"If it's a child, you don't have to worry. I will do my best to take care of him."
I didn't trust him, but I could trust his snobbish nature.
Now that I have seen the duchy's identity card that Isabella wears, he will never treat Oliver poorly.
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
"Hmm?"
"Rebecca's body should be at the autopsy by now."
Bodies coming out of slums were usually cremated in groups and scattered far away without any special records.
Rebecca's body will also be waiting for processing.
"Can you bury her body in Lazarus Cemetery?"
Perhaps it was because he had just received a large donation, but the priest nodded willingly.
"God will be pleased with your kind heart. Isn't the mercy shown to those at the bottom what God wants to spread widely among humans?"
As a follower of God, he seemed to think that there was a set target for his mercy.
It felt strange to see his attitude change over just a few pennies.
"I would like it if you could erect a small monument in Rebecca's name."
That way, if I survive in the future, I will be able to return here and give Isabella her 'true name' back.
Hugh was looking at me blankly with eyes full of complex emotions.
***
Hugh asked as he trudged out of the temple.
"What do you plan to do now? How on earth can you get revenge on the Count?"
"Well. Those pursuing Isabella moved very cautiously. They were chasing her from the beginning, but it was only when she reached her place, away from the people, that they pounced on her."
I could tell their intention just by looking at their desire not to leave any witnesses.
"They're afraid it's going to escalate."
I quietly looked down at the brooch in my hand.
The blue brooch that radiated brilliant light was an heirloom passed down from generation to generation.
"Isabella used this object to let the Count know that she was his daughter. Dreaming of the day when she would have a touching reunion with her one and only family."
"The Count only planned to return the items and kill her."
"So what if we create the situation he fears the most?"
I said to Hugh, who was looking at me blankly.
"It lets a lot of people know that I am the Count's daughter."
Even before the Count could hide the fact.
Hugh was lost in thought about what I said and then nodded.
"I'm sure that could give the Count a headache."
"To do that, we must first go to the imperial capital. It's full of nobles who enjoy gossip, and it's also where Count Brium stays."
Before Isabella left to meet her father, she studied the empire quite diligently.
Among them was knowledge of lawsuits related to paternity confirmation between parents and children.
"I would like to apply for a special trial."
Although it is mostly used by the illegitimate children of noble families to ask them to 'recognize themselves as children'. Isabella was the lost eldest daughter of Count Brium, and was his legitimate child, so holding a trial would not cause any problems to her reputation.
"If a long-lost daughter dies after holding a public 'trial' to prove her relationship with her father, who do you think people will suspect?"
"It must be my father or the wife he remarried. Either way, the entire Count Brium family will be in trouble."
"The most important thing is to get it out there before he finds out. Secretly and quickly."
Revealing his guilt was something that had to be done later.
First Hugh looked at me intently, and only after a few minutes had passed did he open his mouth in a quiet voice.
"I guess I should go to the mercenary guild."
"Mercenary guild?"
"Yes. I need to find out about the large upper platform that leads to the ecliptic. The more people accompanying you, the more the other party will have no choice but to pay attention, and only if the scale of the company is large will they hire skilled mercenaries to guard them all, you can only get revenge if you survive".
"So, please stay with me until I arrive safely in the imperial capital and apply for trial."
***
"If it's a request of the size you want, I see two. Both sides are planning to hire A-class mercenaries."
"What kind of items does this merchant handle? What is the exact size? What is your schedule?"
While the guild receptionist asked me a few questions about my vacation, I looked around the noisy guild.
A wall lined with papers with various requests written on them, and weapons displayed on one side.
While I was looking around, I felt eyes coming from somewhere and turned my head.
"...?"
A man I had never seen before was looking at me blankly.
Blue hair and gray eyes.
Perhaps it was because he was neatly dressed, but he gave off an atmosphere that was different from the mercenaries who frequented this place.
The moment his cool, bright eyes met mine, they gently curved.
'Uh?'
Before I could even hesitate, the man who approached me with long strides opened his mouth in a friendly voice.
"Is something troubling you, Lady?"
Before I could open my mouth, someone's back blocked my path.
"I'm sorry, but I just finished my errand and was about to leave."
In response to Hugh's response, which did not even give him a chance, the man was seen shaking his head with both hands raised.
"You don't have to be so careful. I was just curious because you were looking around here."
Hugh took his gaze away from the smiling man and opened his mouth to me.
"They say there are two places that meet the conditions. Both sides are similar in size and escort strength. The cost will be similar."
"In that case, it would be a good idea to contact the one that starts off a little faster among the two top."
That was the moment when Hugh stretched out his hand to take the note he was holding.
"Uhm. If it were me. I would choose the Timona top over the Calion top. It is clear that Caerleon is a fairly large merchant, but I heard that it has recently had a conflict with a high-ranking noble and is having difficulties with passage."
The man who had been talking to me a moment ago was sticking his head out, looking at the note, and talking to me.
"Thank you for the advice, but my lady doesn't like talking to strangers. If you want to contact Timona top, you'd better hurry. We are planning to leave immediately today."
"..."
I opened my mouth to the man who was circling around me, grinning, despite Hugh's explicit restraint.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
He bowed his head slightly as if he had been waiting for me to speak and greeted me.
"My name is Baron Eric Berker. He runs a trade show called 'Timona."
"..."
"A familiar name came up in the conversation between the two of you, so I overheard the conversation out of curiosity. Please forgive me."
While Hugh was silent with a shocked expression on his face, I bent my knees as if responding to his greeting.
"This is Isabella. My last name is Harper."
He pulled my hand and lightly kissed the back of it. The tingling sensation of another person's lips touching was the first time I had ever felt it. I wasn't really used to it.
Eric suggested to me with a gentle smile.
"If you are looking for a companion to accompany you to the ecliptic, I am happy to help. It would be a long and boring time to go alone, but I would be grateful if you could accompany me."
Hugh, who pulled me closer, whispered in my ear.
"Do not accept excessive favors carelessly. Especially when it comes to the favor of a nobleman, it may not end up being a simple favor."
"..."
"It is better to hand over a certain amount of money and choose to maintain an appropriate distance."
While listening to the quiet advice, I glanced at the note with the name at the top once again.
Below the name at the top, there was an unknown number written.
"What is this?"
"The price is included in the trip to the Imperial Capital. Even if we go together, we will have to find a separate carriage and provide lodging."
"What are the numerical units?"
"Of course it's gold."
The moment I heard the low whisper, my thoughts quickly came together.
I raised my head and held out my hand towards Eric, who was grinning.
"I am grateful that you allow me to accompany you such a long distance. I will gratefully accept the Baron's favor."
"It is a great honor to be able to be of help to you, my lady."
While Eric was away preparing the carriage, Hugh harassed me with his persistent and stinging gaze.
"I had no choice."
"What."
"I do not have money."
"Why money... No way!"
Hugh's puzzled face distorted.
I slowly turned my head to avoid his gaze.
Even though a spirit was attached to Oliver, it would be difficult to prevent all the blatant bullying.
I wanted to install the minimum equipment possible.
"I entrusted some money to the temple for my child."
"You handed it all over?"
I remembered the priest laughing so hard at the 'donation' I gave him.
The favor bought with money might not last long, but at least it would have been proof that a noble lady like me cared about the child enough to pay that amount of money. Even in case of emergency, the 'worst can be avoided.
"I know what you're worried about, but it's okay."
Hugh narrowed his eyes and looked at me.
"I'm confident."
"What?"
"I am willing to accept favors but close my heart."
"..."
"I'll just get some help and clean my mouth. Then there's no problem, right?"
Not long after, Hugh looked at me with a very mixed look in his eyes as I got on the luxury buggy that Eric had prepared for me.
Comments
Post a Comment