Chapter 44
Daisy, I'm glad you're happy too.
"Did you have a good talk?"
"Yes... The butler said you asked him to accommodate the children as much as possible. Thank you."
When I told the butler yesterday that Daisy was returning to work, he was enormously surprised. Since she must have quit after being terribly harassed by Evangeline, it seemed the idea of her working again was shocking.
And when I said I brought three kids, he asked me in a trembling voice if I had kidnapped them. It's been quite a while since I possessed this body, but why does Evangeline's villainess image show no sign of improving?
Only after I explained the children's circumstances did the butler accept it. I almost made a sarcastic remark asking if he had a problem with a villainess doing good deeds. Of course, I'm a cultured person who respects my elders, so I didn't actually say that.
"My Lady, this is a letter from Sir Gabriel."
Should I open this or not? After some hesitation, I just opened it. It was another letter dressed in elegant handwriting today. The content wasn't much. He wants to share afternoon tea time together. So that means he'll come at two o'clock... I looked at the clock and there was still plenty of time.
"Let's get ready."
I'd like to just throw something on, but I need to make a good impression, so I should dress up as nicely as possible.
With three people helping, it took much less time. When I first possessed this body, I didn't even have a dedicated maid, but now I have three. I think I'm doing pretty well at this romance fantasy life?
"You're truly dazzling today again."
As Kanna said, Evangeline was already beautiful from living up to her villainess name, but today she looked even prettier.
Perhaps because Daisy was originally the maid who served Evangeline, she was quite skilled at making people look good. And she brought out accessories I didn't even know existed and added them to my outfit.
After finishing my preparations and idling about, a servant knocked on the door.
"My Lady, Sir Gabriel has arrived."
When I went down to the drawing room with Daisy, Gabriel rose from his seat. Whoa... The male lead's looks are stunning again today. I was the one who dressed up carefully, but he didn't fall behind at all.
This man who looked like he wouldn't let out a single groan even if stabbed bowed his head gently.
"Lady Rohanson. I hope you had a peaceful night."
No, I couldn't sleep a wink, you bastard.
"Thanks to your assistance, I rested well."
"I'm glad to hear that."
When I sat across from him, Gabriel sat back down as well. I glanced at Gabriel out of the corner of my eye. Just like yesterday, he looked peaceful without a single hint of agitation. It made me wonder if he really had heard from Daisy that I was a possessor.
No, I shouldn't let my guard down. That might be a tactic to make me drop my defenses.
"As I mentioned, the children have been placed in the temple's orphanage. Mr. Troy has decided to stay and help with odd jobs for the time being. It's not a place that will waver from adding about ten more children, so you can rest assured."
Gabriel opened the conversation by explaining the aftermath.
"This is an entrance pass for the orphanage for you, Ms. Daisy. The temple orphanage has restricted access, so you must carry the pass with you."
"...Thank you."
Along with a map of the orphanage, he had also made an entrance pass so Daisy could visit the orphanage.
Troy hadn't spent a single copper of the gold coins he borrowed and kept them all himself, so he said he would take a knight with him today to repay the debt. Since they left together, they should have arrived by now. No matter how much of a loan shark he is, he wouldn't dare commit fraud or threaten someone in front of a holy knight, so it was a very sensible handling of the situation.
And when the general investigation of the director and the basement was finished, Troy decided to donate the orphanage to the temple.
"The priest who was Merai's trader will be dismissed today."
The other traders are nobles or merchants, so I don't know if the temple's influence will reach them significantly, but they'll report it to the imperial family first.
Given the characteristics of a social hierarchy romance fantasy, I don't think they'll receive particularly heavy punishment, but with the male lead stepping in, won't they at least receive harsher punishment?
"Merai's crimes are heavy, so she won't be able to avoid the death penalty."
Still, it's not burning at the stake but just beheading.
One is dismissal, one is death. The weight of punishment received was different for the same human traffickers, but since Merai appeared to have committed worse crimes based on what was revealed, I could understand it in my own way.
"Death penalty..."
"I will inform you again in writing when the exact execution date is set."
"You don't have to tell me."
Daisy's voice trembled. No matter how much of a human trafficker she was, there must have been some affection from being raised by her, so her heart must be unsettled.
I brought Daisy, the informant, thinking Gabriel would naturally bring up the possession story, but if I knew this kind of talk would come up, I should have just brought Kanna.
"The Merai matter seems like it will wrap up roughly like this. I'll let you know as the situation progresses."
"You went to a lot of trouble. Good work."
If Gabriel hadn't come yesterday, I would have had to handle all of that myself. Thinking about it that way, Gabriel briefly looked like an angel.
How did he finish so much work overnight? I just tossed and turned in my sleep. Is this the ability of a male lead who suffers overtime work every day?
After finishing the general explanation, Gabriel wet his throat.
Ah. Now he's going to say it. My heart pounded fiercely.
What is he going to say? He's not going to splash holy water on me while shouting "Begone, demon!" is he? Is that character breaking? Then will he cut off my head first and ask questions later? He might really restrain me with handcuffs, no ropes, and take me away...
I felt like I was going to die from anxiety about what kind of reaction he'd show, but Gabriel took his time like a commercial break.
"And the reason I suddenly came to see you yesterday was..."
That's the speed I hate the most. Just tell me quickly so I can get the beating over with!
"Though it's sudden, would you become my partner?"
Just don't kill me, okay?
"Partner?"
What does that suddenly mean...?
Huh? Wait, suddenly? A date request here? To go to a ball together and dance? I thought a thrilling shock suspense development would continue, but Gabriel suddenly switched to a romance route.
Is this for real? Is he going to pretend he doesn't know I'm a possessor? No, right now Gabriel might be timing the perfect moment to reveal my identity. Does he think I'll wait until then? Rather than constantly feeling anxious not knowing when my identity will be discovered, I'll just say it outright. When cornered like this, strike first.
"You're saying this knowing I'm not Evangeline?"
It was so absurd that I brought it up first without realizing.
When Gabriel lowered his eyes, his eyelashes fluttered. Who is he trying to charm with that?
No, but he doesn't even know about possession novels. If someone suddenly says a different soul entered a dead body, shouldn't he treat it as a ghost or demon? You're a holy knight for crying out loud!
"Yes. I know it well."
Gabriel stroked the handle of his teacup. So he's saying he wants to ask me even knowing I'm a possessor...?
It's a bit embarrassing to say myself, but Gabriel must like me more than I thought. He's reached the point where he doesn't care who I am anymore. Of course, I did set up some fishing grounds, but this man is so easy...
What I worried about all night suddenly felt meaningless. What was I so afraid of all day, trembling over the fish in my fishing grounds?
"To be precise, I would like you to join me as my partner at the upcoming banquet."
"Why all of a sudden?"
But it really came out of nowhere, so when I asked why, an answer beyond imagination came back.
Apparently, my spirit summoning circle is spreading quietly among the wealthy class.
He must be afraid it will be abused if left alone. Well, both the priest and the director did use it inappropriately. So he wants to go around social circles with me and weed out suspicious people.
Wait, but do you need me to catch spirits?
Of course, I can't just stand by while people use my summoning circle without permission. But I don't even know the proper summoning method! How is everyone succeeding at summoning so neatly!
A chilling imagination suddenly crossed my mind. What if I actually have a despairingly low spirit affinity? So I just draw the summoning circle and call, and that's all there is to it, but I was the only one who failed. Did Gabriel ask me for help because my presence lowers the spirit summoning success rate or something?
"The Lady's presence muddles the circle's influence."
Gabriel confirmed it. My eyes suddenly stung. That's really too much. It's sad not knowing the original work, it's sad when the translator breaks down sometimes, but I don't even have spirit affinity? Even if I'm a villainess, this is too cruel to me.
"And it's also to avoid suspicion about your identity."
True. This is a romance fantasy world, and perhaps because Evangeline is a villainess, situations turn strangely even when I don't do bad things. If I'm not careful, rumors might spread that I'm controlling the spirits.
Donau acted like I ordered him to kidnap someone, and Daisy's orphanage had the spirit summoning circle drawn there too. If I hadn't been there together, I would have been blamed for all the crimes instead.
At least if I'm with Gabriel, I'll receive less suspicion like that. Since Gabriel is an upright and incorruptible holy knight.
"If that's the case, fine. I'd be glad to."
And Gabriel doesn't know if I'm a demon or a ghost, but he set aside the possession issue and became my ally. I can't forget favors easily.
I had a satisfactory transaction with Gabriel, but Daisy cautiously raised an objection.
"Um... My Lady hasn't even had your debutante yet..."
What? If I'm a villainess, shouldn't I already be reigning as the flower of high society?
***
The dense lights gradually decreased following Gabriel's steps, and when they descended underground, it reached a point where it would be difficult to distinguish what was ahead without a lantern.
The underground, untouched by sunlight, was a very appropriate place to commit ugly acts while avoiding God's eyes. That was why the empire had an unusually large number of basements. The same was true for the Grand Temple. The place Gabriel found was mainly detention cells for imprisoning or interrogating criminals.
"Bishop Jabaniya?"
"We meet again."
There were guests in the underground. Two priests and Bishop Jabaniya, and a middle-aged woman wearing a white veil welcomed Gabriel gently.
"Knight Commander, it's been a long time."