Chapter 55
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Chapter 55
"I might not recognize you. If you've changed too much."
That's true.
I exchange messages with Rachel almost every day, yet I can barely recall his face anymore.
Only the impression that his smile was beautiful remains.
"Hmm... What if we miraculously crossed paths by chance, but I didn't recognize you and simply passed by?"
"It's fine. Rachel will recognize you."
My muttered words, which I hadn't expected a response to, were answered with a certain conviction.
"No matter what you look like."
It was merely one of my usual fanciful imaginings, yet Lahedis's expression as he answered was remarkably serious.
A night from somewhere in my memories.
Like Rachel's voice—indifferent yet tender—as he soothed me when I feared the spirit's whispers.
* * *
The next day.
I visited the Imperial Palace as planned, accompanying the Duke.
Lahedis had other matters to attend to, and following the Duke's advice that it would be better to keep Kamang hidden, I dismissed the summon.
It was a leisurely tour of the Imperial Palace with just the Duke.
"That over there is the Greenhouse maintained by the Imperial Princess. It's considered the most beautiful place in the Imperial Palace."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I'd love to see it. But only imperial family members can enter, right?"
"Outsiders can enter if they receive an invitation from the imperial family."
"Tsk, then I won't be able to go."
"Ahem, there's a similar greenhouse at the Main Estate of Edelwein in the Northern Region..."
Just as the Duke was about to say something to console my disappointment.
People emerging from a nearby corridor corner recognized the Duke and bowed respectfully.
In doing so, the Duke's words were buried.
"Your Grace the Duke, we greet you."
Seeing how everyone I encountered greeted me with expressions tinged with slight surprise and fear...
I suddenly realized just how fearlessly I had befriended someone of such considerable standing.
"Ah, what were you trying to say just before?"
After they passed, I belatedly remembered what the Duke had been about to mention and asked again.
"...Never mind."
Whether the flow of conversation had been interrupted and lost its momentum, the Duke redirected my attention elsewhere.
"Anyway, this way seems to lead toward the Library... Would you like to go?"
"Yes, let's!"
The largest library in the Empire with the most books—I absolutely had to see this!
And so I headed toward the Library with the Duke.
"The Imperial Palace's library must be enormous, right?"
"Well, it is quite large."
"I wish I could live in the Imperial Palace. I'd study in such a grand library."
"...The Main Estate of Edelwein in the Northern Region also has a library of comparable size."
"Wow, really?"
"Yes. Most books in the Imperial Palace are also in the Northern Region, so the library's collection is comparable in both size and variety."
"And I suppose I can't freely come and go here either, just like there."
"Then why don't you just come to the Main Estate instead?"
"Me? How would I do that?"
As I asked in bewilderment, the Duke, who had been about to say something, suddenly let out a sigh.
"Ah! Once I find Father, shall we take a trip to the Northern Region together?"
It seemed this wasn't the response he'd hoped for either, as the Duke's melancholy deepened at that very moment.
That's when we encountered people just emerging from the Library.
My eyes widened at the sight of them.
That person is....
"Marquis Lowswide?"
The Marquis, and the aide standing beside him, both looked quite startled upon seeing me.
The Marquis glanced at the Duke beside me, then asked as if something had come to mind.
"Could this young lady be the friend from afar you mentioned back then?"
"I was meaning to introduce you two anyway. It seems you're already acquainted?"
"I received personal assistance from the Marquis."
"On the way up to the Capital, I saw the Marquis's carriage stuck in the mud."
I added further explanation to the Marquis's words.
Upon hearing this story, the Duke fell into thought, his eyes distant as he murmured something barely audible.
"...So destined meetings happen no matter what."
But I was too distracted by the Marquis's following words to hear his murmur.
"I've been wanting to repay you for quite some time, and the world truly is small, isn't it?"
"Oh, no! I didn't help you expecting anything in return, so please just forget about it―"
"How fortunate."
As I was bickering with the Marquis about repaying me, the Duke suddenly made a proposal.
"I've been training this child as my aide. Why don't you take her and teach her a thing or two?"
"Excuse me?!"
"She's clever enough with me, but doesn't the Marquis find her satisfactory?"
"That, that can't possibly be the case!"
I was nearly losing consciousness at the Duke's outrageous proposal.
I mean, he did tell me to learn various things while searching for Father, but this....
'What kind of class is it to assign the Minister of Foreign Affairs as a private tutor just to study a language?!'
It seemed I wasn't the only one who thought this was an absurd suggestion, as the Marquis's aide who was listening also interjected.
"Your Excellency is already so busy handling state affairs, surely you can't just―"
"Roper."
But the Marquis cut him off sharply before the aide could add anything more.
The aide flinched at that tone and only then realized his mistake, biting his lip.
'But... what he said isn't wrong.'
Of course, it was wrong to raise his voice in front of both the Duke and the Marquis.
I couldn't find fault with the Advisor's words either.
'Honestly, it makes no sense for the Marquis—who's busy managing state affairs—to become the teacher of a mere commoner like my mentor.'
So naturally, I had assumed the Marquis would refuse, but....
"As it happens, I have some free time in two days."
"I'm fine with that. So please don't worry about it―"
"Will you come to the Lowswide Marquess Residence that day?"
Eh...?
* * *
And so, now.
I had arrived at the Lowswide Marquess Residence.
'I really hope it's okay that I came...?'
Setting aside Lahedis, who hadn't been invited, I had even cancelled Blackie's summons, knowing the Lowswide household wouldn't welcome him.
Even now that I'd arrived, I wondered if it was truly acceptable to take up the Marquis's precious time when he was so busy with affairs of state....
'But I'm already here—there's no turning back!'
With that resolve, I stepped out of the carriage with determination.
And the one who greeted me was....
"You arrived on time."
The Advisor, whose eyes betrayed clear displeasure, regarded me with an unmistakable look of disapproval.
The fact that the Advisor himself had come out to greet me, rather than the Butler, meant the Marquis was treating me as a distinguished guest.
...Of course, it seemed the Advisor's own wishes had no bearing on the matter whatsoever.
"Good day to you, Advisor."
"The Marquis said he has documents that need urgent approval, so he asked me to show you to the Reception Room first."
The Advisor pretended not to hear my greeting and promptly led me to the Reception Room.
'With his personal animosity toward demons added to the fact that I've taken up the Marquis's time, his resentment toward me must be at its absolute peak....'
Between the Advisor and me, an awkward silence naturally hung heavy.
The moment we arrived at the Reception Room, which felt impossibly distant, something hanging on the far wall caught my eye.
"Is that the medal the Emperor bestowed upon a war hero?"
"...Do you know about that medal?"
"Yes. I learned about Dane Lowswide when studying history with Princess Isella."
The medal displayed in the Reception Room was one the Emperor granted to those who had made significant contributions to the nation, as recognition of their merit.
The number of wings attached to the medal indicated how highly the Emperor valued the achievement, and the highest medal bore eight wings.
'It's also the medal Dane Lowswide received posthumously.'
That medal was displayed in the center of the Reception Room.
It was both the Lowswide family's sorrow and their greatest pride.
The moment the conversation turned to the master he served and his family, the Advisor's displeasure vanished entirely, replaced by unmistakable pride.
"In fact, there's another person in the Lowswide Marquess household who received that medal."
"I know. The Marquis and his grandfather, Fallon Lowswide, correct?"
"...You know quite well?"
"Both are admirable figures. I learned about them when I was young, and they left a deep impression—especially the Marquis."
"Indeed. Our Marquis is so remarkable, worthy of emulation. When the Marquis first became Prime Minister, there were nobles who complained about a woman holding such a position, but now...."
The Advisor began enthusiastically launching into stories I hadn't even asked about.
Like a devoted fan excitedly rambling after being handed their favorite keyword.
Watching the Advisor like this, I broke into a satisfied smile.
'So I actually studied yesterday.'
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org