if she knew anything about Peril, but she was just as confused as I was.

“How could he come back without you? That makes no sense!”

“Exactly. He’s not the type to do that.”

I nodded and asked carefully.

“By any chance… did His Highness mention anything?”

Idette was the one who had awakened Peril from his sleep.

It was possible Erkessian had noticed something.

After all, he had predicted Idette might be kidnapped during the palace bombing.

So it wasn’t out of the question.

“About Peril? Hmm… not really. He didn’t say much.”

She looked like she was digging through her memory.

“…Though, I don’t know if it’s related—but Erkessian was looking for a strange item recently.”

“Something to do with Peril?”

“I’m not sure.”

She added that I shouldn’t take it too seriously.

“There’s this store that sells an item that’s said to help you keep your youth and beauty forever. I think that might be what he’s after.”

I’d never heard of such a thing before.

“Since the rumors about Peril’s awakening are spreading, people might think it’s one of his magic tools.”

“…I see.”

“Apparently, the princess is also searching for it. That’s how His Highness found out.”

She let out a long sigh.

If rumors about the Moon’s Auction are spreading, then someone from the Tower might’ve leaked it.

But only a handful of people knew about the auction. It was a place where secrecy was everything.

I fell into thought and then remembered what Emily had once told me—about the Underground Market.

A place that used to deal in witches’ potion ingredients.

Whether I’d find anything was uncertain… but it was worth trying.

***

“…Now I understand why the Marquis is so worried.”

Allen sighed as he followed behind me.

“It’s dangerous down here. How could he not worry?”

“Quiet.”

“Well, even if I say nothing, the Marquis is watching you closely.”

I shot him a look, and he replied defensively.

“I have to earn a living too! The Marquis told me to watch over you carefully!”

“…Is that why you came?

“If I didn’t, I’d be neglecting my duty.”

I let out a short laugh and walked into a narrow alley.

‘Fourth manhole in Citron Alley. The password is “cornelian cherry.”’

After much searching, I had finally found someone who delivered goods from the underground and bought the information.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a completely restricted area.

“Fourth one… that must be it.”

Allen, counting the manholes beside me, suddenly stopped.

“I think this is the one.”

I approached it and quickly said the password—but nothing happened.

“…”

Allen tried hard not to laugh, his face turning red.

I was just as embarrassed and glared silently at him.

Trying to hide his grin, Allen stepped onto the manhole and tapped it with his foot.

Still, nothing.

“Do you really believe what that kid said?” he muttered.

“I’ve never even heard of an underground market. And if people really lived down there, wouldn’t there need to be more space?”

Seeing him bounce up and down on the manhole made me nervous.

“Get off that thing! What if something happens?!”

“Oh, our little lady still has so much to learn.”

Leaving me panicking, Allen confidently shouted the password.

“Cornelian cherry! Cornelian cherry! Cornelian—seriously, that guy totally lied—”

CRACK!

“AAAAAHHHH!”

The manhole split open sideways, and Allen’s scream quickly disappeared into the darkness.