Chapter 98

"Il has left, hasn't he?"

"There's no contact at all."

"It's hard to imagine that Lord Edward would tell us about the Third Knights."

Jeff stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"I'm looking forward to how Lord Edward will handle this."

"I don't think my brother would act on his own without considering the Enrocam family's wishes. He's very thorough."

"That's true. Hey, Jeff, did you notice any contradictions in Il's story?"

"Yeah, the part about the atmosphere, right?"

"You noticed it too, huh."

Il had said, "My family has been assassins for the ruling powers for a thousand years." But he also said, "Now, assassination isn't worth it, so we don't do it anymore."

Yet Lord Edward mentioned that Il's father and grandfather had an atmosphere similar to those deeply involved in life and death, which is contradictory.

"Perhaps, if the job is worth it, they still take on assassinations... That might be it."

"If that's the case, I lived in the same grounds for five years and didn't sense anything."

"Maybe you overlooked it because you were looking at them through the eyes of a Shen martial arts expert. I didn't notice either."

The current and previous heads of the Enrocam family seemed very gentle and calm. Did they also carry out assassinations when they were young?

"I was confident in my ability to identify people involved in underground work. I've lost that confidence."

"They were just one step ahead of us."

"I'll take it as a lesson. People aren't always what they seem, which is a basic principle."

"There are people in the world who hide remarkable abilities."

"Indeed."

"No, you're one of them."

"Oh..."

"You must have some abilities I don't know about yet."

Jeff looked at me seriously, but I only managed a 'refined and ambiguous smile.'

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

After entering the castle, we were led to the audience chamber. As soon as the king and queen entered, the room was cleared, leaving only the four of us in the spacious room.

"I'm relieved that you've returned safely. Jeff, I understand that you and your wife already know about Edward's position."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I was surprised when I heard it too. I had been wondering why such a capable person like Edward wasn't in a key position. To think he was doing that job on top of a mountain of other work."

Jeff and I remained silent. I had been thinking about how to respond if the king asked about this matter since last night. Jeff probably had the same thoughts.

"This time, Edward did more than just negotiate directly with the Marquis of Hallows. It seems he conveyed something to the royal family through intermediaries. The Earl of Edward said, 'I only greeted a high-ranking noble acquaintance.'"

King Conrad had a faint smile on his handsome face, but it was hard to read his thoughts.

"Recently, the King of Randall sent a large amount of crystal to be used in the castle. He added a message saying, 'I would be delighted if you could decorate the chandeliers in the hall where I saw them during the coronation.' It was probably an apology. The amount was enough to decorate all the chandeliers in the official rooms, including the Asher family's. I'll have them delivered later."

The king looked up at the ceiling. I followed his gaze and saw that all the chandeliers were adorned with sparkling transparent decorations. Were they all real crystals? How many did they send?

"For the Marquis of Randall to try to kill my valued subject's wife by mistake... Ha. It's a reason that could justify war. The king of Randall must have been in a panic. The message also mentioned that he was prepared to send more gifts."

King Conrad's smile turned slightly dark, and Queen Delphine looked at us with a wry smile. Jeff and I remained expressionless.

"Don't worry, Jeff. Ashbury won't go to war. At least, we won't start it. So, even though I didn't want the crystals, I accepted them as a sign of accepting the apology. For them, a few crystals are a small price to pay to avoid a full-scale war with our country."

"Your Majesty?"

Queen Delphine spoke to the king in a gentle but admonishing tone. Her voice was perfectly nuanced. The king turned his statue-like beautiful face to her and replied, "I understand."

"That's why, Jeff, you no longer have a personal reason to resign. Start coming to the castle from tomorrow."

Jeff stared at the king for a moment but then seemed to give up. He bowed and said, "Understood." Just as I was relieved, Queen Delphine spoke to me.

"That's good. When I heard that the Viscount Asher intended to renounce his title, I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to take your classes anymore. You are a dear teacher and friend to me."

"I am honored."

The king gave Queen Delphine a look.

"Your Majesty, may Lady Asher and I have tea in the courtyard?"

"Yes, of course. Go ahead. I need to talk to Jeff a bit more."

Queen Delphine rang a golden bell, and the door opened. She and I were led to the courtyard by maids and guards. The beautiful courtyard, with a pond, was designed with deciduous trees to provide shade in summer and sunny spots in winter. Now, in summer, a small table and chairs were set up in a cool, shady spot.

After Queen Delphine and I sat down, tea and small pastries were served, and soon the area was cleared of people.

"Here, we won't be overheard. I have something to discuss that I don't want anyone else to hear."

"Then, Your Majesty, please cover your lips with a handkerchief when you speak to avoid being lip-read."

"Lips... Ah, I'm still naive. I see. There's a possibility of being lip-read."

"Even with a telescope, conversations can be read from unexpected places."

Queen Delphine opened a delicate silk fan in front of her mouth.

"Lady Asher, you are truly a rare person."

"I am flattered."

"I wish I had met you sooner. It's a great regret."

I put on my most refined smile.

(I was kicking attackers at royal balls and helping them escape from prison in the past,) I thought, but of course, I didn't say it out loud.

"Do you know Duke Lawrence Ashbury?"

"Yes."

Duke Lawrence Ashbury is the late king's younger brother. He has handed over practical matters to his son and is said to enjoy horseback riding and reading. I heard this at a tea party hosted by a noble family after the discovery of a gold mine.

"He is a great reader and a man of vast knowledge. He used to host a reading group with about ten people, but now he invites only one person at a time due to his age. However, it seems he's running out of people to invite. I've attended a few times, but I'm too busy with official duties now..."

A reading group, one-on-one with the Duke. That would be difficult for anyone who isn't a serious reader. If there's a significant difference in knowledge and analytical skills, the conversation wouldn't flow. Could he be inviting me to participate?

"Lady Asher, do you enjoy reading?"

"I do, but..."

"The Duke has heard that I like you. He asked me to invite you. I think he's interested in you because you are a rising star in the noble society and one of my favorites. I'm sorry."

Queen Delphine looked genuinely apologetic. Even as a queen, she can't easily refuse the Duke.

"Your Majesty, it is a great honor, but I'm a former commoner. I'm not sure if I can handle such a responsibility."

"I'm sorry to burden you. However, the Duke is a difficult person, but he is undoubtedly a book lover."

I felt sorry for Delphine. If I refused on the grounds of illness, it would cause her trouble. Besides, as a viscountess, I can't refuse such an invitation...

"I accept. I will participate in the reading group."

"Thank you, Lady Asher. I appreciate it."

Hmm? Why would it be bad if others found out about my invitation to the reading group?