Three years later, an eighteen-year-old Lelia somehow found herself returning to the Erlanger estate.
Still seated in the carriage, she passed through the familiar gates of the house that had cast her out with the words, “I can’t love a foolish woman.” Her gaze grew distant, and her voice trembled.
“I never imagined I would end up coming back…”
Frankly, she could hardly believe it. Yet this was reality.
Lelia had returned because she had been assigned another mission involving House Erlanger. This time, however, she would not work alone. The mission was to be carried out by a team.
Three other people shared the carriage with her.
The first was a man named Yves, whose black hair, amber eyes, and spectacles gave him an unmistakably intellectual air. His youthful features reflected the fact that he and Lelia were the same age.
True to his appearance, Yves normally specialized in gathering intelligence. Seeing Lelia clutch her head in despair, he gave her a meaningful smirk.
“So Duke Erlanger—your former husband—is somehow still unmarried? With his beautiful face and a family like this, noblewomen would line up to marry him even with a divorce behind him. Something truly terrible must have happened during his first marriage, wouldn’t you say?”
“Ugh… Yes, that was unquestionably my fault…”
“But you were ordered to play an outrageous, completely unhinged fool devoid of all intelligence, so no one would suspect the organization’s involvement, weren’t you? You merely carried out your mission exactly as instructed.”
“That is true, but…”
Lelia knew all too well why her ex-husband might still be single.
(After experiencing marriage to a wife that foolish, of course he would be cautious about remarrying…!)
Three years ago, Lelia had come to this house on assignment. She had flawlessly played the role of an outrageous, completely unhinged fool devoid of all intelligence, thrown House Erlanger into chaos from within, and been divorced for the perfectly reasonable reason that her husband could not love a foolish woman.
In fact, after all she had done, it was remarkable that no one had killed her.
Still, when she remembered Catherine—the woman who had plunged down the stairs with her—Lelia tilted her head.
“But what happened to Lady Catherine? Even if the rumor that she was his mistress was false, House Garcia could have forced a marriage if it wished. Lady Catherine herself certainly seemed eager.”
“Apparently Duke Erlanger rejected the proposal. Very firmly, too.”
“Why?”
“Perhaps you’ll find out when you meet your ex-husband.”
Whatever the answer, she absolutely did not want to meet him. Of course, she would have to do precisely that very soon, but in all honesty, she wanted to run away. Lelia clutched her head again.
“Ah! I had managed to forget for just one moment that I have to see Duke Erlanger! What kind of face am I supposed to make when I meet him?!”
“Why not begin by apologizing for what you did three years ago?”
“You make it sound so simple, Yves, but try putting yourself in his position. What I did was terrible. I trampled upon his goodwill and everything he valued. Divine punishment is certain to strike me someday.”
“You’re exaggerating.” Yves laughed as he searched his memory. “What was it again? You used banknotes instead of leaves to roast potatoes, sold the mine that provided the duchy’s income without permission, and dismissed the saintess who had finally agreed to settle here, causing trouble for all the people in the territory? You were quite the hopelessly proactive fool. Incredible.”
“Could you please stop there…? I am begging you.”
Hearing her misdeeds listed aloud made Lelia feel so guilty that her gaze drifted into the distance.
A young woman with long chestnut hair and vermilion eyes, who had been listening to their conversation with quiet laughter, gently placed an arm around Lelia’s shoulders.
“It will be all right, Lelia. Your disguise magic is flawless. Even people within the organization have difficulty seeing through it.”
Her name was Marianne. Contrary to her delicate appearance, she possessed highly unconventional magic and a fierce temperament. She and Lelia were close, both because they were women and because Marianne was only a year older.
Lelia looked at her timidly.
“Marianne… But won’t he recognize me once we speak?”
“Then don’t talk too much. Leave all negotiations with Duke Erlanger to us, all right?”
Marianne’s offer was honestly a relief.
For this assignment, Lelia was using disguise magic as a precaution. At present, she had the appearance of a young woman distinguished by her short hair.
There should therefore have been no problem. Unfortunately, disguise magic continuously consumed a great deal of magical power, making it unsuitable for lengthy missions.
(That is why I did not use disguise magic when I married him as part of my previous assignment. Looking back, I wish I had forced myself to use it anyway.)
Lelia expressed her regret with a sigh, then bowed her head.
“In any case, this will be a team assignment. Unlike last time, I believe we should be able to handle whatever occurs even while I maintain the disguise. Still… I sincerely apologize in advance if I cause any trouble.”
Yves snorted, while Marianne gave her a caring look.
“What are you talking about? You’re considered one of the organization’s very best. There’s no chance you’ll cause us trouble.”
“Exactly. Don’t worry! Even with these circumstances, your abilities still put you head and shoulders above everyone else!”
Lelia was grateful that her companions were trying so earnestly to reassure her. Even so, she could not suppress her unease.
“If he discovers who I am, will we truly be able to complete this assignment…?”
“Of… Of course we will… Right, Yves?”
“Y-Yes.”
