Chapter 76

-Click, click.

The rather familiar sound came right beside me.

Soon enough, apple slices were neatly placed on the plate, each about the size of a mouthful.

‘Among them, a few were carved into rabbits.’

It’s impressive to see such skill from a noble lady handling such chores.

This woman is no ordinary person.

Camila is the exception; most wouldn’t have even touched an apple.

“Didn’t you say you needed lessons? Isn’t a book enough?”

Harnier complained as she picked up a slice of apple.

“If books were enough, I wouldn’t have asked you all these questions.”

“Huh. It’s so frustrating.”

“What is?”

“How many questions do you think I’ve been asked by His Royal Highness?”

“Why count every little thing…”

Swoosh.

As if telling her not to reply, Harnier put a piece of apple in my mouth.

“You couldn’t even fill five fingers. If you haven’t asked five questions, why ask for help?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Any noble wouldn’t understand this page in less than an hour. And if your questions don’t even reach five, why would I need to help?”

Watching me write notes, she said it didn’t seem like I understood it superficially.

It must be quite disappointing for the teacher.

‘Hmm… really? Even a senior high student wouldn’t find this that tough.’

I chewed on the apple in my mouth and thought so.

“Well, thanks to you, I’ll have a bit less time to be bitten at the Marquis Mansion. I should get going now.”

“Why are you leaving?”

“Huh?”

“You said you’d be bitten at the Marquis Mansion. If that’s the case, why not stay here? There’s a pretty good excuse.”

“No, that’s…”

Her purple eyes wandered around.

“You won’t be questioned for staying with your fiancé, right? That’s what they say.”

“…”

“This is mutual benefit. I’m also staying here under the pretext of being taken care of by my fiancée, so I don’t have to visit the Duchess.”

Since there was no apparent reason to leave, she didn’t say she had to go immediately. She was contemplating.

“I helped with the trial, so I’ll write a letter to the Marquis Mansion saying I’ll stay one more day. That way, they won’t question it.”

After some hesitation, Harnier sighed deeply and sat back down.

Then, hesitantly, she asked me:

“Can I ask for your help…?”

Seeing her shy request, I felt like teasing her.

“Of course, but there will be a price. Right here.”

“Price?”

I stabbed an apple slice with a fork.

And then, I shoved it directly into Harnier’s mouth.

“Gah?”

“Don’t interrupt when someone’s talking by feeding them apples. You should eat too.”

Honestly, I almost choked because the wind came in so suddenly. I was startled and felt like I should pay it back.

Not that I actually meant to choke her.

“…”

But there’s no response.

Harnier lowered her head, saying nothing.

I adjusted my strength, yet… did I really choke her?

“Are… you okay?”

Scratching her cheek, I asked, and Harnier lifted her head abruptly.

Shaking, she started walking towards me.

“Why are you…?”

“W-What…!”

“Huh? Ahh?”

Suddenly, I sensed danger.

She’s serious. The hand raised shows…

‘Trying to hit me again…?’

No, why should I get hit without knowing why!

Let me make an excuse!

“Maybe I made a mistake…”

“Do you really need to ask now?!”

“…Yes.”

I really don’t know.

Putting the apple in her mouth wasn’t such a big mistake, right?

…Right?

‘If eating apples makes Harnier angry…’

In the meantime, Harnier took another step closer.

For some reason, she seems angrier than before.

“Ah, you wouldn’t know. Yeah, you’re the kind of person.”

Her hand was raised again.

“Then, shouldn’t I just take it?”

Oh, others might fall for that smile instantly.

Why does it look like a murderous grin to me?

Unconsciously, I stepped back.

For some reason, it feels like I can see the future…

Before I knew it, I was cornered against the wall by the bed.

I tried one last plea.

“Harnier, Young Lady? I’m sick…?”

“No, you’re very healthy. You can move like that.”

“But my stomach hurts and my head is spinning because I haven’t eaten…”

“You ate an apple. It’s not an empty stomach, so it’s fine.”

“But I feel like I might fall if you hit me.”

“No? His Royal Highness looks very energetic.”

Hmm, it’s not working…

…Crap.

I got a feeling.

Like a palm print on my back again.

“Twice, twice…!”

Ha, just let me take it.

…Experience says, getting it over with quickly is less painful.

-Splat!

“Ugh!”

Getting hit right after standing up was really painful.

***

Whoosh.

When that sound came from my back, releasing hot air, Camila brought food.

“Master? Did something happen here?”

Harnier quickly cut me off.

“Nothing happened.”

“…”

“Nothing happened.”

Though I was the one questioned, Harnier answered instead, confusing Camila.

I couldn’t answer either.

Harnier gave me a dagger-like glare, signaling me to stay silent.

‘I was going to ask Camila if there was anything wrong with asking her…’

But she was glaring fiercely, not allowing it.

…Cold sweat broke out.

“It’s nothing.”

“But Master’s complexion…”

“Oh, you mean the complexion! I’m fine! I just woke up, that’s all. Ha ha!”

“…”

Camila tilted her head in confusion.

“I remember your complexion wasn’t bad when you woke up…”

“Huh? Oh, right! My stomach is just really hungry.”

“…”

Doesn’t that sound reasonable?

While Camila’s eyes seemed to say otherwise, I had no choice.

If I mention this now, Harnier might hit me again.

“Ha ha! I’m hungry, so I’ll eat…”

You suspect me too, right, Camila?

But if I get hit again, I might not be able to eat this meal…

Please notice, Camila.

Don’t ask what happened.

Sending a prayer, Camila silently began preparing the meal after glancing at both of us.

Glancing at Harnier, I saw the dagger-like glare was gone.

“I… survived…”

Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief and sit down at the table.

The spread on the table wasn’t particularly lavish.

But it’s obvious, isn’t it?

Camila was clearly different from Claire in this regard.

‘Everything here is easy on my digestion.’

Moreover, she neatly prepared dishes, separating parts with Kelbia Allergy and placing medicine.

It’s not just neatness.

Camila might know more about Carsein than anyone else in this house.

Considering she prepared food for Harnier too, she might be helpful in this chapter.

Plus, she’s a maid. Perfect position.

“I’ll go out. Enjoy your meal.”

“No, wait. Camila.”

“Master?”

I stood up and handed her a letter.

The one I wrote in front of Harnier earlier, addressed to the Marquis House of Teresia.

“This is a letter for the Marquis House. Could you deliver it to Mother and gauge the atmosphere?”

“Yes, Master.”

First, I needed to know how far Chapter 2 had progressed.

The progress bar was still silent, but Camila was the best person to gather information from.

Camila bowed her head slightly and soon appeared, perfectly hiding her intentions by bringing drinks so no one suspected.

“How did it go?”

“That’s… ”

Camila hesitated before answering.

“Master is scheduled to attend the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting once he recovers.”

“…Did Mother say that herself?”

“Yes, Master.”

Somehow, Camila’s tone conveyed Isabel’s direct statement.

So, the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

That means the decision hasn’t been made yet.

The next schedule is likely to be decided by me.

“Anything else?”

“The Duke House of Bargrand plans to change the central corridor’s frame.”

“The central corridor…?”

Even Harnier looked surprised.

The central corridor’s painting was a family photo.

Including Carsein, who caused problems back then.

‘Such a transparent move.’

Alright, change it as you wish.

The Duke’s Mansion is yours anyway, so I won’t interfere.

‘Right now, the most important thing is where Chapter 2 will start.’

Standing up from the dining table, I took out a note and a map.

A map with a rough sketch of the route was drawn, and I handed it to Camila.

Finally, I handed over the remaining money from Emma’s misappropriation.

“Go to this place and perform the tasks inside. Don’t worry about the cost; use as much as you need.”

“…Master.”

Camila glanced at Harnier.

Indeed, meticulous. She probably worried Harnier might betray her as the fiancée.

“So it’s like that. This maid is Camila, and you had a reason to send me this letter.”

Harnier seemed relieved seeing this.

“Don’t worry. This engagement is based on a contract, with both parties swearing on the Oath Gem.”

“A contract… engagement?”

“Yes. We’re helping each other to achieve our goals. So, there’s no need to worry too much.”

“As Harnier Young Lady said, Camila.”

Seeing me nod in agreement, Harnier’s suspicion faded.

Even showing remorse for doubting. A noble’s proper mindset.

Harnier seemed to relax, urging me to lift my head.

After a few more exchanges, once alone, Harnier smiled and asked:

“Rarely do I feel such a proper sense of caution. Not to mention, you have poise unlike a maid.”

“Camila was originally a noble.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Because of Mother’s mana panic disorder, she relinquished her status.”

“I see. No wonder, she doesn’t lose her composure.”

Understanding, she glanced at me and muttered something.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

I couldn’t hear what she said.

But Harnier’s face seemed brighter than before.

Whatever it was, I doubt she’ll hit me again.

***

Night had fallen.

Thanks to Carsein’s help, Harnier briefly felt liberated from the Marquis Mansion. She could reconsider her attitude towards meals with others.

The meal itself was just a conversation with a few exchanges.

But through it, Harnier became certain.

Having contracted with this man was truly fortunate.

‘You know, Carsein? Such a gaze is rare.’

Camila’s gaze was still vivid.

Her suspicious eyes, guarding the master’s secret, weren’t just about coaxing or suggesting.

‘Devotion. And you must have shown immense mercy to that maid.’

To Camila, Carsein was not just a decent master, but a lifelong benefactor.

Thus, it was fortunate.

He was a good person.

She felt like telling her past self, who feared he might be an evil person.

“Then, I should repay the favor I received, right?”

Before going to bed in the guest room Heron showed her, Harnier picked up a pen and started writing a letter.

[To Mina.]

[I’m sorry for the sudden request, Mina.]

[Can you investigate a bit about the Shatren Territory?]