Chapter 18

I had seen this somewhere before.

Ignoring the guys who were clumsily imitating me, I unfolded the note. Inside were bizarre patterns that I couldn't even read.

What is this?

"It's a cipher. They left a message saying it would be convenient to memorize this translation in advance."

I opened the small notebook passed to me by the bartender.

Various patterns, which seemed to be phonetic symbols, continued in a way that could make one's eyes spin.

It's too difficult. And there are so many. Do assassins memorize ciphers like this?

I understand the intention, but it's troublesome. I thought I should go back to the mansion and try to apply the cipher and the translation one by one.

"I'm going."

The officers, who were cleaning and washing glasses, stopped their work and bowed in unison.

"Have a good trip, sir!"

"Have a good trip, sir!"

You're the secret guild, right?

I came to find a lost item, didn't I?

"Hey."

Right after opening the door, I informed them of an important fact.

"I'm a woman."

But before the officers could hear, the door slammed shut.

Hmm, let's deal with this later.

After returning to the mansion.

I matched the note and the translation while doing my afternoon chores (today was curtain washing).

According to the translation, the content of the note was as follows:

The term "valets" referred to the two assassins who had infiltrated after the butler assassin.

Those two must really be working as valets in the Eshura mansion.

'Is the client also after Dian Ket's inheritance? Indeed, there is a clear connection between the Weatherwood family and Dian Ket.'

Me, Lu, and the client—three people I know are after Dian Ket's inheritance.

Lu was almost certain based on the butler assassin's testimony. There was no other reason for such a person to personally work at the Weatherwood mansion.

'I need to get into the Weatherwood room.'

The problem is that I have no idea where the key is.

I searched the housekeeper's room while she was away, but I couldn't find anything that looked like a key bundle.

She must be carrying it with her.

Should I give her a sleeping pill?

Nothing is easy.

Two days later, on a cloudy morning with a hazy gray sky.

Today, Lu's sprout grew a little longer.

The sprouts I transplanted to the garden were stronger than before, and they were gathered in a circle rather than in a row, indicating that Lu had replanted them from the beginning.

'Where did you leave the soil?'

But today, there's a bit of a problem.

Fireplace? I cleaned it perfectly.

Grocery shopping? Since Lu now brings simple ingredients from the farm, I rarely go out.

Not losing an argument with Lu? I... actually gave up on that half-way.

Today's problem was with the housekeeper.

If asked if it was a big problem, it would be hard to say yes. However, the housekeeper has been scrutinizing me from early morning until now, when Lu finished preparing dinner and left for the day. It was impossible not to be bothered.

Could it be that the existence of the super-strong sleeping pill I got through the pub was discovered?

The housekeeper's secretly following gaze was so uncomfortable that I decided to speak first.

"Business."

The housekeeper's expression stiffened.

She had been watching me for 10 minutes from the kitchen while I was hanging curtains in the backyard.

"Miss Daisy."

"Yes."

"Do you have any plans to dress up as a man?"

A cold sweat ran down my back at her short question.

At the same time, numerous questions and assumptions flashed through my mind.

'Suddenly asking me to dress up as a man? Could she know my past? Does she know I'm Andert? How? Who tipped her off? Or did she deduce it herself...?'

"Ha. Surprised? Sorry, just ignore it."

...Or not?

'But it's definitely different from usual.'

Especially the letter that arrived two days ago.

Since then, the housekeeper has been sighing deeply while holding the letter.

What's going on? The paper seemed to be of high quality, suggesting that it was a letter to the Weatherwood family, not to the housekeeper personally.

"Reason."

"It's fine."

"I am a sworn person."

Rolling up my sleeve to show the straight line of the oath, the housekeeper's expression became slightly serious.

"Yes, you are now a part of the Weatherwood mansion... It would be silly to keep it a secret. Two days ago, we received a message from the Noble Assembly."

"Noble Assembly?"

"Yes. The Noble Assembly refers to the seventeen most symbolic noble families in the Pen Rota Empire. It's a kind of high-society social gathering for camaraderie and cooperation. However, it also has political intentions."

I think I get the gist of it.

"The prestigious Weatherwood family has been a part of the Noble Assembly for a long time. We have a meeting once a year to discuss various practical matters. However, as you know, Miss Daisy, for the past four years, the Weatherwood family... has been led by an egg."

Ah. An egg can't move like a person...

"Long-term absence."

"Yes."

"Cut off, huh!"

"No, not yet. It might happen soon, though."

Sighing deeply, the housekeeper leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

"According to the rules, no noble family can miss three consecutive meetings. Last year, an exception was made due to the special circumstances of the Magic War, but not this year. If we don't attend, we will be expelled from the Noble Assembly."

"Better off."

The housekeeper, who had opened her eyes wide, glared at me.

"Better off? If we are expelled from the Noble Assembly, it will cause significant problems for the Weatherwood family, beyond just the dishonor. There are many people who have refrained from interfering with us simply because we are part of the Noble Assembly."

"That's why."

Flap. I hung the last curtain on the line and asked.

"Want me to attend in your place?"

"No. It was just a precautionary remark. Ignore it."

"I agree."

"…What?"

Thump, thump. I beat the curtain several times with a stick and approached the window.

Pretending to be the Viscount Weatherwood and attending the Noble Assembly.

If I can disguise myself perfectly, it would be more beneficial than harmful to me.

Especially, I might be able to uncover the identity of the client who is monitoring me.

'Given the level of information they have, which includes financial power and military security... the client who sent assassins to the Weatherwood family is likely a member of the Noble Assembly. If the Viscount Weatherwood himself moves, the client will surely show interest.'

If I can use the client and other nobles well, I might even find other artifacts of Dian Ket.

As a maid, I can't easily leave Midwinter, so this is a very welcome opportunity.

I pointed to my chest with my thumb, showing confidence.

"I'm more manly than anyone."

The housekeeper's eyes wavered slightly.

"Of course, you are tall for a woman and have a strangely powerful gait... but..."

"Sending the master to the Noble Assembly will ruin the Weatherwood family."

"Don't say such unlucky things. Still, you are quite handsome."

"But you're an egg."

"Who is?"

Suddenly, a voice cut in from the side, stopping me.

A man with a smile close to a sneer leaned against the wall, looking down at us.

"This is quite interesting."

So, it was none other than Lu.

'I made a mistake.'

I had said it after realizing no one was around!

But Lu's level is equal to or higher than mine, so he can hide his presence at any time. I had overlooked this important fact.

"Speak sensibly, Mr. Lu. How can the master be an egg? You've read too many novels. Be careful."

A vow like 'not to reveal secrets' is powerless in such spontaneous situations.

The housekeeper, with a brazen face, tried to explain, but Lu ignored her. Instead, he pointed at my arm and shrugged.

"I was wondering where you got that mark. Hmm. Did you have a secret conversation without me?"

"…When did you see my arm?"

"While doing the dishes."

I didn't roll up my sleeve that high while doing the dishes.

'It must have shown through the water.'

Sharp guy.

'Just from the information about the "egg," he figured this out. It's hard to deceive him intentionally now.'

Don't glare at me like that, Housekeeper. It's not my fault. You also relaxed and blurted it out, didn't you?

Lu, with his hands in his pockets and his head tilted, looked at the housekeeper.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?"

"…What do you want?"

Staring at the green eyes that showed hostility, Lu calmly replied.

"Give me the same mark, the oath. In a mansion with only three employees, shouldn't we live and die together?"