Chapter 61

"It's a murder?"

Pavel's lips, which had been smiling gently as he answered, stiffened.

"Where did you hear such a story?"

It's not a reaction of 'What kind of story is this?' but rather 'Where did you hear this from?' The difference is significant.

"......It seems it wasn't a completely made-up story."

"......"

Pavel's face showed a hint of awkwardness as he sighed.

"It seems there were such rumors among the servants. But now, they are all gone, having left Eilsford."

Pavel's expression clearly showed that he had no idea where the story had leaked from, so I quickly decided to resolve his confusion.

"The doctor who came to Eilsford this time, Leon, is the son of the former family doctor."

"Really? Such a thing......"

Pavel's eyes, which usually remained calm, darted around, showing his surprise at the unexpected story. This was the first time I had seen Pavel so shaken since he came to Eilsford.

"I know about the former family doctor. I heard that the family left the estate in a hurry after the fire incident. You mean his son?"

"Yes. The word 'murder' came from his mouth."

"That must be a story he heard from his father, who was the family doctor, right?"

"Yes."

Nodding in agreement, Pavel furrowed his brow slightly.

"If that's the case, the story of murder isn't just a rumor......"

"Leon believes his father discovered the truth and was killed because of it. He believes Altear was responsible......"

"Huh?"

Pavel, who had been lost in thought, was startled and leaned in closer to me.

"That's an absurd story! At the time, Lord Altear was just a child!"

Even in his surprise, Pavel didn't raise his voice, which was typical of him.

"I know. Even if Altear had been an adult at the time, I know he wouldn't have done such a terrible thing."

That's why I brought Leon here to clear up the misunderstanding. Of course, the secondary benefits of the medicine Leon would develop and the intention to cut ties with Prince Orca were also important, but to me, it was just a casual mention. However, Pavel's reaction was unexpectedly strange. I blinked and looked at him, and he smiled gently as usual.

"It's a bit surprising. You know how Lord Altear handled the incident, yet you say such things."

"Well...... Bahal wasn't family, after all."

Upon saying this, I realized it might have been a bit misleading. Bahal was Altear's cousin, so in a broader sense, he could be considered family.

"Of course, he is a relative."

I hastily added to convey my true intention.

"But when I say 'family,' I mean something more than just a dictionary definition. It's something more intimate, built on trust, and......"

It was difficult to convey the vague concept in my mind, so I rambled on, and Pavel nodded with a smile.

"I understand what you mean. Lady and Lord Altear are family. The knights and Lord Altear are family too."

"Yes, that's right! You and Altear are family too!"

I smiled broadly, pleased that my message had been understood, and nodded. Pavel cleared his throat and subtly averted his gaze.

"There's no need to include me in the family."

"It's not a matter of need; it's the truth."

I tilted my head, puzzled by his unexpected modesty.

"Actually, you and Altear are more like family than I and Altear. The knights and Altear have a very close bond...... a long-standing relationship."

I was just stating the facts, but the more I spoke, the more I felt a weight lifting from my shoulders. Pavel narrowed his eyes, observing my expression.

"Lady, there is no closer family than a married couple."

"Is that so......"

Everyone says that, but isn't it only true for couples who truly love each other?

'But Altear and I aren't like that.'

We married for mutual benefit, as befitting nobles, and while we don't have a bad relationship, we aren't burning with passion like lovers. Simply put, we are a marriage of convenience. Altear needed an heir, and I needed a way to escape the tragic plot of a predetermined story.

'Even though trying to escape has only made me more entangled with the characters in the story......'

That was my original intention, and it hasn't changed.

"Lady?"

I must have let my expression slip, as Pavel called out to me, concerned.

I quickly smiled and shook my head.

"Anyway, I believe in Altear's innocence. But it didn't seem like Leon was making up a story out of thin air."

If Altear is innocent and Leon isn't delusional, there's only one answer: the former lord's death was indeed a murder, but the culprit was someone else. Even though I didn't elaborate, the astute Pavel understood the hidden meaning and lowered his voice.

"An investigation is necessary. But why are you telling me this instead of Lord Altear?"

"If it really is a murder, it will be a great sorrow for Altear. He will be tormented during the investigation. I want to reduce that painful time as much as possible...... Is that a silly thought?"

I asked with a sheepish smile, and Pavel, who had been staring at me, shook his head with a slight smile.

"No, it will certainly be a painful matter for Lord Altear. He still can't even step into the place where the fire happened...... But I have limited freedom to act, so it's difficult for me to lead such an investigation."

Most of his time is spent assisting Altear, so it would be even harder to move without his notice.

"Would it be alright if I ask Blan to take on this investigation?"

"Blan would naturally......"

Just as he was about to agree, I remembered that he was on a mission for Altear.

"Isn't he handling a task for Altear?"

"He'll be back soon. It seems the investigation is almost complete. He's apparently enjoying his time in the capital so much that he's delaying his return, which has made Lord Altear grumble and send a letter demanding his immediate return."

"What is he investigating in the capital?"

I asked naturally, but Pavel quickly closed his mouth and looked at me carefully.

'Ah. This is a sign that I shouldn't pry further.'

Altear had given him a secret mission, and I had tried to dig too deep. I acknowledged my mistake and smiled broadly at Pavel to show that I understood.

"I'm sorry. I made a mistake. The knights' intelligence missions aren't something I should be involved in."

"No, it's not that......"

"It's okay. I'm sorry for putting you in an awkward position."

Pavel still looked uncomfortable and moved his lips. I quickly changed the topic to avoid making him more uncomfortable.

"Anyway, hosting the guest is important now. If we don't treat Melisa properly, she might spread rumors when she returns to the capital...... We need to be careful not to give her any ammunition."

Fortunately, the topic change was successful. Pavel, perhaps recalling Melisa, shook his head without hiding his disgust.

"No matter how we treat her, she'll likely spread false rumors when she returns."

"That's...... not entirely wrong, but......"

I couldn't help but laugh at how quickly he had assessed Melisa in such a short time.

"If we treat her generously and false rumors spread, it will be clear that Melisa is lying. But if we treat her poorly, her stories will be seen as true."

The capital nobles value the social scene like their lives. They can quickly discern who is spreading false rumors and who is telling the truth. Of course, there are many who can't tell the difference, but they are insignificant.

"We can't ignore the servants who came with Melisa. They will spread rumors subtly. Servants are the source of all rumors, after all."

"Are you worried about the social scene's rumors even from afar?"

"Soon, we will be selling magic stones, and our main customers will be wealthy capital nobles. To conduct smooth transactions with them, we need to show that we are sensible and noble. The capital people generally view the eastern nobles...... well......"

I hesitated to say it, and Pavel, understanding, continued with a smile.

"Rough and rude. They think we are beneath them."

"......"

I hadn't expected such a blunt statement. But it was true that the capital nobles viewed the eastern nobles this way, so I couldn't really argue. Seeing my awkward smile, Pavel nodded, still smiling.

"If that is your intention, I will do my best to host the guest."

***

'Hmm, there's not a single flaw......'

Melisa frowned at the perfectly prepared meal. She had been determined to cause trouble and make Nadia uncomfortable, but it was impossible to overturn the table with such perfection.

'I have to find a flaw......'

As she rolled her eyes, a crispy Latmung dish caught her attention. 'This is it!' Her eyes lit up.

"What? You're serving Latmung without Etam sauce?"

Melisa glared at Eilsford's maid. Serving Latmung with Etam sauce was a long-standing tradition, but it was a tradition. Etam sauce was difficult to make and the ingredients were expensive, so only high-ranking nobles could serve it properly. However, tradition was tradition, and it was a good point to nitpick. Melisa stood up, ready to overturn the table.

"To treat guests like this! Call Nadia immediately and have her apologize for this outrageous rudeness......"

'And make her kneel and beg for forgiveness!' she was about to shout when the maid, who had been silent, quickly took a small bowl from the trolley and placed it next to the Latmung.

"I prepared it in case you were looking for it. It's Etam sauce."

"What?!"

Melisa stared at the bowl. It was the perfect Etam sauce, with a perfect aroma and color. A sauce that was hard to come by even in the House of Bain. She was a bit flustered but didn't give up and found another flaw.

"Hmph. Don't you know that Etam sauce should be topped with fresh Gilan herbs?"

Gilan herbs were a rare and expensive ingredient, more valuable than gold. The proper way to finish Etam sauce was with Gilan herbs, but few nobles indulged in such luxury. Melisa had only tasted it at royal banquets. So, there was no way such a herb would be available in this backwater. She raised her voice confidently.

"To serve guests without knowing this shows the level of Eilsford......"

"Gilan herbs have a strong aroma, so some people don't like them. I have them prepared separately. I'll add them now."

Before Melisa could finish her sentence, the maid took fresh Gilan herbs from the trolley and generously placed them on the Etam sauce. It looked similar to what she had seen at royal banquets.

"Th-This......! Fine! Butter! I only eat butter with dill......"

"The Lady knew you prefer butter with dill and had the kitchen prepared it in advance."

This time, a plate of dill butter appeared from the trolley. No matter what flaw she pointed out, the maid promptly placed it in front of her.

'Why, why does it keep appearing?'

Finally, giving up on nitpicking, Melisa cut a piece of Latmung and put it in her mouth. The deliciousness of the carefully prepared dish, made with precious ingredients, only made her more frustrated.

'Is this girl Nadia eating such delicious food every day?'

Even seeing the well-maintained castle had made her feel this way, but seeing such excellent cuisine confirmed that they had struck it rich.

'While we were eating dry, hard bread at the House of Bain......'

To enjoy such luxury without knowing one's place......

'No, no. Don't act like a servant, Melisa Bain.'

Melisa gritted her teeth, composed her expression, and placed her utensils on the table. The maid, expecting her to find another flaw, watched her tensely, but to her surprise, Melisa's face was beaming with a bright smile. It was hard to believe she had been nitpicking and complaining just moments ago. As the maid bowed in confusion, Melisa stood up and spoke affectionately.

"I want to thank Lord Altear for preparing such a luxurious meal. Could you guide me to him?"