Chapter 42
“Actually, there’s one more reason. I only brought it to you now because you seemed to have stayed up all night at the shop again.”
Mother handed me a letter.
“A letter arrived from His Grace the Grand Duke today. The Academy also received one for Milo, and one came for us, your parents.”
Though she spoke calmly, her fingers kept fidgeting with the shawl draped over her shoulders.
“It seems His Grace also wishes for Milo to take a year off. The Empire is unstable, and for Milo’s safety as well… Daphne, let me ask you one thing.”
“…Yes.”
“What exactly is your relationship with His Grace? Just what kind of dangerous business are you involved in?”
Her voice was firm, as if she wouldn’t let me go until I answered.
I opened my lips, then lowered my head.
“I’m not doing anything bad or dishonorable. You know that.”
“When you suddenly said you’d delay your leave, I was honestly relieved. Your father has only just managed to breathe again after starting up another poor business, but… the one carrying the family the most right now is you. If you could continue to look after us, I would be grateful.”
“I didn’t know you thought of it that way.”
“Wouldn’t it be too humiliating for us as parents if I admitted everything like this? But Daphne, my thinking has changed. I just want you to be careful.”
Her tone softened again as she reached out to caress my cheek.
“I’m always sorry to you. I didn’t open your letter, so go up and read it in your room.”
“…Alright.”
“And one more thing. His Grace said he’ll cover the rest of Milo’s tuition. I know he isn’t doing it just to keep the Leodid family in check. Daphne… are you denying his goodwill because of your friendship with Lady Lena? It’s suspicious that he’d support you with such a large sum.”
“What?! Absolutely not. If anything, the truth is that we are…”
I hesitated, skipping the most important part. How should I explain my cooperation with Edin? Something that wouldn’t worry Mother.
After much thought, I spoke.
“…I’m helping His Grace personally. Because of his heartbreak…! I’m trying to introduce him to a suitable lady. You know how handsome he is, but many ladies his age are already married. Since his parents died early, he had no fiancée besides Lady Lena. So it must be difficult for him to find a match. I think that’s why he’s showing gratitude.”
“Oh my, but if you asked Madam Salvia…”
“If you try to contact her now, the earliest appointment would be half a year later. Since I have some connections, he asked me to reach out on his behalf. Hahaha… ha ha ha… but this is a secret.”
What’s the point of saying it’s a secret after blurting it out?
Hearing my twisted explanation of Edin’s situation, Mother covered her mouth with worry.
“I see… so that’s what happened. But since you’re of different sexes, people won’t just see you as friends. That’s why they’re suspicious of you and His Grace.”
“Yes, exactly. I can’t hide it from you anymore, Mother!”
This is unbearable…
Yet Mother nodded, as if convinced by my absurd excuse.
“Low-ranking nobles from distant lands won’t catch his eye, and there aren’t many ladies who’d break a strategic engagement just to marry His Grace. It must be difficult indeed.”
“Yes. That’s why he needed my help.”
“Alright, I understand now. But if you tie yourself to him, the Leodid family will threaten you… and yet, it’s hard to refuse such goodwill.”
“I’ll take care of that myself. Please don’t worry.”
Of course, there was nothing I could actually solve right away.
But I still declared it boldly, out of habit—because I always tried to comfort my anxious, soft-hearted mother.
Even though I knew things weren’t like the past, where problems could be smoothed over roughly, I didn’t want my family to suffer from fear.
“I’ll go now. I’ll apologize to Milo tomorrow.”
“Thank you for understanding. Good night.”
It was late. Time for Mother to rest as well.
I bid her goodnight and went to my room, feeling even more drained.
While Emma went to heat the bathwater, I opened Edin’s letter.
⌜To Lady Daphne,
If you’ve heard the news about your younger brother since your return, it must have shocked you.
I know I’ve overstepped my bounds.
I intend to visit again and apologize.⌟
I kept my face composed as I read on.
⌜I sent Jake to Lady Joan and Lady Rose.
Though he is not formally trained in magic, he is the most diligent student of it within the Empire. If the curse upon Lady Joan is not too deep, he should be able to heal her.⌟
I already knew this part from Rose. I turned to the next page.
⌜I apologize for continually causing you direct harm against my intent.
I wanted to watch over your brother’s safety, but within the closed Academy, my power alone had limits.
Therefore, I propose this: when you go to the Leodid estate, please be accompanied by the guards I send.
It seems the best way I can protect you, Lady Daphne, who works so tirelessly.
……
There is only one thing I truly wish to say. I am sorry.⌟
Was it because I was tired, or because I didn’t truly understand the situation I had told Mother I understood?
Suddenly, my nose stung.
“Damn it.”
Even though memories of my past life had returned, the crude words of that time never slipped out.
Yet as I read Edin’s letter, I couldn’t suppress the swell of emotion.
I had clung too closely to him for too long, relying only on my supposed gift for rational judgment.
“The bath is ready, my lady—oh! Why are you crying?”
“No. I’m not crying. Don’t worry.”
I quickly wiped away the tears.
I couldn’t show weakness in front of Emma. She was one of the servants who depended solely on me.
“Come on, Emma. I need to wash so you can sleep too.”
“I’m good at staying up all night, you know. Do you want to talk?”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”
I lowered my hand and forced a smile at her.
Then Emma, looking flustered, said:
“My lady, from your fingertips…”
“Hm?”
“There was light coming from your fingertips. But you weren’t wearing a ring…”
“Maybe you imagined it?”
I turned to check the time.
Unless on night watch, all servants should have been asleep by now. Emma must’ve been exhausted and seeing things.
“Come on. I just want to wash now.”
“Ah… yes, understood.”
She still looked uneasy as she followed me.
Light? What nonsense.
We’re all losing our minds from overwork. That’s all.
That thought calmed me.
The idea that I might suddenly awaken some mysterious power, some hidden ability I never knew I had—that was ridiculous.
I sank into the bath’s warm steam and whispered to myself.
It will all end safely. Everything.
Even amidst my turmoil, it was sad that the only person I felt I could rely on was Edin.
But I couldn’t help it. His face came to mind far too easily, and that alone weighed heavily on my heart.
Some days later, I received a registered delivery handed over by Berry.
It was from none other than Madam Salvia.
Of course. Very like her—so quick.
Inside the envelope was a sheet listing information about two ladies: Lady Selliot of the Count of Ribok’s family, and Lady Luana of the Marquis of Sernaden’s family.
Yes… both very famous ladies.
As expected of Madam Salvia.
She had a knack for finding ladies who remained unmarried or broke engagements simply because their standards were too high.
Lady Luana is truly the perfect lady. Yes.
Though she preferred to remain in her estate rather than the capital, there wasn’t a single imperial citizen unaware of the Marquis of Sernaden’s immense power.
I recalled one particular incident involving her.
