~Chapter 22~
We laughed for a long time, then parted with Peredil, feeling strangely awkward.
Well, it’s not like you can become best friends overnight. It’s not like we had that much to talk about, either.
Still, thanks to Peredil lending me his carriage, I was able to arrive safely in front of the Woodville estate.
People tend to remember someone who messes up once after doing ninety-nine good things as a bad person—and someone who does one good thing after ninety-nine bad ones as a good person.
I was happy that things with Peredil seemed to be heading in a good direction, so I was caught off guard when I heard Luna’s footsteps rushing toward me as soon as I entered the estate.
“You’re back!”
Luna’s bright eyes welcomed me warmly.
“It’s quite late—why didn’t you go to bed first? You were by His Majesty’s side all day. Weren’t you tired?”
“Tired? I didn’t even need to use any divine power today.”
That’s because I made sure you didn’t have to.
“That too—but how could I rest easy when you hadn’t returned yet? And of all people, you were alone with Duke Seymour.”
For some reason, I sensed a hint of negativity in Luna’s tone when she said “that Duke Seymour.” Sure, he’s not the most affectionate type, but it’s not like he’s that bad. And besides, he’s got a nice face.
A face that’s… too nice, really.
Of course, Luna doesn’t share any of the good rapport I’ve built with Peredil, so it’s only natural she’d think that way.
“You don’t have to worry. As of today, the whole clashing and head-butting thing between the Duke and me is over. I might even be his savior now—stealing your thunder, huh, Luna?”
“The whole family’s been dying of curiosity!”
No sooner had Luna finished speaking than the count and countess jumped out from seemingly nowhere, as if they’d been lying in wait.
“Don’t tell me you bribed someone to poison the Duke’s wine?”
“Oh, come now. Would Joyce really do that? Maybe she bribed the inspector?”
“Or maybe Miss Joyce slipped the poison in herself while no one was watching.”
After I’d just told Peredil that poisoning wasn’t some natural course of action, these people actually thought I might’ve done it.
“No way! I mean, come on! Poison? Really?!”
At my outburst, the three of them immediately shrank back like scolded children.
“I did bribe someone. But all I asked was for them to spill hot soup on the Duke. I figured if he got burned, he’d feel guilty and be nicer to me.”
I rattled off the pre-planned lie effortlessly, not even needing to wet my lips.
If you’re going to fool your enemies, you’ve got to fool your allies too.
“Seeing the servant put poison in the Duke’s glass was a total coincidence. I just took advantage of it. I helped him at the perfect dramatic moment to win some favor.”
Contrary to how excited I was, the three of them stared at me coldly.
Oh no. Maybe they think it was wrong of me not to report it to the palace immediately?
“You don’t like it, huh.”
Sure enough, the count replied with a stern voice.
“Well, I also thought reporting it would be the most proper course of action, but the situation—”
“You were going to get burned instead of the Duke?”
“Come on, Joyce. That’s not right. What if it left a scar?”
“Exactly. I really hope you weren’t hurt. I was so worried when you took that spill earlier.”
Ah… these fools who care only for Joyce…
Only after I promised to take care of myself did they finally let me go, and I was able to head to my bedroom.
***
‘That woman lied to me.’
Lying in bed, Peredil found himself thinking of Joyce again—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As she’d said, it was a relief to finally say what had been bottled up inside. The lump of regret that had been clinging to his chest was gone.
But no matter how much he tried to sleep, he couldn’t drift off as easily as she claimed.
Ever since he saw her bright smile—something he’d only imagined before—the image wouldn’t leave his mind.
It was as if someone had engraved that one image into his memory with magic.
She claimed to hate him, yet she helped him. She looked at him with contempt, and then smiled so beautifully.
A beautiful smile…
Was the smile beautiful? Or was she the one who was beautiful?
Forget it. Enough of this.
Peredil told himself he’d merely been enchanted by that lovely smile. But he didn’t think it was love.
Still, he admitted to himself that his mind was now filled with thoughts of her.
Even so, he wasn’t ready to call it love just yet.
Curiosity. Yes, let’s call it curiosity. She’s a strange and incomprehensible woman, after all.
He decided—for now—to label his feelings for Joyce as mere curiosity.
How long that would last, he couldn’t say.
First things first… I owe her. I’d better go to Woodville tomorrow morning.
He made up his mind and turned over, trying to get some sleep. But, of course, it didn’t come easily.
He wished the long night would vanish completely.
And soon enough, morning arrived just as he wished.
“Shall I have breakfast prepared after your bath, Your Grace?”
Susan, now a seasoned maid, had grown enough not to comment on her master’s tired face when he looked out of sorts.
The Duke looked exhausted again, but his mood seemed good.
Ever since that ‘carrot incident,’ the Duke had returned to his usual self.
Indifferent as always, but no longer irrational or unreasonable.
She smiled cheerfully, waiting for Peredil’s answer.
“That sounds good. Thank you.”
He wasn’t warm, but he still offered a polite thank you—and Susan was content working for such a master.
Everything’s better when there’s proper distance. No need to meddle in a noble’s life. I just need to do my job well.
Just as she was about to nod and leave, Peredil stopped her.
“Susan. For breakfast today… I’d like carrot soup.”
Her mature detachment, freshly reinforced, crumbled at Peredil’s request.
“What? Carrots?”
“Yes, the carrot soup from last time.”
“But you hate carrots! I’ve been on pins and needles ever since, making sure not even a garnish had carrots in it!”
“Ah, well. Turns out carrots don’t hate me after all.”
Leaving behind that bizarre comment, Peredil walked out of the room humming—something he never did—on his way to bathe, while Susan stood frozen in front of his door.
She thought to herself:
Ugh, making a living is seriously exhausting.
Come pick me up.
Right. Of course I have to come get you. You’re such a big-deal actor, I have no choice but to go in person.
After receiving Theo’s cocky letter demanding I pick him up, I headed to the capital’s trading post early in the morning on my day off.
I hadn’t gotten much sleep, and I was already in a bad mood.
“Well, look who’s up early. I thought I’d be waiting here forever.”
The first thing Theo did when he saw me after a long time was sling one arm over my head and start teasing me.
This guy. I swear, I’m so tired I could—wait, what?
“What’s that?”
“What?”
“What is that?”
“What is what?”
“The disguise!”
The real Theo I know has brown hair and green eyes.
But Theo was disguised like when we were on stage together—blond hair, red eyes.
“It’s not a disguise. It’s a disguise.”
“Why are you in disguise?!”
“Reasons. What does my hair color matter so much, anyway?”
“Pfft. I just like your brown hair, okay? It’s rare in Bria, isn’t it? But in the capital, it’s everywhere. I thought maybe it’d help me feel a bit of belonging, and then you go and show up in disguise.”
“Yeah? Brown hair’s common
