Chapter 28
"Um, what is Lady Rohanson's full name?"
"Lady Rohanson? It's Evangeline Rohanson."
"Evangeline Rohanson…."
Why is he asking that? Rafaela suddenly had an ominous feeling. This was…. If she had to compare it to something, it was similar to when Gabriel had kissed Evangeline's hand earlier.
"Captain, Lady Rafaela. The moment I faced her, I realized my destiny."
Surely not, right? It's not love at first sight or something like that, right? Rafaela prayed desperately, begging that please, not that.
"Is Lady Evangeline an angel?"
This is even worse. Rafaela corrected herself. She would rather he said he fell in love. He was obsessed with that damn painting, saying an angel was waiting for him and trying to jump into the painting, and now he's saying Evangeline Rohanson is an angel?
The problem was that this time, there was actually a possibility it could be true. Even after hearing Daisy's testimony, Gabriel and Rafaela couldn't identify Evangeline's true nature.
"It doesn't matter if she isn't. When Lady Evangeline baptized me, I deeply realized who I truly should serve."
Is he talking about that moment right before Mishel fainted, when his eyes rolled back? What Rafaela saw wasn't an illusion. Rafaela had witnessed the moment Mishel became enthralled by Evangeline.
Common sense says if my body is burning and some woman appears and sprinkles water to put out the fire, I'd be grateful. Rafaela tried to understand Mishel, but in the end, anger boiled up and she gave up on trying to empathize.
"You crazy bastard!"
You'd just think thank you. You could think she's like an angel. But serve her? Baptism? That guy's brain was definitely rotten.
"Sir Rafaela, Sir Mishel just woke up. Please calm down."
Yeremi covered Rafaela's mouth and tried to calm her screaming. Mishel didn't even seem to notice Rafaela's anger as he continued speaking.
"I can no longer remain as Lady Rahel's knight. I will go to where she is. I will ask Lady Rohanson to accept me as her escort knight. Will she refuse since it's so sudden? Then I don't mind being a stable hand. I just want to breathe in the same place where she exists."
Rafaela apologized to Lady Rahel in her heart as she watched Mishel committing heretical worship right near the Grand Temple. Lady Rahel, that bastard is temporarily insane, that's why he's acting like this.
"Captain, it looks like Sir Rafaela is going to collapse at this rate…."
At Yeremi's words, Gabriel called out to Mishel.
"Mishel."
"Yes, Captain."
Even in his madness, at least he still recognized people properly, which was better than before.
"I'm sure you know how great a sin you've committed against God right now."
"Yes."
"Then stay here. Consider that the punishment Lady Rahel is giving you."
"I see. It is punishment for me, who now serves another, to continue working here for Lady Rahel. As expected, Lady Rahel is merciful. But Captain, are you alright? Being with a heretic worshipper like me?"
"I always respect you."
"Captain! I respect you as much as I respect Lady Rahel!"
Rafaela wanted to reform that rotten mind of his that had just declared himself a heretic worshipper yet claimed to like the Captain as much as Lady Rahel. When he was possessed by the painting, at least they couldn't communicate, so that was somehow better. Now that they could talk, it was even more infuriating.
"Did Sir Mishel just say he's a heretic worshipper?"
"Seems so?"
Hearing Uriel and Seraph in the back making conversation like a comedy duo, Rafaela thought it would be better to go to the Rohanson mansion herself.
***
"It's pleasantly cool today too."
Lying in bed, picking at fruit Hena brought with a fork, I'm spending a leisurely time. Dark clouds make it gloomy, but through the slightly open window, a pleasantly cool breeze blows. Is this heaven? I think I might already be dead….
"Miss, you'll catch a cold like that."
Kanna draped a shawl over my shoulders. Maybe because the weather isn't hot, this feels nice too. Oh my, our Kanna knows what to do without being told. As a sign of thanks, I picked a piece of fruit and held it out, and Kanna accepted it with reddened cheeks.
And Hena, who was watching that, normally would have said something to Kanna…. Would have said something but….
I glanced at Hena. She was standing blankly, lost in thought.
"Hena."
"Yes, yes? Did you call me, my lady?"
Only after I called her name did she snap to attention. Is she really not sick somewhere?
"If you're tired, you can rest. Kanna is here too."
"No. I'm fine."
There's no energy in her voice at all. How is she fine?
"Go rest."
"Yes…."
When I said it once more, Hena nodded and left the room. Hena has been in that state ever since returning from the temple.
"Kanna. Is Hena sick somewhere?"
"She's not sick. But she won't even tell me what's going on…."
Kanna said sullenly.
"It's definitely because of what she heard from that person named Daisy. I should have asked for sure…."
Right, she said she heard something from Daisy. So Daisy causes conflicts not just with the male lead and the second male lead, but with Hena too.
Then is Hena like this because of me? Heol…. What did Daisy say to her? Ah, right. There's the paper Gabriel gave me. The translator must be fixed by now. I should read it now. That way I'll know what Daisy said to Gabriel and Hena.
"Kanna, can you give me the paper I got from Sir Gabriel before?"
"It should be in the room. I'll get it."
Kanna left the room and came back after a while. But her eyes were brimming with tears, so something seemed wrong.
"Kanna? What's wrong?"
"Ah, Miss. I'm sorry, the paper…."
Kanna held out the paper while sobbing. When I took it, I was shocked. The ink had spread from water and all the letters were smudged.
"I think I made a mistake while doing the laundry. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm sorry."
Kanna was acting like she was about to breathe her last. She didn't even cry this hard when she was kidnapped by Donau. Is she more afraid that I might scold her?
"Kanna."
"Sob… Yes."
"It's okay. Would I scold you just for ruining a paper?"
It's a bit very frustrating, but I can't scold a child. Originally, I was the one who entrusted Kanna with the paper, so it's my responsibility.
Now will I never know what was written on that paper? I can't go ask Gabriel again. Gabriel will ask why I couldn't read it, asking if I'm illiterate or something. Evangeline is a romance fantasy noble, there's no way she can't read! Amid the confusion, a good method came to mind.
"Daisy?"
"Yes?"
There is one more person I can ask. The statement was made based on what Daisy said. Then I just need to find Daisy! Last time I met her after spending all my money buying holy water, so I didn't have money to give, but this time I'll go with a large sum and apologize in person. Money can't heal emotional wounds, but it does help.
"If I knew where that girl named Daisy lives, I could go find her."
"Why? Do you have business with her?"
Just then, Jelly, who had gone for a walk, returned with perfect timing.
"Jelly."
Right, Jelly has a past connected to Daisy. Wouldn't she know?
From Jelly's arms, Puding jumped out and climbed onto my knees. The kneading paws were very diligent. Apparently she had another intense session today, as there were scratch marks on Jelly's face. It's fortunate he's a werewolf so he recovers quickly.
"Jelly, do you know where she lives?"
"No? How would I know that. But she knows I'm here, so if she needs something, she'll come find me on her own."
Is this really the second male lead who went through hardships together with Daisy…? He's definitely a main character because he's handsome and a werewolf, but the more I look, the more he seems like just a loser. No… a dog?
Jelly transformed into a wolf and climbed onto the bed, curling up. That's a nonverbal expression saying she's going to nap now so don't talk to her. Am I raising a teenage boy, not a second male lead?
I can't throw that away either. Then what should I do? Should I ask Gabriel? That unhelpful thing…. While clicking my tongue watching, Kanna offered a good suggestion.
"You said that person named Daisy originally worked at the mansion. Then couldn't we ask the butler?"
Puding also meowed as if that was the correct answer. Our Kanna is so smart, I really want to applaud. Very different from some useless furball.
"Kanna. That was helpful."
"Missss…."
Strike while the iron is hot, so I should go ask right now.
"I'll prepare for going out."
There's no need for both of us to go to interrogate the butler about Daisy's address. Kanna prepares for the outing, I do the background investigation. Perfect division of labor.
When I stood up, Puding followed me clip-clop. I picked up Puding and placed her in Jelly's arms.
"While I go to the butler, can you wake Jelly up?"
It's really convenient that I can communicate with beast people. When I stroked her, Puding purred with satisfaction. Sigh… even in this world, cats are truly healing itself.
"Don't tell Hena."
"Yes. I'll just say you went out."
I'm going to interrogate Daisy about what she said to Hena, so I can't bring her along. I'll also ask what she said to Gabriel. Give her money too. Perfect.
The other person won't want to see me? If this were reality, that would be true. But this is a romance fantasy worldview, and Daisy is set up as a villainess's obstacle character, so she'll appear frequently, so it doesn't matter. My conscience stings a little but….