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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: A Suspicious Gift
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“Father?”
“He said it sounded like fun. It seems Cesar's report piqued his interest.”
“...”
Winter casually brushed back the platinum blonde hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
“I may have driven the marquis's family away, but I have a bad feeling he's going to go kill someone. No, it would be a relief if it were just one...”
“...”
I silently agreed, thinking of Menelik's disastrous reputation, both inside and out.
Winter asked in a low voice.
“I can't leave my post, so could you go with him? Of course, Rick won't spout any nonsense like last time. He promised to act like a proper guardian.”
I blinked.
“Me?”
“When Rick went to the Grand Temple with you, he came back without killing anyone, didn't he? That was a huge achievement. I'm hoping for a repeat performance.”
I didn't have to think about it for long. I wanted to grant any request Winter made, and the marquis's family was highly suspicious.
“I'll go.”
But Winter wasn't finished.
“Good. And... Kivrin was very worried about you.”
“Huh?”
Winter's eyes narrowed.
“I heard you bought an artifact from some drunkard to treat Kivrin's burn?”
*That's right, but it's not!*
*You didn't have to summarize it like that, Young Lord!*
“But he was the owner of a jewelry shop...!”
“I heard that too. That he only stocks the finest items, and the marquis's daughter planned to monopolize them before word got out. It's highly suspicious.”
“Indeed.”
Her aide agreed from the side.
*You can give me that basket of snacks before you listen in, you know...*
I barely managed to tear my gaze away from the snack basket.
“I had someone check on it, and the shop was closed. He said he was taking a few days off because of a hangover. Apparently, he's known for running his business whenever he feels like it.”
“...”
*If an ordinary shop owner acted like Cheshire, wouldn't he have gone out of business long ago?*
Winter clicked her tongue.
“Honestly, how does the marquis manage his territory to let a drunkard like that run rampant?”
As if worried she might sound like she was scolding me, Winter quickly added.
“Don't misunderstand. I'm truly grateful that you healed Kivrin's hand. I had given up since he refused to accept help from the Temple. It was also smart of you to go to the marquis's territory instead of wandering through the forest.”
“...”
“But there's more and more trouble brewing there. The complaints from the territory's residents are even reaching the ears of our vassals.”
Winter shrugged.
Her aide gently interjected.
“The nobles you saw at the door earlier want the ducal family to seize this opportunity. To swallow up the marquis's territory, that is.”
Winter looked annoyed at the kind, simplified explanation.
“Simple-minded fools.”
I asked.
“You're not keen on the idea, Mother?”
“The ducal family already possesses far too many good things. If we take any more, the imperial family will not be pleased.”
I was suddenly reminded of the ducal family's problems, which my parents-in-law knowingly ignored.
The Nectarian family was infamous, and rumors abounded that Menelik was afflicted with madness.
Since neither Winter nor Menelik attended any social parties while in the capital, their public reputation was only getting worse.
Not that it diminished the family's influence in any way.
That was thanks to their insane financial power.
The Nectarian family had amassed its wealth through fertile lands and abundant resources.
As the primary patrons who helped establish and maintain the Magic Tower, they monopolized five of the empire's few warp gates, and their income from numerous gem mines grew year after year.
Their wristwatch and grape businesses, currently in their early stages, were also projected to be massive successes in a few years.
It was so extreme that marriage proposals had come in even when the Temple treated Kivrin like a monster.
*They could improve their reputation with just a little effort...*
*Yeah, it's not that they can't, it's that they won't.*
Looking back, it was a business venture that had triggered the male lead's open hostility toward the ducal family in .
The Magic Tower had wanted the ducal family's cooperation in developing a long-distance train.
However, the male lead found out first and took measures to thwart it.
*...How irritating.*
“In any case, Cheria, you must prioritize your safety. Rick will be looking out for you, but don't get hurt, don't follow strangers, and don't approach any drunkards.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Winter raised an eyebrow.
“That was a half-hearted answer. Perhaps I should assign you an escort for your escort's escort...”
*Aaaah! Viscount Rose and Cesar are more than enough!*
“I won't get hurt, I won't follow strangers, and I won't even glance at any drunkards!”
“Good.”
Finally satisfied, Winter called for Yelena.
I was examined by Yelena and prescribed a cozy blanket and some cold medicine.
Just as I was thoroughly warmed up thanks to her care, a gift arrived for me.
Mera, looking just as puzzled as I was, told me.
“It's from the Saintess.”
*Yikes, my sister? For me?*
As I watched, Mera placed two small boxes on the table. There was even a gift for Kivrin.
*This is seriously suspicious.*
I couldn't even begin to guess what was inside.
As I poked and shook the gift boxes, Mera said.
“They went through the same inspection process as all other items brought into the castle, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.”
*Hmm, still suspicious.*
I tried to think of who could open the boxes with me.
Kivrin was sleeping, and Viscount Rose was clearing a mountain of snow.
That left only one person.
Having rested and lazed about to my heart's content, I took the two boxes and went to find Emil.
The tower where Emil lived was cluttered with piles of blue and red magic stones.
High-quality parchments, gems, and a formal suit were strewn across the floor.
“Young Lady, you're here?”
I said to Emil, who was walking toward me, sending parchments fluttering.
“It's better to keep the magic stones and gems separate. They can explode if you're not careful.”
“...Pardon?”
“I used them to set the Snake Pit on fire.”
*It's not much of a secret at this point. And it's better if it helps the ducal family.*
Emil blinked.
“Uh...”
“Should I show you, if you don't believe me?”
I put the boxes down on the floor and picked up a gem and a magic stone.
“So, if you adjust the angle and strike them together...”
“Aaaah! Don't do it! It'll be a disaster if you get hurt, Young Lady!”
Emil yelped and snatched the items from my hands.
“...”
“I'll, I'll do it!”
I waited as Emil dashed into his laboratory.
He emerged a few minutes later, looking bewildered.
“It's true. I knew there'd be problems with its rushed commercialization, but to think it's vulnerable to gems... This is perfect for causing a stir in high society. But how did you know, Young Lady?”
“I found out by chance while playing with the Young Lord. It was very boring there.”
Emil stroked his chin.
“Do you mind if I make use of this?”
*Huh?*
“Without reporting it to the Magic Tower right away?”
Emil grinned.
“Come on, nothing in this world is free. I'll demand a hefty price and share it with you, Young Lady.”
His playful demeanor seemed at odds with his age, and I laughed too.
“Do as you please, Emil.”
“Thank you, Young Lady. But what brings you here today?”
I showed him the boxes.
“My sister sent birthday gifts for me and the Young Lord without any warning, and I'm a little nervous about opening them.”
The smile vanished from Emil's lips.
“By sister, you mean *the* Saintess? The one who spat on the floor in front of His Majesty the Emperor and told him not to summon her so early in the morning? The one who put the captain of the Imperial Knights out of commission for three weeks?”
“...That's probably her.”
*As expected of the villainess and female lead, her track record was already dazzlingly impressive.*
“One moment.”
A moment later, Emil returned, even more heavily armed than when he'd gone to detonate the magic stone.
A helmet, armor, and even a shield.
I asked, dumbfounded.
“Where did you get that armor?”
“It's Cesar's. I stole it.”
“...”
I was floored by his brazen confession.
“Well, I'm opening them.”
I held my breath and watched Emil from behind a wall.
Nothing happened.
I waited a few more seconds before approaching the boxes.
Kivrin's gift was a copper coin, covered in moss.
It was even bent.
*What kind of terrible gift is this?*
