The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 170
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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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But the problem is?
‘Where should I take him.’
Two conditions must be met.
The first is, of course, a place that can treat Grandfather at a level similar to Belcato Nursing Home.
The second is.
‘It must be a place with countermeasures to defend against Crodil, and furthermore, the mage Eivor who is in league with him.’
The first place that came to mind was the Temple of the World Tree, but I soon shook my head.
“If such people are exposed to excessive holy power, the balance will be disrupted…!”
Because Grandfather must not be exposed to holy power.
Asking Ailren or Lina for help wouldn’t work either.
Not because I don’t trust them, but because where those two are is the Imperial Palace. I couldn’t risk word leaking to Crodil.
I was holding my head when I lifted it with an “Ah.”
‘Moro Duchy.’
More precisely, the Duke’s Residence.
It’s where the Magic Tower researching Grandfather’s illness is located, and where the duchy’s finest medical staff are stationed.
Moreover, since it’s a foreign country, we could avoid Crodil’s eyes, and they would be on high alert for Eivor’s whereabouts, so defense would be possible too.
It was an excellent plan.
However…
‘…Would it be okay to make such a request to Tesagh.’
“Someone who even used interrogation magical tools on me wouldn’t just leave Grandfather alone, would they.”
Whether he would agree is a secondary issue.
After saying such things, would it be okay for me to suddenly ask him to take care of Grandfather just because I got a bit desperate?
Of course, the situation has changed from before.
Tesagh knows that I’m someone who would shamelessly do anything for Grandfather’s sake.
But that made me feel more conflicted. This is a matter of conscience.
‘Should I at least try asking? …No, when asking others for favors, you should have a Plan B. First, I should look into it on my own…’
I was lost in thought, ready to tear my hair out, when.
“Elisha.”
“Eek!”
I jumped at the sudden voice.
When I quickly looked up, Tesagh was sitting across from me.
“Why are you so startled.”
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now. What on earth were you thinking about that you couldn’t even sense someone’s presence.”
“Um… I was thinking about how to make more money…”
Tesagh, who had been slightly frowning, chuckled at my mumbled answer.
“From now on, you should probably think about how to tame that disheveled hair.”
Indeed, I had been pulling at my hair so much that it was all tangled and messy, just as he said.
After giving up on combing it roughly with my hands, I asked Tesagh.
“Did your conversation with the Marquise of Devin go well?”
“Yes. She was very worried about facing disadvantages. I told her that wouldn’t happen.”
“That’s a relief. Oh, Countess Devin asked me to tell you she’s grateful.”
As I conveyed only Eloise’s gratitude, omitting the word “annoying,” Tesagh’s hand quietly moved closer.
“I’ve already heard thanks and apologies from the Marquise over ten times with just the words changed, so there’s no need for that.”
Tesagh answered indifferently while brushing back the hair I had given up on.
The sound of rough hands brushing through hair rustled softly in my ears.
As I quietly looked at him, our eyes met.
“…Anyway, ahem, I understand.”
Whether it was unconscious, Tesagh quickly withdrew his hand, but the warmth still remained by my side.
“The Captain of the Royal Knights contacted me about yesterday’s incident. Did you receive anything too?”
Then he quite obviously changed the subject.
Inwardly amused, I glanced toward the telegraph.
Several telegrams had arrived.
Hello, young Manager. I have something to tell you. Could you stop by the Guild briefly after business hours today?
It’s not something to discuss over telegraph, and I’m quite busy, so if not today, I won’t have time.
One of them was from William,
…You can’t imagine how happy I was to hear that you found the second Ruby Tablet fragment.
It might be early, but I want to commend your hard work.
Can you come to the Imperial Palace? Let’s have tea time together…
And one was sent by Lina.
Among the remaining telegrams, there was none from Ailren.
“No, I didn’t receive any. I was actually wondering if he might request additional appraisal like last time, but it was strange that there was no contact.”
Tesagh’s brow furrowed slightly.
“…Acting like he’s serving a superior. Does he plan to keep it secret until perfect results come out?”
“Pardon?”
When I asked back, not having properly heard his low murmur, Tesagh shook his head.
“From what I heard, the Hestian family members were handed over to the Temple just like Duie.”
“Ah, to protect them from Eivor. Is the newly found Ruby Tablet fragment also at the Temple?”
“Yes. Since it was only yesterday’s work, there probably weren’t many investigation results, but I’ll tell you as soon as new information comes in.”
“Hmm…”
Well, there’s no way the investigation could have been completed in just one day.
Ailren must have been busy just handing over the criminals and collecting evidence from the gambling den.
‘Still, Ailren’s last appearance bothers me.’
I was thinking about him turning away with a pale face, refusing the handshake, when Tesagh crossed his arms.
“So, about that.”
Is he going to tell me to stop worrying about national affairs and focus on my main job?
But I can’t help but worry about it, I was thinking when.
“There’s new information.”
“This quickly?!”
“What? No, not about the Ruby Tablet. It’s about the ‘sword.'”
Ah?
Seeming conscious of Patrick behind us, Tesagh only called it a sword instead of Rugenote, so I leaned closer and whispered.
“Gasp, did you find Rugenote?”
“Unfortunately, that’s not it. But we found some things that could be clues.”
Tesagh said hesitantly, unlike himself.
“I want to hear your opinion. So, to the Duke’s Residence once more…”
I answered immediately.
“I’ll go.”
“Without even hearing about compensation?”
Not expecting me to accept right away, Tesagh asked back.
Is he saying that because I mentioned money earlier? I grinned broadly.
“Come on, it’s not just anything else, it’s Duke’s business. Of course I should go.”
‘Actually, it’s not like I haven’t thought at all that if I want to ask Grandfather for a favor, I should also grant Tesagh’s request.’
Life is about give and take, but not everything moves in such a calculated manner.
Tesagh looked at my expression and seemed to realize I was sincere, hesitating for a moment before his ears turned slightly red.
“Right. The Magic Tower says they’ve made progress in their research too, so it would be good to hear those results as well.”
“Then there’s even more reason to go! Um, would tomorrow night work? I can use a magic circle, but it takes time for Your Grace to travel.”
“But you said magic circles make you motion sick last time. …Tomorrow is your day off, so leaving together by carriage tonight would be good for me, I mean, fine.”
I glanced slightly at the telegrams and shrugged my shoulders.
“I have prior engagements. Tonight I need to meet the Guild Master, and after that I have to visit a friend.”
Tesagh grumbled.
“Why do you have so many appointments?”
“I need to appeal to clients that I’m such a busy person, you know.”
“I already know you have many friends without you telling me. …Why do you look so moved by that comment?”
“No, it’s just the first time in my life I’ve heard that I have many friends…”
You really do see everything if you live long enough.
I even get to hear that I have many friends!
While I was feeling touched, Tesagh, who had been looking exasperated, quietly added.
“…Just so you know, housewarming gifts and such are fine this time…”
“I wasn’t planning to bake cookies again anyway?!”
“Why are you suddenly getting angry?”
Does he really not know why he’s asking?
If he’s telling me so blatantly not to bring cookies, that means they were really terrible.
“You didn’t even taste my cookies! No matter how ugly the cookies were, still!”
“That’s…!”
“That’s what?”
“There were circumstances!”
“What circumstances could there be for not eating cookies?!”
After bickering, Tesagh eventually left without ever explaining why he didn’t eat the cookies.
‘Were they so ugly he didn’t even want to taste them? Still, there was human sincerity in them.’
How disappointing!
Throughout replying to telegrams and sending several new ones, the sulky expression didn’t leave my face.
Enough that Patrick kept glancing at me.
*
Tesagh, who had returned to the safe house, was preparing to depart for the duchy.
His gaze suddenly turned toward the desk.
There was the broken clip he had set aside and a telegram Ailren had sent.
‘Is it because it was hit by holy water at the gambling den.’
The clip was scheduled to be replaced at the Magic Tower, and what Tesagh was focusing on was the telegram.
‘…It felt almost obsessive.’
The image of Ailren trying to protect Elisha regardless of her own wishes came to mind.
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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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