episode_0148

Everyone lives with different secrets. Whether it is a hobby or a preference.

―I actually like teddy bears.

―I actually feel sexual desire while looking at horses.

―I actually… … .

-I am… … .

Among those secrets, there will be some that are illegal, and there will also be some that are difficult to admit to the public.

That’s why people hate it when someone steps into their territory. The same applies to family or lovers.

That’s why people don’t feel good about being monitored.

-I feel like someone is watching me… … .

-I feel a strange gaze… … .

-Ugh, that’s creepy.

If you are not aware that you are being watched, you will end up feeling a little uncomfortable due to the subtle gaze that you do not know where it is coming from… … .

Rather, what if you actually found out that you were being watched?

If that happens, the story will be completely different.

―I guess someone saw that back then, right? Probably not. Yeah, it’s okay. are you okay… … .

-Isn’t there someone else watching? No, you’re watching, right? Hey, come out. Come out!!

―I’m not at fault, I’m not at fault… … . What’s so bad about that… … .

You feel anxious that your secret, or something you wanted to hide, might be revealed. If it continues, even a sane person will soon go crazy.

It’s natural. If you imagine that someone is watching your every move, you will feel anxious in normal activities such as eating or doing errands. You can’t get tired of it without going crazy.

Consider why the word privacy exists.

This has become a long story, but what I want to say is this.

‘It’s annoying so I wish it would all disappear.’

I woke up because of the gaze from outside, slowly blinked and looked up at the ceiling.

Today is the fourth day since surveillance began. Perhaps the sun had not yet risen, but the light coming through the curtains was dim.

‘Starting surveillance from dawn… … . Are you not sleeping or are you working shifts? … .’

I got out of bed feeling a little uncomfortable because I didn’t sleep well, and when I saw that Hermel wasn’t in the bed, I let out a small sigh.

“Ha… … .”

When Hermel is around, the watchful eye drops, but immediately starts watching again when Hermel disappears.

This makes it clear. The people I was asked to watch over were either people who acted in accordance with the will of the royal family, or people who had a level of power that they could not interfere with the royal family.

And Hermel is completely out of the picture… … .

“It seems like you have made up your mind very firmly to the point of putting surveillance on you like this.”

The other person is already assuming that I am a criminal.

“Hmm… … .”

Why is there such a thing as surveillance?

The only incidents that would warrant surveillance on me as a duke would be the Spring Festival involving the crown prince, or the drug-laced wine involving my mother… … .

First of all, he won’t be the crown prince. Because of the shock that happened that day, their desire to doubt me was broken.

No, it’s not just out of guilt, it’s a combination of being humiliated in a public place and the fact that the person I always thought of as noble was completely broken by me, so I won’t try to recall the memory of that day itself.

Therefore, it is impossible for the Crown Prince, who cannot remember that day, to doubt my relationship with Hermel, which is the only evidence that I used the curse.

‘Is it your mother?’

There is a possibility.

I entrusted the work to my younger brother, but there was a possibility that his younger brother may have colluded with me, so he put me under surveillance to prepare for it――

under. Yes, it may be a possibility, but it only goes so far. No matter how suspicious I am, should they keep me under surveillance like this?

That is no longer a doubt, but a certainty. And my mother’s personality is that she is someone who is not confident until there is solid evidence. That’s why it took me almost 5 years to kill the matriarch.

‘Not the crown prince, not even my mother. So a third party?’

Appointments that meet the conditions presented so far are… … .

“Investigator directly under the royal family… … .”

At that moment, the memory of that day appeared in my mind.

‘with me… … . Please break off the engagement.’

No, much later than this.

‘Charles? Sargela?

‘… … ‘Seria.’

A little more.

‘I’ll just leave now. then… … .’

okay. here. This part.

The man I saw in passing as I was running out of the classroom at that time.

Although it is a festival, outsiders rarely enter the main building of the academy. Especially if it happens right after the murder.

‘The festival has been cancelled.’

The crown prince even said so himself. In that case, there should have been no outsiders other than officials inside the academy.

It’s him.

“Hmm… … .”

As the shadow of uncertainty and ignorance disappeared, the unpleasant feeling naturally also disappeared.

Now that I know who the tagger is, there is no reason to hide anymore… … .

But there is no such thing as loyalty to go out on my own.

I smiled so small that the people watching me outside didn’t notice, opened the window, and stretched happily.

“Good morning.”

It really was the best morning, except for the fact that there was a couple walking on the academy’s rooftop, flower beds, and walking paths, and a gardener doing pruning secretly looking in my direction.

Now then… … . Should I just take it easy and see what happens next?

Now that Priscilla has started to move, it’s a race against time that you can win as long as you hold on.

“Hehe.”

I laughed happily and closed the curtains.

Black darkness filled the room.

* * *

“Good morning, Charlotte!”

“Yes, good morning, Lady Chiset.”

‘There’s a guy behind me on the left that’s been following me since before. He’s a different guy from yesterday. There is also a guy who goes around in a group wearing a school uniform and pretending to be something he is not. Ha, you’re thinking that won’t be caught?’

I pretended to accept the greeting from the lady who approached me with a grin, and quickly scanned the surroundings to see who was following me.

“Oh, by the way, there is a tea party around next Wednesday. If you have time, could you show your face?”

“Tea party, you mean?”

“Yes! I would be honored if Charlotte could come! Originally, I was going to tell you first through a letter――”

I gave appropriate answers to the lady’s story and pretended to have a moderate conversation while thinking about the future in my head.

As we were talking like that, the lady in front of me clapped her hands lightly and said.

“Oh, look at my mind. We’re about to have a class, but I ended up talking about myself too much. sorry… … .”

“It’s okay. Lady Chiset is always positive and energetic, so just listening to her stories is a pleasure.”

“Well, it’s an honor for you to say that!”

“Yes. Then, shall we get moving so we aren’t late for the next class?”

“Oh, yes!”

I said that and walked towards the next classroom.

A week has passed since surveillance began. Surveillance was still in place, and the only difference was that compared to three days ago, those watching me took slightly bolder moves.

At this point, it seems like he’s not monitoring me, but is deliberately annoying me and trying to get me to move… … .

“Hehe.”

There is no way. I know who will take care of it.

And this level of attention is nothing compared to the fanatics who called me a heretic and tried to tear me down and kill me.

As I was walking with a small smile, the young lady who was following behind me came running up to me and blinked and asked me a question.

“Why are you doing that?”

“No, I’m looking forward to the tea party next week. Since I joined the academy, I have been so busy that I haven’t been able to attend any meetings. Maybe that’s why, after receiving Lady Chiset’s suggestion, I couldn’t help but smile.”

The young lady smiled brightly, perhaps because she enjoyed hearing what I said.

After that, the lady and I arrived at the classroom without much conversation and headed to our respective seats, promising a tea party to be held next week.

I sat in the very back seat next to the window, where I always sit.

I sat down and quietly looked around the classroom until the professor came in.

Unlike when they first met, the Crown Prince looked somewhat dazed, Ceria seemed to be dozing off because he was quite tired, and Cromwell was resting his chin with a face that did not know what he was thinking.

and… … .

‘Hermel… … .’

Even Hermel was sitting alone across from me, thinking deeply about something.

The day I acknowledged my relationship with Hermel in my heart, I smiled inwardly and looked out the window at the class atmosphere and human relationships that were like the perfect composition I had drawn in my head.

If things continue like this, the crown prince will collapse along with his kingdom as soon as he ascends the throne, Ceria will be lost and lost, and Cromwell will commit suicide out of despair for not being able to protect his family after fighting with the kingdom’s army.

And Hermel… … .

Grumbling――

“Sorry, I’m a little late. We will start class right away, so please turn to page 147.”

Well, maybe I can think about this later.