The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 143

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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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Unlike me who was flustered, Ailren quietly stared at Tesagh.

He spoke in a polite but businesslike and stiff tone, just like when I first met him.

“The official invitation date that was announced to the Duke is three days from now. It seems you have mistaken the date.”

It appeared there were several more top-secret meetings scheduled that I wasn’t aware of.

Well, it would be problematic for a foreign duke to stay in the Empire under a false identity without notification.

It was called an ‘invitation,’ but I thought it would probably have an atmosphere similar to a hearing.

“So you’re saying you’ll summon Elisha to the Imperial Palace again in three days? Is that what you mean, right now?”

Tesagh, who answered coldly, was pointing at me.

At those words, a brief flicker of emotion crossed Ailren’s face, which had been expressionless the entire time.

“You can’t say no, can you? You need a witness for procedural reasons. You don’t think I wouldn’t know that.”

“…That is.”

“The Princess will designate Elisha as a witness who is ‘trustworthy’ and can speak about my recent activities. Am I wrong?”

Tesagh, who had been listing the procedures dismissively as if it were obvious, said curtly.

“So there’s no need for all that – let’s finish it today.”

Ailren, who had been silent for a moment, spoke in a low voice.

“If you cannot explain the reason for staying secretly in the Empire without prior notification, this will inevitably become a seed of conflict between our two nations.”

At first glance it was a warning, but in a way it was also a reminder.

It was probably a roundabout question asking whether today’s palace visit was an impulsive decision, and whether he needed time to prepare an explanation.

The Captain of the Royal Knights had to control conflicts as much as possible.

‘He can’t allow a wasteful fight to break out when even the Emperor is away.’

I didn’t know what Ailren thought of Tesagh, but he was still someone faithful to his duties.

“I believe you are aware of this issue.”

“Not only am I aware of it.”

And that was.

“Let me say that it could become an opportunity for cooperation beyond conflict.”

Tesagh, who answered stiffly, seemed to be the same way.

Just as Ailren was trying to protect the Empire, he too was a duke who had to protect the Moro Duchy.

Ailren nodded slowly.

“I understand that you have decided without room for reconsideration. I will notify the Imperial Palace, however.”

“If the master you serve says no, there’s nothing you as a knight can do about it? I know.”

Ailren called over a waiting knight and gave him some order.

It was when I saw the knight heading toward the Imperial Palace first in an escort carriage.

“Then Lady Elisha, I will escort you by carriage. As for the Duke…”

“I’ll ride together.”

“Pardon?”

This dumbfounded response was mine.

Tesagh raised one eyebrow.

“It’s a carriage sent by the Imperial Family to escort an appraiser, so there should be room for one more person to sit.”

So suddenly.

“…”

I ended up squeezed between them with Tesagh on my left and Ailren on my right.

Ailren said.

“Since this is a sudden situation, please understand that the protocol may not meet Imperial etiquette standards.”

That sudden situation was created by you, so don’t make an issue of protocol later.

Then Tesagh replied.

“The Captain of the Royal Knights came to escort me personally, so what could possibly go wrong.”

If an accident happens at the Imperial Palace, it’s your responsibility, so worry about protocol and such nonsense.

‘This is draining…’

I gave up thinking and decided to just look ahead.

I don’t know. Whether they fight or not.

‘I’ll just focus on doing my appraisal well.’

*

When we arrived at the Princess’s Palace, the attendants bowed deeply.

Fortunately, it seemed Lina had permitted Tesagh’s sudden visit.

Although the security check process was lengthy, Tesagh didn’t seem particularly displeased.

“There are no, abnormalities, but…”

The detector the knight was holding showed white light. It meant there were no magical tools.

“No abnormalities? Then you can let him in, can’t you.”

It seemed like he was displeased but holding it in?

The knights were openly wary of Tesagh. The security check was also only performed on him.

Tesagh didn’t even listen to the knight’s answer and walked away briskly.

It was when we arrived at the meeting hall.

“Your Highness, this is Ailren.”

Before Ailren’s words after knocking could continue, the door swung open.

“Elisha!”

Lina, who had opened the door herself, grabbed me and hugged me tightly.

“Oh, Your Highness?”

“Are you okay? You don’t know how worried I was when I heard about you…”

I rolled my eyes as I reflexively caught Lina in my arms.

I’m grateful that you’re worried, but is it okay to do this in an official setting?

But Lina’s body, with her arms around my neck, was trembling slightly, so it was awkward to ask.

“Yes, um, I’m fine.”

I was awkwardly patting Lina’s back when she sighed in relief and stepped back.

And then.

“Duke of Moro.”

With an expression so emotionless it was hard to believe she was the same person who had just hugged me, she looked at Tesagh.

Her gaze was cold.

Rather than simply being wary of suddenly facing a foreign monarch…

‘I can feel some hostility.’

She wasn’t even trying to hide it.

“Princess.”

Tesagh, who wouldn’t be unaware of the meaning in that gaze, answered briefly.

After their probing gazes continued for some time.

“…Let’s sit.”

Lina, who turned around first, headed to the head seat.

Ailren stood behind her as if guarding her, and Tesagh sat across from Lina.

I sat facing the door at the oval table and only then realized there was someone across from me.

‘Huh?’

That familiar white robe?

“His Eminence the Cardinal also sympathized with the necessity of this meeting and joined us.”

The person with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth was Crescenziano.

Well, he had also witnessed the chaos in County Delphia, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to attend as a witness.

But the problem was.

‘Oh my, this situation…’

The interests of the people in this room clashed mercilessly.

Ailren and Lina had the goal of retrieving the Ruby Tablet.

Probably Crescenziano, who had given me hints about the divine relic, felt the same way.

But what about Tesagh?

‘Does he know about the Ruby Tablet’s existence?’

Beyond knowing of its existence, what’s important to Tesagh isn’t the Ruby Tablet but Rougenote.

But other people don’t know that fact.

Perhaps.

‘They might think Tesagh went to the Count’s Domain to get his hands on the Ruby Tablet.’

Considering the fact that he hid his identity, it’s more than enough to cause misunderstanding.

In the worst case, they might think Tesagh is behind the Ruby Tablet theft incident.

It’s enough of a situation to become a ‘seed of conflict.’

‘Of course, it’s not like there’s no way to resolve this matter.’

Tesagh honestly revealing the circumstances surrounding Rougenote.

And conducting a joint investigation.

But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

‘If that were possible, he would have done it already.’

The reason Tesagh kept it secret from the Empire?

That means he too suspected the Empire as being behind the Rougenote theft incident.

Considering Tesagh’s attitude so far, which had been somewhat blind, it didn’t seem like he would reveal his hand first.

Of course, I know who the culprit is.

‘Because I saw it in the future.’

It’s ‘Eivor.’

‘But Lina and Ailren don’t know about that mage’s existence yet, and it’s unclear whether Tesagh and Crescenziano know…’

My head feels like it’s going to explode.

‘I don’t know what Tesagh is thinking, but.’

He’ll definitely ask me about the circumstances, so should I just insist I don’t remember again?

Rather than watching a war break out due to misunderstanding, wouldn’t it be right to prevent it with a few lies?

Since Tesagh would handle embellishing the situation himself.

It was when I was seriously contemplating this.

“Let’s organize things first before starting the meeting.”

It was Tesagh’s voice that broke the long silence.

“Today’s meeting will have two topics. One is understanding the situation that occurred at Delphia Manor. And the other is the reason I infiltrated the Empire.”

His extremely low and resonant voice had the power to make people focus.

Gazing at him, Lina answered.

“Is that so? Do you have additional topics you’d like to discuss, Duke?”

“No. I’m more inclined to reduce unnecessary conversation.”

It was when Ailren slightly narrowed his brow.

“Because we can narrow it down to one topic.”

“What do you mean…”

“I infiltrated the Empire to retrieve the Duchy’s stolen sacred relic ‘Rougenote.'”

He’s going to talk about this so straightforwardly?

Taking a breath, I turned my head toward Tesagh.

“Just like the Empire, which was chasing the Ruby Tablet discovered at Delphia Manor.”

“That’s…!”

“I think the culprit of these two incidents is the same person.”

Tesagh, who had been catching his breath for a moment, said briefly.

“The mage ‘Eivor.'”

“I’ll say this could be an opportunity for cooperation beyond conflict.”

Tesagh, who had shown his hand as if proving his own words.

“Why are you… telling us this, Duke?”

“I’m suggesting we cooperate with each other. Since our goals are the same, let’s put aside personal feelings and find more efficient solutions first.”

“…”

“And…”

He looked at me and smiled slightly.

“I realized that sometimes there are things where we must trust each other.”

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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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