episode_0091

“I would like to tell you first that we have not discovered a clear threat yet.”

My brother started talking like that.

“However, we have discovered that someone is watching the area around this mansion.”

“Surveillance?”

“It’s literally true. Someone is walking around this mansion periodically. When I checked last night, there was no sign of intrusion, but I think they may be following the Grand Duchess when she goes out.”

“What is the basis?”

Amelia asked that with a serious expression. It’s probably not because she doubted what her brother said, but because she wanted to make sure the facts were clear.

My brother continued as if it was natural to ask that question.

“In cities where there is always daylight, people often go indoors when darkness falls. If there are people wandering around at night, there is a high probability that they have some purpose.”

“Have you seen such a person?”

“Rather than seeing it, I felt a presence. Did you know that you can hide the sound of footsteps with an aura?”

Amelia and I nodded, because we already knew who had surprised me by doing that.

“However, if you use magical power to hide your presence, a characteristic trace will remain. Mainly a ‘mark’ will remain.”

“So… … Are you talking about something similar to a footprint?”

“Yes.”

“But all around here are probably stone roads.”

It would not be strange if the floor was not paved with stone in a place where poor commoners lived – for example, around the Magic Tower – but this was a street where great nobles gathered.

At best, the streets where relatively low-ranking nobles, such as common nobles, live together are paved with stones.

“However, there is soil between stones. Rather, since it is between stones, no ordinary footprints are left… … ”

“You are saying that traces of Aurors remain.”

Amelia and I couldn’t help but be surprised by my brother’s words.

“Elsie, don’t be too hard on yourself. Of course, this is information that is difficult to find out with a normal gaze.”

No, rather than being surprised that I couldn’t figure it out, I was more surprised that I found a pattern carved in the dirt between the stones.

I’m not saying that I checked every detail between the stones.

Even without any certainty that that would happen.

… … Shouldn’t I get some counseling somewhere? Isn’t this PTSD?

Perhaps the reason my brother couldn’t find such traces in the novel was because he led a peaceful daily life.

It seemed like not only me but also Amelia was thinking that way, but my brother didn’t seem to be able to read that expression, whether I should say it was fortunate or unfortunate.

“… … Harvey, you are sure that those are traces of Aurors, right?”

“That’s right. Of course, we haven’t found any traces of an intrusion yet.”

“Then why didn’t you just say it here yesterday?”

“Huh?”

When I joined the conversation, I glanced at my older brother, Ina.

“The fact that you checked before entering the mansion means that you already knew this when you met us yesterday.”

“Oh, that is.”

My brother looked a little troubled for a moment and then spoke.

“It’s been a while since I saw your face and I couldn’t bring myself to bring up such a story.”

“… … .”

“It’s nice to see the siblings getting along so well.”

“… … .”

Amelia said that with a smile, so I glanced at her.

No, is such a story coming out in this situation?

“I also think it’s fortunate that the two of you seem to get along well. And Elsie, don’t worry too much. I’m not in the mood to attack you yet. Hitting the Archduchess in the middle of the royal capital is like saying you’re going to die.”

“… … However, if you were prepared to die, the story would be different.”

“That’s definitely true. So I’m planning to check. I’m also from Delkisi, so I can’t just ignore this situation.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“It’s just something that has to be done.”

In response to Amelia’s thanks, my brother also bowed his head slightly and said.

“Do you have any plans to go out?”

“I’m taking a class at Magic Tower. I’m planning to go out after lunch today too. Elsie too.”

“Elsie? Will you come in to escort me to the classroom?”

My brother looked at me with a surprised expression.

“You may not be able to use magic, but the Lord of the Magic Tower invited you. He seems to be interested in Elsie’s special talent.”

“Ah.”

It seemed like my brother immediately understood Amelia’s explanation.

“It’s definitely not a common talent.”

Although the magic tower lord’s eyes were looking at me more like he was looking at a great test subject rather than looking at a person, so I was a bit reluctant.

However, I held back because if I told such a story, my brother might go and grab Rainy Tower owner by the collar. They had a bad relationship in the original, so it will be difficult for them to become close friends here as well.

“Then, after the Grand Duchess leaves, I will take the time to check. It probably won’t be a big deal. I heard that if there are nobles coming in from outside, they sometimes plant people to get information.”

“… … .”

For some reason, there is one person that comes to mind when I hear that story.

I made eye contact with Amelia for a moment, but I didn’t bother to talk about it.

There was a rumor that Diane did something similar in the original work, but there is no basis for it yet, and if she messes with the writer, it will be troublesome in many ways.

“Then, thank you very much.”

“Yes, if there is a threat, we will definitely rule it out.”

… … I don’t know what kind of guy is following us, but I already feel sorry for him.

Unlike me, who is half a Del Kish person, you are a real Del Kish person.

*

“Is it Diane?”

In the carriage heading to the Magic Tower, Amelia asked that question.

“Diane, why bother attaching someone to us? She’s sensitive to power. She wouldn’t do anything wrong with the Grand Duke’s family for nothing. She’s the kind of girl who doesn’t look down on me in front of you either.”

“… … Do you ignore me when I’m not around?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s not what I meant. I’ve never been alone with her without you in the first place. I mean, considering the personality I read about in novels, that could be the case.”

“Yes… … .”

Amelia thought for a moment and opened her mouth.

“If anything like that happens, please tell me right away. I can’t stay silent when the people of the Grand Duke’s family have been ignored.”

“I am not from the Archdong family, but from Delkish.”

“It’s the same even if you’re from Delki City. Since you’re guarding me, you’re mine. Isn’t that right?”

“… … .”

I was happy that you said that. I would be happier if you claimed ownership of it.

Well, that’s not going to happen since it’s Amelia’s personality.

“Oh, that’s right. I’m thinking of picking up Adele today. I learned horseback riding yesterday, but I’m just starting to learn. It looks like there’s no horse at home.”

“Will Adele obediently get in the carriage?”

“Because we became quite close yesterday… … Even if you say you’ll pay it back someday, won’t you reject it?”

Certainly, since he was with us yesterday, a lot of the signs of wariness have disappeared. Although there wasn’t really that kind of sign before, I still felt like there was a wall between classes.

But after seeing Snow biting my head yesterday, I felt a little something, and as we talked, a lot of the walls disappeared.

“… … Are you going to let me continue horseback riding practice?”

“… … That’s right.”

“So you ride behind Adele every time?”

“… … .”

As I stared, Melia looked out the carriage window for a moment, but as I continued to look,

“Ah, okay. Then, next time, it’s okay if we take turns riding in the back, right?”

“But then I have to ride behind you on the way back. You gave Adele a ride twice.”

“… … Then just change it every day.”

As I nodded in satisfaction, Amelia sighed.

*

Adele did not refuse this time.

Is it because we left long before Adele arrived?

Even though she had a surprised expression, she soon smiled wryly and got into our carriage. It seemed like she felt that we had approached Adele with only goodwill.

To be honest, Amelia was there to avoid the bad ending she would experience, and I was there because I wanted to prevent Adele from getting closer to Amelia as much as possible.

… … I don’t know anything about it, so it doesn’t matter.

The conversation we had on the way to the Magic Tower was nothing special. We said hello to each other after a good night’s sleep and briefly talked about what happened yesterday before arriving at the Magic Tower.

While getting off the carriage, I glanced behind me, but I couldn’t see my brother.

How did they hide that big size?

And as I turn to enter the Magic Tower—

“Lady Delkisi.”

Ah, what a surprise.

I was surprised that the crown prince suddenly spoke to me.

“Oh, I’m sorry for surprising you. But, there’s something important to tell you for a moment—”

“Hello, Crown Prince.”

While the crown prince was talking to me, Amelia quietly intervened.

“… … Grand Duchess of Grattenmount.”

“Rather than talking outside like this, how about going into the Magic Tower classroom first? Standing under the hot sunlight is not good for your skin.”

The weather is clear, but I don’t know if it’s particularly hot.

Of course, I think I know why Amelia would say such a thing. It must be to save me from the crown prince.

“… … I see. Then let’s go there and share the story.”

Thankfully, that excuse seemed to be a very plausible one for Crown Prince Lee.