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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: An Unfortunate Coincidence
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The Marquis didn't monitor my every move, but if he heard that I, who had had no contact with the outside world during my probation, was suddenly sending a letter, he might take an interest.
‘It’ll be a nuisance if he checks the contents.’
And for good reason. The place I was sending the letter to was…
“A magic tool shop!”
Mei said, her eyes sparkling.
“What are you buying? I didn't know you were interested in magic tools, Young Lady. You always said you disliked mages, calling them a gloomy lot.”
“Haha… I had a recent change of heart. I have some inquiries, and I was thinking of getting a catalog or a regular subscription, so I'm sending a letter.”
“I see. Leave it to me. Should I go deliver it right now?”
“Yes, please. And they’ll probably offer to write a reply right away. You can look at the items in the shop for a bit and bring the reply back with you.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll be on my way!”
Mei shouted cheerfully and left my room.
I waved her off, then immediately fell into a nap.
It was time to make up for the sleep I’d lost last night due to Yugen’s tossing and turning.
Mei returned to the Lindsi estate about two hours later.
“Young Lady, here’s the reply.”
“Thank you. Were you bored while you waited?”
“Not at all. There were so many fascinating magic tools that I lost track of time just looking around. The shop owner was very kind, too. He even offered me refreshments.”
Mei chattered away with a cheerful laugh.
“I overheard some customers talking, and they said the owner makes all the magic tools there himself. They’re unique and high-quality, so it seems he has quite a few customers.”
“I sent the letter after hearing the rumors myself.”
“I think you made a good choice. Oh! And did you know?”
“What?”
“That famous flirtatious mage is friends with the owner! Apparently, they both studied under the Master of the Magic Tower.”
“That’s right, so I’ve heard.”
“They said he sometimes visits the shop, but unfortunately, not today.”
“Why, did you want to see him?”
“I-It’s not that I have any ulterior motives. I was just curious to see what kind of handsome snake could charm so many women.”
Mei scratched her cheek, embarrassed, then suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”
“I just remembered I promised to help with dinner preparations tonight!”
“Oh dear, you should hurry then. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, Young Lady!”
I watched with a fond smile as Mei left the room, then took a sip of my tea.
“I like her.”
Not only was she diligent and amiable, but she also showed no sign of looking down on me for my commoner origins.
Most importantly, I was quite fond of Mei’s massage skills.
I decided I would ask the head maid later if Mei could be assigned as my personal attendant.
“Now, then…”
I murmured as I opened the letter Mei had given me.
“Shall we see what our handsome snake had to say in his reply?”
A few of the things Mei had just told me were not true.
First, the magic tool shop she visited had a different, true owner.
Second, therefore, the person who crafted the magic tools sold there was also someone else.
Third, the flirtatious mage who was friends with the shopkeeper didn’t just visit ‘sometimes’—he was there very frequently.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that when he wasn’t working at the Imperial Palace, he practically lived there.
As one could easily deduce from these truths, the person I had sent the letter to, and who had replied, was not the owner but the flirtatious mage.
The court mage, Kirie. The magic tool shop, which had recently been gaining popularity by word of mouth, could be considered his side business.
That was why I sent the letter to the magic tool shop instead of Kirie’s residence.
The novel had mentioned that Kirie spent more time there than at his own home.
Moreover, if word got out that I had sent a letter to Kirie’s house, there was no telling what kind of trouble would ensue.
For one, I could already picture the face of Marchioness Lindsi, furious that I had fallen for a philanderer’s tricks.
A rumor could also spread that I had been brutally rejected by Grand Duke Hiklrid and had moved on to Kirie.
That, I had to avoid. I didn't want to be the subject of gossip any longer.
‘For the sake of my quiet and peaceful life, I must overcome this crisis…!’
I steeled my resolve as I slowly read through the reply Kirie had written.
* * *
The next day, a subtle stir went through the people of the Lindsi estate.
It was the day that Charlotte Lindsi—that is, I—who had only left the house a handful of times in six long months, was going out.
In truth, I had attended the Emperor’s birthday banquet, gone shopping with the Marchioness, and attended a tea party all in the last few days.
So, going out again might not have been such a special event, but there was one difference this time.
“You’d better not cause any trouble.”
“Don’t you worry.”
Standing at the entrance, I reassured Marchioness Lindsi, who was repeating the same words for the nth time.
“I’m not sure if it’s truly all right to lift your confinement. You have been behaving yourself lately, so I agreed to it, but…”
That’s right. As of today, the confinement order placed on Charlotte Lindsi had been officially lifted.
I had brought it up with the Marquis and Marchioness Lindsi at dinner last night.
The Marquis had readily agreed to end my house arrest, and the Marchioness, though she seemed reluctant, had nodded in agreement.
I had planned to give Jayden a look to get him to back me up if it seemed like it wouldn't work, but it was a needless worry.
“So, what did you say you were planning to do?”
“I thought I’d get some fresh air and do a little shopping.”
“You haven’t shown any interest in buying things recently. I wonder what’s gotten into you.”
“I used to love shopping, didn’t I?”
“Yes, well, have a good time. And be sure to remember this.”
The Marchioness’s blazing gaze landed on my face.
“I don’t trust you completely yet. About a year ago, you pretended to be repentant and well-behaved in front of us, but as soon as our watch slackened, you ran to Grand Duke Hiklrid and made a fool of yourself.”
…I-I see. The novel didn’t go into detail about Charlotte’s family situation, so I didn’t know.
“You’ve been well-behaved for half a year this time, so I’m giving you another chance, but.”
She gripped my shoulder firmly.
“If you get entangled with Grand Duke Hiklrid again, I will truly send you to a convent, so keep that in mind.”
As I thought, of all the people I’ve met since coming to this world, Marchioness Lindsi is the scariest.
“Of course! Please trust me!”
After hearing my heartfelt reply, the Marchioness’s expression softened, and she introduced someone to me.
“Say hello. You’ve seen him around, but this is Sir Kalikseu, a knight who serves our family. He has agreed to accompany you today.”
“It is an honor, Young Lady.”
A man with a friendly face bowed formally.
“Hello, Sir Kalikseu.”
I returned his greeting, glancing at the Marchioness.
“Mother, it’s fine to just take the servants. Sir Kalikseu doesn’t really need to come along…”
“No.”
But she was firm.
“You were pickpocketed last time. Sir Kalikseu, unlike that George fellow who was in league with the pickpocket, is a diligent knight. He will be responsible for your safety.”
“You can trust me with her, my lady.”
With no further grounds for refusal, I agreed to go out with Sir Kalikseu.
On the way to the carriage, Sir Kalikseu amiably introduced himself.
“Did you know? I’m usually in charge of security at the estate’s rear gate.”
“I see. The rear gate is…”
“Yes, it’s close to your quarters, Young Lady.”
He placed a fist over his chest and spoke reassuringly.
“I am always doing my best to ensure you can stay in safety, so please rest assured.”
Safety, she says. The Lindsi estate’s security has been breached by outsiders at least five times that I know of, so I don’t have much faith in it.
I even wondered if Sir Kalikseu might be the biggest freeloader in the Lindsi household.
Then again, how could an extra, a knight who was never even properly mentioned in the novel, possibly stop the formidable second male leads?
Besides, if Sir Kalikseu was too good at his job, it would be inconvenient for me as well.
“Thank you, Sir Kalikseu.”
I gave him a bright smile.
“I’ll be in your care in many ways.”
I hope you’ll continue to perform just as you have been.
The magic tool shop, , was located just a short way from the capital’s main thoroughfare.
After a fun shopping spree on the main street, I stood in front of and spoke to Sir Kalikseu.
“You must be tired from following me around all this time. If you have any personal errands, you can take care of them while I’m in this shop.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I cannot do so during my hours of duty.”
It seemed the Marchioness’s claim that Kalikseu was different from George was not a lie.
‘Well, fine.’
I’d just tell Sir Kalikseu to wait in the drawing-room, and then I would meet with Kirie.
But in the next moment, I ran into an unexpected obstacle.
“You…”
As soon as I entered the shop, I came face-to-face with a familiar person.
“Charlotte Lindsi. You again.”
Cedric Hiklrid, the novel’s male lead and a powerful figure in the Rehenbereukeu Empire, scowled deeply at me.
Wait, what are you doing here?!
For me, it was a shockingly terrible coincidence, but Cedric seemed to think otherwise.
“I thought you’d been quiet for a while, but it seems you’re starting to show your true colors.”
Cedric, who had been conversing with someone in the back of the shop, strode toward me.
‘This is bad…’
My vision went dark. It wasn’t Cedric I was afraid of, but Marchioness Lindsi.
The ever-loyal Sir Kalikseu would surely report this incident to her.
Would the Marchioness, who had so earnestly warned me not to get involved with Grand Duke Hiklrid as I left the mansion, accept this meeting as a mere coincidence?
Not a chance. If I were the Marchioness, I wouldn’t trust a Charlotte with a prior record either.
In short, I was doomed.
