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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: A Thorny Welcome
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I quickly grabbed the object placed on my head before it could fall.
It was a small, hexagonal box.
Except for the keyhole, it was seamlessly fitted together.
“They said they haven't made the key yet. Told me to come back next year.”
Excuse me?
I was actually getting my hopes up, thinking he was giving me a nice gift!
Dumbfounded, I shook the box a little forcefully.
It made a rattling sound.
What in the world is inside…
Oops, I need to control my expression!
“Thank you. I'll look forward to next year.”
Menelik let out a small laugh.
“You looked like you wanted to discreetly toss it on the way, but I'll accept your thanks.”
My father-in-law was surprisingly perceptive.
“Ehehe, of course not!”
I denied it for now and fumbled to take out my gift.
“This is from me.”
Menelik accepted the knotted ornament, looking surprised that I had actually prepared something.
It had a faded red jewel embedded in it, but since the old woman sold the materials so cheaply, I was sure it was a fake.
“Did you steal this from a count's estate or something?”
Menelik spoke as if I had brought him some rare treasure.
It only looks the part, though.
The knotwork is all me.
My conversation with Menelik made the time to board the carriage arrive quickly.
By the time I boarded, a little late after Yelena checked my health, Viscount Rose had already taken the seat next to Kivrin.
The viscount’s eyes lingered on me for quite a long time.
…Why are you glaring at me!
I sank my back into the plush seat and squeezed my eyes shut.
Let’s just sleep.
Hoping for time to pass quickly, I forced myself to try and sleep.
However, after some time had passed, it was Yelena who fell asleep first.
Perhaps because she trusted Viscount Rose completely, Yelena even began to snore.
I peeked my eyes open and covered Yelena with a blanket.
Yelena has taken such good care of me…
Viscount Rose watched my actions with his legs crossed.
Even if I had met this person under normal circumstances, I think I would have found him suspicious.
In novels, a handsome man that striking is never just an extra.
The windows were closed, yet the viscount's wavy blond hair fluttered in the wind.
His eye color had changed earlier, too.
It was a rather inhuman sight.
Well, since there’s a Saintess, it wouldn’t be surprising if a non-human entity appeared.
But why now!
Aren't supernatural beings supposed to latch onto the male or female lead?
What made it even more absurd was how he blatantly showed he found the fact that I would become the young duchess ridiculous and pathetic.
As I was shivering by myself, Kivrin moved to the seat next to me.
“Ch… Cheria, are you in pain?”
The moment Kivrin’s hand touched my forehead, Yelena’s eyes snapped open.
“The Young Lady is in pain?”
As a doctor, her reaction time to the word “pain” was incredibly fast.
I shook my head to signal I was fine, but my entire focus was on Viscount Rose.
What if he really is a non-human entity?
But no matter how much I retraced the novel's plot, there wasn't a single line that could help me deduce his identity.
That’s strange. He’s definitely not an extra.
Yelena’s hand touched my forehead and then pulled away.
“You're breaking out in a cold sweat. Are you feeling dizzy, by any chance?”
“I'm perfectly fine. I think I was just nervous because this is my first time on a long carriage ride.”
At that moment, Viscount Rose let out a soft snort.
Yelena, focused solely on me, didn't seem to hear it.
“Then shall we step out for some fresh air? The Duchess said to stop the carriage immediately if either you or the Young Lord felt even slightly unwell. We have plenty of time.”
My mother-in-law is the best!
Feeling my affection for Winter skyrocket, I nodded my head.
I have something to ask Kivrin anyway, so I’ll play sick just this once.
Thanks to that, our break came a little early.
I took Kivrin and walked a short distance away from the carriage.
“Young Lord, I have something to ask you. It's about, um, Viscount Rose.”
Oh, what should I do?
I started to speak, but I couldn't bring myself to ask if Viscount Rose looked like a handsome, muscular blond man to him.
After some thought, I rephrased the question.
“…What kind of person is he?”
“Sh-she cries a lot… and can't do anything on her own. S-so… I have to keep her around because I feel sorry for her…”
“…”
That was a very harsh assessment for a nanny.
What on earth happened…
In any case, it seemed he didn't look like someone who could take down a tiger with one hand in Kivrin's eyes, either.
And apparently, he wasn’t openly mocking me.
“Do you… dislike her, Cheria…?”
I think *he’s* the one who dislikes *me*…
But after hearing that Kivrin kept him around out of pity, I couldn't bring myself to complain any further.
“…I'll use my social skills and try to get along with him.”
“I th-think he'll get along with you too, Ch-Cheria.”
Kivrin said it with quite a bit of confidence.
Since it was Kivrin who said it, I reluctantly nodded.
However, it was right after we got back in the carriage and proceeded with the warp.
As I was catching my breath, dizzy from the travel, Viscount Rose approached me.
He willingly bent down to meet my eyes and whispered softly.
“Once you've gotten what you came for, get lost.”
“…”
You said he’d get along with me?!
Ignoring the fact that I couldn't even speak properly, the viscount spoke triumphantly.
“I have no intention of looking after any brat other than Kivrin. Got it?”
To everyone else, he's just a woman dedicated to her job as a nanny, but to me, he looks like a hulking man. And now he's trying to intimidate me.
The viscount poked my forehead with his fan.
W-wait a minute, I'm already seeing stars, if you touch my head…
“Ugh.”
“Lady Cheria!”
Just before I threw up, I heard a welcome voice.
Yelena rushed over in a single bound and swept me into her arms.
The man disguised as Viscount Rose said nonchalantly.
“It seems this is the Young Lady’s first time warping. Don't let her walk until the dizziness subsides. She might fall and hurt herself.”
You said you had no intention of looking after the likes of me!
I would have been fine if you hadn’t poked my head with your fan!
As I was being carried away in Yelena’s arms, he mouthed words at me.
‘Get lost.’
Wow, so childish…
Suddenly, my fear of this non-human entity completely vanished.
I should have just thrown up on that jerk’s clothes before Yelena arrived.
* * *
Completely drained of all energy, I arrived at the ducal territory, Quine, in a limp state.
I didn't even have the strength to admire the exterior of Crescent Moon Castle, the symbol of the duchy.
Yelena laid me down on a bed and gave me some medicine in syrup form.
Kivrin, who had followed me in, took a seat on the chair in front of the bed.
“Oh my, is the Young Lord going to nurse her back to health?”
Yelena wore a touched expression.
“Don't worry too much. Viscount Rose will be checking to make sure the Young Lady is sleeping well.”
“…”
Will Viscount Rose really let me sleep well…
After Yelena left, I spoke to Kivrin.
“You should rest too, Young Lord.”
The corners of Kivrin’s mouth drooped.
His dejected form looked like a puppy caught in the rain.
Hah.
“Or would you like to stay with me?”
“…Yes!”
Kivrin’s face immediately brightened.
How cute.
My heart, which had grown cold because of the supernatural being disguised as Viscount Rose, began to feel warm again.
Moreover, the scenery outside the window was incredibly beautiful.
I need to get better quickly.
Suddenly, I remembered Winter saying she would collect monsters for Kivrin.
The ducal territory bordered the Dark Moon Forest, a place infamous for being a habitat for all sorts of magical beasts, so Winter’s words were likely not an empty boast.
I hesitated before parting my lips.
“Young Lord, do you remember what you said before? That I was a monster too…”
Suddenly, Kivrin jumped in surprise and looked around.
There’s no one else here but us.
Kivrin pressed his index finger to his lips and lowered his voice.
“Shh. I’ll k-keep it a secret.”
“…”
No, that's not what I meant.
“I w-won't tell… anyone.”
“…”
“Because you shouldn't be l-locked up… like me, Cheria…”
When you put it so grimly, I can't exactly confess the truth…
He was offering to keep my secret, not for any other reason, but because he was afraid I would be locked up like him.
My heart stung a little.
“…Thank you.”
Oh, whatever. I'll be a monster too! I'll try my best!
Kivrin beamed at my answer.
Feeling much more lighthearted, I asked.
“You told your mother that only a monster can treat another monster… Do you need my help?”
“I don't… really know either. My nanny told me.”
Viscount Rose really is suspicious.
Ignoring the way I narrowed my eyes, Kivrin pulled the blanket up for me.
“Y-you need to sleep now.”
“Were you this dizzy the first time you warped, too, Young Lord?”
“…Yes.”
“You’re telling a white lie right now, aren't you?! Your eyes are twitching!”
“I-I was dizzy, too…”
Kivrin desperately lied.
Then he raised his hand and covered my eyes.
