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It’s relatively safe now, unlike the time spent with the ear twitchers in the Great Forest. I can’t predict when Allen will launch an attack, but at least she won’t faint amidst the swords, spears, and magic raining down on the battlefield.

Honestly, it made no sense for Shione to lose consciousness during the intense rush of retrieving the artifact. I mean, I might as well paint a target on myself for the enemies to aim at!

In this sense, being in a quiet solitary room with plenty of guards makes it easier to relax. I only have two concerns: when will Shione wake up, and can she really pass the trial? That’s it.

“You need to wake up as soon as possible.”

“You’ve been through this once already, so it shouldn’t take too long this time.”

“I believe you.”

Shione gently placed the pendant beneath her pillow.

Preparations are complete.

She slowly surrendered her body to the depths of sleep, accepting the approaching demon without a whim to grasp her fading consciousness. Soon, Shione entered the trial bestowed upon her by the head of her family.

‘The pendant is shining brightly.’

As soon as she fell asleep, the pendant reacted. Once that trial is completed, I guess the pendant will lose its light too.

I quietly looked down at Shione and took her hand.

The status window reappeared, this mysterious tool offering a brief overview of the situation and indicating potential futures that may unfold if left undisturbed.

“…I really need her to wake up quickly.”

Every little incident now feels like a matter of life or death.

Time between the enemy and ally is ticking on steadily.

*

It has been a while since I visited the Count’s mansion. Like it or not, many memories linger in the landscape of my room.

“First, let’s check my appearance….”

Shione looked at herself in the full-length mirror.

“…Thank goodness.”

Unlike the last trial, her old self was nowhere to be seen; only her current beautiful image reflected back. Fortunately, unlike the last trial, she wasn’t burdened by a dreadful sense of deprivation from the start.

Naturally, the conditions for overcoming the trial quickly entered her field of vision. It was a mystical sight she had already witnessed once, so there was no reason to panic.

‘Unravel the hidden truths of the past you’ve missed, and resolve the grace and grudges that have formed between you. Once the incidents are untangled, slay the demon that you will realize lies at the end.’

‘But your current memory will gradually blend with this world.’

…..

Except for the first line, the rest of the lines were identical to the previous one.

The longer one remained stuck in the past, the farther one would drift from the solution; yet if they succeeded, they would acquire their own arrangement.

‘The condition shifted from transforming the past to unraveling the grudges.’

Shione organized her thoughts.

Last time, her maid, Herrel, turned out to be the demon. If there’s a demon hidden in this trial too, the chances are slim. If Herrel is a demon again, everything would end right then and there without a trial.

“I need to figure out when this is taking place.”

Originally, following the natural order, Herrel was the maid who left the count’s household after verbally abusing me before Ray’s arrival. The possibility that this trial is unrelated to Herrel can’t be dismissed either. To unravel the hidden grudges of the past, I need to grasp my current relationships.

“Is anyone outside?”

“Princess Shione, it’s Ray. May I come in?”

“Oh, please come in.”

It’s already after meeting Ray, huh? I like that; I can see him right away.

It’s been a while since I saw him in his servant’s uniform. I couldn’t help but feel an odd satisfaction in glancing at the once cold face of Ray from the past.

Shione quickly gathered her thoughts and prepared a question that would lead her into her current situation piece by piece.

‘First off, let’s find out about Herrel’s existence.’

Shione opened the door and gently inquired of Ray, who bowed his head as he stepped inside.

“So, Ray. Where’s Herrel?”

However, I felt Ray’s gaze grow colder at that question. It was a difference so apparent even I could notice; he had perfected his demeanor. But that unreadable gaze from someone dear to me stung my heart a little; there was no helping that.

“Lady Herrel left for a moment to discuss your reprimand of the rude servant earlier. The head of the family has summoned her for a private meeting.”

“Oh.”

“Additionally, the steward also requested a meeting with Herrel. It seems today will mostly be spent with the two of them, so I will assist you today, Princess Shione.”

“I understand.”

Seeing him in good shape made me wonder if the situation was better than before. It seems I’ve returned to the time when I was full of anger.

Still, I won’t be living here forever, so…

Hidden grudges. People likely to have both grace and grudges. Shione relentlessly questioned Ray about the current circumstances.

“Sir Sion Shianella is at the Academy. I heard he had to return due to urgent matters a while ago.”

“Lady Siabel Shianella is currently heading to the Alenarr Marquis family in the northern part of the kingdom. I was told it was an invitation from her friend, Lady Aria Alenarr from the Academy.”

“Are you talking about the current guests at the Count’s house? There aren’t any special guests at the Shianella Count’s house right now.”

Excluding her younger brother and sister from the list of those likely to harbor grudges.

Shione could now be certain of Ray’s subtle disinterest, as if to say she no longer cared about this stuff or even remembered it. This place appeared fine on the surface, yet it was a world continuing to live as it was, locked in a time she couldn’t regain her senses in.

For now, I’ll wrap up my reflections on myself. It seems the two characters won’t appear in this act, and judging by the absence of others from different families in the territory…

‘It looks like I can narrow down the hidden grudges to three. For now—’

First and foremost, none other than my mother, Ainel Shianella.

You might wonder what kind of grudges a father-daughter relationship could harbor, but back then, I didn’t particularly like my mother. I always wanted her approval, but she never acknowledged me. Even when the retainers and servants whispered ill about me, she never acted against it.

That sounds entirely like a grudge, but still, I remember my mother’s pride when she once told me how reassuring it was to see my persistent side. That’s established as a grace, so I might as well include my mother.

‘Secondly, Lady Diolia.’

The grace she represents is that she personally taught me the sword back in the day. When I expressed a desire to practice spear techniques instead of clumsily wielding a sword, she diligently studied and taught me basic movements and combinations.

The grudge comes from her standing by as soldiers mocked me by comparing my performance against my sister. When I was determined to persevere, she told me it would be best for me to give up; for me, the training ground could barely serve as a space.

However, her true motive was to prevent me from hearing further slander in the training ground, and she initially defended me.

‘Well, I can’t say for sure if that’s enough to be called a grudge.’

Yet it was a wound from my past, so I might as well place Lady Diolia on the candidate list.

‘And finally… my maid, Herrel.’

The grace being that she raised me in place of my father, supporting me positively.

The grudge is from her unleashing a torrent of insults on me during our last day together, as a person I trusted wholeheartedly, just as I had hit rock bottom.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Shione recalled the information about Herrel she heard during the last trial.

‘…In a precarious state.’

To others, she was treated like a transparent being. Most of the discussions that occurred in her absence involved Herrel’s slander, and the only true companion with whom to converse was Ray.

As Shione stroked her chin, lost in thought, she eventually spoke in the very same tone she had used with Ray in the past.

“Ray, what do you think of Herrel?”

“If it’s Lady Herrel, she’s quite the kind senior—”

“No, not that.”

…It’s not like I interrupted because I was jealous of how chummy Ray and Herrel seemed.

“Every servant has their own hierarchy and society. I’m curious about Herrel’s true standing, beyond mere flattering remarks. I promise I won’t hold you accountable for your evaluation as a noble. Can you share?”

I wonder if this world is anything like the last.

After pondering for a moment, Ray examined Shione’s eyes and spoke heavily.

“I haven’t been here for long, so I don’t know the details, but there’s one thing I’m certain of.”

“Speak.”

“I can tell the steward isn’t fond of Lady Herrel.”

Internal whistleblowing.

There was discord between the steward and Herrel.

After meeting Ainel, Herrel had to engage with the steward.

“Ray, dig into more details about Herrel overall.”

“I’ll do as you command.”

“Yes, it’s a command.”

The outline of this trial is already starting to take shape.

Feeling elated at the quickening pace, Shione began to feel a sense of relief as things progressed.

She started to take interest in Ray, who was now obediently following orders while being mindful of her.

“Oh, from now on, come to tea time in place of Herrel. I feel like there are conversations we need to have.”

“Tea time, you say?”

“Yeah, this is an order.”

“…I will comply.”

…I hadn’t thought about this until now.

This whole commanding business might just be more enjoyable than I expected.

 

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