Chapter 92
The man who had picked up my shoe only returned it when we reached the hall’s exit. And he did it in the cheesiest way possible.
He held the shoe with both hands and went down on one knee!
“Here. Will you put it on? You needn’t bend your back—just lift your foot.”
“Just put it on the ground. I can wear it myself.”
“Haha, of course, I would never underestimate a lady. I merely wish to show you the treatment you rightfully deserve.”
“…”
I couldn’t even be bothered to argue.
I shoved my foot into the shoe halfway. It was honestly painful to endure his greasy gaze.
And now, clearly thinking our ‘date’ was beginning, he started talking.
“I’ve actually been watching you for a while. Your silken black hair and graceful figure instantly caught my eye.”
“If you were watching, then you must know whose daughter I am.”
“…Haha. Is that a threat? Telling me to back off?”
“Yes. I have no idea what ulterior motive brought you here, but if my father finds out, your future will grow very dark. Also, I know nothing about my father’s business.”
I said it plainly because I was too lazy for pretense. As if he’d approach me just to flirt.
The Duke of Schleyger was an object of fear in the capital, a mysterious man who only appeared a few days a year.
But if such a Latiger had suddenly adopted an orphan as a daughter? Of course, people would approach her to extract information.
This guy was probably one of them.
I looked at him with distrust. He only shrugged.
“Is that what your father told you? That only men with schemes will approach you?”
“Obviously.”
“Your father is quite overprotective. He sent you a bodyguard named ‘Suspicion’.”
He talks well, I’ll give him that.
I took a step back. But unexpectedly, he did not approach me.
With the navy sky behind him, he simply smiled softly at me.
“Lady, your worth is not limited to being that man’s daughter.”
“…”
“First, my eyes were drawn to the silver lily-of-the-valley in your black hair. Then, when I looked again, my gaze locked onto those firmly sealed lips under your nose—lips that seemed determined not to speak so easily.”
“Yes, yes, yes. And next you’ll say something about how the blue dress—”
“No. I wondered what kind of voice might be trapped inside lips that wouldn’t open without calculation.”
“You’ve said enough, please leave.”
“…Of course, if you do not fancy me as a man, I will gladly withdraw. But right now, you’re treating me like a spy.”
“I don’t like your face. Leave.”
“…Pardon?”
He looked honestly shocked. Why was he the one offended?
Well, yeah, he was decent-looking. My type, even. But I’m in a life-or-death situation this year—who has time to date?
Besides, if I’m already transmigrated into a romance-fantasy novel, why would I settle for a ‘decently attractive guy’? Obviously, I want someone blindingly gorgeous!
“Stop wasting effort and go inside. Well then—”
I tried to slip past him, but his hand clamped tightly around my wrist. Even through the thin leather glove, I could feel the rough calluses.
“Lady, you came to the party to have fun, didn’t you? Can’t we talk just a little longer?”
Why is he so clingy? Is this guy planning to kidnap me?
Ah, I’ve seen this cliché before.
…But no accomplices seemed to jump out. He was still smiling—he had only stepped on my untied shoelace to keep me from leaving.
Ah, the knot must’ve come loose when I took my shoe off while running to Seraphina earlier.
When I bent down to tie it, he flinched.
“I was going to tie that for you later.”
“You mean you stepped on it just to stop me from running?”
“…Ha, hahaha! What an amusing imagination. Why would I want to detain you?”
Hmm?
…Ah. I think I get it. Let’s see if my guess is right.
After tying the lace, I turned toward the garden and took a step. His eyes widened, and then slowly, a smile crept across his lips.
“So you’ve decided to go on a date with me.”
“If you escort me, I’d appreciate it. I’ve always wanted to enjoy a party with someone other than my father or brother!”
“You speak like a typical overprotected lady.”
“What’s different? To me, they are just normal family members. Though I’ve never actually experienced what ‘normal family’ feels like, of course.”
“That’s… a joke only the subject herself wouldn’t laugh at.”
“I give you permission. Laugh.”
“Hahaha! You are quite delightful, Lady.”
Is that funny…?
After an awkward chuckle like one you’d give on a blind date, he stepped closer. I slowly descended the stairs.
Before me stretched a white flower garden I’d wanted to visit since I saw it from the carriage earlier. I hate using poetic metaphors, but it smelled just like fabric softener. Taking one step, then another—
He spoke nervously.
“Don’t go too far. If you’re buried in the flowers, I may not find you.”
“You speak amusingly. But isn’t that because you were ordered not to let me stray too far from the mansion?”
“…Pardon? Where did that come from—”
“The one who ordered you was Lady Phiné. You’re one of those trained in the Phiné household, aren’t you?”
“…”
His eyes trembled. What excuse would he go for?
Ah yes, the predictable script:
‘You’re misunderstanding! Just because Phiné and your family are on bad terms—’
“It’s not a misunderstanding. I don’t care about House Phiné. It’s more likely Lady Phiné sees me as an eyesore.”
He was struck silent, face turning pale.
Let me save him the trouble of thinking.
“Speak honestly. Before you end up begging for time to explain yourself in the Schleyger dungeon.”
“Kh…”
“I’ll count to five.”
“T-That—”
“One.”
I closed my eyes. Immediately, he blurted out in panic.
“I was only asked to show the lady a pleasant time!”
“Pleasant time?”
“If the mood was right, then you know… to get physically — closer—”
My fist clenched automatically.
If it weren’t for the people strolling through the garden nearby, or the onlookers leaning over the balcony, I would’ve socked him right there.
I held back.
…But someone else did not.
“Do what?”
A voice I knew very well.
And even before I saw his usually gentle face, I saw—
A blade at the man’s throat.
He gasped, raising both his hands.
“W-Who are you?!”
“Do you have the right to ask that?”
“You think you’ll get away with this?! Huh?! Brandishing a weapon in public—”
“If I failed to protect my sister, I’d hate myself. Who do you think needs forgiveness here?”
“…Sister? Elber Schleyger? Why are you—”
As he said, it was Elber, with fury burning in his eyes, who held the blade.
The silver blade hadn’t drawn blood yet. It was small, but sharp enough to make the man drop to his knees.
At last, the mouth of truth opened.
“I’m sorry! I swear I never intended to do anything improper to your sister!”
“Funny. That’s not what I just heard.”
I added,
“Yes. Go ahead and tell us exactly what orders Lady Phiné gave you.”
He clamped his mouth shut. But at that moment, I saw the Duke approaching from a distance.
Too late to lie now.
Despair washed over his face.
—
Three minutes after the Duke carried him upside-down into the garden, the man crawled out on all fours and confessed everything.
“I-It was nothing major… Lady Phiné told me to seduce Lady Schleyger…”
At the word seduce, an icy blade of frost flared from the Duke’s right hand. The man nearly burst into tears as he continued.
“And—if possible, kiss her in a very public place…”
Elber and the Duke exchanged a glance. Their eyes said the same thing: Kill him.
If only Seraphina and Lady Freya Phiné hadn’t rushed over at that moment, things might’ve turned bloody.
But though the target changed, Elber’s glare toward Freya remained sharp as knives.
“We’ve just heard something interesting from this man, Lady Phiné. You ordered him to seduce my sister, didn’t you? In public, no less.”
“W-What nonsense! What benefit would I gain from that?”
“…”
Instead of answering, Elber suddenly walked over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
Freya’s eyes flared with rage at that affectionate gesture. Elber nodded coldly.
“I see. So you did see my sister as an eyesore and tried to ruin her reputation.”
“You’re mistaken! I-I absolutely didn’t! And who says I ordered him, huh? Hold a blade to someone’s throat and they’ll say anything!”
“…”
“That’s threatening behavior, Sir Elber! Pointing a weapon at a trainee of House Phiné—expect the guards at your door soon!”
She pointed at Elber’s hand, thinking she had him cornered.
Fair point. It would be an issue—threatening someone with a blade just for approaching his sister.
But Elber didn’t flinch. He simply showed her the weapon he’d used earlier.
…It was a butter knife from the table.
The man confessed everything.
A trainee living off House Phiné’s support, he was asked by Lady Phiné to ‘charm a girl named Sol Schleyger’ at the party.
Just as I’d deduced.
He then asked me,
“How did you figure out I was related to House Phiné?”
“When you grabbed my wrist. Your calluses were in the same spot as Elber’s. I figured you trained with a sword the same way.”
“From just that…?”
“If you wait for perfect evidence before deciding, you’ll miss everything. You make a judgment with what you have, then verify and adjust.”
This guy would make a terrible student. He stared blankly like I was speaking alien language.
Now then—let’s see what Lady Phiné’s excuse will be.
