Chapter 95
“The Clue”
The “Wheat Break” wasn’t really an official festival, but in Esperos—a region of Hestonia known for its colder climate—it felt like one.
This was a hard season, when food was scarce and many went hungry. Yet, at the same time, merchants from all over flocked here to sell wheat, bringing with them goods and cultures from distant lands.
“…What’s this supposed to be?”
“This is the new dye promoted by the Mage Tower! No more having just one hair color your whole life until you die!”
The merchant beat his chest proudly as he spoke. Mei glanced at me, curious for my reaction.
I quickly excused myself, saying I’d come back later, and hurried past his stall. Mei, watching me, laughed lightly.
“I thought merchants were the ones setting the trends—but it turns out you’re the one setting them, my lady.”
Embarrassed, I replied with a smile:
“If I’d known this would become so popular, I should have partnered with Lord Lafer and started a business myself.”
“Do you think it’s too late now?”
“Probably. I don’t have the money, and people would say I’m just trying to leech off the success.”
We both laughed, shaking off our brief dream of becoming rich overnight.
All around, people bustled happily, buying goods and wheat. Children chased soap bubbles through the crowd, laughing brightly.
Everyone’s faces… they seem brighter than last time.
As the thought crossed my mind, Mei’s soft voice reached me.
“Everyone looks happy, don’t they?”
“Hm?”
“They say people take after their lord. Lazy lord, lazy citizens. Wise lord, capable citizens.”
I waited silently, sensing she had more to say.
Mei gave a playful smile, then turned to me.
“The Lord has changed. He works day and night for his people. He’s trying to make Esperos into a place where everyone would want to live. That’s why the people are brighter too.”
“……”
“It’s all thanks to you, my lady.”
“Mei, I…”
“Ahhh! My lady, this is too embarrassing! Wait here—I’ll get us some chicken skewers!”
Flustered, Mei fled into the crowd, leaving me alone.
I lowered my head, then clenched my fist and lifted it again.
To save Calliere, or to save my mother.
That was the choice Father had given me.
But choosing between them only proved that I was still trapped under his shadow.
I wanted to escape.
From his shadow, from the Piace family.
And to do that…
I must save them both. No matter what it takes.
But how…?
“Don’t you need some hair dye, milady?”
The voice behind me sounded strangely familiar.
I turned quickly—and there he was, waving playfully with a smile.
“Lord Lafer!”
“It’s been a while, my lady. Or should I say… Rebellia?”
As I looked at his smiling face, a thought struck me—one single way, perhaps the only way, to save them both.
“If I’d known you’d welcome me this warmly, I’d have come sooner. But you know how busy I’ve been these days.”
“……”
“Oh, did you see my hair-dye business? It’s going to be huge. With this, even Allen will calm down for a while—”
“Lord Lafer.”
“Hm?”
I leaned close to him and whispered:
“Give me one of those medicines.”
“Medicine? You mean the dye?”
“No. The one that makes people fall into a coma.”
“…What?”
“Do you still have it?”
He blinked at me in surprise. I smiled sharply.
This time, I’ll play a grand trick on Father—in front of everyone.
“Is that from Ban?”
“Yes. It seems things are taking a strange turn.”
The short report Ban sent through carrier pigeon summarized what he had uncovered so far:
-
Someone had been watching the cabin in Babylon Forest.
-
The Marquess was seen in Raymond, a small town near the Xeros border.
-
And now, the Marquess had taken away someone who had been imprisoned inside a two-story house in Raymond.
Calliere already knew someone had been keeping watch near the cabin.
But he had pretended not to notice, because if they realized he knew, they would only try to pressure Rebellia in some new way.
His eyes narrowed as they fixed on the last line of Ban’s note:
[Saw Count Edwin Elliana in front of the two-story house in Raymond. He seemed to be looking for a woman named Anna. Soon after, an assassin appeared and tried to kill the Count.]
“…Anna?”
The name wasn’t unfamiliar—it rang faintly in his memory.
With a frown, Calliere asked Zenber:
“Have you ever heard of a woman named Anna?”
“Anna?”
“She seems to be connected to the Marquess of Piace and Count Elliana.”
Zenber thought carefully, then spoke in a cautious voice.
“I’m not entirely sure, but I believe the Marquess’s wife was named Anna.”
“The Marquess’s wife?”
“Yes. And if I recall correctly… before her marriage, she was involved with Count Elliana. But because of family opposition, they parted ways, and afterward she married the Marquess instead.”
Calliere fell silent in thought. Zenber, sensing his master’s doubts, quickly added:
“But the woman reported in Raymond can’t be the Marquess’s wife. It was said she went to the countryside for medical treatment about ten years ago. So the Anna mentioned in Ban’s report must be a different person.”
“Your reason?”
“Raymond is a very small town near the border with Xeros. Fewer than ten households live there. There isn’t even enough land for nobles to build a villa, much less for the wife of a great noble like Piace to stay and recover.”
“……”
“It’s a rough land where only hunters and herb gatherers pass through. A Marquess’s wife would never be left there for treatment.”
There was nothing unreasonable in Zenber’s explanation.
But if she wasn’t the Marquess’s wife, then why had both the Count and the Marquess been there?
And why would an assassin appear to kill the Count when he came searching for her?
Calliere’s expression grew grim. An uneasy feeling pressed down on him, refusing to leave.
Zenber studied him quietly, then suggested in a careful tone:
“Ban will send more details soon. Until then, Your Grace, why not take a walk through the town instead of sitting in this office all day with paperwork?”
“The town? Why?”
“I’ve heard that among the merchants who came for the Wheat Break, there’s one company run by Ban’s elder brother.”
“Ah… the Hafren Trading Guild, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
Zenber smiled warmly as Calliere frowned in thought.
“To make your land into a place where everyone wants to live—it can’t be done only at a desk. Sometimes, going into the streets, listening to the people, and observing them—that’s what builds a better domain.”
Calliere gave a small laugh at Zenber’s words.
“You truly are capable.”
“……”
“Because you just said exactly what I needed to hear.”
“I’ve served you for over twenty years, my lord. I’m glad I’ve finally learned a little tact.”
Leaving Zenber’s words behind, Calliere set aside the documents on his desk.
Zenber handed him a robe, and Calliere pulled the hood over his head with practiced ease.
“Don’t stay out too long.”
“No need to hurry back. Take your time, my lord. They say there will even be fireworks tonight—why not stay and enjoy them?”
“…?”
“And while you’re out, it would be best if you win over the lady’s heart as well. It’s exhausting for me to do all the work that should be handled by a mistress of the house…”
Zenber tapped his shoulder pointedly. Calliere laughed, half amused and half exasperated.
“So that’s what you really wanted.”
“Call it killing two birds with one stone.”
Smiling kindly, Zenber watched as Calliere left the office in haste.
