Chapter 24

Azil’s claim was carefully refuted by Theovalt, who first suggested Maribelle was dangerous.

“Do you really believe the Lady isn’t dangerous? Which part?”

“She’s in a desperate situation. I like her.”

Azil smiled brightly.

“People in desperate situations do not look around. Would a person who is unable to care for themselves look around? At the very least, such a person can’t afford to think about this or that.”

Azil said he liked it, but he didn’t say it wasn’t dangerous. It’s true that she’s dangerous for only one person, but he’s determined that it won’t harm them.

“There also seems to be no room for her betrayal in my opinion.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

Ethelred, who was quietly listening, decided to intervene in the two’s conversation. The more he talked about Maribelle, the more he felt like Azil.

He is aware that he should be suspicious, but he believes that the person who doubts is stupid. Suspicious enough, but not overly so. He couldn’t understand the difference as Ethelred, no matter how hard he tried.

“It’s not strange to feel that way because she doesn’t put people to the test.”

Azil responded to Ethelred’s concerns.

“I haven’t seen the Lady in a long time, but I can assure you. Kir and Theo have told me something. The Lady does not try to gain their trust; instead, she eliminates those who get in her way.”

“…..”

No one answered. Azil was absolutely right.

She wouldn’t have acted so casually if she wanted to earn their trust. She must have been eager to prove her innocence in some way. Maribelle, on the other hand, did not do so. Maribelle was no longer under suspicion as a result of this.

The question has been answered. Ethelred exhaled a sigh of relief. At the very least, there is a reason to believe her. Ethelred didn’t notice how happy he was as the reason for Maribelle’s presence grew.

“However, you’ll only need one person to doubt Maribelle.”

It was thanks to the fact that one strand of his reason remained. Still, the reason was still telling him to be wary of Maribelle. Before Ethelred could say anything, Azil opened his mouth.

“I’ll do that.”

“Are you going to do it?”

“If it wasn’t me, who else would do it? Kir is a weak-minded, and Theovalt is too slow.”

Ethelred nodded his head as if it were natural in response to the question. Because he knew who he was looking for. Azil smiled, as if he already knew.

“In addition, Kir seems to have gone too far to the Lady, so I will stand by for you.”

“Would you like me to change the person in charge of education to you?”

“Would it be difficult?”

“It’s going to be difficult. I was wondering how aggressive you were. Do whatever you want. That’s great news for you, Kir.”

Ethelred’s wandering gaze shifted to Kir. It was because he remembered Kir complaining about having too much work every time. Kir, on the other hand, had a gruesome expression on his face, in contrast to Ethelred’s rare kindness.

“….I understand.”

In the end, it was a long time before Kir came up with an answer.

******

Calende Palace’s beautiful garden was also well-known for its specialties. Maribelle was having a dreary tea party in the lovely garden.

With a cheerful sound, the teacup landed on the table. Kir was the one who did something that would have cost him more than being insulted because he was not dignified elsewhere.

“Ha, as expected this garden is so beautiful. It was well-built by the First Emperor.”

Kir looked around the landscape, satisfied, and blinked as if puzzled when he noticed Maribelle sitting there in a daze.

“Why do you look like that? With such a beautiful garden.”

Why? Of course, it’s because of you.

Maribelle couldn’t help but look surprised when she saw the guests who had arrived at Calende Palace about 30 minutes ago. Azil was, indeed, Maribelle’s guest.

“What brings Sir Azil here—”

She was taken aback twice by the appearance of a figure she had never expected to see here, and once by the fact that Azil did not shine only in the dark.

Azil, who was wearing a bright smile, shone brightly in the sun. Azil responded to Maribelle’s question with a bright smile.

“I will be in charge of your education on Kir’s behalf.”

“Aha—”

There seemed to be a lot missing in the middle, but Maribelle decided to skip it for now. Because there was not one guest to Maribelle.

“But… Why is Sir Kir here?”

Kir, who was standing next to Azil, was caught at a glance. Kir sulked the entire time, not knowing what was bothering him, and then opened his mouth in response to Maribelle’s question.

“Didn’t I tell you that I love the gardens at Calende Palace? Beautiful landscaping to increase work efficiency is a common example, Lady.”

“Are you going to work at the Palace of Calende now?”

“Yes.”

“Aha—”

Maribelle smiled after she realized how serious the situation was. Kir is now finding it difficult to work alongside Maribelle. She’s not sure why, but she likes that brazen face like parsley on a steak just a little bit.

The garden of Calende Palace was certainly beautiful enough to be described as overjoyed, but it was never a comfortable place to work. First of all, there were no chairs or tables.

Meribel made her choice without hesitating. She needs to get Kir out of there.

Maribelle smiled and picked up the vase next to her, flipping it over the documents Kir had brought. A couple of flowers landed on dampened paper after being soaked in water.

It was not until the papers were completely wet that Maribelle returned the vase in a gloating manner.

“You can’t work because the papers are all wet. Please return.”

“I didn’t want to work anyway. Thank you very much.”

Huh? Maribelle made a squeaking sound and a water-soaked wad of paper fell to the ground without realizing. Kir looked up as he raised his now-completely empty hands.

“Since I’m not working today, shall we have a tea party?”

What in the world is this? Maribelle’s eyes were irritated when she looked at Kir. She turned her body. In this case, the solution is to ignore it.

“Mr. Azil, I’m looking forward to today’s class. Perhaps it’s because the teacher has changed. Let’s get this class started.”

“All right, let’s go in.”

Hwaakk!

Maribelle came to a halt. Azil’s book was soaked with water when she looked back. Kir, of course, was to blame for this.

Is there still a fight going on? Azil’s fluffy smile squeezed the nerves between the two as soon as Maribelle tried to speak out loudly.

“Ahaha, the book is all wet. What should I do?”

The atmosphere, which was about to become violent, turned blue as a result of this.

Azil opened a wet book, flipped over a couple of sheets of soggy paper, and tossed the book on a pile of Kir’s papers. Then, as Kir had done before, he raised his empty hand.

“Why don’t you ask your maid to bring your new book to you while we enjoy the beautiful landscaping, Lady? I’ve never been to Calende Palace for a tea party.”

Maribelle could handle one uninvited guest, but stabbing Azil was unpleasant. Maribelle sighed as she stared at the two brazen men.

“….Okay, fine. Let’s get them to bring the table.”

That’s how this strange tea party came to be.

There was no word on whether the book to be brought had been copied by hand or not, and Kir and Azil continued sipping their tea.

“Did you guys plan to do this from the beginning?”

“Huh? What exactly do you mean by a plan?”

Azil only tilted his teacup with a soft smile in response to Kir’s direct response.

“Lady, please understand. Kir likes the Lady a lot more than you think.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I didn’t expect Sir Azil to enjoy jokes.”

Azil smiled as the two people who heard him looked serious. Maribelle’s headache had worsened as a result of this.

‘I’ve got a lot on my mind though—’

Is there any other complicated reason? Of course, it was because of the memory that came back yesterday.

Arinel. Lost memory. Empress.

‘Am I walking the same path as I did in the past?’

The past she couldn’t remember overlapping like déjà vu was more terrifying than she imagined. Even so, is marrying Ethelred and dying at the hands of Arinel an unavoidable fate?

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

Maribelle unintentionally grabbed the teacup. She needed to get away from the past as soon as possible. She had already entered the Palace of Calende and was a candidate for Empress. But she wasn’t the same as she used to be.

‘If I refuse to be Empress— it’s not the same way as it was in the past.’

Maribelle’s memories were vague, and she didn’t have many options in this situation. Perhaps more memories will resurface as time passes. Then she’d be able to find another way, and then she’d be able to talk about the Empress.

‘That’s all I can do right now.’

Refusing to become Empress. But she’s afraid she’ll offend Ethelred if she says it. The course of treatment may be altered significantly. How can she convey her message in a friendly manner?

Maribelle was contemplating on how to turn down the Empress position, so she had not heard any of the conversation between Kir and Azil.

“Do you have to work, by the way? It would have more than doubled since you became Prime Minister.”

“Don’t say anything. There are so many. It’s so frustrating that I’ll have to play with the Lady’s excuses.”

Azil, who smiled and slit his neck with the blade of his hand, and Kir, who fanned his hands in disgust.

“As long as you don’t get caught by His Majesty. As soon as you’re caught, you’ll be spoiled.”

“Oh, even if it’s a joke, don’t say such a thing. I was on the verge of death not long ago.”

“Then properly prepare for the party. It’s a celebration to announce that the Lady has been chosen as Empress, and if you make a mistake, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“That’s correct. While you’re here, why don’t you ask the lady about the party atmosphere… Lady?”

Maribelle was lost in thought when Kir and Azil turned their attention to her.

“…….”

“So, Lady? There will be a party to announce your appointment as Empress, and the decorations will be tailored to your preferences. Can you hear what I’m saying?”

“….I’m not going to be Empress.”

Maribelle’s rabbit eyes widened in surprise at the fact that her thoughts had turned into words and that Maribelle would refuse to be Empress.

Tick-tock.

As if it were the first time, the failure was resolved in an instant.

“—Maribelle?! What exactly did you just say? So, how about the Empress?”

“No, Sir Kir. Calm down—I couldn’t speak properly.”

“No, how the hell do you say you’re not going to be the Empress?!”

“That’s right, Lady. It seemed to sincere to say that it came out wrong. If you’re not going to accept the position of Empress—”

Oh my goodness. Noisy. Maribelle, who was too tired to respond to the men who were still repeating question marks with rabbit eyes, grabbed the tablecloth and threw it over—.

“Azil, say it again.”

The noisy tea party froze.

“The Empress, what?”

Ethelred and Theovalt were walking to the three people.