“It’s not a pleasant story, though.”
“But it’s a story dear to Lady Emilia. I’m curious as well.”
“…”
Under normal conditions, I may have declined.
However, the timing could have been better.
Particularly in the royal residence.
It would be strange to back out now that Elodie has gently indicated her interest after dealing with Young Lady Betty, who falsely pretended to be Ophelia’s friend and prompted me to disclose detailed anecdotes about Ophelia and myself.
I purposefully spoke in a calm tone, avoiding Elodie’s expectant glance.
“…I’m not sure what story you would like to hear, Lady Elodie.”
“Any story Lady Emilia tells will do. Even something as simple as what you just said.”
Everyone’s attention was strangely drawn to us.
The scene of Elodie, widely regarded as Ophelia’s successor, approaching me, her departed friend, and requesting me to share stories about her was quite a show.
Elodie, unconcerned about the attention, smiled pleasantly every time she looked at me.
If I were a man, I’d be suspicious if she was attempting to seduce me.
Was it a deliberate strategy?
Does she believe that everyone will accept her as Ophelia’s replacement if she gets my approval?
“Isn’t anyone else curious?”
Her voice and smile were beautiful in their innocence and kindness.
The other ladies paused, looking at each other.
Elodie softly took the princess’s hand, frozen and unable to speak, with a voice as clear as rolling pearls.
“Your Highness, would you mind?”
“Ah, no, no, not at all…”
“See? Her Highness concurs.”
“…”
“I just realized Lady Emilia is a fantastic storyteller. We are grateful to Young Lady Betty for this fantastic opportunity.”
…Were they not on the same side?
Didn’t they just reassure her?
It sounded like a jab at Young Lady Betty more than anything else.
Or was this Elodie’s personality all along?
It wasn’t the case.
The Elodie I knew wasn’t the type to hurt others with her words; she was constantly uncertain, dragged along, and so gentle it was nearly to her detriment, ending up…
“Then, please do tell us.”
I was up against an opponent who seemed doomed to fail.
The lady grinned.
It was a bright and innocent smile as if bathed in sunlight.
To the uninformed, it is entirely genuine.
Jack, 23, was the third of five siblings and had lived in great poverty, so he was always fascinated by the idea of unexpected money.
He didn’t mind facing his youth’s hazards if it meant acquiring wealth to spend lavishly later.
Such opportunities would not exist in old age.
He was determined not to live his parents’ lives.
Morality?
What about human decency?
Such ideas made him laugh.
Why should he uphold values even the most powerful don’t bother with?
Of course, some people, such as Emily, a server at a now-closed coffee shop, saw his activities and quietly cautioned him.
Just thinking about her made Jack angry, and he spat on the ground in disdain.
Despite her air and high talk, that girl was another average female.
She rebuffed his attempts, talked haughtily, and vanished, never to be seen again.
All that rhetoric about family was merely a pretext to run off with some wealthy man.
There were whispers of a wealthy benefactor supporting her…
“You have a way with young girls, don’t you?”
“Ah, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
Jack gave a nonchalant smile.
He had almost allowed his mind to drift off-topic at a critical juncture.
This was a hard-won relationship.
He secretly observed the individual, who was wearing a mask and hood.
What kind of employment may this be?
Smuggling?
Drug distribution?
It was pure coincidence that Jack was related to this man.
After quitting his work at the opera theater and wasting time, he received a discreet message from someone for whom he had previously done a few errands.
Dangerous employment with a guaranteed payoff.
What’s the catch?
Complete secrecy.
Any stray conversation could cause as many holes in his skull as words spoken out of turn.
“I can deal with things other than people. In truth, I’ve previously worked as a journalist. I have an acute sense of smell and an incredible capacity to distinguish between fact and fiction…”
“You have to live here as a mute. You should act as if you don’t see, hear, or recall anything.”
“Yes, yes, your words are most wise, sir.”
Jack’s hands rubbed together.
The meeting place was a filthy, overcrowded warehouse.
On the floor, there was a hidden door.
After descending for a while, they arrived in a dark subterranean with several rooms.
Each door, like a prison, had only a little window the size of a hand.
Jack took a deep breath and swallowed.
There appeared to be women in each room.
At first glance, it was evident.
One woman under the age of thirty was kept in each room.
He felt shivers down his spine.
‘What exactly is this? It’s not simply one or two…’
The complete silence was the most unnerving aspect.
There should have been some kind of sounds – breathing, screams, cries for help, or even the sound of shackles moving.
Apart from their footsteps, there was no sound.
It seemed as if they were suffocating among corpses.
“Um, sir, I…”
The men’s gazes were drawn to Jack.
He rolled his eyes as he sensed danger.
Instinct advised him not to ask too casually.
“Could I clean the corridor later? Hehehe, hehehehe. There are stains all over…”
Their eyes were drawn to Jack, who was forced to laugh before turning away.
They finally arrived at the end of the corridor after a long trek.
Unlike the others, this huge room was furnished with a small stove, a bed, a small table, and chairs.
This was almost like heaven compared to the other chambers they had seen.
“Your job is to watch.”
“Watch, sir?”
“Notify us as soon as anything changes in this underground prison. Get to the surface as soon as possible and notify us. That is your responsibility.”
“Yes, sir…”
Jack recognized they had chosen someone who would be forgotten.
He tried to keep his cold sweat hidden.
A tiny bracelet was on the table.
The man wrapped it around Jack’s wrist.
It shone briefly before the light faded, and a small black stone was attached to it.
“If anyone tries to escape, kill them or subdue them and lock them back up.”
“The doors, they seem well locked, sir…”
“At all costs, ensure that no one escapes. If you fail, your entire family will be murdered.”
He’s heard similar threats previously.
Using family as leverage is nearly a daily occurrence in the back alleys.
But something was unsettling about these men’s statements.
These individuals were the real deal.
Yes, the higher the reward, the higher the danger involved.
That was something he was fully aware of.
The lure of making a fortune all at once, rather than living as a scavenger forever, was too strong.
He cursed himself for making that decision.
“Don’t even think about doing anything foolish.”
“Yes, yes, yes. How could I have thought of such a thing?”
“Three meals each day will be delivered to you. You will be paid beyond your wildest dreams when you finish this work. Just concentrate on that.”
He gulped hard, taking in the bleakness of the subterranean.
‘These are the two women you should spend the most time with.’
It was the day she received the tea party invitation.
The princess had never been close with the Queen.
Just glancing at her pallid face while holding the portrait was proof enough.
She endured such a great loss 20 years ago, only for the princess to be born a simpleton.
The Queen would not have had to fight Grand Duke Franz if she had been born a boy, or if she had not been such a fool.
If only she had exceptional beauty or the ability to lure a nice man, she could have helped her brother!
The princess’s shoulders shrank every time Queen Patricia’s harsh stare fell on her.
‘Are you sure you can do this?’
‘Oh, mommy, I’m…’
‘Your brother’s life is on the line!’
The princess’ fingers shook wildly.
‘If you hadn’t been such a moron, our future would have been bright and wealthy. This is entirely your responsibility. I regret I gave birth to you!’
Why did such tremendous disasters occur exclusively during the Queen’s rituals?
She had heard that the royal family had traditionally held ceremonies to pray for children.
Famines occurred on occasion, as did severe rains.
The land was continuously losing money.
If the public had known, they would have been outraged.
But who cares?
The Queen knew of an illegitimate child much older than the princess.
She felt a burning hatred inside her every time she thought about it.
The Queen had spent her life with more zeal than anyone else.
She couldn’t let someone take what was properly hers, especially since she hadn’t done anything wrong.
‘Get near them, but what will you do…?’
The princess trembled like a bird with its throat strangled.
‘It’s none of your concern. The Windrose family supports one, while the Brahamdorff family supports the other. Remember them and look for an opportunity to talk with them. Don’t be a simpleton!’
As the Queen gripped her shoulder, the princess flinched.
The Queen’s fingernails bit into the princess’s flesh, forcing her to moan.
‘Pay close attention.’
Her teeth were grating against each other as she spoke.
‘Do you realize how clever your uncle is? Grand Duke Franz has the upper hand in the border count! We’re like sitting on a tiger’s back; one false move, and we’re all dead. That is what happens to royalty. We are only safeguarding what should have been ours all along!’
‘Mother, mother,’ she says.
‘When your brother becomes king, you will be the king’s sister. You can live your life with greater pride than anyone else!’
In response to the Queen’s remarks, the princess could only nod, but her eyes were horrified.
She couldn’t say anything.
“It’s not a pleasant story, though.”
“But it’s a story dear to Lady Emilia. I’m curious as well.”
“…”
Under normal conditions, I may have declined.
However, the timing could have been better.
Particularly in the royal residence.
It would be strange to back out now that Elodie has gently indicated her interest after dealing with Young Lady Betty, who falsely pretended to be Ophelia’s friend and prompted me to disclose detailed anecdotes about Ophelia and myself.
I purposefully spoke in a calm tone, avoiding Elodie’s expectant glance.
“…I’m not sure what story you would like to hear, Lady Elodie.”
“Any story Lady Emilia tells will do. Even something as simple as what you just said.”
Everyone’s attention was strangely drawn to us.
The scene of Elodie, widely regarded as Ophelia’s successor, approaching me, her departed friend, and requesting me to share stories about her was quite a show.
Elodie, unconcerned about the attention, smiled pleasantly every time she looked at me.
If I were a man, I’d be suspicious if she was attempting to seduce me.
Was it a deliberate strategy?
Does she believe that everyone will accept her as Ophelia’s replacement if she gets my approval?
“Isn’t anyone else curious?”
Her voice and smile were beautiful in their innocence and kindness.
The other ladies paused, looking at each other.
Elodie softly took the princess’s hand, frozen and unable to speak, with a voice as clear as rolling pearls.
“Your Highness, would you mind?”
“Ah, no, no, not at all…”
“See? Her Highness concurs.”
“…”
“I just realized Lady Emilia is a fantastic storyteller. We are grateful to Young Lady Betty for this fantastic opportunity.”
…Were they not on the same side?
Didn’t they just reassure her?
It sounded like a jab at Young Lady Betty more than anything else.
Or was this Elodie’s personality all along?
It wasn’t the case.
The Elodie I knew wasn’t the type to hurt others with her words; she was constantly uncertain, dragged along, and so gentle it was nearly to her detriment, ending up…
“Then, please do tell us.”
I was up against an opponent who seemed doomed to fail.
The lady grinned.
It was a bright and innocent smile as if bathed in sunlight.
To the uninformed, it is entirely genuine.
Jack, 23, was the third of five siblings and had lived in great poverty, so he was always fascinated by the idea of unexpected money.
He didn’t mind facing his youth’s hazards if it meant acquiring wealth to spend lavishly later.
Such opportunities would not exist in old age.
He was determined not to live his parents’ lives.
Morality?
What about human decency?
Such ideas made him laugh.
Why should he uphold values even the most powerful don’t bother with?
Of course, some people, such as Emily, a server at a now-closed coffee shop, saw his activities and quietly cautioned him.
Just thinking about her made Jack angry, and he spat on the ground in disdain.
Despite her air and high talk, that girl was another average female.
She rebuffed his attempts, talked haughtily, and vanished, never to be seen again.
All that rhetoric about family was merely a pretext to run off with some wealthy man.
There were whispers of a wealthy benefactor supporting her…
“You have a way with young girls, don’t you?”
“Ah, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
Jack gave a nonchalant smile.
He had almost allowed his mind to drift off-topic at a critical juncture.
This was a hard-won relationship.
He secretly observed the individual, who was wearing a mask and hood.
What kind of employment may this be?
Smuggling?
Drug distribution?
It was pure coincidence that Jack was related to this man.
After quitting his work at the opera theater and wasting time, he received a discreet message from someone for whom he had previously done a few errands.
Dangerous employment with a guaranteed payoff.
What’s the catch?
Complete secrecy.
Any stray conversation could cause as many holes in his skull as words spoken out of turn.
“I can deal with things other than people. In truth, I’ve previously worked as a journalist. I have an acute sense of smell and an incredible capacity to distinguish between fact and fiction…”
“You have to live here as a mute. You should act as if you don’t see, hear, or recall anything.”
“Yes, yes, your words are most wise, sir.”
Jack’s hands rubbed together.
The meeting place was a filthy, overcrowded warehouse.
On the floor, there was a hidden door.
After descending for a while, they arrived in a dark subterranean with several rooms.
Each door, like a prison, had only a little window the size of a hand.
Jack took a deep breath and swallowed.
There appeared to be women in each room.
At first glance, it was evident.
One woman under the age of thirty was kept in each room.
He felt shivers down his spine.
‘What exactly is this? It’s not simply one or two…’
The complete silence was the most unnerving aspect.
There should have been some kind of sounds – breathing, screams, cries for help, or even the sound of shackles moving.
Apart from their footsteps, there was no sound.
It seemed as if they were suffocating among corpses.
“Um, sir, I…”
The men’s gazes were drawn to Jack.
He rolled his eyes as he sensed danger.
Instinct advised him not to ask too casually.
“Could I clean the corridor later? Hehehe, hehehehe. There are stains all over…”
Their eyes were drawn to Jack, who was forced to laugh before turning away.
They finally arrived at the end of the corridor after a long trek.
Unlike the others, this huge room was furnished with a small stove, a bed, a small table, and chairs.
This was almost like heaven compared to the other chambers they had seen.
“Your job is to watch.”
“Watch, sir?”
“Notify us as soon as anything changes in this underground prison. Get to the surface as soon as possible and notify us. That is your responsibility.”
“Yes, sir…”
Jack recognized they had chosen someone who would be forgotten.
He tried to keep his cold sweat hidden.
A tiny bracelet was on the table.
The man wrapped it around Jack’s wrist.
It shone briefly before the light faded, and a small black stone was attached to it.
“If anyone tries to escape, kill them or subdue them and lock them back up.”
“The doors, they seem well locked, sir…”
“At all costs, ensure that no one escapes. If you fail, your entire family will be murdered.”
He’s heard similar threats previously.
Using family as leverage is nearly a daily occurrence in the back alleys.
But something was unsettling about these men’s statements.
These individuals were the real deal.
Yes, the higher the reward, the higher the danger involved.
That was something he was fully aware of.
The lure of making a fortune all at once, rather than living as a scavenger forever, was too strong.
He cursed himself for making that decision.
“Don’t even think about doing anything foolish.”
“Yes, yes, yes. How could I have thought of such a thing?”
“Three meals each day will be delivered to you. You will be paid beyond your wildest dreams when you finish this work. Just concentrate on that.”
He gulped hard, taking in the bleakness of the subterranean.
‘These are the two women you should spend the most time with.’
It was the day she received the tea party invitation.
The princess had never been close with the Queen.
Just glancing at her pallid face while holding the portrait was proof enough.
She endured such a great loss 20 years ago, only for the princess to be born a simpleton.
The Queen would not have had to fight Grand Duke Franz if she had been born a boy, or if she had not been such a fool.
If only she had exceptional beauty or the ability to lure a nice man, she could have helped her brother!
The princess’s shoulders shrank every time Queen Patricia’s harsh stare fell on her.
‘Are you sure you can do this?’
‘Oh, mommy, I’m…’
‘Your brother’s life is on the line!’
The princess’ fingers shook wildly.
‘If you hadn’t been such a moron, our future would have been bright and wealthy. This is entirely your responsibility. I regret I gave birth to you!’
Why did such tremendous disasters occur exclusively during the Queen’s rituals?
She had heard that the royal family had traditionally held ceremonies to pray for children.
Famines occurred on occasion, as did severe rains.
The land was continuously losing money.
If the public had known, they would have been outraged.
But who cares?
The Queen knew of an illegitimate child much older than the princess.
She felt a burning hatred inside her every time she thought about it.
The Queen had spent her life with more zeal than anyone else.
She couldn’t let someone take what was properly hers, especially since she hadn’t done anything wrong.
‘Get near them, but what will you do…?’
The princess trembled like a bird with its throat strangled.
‘It’s none of your concern. The Windrose family supports one, while the Brahamdorff family supports the other. Remember them and look for an opportunity to talk with them. Don’t be a simpleton!’
As the Queen gripped her shoulder, the princess flinched.
The Queen’s fingernails bit into the princess’s flesh, forcing her to moan.
‘Pay close attention.’
Her teeth were grating against each other as she spoke.
‘Do you realize how clever your uncle is? Grand Duke Franz has the upper hand in the border count! We’re like sitting on a tiger’s back; one false move, and we’re all dead. That is what happens to royalty. We are only safeguarding what should have been ours all along!’
‘Mother, mother,’ she says.
‘When your brother becomes king, you will be the king’s sister. You can live your life with greater pride than anyone else!’
In response to the Queen’s remarks, the princess could only nod, but her eyes were horrified.
She couldn’t say anything.
