The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 71

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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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7. Do We Know Each Other?

 

I was patting Chloe’s back when it happened.

 

“Good heavens….”

 

Nicholas, who must have been watching the entire situation from the next room, hesitantly entered the room.

 

He looked at me once, then at Chloe once, and was about to open his mouth when—

 

Click.

 

The lights turned on.

 

When I turned around, the Duke’s residence butler was standing there with an angry expression.

 

“No matter how much we prepared in advance, this is still a mage who infiltrated the Duke’s residence! Miss Elisha, this could be dangerous, so please hurry…!”

 

However, the butler’s words couldn’t continue.

 

Because Chloe, startled by the lights turning on, screamed and crouched down in the corner.

 

“No, that person will realize that I failed to complete the task!”

 

“Chloe?”

 

“Then, then all of you will be in danger too. Not only will they inflict pain on me, but on all of you as well…!”

 

I gestured toward Chloe, who was clutching her left arm and trembling, and spoke to the butler.

 

“As you can see, she doesn’t seem to be a threat, Butler.”

 

The butler was left speechless.

 

Leaving him behind, I approached Chloe and spoke to her gently.

 

“It’s okay, Chloe. We’ve already drawn all the curtains, so the light won’t leak out.”

 

“B-but….”

 

“And don’t worry about that bastard Carlos. We’ve already chased him away.”

 

“…What?”

 

“Right, Butler?”

 

I winked at Chloe, who was looking up at me blankly, then turned to the butler.

 

He explained with a reluctant expression.

 

“Yes. We sent guards to the forest. Disguised as a surprise inspection. When they started interrogating him about why he had parked his carriage in such a place with no roads, he ran away with his tail between his legs. That was 10 minutes ago.”

 

“Then….”

 

“Yes. It means what you’re worried about won’t happen, Chloe.”

 

Chloe’s hand, which had been clutching her left arm, dropped with a thud.

 

Through the gaps in her clothing, I could glimpse restraints and wounds.

 

Clearly traces of violence and abuse inflicted by Rosaline. I gritted my teeth as Chloe hesitantly asked.

 

“Are you going to imprison me in the Duke’s residence?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then are you planning to hand me over for trial?”

 

“That’s not it either.”

 

“…Then?”

 

Chloe’s eyes quietly looked up at me.

 

She looked exactly like a frightened puppy.

 

A puppy that had been tied up for so long that the world outside the cage was actually more frightening.

 

“Then what do you want? Do I need to torment someone with my magic or….”

 

“No, no. Chloe. I came to rescue you.”

 

I carefully rolled up Chloe’s left sleeve to check the restraints.

 

Then I said firmly.

 

“What I want is for you to be free.”

 

Chloe, who had been looking back and forth between the restraints and me, asked cautiously.

 

“…Do you know me? You knew my name. Perhaps… have we met before?”

 

I was silently smiling at Chloe when it happened.

 

The butler strode over.

 

“Miss. Of course, things proceeded as you said they would, but future matters are a separate issue. Didn’t we all witness it?”

 

The butler’s gaze turned toward Chloe.

 

“This mage infiltrated the Duke’s residence and tried to harm Lord Nicholas.”

 

Chloe, thoroughly intimidated, hung her head.

 

The butler, watching such a Chloe, made a complicated expression.

 

“Earlier, this mage muttered with her own mouth. That she had made a mistake. That she had done something unforgivable. It’s not wrong.”

 

The more the butler spoke, the lower Chloe’s head seemed to drop.

 

I nodded.

 

“Yes. You’re right, Butler. This isn’t something that can just be brushed off as a mistake.”

 

“Exactly. Although this incident ended as an attempt, we cannot simply let such a person go.”

 

It was when Chloe flinched and made a resigned expression.

 

“But what if there’s someone who manipulated her into making such a mistake?”

 

At my following words, Chloe raised her head.

 

The butler sighed and said.

 

“I saw that directly too, so I know. This mage didn’t come to harm Lord Nicholas of her own volition. But….”

 

“I’m not just talking about today’s events. Chloe, under what circumstances did you come to wear these restraints?”

 

Chloe hesitantly opened her mouth.

 

“I was… well… caught trying to steal magic stones from the Rionet Ducal House….”

 

Even as she spoke, Chloe bit her lips as if embarrassed.

 

At the mention of theft, the butler looked at me as if asking whether there was any need to hear more, but I asked again.

 

“How did you end up stealing?”

 

“I desperately needed a premium magic stone to treat my addiction symptoms. So I begged the Rionet Ducal House to let me pay money to purchase one, but they told me they would absolutely never sell to me. So….”

 

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut.

 

“But it was inexcusable behavior.”

 

“Yes, it was. But why did you go to the Rionet Ducal House specifically?”

 

“I heard… a rumor. A rumor that the Rionet Ducal House had premium magic stones.”

 

“Where did you hear that rumor, Chloe?”

 

“It was at a magic stone shop I went to looking for magic stones….”

 

“That magic stone shop, it was a store in Pagnon County, wasn’t it?”

 

“Yes, yes. How did you know…?”

 

I took out documents from my bag and spread them out with a snap.

 

“Because the Rionet Ducal House itself spread the rumor about having premium magic stones. To lure you in, Chloe.”

 

“…What?”

 

Chloe’s complexion turned deathly pale after reading the documents.

 

And rightfully so.

 

This was information that William, furious about the pawnshop incident, had discovered while investigating Pagnon County like hunting down mice.

 

It couldn’t be more certain than this.

 

“They had their eyes on Chloe’s magic from the beginning. But since it seemed like Chloe wouldn’t cooperate easily, they set this kind of trap, put restraints on you, and then tried to use you like a slave.”

 

“Th-then….”

 

“Yes. It was all planned from the start. To exploit Chloe, who would be desperate for magic stones.”

 

I brushed back my hair and continued.

 

“Of course, Chloe’s actions were wrong. That’s not something I can dare to forgive. However.”

 

“….”

 

“I think it’s right to punish the person who drove you to such actions and manipulated you first. That’s what I think.”

 

Nicholas, who had been in the corner, carefully approached.

 

“I-I agree with that too.”

 

Perhaps listening to Chloe’s story reminded him of his own life experiences.

 

Nicholas wiped away tears and sniffled.

 

“As someone who also participated in the illegal cloning business, I know how Rosaline uses people.”

 

What was contained in Nicholas’s eyes as he looked at Chloe was compassion, and

 

“I lacked courage and lived following her words, but this mage ultimately didn’t harm me, did she? I can understand.”

 

It was understandable.

 

“Right. I can’t blame the knife for nearly stabbing me. I should blame the person who wielded it, shouldn’t I?”

 

“Your Grace.”

 

The Duke of Alchemiya’s voice could be heard.

 

Even though she entered in a wheelchair, there was dignity in her voice and appearance.

 

The Duke of Alchemiya’s gaze, which had been looking at me, turned to the butler.

 

“You. Are all suspicions cleared now?”

 

“Yes, Your Grace. I apologize for the many discourtesies.”

 

“Very well. You’ve verified things in my stead. But since I also sympathize with your words, I’ll handle the disposition of that young mage myself. So for now…”

 

It was then that Chloe flinched.

 

“Prepare warm bath water for the mage first.”

 

The corners of the Duke of Alchemiya’s mouth rose slightly upward.

 

Chloe stammered as if she couldn’t believe it.

 

“I, I am…”

 

“Go ahead. You got caught in a lot of rain, you must be cold.”

 

When I chimed in, Chloe hesitated then bowed her head and followed the butler.

 

Now only Nicholas and I remained.

 

The Duke of Alchemiya, who had been looking intently at Nicholas, asked in an amused voice.

 

“So, this young lady is the one?”

 

“Yes. She’s my investor and Miss Elisha who saved me. She’s also Former Duke Michele’s granddaughter.”

 

“It’s my first time meeting you, Your Grace. I’m Elisha.”

 

The Duke of Alchemiya, who had been watching Nicholas beam with pride like showing off his child, gazed at me.

 

Though it was my first time actually seeing her, her gaze somehow felt warm.

 

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I smiled slightly and said.

 

“I don’t really resemble him, do I? My grandfather.”

 

“You must hear that often?”

 

“Yes. Everyone says that.”

 

“Fortunately, I have quite a good eye. You do resemble him. Not in face, but in atmosphere.”

 

She spoke kindly, but it was still basically saying I don’t really resemble him?

 

As I was thinking, the Duke of Alchemiya smiled broadly.

 

“Would you like to have tea with your grandfather’s old friend, Elisha?”

 

I politely bent my knee.

 

“It would be an honor, Your Grace.”

 

As I followed, I could hear the Duke of Alchemiya muttering.

 

“Who would have thought Michele had a talent for child-rearing… He doesn’t look the type…”

 

Seeing her evaluate Grandfather this way, they must really be friends.

 

I smiled inwardly as I headed to the reception room.

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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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