"Marchioness Toten, you have arrived safely."
Kinder's carriage arrived at the Toten marquis household. Kinder expressed her gratitude to the knights who had escorted her to the residence. Though it was late at night and proper hospitality would have been appropriate, Kinder was reluctant to bring outsiders into the mansion, and the knights also wished to hurry back to their commander Gabriel's side, so they were able to part ways after a simple exchange of greetings.
"My lady!"
When Kinder returned to the mansion, Wether welcomed her master most warmly. Though they shared a great secret, considering they had only exchanged names for the first time today, this was excessive hospitality. Wether was simply relieved to have escaped from the demons' incomprehensible chatter, but Kinder, unaware of the circumstances, thought Wether was just naturally affectionate toward people.
"You worked hard, Wether. Why are you out here instead of staying by Rider's side?"
"Well..."
Wether, who had been about to confess how eventful things had been while her lady was gone, gaped when she saw Hena following behind Kinder.
"Are... aren't you Lady Rohanson's maid?"
Wether stammered, using honorifics even when addressing a maid of the same station. Strictly speaking, Wether, who worked for the marquis household and had been promoted to head maid today, held a higher rank, but Lady Rohanson's maid somehow had an extraordinary air about her, prompting natural use of honorifics.
"Surely Lady Rohanson hasn't come along as well?"
"No, I'm alone."
Hena shook her head, looking utterly exhausted. Thinking that there would be much to teach Wether as head maid, Kinder answered in her stead.
"Circumstances brought her here with me."
Before being detained by the imperial knights, Evangeline had asked Kinder to ensure her maid's safety. So when Kinder hurried to find the maid, sure enough, Hena was being mistreated by a knight. Just as Evangeline had feared, if Kinder hadn't claimed Hena was her own maid, she would have been beheaded like Rohanson's coachman.
Recalling the beheaded corpse, her stomach turned. When Kinder pressed for answers, she was told the coachman had committed suicide, but it was clearly a lie to cover up the truth. At least saving the maid was fortunate. Kinder thought of the pale face that would help calm her churning stomach.
"What about Rider?"
"He's in his room, but... something happened. Dies suddenly entered the room and tried to harm the young master."
Before Kinder could even ask in surprise, Wether explained in detail what had transpired. After hearing the general account, Kinder pressed her brow.
"I told him so firmly not to help Dies under any circumstances..."
Still, it was fortunate that what was inside Rider's body wasn't human, so Dies hadn't posed a major threat.
Kinder first set the household in order. She promised medical expenses and compensation to the servants injured while trying to stop Dies. The servant who had opened the door pleaded for mercy, saying he had only been deceived by Dies, but excuses wouldn't work. Kinder was extremely fatigued, so she postponed punishment and ordered him confined for now.
Then she went upstairs to find Dies. At the sound of the door opening, Mellec, whose cheeks were flushed from having been chatting so entertainingly, came trotting over to Kinder.
"Ms. Kinder! You've come!"
Kinder had never seen Rider run in her life. What if he fell and got badly hurt! Unconsciously, she stopped Rider and embraced him protectively.
"Ms-Ms. Kinder?"
"It's dangerous to run like that."
"Ah, I almost harmed your son's body. I apologize..."
"...Please be careful."
Though he wore her son's face, the contents were different, so there was a great difference in outward expression as well. Rider didn't smile as readily as Mellec, wasn't as talkative, and wasn't this clumsy either.
Kinder stood Mellec upright and looked down at Dies, who was collapsed on the floor.
"Fortunately, he's alive."
He hung limp as if dead, but his chest rose and fell steadily, indicating he was still breathing. It was fortunate he hadn't died. They hadn't yet announced that Rider had recovered his health. If Dies died in this situation, the elders would find Kinder detestable, thinking she had manipulated things behind the scenes to swallow up the Toten marquis household.
Therefore, Dies's death had to come after Rider had safely solidified his position as heir.
"This child Mellec begged and pleaded for his life."
At the voice that suddenly interjected, Kinder turned her eyes. The one who spoke so smoothly was the man who had been attending Lady Rohanson and using strange abilities. She should have reproached him for staying in the mansion without any notice when his master wasn't even there, but he was Lady Rohanson's vassal. Moreover, remembering how he had strangled her for being noisy, Kinder fell silent in fear.
"Mr. Jelly."
Hena welcomed Jelly in Kinder's stead.
"I was waiting to take you. Let's go quickly. Your sister seemed like she was about to breathe her last."
Hena, having finally found Jelly whom she had been searching for, was relieved. She had to continue serving, but now that a way to move while avoiding others' eyes had emerged, she was glad.
"Lady Toten, thank you for bringing me to the marquis residence."
Though Hena had a duty as a vassal of the young lady, she expressed her gratitude for personally escorting her, then picked up her things and disappeared with her companion. Kinder let out a small sigh at the two people leaving as if it were their own home.
Now only the matter of dealing with Evangeline's affairs remained. She would have to discuss this with the lord when he was in a better condition. There was nothing else to do. Mellec, watching Dies being carried away limply, caught the hem of Kinder's dress.
"Are you going to kill him too, Ms. Kinder?"
"Yes. After Rider's position becomes solid. Because there must be no future consequences after you return."
At the firmly spoken words, Rider hesitated, then asked while gauging Kinder's expression.
"If... if I don't return, will you spare him?"
"Are you planning to live in my son's body forever?"
"No, no. That's not what I meant..."
When Kinder pressed sternly, Mellec stammered and waved his hands in denial.
"That person and you are family, aren't you? Killing family is too tragic. My friend also harmed people who were like family, and I know well how much he suffered afterward. In the end, you'll be the one who's ruined, Ms. Kinder."
Mellec hoped his concern would reach Kinder. Kinder calmed her excitement at the worried tone and apologized.
"Sorry for taking it out on you, Mellec. You're trying to help me."
It was Kinder herself, no one else, who had accepted lending Rider's body.
"But you don't need to worry. Dies and I weren't that close. You can tell just from the fact that Dies tried to harm Rider, can't you? My only family was Rider, and now that Rider has died, no one remains."
What moved Kinder was only the last will Rider had left and the sense of duty to protect the marquis household.
Mellec patted the back of Kinder's hand as if to comfort her. Kinder felt slightly melancholic at the fact that she truly liked this kind monster. Feeling the cold skin on the back of her hand, she thought of Wether's grandmother. Perhaps Kinder too had gone searching for a doll to replace her son.