CHAPTER 92………………………………………
I quickly got ready and headed to the reception room.
I wondered if Adrina herself had come, but contrary to my expectations, it wasn’t her.
Instead, the butler from the Reigen Dukedom I had met previously was waiting for me.
“I apologize for visiting so suddenly, Your Grace,” the butler said.
“That’s fine. But why have you come?”
Honestly, there was only one real reason a butler would show up like this.
“Well…”
She seemed unusually hesitant.
“Miss said she felt uneasy that the last time you visited, you were rushed off without proper reception. So she sent me. Please accept this as a small token, though modest.”
The butler handed me a box, and inside was a ring set with a red ruby.
The gem wasn’t very large, but I liked the design quite a lot.
Who could be displeased upon receiving a gift? I smiled and replied:
“Please thank her for me.”
“I apologize, but would it be difficult for you to convey your thanks personally, Your Grace?”
“Huh?”
Puzzled, I tilted my head, and the butler gazed out the window.
Following her line of sight, I noticed the Reigen Dukedom carriage waiting outside.
“While sudden visits are not improper, Miss felt uneasy about your hurried visit previously. If you are agreeable, she would like to receive you.”
“…Right now?”
This was a bit sudden.
It was like the difference between a friend showing up at your house unannounced and someone coming to take you to their own home.
…Both are embarrassing, but if I had to choose, the first is preferable.
Is there really a reason I need to meet her so abruptly?
As I hesitated, a slightly anxious gaze landed on me.
In the original story, Adrina had a good relationship with her butler.
Unable to have children due to infertility, she had apparently regarded Adrina as her own child since childhood.
Seeing her with that expression…
Could it be that Adrina’s health has worsened?
If that were the case, it would make sense that the butler came in her place.
Actually, that’s probably for the best.
I had also wanted to meet Adrina myself.
I was curious about the medicine from before and wanted to know how much of Blake’s story was true.
If Blake revealed the truth first, Adrina couldn’t possibly deny everything.
Of course, Sidereon wouldn’t particularly like such an unannounced outing…
But somehow, I feel like just calling her name a few times would ease things.
I chuckled quietly at my thought, surprised at myself.
Thinking that calling her name could ease the tension? When did Sidereon inside me get so soft?
Actually, that might really work…
Still, I should say it out loud.
“All right. I’ll prepare and come.”
“I’ll wait outside,” the butler said, her expression brightening.
Watching her leave, I headed toward the office where Sidereon usually was.
Well, I tried to.
If he sees my face… he probably won’t let me leave, right?
“You need His Grace’s permission,” Richard said, noticing my hesitation.
I raised an eyebrow and asked:
“Couldn’t you get permission on my behalf?”
“…Huh?”
Oh, I think that was the first time I saw Richard flustered.
But just as quickly, his expression returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. Such a boring person.
I shrugged with a small sigh.
“All right. I’ll just get permission first.”
I remembered hearing that Richard had been scolded before for suddenly visiting the Reigen Dukedom.
Merry must have been upset about that.
It wasn’t just because of Merry; I didn’t like seeing anyone get into trouble because of me.
I nodded and continued walking.
Then I paused.
“Sir, what about Merry…?”
“Yes?”
“I just wondered if she… maybe isn’t here?”
She went out to confess earlier, so why was Richard alone?
Though I implied this, he gave no hint of understanding.
…He rarely changes his expression anyway.
So the only conclusion I could come to was:
She ran away.
I understood—if I could, I’d want to run too.
Of course, that wasn’t possible.
Walking steadily, I soon arrived at my destination.
I sighed twice before opening the office door.
But to my surprise—
“Sidereon isn’t here?”
He wasn’t.
“He had urgent documents to deliver, so he’s gone to the palace for a short while.”
Perfect timing.
I glanced at Richard, noticing a faint crease in his brow.
I said apologetically:
“Ah, what a pity. A guest came, and I need to make a quick trip to the Reigen Dukedom… and Sidereon’s not here.”
I had really planned to get permission first.
Herden asked:
“Will it take long?”
“No, it shouldn’t take too long.”
We had spoken briefly before anyway. Of course, depending on circumstances, it could take longer—but better not to go into details.
Herden hummed thoughtfully, then nodded.
“Since His Grace may be occupied for some time, if you arrive beforehand, I’ll allow it.”
“Thank you!”
As expected, Herden!
“Oh, if you meet Kira, please tell her I’ll take care of things after this urgent visit.”
“Understood.”
At the Reigen Dukedom, the butler guided me inside.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.
I glanced at Richard, who followed silently.
His expression had been grim since leaving the mansion.
“Sir, are you upset?”
“….”
Richard, normally quiet, now opted for complete silence.
I whispered just loud enough for him to hear:
“I intended to tell him, but he’s not here right now. What can I do?”
“….”
“Hmm. Should I tell Sidereon separately…?”
At my tentative tone, Richard glared at me.
“I don’t know what you think of me, but I don’t sulk over trivial matters.”
His expression…
“All right, sorry.”
I apologized again, and he looked at me with a face full of unsaid words before turning away completely.
“Don’t worry about it.”
By the time I heard his faint voice trailing off, we had arrived in front of Adrina’s room.
“She is waiting here,” the butler said.
Not the reception room, then?
It was slightly unexpected, but seeing her last time bleeding had been so shocking that I didn’t ask further.
The butler bowed politely and left, saying to call if I needed anything.
I nodded at Richard, saying, “I’ll be back,” and stepped inside.
There, Adrina, sitting motionless like a porcelain doll, turned her head to look at me.
“Miss Reigen,”
She rose and approached me.
“Previously, I was quite rude.”
“No, the rudeness was on my side for coming without notice.”
Seeing her after so long, her pale skin seemed even more delicate than I remembered.
Not weak enough to require the butler’s help to see me, but…
Something feels off.
Adrina had been robust enough to go hunting occasionally—she wasn’t a frail lady.
My gaze fell on the table where I had noticed the medicine before.
I worried she might have removed it, but thankfully, the bottle was still there.
So nothing’s hidden.
“By the way, what brought you here last time?”
Had the butler brought me just to ask that?
I suppose it doesn’t matter.
I looked away from the medicine and at Adrina.
Her gentle smile caught my eye, making me pause.
In the original story, Adrina wasn’t known for being so kind, before or after the time loop.
Had my actions caused some butterfly effect? Could it really have softened her personality this much?
“Oh, I just… wanted to see you after a while…”
I was about to say, “I wanted to see you,” but stopped.
If I bring up the medicine or the vial, maybe we won’t be able to talk pleasantly again.
If that’s how it would go, why waste time being polite?
I changed course and went straight to the point.
“Miss, may I ask where you got this medicine?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I saw the Crown Prince take it.”
I watched her expression carefully.
At the mention of the Crown Prince, her gentle expression flinched slightly—just for a moment.
Then she recovered and replied naturally:
“Well… my butler recommended it, so I got it that way. I’m not sure of the exact source. If you like, I can inquire.”
Was she pretending not to know? Or was that the truth?
“Thank you! If it’s the medicine the butler recommended, could you share some with me? His Highness said it’s very effective, and I’d like to try it too.”
She had gone to great lengths to keep it hidden.
I smiled as harmlessly as possible while saying that.
Adrina looked slightly uncomfortable.
“…Well. I’d like to give it, but it feels wrong to just hand over a gifted item…”
“A gift? Didn’t you just say the butler recommended it?”
I opened my eyes wide, and she hesitated, opening and closing her lips a few times.
Then, with a mysterious gaze, she asked:
“I sense you have another purpose in coming, milady.”
Her tone felt different from usual. I swallowed nervously.
Is this her true self, or is she caught off guard?
It doesn’t matter.
Finally, it seemed she was willing to speak to me properly.
Technically, the medicine was also part of my purpose.
