The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 142

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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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14. That’s Not What I Meant

“Waaaaah, I can’t live like this-!”

Smack, smack.

This technique of hitting my back loudly but not painfully at all?

“It was just a few days ago that you were kidnapped, and now what? Unconscious for nearly three days?”

It was Emma.

She had arrived right at closing time and was fuming.

“How am I supposed to face Michele like this?!”

“W-well, I don’t think Grandfather would blame Emma…”

“Of course I’ll catch the bastard who did this to you first and beat him to a pulp, but how am I supposed to look at that scary face…!”

Ah, so that was the problem?

I glanced at Emma, who was holding the back of my neck.

“What bastard did this?”

“Some count, but he’s already been arrested.”

“No, that bastard will obviously face legal judgment! I’m asking who’s going to face Michele’s iron mace judgment.”

When I tilted my head, Emma grumbled sullenly.

“The one who caused it! You know, the guy who took you to the count’s domain, the one who left a note saying you had an accident.”

“A note?”

“Yeah, Chloe was shocked when she saw it. With no explanation whatsoever, it just said ‘Elisha injured, currently receiving treatment.'”

Somehow it was a note that came with the voice support of someone blunt.

In Tesagh’s mind, he had to inform them that the pawnshop couldn’t operate, but since he couldn’t explain the detailed circumstances, he must have just written the main point.

I could imagine how shocked someone would be receiving such sudden news.

I gently patted Chloe’s dejected face and said.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. You must have been very surprised.”

“Sorry? You don’t need to apologize to me… But I’m glad you returned safely, Lady Elisha.”

By the way, I had roughly explained the situation to Chloe before leaving, but didn’t he tell Emma?

I glanced around and saw Emma ranting into the air, saying ‘You should have at least written the hospital name so we could decide whether to visit or not!’

“It was an accident he didn’t expect either. And I’m perfectly fine now.”

“Even so, still!”

“Actually, it’s not really compensation, but I received a lot of money.”

“…How much did you get?”

When I whispered in Emma’s ear, her eyes widened.

“As an adult who’s lived much longer than you, I know this isn’t educationally good to say.”

“Yes, sister.”

“With that much money, leaving such a crappy note behind… I think I can forgive that…”

“Right?”

It was so-called financial therapy.

Actually, to be precise, it wasn’t from Tesagh, but from Border Guard Belastard who had requested the business trip, sent as both payment and consolation money.

“But I still can’t forgive taking you somewhere dangerous! No matter how money-obsessed I am, that’s one thing and this is another!”

“Yes, I understand what you mean. I’m sorry for making you worry, sister.”

“…Oh my, sorry for what.”

Emma’s expression softened as if she couldn’t help it.

Knowing well that it came from a caring heart despite all the fuss, I obediently nodded.

Emma was pouring out various strange-looking protective magical tools as gifts when she stopped and asked.

“Still, couldn’t you have rested a few more days? Opening the pawnshop right after coming back.”

“Ah, there’s an advertisement I put out.”

I recalled the full-page advertisement that ran in the 《Presrife Prism》 for a week.

[☆Pawnshop buying gems at highest prices! Same-day appraisal, immediate cash payment available☆]

The purchase start date announced in the advertisement was today.

So I returned to the pawnshop as soon as I received results showing no problems after a detailed examination.

Fortunately, I was able to make it just in time.

Emma, who had clearly been ready to say a few more words, closed her mouth at my continued words.

“I have to keep promises made with customers.”

Yes, Tesagh had the same expression.

He had asked if I really had to, wouldn’t it be better to rest a little more.

“…If that’s your intention, I understand.”

In the end, he had agreed to my words.

“I wonder who you take after, really.”

Emma, who had been giving affectionate nagging half admiringly and half worriedly, stood up saying she should go now.

I held Emma back for a moment and spoke carefully.

“Um, sister. Still, could you keep the details secret from Grandfather? …I mean, if he asks when he comes back from his trip.”

Emma, who had been looking at me intently, chuckled and gently stroked my head.

“We’ll see.”

“But…”

“But even if I keep the secret, isn’t it just a matter of time before Michele finds out? Since someone as high as a count was involved, it’ll be in the newspapers. Then Michele will see it too, right?”

“Hmm, but my story probably won’t be published.”

Since the ruby tablet appeared at the dedication ceremony, Lina and Ailren would do their best to prevent related articles from being published.

Moreover, even if an article came out, my story wouldn’t be in it.

Because I attended under someone else’s identity.

“Really? Then well… Ah, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll try not to say anything until he asks.”

“Thank you, sister.”

“But if Michele presses me, I can’t help it, you know? You know too, but Michele’s intuition… anyway, it’s not human level…”

Emma, who had been shaking her head, left after saying goodnight since it was late.

Ding, the door closed with a sound.

I turned to look at Chloe.

“You kept it secret from Emma, didn’t you, Chloe?”

“Ah, um… Actually, after seeing just that note, I was about to run to Lady Emma right away, but…”

Chloe said hesitantly.

“I read the memory. The memory left on the note.”

“What memory?”

“I could feel the appearance and emotions of the person who wrote that note. It was the same person as the memory left on the flower petals…”

Helplessness, sadness, pain.

She said she felt such things.

But Chloe said that wasn’t all she sensed.

“I also felt the determination to definitely heal Lady Elisha.”

“…I see.”

“So although I was really worried and upset… I decided to wait. You had left secretly in the first place.”

Chloe, who had been biting her lip, added somewhat self-deprecatingly.

“And even if I knew the location, I couldn’t go there anyway.”

“Huh, why not?”

“Because my magic is useless for healing Lady Elisha…”

I took Chloe’s hesitating hand.

“That’s not true, Chloe.”

“But…”

“What if, just what if. If Chloe were hurt, would you think I’m useless because I can’t use recovery magic or healing blessings?”

“Oh, no! That’s not, that’s not it….”

Flustered Chloe waved her hands dismissively.

I smiled slightly.

“I feel the same way. Just the fact that Chloe waited for me, and that you kept my secret, I’m grateful for that.”

“Ah….”

“We’re friends, aren’t we? Friends don’t judge people based on need or usefulness.”

“Fr, friends….”

Chloe’s cheeks reddened as she savored the word ‘friends.’

And soon she nodded vigorously.

“That’s right. Lady Elisha and I are friends…so.”

That sight was both cute and made my heart feel a little heavy, so I spoke casually.

“So now, instead of Lady Elisha, could you just call me Elisha, Chloe?”

“Ah, um! That, yes!”

Oh my.

Chloe had malfunctioned.

“I’ll, I’ll practice slowly…!”

“Yes, I’ll wait patiently too.”

I exchanged greetings with a smile and sent Chloe off.

Chloe seemed worried as she looked back several times while leaving, but I had no choice but to let her go.

Because.

“Lady Elisha.”

A visit from the Captain of the Royal Knights, who would be quite uncomfortable for Chloe, was scheduled.

Recalling the long telegram that had been output from the telegraph, I responded to his greeting.

“How are you feeling?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. My condition is good too.”

“….”

“Count Airen?”

Airen’s unusually complex expression puzzled me.

Tesagh had informed me, in a rather reluctant tone, that he too had come to visit the sick.

‘He must be worried like everyone else, right?’

I deliberately flexed my arm and pretended to show off my muscles.

It was like showing off fangs in front of a lion, and my conscience pricked me for trying to boast about something I didn’t have, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m really healthy, the doctor said I don’t even have minor ailments.”

“…That’s fortunate. Then I’ll escort you to the palace following Princess’s orders.”

…Greetings, this is Ailen Hugo Radeian.

An emergency meeting is scheduled for today regarding the ruby tablet discovered in County of Delphia. Please attend as both a witness and appraiser…

It was earlier than expected, but I had mentally prepared myself for such an occasion.

The problem was.

‘I don’t know how to explain the reason for going to the count’s domain in the first place. I can’t be the one to bring up Rugenote.’

The issue was that I hadn’t had a chance to discuss with Tesagh how much of the story to tell.

As soon as I received Airen’s telegram, I sent a telegram to William at the Information Guild, but there was no response.

‘Since I don’t have any other contact besides William.’

I thought we had become quite close, but I still don’t have a direct contact!

Anyway, setting that aside, how should I handle this situation?

‘If I get stuck while talking? Oh well, I don’t know, I’ll insist that my memory is fuzzy due to shock and just focus on doing the appraisal properly.’

“Yes, I understand. Then….”

As I was thinking of various excuses and getting up, I paused.

Clang, the door opened and the person who entered was.

“Then, I suppose we can go together.”

It was Tesagh.

His eyes, receiving both Airen’s and my gaze, were red.

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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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