IAYATP CHAPTER 14

Episode 14

To start with the conclusion, there was nothing I could really do with my newfound vacation.

I wasn’t close to the servants here, and since Iarid itself was an unfamiliar place, it was entirely up to me to form any attachment.

But.

What was the point of growing attached to a place I would be leaving anyway?

Still… perhaps because that strange behavior of Lankea kept flashing in my mind, I couldn’t say I had no desire to stay.

“Anyway, what’s today’s schedule?”

That was Libed’s question as he followed me into my room after I returned in a refreshed mood.

“I’d like to rest for a while… Especially since the Grand Duke isn’t here.”

“But your role is to fulfill everything the princess should be doing.”

“…But the promised month is almost up, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job as a stand-in.”

“Well, a few more days won’t hurt.”

Libed looked at me, then slowly nodded in rare agreement.

Well, it was true—
I’d been so afraid of being found out that I studied the history, traditions, and noble etiquette of Iarid day and night without proper sleep.

And of course, I had been on constant alert.

“All right, fine. Take a bit of rest. We’re about to start looking for Princess Eos anyway.”

After a short pause, Libed nodded again and answered me.

“Didn’t Her Highness say she would contact us?”

I countered with that question—
Which meant that they hadn’t been able to reach her.

“We know her destination, so it’s fine. Originally, we were going to wait until she reached out herself, but since she hasn’t contacted us as expected, we’ve decided to search for her directly.”

“Oh.”

If that was the case, then it wasn’t a problem…

But still, an inexplicable unease wrapped around my chest.

Was she really all right?

…And if they couldn’t reach her, would I have to continue living this life full of lies?

The vines of anxiety started to coil tightly around me.

The mind always feared the worst. Even if Princess Eos had already handled her affairs, if she didn’t come back, her duties would become my responsibilities.

The scariest kind of waiting in the world was the kind with no end in sight. So I needed a firmer assurance—
That she would return, and that everything would go back to the way it was.

…No way. She might not be the main heroine, but she seemed like a major character.

Shaking my head, I slowly exhaled.

In romance fantasy stories, characters with significant roles didn’t die easily.

And after all, she was originally supposed to become Lankea’s Grand Duchess, so she was certainly indispensable.

Even if I was playing her part right now… still.

“If you hear from her, you’ll let me know, right?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you immediately.”

Still uneasy despite my own reassurances, I made Libed promise clearly—
That if her safety was confirmed, or if they made contact, he would tell me right away.

“Don’t you think the atmosphere in the mansion feels brighter?”

“Yeah. Ever since Her Grace the Grand Duchess came, it’s felt a bit calmer.”

Since there was nothing to do in my room, I decided to walk around the mansion with only Madam Haley, hoping to calm my uneasy heart.

The mansion was vast, and aside from the tour I’d received when I first arrived, there were still many places I hadn’t seen.

And now, I found myself in the servants’ quarters.

Ugh. How did I end up here?

I had simply wandered wherever my feet took me.

Better leave quietly before someone notices—no need to cause a stir.

Judging by their conversation, they had been talking about me, so of course they would be flustered to see me in person—
Whether it was to insult or praise me, anyone would be startled if the subject of their gossip suddenly appeared.

“Shall we pass through quietly?”

I whispered to Madam Haley, who was watching my movements.

She nodded in agreement.

I was about to move when—

“By the way, what’s with Hans lately?”

“Hans? Oh, the guy you said had a weird vibe with you?”

“Yeah, that’s him. I thought he liked me.”

It seemed they had shifted topics.

And the new subject… was undeniably worth eavesdropping on—
A romance gossip.

“Wait a moment…”

“What is it?”

I stopped Madam Haley, who was about to move, and shook my head.

“Just a bit longer.”

“?”

Though confused, she decided to go along with my sudden enthusiasm.

We were hidden behind a tree near the main entrance of the servants’ quarters, while the maids stood at the doorway holding laundry baskets—so there was no danger of being spotted.

“I thought Hans liked me, right?”

The short-haired maid continued her complaints.

“But then yesterday, he brought me a crepe—looked like it was from the market—and do you know what he said?”

“What?”

The ponytailed maid leaned in.

“He said, ‘I picked it up on the way.’ Can you believe that? How can someone give me something they picked up on the street?”

“What? Food? To you? And it was something he found?”

“Exactly! Hans, who’s normally polite and kind to everyone, gave me something he supposedly found? I was so disappointed!”

The short-haired maid pouted furiously.

The ponytailed one nodded in fierce agreement.

“What a jerk! You’re not still into him, are you, Willien? Drop him! You’re way too good for that!”

“Right? I should give up… That bastard!”

…

The two kept badmouthing Hans.

And I, unfortunately, had to stand there listening to their misunderstanding.

“My, what kind of man does that?”

Even Madam Haley had gotten drawn into the story, balling her fists in outrage.

“Calm down…”

I had to stop her before she stormed out there herself.

“A man with such terrible manners toward a girl he likes? I’m burning to go scold him myself!”

She nodded firmly.

Sigh…

Should I say something or not?

Looking between the two angry women, I exhaled.

It seemed our well-meaning tsundere servant Hans had simply been born in the wrong era.

“How should we deal with Hans?”

“That guy tried to give you food he found on the street! Even dumping dirty mop water on him wouldn’t be enough!”

Their anger grew hotter, and it looked like they might march off to punish Hans immediately.

“W-wait a second.”

In the end, I had no choice but to step in to save poor Hans.

“Y-your Grace?”

“Your Grace!”

The two maids looked at me with wide, startled eyes, as did Madam Haley.

But I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Ahem. Sorry, I accidentally overheard your conversation.”

“Huh?”

“The one about Hans-whatever.”

“Oh!”

At my blunt statement, their jaws dropped even further.

“We’re so sorry! We shouldn’t have been chatting idly in the Grand Duke’s estate… neglecting our work… Please forgive us!”

They looked ready to burst into tears.

“No, it’s fine. What I wanted to say is—”

“Yes…?”

I cleared my throat and spoke as gently as I could.

“This Hans fellow you were talking about.”

“…?”

The Monster Forest, Lune.

Because of the gate’s aftermath, the forest was heavily polluted, and all living things had withered away.

The only thing that could be felt here was the stench of monster and human blood mingling together. Nothing more, nothing less.

Here, Lankea always pitched a tent and prepared for battle.

He had done so since the age of sixteen—when he had learned swordsmanship well enough to apply it against any opponent.

After the Duke and Duchess of Fidelanis died and he inherited the title alone, he knew he needed strength to hold his position.

And he understood that his worth could only be proven by his abilities.

So he volunteered to enter the Monster Forest and take down the beasts that emerged from within.

“Will you be staying for two months again this time?”

As he sat alone in his tent, sipping from a glass, Miller approached.

“Why?”

“Well… there’s going to be a ball in the capital soon to celebrate the Blessing Festival, and Her Grace can’t attend alone…”

“Miller.”

Miller’s hesitant voice was cut off by Lankea’s firm, heavy tone.

“I told you—this marriage will have no love.”

“But… It’s a ball hosted by the Imperial Palace. His Majesty ordered you to attend, so you’ll have to go. And it’s not like you’ll go separately.”

“Sounds like it could be interesting…”

Lankea rested his chin on one hand, his index finger tapping lightly against his cheek.

A small silence seeped between them.

“Today… thanks to the magically enhanced weapons from the Kingdom of Baeterinum, we’ve had fewer casualties, haven’t we?”

“…”

That was true.

The kingdom’s magic stones circulated mana better than those from other lands, making them more compatible with weapons.

Thanks to that, hunting monsters had become far easier than before.

“And didn’t the Marquis of Elinium’s household look after Her Grace when she fell asleep in the lounge?”

At Miller’s words, Lankea’s tapping finger froze for a moment.

“…What does that have to do with anything?”

A sharp voice cut through the air.

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