When Aila said she was going to see his brother Hiram's family, he actually felt a little uneasy.
She knew nothing about his true identity. She was worried that if a child like hee met Hiram, she might find Hiram's resemblance to Byron strange.
Even though they weren't on good terms, they were brothers born from the same father, so they looked quite similar.
Laura's report showed that, fortunately, that didn't happen, but it was still unpleasant.
That annoying nephew, Winfred or something, had a crush on Ayla. Hearing that made him feel a strange tingle of irritation.
And after taking a moment to reflect on his own feelings, he realized that they were similar to the feelings he had felt towards the son of Count Senospon in the Inselkov Kingdom.
'Do you have an eye for women? Ha, this really annoys me.'
It was unbearable for Hiram's son, of all people, to dare to harass his hounds.
Perhaps, he resembles his father so much in being arrogant and greedy for what is his own without even knowing the subject.
‘...No, it’s going to end soon anyway.’
Byron tried to calm his burning heart.
Soon, it would all be over. Traitors would receive the punishment befitting traitors, and those who had arrogantly usurped others' positions would return to their proper places.
There really isn't much time left until that day.
It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud was visible in the autumn sky, and the refreshing song of birds could be heard outside, shining in the clear sunlight.
And Aila, with a somewhat nervous look on her face, kept looking around the garden of the mansion where strangers were busily coming and going.
It was a scene that gave off a sense of foreboding.
It felt like a past life, so long ago. Even on the day she lost her life and returned to the past, everything was the same as it is now.
The clear autumn sky, the birdsong tickling her ears... and the strangers filling the garden. It was just as she remembered that day.
Only one thing, the person in front of her was different from what she remembered.
“Are you very nervous, miss?”
Lisa smiled kindly and poured tea into her cup. Lisa, who had been falsely accused by Laura and forced to return to her hometown, was now right before her eyes.
And Laura, who had chased Lisa away and stood proudly in front of Aila, was no longer in front of her.
“Um, no. I think I’m more excited than nervous.”
Aila smiled leisurely.
Yes, she was. A thrill of excitement ran through her body.
Tonight, tonight. In a few hours, her long quest for revenge will be over.
Of course, it was true that Aila was nervous. She couldn't let her guard down until the last moment. No matter how perfectly she prepared, life was full of variables that could cause things to go wrong.
But it would be okay. Now she had precious people by her side, people who would support her no matter what.
Mother, Father, and Winfred.
And even Lisa, who was right in front of her.
"Oh my, our young lady is quite strong-hearted. Well, since you're good at everything, you'll do well tomorrow too."
Lisa, who knew that the reason Aila was so excited and nervous was because of the birthday party tomorrow, laughed as if she couldn't stop herself.
It wasn't that she didn't trust her, but she had not told anyone yet to minimize the possibility of the plan leaking out.
'You'll be disappointed to learn that the banquet won't be held tomorrow.'
Aila felt a little sorry, as Lisa had been preparing diligently for almost a month, saying that this would be the first time the young lady she served would appear in public.
Perhaps after today, the empire would be thrown into chaos. Those who joined Byron's side would all be executed at once.
So there probably wouldn't be any time left to celebrate Aila's birthday or throw a banquet.
Of course, Aila, the birthday girl, wasn't bothered at all. Capturing Byron was the greatest gift of all for her.
Even so, Lisa was sure to be deeply disappointed and regretful. She was a kind and gentle woman.
‘...I really have to apologize.’
Aila looked at Lisa and resolved to apologize. She would definitely apologize for the deception she had been causing. There were many others she needed to apologize to, too.
Because she's told countless lies to get revenge and to come back here alive.
She had to completely get her revenge, if only to apologize to them.
"Lisa, I want to be alone today. So, you should go to your room early and rest. I'll call you if I need anything."
“Yes? But...”
Lisa glanced anxiously at the men with grim expressions moving in and out of the room. They were carrying birthday presents for Aila, sent from all over the country.
"It's okay to be alone. Knights are guarding the area right nearby. Even without them, I can easily protect myself. Shall I show you?"
As Aila played around, pretending to swing her sword in the air, Lisa laughed heartily and nodded. She was reassured, knowing full well that Aila had excelled in swordsmanship lessons with Roderick.
“Then get some rest, miss.”
Lisa smiled and left the room, and Aila, left alone, savored a sip of fragrant tea.
All that remained was to wait for the prey.
It was when Laura, who had just finished a hard day of cleaning the mansion since morning, was enjoying a short break, hiding behind the stairs leading up to the attic.
She ground her teeth and blew on her fingers, which were peeling from eczema.
'Today is the day I say goodbye to this tiresome chore.'
As soon as today passed, everyone who had treated her poorly and ordered her around would come to regret it deeply.
Laura closed her eyes for a moment and thought back to the mansion where she had lived as a child.
Compared to the Dukes' residence in Weishaffen, it was smaller and less splendid, but it was a cozy home that was more than enough for a family of four: father, mother, the young girl, and her uncle Cloud, who had not yet become independent.
Maybe she could return to that place, which was now abandoned as a traitor's house and now a ruin with no one living there.
But that doesn't mean her deceased father can come back to life.
It was when Laura was immersed in such a dream.
“Laura, Laura!”
The sound of someone calling her brought her back to reality.
“Laura!”
“It’s here...”
Laura crawled out from under the stairs, her voice hoarse. Even though freedom was imminent, she hated the reality that until then, she had to do this arduous chore.
“What were you doing there? Leave that rag behind and follow me.”
Butler Lester pushed up his glasses and spoke. He was a gentle-looking old man with a perpetual smile, but ever since her attempt to slander Lisa, he'd been cold to her.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, you’ll know when you go.”
Laura tossed the mop into the bucket and shook out her skirt. She didn't know what was going on, but she figured any momentary relief from the relentless grind wouldn't be a bad thing.
But how wrong that thought was.
She followed Lester down to the basement, and as soon as she entered a room, her mouth was gagged by knights.
“Ugh, ugh!!”
Laura struggled to get it off, but was unable to overcome the muscular, trained knights and was quickly detained underground with her arms and legs tied with rope.
“Woof!! Whooof!”
She protested vehemently, her mouth gagged. Why on earth were they locking her up like this?
"It's noisy, Laura Air Stay quiet there until we're done."
Lester looked down at her with such sharp eyes that it made one wonder if he was really the gentle old man he usually was.
'Laura... Air...?'
Laura, who was pondering the somewhat uncomfortable title, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, as if someone had poured ice water on the back of her neck.
Her true identity was revealed.
Lester and the knights looked down at her with contempt for a moment, then quickly locked the door and left the room.
Trapped alone in a dark basement room, she couldn't stand the anxiety.
She doesn't know how she got caught, but she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Byron will soon enter this mansion, and if he is caught, everything will end in vain.
She, her mother, and her uncle would be killed as traitors, just like her father.
'Calm down, calm down... I need to get out of here and report the situation. But how do I get out?'
She tried to remain as calm as possible, but it was not easy to calm down in this situation.
First of all, it was pitch-black, so she couldn't see clearly. What could she do? Furthermore, her hands and feet were bound, making it difficult for her to move.
'First, I have to free my hands.'
Fortunately, as time passed, her vision gradually cleared. It seemed like the area wasn't completely blocked from light.
Laura ran her palm across the floor. If there was anything sharp, she could cut the ropes binding her hands and try to escape.
But nothing could be felt on the soft carpeted floor. It seemed like even the daughter of a traitor couldn't be left on the cold, bare floor.
‘...Well, I’m telling you, they’re hypocrites who pretend to be good for nothing.’
It was nice that the floor was soft, but unfortunately, it meant that she couldn't find any sharp objects to cut the rope.
But it's not something she can just give up on.
She grumbled at the inconsiderate consideration of those who imprisoned her and rolled her body around, searching for something to cut the rope with.
She knew nothing about his true identity. She was worried that if a child like hee met Hiram, she might find Hiram's resemblance to Byron strange.
Even though they weren't on good terms, they were brothers born from the same father, so they looked quite similar.
Laura's report showed that, fortunately, that didn't happen, but it was still unpleasant.
That annoying nephew, Winfred or something, had a crush on Ayla. Hearing that made him feel a strange tingle of irritation.
And after taking a moment to reflect on his own feelings, he realized that they were similar to the feelings he had felt towards the son of Count Senospon in the Inselkov Kingdom.
'Do you have an eye for women? Ha, this really annoys me.'
It was unbearable for Hiram's son, of all people, to dare to harass his hounds.
Perhaps, he resembles his father so much in being arrogant and greedy for what is his own without even knowing the subject.
‘...No, it’s going to end soon anyway.’
Byron tried to calm his burning heart.
Soon, it would all be over. Traitors would receive the punishment befitting traitors, and those who had arrogantly usurped others' positions would return to their proper places.
There really isn't much time left until that day.
***
It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud was visible in the autumn sky, and the refreshing song of birds could be heard outside, shining in the clear sunlight.
And Aila, with a somewhat nervous look on her face, kept looking around the garden of the mansion where strangers were busily coming and going.
It was a scene that gave off a sense of foreboding.
It felt like a past life, so long ago. Even on the day she lost her life and returned to the past, everything was the same as it is now.
The clear autumn sky, the birdsong tickling her ears... and the strangers filling the garden. It was just as she remembered that day.
Only one thing, the person in front of her was different from what she remembered.
“Are you very nervous, miss?”
Lisa smiled kindly and poured tea into her cup. Lisa, who had been falsely accused by Laura and forced to return to her hometown, was now right before her eyes.
And Laura, who had chased Lisa away and stood proudly in front of Aila, was no longer in front of her.
“Um, no. I think I’m more excited than nervous.”
Aila smiled leisurely.
Yes, she was. A thrill of excitement ran through her body.
Tonight, tonight. In a few hours, her long quest for revenge will be over.
Of course, it was true that Aila was nervous. She couldn't let her guard down until the last moment. No matter how perfectly she prepared, life was full of variables that could cause things to go wrong.
But it would be okay. Now she had precious people by her side, people who would support her no matter what.
Mother, Father, and Winfred.
And even Lisa, who was right in front of her.
"Oh my, our young lady is quite strong-hearted. Well, since you're good at everything, you'll do well tomorrow too."
Lisa, who knew that the reason Aila was so excited and nervous was because of the birthday party tomorrow, laughed as if she couldn't stop herself.
It wasn't that she didn't trust her, but she had not told anyone yet to minimize the possibility of the plan leaking out.
'You'll be disappointed to learn that the banquet won't be held tomorrow.'
Aila felt a little sorry, as Lisa had been preparing diligently for almost a month, saying that this would be the first time the young lady she served would appear in public.
Perhaps after today, the empire would be thrown into chaos. Those who joined Byron's side would all be executed at once.
So there probably wouldn't be any time left to celebrate Aila's birthday or throw a banquet.
Of course, Aila, the birthday girl, wasn't bothered at all. Capturing Byron was the greatest gift of all for her.
Even so, Lisa was sure to be deeply disappointed and regretful. She was a kind and gentle woman.
‘...I really have to apologize.’
Aila looked at Lisa and resolved to apologize. She would definitely apologize for the deception she had been causing. There were many others she needed to apologize to, too.
Because she's told countless lies to get revenge and to come back here alive.
She had to completely get her revenge, if only to apologize to them.
"Lisa, I want to be alone today. So, you should go to your room early and rest. I'll call you if I need anything."
“Yes? But...”
Lisa glanced anxiously at the men with grim expressions moving in and out of the room. They were carrying birthday presents for Aila, sent from all over the country.
"It's okay to be alone. Knights are guarding the area right nearby. Even without them, I can easily protect myself. Shall I show you?"
As Aila played around, pretending to swing her sword in the air, Lisa laughed heartily and nodded. She was reassured, knowing full well that Aila had excelled in swordsmanship lessons with Roderick.
“Then get some rest, miss.”
Lisa smiled and left the room, and Aila, left alone, savored a sip of fragrant tea.
All that remained was to wait for the prey.
***
It was when Laura, who had just finished a hard day of cleaning the mansion since morning, was enjoying a short break, hiding behind the stairs leading up to the attic.
She ground her teeth and blew on her fingers, which were peeling from eczema.
'Today is the day I say goodbye to this tiresome chore.'
As soon as today passed, everyone who had treated her poorly and ordered her around would come to regret it deeply.
Laura closed her eyes for a moment and thought back to the mansion where she had lived as a child.
Compared to the Dukes' residence in Weishaffen, it was smaller and less splendid, but it was a cozy home that was more than enough for a family of four: father, mother, the young girl, and her uncle Cloud, who had not yet become independent.
Maybe she could return to that place, which was now abandoned as a traitor's house and now a ruin with no one living there.
But that doesn't mean her deceased father can come back to life.
It was when Laura was immersed in such a dream.
“Laura, Laura!”
The sound of someone calling her brought her back to reality.
“Laura!”
“It’s here...”
Laura crawled out from under the stairs, her voice hoarse. Even though freedom was imminent, she hated the reality that until then, she had to do this arduous chore.
“What were you doing there? Leave that rag behind and follow me.”
Butler Lester pushed up his glasses and spoke. He was a gentle-looking old man with a perpetual smile, but ever since her attempt to slander Lisa, he'd been cold to her.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, you’ll know when you go.”
Laura tossed the mop into the bucket and shook out her skirt. She didn't know what was going on, but she figured any momentary relief from the relentless grind wouldn't be a bad thing.
But how wrong that thought was.
She followed Lester down to the basement, and as soon as she entered a room, her mouth was gagged by knights.
“Ugh, ugh!!”
Laura struggled to get it off, but was unable to overcome the muscular, trained knights and was quickly detained underground with her arms and legs tied with rope.
“Woof!! Whooof!”
She protested vehemently, her mouth gagged. Why on earth were they locking her up like this?
"It's noisy, Laura Air Stay quiet there until we're done."
Lester looked down at her with such sharp eyes that it made one wonder if he was really the gentle old man he usually was.
'Laura... Air...?'
Laura, who was pondering the somewhat uncomfortable title, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, as if someone had poured ice water on the back of her neck.
Her true identity was revealed.
Lester and the knights looked down at her with contempt for a moment, then quickly locked the door and left the room.
Trapped alone in a dark basement room, she couldn't stand the anxiety.
She doesn't know how she got caught, but she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Byron will soon enter this mansion, and if he is caught, everything will end in vain.
She, her mother, and her uncle would be killed as traitors, just like her father.
'Calm down, calm down... I need to get out of here and report the situation. But how do I get out?'
She tried to remain as calm as possible, but it was not easy to calm down in this situation.
First of all, it was pitch-black, so she couldn't see clearly. What could she do? Furthermore, her hands and feet were bound, making it difficult for her to move.
'First, I have to free my hands.'
Fortunately, as time passed, her vision gradually cleared. It seemed like the area wasn't completely blocked from light.
Laura ran her palm across the floor. If there was anything sharp, she could cut the ropes binding her hands and try to escape.
But nothing could be felt on the soft carpeted floor. It seemed like even the daughter of a traitor couldn't be left on the cold, bare floor.
‘...Well, I’m telling you, they’re hypocrites who pretend to be good for nothing.’
It was nice that the floor was soft, but unfortunately, it meant that she couldn't find any sharp objects to cut the rope.
But it's not something she can just give up on.
She grumbled at the inconsiderate consideration of those who imprisoned her and rolled her body around, searching for something to cut the rope with.
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