Chapter 10

Before long, X-day arrived.

The golden frog figurine that had been displayed in the hallway of the mansion suddenly vanished.

(Well, I mean, who would even display something like that...?)

While it wasn't exactly a tasteful decoration, the golden frog was certainly valuable.

Naturally, the mansion was in an uproar, and the search for the culprit began. The name that came up as a suspect was... Pamela.

Just as Ortencia remembered, events unfolded as they had before.

(But this time, I'll stop it.)

To avoid being sent to the gallows, it was better to have more allies.

For Ortencia, who was currently isolated and without support, securing Pamela would be a significant asset.

"That country girl has been summoned to the master's study," one of the servants whispered.

"How awful, having a colleague be a criminal. The master should just hand her over to the security forces."

Ortencia, using one of the blessings given by the goddess—*Keen Hearing*—caught the servants' whispers and, with determination, stepped out of her room.

Her destination was the study of her father, Duke Verite.

"Stop this nonsense! The duke has said that if you confess, he will show you mercy, yet you still look so pitiful...!"

"But I really didn't do it!"

As soon as she reached the study, she heard the voices of an argument from inside.

"—No, I didn't do it... I would never plan an assassination—"

For a moment, the events before the time loop flashed through her mind.

(But it's okay. We won't go down that path again.)

Taking a deep breath, Ortencia stretched up and knocked on the study door.

The argument paused for a moment, and the door opened. Her father appeared.

"Ortencia...? I'm sorry, but I'm quite busy right now—"

"No, Father. This must be done now. Pamela is my personal maid. Don't I have the right to speak as well?"

Her father's eyes widened in surprise, then he smiled as if he found the situation amusing.

"You've got me there. Alright, come in."

(Alright, first hurdle cleared!)

She had anticipated being told to leave, but she managed to get inside.

When the people in the study saw Ortencia, they looked startled.

(The butler, the head maid... a reasonable selection.)

Ortencia looked around the room and then focused on Pamela, who looked on the verge of tears.

"Miss..."

Nodding at the surprised Pamela, Ortencia spoke softly.

"...I heard that Pamela is suspected of stealing items from the mansion. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's true. The stolen items were found among her personal belongings."

Despite the situation, her father seemed unusually cheerful.

To match his gaze, which seemed to say, "What will you do now?" Ortencia straightened her back and stood tall.

"Pamela wouldn't do such a thing."

Ortencia's assertion made the head maid sigh.

"However, Miss, the stolen items were found among Pamela's belongings. This is undeniable evidence."

"But it's possible that someone framed her. ...Pamela, do you still have the potted plant I gave you in your room?"

"Yes...! Of course, I take good care of it every day."

"Can someone bring the potted plant from Pamela's room? I'll show you the real culprit."

Ortencia's confident attitude left the butler and the head maid looking confused.

But her father, chuckling, ordered a servant to bring the potted plant.

"So, my dear. What do you intend to do?"

"...Among the blessings I received, there is one that allows me to 'read the memories of plants.'"

—The *Emerald Eye* is a rare blessing that allows her to read the memories of plants by simply touching them and focusing. However, it can only read memories from the past three days, not decades ago.

Ortencia was initially puzzled about where she would use such a niche skill, but she had come up with an unexpected application.

(If I give Pamela a potted plant, it will prove her innocence!)

Soon, a servant brought the potted plant from Pamela's room.

It was a plant Ortencia had given her as a gift, and Pamela had kept it well-polished and cared for.

Gently touching the leaves, Ortencia focused intently.

(Please... tell me who framed Pamela...!)

The plant's memories flowed into her mind. For a while, there was nothing unusual—just an empty room with Pamela occasionally entering and leaving.

(Here it comes!)

Suddenly, the door opened, and it wasn't Pamela but another maid who peeked in.

An older woman, a few years older than Pamela. Holding a master key, she took the golden frog from a package in her arms and quickly hid it in Pamela's belongings. Then, with a malicious smile, she left the room.

(I see... I see...)

Ortencia turned to her father with confidence and said,

"Father, I know who the culprit is. But I haven't memorized all the servants' faces and names yet... Can we gather everyone in the hall?"

(Now, the counterattack begins.)

Ortencia smiled, and her father also smiled, looking amused.