Chapter 48
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Chapter 48
"There's no need to accept their apology. I did it for my own peace of mind."
The Duchess seemed to have read my reluctant heart, adding her words as if to reassure me.
She gestured for the aide and coachman to step away, leaving just the two of us alone.
As I fumbled awkwardly in the sudden silence, the Duchess spoke first.
"I bear some responsibility for their rudeness. I apologize sincerely."
"Oh, no. This isn't your fault at all."
"They lost someone precious to the demons."
When she mentioned the person precious to them, I glimpsed something like longing flicker across her eyes.
But before I could read that emotion, she quickly composed herself and continued.
"Of course, I'm not trying to excuse their rudeness, but you seem to be visiting the Capital for the first time."
"How did you know?"
She didn't answer my question and simply continued speaking.
"That's why I wanted to tell you—not everyone in the Capital fears and despises you for that reason alone."
Her voice was calm, as if stating objective facts, yet somehow those words sounded tender.
"I didn't realize they'd shun even a Dark Spirit Mage so intensely. As you know, Dark Spirit Mages are quite rare to encounter."
...
"I'll take responsibility as their superior and teach them so this never happens again. Please don't take their rudeness to heart."
"I'm fine. There were people in my hometown who reacted the same way."
For someone accustomed to such reactions, it wasn't particularly shocking or hurtful.
"Perhaps today will become a turning point for them to change their perception of Dark Spirit Mages."
...
"The townspeople who used to fear me—they all like me now."
This was how I'd always confronted people's prejudices.
The more they feared me, the more good deeds I performed, changing their biases against me.
'...Well, I did crush a few malicious ones with force.'
At my casual dismissal, the Duchess suddenly burst into laughter.
"I worried for nothing."
In that moment, a familiar face suddenly overlapped with her brightly smiling visage.
'...Curtis?'
But I immediately shook my head.
'No, that's ridiculous.'
True, she shared that gleaming silver hair like Curtis, and she was indeed a beauty comparable to him....
But unlike someone who abandoned his worried daughter, she was responsible and truly remarkable!
To compare her with Curtis was a grave discourtesy to the Duchess.
"Anyway, thank you. I had urgent matters to attend to, and thanks to you, I avoided a crisis. I'd like to repay you."
Distracted by that face subtly resembling Curtis, I belatedly noticed the hand the Duchess extended toward me.
I hastily grasped it.
"Ah, I do appreciate rewards, but if you have urgent matters, shouldn't you attend to them right away?"
"That's why I'm just asking for your name and address now."
"I'm Vivian Hessen. As for where I'm staying... I haven't decided yet. Haha."
I'm not exactly the most organized person, you see.
The woman who had been quietly observing me scratch my cheek with an awkward smile spoke first.
"Igraine Lowswide."
"Pardon?"
"That's my name. Once you've settled on a place to stay, come find me at the Lowswide Marquess Residence."
Lowswide.
My eyes widened at that name.
Of course, I was surprised to learn she held such a high position, but more than that...
'Then this woman is Dane Lowsweed's sister—the one I read about in the history books?'
Which meant the Marquess had treated me without prejudice, even knowing I was a half-demon whose kind had killed her brother.
Of course, prejudice is wrong, and one shouldn't hate me simply for that reason.
'Still, when it concerns one's own family, it must be difficult to set aside emotion entirely.'
While I stood there blinking blankly.
"Then we'll meet again."
The Marquess gave me a light nod and turned toward her carriage.
"...Hmm, I doubt we'll meet again, though?"
The Marquess invited me to visit the Marquess Residence, but it would be awkward to rush over just to offer thanks for something like this.
Still...
I had a pleasant premonition that I would meet many good people like the Marquess in the Capital.
[So I wanted to tell her that not everyone in the Capital would fear and hate the young lady simply for that reason.]
Just like those kind words that had sheltered me from the weight of prejudice.
* * *
Shortly after, I arrived in the Capital.
"Wow..."
True to its reputation as the largest city in the Empire, there were countless buildings and throngs of people.
I snapped back to awareness while gazing entranced at the scenery before me.
'Don't look too much like a country girl. Act naive and you'll become a pickpocket's target!'
After hearing that I hadn't yet decided where to stay, the Coachman dropped me at a Tavern.
"This Tavern has decent security among those in the Capital. It's close to the center too. Safety is most important when a young lady is staying alone."
"Thanks to you, I've made it here comfortably and found lodging. I'm grateful for all your consideration."
"Hope you find your family."
The Coachman wished me well and left the Tavern.
I paid the Innkeeper for my room and headed upstairs.
True to being a Tavern in the center of the city, it was bustling even in broad daylight, but as the Coachman said, there were plenty of eyes around, so it seemed safe.
'Besides, I have Kamang with me anyway.'
I stroked Kamang's head in gratitude for carrying my luggage, then collapsed onto the bed, my weary body surrendering to exhaustion.
Today's journey hadn't been particularly long, but the accumulated fatigue from my travels weighed heavily on me.
Staring at the worn ceiling of the Tavern, I organized my plans for what lay ahead.
'Should I visit that Guild the Coachman recommended? Or perhaps...'
Suddenly, the Duke's words came back to me—that if I ever had reason to visit the Capital, I shouldn't hesitate to seek him out.
After Rachel left the Village, the Duke and I had exchanged letters roughly once every six months.
At first, I'd worried he'd quickly forgotten the little girl who'd briefly fit into his rural world, so I'd hesitated to reach out.
But what kind of friend goes more than half a year without a single word? He was shameless about it.
The Duke had written to me first.
Curtis Rohan had initially disapproved of my growing closeness with the Duke.
But once he learned that Rachel had officially become a dead man in the public eye and the Emperor's interest had waned, he reluctantly gave his permission.
And so I'd maintained my correspondence with the Duke all these years.
'But I can't impose on him.'
When I was small, he'd found me endearing as a clueless child, but now that I'd grown, showing up unannounced would seem presumptuous.
'Still, I've come this far—I should at least pay my respects once.'
In that moment, Rachel's face appeared alongside the Duke's in my mind.
My precious friend, whom I hadn't seen in ten years.
'Rachel is still in the Erwan Kingdom, so I probably won't get to see him this time either.'
A wistful sigh escaped me when suddenly something I'd forgotten came rushing back.
'That's right—the diary!'
I sprang from the bed and retrieved the diary I'd tucked beneath my luggage.
After notifying Rachel that I was coming to the Capital, I'd shoved it to the very bottom of my travel bag and hadn't taken it out once during the journey.
The magic stone affixed to the diary's cover was flickering urgently.
I hurriedly opened the diary.
* * *
A short while later.
I stood before the Edelwein Duke Residence.
Because the diary I'd just opened contained...
Vivian, once you arrive in the Capital, go to the Duke's Mansion.
...written in it.
Since I'd already planned to visit the Duke anyway, I'd come as soon as I read the message.
'Is it really okay to show up like this? I hope he's not too busy...'
Given that Rachel had written it, it seemed he'd informed the Duke in advance, but...
'It's been nearly ten years since we last met, so it feels a bit awkward.'
One worry piled upon another.
I shook my head to dispel the doubts and approached the Gatekeeper.
If I wasn't going to turn back without seeing him, then meeting him was the only option!
"Hello. I've come to see the Duke."
I was about to give my name when the Gatekeeper, studying my appearance, suddenly looked startled and replied.
"I'll show you inside at once."
Huh?
But I hadn't even told him who I was yet?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org