“There has been no movement of troops in the Count’s faction’s territories.”
Eric’s red eyes narrowed slightly as he sat by the window listening to the report.
“Ivanka Tirien entered the Ducal castle under the status of an Inspector, did she not?”
“Yes. It seems she traveled in secret all this time, only revealing her identity upon entering the Duchy.”
“Six guards, one head maid, yet she is a lone Inspector. She must have had secret business here and there.”
“It seems there was a minor scuffle with Crimson Isaac, but we were unable to confirm the details.”
“What is Savanka Tirien doing?”
“I was about to report that. A short while ago, a young boy delivered a note to Savanka Tirien and left.”
Eric’s pupils flashed with a cruel light.
“Shall we secure the note?”
“We must.”
It was then.
Knock, knock.
Eric’s men leaped into the adjacent room in an instant, and simultaneously the door opened. A noblewoman who had been staying secretly at the establishment these past few days poked her head in slightly. Round brown eyes beyond a black veil gleamed with greed.
“I was just leaving, but—”
“Is something the matter?”
The noblewoman sauntered up to Eric and stared intently at his face.
“Hmph. You should thank your parents.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Had it not been for that pretty face of yours, I wouldn’t have bothered telling you.”
“…….”
“You, do you know who I am?”
Eric simply wore an inscrutable smile.
Inside the veil, her plump, round cheeks, round brown eyes just like them, and curly brown hair were astonishingly identical to Ivanka Tirien, who was currently having an audience with the Duke as an Inspector.
Ivanka’s twin, Savanka Tirien, let out a short laugh and shook her head.
“Well, whatever. It’s not like it would do you any good to recognize me anyway. Mm, listen well. From now on, I’m going to save your life. In exchange, never dare act on your own in our dealings going forward. Got it?”
“I shall hear you out and judge first. Whether it is something worth saving my life over is something I can only know after listening, is it not?”
“Impertinent thing. You will die a miserable death someday.”
Savanka spun around and whispered low.
“Leave Richmond while it’s quiet. Right now, if possible.”
“What do you mean?”
Savanka’s round brown eyes narrowed inside the veil. She shuddered as if a chill ran down her spine, then shook her head and spoke.
“Someone has come to set this place on fire.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Jessie, who had been looking out the window, hunched her body as if cold.
“The maids were saying sleet might come tonight. Earlier, faint as it was, there was sun. Have you ever seen a sky that color?”
“…….”
When Jessie turned around, Grace seemed not to have heard her words, only staring down at the paper.
“She seems lost in thought.”
When Andrew spoke in a hushed voice, Jessie nodded.
Grace slowly mouthed the word written on the paper.
“Inspector….”
In the span of a few days, quite a few people had switched sides from the Count’s faction to the Duke and the Duchess. The Duke and Duchess had also embraced them, considering the degree of their sins. The Ducal territory, also called a Grand Duchy, needed many people to work, after all.
But there were several houses that could never be forgiven; the problem was the military forces they possessed. War must not break out on Richmond soil. Richmond had to remain unharmed and intact to fight the next battle.
But that was merely the thinking of those for whom this place was not the final destination. From Count Rinco’s position, it was a situation where he had to bet his life right now. Naturally, one would think he would move troops, and yet.
“Why has it been so quiet?”
He must know his own neck is on the line. Why, then, has Count Rinco been so quiet? He should be desperate to get out of this castle by any means, and yet.
Ultimately, the Inspector appearing at such a time was without a doubt a game changer devised by the Count’s faction.
“Game changer….”
Grace slowly raised her eyes and looked around.
The space was still piled high with documents. Those who had been working had all moved to the hall to receive the Inspector. The only ones remaining were herself, Jessie, and Andrew, who had been ordered by Ares to stay.
Suddenly, her teacher’s voice flashed like lightning.
‘When hunting, you see. Predict the quarry’s movements, but do not be overconfident. The prediction you make might end up blinding your own eyes.’
A chill ran down her spine. Grace shot up from her seat and frantically gathered important documents.
“My lady?!”
Startled, Andrew and Jessie rushed over. Grace shoved the documents she was holding into their hands and ran to the clerks’ stations. Then she began quickly sorting out only the important documents among those the clerks had been viewing.
“What is going on?!”
“Andrew, where is a hidden room that only needs its entrance guarded?”
“Uh… uh… Ah! The underground prison!”
Grace quickly collected necessary documents from the next clerk’s station as well. She wished she could take everything, but she couldn’t be sure there would be time for that. Even after sorting only what was necessary, it was overwhelming for Andrew and Jessie to carry. Grace tied the documents with string, then commanded Andrew.
“Take them there and guard them.”
“What? Ah, what about you, my lady? His Grace told me to—”
“There are still many documents to sort. Jessie, you take the documents down to the underground and then go into Eagle Hall. His Grace and the Duchess will be on the dais, making them difficult to approach, but you should be able to approach the Duchess’s maids. Go, tell them that this place must be watched. Then come back.”
As Grace began gathering documents once more, Andrew followed her and spoke urgently.
“I shall have the soldiers do it instead.”
“No.”
“……?”
“These are documents that would cause a catastrophe if even one went missing.”
“My lady.”
“My lady!”
As both Andrew and Jessie called out to her with worried voices, Grace stopped moving. Then she calmly turned to face them.
“While everyone’s attention is on Eagle Hall, if someone tries to do something secretive, the target will likely be these documents, not me.”
“…….”
“Therefore, follow my orders.”
Andrew and Jessie were overwhelmed by Grace’s calm gaze.
“Andrew, tell the soldiers to defend this room.”
After hesitating, Andrew finally snapped to attention.
“Understood. I won’t even let an ant get close, so please do not worry.”
Jessie too pulled up the hood on her cloak and nodded.
“I shall return shortly.”
Her heart pounded. Grace gave direct orders to the soldiers.
“Guard from outside, and do not open the door without my permission.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Grace sorted through documents with swift hands. She had been in the middle of putting important documents into an iron cabinet as a precaution against any unforeseen event when sudden sounds of human presence came from the corridor. Could support knights have arrived because Jessie delivered word to His Grace? The moment she stopped what she was doing and rose from her seat, the door burst open without warning, and the soldier’s flustered voice overlapped with a sharp, haughty voice.
“A-ah, you cannot!”
“Are you saying the person inside is the Duchess?! Or do you soldiers now look down on House Rinco? How many times must I say it from the entrance until now! Can’t you see the teacup?!”
Flora, who had forced her way in, had malice brimming in her eyes.
“My lady, I….”
The soldier who had failed to stop Flora Rinco stood at the door, mumbling with a troubled expression. Flora snorted and instead gave an order to the maid holding the teacup.
“Put it there and leave.”
Grace watched Flora with a rigid expression, while the flustered soldier didn’t know what to do.
“Goodness… I simply couldn’t stop her. I’m sorry.”
But on the other hand, Lady Flora Rinco hadn’t come with even a single soldier, so she didn’t feel like that great a threat; he figured what trouble could there be. Moreover, as a mere soldier, there was nothing good to come from touching a daughter of Count Rinco. When a comrade patted his back as if telling him to come out, he scratched his head and turned away.
In the meantime, the maid too set the teacup down and withdrew. Flora swept her eyes over Grace, who stood motionless, and harbored a cruel smile.
“Why are you just standing there? By the way, it seems Sir Andrew Isaac is not here? I don’t see him?”
‘Andrew Isaac is probably by that woman’s side. As the third son, he won’t need to come to Eagle Hall. You must get that man out. If you truly have no excuse, spill tea on yourself if you must to get him out.’
“Good. I didn’t want to do that anyway.”
Flora, muttering under her breath, poured tea into her cup and called to Grace.
“Come here and sit. Have some tea with me. It’s a fine time for a cup of tea.”
‘Don’t be surprised even if you die suddenly.’
Then, Grace, who had been standing somewhat blankly, suddenly moved.
Yes, come. I shall pour the last tea of your life.
She watched with a smile as the reddish tea water, reflecting the light of the brazier, trickled into the teacup. Just then, the approaching Grace snatched the teapot by surprise.
“What is this— ack!”
The moment Flora immediately resisted and tried to raise her head, a strong force pressed down on her upper body, and the sound of something breaking was heard. At the same time, Grace shouted sharply from above her head.
“Is anyone there?!”