Chapter 3

Tortelise stared intently at Estelle, who froze on the spot like a frog caught by a snake.

"If you truly claim to be an Awakened One, can you guess what I am thinking right now?"

Estelle, unsure of how to respond, looked at Arcrain. She never thought that Arcrain would reveal her secret ability to Tortelise, something she had kept hidden from everyone.

"Estelle's ability is not to read people's minds directly. She can see the direction of emotions," Arcrain explained.

"Direction...?"

Tortelise frowned at Arcrain's response.

"Whether someone is happy or angry, whether the emotion is directed positively or negatively, it appears as brightness to her," Arcrain continued.

Tortelise's cheek twitched.

"If such an ability truly exists, why didn't you come forward? An Awakened One is a national treasure, and as someone born into a noble family, you cannot claim ignorance."

Tortelise's stern gaze pierced Estelle.

"That's..."

"I think she feared that her ability to see emotions would be seen as creepy. Besides, if she revealed herself as an Awakened One, she would have to leave her hometown. She didn't want that," Arcrain answered on Estelle's behalf.

"Did your family keep it a secret?"

"No!"

Estelle hurried to defend herself.

"I awakened to my ability at the age of fourteen... it was triggered by scarlet fever. That summer, there was a major outbreak in the north... I managed to recover without any aftereffects, but my parents..."

"The major outbreak six years ago. I remember it."

"My brother suddenly had to take over the earldom... many people in the territory died, and he was busy trying to rebuild. In that situation, I couldn't tell him. As time went on, my engagement to my former fiancé was decided... at that time, Lyle... I liked my former fiancé, so I didn't want to go to the capital. I never told anyone about my ability."

"...It makes sense, I suppose."

"I discovered her last November. It was because of the sewer rats you sent to the Rozelle family."

Tortelise reacted sharply to Arcrain's additional information.

"Later, I instructed her to keep her ability hidden. She was being targeted persistently, so I thought she could serve as an alarm if kept close."

"...If you insist on claiming to be an Awakened One, can you guess what I think of you?"

Tortelise directed a provocative gaze at Estelle.

"...At first... when I was invited to the tea party at the Lion Palace, you didn't like me, did you? You were friendly, but... at that time, I was considered inferior to the Rozelle family's daughter, who was the top candidate to be Arcrain's fiancée. You probably thought I was inadequate as a fiancée for Arcrain, didn't you?"

"..."

Tortelise remained silent, her sharp gaze fixed on Estelle.

"Later, I felt that your feelings towards me changed when we attended the opera together. I sensed that you had acknowledged me, though I don't know why."

Tortelise's expression softened, but she still remained silent.

"...If you don't immediately deny it, does that mean you agree?"

Unable to bear the silence, Arcrain spoke up first.

"That's not true, is it? You've always tried to bring me down."

At the repeated question, Tortelise's eyes seemed to waver for a moment. After a pause, she responded in a small voice.

"I can't say anything."

"What...?"

"No one, in any criminal case, can be compelled to make a statement that is detrimental to themselves."

Tortelise recited the clause from Rosaria's legal code, which grants the right to remain silent.

"Even at this point, you think that will work..."

"Well, our country is a rule of law, isn't it?"

Tortelise smiled seductively and then fell silent, refusing to speak another word.

◆ ◆ ◆

In the end, they received no response from Tortelise, and Arcrain and Estelle decided to return to the palace. The distance from Albion Tower to the palace was considerable, so they had to travel by carriage.

No matter how they asked, Tortelise maintained her expressionless silence, creating a tense atmosphere that radiated from Arcrain, who walked beside her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told her about your ability without your permission."

Arcrain spoke when they were alone in the carriage, heading back to the palace.

"...Did you tell Tortelise about my ability because you thought she would eventually be executed?"

The phrase "the dead tell no tales" came to mind, making her feel uneasy. Even if Tortelise spread the word about Estelle's ability, it could be dismissed as the lies of a criminal.

"I won't deny that the thought crossed my mind. But more than that, I was surprised by the emotions and speculations that Estelle saw in that person..."

Arcrain leaned back against the seat, sighing gloomily.

"I also felt a slight sense of unease about the course and outcome of the rebellion... That's why I was shaken."

"Arcrain..."

"Sorry, I need to gather my thoughts."

Arcrain, with a serious expression, turned his gaze to the window.