One in a million odds (5)
The noble houses that will attend the summit are Eldern, Astrod, and two additional houses.
Ian was the Eldern representative. He was very busy trying to meet the departure schedule.
It has been decided that Rahon will attend.
After returning to Shancrecia, he chatted with Nicola, who arrived early this morning, and then he calmly informed us that he was attending the summit.
Even though he learned that a great rift was about to occur, Rahon was not greatly shaken.
With his characteristically indifferent expression, he said he would pack his bags and set off for the villa with Nicola.
While everyone else was busy, Kalit and I were the only ones with free time.
Nadia would pack for me, and Kalit didn't have any luggage at all.
Kalit looked as relaxed as Rahon.
He seemed unconcerned that he and Oslo would be attending the summit together as representatives of the royal family.
Obviously, Oslo will try to prevent Kalit from achieving greatness...
It was unclear whether he was not concerned about Oslo since he had already been promised the position of Crown Prince by the Emperor, or whether he had other plans.
So the departure date is one day away.
Nadia put her hand on her hip after filling five bags in about an hour.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, but did I pack too early... Should I just pack one?"
A smile appeared on Nadia's face as she muttered.
She only knew that her return date had been brought forward due to work, but she did not know that the reason was the Great Rift.
Although the Emperor had ordered silence until the summit was held, the Great Rift was a terror to humans.
So the moment it was announced that the Great Rift was about to open, there would be a huge stir.
For example, there was a record of a riot breaking out in a territory with poor public security simply because of the news of a great rift.
'Even if I tell you in advance, you'll just be scared.'
I stared blankly at Nadia, who was humming a tune.
"You like it that much?"
"Oh my, how nice. How disappointing. Eldern has already become my second home."
"Nadia, you should say that with a sad expression."
"...Am I laughing right now?"
"Yeah, it seems like you were just waiting for me to leave."
Nadia, who was trying hard to keep a serious expression, soon burst out laughing.
"Oh, I don't know. What can I do when I'm happy? It's nice here, but honestly, home is the most comfortable. I have more friends there."
Nadia, who has a great sense of sociability, made the maids of Castle Eldern her best friends in just over a month.
But she has more friends in the capital.
'You're better than me.'
Making friends was more difficult for me than anything else.
If I think of it as a public relationship, the conversation comes out naturally, but when I think of becoming closer, my mind goes blank.
So when I just sat there not knowing what to do, everyone thought I was angry, when I was just confused.
The friend I finally made after going through that difficult process was Sierra.
Of course, she didn't even consider me a friend, and she approached me with a purpose, so I didn't make any friends through my efforts.
"You know you're really picky, right? With that kind of personality, you can't get along with anyone. I'm the one who puts up with it."
I don't know about anything else, but what Sierra said was true.
At that moment, a strange smell came from somewhere. It was a mixture of soap and a bitter smell.
"Nadia, go out and come back."
"Where?"
"I have to say goodbye to my friends."
Nadia rolled her eyes and scratched her head.
"Um... Hehe, then I'll just go out for a bit."
"You can take your time."
"Hey, that can't be happening. I just say goodbye to the kids and come back!"
"Yes."
As soon as Nadia went out excitedly, Baba opened the window and came in like a shadow.
Baba approached me quietly and reached out his hand. He smiled just before his hand touched my shoulder.
"Welcome, Baba."
Baba slumped his shoulders.
"No, you still know? Even though I took a bath for two hours?"
"The soap smells stronger than I do today. Please sit down."
Baba sat across from me. Judging from his light movements, he seemed to be in full recovery.
"How are you feeling?"
"Very good."
"Have you heard about Sierra?"
"I'm looking into it, but it's not because of that woman, it's for something else."
"Anything else?"
Baba took off his mask.
Her pure white face and delicate features were revealed. He swept back her platinum hair that was falling down.
"The little Duke was poisoned. That was Vivi's doing."
"Who is Vivi?"
"The second-in-command of our guild. The girl who attacked me."
The girl's name is Vivi.
"Are you family? Your names are similar."
"We've lived together since we were young, but our blood isn't related. My father just gave me a random name because he found It annoying."
Baba shrugged and continued.
"Don't touch her. I came here to tell you this."
It's true that I never asked Baba if he had definitely removed Vivi, but on the other hand, I had my doubts.
I wonder if Baba intentionally hid Vivi's existence. I wonder how I would react.
But then again, maybe Baba just wanted to protect Vivi.
Because Vivi and Baba have been together for a long time.
"Were you close with Vivi?"
"Yes?"
"So I guess that's why you're trying to protect her."
"What?"
Baba opened his eyes wide and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Poohahaha! Ah... this is driving me crazy. Hehe, how can you think of such things? It's so funny."
"..."
The laughter that had been going on for a long time suddenly stopped. Baba's face, with the smile gone, looked extremely dry.
"I promised to die in front of my master. But for that to happen, my master has to live longer than me."
"..."
"Anyone who gets in my way will die by my hand. So I will kill Vivi too."
"Do you know what I mean?" Baba continued, grinning.
His eerily bright smile showed no sign of affection for Vivi.
"Then why didn't you tell me last time? You had a chance to tell me when you were healed by Lord Rahon and came to your senses."
"Hmm..."
Baba tilted his head like an innocent child.
"I don't know either. Were I surprised when I opened my eyes and saw my master?"
"You were surprised because of me?"
"It was the first time that someone was there for me when I was sick."
I was speechless and kept my mouth shut.
Baba stared at me as I remained silent.
"What kind of expression is that? Sad?"
It's a look of pity for someone. Instead of answering, I changed the subject.
"How much do you know about Sierra?"
"A few things."
"Can you tell me at least that?"
“Hmm... Yes.”
Baba nodded without much doubt.
"She put her dress and jewelry up for auction. They were caught as stolen goods and she almost got arrested, but someone saved her."
"It must be Oslo's doing."
"That's right."
Oslo arranges for Sierra to avoid arrest in exchange for helping him assassinate me.
The news, which was not at all unexpected, was met with cynicism.
"What is her debt situation?"
"I thought she paid it all off? She doesn't have a single debt now,"
"...Is it so?"
Would Sierra's father have paid it back?
But the Coelho family probably doesn't have that kind of cash...
"I don't know if this is true, but rumors are going around that she is engaged to the second Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Romena."
I opened my eyes wide without realizing it.
No way... you're asking for a new source of income?
“Pfft-.”
"Huh?"
"Ah. no, hahaha, wait, ahahahahaha!"
I couldn't hold back my laughter.
I burst out laughing, tears welling up in my eyes.
It takes a tremendous amount of effort to cut down a tree that is firmly rooted in the ground, but it is all too easy to kill a flower that is leaning on a support.
Because all you have to do is remove the support. If you've fallen into the abyss by relying on Oslo, you should learn to stand on your own this time. Trying to solve your problems by relying on others.
'Sierra, it'll be too easy for me to break you like this.'
Baba blankly stared at me as I burst into laughter.
"Well... As long as the master is having fun, that's fine."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I suddenly started laughing."
I continued speaking, wiping away the tears that had gathered in my eyes.
"That rumor is probably true."
"I think so too. I heard that many people saw the two of them dating in the middle of the capital."
Ibida, whom I met just before coming to Eldern, said this.
It seems like the Coelho family is trying to marry Sierra off.
But who would marry a woman who seduced and cheated on her friend's lover?
No matter how hard she tried, it would have been difficult to find a marriage partner, so she had no choice but to turn her attention to countries other than the empire.
As the second Grand Prince of the Grand Duchy of Romena, he was a worthy opponent for the Coelho family. After all, he was a member of the royal family of a country.
'She definitely doesn't want to miss it.'
The moment I let out a snicker, Baba put a very small object in my hand. It was a circular case the size of a finger joint.
"What is this?"
"It's an antidote. Use it when you're poisoned."
"Is Vivi still... In Eldern?"
"No, she already left for the capital."
"But why are you giving me the antidote?"
"Would there be only one assassin in the world? That's for emergencies. It neutralizes most poisons, so you can wear it on a necklace or something."
"Ah... I will do that, thank you."
Baba stood up, his mask over his head.
"Then let's talk about the rest in the capital. Shall we leave tomorrow?"
"How did you know that?"
"Trade secret."
Baba winked, walked over to the window, and looked outside.
I opened my mouth to face him as he climbed up onto the windowsill.
"Baba."
"Uh?"
"If you're sick, come to me anytime. I can be by your side... And be there for you."
I don't know why I'm embarrassed. It's such a trivial thing.
I deliberately put on a stern expression to shake off my embarrassment.
"That doesn't mean you should get hurt."
"I know."
Baba chuckled and disappeared out the window.
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