IBVC 63

Chapter 63

While the duke was away, Hans seemed exhausted from handling all the extra work — there were dark circles under his eyes.

He noticed me wandering nearby and greeted me with a bright smile.

“He’s currently at the magic training grounds. It’s time for his magic training.”

“Thanks. And hey, if the work ever gets too much, just tell me — I’ll stamp the papers for you myself.”

“…Miss Lizette, please, anything but that.”

Hans looked like he might cry on the spot.

“I’ll tell the duke proudly that I did it for you!”

“Then all the piled-up paperwork will end up being my responsibility anyway.”

“Ah— sorry. I didn’t think of that. Then I’ll ask the duke to give you a big bonus instead.”

“That’s actually a pretty good idea. Shall I show you to the training grounds?”

“No, no. You look busy. Go ahead — there are plenty of other maids who can show me the way.”

Since I declined, and he really did seem busy, Hans bowed lightly and disappeared.

If the duke didn’t give him a bonus, I’d at least slip him a few diamonds from the abandoned mine. He really was someone I owed a lot to.

“Anyway… a magic training ground, huh.”

I hadn’t even known such a place existed — Eloise had nothing to do with magic, after all.

I asked a few maids for directions and eventually reached a small colosseum-like area behind the greenhouse, surrounded by a little forest.

“Well, this is a grand family of archmages — even their training grounds are extraordinary.”

If this much fit inside the estate, just how vast was the entire property? As expected, the Monclairs were on another level.

Once again marveling at the Monclairs’ wealth, I stopped before the gates of the training ground, where several knights stood guard.

None of them were familiar faces — likely knights under the young duke’s direct command.

“Aren’t you Miss Lizette?”

“Huh? You know me?”

“In Monclair, not knowing Miss Lizette would be a disaster. Are you here to see the young duke?”

“Ah, yes. May I go in?”

“The duke has ordered that you may go anywhere you wish within the estate, Miss Lizette.”

Ah, having someone powerful backing you really did make life easier.

I walked in confidently, passing through the hallway.

Soon, an open courtyard with a ceiling open to the sky spread out before me.

I’d expected spectator seats like a real colosseum, but there were only tall walls encircling the space.

And in the middle stood Raoul — straight and focused.

He looked so absorbed that I didn’t dare interrupt him. I held my breath and watched quietly from the edge.

A faint blue shimmer danced around Raoul’s body.

Then, white clouds gathered in the once-clear sky — and suddenly, it began to rain.

Shaaah—

A cool downpour fell, turning into a sudden shower.

But not a single drop touched Raoul.

The clouds expanded rapidly until they covered the entire training ground — and the rain began to pour down on me.

“Myaaah!”

I’d been staring blankly at him, and the sudden cold rain made me yelp in surprise.

At the sound of my cry, the rain stopped instantly, sunlight flooding back in.

Raoul’s eyes widened slightly as he strode toward me — in a single step, almost like teleportation. Magic, probably.

“What are you doing here, getting drenched in someone else’s training ground?”

His tone was sharp, but from his hand came a warm gust of wind — like a built-in hair dryer.

As the breeze dried my soaked fur, I muttered under my breath,

“You didn’t even notice me coming in. Keep that up and an assassin’s going to sneak up and get you someday.”

“You’re right. I should be more careful.”

I’d said it as a joke, but he took it seriously — which threw me off.

“Wait, have you ever actually been attacked by an assassin?”

“No.”

“Oh. For a second, I thought you’d had some near-death experience, like Eloise.”

“What do you mean, ‘like my sister’?”

Ah, damn it — my mouth had run ahead of my brain again.

But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

Sooner or later, all of Monclair needed to know the truth — and for now, I needed Raoul’s cooperation.

“Tell me.”

Raoul’s tone turned sharp, and the warm wind suddenly stopped.

He looked just like the duke when angry — but I didn’t back down. Instead, I squared my shoulders.

“I’ll tell you — but you have to cooperate.”

“With what?”

“A plan. You’ll have to help me, no questions asked.”

“It won’t harm the family or my sister… right?”

I glared, and he trailed off awkwardly before nodding. The warm wind resumed, fluffing my fur again.

“If you’re not going to help, I won’t tell you.”

“Fine. I’ll cooperate. Just tell me.”

“No take-backs?”

“Right.”

The answer I’d been waiting for finally came, and I briefly summarized the Seneca incident.

“A maid tried to poison Eloise’s tea but got caught and was dismissed. Officially, it was for theft.”

“…She must’ve covered it up because she thought it would bring shame to the family.”

“Why would that be shameful?”

“I don’t understand it either. But after her awakening test, she never wanted to cause trouble for the household again.”

If she’d made even a small fuss, the butler would’ve turned it into a huge scandal.

Given how the Monclairs had always treated Eloise, she must’ve decided to handle it alone.

Just thinking about that garbage of a butler made my blood pressure rise. Haaah.

“I have a suspect in mind… but Raoul, just keep this between us.”

“Then I’ll find that dismissed maid myself.”

“You think she’s still alive?”

“What do you mean?”

The crown prince had mentioned Seneca to Count Lonsblur… and I doubted the count would have let the maid live.

If the man who’d pushed Eloise and spilled champagne on purpose was the count, then that maid was probably—

“Raoul, you’re still young. Let the adults handle this.”

If Raoul had been capable of solving it, I’d have told Eloise everything the moment I found out.

“Says the one who’s only two years older than me.”

“Mentally, I’m way older than you. Anyway, just focus on helping me with my plan.”

Raoul stared down at me for a long moment, then sighed and sat down directly on the damp ground.

Was that really okay for the young duke — sitting in the mud like that?

“Finding that maid is my business. What’s your plan?”

“You also want Eloise to marry Marcel instead of the crown prince, right?”

“His Highness suits her far better. But it’s not what I want — it’s what she wants that matters.”

“Ugh. Another clueless guy.”

Raoul’s brow twitched at my muttered remark.

He was about to speak, but I was faster.

“Then, I’m going to borrow your name.”

“What?”

“Etienne and Marcel need a reason to visit the Monclair estate.”

“Why would they come here?”

“To use this place. Oh, just Etienne and me, actually.”

I glanced around the training ground.

I’d been wondering where we could safely practice magic — and this was perfect.

Eloise and Marcel could sit comfortably in the drawing room while we trained.

“Can you please stop being so vague and just explain properly?”

“I’m a cat with a lot of secrets, you know. I’ll tell you the details later.”

“What does my sister even see in a cat like you…”

This time, Raoul muttered under his breath, clearly exasperated.

I placed a paw (well, hand) on his leg and tilted my head.

“But I like you, though.”

Teasing him was honestly too much fun.

I wondered if being close with a younger brother in my previous life would’ve felt like this…
Then I remembered that bastard, and immediately scowled. No, absolutely not.

Shaking off those memories, I looked back up at Raoul — and saw the tips of his ears had turned bright red.

“Anyway, that’s all from me. You’ll write the letter to Marcel, right?”

“What— You think I’ll just do whatever you say?”

Raoul suddenly shot to his feet and stormed out of the training ground.

Wasn’t he in the middle of training? I watched his retreating figure silently.

Well, well. Looked like it was the first time anyone had ever told him they liked him.

How was he ever going to handle romance when he grew up? Tsk.

But before long, the runaway Raoul reappeared before my eyes.

He’d apparently forgotten that it was the duke’s return day — meaning we’d inevitably meet at the dinner table.

His face, red as an apple, puffed with frustration as he sat down across from me.

Eloise glanced between the two of us before leaning toward me and whispering softly,

“Lizette, just how much did you tease him?”

“Lizette doesn’t know anything.”

The reason was obvious, but for the young duke’s dignity, I played dumb.

Eloise looked like she wanted to press further, but as the duke and duchess entered, she sighed instead.

“Let’s eat.”

With the duke’s usual curt opening remark, the servants filled our glasses and placed salad plates before us.

I glanced at my portion — tuna tartare — then turned toward Eloise.

“Ellie, I think it’s best if we talk about it today.”

“Let’s. You should tell him yourself.”

I started with a polite greeting.

“Your Grace, how was your trip to the abandoned mine?”