AMLA 23

Chapter 23

“It’s not that he didn’t meet women because he wasn’t interested, but rather because he was focused solely on his work. Now, it seems he’s finally thinking of finding a proper match.”

“Really? But even if she’s from the Duke of Madonia’s bloodline, can marrying that young lady really produce a magic swordsman?”

At the Empress’s words, Duke Spencer’s brow furrowed slightly.

“She’s the most likely candidate. There’s no stronger bloodline from Madonia than Lady Luceronia. Besides, I’ve heard she was born with mana.”

“Oh. Then I suppose it’s worth getting our hopes up.”

She said that, but in truth, the Empress had no expectations at all.

Even her own brother, the esteemed Duke Spencer, had married a third wife—who was a magician’s daughter—in hopes of having a magic swordsman, but it had ended in failure.

“Brother, do you really like Lady Luceronia as a daughter-in-law?”

“She’s a very wise young lady.”

Duke Spencer nodded in acknowledgment of Felice.

Seeing that expression on his face, the Empress’s eyes sparkled with the kind of smile she only wore when she saw rare jewels.

“Brother.”

“What is it?”

“May I have a look at Lady Luceronia?”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Since she’s not well-established in high society yet, your support will be helpful.”

Hearing how fondly her brother spoke of Felice only piqued the Empress’s interest more.

A young lady who had managed to win over her brother and his two arrogant sons?

She was dying of curiosity.

“Alright then, I’ll have to invite all the other ladies as well. The best way to cement one’s position in high society is to showcase the hierarchy in plain sight.”

A crooked smile formed at one corner of the Empress’s lips.

Duke Spencer nodded in agreement, fully aware of how his sister had once dominated the social scene as Lady Spencer.

“By the way.”

His once-gentle expression turned serious as he looked at the Empress and continued.

“Have you been keeping tabs on what the Crown Prince is up to lately?”

The Empress’s smile instantly faded at his sudden switch to formal speech.

“He’s still the same. Unreliable with his lessons, always going out to play. Nothing’s really changed—he just goes out a bit more than before.”

Duke Spencer’s right eyebrow drooped slightly.

That meant he wasn’t pleased with her answer.

“You don’t have to worry. He goes out a lot, but he has no contact with other nobles.”

“What about the Crown Prince’s Palace?”

“There’s not a single person there who isn’t loyal to me. You don’t need to worry so much, brother.”

“The Crown Prince carries the blood of a magic swordsman.”

“Even if it manifests, there’s no one to teach him magic or swordsmanship. What could he possibly do alone?”

With that, his lowered eyebrow finally returned to place.

“Keep watching him closely.”

The Empress nodded.

Normally, a duke couldn’t issue commands to the Empress of the Empire—but she knew the truth.

If she ever lost the backing of House Spencer, she would be just another powerless member of the imperial family.

Smiling at her brother, she quickly changed the subject to something that would please him.

“I should prepare a tea party. I want to meet Lady Luceronia as soon as possible.”

* * *

The next morning, at dawn.

Someone knocked on the bedroom door of the Count and Countess of Luceronia.

The Countess, a deep sleeper, didn’t stir at all despite the knocking. The Count carefully got out of bed, not wanting to wake her, and opened the door.

“Head butler? What is it?”

“My apologies for waking you at this hour. A telegram has just arrived….”

The butler, still groggy, handed the message to the Count.

“A telegram at this hour?”

There were usually only two reasons to receive a telegram this early: war or death.

With a heavy heart, the Count opened the message.

“Head butler, it says Duke Snake has passed away. I’ll need to attend the funeral on behalf of Duke Madonia. Please prepare everything so I can leave first thing tomorrow.”

“Yes, understood. Shall I inform Young Masters Antony and Lian as well?”

“Lian won’t be coming. There’s no need. Just inform Antony.”

“Yes, sir.”

The butler bowed and left quickly.

“Duke Snake has passed….”

The Count sighed deeply, a sense of emptiness washing over him.

“Milady, please wake up.”

“…Just five more minutes.”

Unlike usual, Bell was shaking my shoulder, trying to wake me.

“You need to get up now.”

“Why…? Is Lian here to give me an early lesson again? Tell him I don’t want to…”

“It’s not that. The Countess asked for you to join the send-off.”

“Send-off? Who’s going where at this hour…?”

I answered groggily, still lying in bed with my eyes closed.

“A telegram came early this morning. The Count and Young Master Antony are going to a funeral.”

“A funeral?”

‘Who died?’

I kept my eyes shut as I tried to think.

Had there even been a funeral event in the game…?

“…Ah!”

A sudden realization made me sit bolt upright.

“Milady!”

“I can’t believe I forgot this!”

“Is something wrong?”

Bell looked worried as I suddenly sprang up.

“Whose funeral is it? Who passed away?”

“Huh? Oh—it’s Duke Snake.”

The exact name I had expected came out of Bell’s mouth.

‘Idiot. How could I forget that?’

I scolded myself and lightly hit my head with my fist.

I’d learned about this hidden quest during my last playthrough before falling into this world.

I had never accepted it myself, but I’d heard it was an easy quest with a significant reward.

“I have to go too.”

“To where?”

“Where do you think? To Duke Snake’s funeral.”

“You, milady?”

“Yes. Hurry and help me change.”

I rushed into the dressing room, changed with Bell’s help, and quickly headed downstairs.

In front of the Luceronia mansion’s main building, a carriage waited to depart.

The Count and Countess were embracing.

“You’ll be back tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. The funeral will be held by the temple, so it might take some time.”

“The temple?”

Hardly anyone trusted the temple these days after it lost influence due to various incidents long ago.

Its decline meant few people ever went there now.

The Countess tilted her head, surprised to hear the temple was involved.

“Duke Snake had strong ties with the temple. Antony and I should be back either tonight or early tomorrow.”

“Shall I come with you?”

“Oh, come now. You’re not well enough for that.”

The Count gently placed a hand on his wife’s forehead, where a slight fever still lingered.

“But… I always want to be with you.”

Their loving exchange, which always happened when the Count traveled far, brought a smile to Antony’s face.

“I feel the same. By the way—has Felice not gotten up yet?”

“Hmm, seems that way….”

Their eyes turned toward the mansion door.

Just then, someone emerged, dressed in a black mourning dress and veil.

“Felice?”

Though they couldn’t see the face clearly, no one else in the house would wear that dress.

At Antony’s voice, Felice raised her head, and the family looked at her in confusion.

“Felice! That outfit….”

The Count looked at me in disbelief, clearly unsure of what was going on.

“May I join you for the funeral?”

“You?”

“Yes. I want to come with you.”

I tried to look as eager and sincere as possible.

“Felice, only the head of the family needs to attend a noble’s funeral. There’s no need to travel so far.”

“Exactly. Father is going in place of Duke Madonia, and I’m going on behalf of House Luceronia. You don’t need to push yourself.”

Both the Count and Antony tried to dissuade me.

“Can’t I go?”

I lowered the corners of my mouth and made my most pitiful expression.

‘I have to go….’

I must get to Duke Snake’s territory today.

For the hidden quest that would take place there—and for my future.