Chapter 42

It has been five days since I arrived in the capital. The messenger from the royal castle has yet to visit.

Patrick says it is essential to show my face to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, but perhaps it is fine not to go. They must be very busy, and I have no intention of taking the initiative.

As I was thinking this, the messenger from His Majesty finally arrived.

Patrick and I immediately headed to the reception room. There, waiting for us was the principal of the royal academy.

"Huh? Why is the principal here?"

"It's been a while, Yumiera and Patrick. I'm no longer the principal."

"You were a temporary one, right?"

"Exactly, I've just returned to my original job."

He had a suspicious smile on his face, and I think he is one of His Majesty's close aides. He doesn't reveal his family name and is a mysterious figure.

He was sent to the academy as a liaison between me and His Majesty, but now that I have graduated, he no longer needs to be the principal.

Patrick and I sat across from him.

"Principal... former principal, what brings you here today?"

"Hey, don't you remember my name?"

"Of course not, how could I forget..."

What was it again? I can't recall at all. I've always called him 'principal,' so it didn't stick in my memory.

Feeling troubled, Patrick quickly spoke up.

"If you're not the principal, should I call you Sir Ronald?"

"No, no, no need to be so formal. Be more casual."

Patrick. The name 'Principal Ronald' sounds familiar.

"So, what brings you here, Ronald?"

"Sure, you didn't remember, did you?"

"No, I remember. I have a good memory."

The gaze of the former principal, now Ronald, and Patrick pierced me. A liar is the beginning of a thief, and there's one thief in this room.

Ronald took out an envelope and handed it to me. It had the royal seal of wax.

"What is this?"

"It's an invitation to a tea party from Her Majesty the Queen. Don't worry, it's just the two of us."

Being alone might make me more nervous... or maybe it's more difficult with other young ladies.

His Majesty and Her Majesty are trying to create a connection with me in a way I don't dislike. There might be ulterior motives, but I appreciate it and accept it sincerely.

Looking at the envelope with a faint good smell, I asked,

"What time is it?"

"Tomorrow. If you have other plans, we can change it..."

"Then tomorrow is fine."

"Tomorrow, huh. It's rare for someone to say they can meet the Queen anytime."

The time and date are probably written in the letter, but I confirmed with Ronald, who was likely sent by the Queen to gauge my reaction.

I have already publicly stated that I want to avoid involvement with the royal family, so there's no need to hide it. Even if I tried to hide it, they would know, just like they know I forgot the principal's name.

Feeling a bit gloomy about going to the castle tomorrow, Ronald's smile deepened. Is there something else?

"And, I came here to confirm one more thing. Do you know about the barrier magic item in the Sannon Church in the capital?"

"Yes, I confirmed its existence two days ago. What about it?"

"Hmm, so it was there two days ago. Then yesterday, right?"

What happened to the barrier magic item, my long-standing nemesis? I want to face it again and, if possible, obtain it. What happened to it?

Ronald, as usual, spoke in a light tone.

"Well, it seems the magic item was stolen."

Patrick's face turned sharply towards me. It might have made a sound.

"No, no, it's not me. I didn't do anything."

The words that came out of my mouth were those of a criminal. But I really didn't do it. I said I wanted it, but I didn't sneak around to steal it.

Seeing my suspicious behavior, Patrick's eyes became even sharper.

"No, I can't even enter the church, and I don't even know where the magic item is stored. My goal is to settle things with it, so if I were to steal it, I would destroy it instead."

Speaking quickly in my defense, I must have looked very suspicious. If I were in a different position, I would have concluded that I was the criminal.

Patrick didn't say anything, but my desperate self-defense made me even more suspicious.

What if I'm falsely accused? Glancing at Ronald, he said with his usual smile,

"I don't suspect you, Yumiera. I just wanted to confirm if the barrier was really there two days ago."

"Right, I thought about destroying it, but I didn't plan to steal it."

"Destroying it is also not allowed, you know?"

I know I shouldn't destroy the barrier, but whether I will or not is another matter. Even if the world turns against me, there are things a person must do.

As I reaffirmed my resolve, Ronald explained the details.

"The cardinal checks the magic item in the morning and evening. The theft was discovered last night. I didn't even know the barrier existed, so I thought I'd confirm it with Yumiera."

"The barrier was definitely there. It was very hard. I'll beat it someday."

"That's why you shouldn't destroy it..."

So the crime took place yesterday afternoon, and I have an alibi for that time. I am innocent.

Patrick must have noticed this and turned away from me.

"See? I didn't do it, right?"

"...I didn't say anything."

"Still, who could have stolen it? It's not mine, right?"

Patrick is so suspicious. I wish he would trust me more.

In fact, Ronald never suspected me from the beginning. He gave the reason why he was sure I was innocent.

"Yumiera, you were outside the city walls yesterday. You were seen by the residents of the capital as you returned straight to this house."

"See? See? It's not me, right?"

"Ah, I get it. I'm sorry for doubting you."

Patrick sincerely apologized. Hmm? This is a rare setup. Usually, it's the other way around.

How can I use this opportunity? Maybe I can ask for something outrageous now. For love, I would even do something unfair.

As I was daydreaming, Ronald spoke hesitantly.

"By the way, don't jump over the city walls from now on? We keep a record of the number of people entering and exiting."

Patrick's expression changed, reverting to his usual self.

"Yumiera, jumping over the city walls is not allowed. And stop jumping on the roofs."

"No, jumping over the city walls and moving on the roofs are unrelated. Even if I walk on the ground, I think I can jump over the city walls."

"...Entering and exiting through the windows is also forbidden from now on."

The situation has reversed. Why did it come to this? Patrick, nagging like a mother, is so annoying... but not really. We've always had this kind of relationship, so it's nothing new.

The problem is that moving on the roofs is forbidden. It's incredibly fun, and I want Patrick to experience it. If he tries it once, his opinion will surely change. Just once, just once!

While pretending to reflect, I listened to his words.

Because Ronald was there, the storm passed relatively quickly. Patrick, diverting the topic, continued the conversation.

"Really, it's good that Patrick is here. You're the only one who can stop Yumiera's reckless behavior."

"Reckless? I change my actions if I'm told to, you know?"

"...That's part of the problem. Well, that's all for now. Just let me know if you see the barrier magic item."

The theft of the church's treasure is a serious matter. I should join the search. In the process, there's a good chance I might face the barrier again, by coincidence or a small mistake.

I expressed my enthusiasm.

"I want to actively search. What does the magic item look like? Can you give me any other clues? A list of people who visited the church yesterday would be helpful."

Unfortunately, my offer to help was declined.

"Actually, Yumiera, you don't need to search. I feel it might be dangerous if you find it. Don't tell anyone about this, it's top-secret information known only to the top levels of the government and the church."

It's a shame, but if Ronald, who knows such top-secret information and is involved in the investigation, is involved, who is he? I'm curious about why he doesn't reveal his family name. I don't think he's a commoner.

As if reading my thoughts, he said with a smile,

"Trying to find out who I am will be a waste of time. There are even fewer people who know than about the barrier."

That makes me even more curious. He is a young close aide to His Majesty and is trusted with important tasks.

Could he be the king's illegitimate child? That would explain why he doesn't have a family name.

"It's not that, I'm often suspected, but I'm used to it."

I didn't say anything, but he preemptively denied it. No matter how much I imagine, no other theory comes to mind.

Is it really a waste of time to think about it? As I was thinking, a noisy voice came from the hallway. Oh, here they come again. Patrick and I exchanged glances.

Unlike Patrick, Ronald didn't seem to know what was happening. He looked at the door curiously.

"It's noisy. Is something wrong?"

"It's the usual. They'll be here soon."

Sure enough, the commotion in the house drew closer. As expected, the door was flung open.

"I've come to play!"

How can she move so aggressively in a dress? Elenora marched into the room.

Glancing at Ronald, she was frozen in place. I thought it was understandable for her to be surprised, but she also looked at him with wide eyes.

"Why is my brother here, Yumiera?"

My brother? Ronald is Elenora's brother? So he is the Duke of Hillrose's son?

The man in the middle, Ronald, said with a strained smile,

"Hello, Elenora. It's been a while."

"What? Didn't we meet the other day?"

"What are you talking about? A teacher and a former student wouldn't meet outside the school."

"Oh! I shouldn't have mentioned my brother! ...Good afternoon, Principal."

"Being mistaken for my brother, huh, hahaha."

No, no, I won't be fooled.

After a moment of silence, Elenora was the first to speak.

"So, why is my brother... Principal here?"

Is she trying to cover it up?

Directing a suspicious gaze at her, Elenora's brother raised his hands.

"Oh, I've managed to keep it a secret until now... Yes, I'm Ronald Hillrose. I'm working as His Majesty's aide under a hidden family name."

He looked unusually unhappy.

I was truly surprised, not only by his true identity but also by how they managed to keep it a secret.

I wonder how Elenora managed to keep it a secret, but the more important question is why he is hiding his family name.

The fact that it hasn't been revealed suggests he was raised away from the Hillrose family from a very young age. What did the Duke want to achieve by doing this?

"Why?"

"It's my father, the Duke of Hillrose's decision. I am to live my life as a person unrelated to the ducal family."

"Is there a reason?"

"Of course. I was surprised when I heard it, but now I'm grateful. My father's predictions about the future are not to be underestimated."

Ronald's answer to my vague question was unclear. I can't see the reason why he is hiding his family name, but it seems inappropriate to pry further.

Living without a family name in a society that values it is incredibly difficult. There must be deep and complex reasons behind it.

"Alright, I understand. It's none of my business, and I won't ask or tell anyone."

"None of your business, huh. But I appreciate it, thank you."

Why does the "none of my business" part sound so ambiguous? This is a story from before I was born, so there's no way I'm involved.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Looking in that direction, Elenora was trying to leave the room. Ronald stopped her.

"Elenora, I want to talk to my cute sister after so long."

"Are you angry, brother?"

"No, no, why would I be angry?"

"It's definitely a lie! My brother can be scary even when he's smiling!"

A few days ago, Elenora said her brother's expression never changes. I see, that's what she meant. Ronald is smiling as usual, but there's a certain intensity to it.

Feeling threatened by his smiling but angry approach, Elenora turned to me for help.

"Yumiera, I have a meeting with you! I can't stay with my brother!"

She looked at me and made several awkward winks. Is this a signal?

Ronald also turned to me. His smile was terrifying.

"Is it true you have a meeting?"

"No, Elenora comes unannounced almost every day, and it's a hassle."

"Can I borrow the room? I want to talk to her alone."

"Sure, sure, use the room. We'll leave."

I left Elenora behind and exited. Patrick followed silently, making him equally guilty.

Well, it's fine. I won't be unjustly scolded, and if her attacks decrease, it will be a relief for me.