episode_0027

The atmosphere in the reception room, which had been suddenly disrupted by the name of the 3rd Duchess, settled down once again.

Arielle had to sit down with a wry smile.

“Did I make too much noise by myself? I’m sorry.”

“…It’s okay.”

“The Duchess read the novel with the protagonist five times. She mistook me for one of her beloved characters and made a fuss…”

Scratch.

Arielle scratched the back of her head, wondering if she would ask about the title of the book. Unfortunately, her whimsical autobiography did not attract any of Remyang’s interest.

Having given up on her expectations, Arielle had to return to the main topic that she had momentarily forgotten.

“But… What did the Duchess want to tell me?”

The 3rd Duchess, who had never met her and probably didn’t even know of her existence, what could she possibly want to say?

And in the dead of night, in the darkness.

Arielle, with a slightly tense expression, held the teacup with both hands.

She wanted to feel the warmth, but the teacup had already gone cold.

Like the flow of the reception room.

A moment later.

Another name came out of Elysia’s mouth, and Arielle could vaguely guess why the Duchess had sent her away.

“You’ve been reading with Elden Raphellion, haven’t you?”

It was probably similar to the concerns expressed by the maid about the candidate for the engagement ceremony.

But Elden was a forfeiter, and he had not intervened in the declaration of forfeiture, so Arielle was sure that she would not hear any complaints from the Duchess or be caught reading a book.

A chance encounter with a fellow academy student.

A fellow student with whom she shared a common hobby.

A fellow student with whom she only ate meals because she had no one else to eat with.

A fellow student who was just beginning to open her eyes to the world of reading.

To Arielle, Elden was such a presence.

Of course, the time spent together was so enjoyable that she couldn’t stop smiling, but her gaze kept going to him as he read the recommended book with such enjoyment, it was just a smile of joy at having found a reading buddy, nothing more.

The anticipation of reading time with Elden was for the same reason, the feeling that the time was too short was for the same reason, and the regret of parting was for the same reason.

Their relationship had started with a common interest in pure literature, and if it hadn’t been for that, the relationship wouldn’t have started at all.

Elden had shown no romantic interest or affection towards her, so this healthy reading group had nothing to fear.

Therefore.

“Yeah.”

Arielle replied comfortably.

At the same time, Remyang narrowed her eyes sharply.

It was a gaze that indicated the beginning of the full verification of the hypothesis of [love].

“You also have meals together.”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Then you must have heard that Elden Raphellion forfeited, right?”

“Yeah. But I also heard that he was rejected.”

“Did he mention the reason for that?”

“He said it was because he lacked the qualifications.”

For the same reason she had heard before, Remyang nodded lightly.

She didn’t expect to achieve what she wanted from the start.

Persistently and subtly, she probed for answers regarding Elden’s forfeiture.

“…Is that so. Was there anything else he said?”

“Anything else?”

“Well, I was wondering if there was another reason for the forfeiture.”

“There wasn’t.”

“Then, did he not mention anything about future plans?”

It was yesterday’s lunch.

In the midst of talking about reading, the topic of future plans suddenly came up.

Based on the premise that the forfeiter would not win, she asked what they would do after the engagement ceremony.

To which Elden had answered without a moment’s hesitation.

Already, with a happy expression as if the plan had been executed.

“You said you were going on a gourmet trip?”

“…Excuse me?”

Remyang’s eyebrows furrowed.

At the same time, his index finger on his right hand, holding a teacup, began to twitch.

A habit he unknowingly exhibited during his first meeting with Elden.

It was a habit that emerged when observing interesting topics, and for Remyang, who had never imagined that Elden’s future plans would include something like a “gourmet trip,” it was an interesting piece of information.

“A gourmet trip….”

“Yes. So he asked me if I could recommend any books related to monster cuisine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help him with that because it’s not my hobby.”

“…Monster cuisine?”

Monster cuisine.

The moment that word entered the conversation, Remyang’s mind conjured up the image of Elden tastefully devouring the repulsive red legs of a Longgo.

The image of him greedily tearing into the flesh and sucking the grease off his fingertips.

Could it be that Elden, who seemed to have been trying to introduce him to a new taste by revealing the horror of the culinary torture he had experienced, had actually made him curious about it?

“Apparently, he really enjoyed it.”

He seemed genuinely disappointed as he reluctantly took just one bite as a concession, then set down the red Longgo leg.

His hand holding the teacup involuntarily tightened.

His teeth clenched.

The feeling of having been betrayed by Elden, who was slipping away with a sneer, was no different from the sensation of chewing on a bug.

It was revolting.

His teeth were trembling.

Nevertheless, in order to maintain composure in front of Ariel, he let out a sigh, releasing everything at once.

“Ha….”

“Why are you like that?”

“It’s nothing. Do you have any intention of withdrawing your concession?”

“I don’t think so.”

“…Not even a little bit?”

“That’s how it seemed to me.”

“….”

The frustration of eating a potato without any water.

Questions that bounced off as if they were being thrown back by a mana barrier.

In the face of a situation that was going completely opposite to his expectations, Remyang decided to bring up the main topic.

“….Do you happen to have any guesses as to another reason for the concession? Like falling in love with someone else?”

However, Ariel pursed her lips.

Although it wasn’t as cold as the chilled night air, a cold light glinted in her reddish-brown eyes.

For some reason, the feeling of being interrogated made Remyang realize that discomfort could also be seen in Ariel’s usually cheerful eyes.

“But, I came to deliver the words of the Grand Duchess. Or did you come to interrogate me?”

“Ah… I apologize if you were uncomfortable. All of these questions were instructed by the Grand Duchess to bring back answers.”

In his heart, he wanted to announce that he was Remyang Winterfell, one of the Three Grand Duchesses, and force the correct answer, but he didn’t want to do that to Ariel, who was just a third party.

For a good person who doesn’t associate with villains, a request is more appropriate than coercion.

Today’s meeting is just to secure the persuasion of the request and the credibility of the hypothesis.

Stepping back with a sincere apology, Remyang, and Ariel also withdrew with a sense of discomfort.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone else involved in this, does it?”

“Is that so….”

Remyang carefully observed Ariel’s expression, breathing, gestures, and reactions.

It was to look for traces of falsehood and deception, but unfortunately, he didn’t notice anything suspicious.

Just like when he was dealing with Elden, everything seemed genuine.

Annoyingly so.

“But why are you asking me these questions?”

Remyang, who ended up receiving a question from Ariel, who seemed to deflect all questions, answered without hesitation, as it was the situation he had hoped for.

“The message is being delivered with the belief that the Duchess will not leak it.”

“What…?”

“The Duchess hopes that the Duke will withdraw his declaration of resignation.”

“Why?”

“Furthermore, the Duchess hopes that the Duke will devote himself to the marriage proposal.”

“…Why?”

Up until now, it was just the preparatory stage to verify the hypothesis.

Once the preparation is complete, it’s time to move on to the next stage.

Remyang chuckled and opened the gateway for the next stage.

“The Duchess loves the Duke.”

[Love]

It is to start the hypothesis and verify it.

If they were enjoying a secret relationship with Elden or even sharing similar emotions, there should be subtle reactions.

There would be no one pleased to welcome the emergence of a strong competitor.

As expected, Ariel’s face stiffened in shock.

It was the first positive reaction she had seen since Elden’s resignation.

“What…? S-So, you… love Elden…?”

Remyang hid a smile.

The verified hypothesis is on the verge of being proven.

If there is any resentment or restraint after the shock subsides, Elden’s resignation must have been due to [love].

If the emotions were strong enough to abandon the reconstruction of the family, it must have been a deep love rather than a superficial one.

Finally, they could be liberated from the worst puzzle that had not been solved.

“Yes. She fell in love at first sight…”

Regrettably.

“Wow! S-So, if Elden withdraws his resignation, you can become the son-in-law of the prestigious Winterfell Ducal family?!”

It was just a pleasure for a bookworm who found happiness in reading with Elden, just a joy to share thoughts with Elden.

Anyone would be pleased to return joy to someone who brings them joy.

“So, the Duchess hopes that I will give Elden the courage to withdraw his resignation!”

Sparkle~ Sparkle.

With the expectation of being able to help the protagonist of the respected novel, the woman of the secret snowfield, Arielle clenched her fists with determination.

Promising to listen to Elden’s side of the story before the library tomorrow morning.

“……….”

Crack.

The captain of the ship, who had clenched his fists in anger, had to suppress his anger as the promising hypothesis that would solve the problem shattered, the only beacon that could dispel the thick fog extinguished, and the ship stranded with the landing site in sight.

In the end, nothing was discovered.

In the end, only the failure of the hypothesis was repeated.

In the roaring flames of frustration, the celestial fire began to burn, and Remyang was once again engulfed in an unquenchable thirst.

Just like back then when the desire for learning did not wither away.

Just like back then when the passion for exploration did not diminish.

“Tell the Duchess to trust only Arielle!”

That’s how the final evaluation before the face-to-face meeting, the last assessment, was approaching.