The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 52

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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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“…Losing it, you mean.”

“Yes. I’m saying you should lose it in front of the pawnshop door.”

I rested my chin on my hand.

“The more precious something is, the easier it is to lose it, isn’t that right? You carry it around thinking you absolutely mustn’t let go of it, then forget about it for a moment.”

As an imperial knight, it wouldn’t be easy for him to suspect something given by royalty.

So I chose those words to lower Ailren’s resistance.

“It won’t be difficult. Just drop it in front of the door. Then I’ll gladly serve as a lost and found for you.”

I spoke as if it were nothing.

“Of course, since it’s a ‘lost’ item, you could ‘retrieve’ it later, right? Come get it once you’ve confirmed it’s safe.”

I had two reasons for making this proposal.

One was, of course, to change Ailren’s future.

The other?

‘It’s worth investigating.’

This wasn’t mere curiosity.

Crodil must have received help from a mage.

To procure enough magic stones to fill the hourglass, and to cast concealment magic.

‘The article about Ailren’s death said there were no magical traces, but… that doesn’t make sense. They either missed it in their hasty investigation, or Crodil interfered with the investigation. Since magic was used, traces must remain.’

If I find the magical traces, I can discover who the mage helping Crodil is.

It’s an opportunity to assess the enemy’s capabilities.

‘If I know who it is, I can prepare countermeasures, and if things go well, maybe even try to win them over.’

Since it was revealed that Rosaline and Crodil are cooperating, Crodil’s information was also important to me.

Because that’s how I can win.

‘I have no intention of going easy on them.’

As I steeled my resolve, Ailren slowly opened his mouth.

“Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe… you say. You still consider the hourglass a dangerous item.”

“Yes. I’ll need to investigate to know the details. Oh, of course I’ll share the investigation results with you. I naturally promise to keep it confidential.”

For Ailren, there was nothing to lose.

Having said this much, I thought he would agree, even reluctantly.

But.

“Then all the more reason I cannot ‘lose’ it.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I cannot put a dangerous item in a citizen’s hands.”

‘Does he think I might commit terrorism with those magic stones?’

Even if suspicion and preparation are a knight’s duty, this was somewhat hurtful to hear, I was thinking.

Ailren looked at me intently and continued.

“If that hourglass is the cause of mana poisoning, wouldn’t it be an item that could harm you as well?”

‘Oh, this is…’

“I cannot pursue personal safety at the cost of a powerless citizen getting hurt. A knight’s job is to protect, not to be protected.”

He wasn’t saying that because he was worried I might do something wrong with the magic stones.

“I’m grateful for your kindness. But I must politely decline that proposal as well.”

‘He’s worried about me.’

Since it’s dangerous enough to cause mana poisoning in a knight, it might affect me too.

Rather than that, he was saying he’d rather bear it all himself.

Of course, mana poisoning is only fatal to knights, but Ailren seemed to be concerned about worst-case scenarios.

‘He’s not a respected knight for nothing. But still.’

However, I couldn’t just think his sense of responsibility was admirable.

The Emperor and high-ranking nobles might highly value this aspect of Ailren.

A loyal and upright knight would be good from an employer’s perspective.

But.

‘He takes self-sacrifice too much for granted. Doesn’t he have a personal life beyond being a knight?’

I was also somewhat annoyed.

‘As someone who has died once, and as someone trying not to repeat that! I don’t like this submissive attitude.’

Of course, Ailren doesn’t know his future, so he can say such things, but how precious is life.

Having finished my thoughts, I crossed my arms.

“Those are truly touching words. But one thing you said is wrong.”

“What would that be?”

“Calling me a ‘powerless citizen.’ Of course, it’s true that I have no political power.”

I tilted my head slightly and looked at Ailren as I spoke.

“But I do have some means of self-protection. I have the insight to notice a knight’s troubles, and the ability and knowledge to appraise such things. I have the confidence and courage to say you won’t regret entrusting work to me.”

I continued, emphasizing each word.

“I want to examine it because it’s an interesting item. I’m saying I won’t throw away everything I have and take risks just out of curiosity.”

Taking a breath, I spoke seriously.

“And if by any chance I do fall into danger, then you can do your ‘job as a knight’ at that time, right? Protecting me. Just as I helped you, you can help me.”

Ailren stared at me blankly.

Pausing briefly, I smiled lightly.

“So, trust the judgment of the person you serve just once. The judgment of that ‘friend’ who trusted me despite meeting me for the first time.”

Ailren, who had been quietly listening to my words, nodded after a long moment.

***

Ailren, returning to the imperial palace, suddenly looked back.

The pawnshop was visible in the distance.

“Wait a moment, Knight.”

It was when he was about to leave after finishing his business.

What the pawnshop owner handed to Ailren as she stopped him was a glass of water.

What caught Ailren’s eye as he was about to refuse, citing protocol regulations, was.

“This isn’t entertainment or hospitality that a citizen gives a knight to curry favor. It’s a return visit strategy provided by a shop owner to a prospective customer who’s probably thirsty by now.”

The bright smile of the woman who said this while laughing.

A glass of water.

She had said that. Couldn’t anyone offer a glass of water to someone rolling around in pain?

That everyone lives giving and receiving such kindness.

She surely knew that there are many who covet even small grains in others’ hands.

She would have experienced Crodil’s permit incident.

Yet that woman said such things.

‘As if she believes in minimal goodwill.’

Ailren accepted and drank the water she offered.

It was very refreshing and cool. Like his head, now clear of headaches.

‘Then she added. To think it over, and if he decided to entrust it to her, to ‘lose’ the hourglass three days later.’

This morning, Ailren had briefly pondered in front of the hourglass in his office before picking it up.

But instead of taking it to the pawnshop, he left it at his home.

There were various reasons, but in reality, it was one thing.

He was a knight. Trusting someone was difficult for a knight.

‘But…’

After staring at the pawnshop for a while, Ailren turned around.

He didn’t know why, but he had this thought.

“Could you please ask if it would be possible to wait about three days?”

Hoping that Princess Katarina would graciously grant that reprieve.

***

“Haah… Why am I so tired? Was operating seven days a week too much after all?”

Late at night.

I pressed my temples firmly and gulped down my coffee as soon as I bought it.

But there was something I couldn’t postpone just because I was tired.

The matter of having no choice but to decline the Princess’s invitation.

Pulling my robe over my head, I looked around and then pushed open the door of the hospital located in a corner of the alley.

“Doctor!”

“Ah, Miss Elisha.”

The doctor greeted me with a pale face.

“I saw the telegram you sent. Are you alright, Doctor? You weren’t hurt anywhere, were you?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Fortunately, it seems they didn’t come with detailed information. It was more like a probing attempt.”

The day Ailren had visited. It was when I was waiting for him to wake up from his sleep.

I had received a telegram from the doctor.

What could it be? Was there difficulty procuring medicinal herbs? Or could it possibly be news about a new treatment?

I sprayed the telegram and shot up at the revealed contents.

Miss Elisha, today people came asking about the whereabouts of patient Michele.

Twice, no less!

Recalling the telegram’s contents, I hurriedly sat down closer.

“Once I can understand. There are people I can guess.”

Hugo and Rosaline, that is.

But…

“But twice? Who was it the second time?”

There are others looking for Grandfather?

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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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