Chapter 24
Nobles from the Capital
Three people stepped inside. It was a fleeting moment of opportunity, and Ninia immediately focused on the one leading them.
The man was well past middle age, with a lean frame despite wearing a formal military coat. His hair was streaked with equal parts silver and gold, yet his green eyes still shone vividly. Ninia knew his name.
Marquis Lesnov Billian.
He was well known as a close confidant of the Empress, and whenever Ninia had met the Empress, Lesnov had been present as well.
A nobleman treated like the Empress’s right arm. That confirmed what Ninia had already suspected.
So it really is to keep an eye on me.
The purpose was far too obvious to miss. Her gaze shifted to another figure, and this time she was taken aback.
A young lady?
A cascade of thick golden hair reached the woman’s waist, and striking emerald eyes caught the light. She looked only a little younger than Ninia. Standing at the Marquis’s side, the young lady was radiant and beautiful.
Sensing Ninia’s glance, the young woman curved her eyes in a warm smile—bright and lovely. Ninia returned a polite, brief smile of her own and stepped forward to welcome the distant guests.
“You must have had a hard journey. Welcome to the Territory of Danteor, Marquis Billian.”
“Thank you for such a gracious welcome, Lady Vi.”
The Marquis inclined his head respectfully. Perhaps the road north had not been easy; Ninia caught a slight edge in his tone.
But the hint of sharpness faded so quickly it might have been imagined. Without delay, the Marquis alluded to her past.
“It’s the first time we meet again since you were the Saintess. Truly surprising.”
“Indeed. I’m only human; knowing the future is never easy.”
Ninia kept her face composed and gave the reply she had prepared. She already knew that anyone arriving from the capital would bring up her past.
“How curious, to hear that from one who was once so close to the Goddess. Of course, you have not changed even now.”
She simply answered his words with a calm smile. Whether she had abandoned the Goddess or not, he clearly did not know.
When their greeting ended, the Marquis gestured toward the young woman beside him.
“This is my niece, Mierne Billian.”
“I’m Mierne. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Vi.”
Mierne pinched the hem of her dress and dipped her head. Ninia accepted the courtesy naturally, though something about it unsettled her.
“Welcome, Lady Mierne.”
This was no sightseeing trip, and it was unusual to bring along a young noblewoman on such a long journey. Even considering possible motives, it remained strange.
Before Ninia could dwell on that thought, another person she hadn’t yet taken in awaited introduction.
During her time as Saintess, she had never seen this man. When their eyes met, the brown-haired gentleman offered a gentle smile.
“Count Reide Anterno, at your service, Lady Vi. It’s an honor to meet you.”
He introduced himself without hesitation. His open expression suggested someone sociable and at ease with formality.
“Welcome, Count.”
“Thank you for the warm reception. It seems to melt the fatigue of our long travels.”
His well-shaped features carried a hint of cheerful charm. At a glance, he seemed to belong to the kindly sort. Ninia exchanged light pleasantries with him when—
“Thanks to your personal welcome, we are all grateful. But it seems His Grace is running a little late?”
Marquis Billian smoothly interrupted their conversation. Ninia immediately sensed that he and Count Reide were not on good terms—certainly not of the same faction.
Without showing it, she answered the Marquis’s unspoken question.
“His Grace has stepped out briefly, but he’s sent word he’ll join us for the evening banquet.”
“Oh, I see. Quite busy, then. Well, after ending a war, it’s only natural that many matters demand his attention.”
To leave despite knowing guests were coming could be deemed rude, but the Marquis only smiled and let it pass—for now.
Ninia understood noble speech well. His words were a veiled remark, questioning what could be so important in this barren land that the Duke would neglect his visitors.
“In that case, perhaps Count Anterno could be of help. An accomplished man, even studied abroad.”
“Haha, I’m flattered.”
At first it sounded like praise, but anyone familiar with imperial politics would hear something else.
The Pieczen Empire was steeped in imperial superiority, often dismissing or excluding foreign influence.
Those who left the Empire to study abroad were often seen as people forced to flee rather than ambitious scholars.
So that’s why I’ve never seen him before.
Ninia quietly took in the unfamiliar face. The Marquis might be mocking the Duke for accepting help from a “fugitive,” but she didn’t care.
I expected discourtesy anyway.
If they truly regarded her as the Duchess, they wouldn’t speak so freely.
Count Troid and Marquis Billian were alike in arrogance, though the Marquis carried the more polished air of a true noble—which only meant his true intentions were harder to read.
Meeting each guest’s gaze in turn, Ninia spoke.
“You must be tired from your journey. Please rest until the banquet. The butler and maids will guide you to your rooms.”
“It’s an honor to be received.”
Sevrus stepped forward to escort the Marquis. Mierne and Reide followed maids to their assigned chambers.
Renthus Castle had a separate annex for honored guests, a fair distance from the library. Even knowing that no one could enter without a key, Ninia couldn’t fully relax.
As she watched the visitors head to their rooms, relief flickered—until a voice stopped her.
“I’m not tired at all.”
Mierne had halted mid-stride. The maid guiding her froze, flustered.
At her niece’s words, the Marquis paused as well and chuckled.
“My niece is quite thoughtless. I beg your indulgence.”
“Not at all. If you’re not tired, that’s good to hear.”
Ninia shook her head. The trip was long enough that even a carriage ride could exhaust the frail, yet Mierne’s color and movements showed no fatigue. She seemed truthful.
“Young people are indeed different. As for me, I must rest these old bones. But if you don’t mind, Lady Vi, would you share a cup of tea with Mierne?”
The suggestion caught Ninia off guard, especially since there was no one of equal rank in the castle to properly host the Marquis’s niece.
If only there were a lady-in-waiting…
She had no grounds to refuse, so she inclined her head.
“It’s no trouble. I’ll have tea prepared.”
“My thanks. I entrust my niece to your care.”
The Marquis spoke with relief and followed Sevrus away. Now only Mierne and Ninia remained.
“Thank you, Lady Vi. I’m delighted to share some conversation with you.”
“Not at all. It’s nice to have company.”
Ninia led Mierne to a tea room. Though rarely used, it was tidier than expected.
“Please wait a moment.”
As they sat across from each other, a maid went to fetch the tea. Ninia recognized her—a maid she had once overheard gossiping with Rosa about her.
Perhaps forewarned, the maid soon returned with a teapot of leaves and a tea set. As she set the cups down, Mierne blinked and asked,
“Isn’t it proper to ask what we’d like to drink first?”
“Ah… that is—”
The maid’s hand froze in mid-air. Mierne looked at her in disbelief.
“I—I’m sorry.”
The maid belatedly apologized, but Mierne’s expression remained displeased.
Ninia knew the hesitation came from simple surprise. The maids here were all commoners, unused to serving high nobles. It was natural they knew little of tea etiquette.
The atmosphere would only grow tense if left alone, so Ninia interceded.
“There’s only one type of tea available at the moment.”
“Oh my, I beg your pardon.”
Mierne covered her mouth with a startled look. Her reaction to the idea of a single tea selection was the very picture of a sheltered noble lady.
