The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 118

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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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“I cannot know what feelings you had when you accepted that proposal. However… I saw you clench your fists.”

Ah.

Ailren, who had been standing beside the table, seemed to have seen me making my resolve.

“You know that his kindness isn’t kindness at all, that it’s dangerous. But why, even knowing that…”

“…Knight.”

“I humbly request this. I will somehow catch the culprit. I will ensure that you don’t have to get involved in this matter. So please.”

Ailren squeezed his eyes shut.

“Please withdraw that decision.”

With his mouth firmly set, he looked like he would never compromise.

‘Ailren knew too. That Crodil is a dangerous person.’

I had never directly said that Crodil was likely the mastermind behind this series of incidents.

But it seemed Ailren had also caught on from the circumstances.

Though he probably hasn’t guessed yet that Crodil is also behind the ruby tablet theft.

‘It would be hard for Ailren to understand.’

Because Rosaline has already disappeared.

He’s asking if this isn’t enough already.

He doesn’t know about Chloe’s situation, or Grandfather’s situation, or that I’m living a second life.

“You’re right. I did think, as you said, that the Regent King’s promise might be a trap.”

“Then why…”

“But I’m an appraiser. Someone who can’t stand seeing fakes masquerade as the real thing.”

Ailren opened his eyes.

“Of course I want to restore Grandfather’s honor, and I want to gain the glory of being an imperial appraiser, and I want to make tons of money from that! Well, I did have those materialistic thoughts too.”

I smiled playfully, then spoke quietly.

“But wrong is wrong. If there’s something I can help with, I want to help.”

When I first went to the temple, I had made a vow.

If my second life was the World Tree’s mercy, I would live doing many good deeds.

So please don’t let Grandfather forget me.

‘Having made such a wish, I can’t turn a blind eye to obvious wrongdoing.’

Besides, I hadn’t acted purely out of a sense of justice—I had made a cold calculation.

“And the Regent King would have tried to drag me in somehow anyway. If I had refused, he would have used more cunning methods next time.”

Certainly more vicious methods.

Rather than see that happen, I thought it better to accept with Lina and Ailren as witnesses.

Though I got hit once, since I agreed anyway, Crodil would think things were going as planned and let his guard down for a while.

Crodil doesn’t know that I know about Eivor and the future.

‘I’ll strike him in the back when he’s feeling secure.’

I was confident I could win.

“Rather than get beaten later, I thought I’d accept when he made the proposal with something at stake. It would be difficult to negotiate with him anyway, and when negotiation is difficult, the initial proposal often has the best conditions.”

“…Ah.”

Ailren seemed to realize my words made sense.

“I apologize. My thinking was short-sighted.”

“Not at all, you said it out of concern for me.”

“…You always make me feel ashamed like this.”

“Your face doesn’t look ashamed at all though?”

When I spoke playfully to lighten the mood, Ailren’s expression relaxed a little.

“Does it look that way?”

Ailren, who had been on the verge of smiling, spoke quietly.

“…However, my vow to definitely catch the culprit still stands. So please promise me. That you’ll leave dangerous matters to me.”

“Uh, well. I’ll try my best to do that.”

Ailren frowned at the words “try my best.”

But that was the best I could do.

I couldn’t tell Ailren about Eivor.

I pretended not to notice and blatantly changed the subject.

“More importantly, there’s something I didn’t mention earlier—about how to get the ruby tablet back. How about this?”

After I explained, Ailren, who had been listening carefully, nodded.

“Yes. I have no choice but to agree that method is the best.”

“Right?”

While we were talking, we had arrived at the pawnshop.

I extended my hand to Ailren first.

‘He must have been near the holy relics while investigating the treasury, so the pain would have gotten worse.’

But seeing no sign of it on his face, I thought he was truly remarkable.

He wasn’t Captain of the Royal Knights for nothing.

“Then I’ll continue to rely on you, Knight.”

Ailren, who seemed to hesitate for a moment, grasped my hand.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Soon the force trying to push me away would pour out…

‘Huh, this is quite bearable?’

It wasn’t just because Ailren was holding me tightly.

The force trying to push me away had definitely weakened compared to before.

It felt like it would surge strongly then quickly subside.

‘Is it because the ruby tablet is a divine-grade holy relic? It must be able to heal mana poisoning too!’

Of course, only the force had weakened while my fatigue level was similar, but it was still fortunate.

As I rejoiced and roughly swept back my disheveled hair, my eyes met Ailren’s.

His face, which had cushioned me again this time, was close.

‘Oh, seeing him this close up…’

Ailren’s ears looked a bit red.

Come to think of it, Ailren hadn’t let go of my hand.

“Knight?”

When I looked puzzled, he slowly asked.

“…I think the previous form of address ‘Your Grace’ is no longer appropriate.”

Ailren, who had been unusually hesitant, spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“How would you like me to address you?”

Ah, since he learned I’m a member of the Rionet Family, he wants to be more formal?

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Oh, you can just call me Elisha.”

“…Lady Elisha.”

Just Elisha would have been fine!

‘I guess it would be awkward to suddenly call me by name after using “Your Grace”?’

By the way, is it because he has such a persuasive voice?

When Ailren said it, my name sounded as reverent as a biblical verse.

Ailren, who had been savoring my name, let go of my hand.

“Then I’ll do that.”

“Yes, then I’ll be going…”

“…I would be grateful if Lady Elisha would also address me comfortably.”

I’m comfortable calling you Knight though…

But since Ailren was looking at me with some expectation, I spoke carefully.

“Uh, then… Count Ailren? Lord Ailren? Should I call you something like that?”

Ailren’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched my awkward behavior.

Then he smiled very deeply.

“…Anything would be fine. As long as it’s a name Lady Elisha calls me.”

It was the first smile I’d ever seen from him.

Before I could ask, “So which of the two exactly…?” after being captivated by his refreshing laughter.

Ailren opened the door for me.

“Then please go in safely.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you!”

I decided to think about how to address Ailren later.

‘Since I have a few more things to think about.’

Getting out of the carriage, I headed toward the pawnshop.

*

After watching Elisha lock the door and enter the pawnshop, Ailren turned the carriage around.

He was thinking about the Duke of Moro Duchy.

“Captain, we received a reply to the telegram we sent to Moro Duchy. However…”

Though suspicious, he couldn’t openly inquire about the Duke’s whereabouts.

So Ailren had created documents requiring the Duke’s response, using border security as an excuse.

But.

“The person who sent the reply was the Duchy’s Border Guard.”

“Wouldn’t that be evidence that the Duke is absent?”

“Th-that is…”

…Since the Regent King is protecting the Empire, I should naturally respond according to that status. If this matter requires the Duke’s signature, we hope the Empire will also observe proper protocol…

What came back was essentially an answer telling them not to even think about speaking with the Duke until the Emperor arrived.

It also meant they knew about the probing attempt.

It was technically correct in terms of protocol. However, Ailren wasn’t someone who would easily accept this.

‘If they thought it beneath their dignity, they could have simply ignored it. Yet the Border Guard still bothered to reply, which means.’

There was a possibility that the Duke had really left his post.

The face of the Duke he had seen only once slowly overlapped with ‘Alter’s’ face in his mind.

‘Why on earth? Why is he in the Empire?’

But there was something that bothered him about being certain.

Why would someone of the Duke’s status be in the Empire in disguise?

If it was something that absolutely had to be done in the Empire, even at the risk of diplomatic problems?

‘Could it be.’

The first thing that came to mind was the missing Ruby Tablet.

There had been times long ago when nations went to war over sacred relics.

But soon Ailren shook his head.

‘There’s no evidence. If the Duchy wanted to steal the sacred relic, there would be even less reason to leave just one piece behind.’

Then?

‘…It might be something related to Lady Elisha.’

That man who had been staying by Elisha’s side all along.

Ailren gritted his teeth as he recalled ‘Alter’s’ face.

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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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