Chapter 23
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
I possessed the body of a villainess locked away in a desolate tower.
Chapter 23
"Gasp!"
In that instant, I quickly concealed myself behind Blaire Grand Duke's broad back before anyone could spot me.
Then I merely poked my head out and gazed up at the sky once more.
But sadly, no matter how many times I blinked and rubbed my eyes, the flag hanging there remained unmistakably the banner of the Salt Kingdom.
'Why on earth are they....'
My rigid gaze naturally drifted downward.
They hadn't noticed me yet, but the figures clustered together beneath that flag were faces I recognized.
Most notably, Count Tomaldes Tonals stood confidently at the front as if he were the delegation's representative—a man I knew all too well.
In that moment, a forgotten memory suddenly surfaced in my mind.
"Ah, so you're Miss April Salt."
"This person is His Majesty's...!"
"I'm aware. But an unacknowledged bloodline, nonetheless. So there's no need to treat her as royalty, is there?"
The Count's gaze had been unmistakably contemptuous.
The moment he realized I was useful, he began scheming to foist his work onto me at every opportunity.
He even manipulated the unsuspecting Lemeia into taking on his responsibilities.
Truly, a man devoid of any moral integrity.
'Even from a distance, those eyes are insufferably repugnant.'
I had been meticulously collecting evidence of his misdeeds to repay him for all the grievances I'd endured, and seeing that ugly face now made my suppressed desire for vengeance surge forth like a tidal wave.
'But I can't let myself be discovered.'
Taking a deep breath, I withdrew my head like a turtle retreating into its shell and quietly stepped back.
Regardless of my thirst for revenge, I had to exercise restraint.
Given Tomaldes' greedy nature, he would attempt to drag me back to Salt the moment he caught even a glimpse of my hair.
"Why are you hiding?"
"Well, that's...."
I've already lost a decent place to sleep; I certainly don't want to return to that dreadful life of servitude, do I?
But before I could finish, a sinister smile appeared on Blaire Grand Duke's face.
"That smile... what does it mean...."
"I thought you wished to return."
"Ha, hahahaha. As if that were possible?"
"Then you wish to continue living with me?"
Why must you phrase it that way? Not that it's entirely wrong, but....
Conscious of my voice growing louder, I clamped my mouth shut and shifted my demeanor, arranging my expression into the saddest look I could muster.
"No, that's not it. Rather, of course I wish to return to Salt, my homeland and birthplace... but I cannot, which is why I lament it."
If I truly admitted that I had nowhere to return to, that unprincipled Grand Duke before me would undoubtedly begin exploiting me in earnest.
"And why can you not?"
"Because I have a duty to honor my pledge with Your Grace."
"Or perhaps I could say I've been protecting a lost princess."
Have I lost my mind?
"W-w-why would you... why would you tell such an obvious lie? Haha..."
In that instant, all the blood drained from my body in a cold rush.
But then he met my gaze and let out a soft chuckle.
...No matter how I looked at it, he was clearly enjoying teasing me.
"Come on. Let's go to the quarters provided for us."
"Huh? Eek!"
My perspective suddenly shifted upward.
I only realized Blaire Grand Duke had scooped me up when my feet were already dangling in the air.
"You don't seem to be walking properly anyway. Isn't this better?"
"Ugh...!"
I buried my face to keep it hidden.
Normally in a situation like this, one would feel excitement or some peculiar emotion.
'I'm going to be sick.'
My stomach, pressed against his solid shoulder, seemed determined to expel everything I'd eaten moments ago.
And there was one more thing.
'The hammer... it won't come loose, will it?'
Worried that the leather strap might loosen and slip free, I could only clench my legs tighter, tears welling in my eyes.
* * *
The highest floor, reached only after a long ascent even by the magical elevator that existed solely within the Magic Tower.
Given Blaire Grand Duke's status, the guest chamber provided by the Magic Tower was extraordinarily luxurious and beautiful.
It was no less impressive than his own chamber at the Grand Duke's Residence—the elegant vista beyond the expansive windows, the balcony, the violet sky, and the silver moon that hung perpetually in all seasons, all wove together a spectacle so wondrous it naturally drew admiration from any observer.
Though such scenery held no novelty for Kaian Blaire, who had gazed upon it countless times.
"Oh, my stomach..."
"Do you tend to complain quite a bit?"
"Haha..."
His subtle jab caused April Salt's expression to stiffen awkwardly.
Every time, she had so much to say yet held it back—and that restraint only made him want to provoke her more. It was becoming something of a problem.
Not long after, an unexpected visitor arrived.
Knock, knock.
At the sudden sound, Kaian turned and touched the surface of the desk with his hand.
Moments later, the name "Tomaldes Tonals" appeared in the air as translucent particles.
"Tomaldes Tonals, is it."
As he murmured to himself, April Salt's eyes widened in surprise as she bolted upright.
"He's come?"
"Do you know him?"
"He's... well... the representative of the Salt Kingdom Delegation, I believe?"
"I see. He seems to be requesting an audience."
"A-are you going to refuse?"
"It would be discourteous to refuse a foreign envoy without good reason. Surely you know this? The Magic Tower, being neutral ground, serves as a diplomatic bridge for many nations."
April Salt's already pale face grew even more ashen.
At that moment, Blaire Grand Duke barely managed to suppress a laugh that was about to burst forth.
Did April Salt realize how transparently her thoughts and emotions played across her face?
I couldn't fathom what occupied that small head of hers, but truthfully, the moment I discovered the Salt Kingdom Delegation, the one who found himself in the most precarious position was none other than Kaian Blaire himself.
After all, if the whereabouts of the kidnapped princess were exposed, I might have no choice but to surrender her.
Yet unexpectedly, April seemed desperate to avoid them—perhaps even more so than I was.
The expression of shock on her face when she spotted the Salt Kingdom's flag, as though something that should never happen was occurring, was truly a sight to behold even in retrospect.
'Regardless of the reason, it's not an unfavorable development.'
Now that I knew she wasn't the rumored Lemeia Salt, perhaps I should have simply sent her back.
But I, Kaian, personally found it distasteful to let go of someone who appeared to be a useful talent without compensation.
Yet how remarkably coincidental it all was.
That the Salt Kingdom Delegation would arrive precisely when we were together like this.
"Hmm."
Having determined that I'd teased April sufficiently, I tilted my head as though deliberating for a moment.
In truth, I had already intended to refuse this audience regardless of how desperately she objected.
But that was the very moment—
"I can't take this anymore!"
April, who had been sitting at a distance, suddenly rushed toward me.
And then, as if to prove a point, she crawled beneath the desk in front of me.
"What are you doing right now?"
Thus, the voice that escaped me carried a note of bewilderment.
"You said refusal isn't polite, didn't you?"
"Princess."
"I'll hide here silent as a mouse, so please accept the audience. Just pretend I'm not here."
As I always thought, April Salt certainly possessed an exceptional talent for making one lose their composure.
Just as she always produced amusing reactions when I teased her, I found myself anticipating another unexpected development, and the corners of my mouth rose.
"Very well."
Having changed my mind, I tapped the desk twice, and the door opened.
Count Tonals, who had been standing anxiously before the door, came crawling toward me like a fly, frantically wringing his hands.
His demeanor was starkly different from what he had shown April.
"Oh, Your Highness Blaire Grand Duke! That I should behold your radiant visage with these humble eyes—what glory for my house! Hehehehe!"
But in that instant, what caught my eye was—
April, crumpled beneath the desk, making retching motions as though she were about to vomit.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org