Chapter 290.3

Chapter 290.3. Mother

-Miu’s Mom POV-

When I attempted to pass her, frustrated because of the rumors that had already spread.

I suddenly felt a strong grip around my throat and got pushed against the restroom wall.

“Ugh… What are you doing?”

I could feel the warmth of the Substitute Sign I had concealed in her chest. I had activated it to prevent herself from getting injured.

“Sorry~. I just gave your shoulder a light tug, but it seems a bit too much for a commoner like you.”

“What are you doing?!”

With a contorted face, this woman’s appearance was more like that of a monster than a human. She leaned in closer to me, who was sitting after being pushed against the wall and cursed at her with bitterness.

“What are you doing? That’s my line! Do you know what your husband and daughter have done? Repeated harassment against the prosperous Kanna Dukedom! Scheming to destroy the Kanna Dukedom’s businesses!”

“Harassment? I’ve heard of Kanna Dukedom’s reputation. Don’t they have many enemies? I heard you were opposed to the Emperor. It wouldn’t be surprising if something happened someday, right?”

I was familiar with Kanna Dukedom’s reputation. Their malicious actions were well-known, and I had heard about them even while attending parties. It was a testament to how ruthless they were.

“For a commoner like you to say that! Thanks to you, my dress is of lower quality than yours, and the brilliance of my necklace pales in comparison! You mock me, even though you’re just a commoner!”

“Oh, I understand now. Your pride is protected by money, isn’t it? You have such beauty, yet you’re a pitiful person. Ugh…”

].

My words seemed to strike a chord, and I found her neck grabbed. I couldn’t breathe, and it was becoming painful.

“It’s not just about beauty! High-ranking noblewomen are recognized when they spend money on water. You and your daughter both! You spend more money than I do! Despite being commoners!”

What a pitiful person she was. This was the woman known as the Duke’s wife, the head of the high-ranking nobles.

“Even in the restroom, the security personnel can’t enter. A regular magician can easily prevent this, and we can buy time until the guards sense something.”

With a sly grin, she continued to grip my throat with force. Her face contorted with anger, and she resembled a mountain witch from a folk tale.

“What if you were seriously injured by a little accident? What would happen then? You’ll be fine, right? You have an excellent recovery magician. But if you don’t recover, the news of your daughter’s death might get out.”

“She’s not dead. Please let go of my throat.”

“Fine. I don’t want to resort to violence either.”

With a maniacal smile, she released her grip, leaving me coughing and gasping for air.

“Just a little accident caused by a bug in the restroom, so I used magic without thinking. It’s okay. A magician would only feel a slight tingling.”

Kanna Noriko-sama began to gather ice in the palm of her hand. She produced an ice ball the size of a volleyball and pointed it at me.

She intends to hit me! I, a commoner, would be mortally wounded. I wonder if the Substitute Sign could withstand it. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I hold my body and shut my eyes tightly, knowing that I cannot fall here to go save Miu.

“Ahahahaha! It’s a nice feeling. You’ll be fine. It’ll just be a little cold. If you’re a magician, guheh.”

[Thunderbird]

Suddenly, a paper crane lodged into her face, and she got thrown backward, smashing the restroom door as she fell into the toilet.

“An ugly bug appeared. So I couldn’t help but use magic. It’s fine. Magicians only feel a little numbness.”

Then, in a calm tone, a miko-clad Matsu-san appeared in the restroom.

“I’m sorry, Birei-sama. I’m late to the rescue.”

She bowed her head as she approached, and I returned the courtesy. Matsu-san was a dependable bodyguard.

“Thank you, Matsu-san. It seems you timed it perfectly, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I recorded the moment when she attempted to use magic.”

With a wry smile, I rubbed my neck and was drenched in the water spewed from the broken toilet, glancing at the unconscious Kanna Noriko.

“Kanna Noriko-sama. I may be a commoner, but I take pride in having many reliable people. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, I answered and quickly left the scene.