"Hm. Sister... Fabian... and..."
Father.
Then, what plan was being prepared for Charlotte?
Separating them as in the past.
Or letting the connection develop for the time being.
No action had yet been taken.
Those spies.
No.
Father's Mokuton Bunshin still watched from a distance.
What reason lay behind all this?
Until now, no thread had yet been found linking the manipulation of Charlotte's and Fabian's memories.
Father would not act without purpose.
Someday, an opening would surely appear that could uncover everything.
For now, every movement of that wooden clone had to keep being watched.
Fabian. I hope nothing changes.
In a week, registration for new cadets at the Imperial Academy would open. A letter of recommendation from Grandmother meant they need not go through the general admission process.
No need yet to think about the academy. Nothing was urgent enough to demand attention.
Instead, Aunt would likely delay her return to Brandenburg because of the rumors surrounding Charlotte and the Grand Duke.
The nobles and aristocratic circles of the capital would not let her rest.
Just like Charlotte, Aunt would be unable to avoid the invitations beginning to arrive, whether tomorrow or in the days that followed.
Sooner or later, that news would also reach Brandenburg and Green Pine Village.
They would surely worry about us. Hopefully not too much.
"Grace..."
There was still something to speak with her about.
But...
That bite mark still lingered, though a day had already passed.
Fingertips brushed slowly over the faint mark upon the index and middle finger.
"Ian. Let me always be the first. That bite was your first, was it not?"
No mistake.
The kiss.
The closeness.
Even that bite.
All of them were firsts, done by Grace in nearly the same span of time.
That woman truly knew no hesitation when showing her dominant side.
•
•
•
Upon reaching the room, the door was opened, then closed slowly.
The Grand Duke's visit had come to an end. The mansion was once more filled with its usual calm.
I stopped beside the bed.
The topmost drawer was pulled open slowly.
Within it lay a neat stack of documents alongside a few other small items.
Information gathered earlier by Grace.
A special task once given to her.
The stack of papers was carried out to the balcony before taking a seat.
The evening breeze blew gently as the first page was opened.
Cecilia von Schönborn.
Rose von Harder.
So that was how it was...
Small wonder both their traces had vanished after leaving the village.
Their standing as nobility made information on them far harder to obtain.
The only daughter of the Duke of the East.
And the daughter of a Baron's family.
***
"Novaria. Business with me?"
"Little girl, your lies grow ever more impressive. Tell me honestly, where did you go yesterday?"
"So you came only to speak nonsense?"
"Foolish little girl. Answer honestly."
"Enough, you stubborn woman."
"Just like you."
"..."
Patience had begun to wear thin since Novaria stepped into the study.
Especially with that little girl address repeated again and again.
Not out of hatred for it, but because the way Novaria said it always sounded like mockery.
Within Guild Nightshade, only that woman was bold enough to speak however she pleased to the guild leader without the slightest reserve.
Grace leaned back in her chair, her gaze still fixed ahead.
"Tell me, Novaria. It hardly seems you came only to speak nonsense."
"Nana, bring a chair over here."
"Yes, Miss."
"Insolent thing. Nana is not your servant."
"I know."
"Then you still order her about?"
"If not Nana, then who? You, little girl?"
"This old woman grows more insufferable still."
That jab was met only with a low laugh.
Provoking Grace had always been Novaria's favourite amusement. Watching that calm face slowly colour with irritation felt far more enjoyable than completing a mission.
There were no assignments today.
She took full advantage of the opportunity to bother the leader of Guild Nightshade.
And every moment of it was truly savoured.
Beneath all that bickering, Novaria loved Grace as though she were her own younger sister.
A pity that too great a pride kept that care always veiled behind mockery.
"Miss."
"Thank you, Nana."
Novaria reached into the pocket of her blue robe, which hung down to her knees, then placed several silver coins into Nana's palm.
"Take them. Buy something you like."
Nana shook her head at once.
"Miss Novaria, I cannot accept this."
"Then I shall keep bothering Grace."
That simple threat left her at a loss for words at once.
Her pair of innocent eyes turned to Grace.
"My Lady..."
"Just accept it, Nana. Consider it Novaria's sincerity. Use it to buy whatever you wish."
"But..."
That hesitation was easy enough to understand.
Nana had been at Grace's side far longer than any other member of Guild Nightshade. Even before arriving in Kaiserheim, the girl had already faithfully accompanied her.
It was not the sum of money that made her hesitate. Rather, the sincerity behind it, as though it could be measured by a few coins of silver.
Novaria's intent was indeed good.
Only, that woman too often forgot how simple Nana truly was.
A soft sigh escaped.
Arguing with Novaria would only prolong the quarrel.
"Novaria."
"Hm?"
"Add a few dozen more silver coins."
"What do you mean, little girl?"
"You still owe hundreds of gold coins. To this day there is still no sign of intent to repay it."
"Wait! Why bring up the debt all of a sudden?"
"Just hand over all the silver coins you're carrying. I shall count it as an installment."
"You truly are a heartless little girl."
Novaria let out a long breath before bringing out a few more silver coins.
She looked thoroughly reluctant. But she had no other choice.
"You really are squeezing someone dry."
"Quickly."
"Fine, fine."
The additional coins found their way into Nana's hand.
Strangely, the girl's face grew more troubled still.
"My Lady... this is too much."
"Go. Buy some honey sweets, cheese, and enough dried pastries. Use the rest to buy whatever you like."
"For me as well."
"What does Miss Novaria want?"
"Red Rose Wine, aged ten years. Two bottles."
Nana counted once more all the silver coins in her hand.
"My Lady, it is still not enough."
"Come here."
The desk drawer was pulled open slowly while waiting for Nana to approach.
"Put all those silver coins in."
"Yes."
Once all the coins had been stored away, two gold coins were held out.
"That should be enough now, shouldn't it?"
"Indeed, My Lady."
"What are you waiting for? If you're late, the sweets and pastries might run out first."
"...I shall take my leave. My Lady, Miss."
"Hurry, Nana. Miss is waiting for her wine."
"Yes..."
A bright smile finally graced the girl's face as she stepped out.
The reluctance slowly faded, replaced by joy at being able to fulfill the wish of the woman who meant the most in her life.
Grace watched the girl's departure until the door closed once more.
She held a hope.
May you, someday, still find happiness. Even when no longer at my side.
***
This morning, Charlotte attended a noble riding gathering.
A social gathering of the nobility that appeared simple at a glance, yet concealed various interests beneath its surface. Fabian joined them after "happening" to meet on the road.
A meeting too perfect to be called mere coincidence.
It sounded more like an excuse prepared in advance to make his presence seem natural.
The main residence of the Welser Family stretched wide. It stood not in the heart of the capital, but in the innermost region bordering directly upon the Forbidden Forest, a dense area filled with thick trees and wild beasts. That territory was closely guarded by Imperial knights alongside the local nobility.
After the riding, a hunt usually followed as the next agenda.
As expected, Aunt withdrew from attending.
Since the night before, various invitations from the nobility and distinguished families had kept arriving. Together with the letters requesting visits that had already piled up, the busyness truly consumed all her time.
The Grand Duke's visit yesterday had once more become the leading story in the capital's newspapers this morning.
As a result, the rumors already spreading now grew stronger still.
Charlotte and Fabian both chose silence.
Perhaps because they had only just realized each other's presence within the compartment.
Or perhaps because a third person accompanied the journey.
Peculiar.
And strange at once.
Four years ago their bond had not been this awkward, though they had only just come to know one another then.
Was this a part of growing up? When someone begins to notice the difference of the opposite sex, then unknowingly harbors a quiet awkwardness.
Hm.
An atmosphere such as this ought to be broken before it affected both their feelings upon arriving at the Welser residence.
"Your Grace."
"...Ian?"
That awkwardness was plain to see.
"This is the first time Elder Sister has attended a riding invitation from the nobility. I hope Your Highness can understand her position."
"I understand. There is no need for you to worry. I shall guard Lady Charlotte's honour and safety with my whole heart."
"Your Grace... that is too much. I have no wish to trouble you."
Elder Sister's reaction was entirely natural.
For two days running, the capital had been shaken by news involving them both.
"No. In fact, I would feel uneasy were I to keep my distance and leave you without protection."
"Why do you act this way, Your Grace? Have you ever considered the consequences of every action concerning me?"
"My Lady."
"Two days ago you suddenly drew near, though we had only just come to know one another. Then yesterday's visit. I am sorry if my sudden departure from the pavilion offended you. But I hope Your Highness will consider the outcome of every decision."
"..."
"Not only for my sake... but for your own as well. Please think of that too."
"I understand."
That concern was well founded.
The moment the Grand Duke arrived together with Charlotte at the Welser residence, it could already be assured that the event would once more grace the front page of tomorrow morning's newspaper.
Elder Sister's words were heavy with feeling.
Not born of dislike for the Grand Duke, but of unease over the gulf in social standing that separated them.
There were wounds inflicted by physical attack.
Yet there were also wounds that came from social pressure.
The first wounded the body.
The second gnawed at the heart, the mind, and slowly broke down a person's spirit.
Until that Mokuton Bunshin moved, there was no need to interfere.
Elder Sister was far tougher than she appeared.
The Grand Duke's brief reply ended the conversation.
Silence once more filled the cabin.
The awkwardness that had briefly faded soon returned.
The lavish carriages of the nobility and distinguished families entered the inner grounds of the Welser residence one after another.
This was the first time Charlotte had attended a gathering of the nobility.
Her nervousness was only natural.
Fortunately, the invitation had come from the Welser Family. Countess Welser had already known of our arrival beforehand, owing to her close relationship with Aunt.
"Be at ease."
Charlotte's hand was held for a moment, an attempt to convey calm without many words.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
Fabian reached for the door handle first, but was stopped at once.
Allowing a Grand Duke to open a carriage door was clearly not fitting.
"Allow me."
"Very well."
The cabin door opened.
He stepped down first, then Fabian followed.
"Please, Elder Sister."
A hand was held out.
Charlotte accepted it with a faint smile, trying to hide the nervousness still lingering within her.
Our arrival together with Fabian in a single carriage drew attention at once.
Whispers were soon heard from every direction.
There was no reason to pay them any mind.
Empty words deserved no attention.
Fabian was no different. The upbringing shaped by the environment in which he had grown made him accustomed to disregarding others' judgment.
Yet Charlotte was different.
Unlike Fabian, Elder Sister could not ignore the whispers around her.
Several nobles began approaching Fabian.
"Greetings, Your Grace. I would not have thought you would attend Count Welser's invitation."
A greeting that sounded courteous, yet carried an undertone of surprise, as though Fabian had almost never accepted such invitations before.
"Attending now and then is no trouble, Count Goldberg."
"Indeed, Your Grace."
The exchange ended briefly.
Before long, other nobles too drew near to offer their greetings.
Now and then Fabian glanced toward Charlotte.
Misunderstandings such as this were indeed hard to avoid.
Elder Sister's face had already become widely known after appearing in the newspapers. Now, arriving together with the Grand Duke would only further fuel the rumors already spreading.
At last, one among them summoned the courage to ask a question.
"Forgive me, Your Grace. Who are the young lady and the man who arrived with you?"
That question, in truth, sounded rather odd.
After all, the Grand Duke had merely ridden along in the carriage we used.
But for the sake of courtesy, that noble chose a safer arrangement of words.
"Both are my friends. Honour them as you honour me."
"Of course, Your Grace. My family and I shall do so without needing to be commanded."
"Is that so, Viscount Lilienthal? I hope those are not mere words."
"I swear upon my family's honour. Those words are sincere."
"Good. A man such as you still deserves to be trusted."
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace."
Fabian was truly skilled at pressing whoever he spoke with through conversation alone.
The calmness in his gaze vanished, replaced by something sharp enough to make every noble understand the meaning behind his words.
Especially when he used the word "trusted."
It sounded like praise, yet was in truth a warning.
As though saying...
You are being watched.
Whether those words were truly sincere or merely courtesy, time alone would give the answer.
After offering their greetings to Fabian, the nobles at last turned toward Charlotte and the figure accompanying her.
Their manner was far more courteous than had been imagined.
Until...
"Your Grace..."
Another voice sounded from ahead.
The host had come forward to greet them.
Count Welser walked side by side with Countess Welser.