It was even being reevaluated how Rachel Ingrave had noticed that something was wrong in the garden of the Emerald Palace, where the Emperor’s assassination had taken place, and appeared there together with Duke Valencia.
“Hahahaha!”
Marquis Ingrave could not stop laughing. The Marchioness Ingrave was the same.
“Rachel, how did that girl manage to do something so admirable? Is it because she has been staying close to the Duke?”
“It’s certain now that she’ll become Duchess Valencia. If you had seen what I saw there, you would have thought the same thing as me. After going through this incident together, perhaps his feelings changed, but the way Duke Valencia looked at Rachel was definitely not ordinary. Hahaha!”
“……”
Illya was the only one whose face looked troubled among them. After briefly looking around, he asked,
“Father, didn’t my sister come with you?”
“Hmm? Rachel will be staying in the Imperial Palace for the time being. His Majesty has kindly offered her protection in case anyone who holds a grudge over this incident tries to attack her. Well, I didn’t think it would go that far, though—”
The Marquis continued speaking, then rubbed his chin with a slightly suspicious expression.
“Come to think of it, I did hear something strange. Duke Valencia reported that Rachel was the one who accomplished everything. He even said that he only helped her.”
On top of that, it was a mystery how Rachel had happened to leave the mansion that night and meet Duke Valencia.
He had clearly heard that Duke Valencia had taken her back to the mansion after the ball.
“It was strange that the Duke suddenly ran out during the meeting, too.”
“……”
Just as Illya’s hand unconsciously clenched tightly.
The Marchioness pointed out something she had forgotten.
“I heard they were together in the garden with Duke Valencia during the ball. Perhaps the Duke told Rachel to come out at that time because he wanted to take care of her.”
“Hmm, is that so? Duke Valencia certainly has quite an impressive information network. Then what about the two of them meeting in the garden?”
“Perhaps they happened to discover the assassination site while taking a walk in the garden with Duke Valencia?”
There were certainly a few strange points.
“But still, how would Rachel have known enough to find that evidence? I think you’re right.”
Even if Rachel had discovered the truth behind the fake heir incident, she had only learned about it by chance and through good luck.
Thinking that his daughter’s abilities could not possibly be that great, the Marquis nodded.
“Anyway, this turned out well. When Duke Valencia returns, I should take this opportunity to talk to him about the engagement. No, wait. Could Rachel perhaps become the Empress this time?”
“Oh my, now that you mention it, that’s true. She is technically His Majesty’s lifesaver. I wonder what His Majesty thinks of our Rachel?”
“……”
The topic was drifting farther and farther away from his sister’s abilities. Somewhat relieved, Illya looked out the window.
With an attendant from the Imperial Family leading the way.
His sister’s personal maid, the three maids who had been assigned to his sister, and four escort knights were leaving the mansion. After remaining silent for a moment, Illya pointed downward and asked,
“Are they going to the Imperial Palace as well?”
“Ah, yes. I hear Rachel requested it. Haha, it is more convenient to have your own people around. I think you taught Rachel very well. Doesn’t it seem like she is already thinking about how to stay in the Imperial Palace for a long time?”
“I suppose so. My goodness, how admirable. I was so upset when she talked about sons of Viscounts or Barons before—”
“……”
Unable to bear watching his happy parents any longer, Illya quietly paid his respects and left the family sitting room. His parents seemed not to notice at all, but he knew.
‘My sister won’t be coming back now.’
Looking at the situation, his sister’s contribution had been enormous. If she wished, she might even receive the title of Baron or Viscount.
Seeing his sister’s people, as well as the carefully packed carriage carrying her belongings, follow out beyond the window, Illya squeezed his eyes shut.
“……Yes. It would be better for my sister to leave than to stay here.”
He had once imagined what would happen if his sister had returned after awakening the ability.
was a rare ability that could only activate when one’s deepest desire was fulfilled. If there were a situation where such a desperate wish could be fulfilled—
“……”
Illya clasped his trembling hands together. It was unbelievable, but.
What if, when the worst situation came, even he had abandoned his sister?
……Thinking that made it hard to breathe.
Therefore, it was right to let his sister go like this. If she kept her distance from the family and lived independently, she might be able to live comfortably.
……And then, perhaps, she might look back at him at least once.
It was a cowardly thought, but whenever he imagined never seeing his sister again, it felt as if his heart would stop.
So, just once.
“Please give me just one chance, Sister……”
I’ll do better.
I will never go anywhere and talk about you. I will also support your independence.
So someday. If you could give me even one chance to be forgiven……
Illya ordered his personal servant, Kin.
“Just in case, check carefully whether my sister left anything behind. And if you hear from my sister, tell the butler to handle it as the highest priority.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
After watching all the carriages leave and the main gate of the mansion close, Illya turned around.
Perhaps it was only his imagination.
Still, for now, he intended to wait until that day came. This was the best he could do.
Meanwhile, there was someone else who had been shocked by this news since early morning.
Clang—
The fallen fork hit the plate and made a loud noise. Aisha, who had woken up early and came down to the dining room after deciding that she would practice magic more from today onward, stiffened her expression.
“So……”
She could not bring herself to continue. Duke Labelyn, who had returned after an all-night meeting, rubbed his tired forehead.
“Yes. You must be surprised too. I was surprised, so imagine how surprised you must be.”
“……”
Last night, Rachel Ingrave had been the first to notice the attempt to assassinate the Emperor and had rushed into the scene together with Duke Valencia.
Thus, she saved the Emperor’s life.
……Aisha could somehow accept that much.
But as if that were not enough, she had even secured evidence containing the abuses committed by the northern nobles that had caused this situation and presented it to His Majesty. All of this had happened in just a few hours.
While all of that was happening, I was sleeping.
……I had been comfortably thinking that I should just practice magic harder. While that woman was accomplishing something so incredible!
Crash—
Unable to contain her anger, Aisha threw the plate. Duke Labelyn clicked his tongue.
“What a temper. Anyway, be careful of Rachel Ingrave, Aisha. Even though marriage talks are taking place between her and Duke Valencia, the situation can change at any time. You know that even a Marchioness’s daughter can become the Empress if His Majesty takes an interest in her, don’t you?”
“I know. So you don’t have to tell me again.”
The Duke’s goal was the position of Empress. And now that Aisha had also awakened the family’s supernatural ability, she was to inherit the position of heir.
The Labelyn family would prosper even more because of it.
And this also fits Aisha’s goal. Aisha’s goal was to use Labelyn’s power to make her unrequited love come true.
“Anyway, magic training is important, but don’t forget to keep an eye on her. If you want to make your love come true, you need to work harder. If she tries to take your position, shouldn’t you show her who’s stronger?”
“I know. Do I have to keep listening to this?”
“……What a temper. I wonder who she takes after.”
Sisi approached and replaced the fork Aisha had dropped and the small plate she had thrown with new ones. Having lost her appetite, Aisha only pushed her salad around until Duke Labelyn left the dining room.
However, her mind was spinning with thoughts about Rachel Ingrave.
‘How can I get that disgusting woman away from His Majesty?’
Of course, for now, Rachel Ingrave did not seem interested in becoming Empress.
But she had already taken away Aisha’s chance to be the Emperor’s first dance partner.
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