Chapter 59

Logan revealed Carol's true identity as Sharol, and Amelia was speechless.

The wife of the great-grandmaster of the Hernberg family.

One of the "military gods" who achieved great feats in the last great war.

And the person who elevated the Hernberg family from a baronial to a ducal family...

Amelia's mind was completely overwhelmed by such an incredible background.

(…Ah… but, that’s right…)

Looking back, many things made sense.

The Hernberg family was originally known for martial arts, and Sharol herself had a very fit physique. When Amelia almost fell into the pond and Sharol saved her, the strength she felt was unusually powerful. Sharol had also mentioned something about the way she used her body.

Everything made sense after hearing Sharol's background.

The scars on Sharol's skin that Amelia saw in the large bath the first time they met were probably from past battles.

Amelia naturally asked her question.

"Why didn't you reveal your true identity, Sharol... Oh! I'm terribly sorry! Lady Sharol...!!"

"That's fine, that's fine."

As Amelia hurriedly tried to bow, Sharol pointed at her with a finger and said with a bored look.

"Everyone seems to mistake me for a god or something, making it hard to talk. I'm just a retired old woman. Despite that, everyone treats me with such distance... I didn't like that, so I didn't reveal it."

"I see..."

Amelia understood.

Even if she were retired, someone with such a background would be treated with the utmost respect and caution.

"As I get older, the number of people I can talk to without reservation has drastically decreased... When I heard that a young lady from outside who didn't know my true identity was coming to marry into the family, I thought it was fortunate."

"That is very honorable, but... was I suitable?"

"Sure?"

"Sure, because I thought you were. No need for complicated reasoning."

"I see... That's how it is."

"That's how it is."

Sharol nodded in satisfaction.

"So, that's why. Please continue to call me Sharol as usual."

Amelia personally wanted to call her that.

But, was it okay? Amelia looked at Logan.

"Grandmother, is that...?"

Logan had a bitter expression.

"Of course, I don't expect you to call me that in public. Just in this house. Don't worry about how the servants might see it. As the head of the household, you can make such an exception known within the house, right?"

"It can be done, but..."

"Besides... you owe me a big favor, don't you?"

"Uh..."

Logan was speechless, as if a sore spot had been hit.

"A favor?"

When Amelia asked, Sharol began to explain as if revealing a secret.

"Weren't you curious why Logan conveniently appeared when you were in a life-threatening situation, being assaulted by the maid?"

Sharol took a bell from her pocket with a chime.

The large bell she always carried, which she had shown her the other day.

"Oh..."

Amelia remembered.

She heard the sound of this bell when she was being pinned down by Melissa. Realizing that Logan had rushed to her aid upon hearing the sound, Amelia bowed deeply.

"Thank you so much...!! Thanks to you, I was saved!"

"No need to be so formal. Just treat me as usual... okay?"

"Yes...!! Thank you, Sharol."

"Indeed."

Sharol looked at Logan.

Logan sighed deeply.

"...I understand. Do as you please."

"Hehehe, that's fine."

Sharol nodded in satisfaction, and Logan asked her.

"By the way, if you had time to call me, why didn't you help Amelia first? You could have easily taken care of that maid, right?"

Actually, it was more than just a quick dispatch.

Sharol said, "What, don't you understand?" and began to explain.

"I've heard a lot about Amelia from Oscar. What happened at the Hagel house, how she came here, and what kind of life she has been leading. And what kind of person Amelia is... and what kind of complexes she has."

Logan was taken aback by these words.

"…You mean, you deliberately observed the situation?"

Sharol smiled slyly.

"Amelia was trying to change. She was struggling to resist the maid she had always been unable to stand up to, trying to change herself... In such a situation, it would have been unrefined for me to come to her aid."

Amelia gasped.

She shuddered, realizing that everything had been part of a calculated plan.

How deeply had she thought and acted?

Amelia couldn't help but shiver at the unfathomable abilities of Sharol.

"Of course, I made sure everything would turn out well. It was better for Logan to come in the long run. I considered when to ring the bell and how long it would take for Logan to get here... It's been a while since I used my head like this, it reminds me of the old days."

Sharol chuckled again.

Was she remembering the time when she was called one of the "military gods" in the last great war?

"…I didn't expect you to get so angry and attack, but it must have felt good in the end, right? You must have wanted to hit that maid so badly, right?"

Sharol said, as if she saw through everything.

Logan raised his hands in surrender and smiled wryly.

"Absolutely... I can't match you, Grandmother."

"Of course. You've never beaten me. How about a sword practice session? Of course, all techniques are allowed, including body techniques and combat techniques."

"I'll pass. The water in that pond is too cold this season."

"Tsk, what a wimp."

Sharol sighed, but her expression seemed somewhat amused.

"…Anyway, to get to the root of it. I did all this because of Amelia's actions."

"Huh?"

Amelia was taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation.

"What do you mean...?"

Sharol cut the air with her fist.

A sharp blow that would send someone flying if they were hit, like Melissa earlier.

"I was training the royal guard and got injured... I had a shoulder injury, but Amelia's medicine helped a lot. Thanks to you, I can still continue my active career. Thank you, Amelia."

Amelia, who was about to bow deeply in response to the legendary figure bowing to her, remembered the words:

"Just treat me as usual... okay?"

Instead, she smiled brightly and said,

"You're welcome, Sharol."

Helping others and, in turn, being helped by them.

This is what is known as mutual aid.

(I'm glad I could be of help...)

Amelia was genuinely happy.

"Didn't you say you were retired just now?"

"Be quiet."

Logan's comment was met with a retort from Sharol.

Their deep relationship was evident from their interaction.

At the pond they visited the other day, the image of young Logan training with Sharol came to mind, making her feel warm and fuzzy inside.

"Well, well. My job is done, so I'll take my leave."

"Are you going back to the castle?"

"No, I'll take a bath first. I've had a good workout after a long time."

Sharol smiled and said,

The strong, intelligent, yet free-spirited old woman, Sharol.

Amelia admired her and aspired to be like her.

"Oh, by the way, Logan."

"What is it, Grandmother?"

"I've been worried about your lack of romantic interest, but you've shown remarkable growth. I'm relieved."

"You suddenly changed the subject... What do you mean by that?"

When Logan asked, puzzled, Sharol looked at Amelia... more precisely, at what Amelia was holding in her hand.

"Giving Amelia a 'Crown Blood' pendant as a gift shows good taste in gemstone meanings."

When Sharol said this, Logan awkwardly averted his gaze.

Amelia, instead, asked,

"What does the gemstone mean?"

"What, you didn't know? That's the kind of thing you should know."

"…Leave me alone."

Logan looked away, looking uncomfortable.

Sharol, instead, said,

"The gemstone meaning of Crown Blood is... 'courage'."

"'Courage'..."

"Exactly. It fits the current Amelia perfectly."

Remembering Logan's words, Amelia felt her heart swell.

Holding the pendant close to her chest, Amelia looked at Sharol, who smiled like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.

"…By the way, Crown Blood has another gemstone meaning."

"Another meaning?"

"Yes, another... Look at the handsome man over there and ask him directly."

With that, Sharol walked away.