Chapter 82

After that, I continued to greet people at each table, checking to make sure nothing was missing and giving instructions, and for major decisions, I would consult the head maid... It was a repetitive process.

There was no time to enjoy the roses or the maples!

I would like to take the time to enjoy them gracefully next time... with Lady Primula, if possible.

"The gathered guests, it seems that the gift from the Count of Raisem is a certain monster!"

A particularly loud cheer reached my ears, and I couldn't help but turn my attention in that direction.

I definitely heard the word "monster"! It wasn't just my imagination!!

(Here it comes!)

"Did you say a monster?!"

"Is it dangerous...?"

"Apparently, a skilled adventurer is with it..."

"Oh, how terrifying!"

I couldn't tell whose voices they were, but the fact that the Count had brought a monster was actually true... No, in the past, people had brought rare mountain cats or panda-like creatures, so maybe it wasn't so unusual. Whether it was due to carelessness or the privilege of the upper class... Honestly, it was quite a nuisance. Of course, I didn't let it show in my voice or attitude.

(...Oh?)

But there were no screams, no angry shouts, and no sounds that seemed to come from a monster...

I could tell the location from the crowd that had gathered, and the knights had become tense, so it didn't seem to be a simple joke.

"How terrifying, it has such sharp fangs!"

"Look at the luster of its fur! When it's defeated, we could make a coat out of it to show off."

"Oh, my lady, that's a bit too cruel!"

"But even such a small creature can be terrifying, right?"

"I've heard that some monsters can use magic."

"Ha, there's nothing to fear for our country's knights! And there are adventurers as well."

"That's right!!"

I almost frowned at the laughter that followed!

Peeking through the crowd, I saw that the "monster" was just a specimen or a taxidermy. I had worried for nothing... But would the Dowager Queen have warned me about such a thing?

Moreover, the Count of Raisem, as I remembered, was a young man who had recently inherited the title, and I recalled that a civil servant was representing him today, so he must have been entrusted to bring it... That seemed reasonable.

But what if there was some plot to tarnish the Count's name through a family dispute? Or maybe it was already under investigation.

But wait?

In the crowd, on the diagonal opposite from me, I saw Airen.

Her face was pale, and it caught my attention. When I circled around to get closer, I saw that she was being led away by a man who was with the Count's representative.

She seemed reluctant, but she was careful not to draw attention.

This doesn't look good?!

While chasing after her so as not to lose sight, I stopped a nearby maid.

This is where you report, consult, and inform. You can't forget it!

"Your ladyship, you're from the Outer Palace, right?"

"Yes, this is... the Chief Lady of the Princess's Court."

"Please inform one of the maids of the Outer Palace Chief that something has happened, and tell them it's the Rose Path. And inform the Dowager Queen that I've left my seat."

"Understood."

The garden has many paths, but there are few here, and if the report is made from my current position, they should be able to figure out which path it is!

If only a knight were nearby, I could have asked them too... but there's one right here!

"Edi!"

"Hm, Lady Julia. What is it?"

"Please follow me. I sensed something unsettling."

"Understood!"

Yes, that's a responsive answer. Good, good!

But it would be even better if he asked what happened!

Still, it's best if nothing happens.

As soon as we entered the path, the crowd disappeared, and only distant voices could be heard. It's amazing how sound doesn't carry well when surrounded by plants. The path is lined with climbing roses, which are there for aesthetics, but it must be a pain for the guards!

Hmm, sometimes maids and guests use these paths for romantic encounters... but it seems that's not the case this time, which is a relief. A chance encounter could lead to terrible misunderstandings or grudges, which I'd rather avoid.

Oh, I can hear voices.

"Edi, please lower your voice."

"I understand... So, what happened?"

"Airen looked very pale a moment ago, and I saw her being led down this path by someone. She didn't seem to be going to the infirmary or calling for other maids, so I became concerned. However, I didn't think it was a good idea to act alone, so I asked you to come with me."

"I see. I understand the situation."

"I appreciate your quick understanding."

Does he really understand?

No, no, being a member of the Royal Guard, he must be smart, even if he's a musclehead.

It's just that my impression of him so far hasn't been great, but he must be competent.

Aldar Saul-sama said he was a good person, after all.

I listened carefully, even though it might be a bit rude.

It's not a case of catching someone cheating, and if she seems unwell, I'll speak up... and if she's being attacked, of course, I'll get help. Why not just walk out boldly? Well, the atmosphere when she was being led away made me hesitate.

"---... Why?"

"Why is that my line, Airen! What do you mean, you have a fiancé?!"

"...It's none of your business..."

"It is, of course! I was supposed to be your lover! How long did you think I waited for the day you'd return...?"

"I'm not! Not that kind of country girl anymore!"

Oh, this is a love triangle!

This is unexpected!

I knew she was trying to switch to Aldar Saul-sama, but I didn't expect that she had a lover back home and hadn't settled things before getting engaged to Edi!

How many men is she playing with...? No, no, the problem is that the person himself is right behind me. I can't afford to be surprised.

What do I do now? I've made a lot of mistakes from the start.

"Um... Edi..."

"...No, I'll talk to her later. I won't cause a scene here."

"That's a wise decision."

He's surprisingly calm.

Of course, causing a scene here would ruin everyone's position.

Still, I can tell he wants to intervene...

Should we leave the scene or stay and intervene if something happens?

What should I do? What's the right thing to do? I hope the Chief of the Outer Palace comes soon!

"Murietta said it! A big monster would appear... and it really did!"

"So what? In the end, Murietta's father defeated it—"

(Huh?)

I thought it was just a lovers' quarrel, but the conversation seems to have taken a different turn.

Airen knew about the appearance of a giant monster? The other person knows about it too?

And Murietta, that name...

Wasn't that the default name of the heroine in the game?

In the game, of course, you can change the name, but if you don't, it doesn't become something like "Nanashi." There was some debate about this feature.

Hmm? Why did the heroine's name come up?

Did the heroine predict the appearance of the giant monster...? That's unlikely.

Speculating won't resolve the current situation, so I should deal with these two first...

"I won't end up in the borderlands! I'm tired of being discriminated against because I'm the child of immigrants and living in fear of monsters!"

"You... Airen, you're planning to leave me...?"

"How long do you think I'd stay with a dull man like you?! I got a job at the Count's mansion and escaped a miserable life... I had a good dream, didn't I?!"

Was that her true self? She's suddenly using "Atashi" to refer to herself, and her tone is quite harsh...

I'm a bit scared to turn to Edi right now.

Hmm, to sum it up simply:

Airen's family is from the borderlands, and their status is low. She had the ability to work at the Count's mansion and found a lover there. But when she got a job in the capital, at the royal palace, she chose that.

Life in the borderlands is hard to imagine, but I've heard it's very tough.

How she met the heroine—Murietta—is unclear.

"You... rotten woman!"

"What did you say?!"

"That's enough!"

(Oh, Edi?!)

He walked out boldly!

The timing might be right, considering the risk of the situation escalating and being noticed by the guests.

But... yeah, I still feel like I made a big mistake in my choice!