Chapter 10

The image crackled with static, and the next scene showed a midnight church.

There, for the first time, Shin's face was displayed since leaving the capital.

The magic brooch not only recorded images but could also edit and condense them into a short summary. What we had been watching was the edited footage, and the current scene was in real-time. After watching for a long time, it seemed that night had deepened without us noticing.

"You've done well. There were some accidents, but it's good that everything went smoothly. You are one of us, after all."

"I am honored. I am also surprised. Miss... Chloe adapted so quickly to such an irregular situation."

"Just keep calling her 'Miss.' It would be suspicious if you suddenly stopped. Yes... ever since the decision to exile her, she has become as well-behaved as a different person. Is she plotting something, or has she given up on resistance... either way, she can't move without a carriage. I'll send help immediately."

"I should at least ask Miss for permission to avoid arousing suspicion. I'll do that first thing in the morning."

"Do that. I'll be waiting for your next report."

With a click, Shin's image disappeared, and our own reflections appeared in the mirror.

"Now, regarding Chloe's movements... how do you see it?"

"So far, she doesn't seem to be causing any problems... but given her past, it's hard to trust her."

We nodded in agreement with Sei's opinion. Dark, however, had been in a bad mood the whole time.

"Don't be fooled by her meek attitude. Chloe's true nature is the exact opposite of Momoko's, completely dark."

"I understand that without you saying it, and comparing her to Momoko is ridiculous... I don't want to speak ill of my sister in front of you."

"I've been disowned, so there's no need to worry. Besides... my sister now is only Momoko."

(Stop blushing, she hasn't officially become your adopted daughter yet.)

In the end, Dark seemed to have decided to force his feelings for Momoko into a brotherly love. Calling Momoko by her first name in front of Red Lion didn't seem to bother him much.

"I was impressed by how she handled the bandits. Surrounded by so many men, she still calmly aimed her crossbow; it was thrilling!"

"Most of the bandits were dealt with by Shin. ...But, if you like her, I could arrange for you to become engaged."

The squire Dai was thoroughly muscle-minded. As long as he could spar, he didn't care about most other details. However, Chloe didn't have the strength to swing a sword. I heard she had trained with a crossbow, though, to be prepared in case of emergencies.

"Your Highness, please stop joking. I like gentle, weak girls who make me want to protect them. I can't stand a devious woman who enjoys bullying the weak."

"What a shame, I thought you'd be happy to have fewer rivals."

After thoroughly criticizing Chloe and letting out the frustration from earlier, my body suddenly felt the need for sleep.

"For now, let's call it a day. If we stay too late, it will affect us tomorrow."

"Then I'll take my leave. For the sake of our beloved saint."

We chanted our love for Momoko in unison, and the three of us left the room.