The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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On the way to the exit.

The Duke of Alchemiya asked Ailren, who was escorting her nearby.

“Count Airen, could you tell me what punishment Rosaline Rionet will receive?”

“While it’s a matter to be decided after confirming if there are additional crimes, it’s certain that with just the charges currently discovered, she will never see the light of day again.”

“That’s appropriate. Ah, Nicholas is here. Since he’s someone who witnessed Rosaline’s evil deeds up close, he’ll have much to testify about. I hope it will be helpful for the investigation.”

“Yes. We also plan to interrogate Hugo Rionet and cross-verify their testimonies before reflecting them. But do you happen to know anything about the transmitted video?”

I briefly made eye contact with the Duke.

We had agreed to keep Chloe’s story secret for now.

‘If the fact that Chloe has used dark magic is revealed, Crodil will make an issue of it.’

It would be safer to reveal the circumstances after treating Chloe.

Until then, we planned to describe it as some unknown mage we didn’t know about.

Anyway, Hugo and Nicholas would serve as witnesses together to prove that Rosaline planned the memory theft, even without Chloe.

“It’s a magical device we discovered while searching Parnon Count’s Mansion. It was probably left as evidence by a mage who barely managed to escape when they saw an opportunity.”

The Duke of Alchemiya added that the man shown in the video had been rescued and was being treated.

“I’ll let you know when he wakes up.”

“…I see.”

Ailren, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded almost imperceptibly.

I gently spoke to Ailren.

“Um, Sir Knight. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance.”

Ailren, who had hesitated briefly, soon answered firmly.

“You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.”

“But…”

According to the Duke of Alchemiya’s words, I had anticipated the situation but didn’t even give him, the Captain of the Royal Knights, a hint.

Looking at it negatively, I could have been someone who tried to take credit alone and worsened the situation.

“Rather, I should be the one apologizing and thanking you.”

But Ailren shook his head.

“…Because you protected Her Highness the Princess and yourself. In place of me, who couldn’t do anything.”

“No way, that’s not true. I saw everything – how you provided appropriate help throughout the situation.”

Ailren’s sea-colored eyes, which had been speaking gloomily, tilted slightly at my words.

“…If you’re referring to cutting off the culprit’s hand to block the attack attempt, that was naturally what I had to do. So the word ‘help’ is not appropriate.”

‘Wait, hold on.’

The one who cut off Rosaline’s hand was…

‘It was my magical sword that I was wearing on my thigh, wasn’t it?’

It was when Rosaline rushed at me.

The sword, as if moving on its own, slipped out of its sheath, cut off Rosaline’s hand that was holding the broken glass, and returned.

It happened in an instant, so other people probably didn’t see it properly, but Ailren is the Captain of the Royal Knights.

There’s no way he didn’t see it.

Then.

‘He’s lying for me. For my sake.’

He was clearly saying it was his doing because bringing in a magical device could be problematic.

And perhaps.

‘He seems to have guessed about Chloe’s situation, but decided to let it pass without questioning for now.’

For a knight who had always walked only the righteous path, this must have been a really big decision.

Not knowing what to say, I looked at him, but Ailren was already walking while looking straight ahead.

‘Once Chloe’s matter is resolved, I should properly express my gratitude. Before that…’

“Oh, Sir Knight. The real tiara that disappeared is probably still somewhere in the treasury.”

Let me repay the favor and lighten Ailren’s workload a bit.

“Look around the exhibition area for precious treasures, not the display items or auction pieces. It’ll be covered with velvet or something.”

The Duke of Alchemiya looked surprised at my words.

“How did you know that?”

“The attendant only received the key this morning, so he wouldn’t have had much time.”

The Duke of Alchemiya nodded in understanding at my words.

“And he’d also need to quickly replace it with the real one.”

I nodded.

“What if someone suggested safely entrusting it to the Temple? It would be terrible if it was discovered that it wasn’t a holy relic.”

“Ah, so you’re saying he would have placed the real tiara nearby so he could immediately switch it back.”

When I nodded, Ailren answered.

“Understood. I’ll check it out.”

Then the Duke of Alchemiya slightly narrowed her eyes.

“Elisha, over there… that man who pinned down the attendant earlier, the one who looks like a war god from a famous painting, is staring intently at you. Do you know him?”

As befitting someone with deep knowledge of art, she expressed that he looked fierce and scary in a very elegant roundabout way.

I smiled and nodded.

“Yes, he’s my partner. I’ll go see him briefly!”

As the Duke said, Alter was really staring intently at me.

Looking closer, his expression seemed somewhat strangely stiff, but I thought I should greet him first.

“Alter, thank you for today.”

I was sincere.

I was grateful that he prevented the attendant from escaping, but actually, what I was really grateful for was something else.

“I was really angry earlier. So angry that my vision blurred for a moment. But when you talked about the pea shooting contest, it helped me relax, you know?”

Helping me relax also meant he had been keenly observing my condition the whole time.

Alter had truly trusted and watched over me.

Both my innocence and that I would be able to handle things well.

As I said this, I felt somewhat embarrassed, so I smiled slightly and whispered.

“And thank you for that amazing sword too. It was flying around – is it a really expensive magical device? I’m not sure if I should keep it.”

Why is he just looking at me with furrowed brows?

I asked cautiously.

“Is it that expensive? Do I really have to give it back?”

“No.”

“Huh, then did you get hurt worse when you threw the attendant? Why do you look so upset?”

“This isn’t the time to talk about me. You just a moment ago…!”

Alter, who had cut off his words, pressed his lips together.

Ah. I could tell now that I was looking closer.

The reason his expression had been stiff was…

‘He was worried.’

Alter isn’t a knight, nor is he someone from the Imperial Palace.

So he had no choice but to be below the dais – what thoughts did he have while watching me from afar?

“Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine as you can see.”

“Are you sure? No scratches anywhere?”

“Of course.”

When I said that much, Alter finally seemed somewhat relieved.

Alter’s expression finally relaxed a bit after he took a long breath that seemed like a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad to hear that, but think about it once more. It might actually help to say you were hurt.”

“Why?”

“Then that Rosaline bastard’s sentence would be increased.”

“Ah…”

That’s smart.

I was seriously considering his opinion when Alter, who had been staring at me, muttered.

“What a spectacular debutante ball you’re having.”

“It is a bit much. I didn’t expect to receive this much attention.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t you thinking about how to redirect all this interest toward the pawnshop?”

“…How did you know? You’re really smart…”

“This time you definitely spoke your thoughts out loud.”

Alter chuckled and paused to choose his words.

“…I see you differently now, after today.”

Of course he would see me differently.

Alter only learned today that I was a temple appraiser, that I was related to Rosaline, and that I was the Duke of Alchemiya’s adopted daughter.

Though the adopted daughter part was probably just something the Duke said casually.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Status and things like that aren’t particularly important. Setting all that aside, I’m an appraiser, and doing my job well is what matters most to me.”

“I mean I see you as a person differently. Including what you just said.”

Huh?

That wasn’t what he meant?

As I looked puzzled, Alter spoke quietly.

“…I want to apologize for suspecting you at first.”

“Uh…”

“Of course, accepting the apology is your choice. I’m not going to force you. But watching you methodically handle and resolve the situation today made me realize something.”

Alter had once said he wasn’t used to conversations like this.

Perhaps it was because his clumsy manner seemed unfamiliar, even as he earnestly spoke each word.

“You’re… much more prudent, upright, and… kind than I thought.”

Somehow, I found myself staring blankly at him.

“I’m sorry about back then.”

“Ah, um, yes. I’ll accept your apology.”

Alter, who laughed like a sigh, gazed at me.

“You forgive too easily.”

“It’s in the past. Besides, you called me a kind person, so I’d seem like a bad person if I didn’t accept it.”

“So what if you did. You’d still be a good person… to me.”

Alter’s ears were tinged red as he said I was a good person.

After clearing his throat several times, he roughly patted my shoulder.

Just like when he told me I’d done well.

Then he very obviously changed the subject, clicking his tongue.

“By the way, when exactly are they taking this attendant away? No matter how many criminals and witnesses they have to drag off, without the Captain of the Royal Knights, these knights are really just a disorganized mob.”

“Hey, don’t be so harsh. He’s unconscious, and since someone like you is guarding him, they probably want to take him later in the priority order…”

I was smiling as I looked at the copper-haired attendant when I froze.

‘Wait, this is?’

When I touched the attendant’s hand, Ailren, who had approached at some point, blocked me.

“Please don’t get too close, it’s dangerous.”

“No, look at this first. Knight, this person’s hand…!”

The nail on the prone attendant’s left ring finger was unusually small.

“He was a man with vivid green eyes, and I remember his left ring finger nail being unusually small. His hair was a dark color.”

I recalled Ailren’s words when he described the attendant who had delivered the magic stone hourglass.

His expression hardened after checking the nail.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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