100CIM - Chapter 43


Simone looked at Florier, rarely able to hide her embarrassment.

Even if Florier and Jace's curse was lifted, she thought they wouldn't see each other again for a while.

No, even if they had to meet, Simone tried to avoid them.

Isn't it awkward?

Even if it was because she lost her senses due to a curse and fell into black magic, many lives were sacrificed as a result, and Simone was also someone who truly tried to kill her.

Even if there were circumstances, how many saints would understand this?

At least it wasn't Simone.

Florier looked at Simone, who was not pleased with her, and asked politely.

“If you’re not busy, can we talk for a moment?”

“...”

When she came to her senses, Simone found out that Florier was a person who could speak completely normal things.

She's not sure if Florier really remembers what happened, but she seemed like she would just go away if Simone refused to talk.

“Ms. Simone?”

Simone, who was dazed for a moment because she couldn't get used to the normal Florier, finally came to her senses when Anna called her and spoke.

“Well, come in. Come on in...”

Simone doesn't want to talk right now.

Florier was too polite to share her inner thoughts, and she was curious about what she was going to say.

“Excuse me?”

Florier spoke in a calm tone, waited for Simone to move, and followed her into the room.

Not only Simone but also the occupants of the room were restless, not knowing what to do, as it was their first time seeing a normal or speaking Grand Duchess.

The maid who followed Florier poured the tea she had brought into their teacups.

“This is the black tea I prepared to have a conversation with you. It would be nice if it suits your taste... There is no need to force yourself to drink it.”

"Ah, yes."

It's really normal.

She is a much more considerate and affectionate wife than a normal person or even a normal person.

Although Simone did not drink the tea that Florier brought, she felt willing to listen to what the Grand Duchess had to say based on the Grand Duchess's attitude toward her.

“What brings you here?”

Before answering Simone's question, Florrier looked around the room.

Then she said.

“I just wanted to say thank you, but is there anything you need in your life?”

“... Yes?"

Florier looked around the room again, ignoring Simone's startled question.

This room was used as Florier's personal room seven years ago.

Before she became the Grand Duchess, it was her bedroom, after she became the Grand Duchess, it was a personal space that also served as a study, and after Jace was born, it became a space for Jace's childcare.

It is a very special and affectionate room for her.

After Florier regained consciousness, she felt sad inside, thinking that it was a fair price to pay to lift the curse, as she had given this room to a necromancer, not to anyone else, but when she actually went back to the room, her sad feelings completely disappeared.

The necromancer named Simone, whom she first met in her right mind, was a much younger girl than Florier expected.

That alone was very embarrassing, but when she saw the inside of the room, she couldn't help but be even more surprised.

Everything in the room, including the objects and furniture, was the same as Florier used it seven years ago.

Nothing was added.

That meant that nothing was prepared for Simone, who was staying in this room.

Even though the necromancer... Even though she is a necromancer who has a significant ‘bad relationship’ with the Illeston family, Simone is the one who saved her and Jace, and the one who will lift the curse in the future.

If she was being treated as a guest of the Illeston family, this should not be the case.

Florier asked.

“By any chance, how old are you?”

"...Yes?"

Simone realized that she had been foolishly repeating 'What?' from earlier.

She knew that, but she couldn't say anything other than 'Yes?'

'No... Why?'

Simone very embarrassed. It was natural. This is because Florier, who tried to kill her in this house, was the kindest and courteous person.

“Simone...”

In the end, Anna, who was worse off, told her to please give the right answer.

Only then did Simone come to her senses and open her mouth again.

Let's just wait and see. How old was Simone?

"Seven...teen?"

“...I see I’m glad you’re not as young as I thought.”

She was quite short and thin, probably due to not being able to eat well outside. Florier thought she was actually much younger and was worried that she was having a child break the curse, but Simone wasn't that young.

Florier asked again.

“Do you need anything? Pocket money, clothes, things you want to eat, things you want to have, or things you want to go to school.”

"Uh...”

“I’m sure the Grand Duke wouldn’t have thought of it.”

He wasn't a very meticulous person. He probably did everything Simone asked him to do, but he probably didn't think about taking care of anything else.

The Grand Duke might have thought there was no reason to take care of it.

“If you need anything, just tell me. I believe there is nothing more insincere than a verbal thank you.”

"Ah... Yes."

Florier, who was looking around the room, looked at Simone. And she bowed her head slightly.

“Thank you, for saving me... Are you okay with your injuries?”

It seemed like she had heard about the day's events through the servants. Simone nodded her head.

"It's okay."

Florier looked around the room for a while and continued speaking quite slowly, so she finally calmed down.

So now does Florier also have a contractual relationship to lift the curse?

The usual smile appeared on Simone's lips.

“Then will I be able to receive pocket money regularly from now on?”

Then let’s take what is given!

But now that she's gotten used to the nice rooms, the service from the staff, and the delicious meals, Simone starting to feel less rewarded for breaking the curse.

'It's rewarding to get pocket money like a salary.'

If I save up the allowance Florier gave me, I may have a lump sum by the time the curse is over!

As soon as she came to her senses, Florier willingly nodded to Simone, who was soaked with lust.

“Of course. Our family is still shunned by the royal family, so we can’t give it generously, but we will provide it separately.”

"Thank you."

And then silence came.

In fact, there was nothing to say between the two other than thank you.

It was natural since this was the first time she had seen her since the man who died holding a sword went on a rampage.

Aren't you going to go back now? 

Florier said when Simone averted her gaze out of awkwardness.

“I heard that Viscount Lawton is coming to the mansion today.”

"Ah yes! I asked the Grand Duke for a favor. There is a ghost that needs to be consecrated.”

Florier nodded.

“I also got to join the Viscount for a meal.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I don’t know if it will help... I’ll work hard.”

Florier spoke solemnly as if she had been given a big task.

The first cooperative operation of the Grand Duke and his wife.

Although Florier not confident in deceiving anyone, she plans to do her best to help Simone.

“Then don’t go back now.”

As Florier finished her pledge and was leaving the room, Simone, who had been momentarily dazed by the pledge, began to move violently.

"Wait a minute!"

"What's happened?"

Simone opened the jewelry box on the table, took out several amulets she had made, and handed them to Florier.

“It’s an amulet I made. It won’t have much effect, but it will help you avoid weak curses.”

“...Thanks."

After she returned, Simone and the employees stood there in a daze for a long time, unable to realize the situation.

“This is my first time seeing Her Highness the Grand Duchess speak...”

"So do I...”

“No, it’s probably everyone’s first time here...”

For some reason, Simone started walking again, leaving behind the thrilled people.

Tonight, if she was going to catch Viscount Lawton and face that hideous ghost again, she had to make the most of her last walk and gather herself.

***

In the evening, the meal between the Duke and Duchess of Illeston and Viscount Lawton began.

From what he heard, the curse of the Illeston family was lifted and the village reconstruction plan planned with a new mind was lured by Viscount Lawton with the condition of opening a trade port in exchange for his investment.

Of course, it's all a lie because the curse hasn't been lifted yet and the plan to rebuild the village hasn't been completed yet.

By now, Viscount Lawton is probably sweating as he is being questioned for using the village's illegal organization by spending a large amount of money.

The village has already been taken over by illegal groups such as informants and hunters and has reached a point where recovery is impossible, but are you doing business with them? 

It was like preventing the reconstruction of the territory and providing maintenance support to an illegal organization in the name of trading.

Especially if it is the Grand Duke's territory, isn't it a high treason that can be considered treason?

The role of the Grand Duke and his wife was to play the perfect villain, pretending to interrogate him, and subtly bring up the story of the illegitimate child and the woman as if to exploit his weakness.

While they were eating and creating an unpleasant atmosphere, Simone went down to the underground room with Louis and took the rope.

Today, Louis was completely hidden in black robes, just like when he first entered Illeston Mansion.

Simone said as she handed the rope to Louis.

“If I report that Viscount Lawton murdered a maid who was pregnant with his child, you will immediately knock him out and tie him up in an underground room. With that rope.”

What happens after that?

She will judge for herself whether the person the ghost is looking for is Viscount Lawton.


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