Chapter 30
“Hey, get away from Lady Erika right now.”
“…Lady Erika, should I move?”
“This is truly… shameless!”
“…Lady Erika.”
I was in an extremely awkward position. I couldn’t remember when I fell asleep last night, but I woke up on the bed.
And moreover…
‘…In Didier’s arms.’
Even though I had unconsciously snuggled into a warm spot while sleeping, I hadn’t realized it was Didier. The trouble started there.
Then Mary, who came to wake me, found us like this. She opened the door before I could pull away from Didier, and…
That’s how we ended up here, with Mary and Didier locked in a fierce staring contest.
‘They’ve been at odds since the moment they met, but…’
Was it really worth this much conflict?
I pressed a hand to my forehead and sighed. Because I had neglected last night’s work, tasks had piled up for today. The Owls would soon return with their results.
In short…
“Enough, both of you. Mary, didn’t I say Didier is part of my family now? And Didier, you still must not be discovered. What if someone hears this argument?”
“…I’m sorry, my lady.”
“And Didier, Mary is the closest person to me and takes care of me. There’s no need for this rivalry. Listen to her.”
“…Lady Erika.”
It ended with me scolding them both. I had been foolish to think they would cooperate and get along. I took a deep breath and rubbed my eyes. The little sleep had eased some fatigue, but my body still felt heavy.
After my reprimand, Mary helped prepare my appearance with a sullen face, while Didier sat motionless with his head lowered.
“Tomorrow is the regular meeting. The families will arrive at the palace; it’ll be noisy, Didier.”
“…Yes.”
“…I’m sorry, but you’ll have to hide again today like yesterday.”
“Understood, Lady Erika.”
“…Just endure today. I promise you won’t have to hide again after this. Trust me.”
Didier’s ears turned red as he nodded shyly. I smiled and looked at Mary.
“Mary.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Take care of Didier a little. I’ll be busy receiving guests today.”
“…Alright.”
“No sulking.”
Mary nodded reluctantly. My preparations were finished while we talked. It was time to leave the room and get to work. I signaled Didier with my eyes to hide.
He vanished in an instant.
‘…Still amazing no matter how many times I see it.’
While I was marveling at that…
*Tap.*
A neatly folded white piece of paper fell near the door.
‘…The Owls.’
I had ordered them to inform me this way when they succeeded. They couldn’t appear directly to report, since I never knew exactly when they’d return.
‘Father might grow suspicious if he saw me meeting Priscilla’s maids.’
Last time it was dawn, and the Owls had slipped in unseen, but repeating it could raise Father’s suspicions.
So I had come up with this method.
‘A small piece of paper slipped under the door.’
My room had once been a guest room. On days like today, the hallway would be crowded with people.
But ever since it became my room, only Mary and a few maids passed through here.
Even so, they had plenty of time to slide a paper through the gap.
‘A clever idea.’
I picked up the white paper, opened it, and saw elegant handwriting. I read it slowly, then handed it to Mary, who would burn it later.
Now…
It was time to gauge the atmosphere in the palace.
* * *
The office was terrifyingly quiet.
A suffocating silence that could make someone faint.
And it was because of the presence of one man who exuded this atmosphere. The messenger standing before him was pale as a corpse.
Just a simple courier. Jack, who worked for cheap pay with no ties to any family, decided today to quit this job forever. He never wanted to repeat this.
Who would want to face a wolf’s wrath head-on?
Jack prayed for time to pass quickly. Either the ruler or the wolf finally responded, and the wolf broke the silence at last.
“…Can you prove this isn’t a lie?”
“Y-yes! Of course. Lord Delamont ordered me to deliver this to the family head.”
“…Give it to me.”
Jack hurried, carefully pulled something from his pocket, and handed it to the wolf—Laslo.
A large ring meant for the thumb.
It was the very ring Laslo had personally given Delamont.
“…It really is Delamont’s.”
“Yes, yes! I came on Lord Delamont’s orders.”
“Then the contents of this letter are true?”
“I… I was only tasked with delivering it.”
Jack was merely a courier, not authorized to read it. Laslo clicked his tongue and handed him the letter.
It wasn’t meant for a courier, but this man was the only one who had seen Delamont.
With the regular meeting tomorrow, sending an investigator now would be useless. Even the fastest would take a full day. Results would arrive after the meeting ended.
‘By then, Priscilla would have taken control of the situation.’
Since Priscilla and Erika were allied, a variable would appear at the meeting.
That’s why he had called Delamont—to prevent it.
Laslo clicked his tongue again, frowned, and urged Jack to answer.
Jack read the letter as though being chased and nodded slowly.
“The contents are true. When I saw Lord Delamont, he was extremely ill. Really, believe me.”
“…To that extent?”
“Yes, he was pale, frail as if he’d collapse at a touch, coughing constantly… and spitting blood. When he gave me the ring, he was…”
Jack stopped, unable to continue. Delamont had looked like a man on the verge of death. It seemed he was clinging to life by sheer will.
Laslo listened, then slammed his fist on the desk. The sound wasn’t loud, but objects jumped and fell.
His anger didn’t subside; his body trembled. Was it rage, fear, or grief at losing a friend? No one knew.
The oppressive silence returned to the office.
After the second hand ticked twice, Laslo finally calmed and looked at Jack.
“…Fine. Leave.”
“Yes, I’ll go.”
Fearing a change of mind, Jack bowed quickly and fled.
A while later, Laslo muttered quietly.
“…Spitting blood, they say…”
Coughing up blood meant death.
He knew from experience. There was no cure—only waiting.
A terrible nightmare swept over Laslo.
– Laslo, I trust you’ll raise our daughter well.
– …Lisley.
– Even without me, you’re strong enough. As long as you remain the family head, Erika will grow with unmatched confidence.
– …Please, don’t leave me.
– …I’m sorry, Laslo. Stay as you always have.
Her face was now hazy in his memory. She had been coughing up blood, and the doctor had said it was the end.
That’s what his companion had said back then. Yes, that’s how it was.
‘I must hold on to this position.’
Laslo repeated it with unfocused eyes. He had to retain the seat of family head—it felt like a divine command.
Then he returned to his usual calm. He picked up the fallen letter, placed it on the desk, and left.
Some time later…
[Caw…?]
In the darkest corner of the empty office, Kob tilted his head in confusion.
