Chapter 24

"Even so, Lady Octavia kept it hidden in her heart. I am grateful. If you and Serius were against it, you should have made it public first."

"Me..."

No, I can't think about this. Stop thinking.

Lady Sil, are you talking based on the premise that 'I knew about it'?

Why?

The fact that Lady Sil's origins were unknown is common knowledge if you've read the original novel. However, I've never shown any signs of knowing this... Did I slip up? But I haven't met Lady Sil enough to slip up! There's a possibility that this is a misunderstanding on Lady Sil's part...

No, no, I actually did know, so in the end, I was right?

"I don't understand what Lady Sil is saying..."

"---Wasn't this arranged by Lady Octavia for you to return to me?"

Lady Sil, dressed in formal attire, pulled out a pendant chain from her neck. When she took it off and placed it in her palm, a tiny ring appeared on the chain. It was so small that even someone with very slender fingers would find it difficult to wear as an adult.

What Lady Sil showed me was a protective ring.

I never expected to see this here...

Staring at the ring intently, I sighed.

"...A merchant must have told you."

---In Esphia, it's a custom to make a ring for a newborn and keep it as a protective charm. It's made to fit the baby's finger, so it's very small. Each person has only one, made by their birth parent. The baby's name and date of birth are engraved inside the ring. If the child is adopted, the surname changes, but the original name and surname are kept, and the new surname is added to the ring, unless it's lost or for some reason wasn't made.

Lady Sil's ring has her name 'Sil' and her date of birth engraved on it. After being adopted by the Burks family, 'Sil Burks' was added.

This means that Lady Sil's birth parents and adoptive parents are different. The ring itself was made, so her birth parents cared for her. The birth parents' surname isn't engraved, which means they couldn't engrave it. If a child is born under certain circumstances, only the name is engraved, indicating an unknown background and a complicated situation.

---This protective ring, the only item connecting Lady Sil to her birth parents, is stolen from the Burks family early in the original novel. The culprit is a servant of the Burks family who was infatuated with Lady Sil. Disappointed in love, the servant took the jewelry box containing the protective ring and disappeared. The servant didn't know the ring was inside, but stole it because it was something Lady Sil cherished... What a scumbag!

Time passed, and Lady Sil, while visiting a town with someone, found the ring in a store and bought it back.

Who was that someone?

---It was me!

Octavia entered a store that dealt with jewelry, and Lady Sil noticed a jewelry box for sale that looked exactly like the stolen one. The servant had sold the box. When opened, it was empty. Lady Sil then opened the secret compartment and found her protective ring. It had been hidden there and remained safe.

Since then, Lady Sil has worn the ring on a chain under her clothes.

However, in this world, it's impossible for me and Lady Sil to go shopping in town together. This means Lady Sil might not be able to recover her protective ring...

No, that can't be.

Even if we don't go together, she can go with her brother or find another way to recover it.

It's okay, it's okay. I was optimistic, but one day, an incident occurred.

Around the time Clifford became her guard knight, when the guard knights were frequently changing, I visited a store run by a merchant who made custom 'Black Fans' as part of a town inspection.

...There, I found a jewelry box that looked similar to the one for sale in the store!

Thinking it might be a misunderstanding, I hesitantly picked it up. I checked if there was a secret compartment, and... there was a small ring inside. The engraving on the inside might be different!

It was Lady Sil's protective ring.

...Yeah.

I gently put the ring back.

A wave of responsibility and guilt washed over me.

Lady Sil should have already recovered the ring, but it was still in the store... Stupid... Is this because I'm Octavia?

The only connection between the protagonist and her birth parents in 'The King of Integrity' is the protective ring. If she can't recover it...

No, that can't be.

But standing in front of the real thing, I couldn't think that anymore.

---And so, I thought.

How to deliver the protective ring to Lady Sil.

Buy the jewelry box and give it to Lady Sil directly... That's too difficult in many ways. Visiting the mansion where Lady Sil is staying would require a plausible reason, scheduling adjustments, and waiting for a response, making it very conspicuous and noticeable.

Meeting Lady Sil when she visits the castle is possible, but her brother would be with her. If I suddenly gave her the jewelry box in front of her brother, it would be too unnatural...

Directly is impossible. Then, indirectly. Through someone else!

I targeted the merchant running the store.

As a princess, I learned that people are weak to power and money! I bribed the merchant, including a non-disclosure agreement. I had the merchant visit Lady Sil's residence with the jewelry box and some other items for sale. If Lady Sil could see the jewelry box, the rest would fall into place.

Indeed, after the merchant reported that Lady Sil had purchased the jewelry box, I was completely at ease.

---But.

"...When did you get involved?"

"Since the merchant visited the residence where I was staying for sales."

Too soon.

"Visitors are thoroughly screened... The merchant, who was about to be turned away, mentioned that he was sent by the princess."

It's not unusual for merchants to visit noble residences to sell their goods, and it's often welcomed. But if they're being this thorough, it must be my brother's doing?

"Because the merchant mentioned Lady Octavia's name, I decided to meet and judge for myself. The merchant brought the jewelry box stolen from the Burks family. ---Inside the box was this ring."

Lady Sil slightly lifted her palm with the ring on it.

"I learned from the merchant that Lady Octavia found the ring in the jewelry box in the store, and immediately instructed him to bring it to me. The merchant was strictly ordered not to open the box and wasn't told the reason."

A complex smile appeared on her lips.

"---I realized you were considerate, knowing all along."

It's a complete leak... I can feel my temples twitching. Despite the non-disclosure agreement. Well, it's better than the ring not returning to Lady Sil...

Looking down, I saw the protective ring shimmering on Lady Sil's palm.

---Huh?

I blinked.

There was a decorative pattern on the outside of the ring.

When I saw it in the store, I was so focused on the engraving inside that I probably overlooked it. But this...

It once appeared vividly on the back of my hand.

The bond a 'follower' wears for their 'master'.

---Does it resemble the 'mark'?

"Lady Octavia"

Hearing my name, I snapped back to reality.

I met Lady Sil's eyes. Lady Sil gripped the protective ring.

"Please. ---Can you not tell Serius about the accident? I really want to attend the preliminary ball."

That's right...!

The main topic was Lady Sil's treatment after the accident. I was planning to persuade her and send a messenger to my brother. But Lady Sil's unexpected and continuous confessions made me completely forget the main topic... The pattern on the ring is also intriguing.

"..."

I brought the fan to my face, calming my heart with the soft touch of the feathers.

What should I do?

"Lady Sil. How reliable is the information that your birth family will attend the preliminary ball? Is there a possibility it's a trap?"

"There is a possibility---I can't rule it out. The runaway carriage might not have been an accident. But at least, the person who gave me the information knows I wasn't supposed to be the third child of the Burks family."

"...If it is a trap, the person who set it will also attend the preliminary ball."

"Yes. That person might know something about my birth parents. ---I want to bet on that. ...No, for now, it's the only thing I can bet on."

"A bet, huh..."

Alright, I've decided.

I snapped the fan shut.

"I won't tell my brother."

"...Is that okay?"

Despite having given up, Lady Sil looked at me with wide hazel eyes, as if she had hoped for this answer.

"It's fine. I made the decision."

Lady Sil seems to have taken action, considering the possibility of a trap. I should support her resolve!

Lady Sil's encounter with the runaway carriage and her attendance at the preliminary ball to find clues about her origins are not mentioned in the original novel. Of course, not everything is written in the novel. Just like how I didn't go to town with Lady Sil, even if it's written, it might not happen.

Maybe this series of events is happening because the protective ring returned to Lady Sil later than in the original story, I thought to myself.

Whether it turns out well or badly, using this change is a kind of bet for me.

Let's bet on it turning out well.

---If my brother remains devoted to Lady Sil and becomes king, the heir? The heir will have a child with my sister!

As a precaution for a happy ending, I might as well do Lady Sil a favor with this opportunity. It's a bit of a calculation. It's a lie. ...More than a bit.

"However, there are conditions."

"...Yes."

Lady Sil nodded seriously.

The three conditions I gave to Lady Sil are as follows:

First, Lady Sil must ride in the royal carriage to 'Heaven's Paradise'.

There's no guarantee that nothing dangerous will happen again before we arrive. I'm also attending the preliminary ball, and our destination is the same. It's more reassuring to go together.

Second, tell Derek Knightfellow about the carriage accident.

Since I won't tell my brother, it's best to inform someone else to some extent. Derek, who is on my brother's side and also Lady Sil's accomplice, is the best choice.

Third, if you learn anything about your birth family, tell me.

This... is just my selfishness! I tried it out! Lady Sil's true identity is unknown in the original novel. The pattern similar to the 'mark'... I want to know if I can!

---And so it happened.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The short journey to 'Heaven's Paradise' resumed.

The number of passengers in the carriage is now three.

Me, Lady Sil. And---Clifford.

Clifford and I sit next to each other, and Lady Sil sits across from us.

Clifford, who is usually so unobtrusive as my guard knight, can't blend into the background in this limited enclosed space. Even just sitting there, he exudes a presence with his handsome appearance.

...Why did it end up like this?

The Esphian culture of visible carriage travel is to blame!

Even though we are unmarried and I am a princess, the relationship between my brother's lover and his sister is still a concern. Even if the reason for Lady Sil being in the carriage after the accident is explained, it won't be clear to witnesses, and it will lead to speculation. ...Well, compared to Lady Sil riding with Derek Knightfellow, this is much better!

The solution was to increase the number of passengers.

If two people alone is not acceptable, then three is fine!

Clifford, who is easily recognizable as a guard knight in his uniform, was the best choice.

This was also proposed from a security standpoint.

With the departure, one soldier was reassigned to take care of the baron's driver and the broken carriage. From eight to seven. It doesn't seem like a big difference to the protected, but apparently, it is to the protectors.

However, if there is a guard inside the carriage, the anxiety is greatly reduced. It's not uncommon for knights or soldiers to ride for security purposes, and in this case, no one would question the combination of passengers. It's rare, but only in very dangerous areas.

So, we are now three people in the carriage.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Since I introduced Clifford to Lady Sil, no one has spoken a word!

---But.

I peeked at Lady Sil through my fan and tilted my head slightly.

Lady Sil seems to be interested in Clifford. She looks like she wants to ask something but hesitates and stops herself repeatedly.

What is it?

Ah! Maybe.

Maybe... She's bothered by the fact that our conversation was so detailed and Clifford overheard it? I trust Clifford, but to Lady Sil, he's a stranger. ...Should I vouch for him? The bond between Lady Sil and I in the original novel might be strong enough, but it doesn't seem very effective. What else...? A personal oath?

"---Lady Sil. Do you want Clifford to take an oath?"

"An oath?"

A look of "Why?" returned. Huh? Is that wrong?

"It's an oath that he won't disclose anything he heard or saw about our conversation."

"Ah... I see."

Lady Sil nodded in understanding and then shook her head.

"Lady Octavia and Lord Alderton had already agreed to keep it confidential. That's enough. I don't intend to doubt you."

"But..."

"Lady Octavia trusts him, right? And..."

"And?"

Lady Sil, who seemed to be debating whether to say it or not, spoke when I prompted her.

"---Lord Alderton, didn't you save my life four years ago?"

Is this why Lady Sil was interested in Clifford?

Four years ago, Lady Sil is now seventeen, so she was thirteen then. Clifford was twenty-one. However, his reaction to Lady Sil doesn't seem like that of a life-saving benefactor... Lady Sil must not be sure and is hesitating to ask, right?

"I don't know... Clifford."

Even though it might be about him, Clifford, who was looking out the window, turned to me and then shook his head at Lady Sil.

"I only met Lady Burks after becoming her guard knight. We've never spoken until today. ---I think you might be mistaken."

Disappointment appeared in Lady Sil's hazel eyes.

"It's someone else..."

She sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry."

Clifford's apology sounded somewhat cold.

"---Does the person who saved you look a lot like Clifford?"

"It's not the face... It's more... I'm sorry. I can't explain it well. In any case, it was my mistake."

The person who saved Lady Sil. It's very important. It's not in the original novel... Hmm, maybe it was supposed to be in the Tahren chapter?

"If you could meet that person, would you thank them?"

"Yes. I couldn't thank them at the time, so if I could meet them, I would thank them... and ask them something."

"Ask them something?"

"...Are you my blood relative?"

The person who saved her might be a clue to her birth secret?

Reading my question, Lady Sil smiled wryly.

"It's not based on any evidence. I just wish it were true."

With those words from Lady Sil, the carriage fell silent again.