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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: A Favor for a Signature
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“I suppose we can just ask them where the other magic circles are.”
Emil gave his wrists a light shake.
It didn't look like he was preparing to cast a spell, so I asked suspiciously.
“But why are you loosening up?”
“Well, for a bit of... appropriate physical force. But before that, I should see you out, Young Madam.”
As if worried I'd take an interest in the term 'physical force,' Emil immediately ushered me out.
In the end, I was carried out by Menelik and left in Cesar's care.
Cesar seemed to know even less about the situation than I did, but he didn't show any curiosity either.
“Aren't you curious, Sir Cesar?”
“I'm fine. When it comes to matters involving my brother... ignorance is bliss.”
Cesar seemed to struggle just to get the word 'brother' out.
Then he looked at me worriedly as I rubbed my eyes.
“It would be best for you to get some sleep, Young Madam...”
“I'm not sleepy.”
I lied, barely stifling a yawn.
What's going to happen to Marquis Ingram now?
And what about Rebecca's year of unpaid wages?
Suddenly, I thought of the cursed doll—no, the stuffed cat—that I'd found myself fiddling with because of its pleasant texture.
“Sir Cesar, may I pop over to my room for a moment?”
“I'll accompany you.”
“It's just two doors down, you know? I'll be right back!”
It was truly just a stone's throw away, so Cesar readily sat back down.
I went back to my room and pulled the doll out from where it was buried in the rumpled blankets.
I was just wondering if I should grab a coat when it happened.
*Tap, tap.*
The sound came from the window, a very gentle tapping, as if not to startle me.
I saw the figure outside and my eyes widened.
“Cheshire?”
I was looking all over for you earlier!
I pushed the window open with both hands.
Cheshire asked.
“I didn't startle you this time, did I?”
“No. Where have you been? I was looking everywhere for you.”
“Just lazing about. Oh, and I did have to interfere a little when the marquis's daughter tried to put something in your tea to give you a stomachache.”
“W-well, thank you for that...”
I muttered, dumbfounded.
In , Sabrina had done the exact same thing to her sister. The only difference was that the target was now me.
Unbelievable, really.
“That young lady seemed convinced that if you were publicly humiliated, you'd be kicked out of the duchy.”
Cheshire shrugged.
It seemed Sabrina wanted me to go back to being the ugly duckling of House Mayol.
But if I could be kicked out for something as minor as causing a scene over a stomachache, wouldn't I have been thrown out when I set fire to the Snake Pit, or when I called Menelik 'old man'?
I could only tilt my head in confusion.
Cheshire grinned.
“Anyway, I took care of it and cleaned up without getting caught. I did a good job, right? You're going to praise me, aren't you?”
“Y-yes, you did well. Thank you so much.”
As a token of my gratitude, I emptied my bag and gave Cheshire the snacks inside.
Cradling them in his arms, Cheshire asked.
“So, should I prepare the divorce papers for you now?”
“Not that. I need you to do something else.”
I explained about the magic circle in the underground passage.
And I asked him to erase one of the symbols engraved on it.
“Alright. But I get scared going near intimidating people, so can I ask for a little something in return?”
“What kind of something?”
With the hand not holding the snacks, Cheshire held out a piece of paper.
“Just sign here, please.”
“What is this?”
“It's something like a guardian's consent form.”
Huh.
“Why would I be your guardian?!”
I narrowed my eyes and backed away from him.
He insisted brazenly.
“If you're Viscount Rose's guardian, that makes you my guardian, too.”
“What kind of logic is that...”
“Come on, hurry up. The sooner we solve this, the sooner you can sleep with peace of mind.”
“...”
Cheshire shoved the paper right in my face.
Reluctantly, I scanned the document.
Huh? Assets? Inheritance?
Why are words like these on a guardian's consent form?
On top of that, Cheshire's name was written in the 'guardian' field.
The moment my eyebrow twitched, Cheshire pressed me harder.
“Haven't you made up your mind yet? I could just leave, you know? For your information, you need a special reagent to alter a magic circle. I happen to have it in my pocket right now. And it's not something just anyone can get their hands on.”
“Ugh, fine!”
I didn't see the word 'divorce' anywhere, so I signed.
I intentionally left off my surname, writing only my first name, but Cheshire was delighted.
“Then just leave it to me!”
Cheshire got ready to leave.
Remembering why I'd been searching for him all day, I made an urgent request.
“Stop attacking the servants!”
“Cheria... are you worried about me?”
Tears of gratitude welled in Cheshire's eyes.
Does he have no shame?!
I was more worried about the servants he'd knocked out, and for myself, since I was at high risk of being seen as his accomplice.
Ignoring my sour expression, Cheshire wiped away his tears.
He placed a hand over his heart like an obedient child.
“I'll listen to you, Cheria. From now on, I won't just go around beating people up. I'll take better care of my hands.”
“R-right...”
Well, I got the answer I wanted, so I guess that's that...
I nodded.
Cheshire beamed, a smile so bright it completely transformed his usual gloomy impression.
“See you again in the duchy, Cheria! I'll bring a gift for Viscount Rose next time!”
“...What? You want to meet again where?”
But Cheshire was already gone.
My jaw dropped in bewilderment.
If you cause trouble in the duchy, they won't let it slide like they did this time!
—I listened so well to everything Lady Del said! She told me if I survived falling off a cliff ten times, she'd make me her subordinate, so I did it. I also completed her order to survive for 365 days underwater, drinking only seawater.
Suddenly, I felt a tiiiny little urge to take a page from my past self's book.
Cheshire had said he was Del's right-hand man.
Judging by Kivrin and Rose's reactions, it didn't seem like a lie.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd gotten myself into something messy.
I felt like I'd been roped into something...
I was grateful he'd given me the artifact to heal Kivrin's burns, but that gratitude was slowly starting to wear thin.
Ugh, how exhausting.
I grabbed the cat doll and trudged back.
* * *
I'd slept surprisingly well, even in an unfamiliar place, and when I woke up, I was shocked to find Kivrin there.
“...Huh? Young Lord?”
Was I dreaming?
But even after rubbing my eyes, Kivrin's adorable face was still there.
Kivrin offered me a cup of water.
“I came... to get you.”
His smiling, crescent-shaped eyes were an incredibly welcome sight.
I quickly sat up.
As I drank the water and tried to clear my head, I heard a commotion outside.
I tilted my head.
“Where's Father?”
And Cesar, who had been with me before I fell asleep, was nowhere to be seen either.
“He went with Emil to, to deal with the magic circle.”
Kivrin carefully studied my face, then began to gently wipe it with a damp cloth.
I must look like a mess right now...
After he finished washing my face, Kivrin brought over a simple breakfast from the table.
The food was still hot, as if freshly prepared.
“...Young Lord, how did you know I'd be waking up just now to ask for the meal?”
“A hunch.”
Really?
When I narrowed my eyes, Kivrin added.
“The sound of your breathing ch-changed, a little. That's how I knew.”
Only after hearing his specific reasoning did I start to eat.
Seeing me eat with my usual gusto, Kivrin began to speak.
“What are you m-most curious about?”
“Hmm... What happened to the marquis?”
“I'll t-tell you when you're finished.”
I eagerly chewed my bread.
I even lifted the bowl to my lips to drink the soup.
“All done!”
Even though I'd slightly burned my tongue!
Only after I had finished my meal did Kivrin recount the events that had unfolded since dawn.
He explained that the magic circle in the underground passage of the marquis's estate had suddenly reacted abnormally, revealing the coordinates of the other circles.
Just as I thought.
It seemed Cheshire had come through on his promise, too.
With more than enough evidence and the accomplices captured, Menelik had immediately hauled Marquis Ingram out.
Of course, Marquis Ingram had pleaded his innocence.
But not a single servant had testified in the marquis's favor.
“It seems th-they all had a lot of pent-up grievances.”
At some point, Kivrin had moved to stand behind me.
