episode_0126

Even after living in this world for ten years, I still cannot fully understand the nobles’ way of thinking.

How on earth could Countess Crowfield have left the Earl of Crowfield alone? Even if she didn’t treat commoners like people, it was true that her husband was spending the night with… …someone else.

Didn’t you know that? Did you think that the reason I killed my husband was just because of the Emperor’s political judgment?

Rather, it would be stranger to think that way.

Maybe he’s the kind of person whose way of thinking is so aristocratic that he can’t even think of thinking of commoners as people.

“We are honored to have you visit our territory.”

We were led into the reception room and sat down opposite each other, and the Countess spoke to us in a soft voice.

“I am honored to be invited.”

At Alice’s answer, I almost looked at her for a moment.

You were invited?

I didn’t receive it—oh, I see.

There was no reason to invite me in the first place.

I turned my gaze towards Mia Crowfield.

Their eyes, unable to meet mine, wandered here and there.

Maybe you heard from Mia Crowfield that the next emperor is not me, but Alice.

In that case, it would be important to know ‘how much’ Mia Crowfield told her mother.

Personally, I don’t think we talked that much. I don’t think the relationship between Mia Crowfield and her mother, the Countess, is seriously broken, but I don’t think the relationship between Mia Crowfield and us is seriously broken either.

Alice and her wife were talking about this and that.

After exchanging a few more trite aristocratic greetings, the lady said:

“Mia often talks about the princesses. She says they are having a good time together. Mia is not the type of child who actively communicates with others, so it makes her feel relieved that there are two people who encourage her like that.”

“I also have a timid younger sibling.”

“Oh my.”

The countess’s gaze turned meaningfully toward me as she listened to Alice’s story.

“If you don’t speak to him first, he’ll just sit there with his mouth shut, so I had no choice but to learn how to speak first.”

… … In reality, I think I’m closer to Alice’s old self. Rather, I’m the type of person who speaks boldly when necessary. If I make a mistake, I can just turn back time.

However, Alice could not say, ‘I was actually timid when I was young and didn’t like talking to strangers.’ Thinking about how Alice called me her little sister and cherished me, the time when I cherished Alice when I was young could be a precious memory for Alice that she would not want to tell others about.

If Alice trusts me, she won’t trust the Countess’s words before me.

“I see. I feel more reassured when I hear that. It must have been because my daughter had such friends that she was able to adapt easily to the academy.”

Alice took a sip of tea while listening to the countess.

… … No, it seems like she’s just pretending to drink. The tea in Alice’s cup hasn’t decreased at all since a while ago. The Countess didn’t point it out though.

Surely the Countess wouldn’t have put a potion in me that would kill me. There were knights in this territory right now to escort us. Besides, they already knew that the Emperor was the one who killed Earl Crowfield, so they would already know what would happen if Alice was killed.

Perhaps if I were the Countess of Crowfield, I would have found another way. There are so many different types of cars you can ride in.

“Oh my gosh, look at my mind.”

The Countess suddenly said that and clapped her hands. At that sound, Mia Crowfield’s shoulders flinched. She seemed to be extremely nervous.

“I was occupying the seat without realizing it. Since it’s been a while since we met, I should have given you time to talk. I’ll leave now. ”

The Countess Crowfield rose, and we all rose from our seats.

Alice, I, and the Countess greeted each other politely, and the Countess gave up her seat as she had said.

And Mia Crowfield, who had been watching the door close with some uneasiness, quickly opened her mouth not long after her mother left.

“That car—”

“I was suspicious to that extent, so it’s okay.”

Alice took out a handkerchief and wiped her mouth, saying:

The teacup only made a slurping sound, and the contents of the teacup did not even touch Alice’s lips. Alice also knew how dangerous drugs were.

I was so scared when I saw the morphine that the soldiers used in my room.

“Ah… … .”

At Alice’s words, Mia Crowfield sat down with a sigh of relief.

And then, belatedly, Alice realized what it meant that she knew the truth, and shivered.

“… … Don’t worry. I don’t plan on blaming you right now.”

Alice walked leisurely around the living room as she spoke. Slowly, she scanned the walls and ceiling of the living room with her feet, as if she had expected this from the beginning.

“… … .”

Mia Crowfield’s eyes turned towards me.

“Sylvia doesn’t matter. She just followed me because she was worried about me.”

I didn’t come here to kill you or your mother.

After that, I imagined the omitted words.

… … If it were me last year, I would have looked into the possibility of killing Mia Crowfield, but not her mother. If possible, I would have made it an accident so there would be no evidence that I killed her.

“Is there a space in this room where someone can hide?”

Alice asked in what seemed like a leisurely voice.

“Ah, that’s… … .”

Mia Crowfield opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked like she didn’t know what to say.

Still, a complex expression remained on his face.

“What brings you here today?”

“Because you sent the invitation, right?”

“… … .”

But I guess I never thought I would accept that invitation.

Well, it was a suspicious invitation to anyone. Even someone closer to Mia Crowfield, like Charlotte, wouldn’t have ‘invited’ Alice. It would have been different if she had sent a letter asking for her regards.

There is a huge difference between a nobleman wandering around and a princess visiting. The number of people coming is large, and it is a headache to feed and house that many people. The royal family uses money, but depending on the size of the territory, simply feeding and housing that many people can be a burden.

This is especially true when it comes to stories between countries. We need to show the other party that ‘we live well like this.’

In that sense, Grace is incredibly unique. Even if we go without any escort, no one will suspect us. That is proof that the Emperor has great trust in us, and that fact itself is the source of power for the Baron.

“I also know that it is a warning in its own way.”

Before Mia Crowfield could open her mouth, Alice opened her mouth first.

“… … .”

Mia Crowfield’s lips were tightly shut, almost in a straight line.

“But… …I had something to check.”

“… … About me and my mother?”

“No. I already know everything I need to know about you and your mother. In fact, there is no one easier to investigate than a noble. I apologize for investigating without telling you in advance. ”

Alice slightly bent her knees, but Mia Crowfield’s expression remained stiff.

Alice continued, knowing that his eyes were waiting for the next words.

“Of course, it has to do with your territory. Maybe… …it might be related to that incident back then.”

“… … .”

Mia Crowfield’s eyes lit up. Alice looked at her expression with interest.

“That’s an expression I haven’t seen at school.”

“In the end, you guys haven’t changed at all.”

Alice didn’t say anything to Mia Crowfield’s words. She seemed to be waiting for what he would say next.

“At that time, just like when they took our father’s life—”

“No.”

Alice said, cutting Mia off mid-sentence.

“I won’t kill you. There’s no reason to kill you.”

“… … .”

Alice said, quietly watching Mia Crowfield’s eyes grow wide.

“I swear by the name of Pangriphon, I will not kill my ‘friend’.”

Mia Crowfield’s mouth fell open.

The reason I was able to keep my mouth shut was probably because I had many years of training and experience.