Chapter 19

Maribelle sat up on the bed. Outside, it was still dark, she stared blankly at empty space for a moment, then looked around. Is it okay if she turns on the light—?

“Are you having trouble sleeping?”

Huh? Maribelle was taken aback and looked down. Ethelred was asleep on the bed. She had forgotten about it.

After putting herself on the bed last night, Ethelred seemed hesitant to return. When she asked why, he explained that he didn’t want to cause a scene. Maribelle finally decided to put Ethelred to bed after much consideration.

Ethelred didn’t have a single frayed button from yesterday’s outfit as a proof. She might be able to get one out—Would that be awkward? Maribelle looked at the button on Ethelred’s neck, concerned, but after a while she opened her mouth.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No. I wasn’t sleeping, but you woke up.”

Maribelle stared in wonder. She had fallen asleep earlier in the evening. It had to be early in the morning because the color of the night hasn’t changed much, but he hasn’t slept yet?

Maribelle sighed, turned around, and stroked Ethelred’s forehead with her fingertips.

“Go sleep.”

“How am I supposed to sleep when you’re doing this?”

Ethelred took her hand that was touching his forehead and gently pressed his lips to the palm of her hand.

“Why don’t you lie down again. It’s too early to get up.”

“While you’re up, you should change your clothes—.”

“Maribelle. You don’t really listen.”

Her body was being pulled. A force that is neither overly powerful nor ineffective. Ethelred had Maribellel in his arms in an instant.

Blink.

Maribelle blinked a few times before opening her mouth.

“You treat me as if I’m a doll.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“I want to increase my strength a little more.”

“Tell Theovalt and he’ll help you.”

Ethelred finished speaking and patted Maribelle on the back. Along with Maribelle’s curiosity.

He has had times when the term “tyrant” didn’t fit him, and now is one of them.

Tyrant, anything that appears rough and cruel, but is sometimes infinitely soft. Such a man, she wonders if he remembers the brutality of his past.

‘I wonder what made you a tyrant?’

Maribelle swallowed back the doubts that filled her mind.

*****

“Good morning, Lady!”

“Ah, yes. Good morning—”

Maribelle replies to Pepper’s lively greeting in a tired voice and bangs her head on the table.

‘I didn’t sleep a wink—’

She had no idea that the fact that Ethelred was sleeping next to her would torment her all night. When she tried to sleep, she was interrupted by strange arms — and muscles — and unfamiliar scents — and patting on her back. Even now, she feels that the day was becoming hotter just remembering it.

Maribelle, of course, wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep. Ethelred stroked Maribelle’s hair,  talked to her from time to time, and spent the night with her. Nonetheless, Ethelred packed his belongings and left as soon as dawn broke. Maribelle was wiggling beneath the covers at the time.

Ethelred smiled as he looked at Maribelle, who was draped in a wide blanket on a large bed by herself.

Because of her straight nose, the shading on her face formed around the line like a blooming flower. The disorganized conspirators were bathed in the cloudy scarlet dawn sunlight. He smiled with beautiful features and was as splendid as ever. Maribelle had never seen such a gentle smile before.

‘You can oversleep.’

The kiss on her brow that followed the remark was an added bonus.

The basic physical strength was different. Maribelle appeared to be struggling to keep up with his stamina.

However, today’s routine continued, and she needed to get an education.

‘I’m exhausted.’

Pepper started combing Maribelle’s hair, shooting her trademark passionate look at the visibly tired Maribelle.

“You look very tired, my lady. Have you had trouble sleeping? Nightmare?”

“Hm, I couldn’t sleep.”

Maribelle was grinning and answering Pepper with all her heart. She can’t tell someone who is like her mother that she’s tired of spending the whole night with a guy last night.

“Actually, last night was a bit noisy. The maids were suddenly shaking in the middle of the night. I couldn’t hear properly because I was sleeping—”

Huh. Maribelle swallowed a scream inside. Why would maids tremble? The reason is because of Ethelred.

“I heard His Majesty came last night. Did the Lady know that?”

“Uhm? No?”

Oh, she denied it too strongly? She felt like she was falling asleep slowly, but she thought she was caught up in a strange misunderstanding. Pepper’s visibly insidious smile symbolized everything.

“Really, Lady? Swear on this nanny’s life?”

“Oh, no, nanny, it’s a misunderstanding. Why would I swear on you?”

“I know you’re not very good at lying. You don’t have to be shy, Lady. Sharing is natural between men and women—”

“Stop, stop! There’s nothing I can’t say! It’s a misunderstanding, really!”

Because that isn’t the case! Maribelle covered Pepper’s mouth in surprise. Her ears, which are visible beneath her unkempt silver hair, were burning red. Pepper, on the other hand, saw Maribelle’s reaction as that of an innocent young girl, and she couldn’t stop smiling.

“What do I do?”

“Nanny.”

As Maribelle spoke imploringly, Pepper burst into a laugh and hugged her shoulder.

“Okay, I’m sorry, Lady. I won’t tease you anymore.”

“I hate Nanny.”

“Do you hate me?”

Maribelle turned a pouty look away from Pepper’s smiling face in the mirror. She has to express her anger, but when she looks at her, all of her anger vanishes.

“Oh, my Lady. You’re like a child no matter how big you are. Relax. I’ll prepare a tea that will help you sleep well today. Okay?”

“…Okay.”

“All right, we’re done. What do you think, Lady? Do you like it?”

Pepper, with a sly smile, removed her hand from Maribelle’s hair. She used to always touch Maribelle’s hair, and she was clearly inferior to the other maids. Maribelle, despite her efforts, always left her hair to Pepper.

The hair today appeared to be in a half ponytail. It could have been twisted or decorated on the back. Pepper’s abilities were improving day by day. And today was pretty good.

“Yes, I like it. You must be very good at it now, right?”

“Oh, really? I’ve been practicing lately, haven’t I?”

Maribelle yawned as she left the room, listening to Pepper’s chatty boast.

Even if she’s tired, she has to do her daily routine. What time was it now? There should be a class a little after lunch—.

“I have never heard or seen a student who has kept the teacher waiting.”

Maribelle blinked her eyes closed. She sees through all of this nonsense. Sir Kir is not the type to politely open his eyes.

“What do you see when you look like that? Bring yourself to your senses. I’ve been waiting for a while now.”

“Do you see that, Nanny?”

“The Prime Minister has arrived, but they don’t even serve tea! What on earth are these maids doing?”

Huh? Maribelle’s eyes widened.

When she turned around, Pepper was jumping and chasing the maids. The maids’ unjust eyes and Pepper’s angry voice are all clear, but what is the probability that Kir is a fake?

Maribelle, who had been calculating in her head, humbly acknowledged the reality.

“You’re early, Sir Kir.”

“You came out late, Lady. Don’t tell me you’ve been asleep all this time, have you?”

“….Lady?”

Did she just hear something wrong? Maribelle doubted her ears this time. Don’t tell her this isn’t a dream again, is it?

Kir, on the other hand, looked noticeably awkward as he uttered the title “Lady.” Even though he had complained about how late she was from the start, his tone appears to have softened.

Hmm. Maribelle’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you have a problem?”

“No, I do not. I feel like I’ve suddenly seen something cute.”

“You must wake up on the inside. I’m afraid of those eyes, so please clean them.”

Even if she feels sorry for Kir’s red ears, she should stop teasing him. Maribelle sat across from Kir, smiling. Kir’s expression became even more awkward, and he opened his mouth with a stutter.

“I apologize for yesterday. It was all part of a prank.”

“Thank you for your apology.”

“Today, I’ll introduce the rest of the Igcentium, and we’ll go to the library to learn about the Imperial Palace’s history. Let’s get started.”

She had no intention of accepting it. Maribelle saw how much work Kir had brought out of her study and wanted to undo what she had just done.

But he’d already said something, and Kir didn’t usually act like that.

‘It’s not so bad for this to happen every now and then.’

She feels as if she has received a small gift. Although her body was still tired, it made her feel better. She had a feeling that today would be a good day.

“Maribelle, are you there? Is that you?”

Maribelle decided not to believe her hunch again when she met Uncle Lorentz in the garden that Kir had loved.

‘I want to swear!!’

Lorentz was dressed in robes. They don’t even fit in those big, laced robes. Maribelle burst out laughing.

“Hmm, hmm. Long time no see. How are you doing?”

“…I’m on my way somewhere; why did you call?”

“Is this your usual way of talking with your uncle? Anyway, I had a question for you. We haven’t communicated since you entered the palace.”

All he wants to know is when he’ll be able to use her to his advantage. Maribelle experienced a surge of headaches and felt the need to rub her temples.

“Did Arinel say anything at all?”

“Yes, indeed. There was no response no matter how many times I asked. You should contact me if you enter the palace. Your aunt is not the only one who is concerned.”

“It’s not because you’re concerned, but rather because you’re curious. Or you want to put Arinel in the Imperial Palace as well.”

She was right. Maribelle sighed as she watched Lorentz’s face burn in an instant.

“What made you so curious that you caught a busy person? If there’s nothing more to say, I’ll leave you alone.”

“Maribelle, how did you meet His Majesty?”

Lorentz hurriedly mentioned it. It was fortunately quite effective for him. Maribelle came to a complete stop and returned his gaze.

What brought her to meet Ethelred? I plotted to confess your treason in order to get revenge. She, on the other hand, is unable to express this.

Maribelle realized she had a twisted mind at some point while thinking of a suitable excuse.

‘Now that I think about it when did Uncle plan to rebel?’

Maribelle’s knowledge of treason was limited to what she had learned in the past. It is unclear when it occurred or when it was planned. Lorentz can’t be the only one involved in the plan, which adds to the mystery.

‘It would be helpful to His Majesty if I knew the exact time.’

Maribelle, on the other hand, still had no idea. She’d lost a lot of her memory before returning to the present, and she didn’t remember much of her past.

Maribelle, who was agonizing over it, ultimately decided to keep her words to herself.

“We met at the party for the first time.”

“What are you saying? Don’t lie. It couldn’t be the first time—”

Why are you asking questions when you don’t believe the answers you receive? Only the person who answered would feel bad if you act like this.

Maribelle rubbed her forehead irritatedly and turned her head toward Kir, who was standing one step behind her. Since Lorentz and Maribelle met, he had been one step behind in the silence.

“How many people does His Majesty cut in a day, Sir Kir?”

“At least one person out of ten?”

“Wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that I cut at least one person?”

“That’s right.”

Kir smiled. He was the first to notice. He appeared to have a rough idea of what she would do. As a result, that smile functions as unspoken permission.

Maribelle unsheathed the sword from the guard’s waist, which stood next to Kir.

“M-Maribelle! What are you doing!”

“Uncle. What is the purpose of Uncle’s visit?”

“I, uh, just wanted to say hello—”

“Yes, you did greet me. Me, an Empress candidate.”

Maribelle clenched her teeth. She had good arm strength. Her grip was strong enough that the sword’s tip wasn’t trembling. She lacked the strength to swing this long sword. But it could have been a simple straight stab.

The sword in both hands rose slowly and aimed at Lorentz. He looked sickly as his complexion paled to white, but Maribelle remained calm.

“Did you think I’d welcome you, Uncle?”

“Of course, Maribelle— I’m your uncle!”

What a load of nonsense, since when has he been so special? Maribelle thrust the tip of her long sword into Lorentz’s neck.

“As a result, I’m still saving your life. Do you think anyone cares if one person dies here? If you have a business, please tell me quickly and return home.”

Lorentz’s eyes switched back and forth between the sword and Maribelle. Various expressions of anguish could be seen on his face. Lorentz cautiously opened his mouth after a long time.

“Can you speak— to His Majesty on behalf of the family?”

A question brimming with hope and expectation. That expectation that she will naturally ask for favors for her family in order for them to gain more power.

Disgusting.

‘Please? All I need His Majesty to do is slit your throats. I’m sure you’ll still find me a useful hand?’

Maribelle shook her head. She was desperate to pierce that thick lower jaw. Her frail arms, on the other hand, were trembling just from holding a heavy longsword.

It was a pity that the body couldn’t live up to its heart. Still, if she does just a little bit more—.

“I’ll need to work on my strength.”

The sword quickly became lighter. The shaky sword’s tip was pointing directly at his neck.

“The bloody garden is quite elegant. Isn’t it?”

Ethelred was smiling cruelly as he held Maribelle’s hand.