~Chapter 51~
“Fufu, you said you’re going to the royal palace today, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Have a safe trip. I’ll take good care of Lady Shiz until you return.”
“Really, thank you so, so much. I’ll be back…!”
Thanks to Philippa, I was able to leave the house with peace of mind for the very first time.
Well, except for the part where I had to actually go to work at the palace, it seemed like it would be a very satisfying day.
***
When I arrived at the palace for the first time in a while, it was unusually noisy. Even someone as insensitive as me could feel the excited atmosphere.
Did some important guest visit from abroad?
My guess turned out to be right.
“They say the former commander of the Royal Knights has returned.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yes. I think she’s meeting His Majesty the King right now.”
From the maids chatting while cleaning the hallway, I realized the commotion was because of the former commander of the Royal Knights.
“Hmmm.”
The former commander… why does that sound so familiar? Had I heard it somewhere before?
As I tried to recall, another maid’s voice made me snap to attention.
“If it’s the former commander, could it be that wandering knight?”
“Yes. The mother of the 3rd Investigation Unit’s captain.”
At that, I finally remembered why it sounded familiar.
Right! Dame Lana Guifero, the Wandering Knight!
Felix Guifero had been able to hold onto his position despite all his scandals and fights, partly thanks to his own record of achievements—but also thanks to his mother’s influence.
Lana Guifero. A legendary knight whose sword skills were unmatched.
She was a long-time friend of the current king, and after retirement she became widely respected for her good deeds.
So that’s why everyone’s making such a fuss.
The maids kept gossiping as I thought this over.
“But why would she suddenly come back to the capital? She’s been wandering for so long.”
“I heard it’s because of her second son, Investigator Guifero. I caught a glimpse of her earlier, and she looked really serious. Maybe something important happened?”
“Like what?”
“For example… marriage. Unless it’s something as big as that, Dame Lana wouldn’t have any reason to return. She hasn’t set foot in the capital in over ten years.”
“Ah, that makes sense. He is about the right age for marriage…”
Their voices faded as their cleaning ended and they walked away.
I finally pulled my ear away from the door crack.
“So Dame Lana came back because of Investigator Guifero, huh?”
And it sounded pretty serious.
Could it really be marriage?
Felix Guifero might have a scary face, but objectively speaking, he was a very masculine, handsome man.
Whether it was his looks, his reputation among the citizens, or maybe his rebellious charm—he was said to be quite popular.
I’d even heard that some people in the Magic Bureau secretly had crushes on him.
“Whoever the woman is, taking that guy as a husband… she’s going to have a rough time.”
Well, whatever. This was someone else’s problem—someone I didn’t even like. Nothing to do with me.
And so, within less than an hour, I completely forgot about the gossip I’d overheard…
Never dreaming how that story would come back to me later.
***
Meanwhile, while Relshiz was away from home, the new maid Philippa busily threw herself into housework without pause.
“Hmm, it would be better to switch the curtains to summer ones. I’ll suggest it when the lady comes home.”
From cleaning and tidying every room, to cooking—she handled everything quickly and neatly.
Watching her, Shiz couldn’t help but be amazed.
She’s good at everything!
“Fufu, I made a snack. Would you like to try it?”
Philippa even knew how to get along with children. Her hands were so skilled, and the snack she made was exactly to Shiz’s taste.
After just three hours of Relshiz being gone, Shiz came to a firm conclusion.
“Philippa is the best!”
For the first time, everything in the household felt like it was running properly.
Shiz felt deep comfort in that. Philippa was the complete opposite of messy, chaotic Relshiz.
Watching Philippa clean up all the clutter that Relshiz had neglected, Shiz squirmed in embarrassment.
“Uuugh, I’m so sorry to have such a terrible mom…”
“Lady Relshiz is busy. She probably doesn’t have time to worry about these kinds of chores.”
Not only was Philippa good at everything, she was also kind-hearted.
Shiz watched her work with a look of admiration. She was so efficient, it was strangely fun to watch.
When I grow up, I want to be an adult like Philippa, who’s good at cleaning!
But Shiz knew her future self all too well. She would grow up unable to cook or manage a household at all…
Under Philippa’s skillful care, the house soon sparkled like new. The cozy rooms, now clean and orderly, felt warm and peaceful.
Lying on the sofa, Shiz looked around and thought:
Does big sis want to live in a place even better than this? I really, really like this house, though.
Adult Relshiz was always talking about wanting a better life. Shiz couldn’t understand that at all.
Hmph, and she keeps giving me piles of homework too.
Now she had to do it properly, no shortcuts allowed.
Shiz made a tearful face as she looked at the stacks of papers sitting across the room.
Then—
Crack…
Huh?
She froze and turned her head.
Craack… crackle…
That sound again. The one I heard before.
It was a faint noise, like something thin breaking apart.
“Hey, Philippa.”
“Yes?”
“Do you hear that sound…?”
“Sound? What sound?”
“….”
Shiz asked nervously, but Philippa clearly didn’t hear anything.
Hmm.
Shiz rubbed her chin, troubled. The strange sound kept bothering her, but she couldn’t figure out what it was.
But if I tell the truth, what if they take me to the hospital?
Like most kids, Shiz hated hospitals. So she shook her head quickly.
“Mm, it’s nothing!”
It’ll be fine. It went away last time too…
She tapped her ears a few times and forced herself to ignore it.
Fortunately, the strange sound soon faded away and slipped from her memory.
***
That afternoon was peaceful. The crown prince was quiet, my research was going smoothly…
“Today feels strangely calm.”
For once, I even brewed tea and enjoyed the fresh aroma filling the room.
If only every day could be like this…
Relaxed, I was watching the clouds drift outside when suddenly—
BANG!
The lab door burst open with such force it nearly broke.
“Ah! You scared me!”
The one who appeared was all too familiar.
“Investigator Guifero, do you not know how to knock?”
“…Mage.”
Felix stood there in the doorway, face red, looking furious about something.
Wasn’t he supposed to be with his mother right now? Why come here like this?
I tensed up immediately, watching his expression.
Don’t tell me he came to threaten me using Shiz as an excuse…
But then he spoke.
“…Mage, this is bad.”
“What do you mean, bad?”
And then he said something that made my jaw drop. I stared blankly at him, sure I’d misheard.
“What… what did you just say?”
Felix’s face twisted with frustration.
“People are misunderstanding that your daughter and I are father and daughter!!”
I couldn’t process the words at all. No—I didn’t want to.
“Y-You’re joking, right? That’s not funny.”
“Do I look like the type to run all the way here in broad daylight just to make stupid jokes?!”
Of course not. Felix Guifero wasn’t that kind of man. Which meant… everything he said was true.
“Damn it, why did Oscul send a letter without even checking the facts first…?”
My mind raced.
And then I remembered the gossip I’d overheard earlier.
‘They say it’s because of her second son, Investigator Guifero.’
I had thought it was none of my business.
But it turned out… it was my business after all.
