Elusiana’s head swung back. Having forgotten her fear, her eyes filled with wonder, looked straight at the man.
“Hmm, looking at you like this, Lady’s eyes are really pretty. Scarlet eyes aren’t common, but Lady’s eyes seem to be a little more special. Is that why? There are so many people who want it—”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Huh? You mean who wants to covet it?”
“No. Over there… Are you saying I’m friends with the person lying there?”
“Aah. Giggle. Are you curious?”
Hatu smiled and moved in front of the lying woman with a mischievous expression on his face. As if to show off, he kicked her lightly, and his red lips brushed gently over her.
“I guess you don’t know yet? That’s too much. This woman even threw away the benefactor who saved her life in order to save Lady.”
“She threw away her benefactor?”
“Yes. Lady knows that too, don’t you? The last time in that forest, huh? By the way, my master dramatically saved her from something like that. But…she did something useless without knowing the grace. Tsk, tsk. Well, at least she was a rat in a jar at the end of the day. Look. If she had stayed calm, she would have been fine, but she got caught by my master’s hand and ended up in this situation, right?”
Elusiana’s eyes grew so big that they couldn’t get any bigger. So the person lying on that cold floor over there is really the woman I know?
“No way. Is that woman called Eirin?”
“That’s right. I think that was her name.”
Elusiana shook her head in denial. She couldn’t believe it. Until a few hours ago, Eirin was still alive. Moreover, she should be at Grand Duchy Sestein now.
I should have taken care of Eirin.
Why did she leave the fainted Eirin in the care of Louis? This was because she was confident that Eirin would be safe under the Grand Duchy of Sestein, which was armed with multiple layers of magic barriers. But why is Eirin dead here? Who would dare to break through the Sestein family’s magic barrier? Unless it was the work of an insider, this couldn’t happen.
Elusiana closed her eyes tightly and protested desperately. “D-don’t lie. E-Eirin is now at the Grand Duchy of Sestein. H-how could she be here?”
“Can you tell if you see her face?”
Hatu bent over his huge body. Grabbing the woman’s hair, he pulled it to the side with an expectant look in his eyes. It might be an illusion, but that flowing was particularly familiar to Elusiana’s eyes.
No way. N-no—
However, the light purple hair reflected in the moonlight was clearly Eirin’s. The fear-stained face beneath it was also something she was familiar with.
“E-E-Eirin… Uurgh.”
Elusiana couldn’t help but feel nausea and vomit rising. Naturally, a feeling of rejection tightened her entire body.
Why? Why is Eirin here? Why! What happened to you? Eirin. Eirin. Eirin.
Her face was still fine. It meant that it was so clean compared to her wounded body. However, the sight of her dead with her eyes wide open made it easy to guess how much fear she felt at the time.
Nausea welled up involuntarily.
“Urgh. Uuurgh.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
When he saw Elusiana nauseous without vomiting anything out, Hatu shook his head as if she was pitiful.
“How could it be? You gave the same reaction. Tsk, tsk.”
Hatu casually threw Eirin’s head, which he was holding, and raised his body.
“Even if you are like that, it won’t change anything. Well. Lady, are you mentally prepared now?”
“…!”
Hatu grinned as he firmly squeezed both Elusiana’s shaking shoulders. Excited with joy, his murky eyes passed by as if licking her face.
I-I’m scared!
Elusiana twisted her whole body and screamed. But then, the man’s hand pressed down her throat, muffling her voice and constricting her breathing.
It was that moment. Ziing— She seemed to hear something resonating within her, and then light emanated from Elusiana’s body.
“Uh? Aargh!”
Bang!
Hatu, who was pushed under strong pressure as if pushed by light, was instantly thrown against the wall.
“Giggle. Giggle.”
Elusiana, who was finally able to breathe, straightened her neck and inhaled breath.
“Gasp. Gasp. W-what was it?”
Covered in tears and a runny nose, she belatedly examined her body. A bright light continued to burst from around her chest. It didn’t take long to figure out where it was coming from.
“Li-lisianthus… necklace…?”
“Sigh. This is really amazing. I was wondering where I had seen it before, and it was that necklace.”
A familiar voice came in, and Elusiana raised her head. He didn’t know when he came in, but the man was frowning at her.
“…?”
“I can’t believe they imprinted protection magic on something like that. It’s really amazing. That’s a good shot.”
Protection magic? Imprinted on this necklace? Elusiana looked down at the necklace for some reason. But she couldn’t help but to turn her gaze to the light that was getting stronger. The man was visible through the white light. She was sure he must be someone she had never seen before, but why did she feel this sense of déjà vu?
Was it because of his voice? The moment she thought like that, the man’s brightly shining eyes were pointed directly at her. Only then could Elusiana clearly see the man’s face. And soon, she was horrified.
H-huh? T-that person… No way…! G-Grand Prince? He was none other than Genoyer Run Sestein.
Her confused eyes glanced at him again. Even though Elusiana met his eyes, Genoyer didn’t take any action. His eyes were excessively calm. There seemed to be no emotion in his face as if he was looking at something that shouldn’t be there.
Ah, I see. He didn’t intend to keep me alive in the first place. When she thought like that, the blood in her body seemed cold. There was no way for her to know that she would die like this and be killed without even leaving a trace. But her thoughts were quickly overturned.
The white flashing light expanded like an explosion and soon swallowed the space completely. Swaaa— Elusiana closed her eyes tightly and then opened them. But how did this happen? Genoyer, who was so close that he could almost touch her, had disappeared as if it were a lie. Instead, the office of Grand Duke Sestein, which was familiar to Elusiana, unfolded before her eyes.
“Lusi!”
Without a moment to grasp the situation, someone grabbed her and hugged her. Who? As the question arose, her gaze became fixed as if rooted in one place.
A silver chain necklace and a half-exposed pendant that seemed to be hastily stuffed into the man’s chest pocket. It was certainly another lisianthus necklace, similar to hers but a little different, with a clear diamond in the exact center instead of a bright red ruby. The same one Astein took a long time ago.
Why is that? Elusiana clutched her lisianthus necklace tightly with trembling hands.
“Astein…?”
…Is that really you?
Elusiana fainted on the spot, relieved by the familiar scent.
* * *
“You’re calmer than I thought. I thought you’d run right away.”
Louis, who was standing by the window of the Aster’s office, spoke calmly. “I’m proud of you.”
Aster frowned at Louis’s words, who was talking without knowing anything.
As soon as Aster got out of the Imperial Palace, he moved in the direction the necklace pointed at. However, the coordinates were mixed every time he moved, as if something was happening.
If only the protective magic of the necklace didn’t work at the right time.
He might still be wandering crazy somewhere in the forest.
Aster stared out the window with dark, sunken eyes. There, he could immediately see the annex where Genoyer was staying.
“What about Genoyer’s whereabouts?”
“I found out that he has a separate place in Eragost’s mansion.”
“…”
“And he had also visited Eragost’s mansion three days ago.”
“Three days ago?”
“Yes. First, the entry and exit of the vassals who supported the young master were also confirmed. But.”
Louis continued in a serious tone. “It is said that immediately after meeting with the first young master, his vassals purchased a large quantity of rare herbs?”
“Herbs?”
“Yes.”
“Even if they buy it in bulk, the quantity wouldn’t be much. Ah, so that’s what happened.”
Aster, who narrowed his eyes, kicked his tongue softly.
“No wonder. There was a strangely familiar scent. It must be handed over to her.”
The scent that lingered on Camilla’s body was seen in the hallway. That scent was similar to the scent given off by the magic candle that the young Genoyer had developed after a long period of research.
“I want to give you paradise, Aster. Isn’t it so irresponsible to say that it is a poison that causes pain? Everyone deserves to be happy once before they die, even a scum like you. So thank me, Aster. Because all of this is for you.”
Genoyer wanted to create a scent that fascinated people. But his underlying intention was extremely vicious.
* * *
Elusiana’s head swung back. Having forgotten her fear, her eyes filled with wonder, looked straight at the man.
“Hmm, looking at you like this, Lady’s eyes are really pretty. Scarlet eyes aren’t common, but Lady’s eyes seem to be a little more special. Is that why? There are so many people who want it—”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Huh? You mean who wants to covet it?”
“No. Over there… Are you saying I’m friends with the person lying there?”
“Aah. Giggle. Are you curious?”
Hatu smiled and moved in front of the lying woman with a mischievous expression on his face. As if to show off, he kicked her lightly, and his red lips brushed gently over her.
“I guess you don’t know yet? That’s too much. This woman even threw away the benefactor who saved her life in order to save Lady.”
“She threw away her benefactor?”
“Yes. Lady knows that too, don’t you? The last time in that forest, huh? By the way, my master dramatically saved her from something like that. But…she did something useless without knowing the grace. Tsk, tsk. Well, at least she was a rat in a jar at the end of the day. Look. If she had stayed calm, she would have been fine, but she got caught by my master’s hand and ended up in this situation, right?”
Elusiana’s eyes grew so big that they couldn’t get any bigger. So the person lying on that cold floor over there is really the woman I know?
“No way. Is that woman called Eirin?”
“That’s right. I think that was her name.”
Elusiana shook her head in denial. She couldn’t believe it. Until a few hours ago, Eirin was still alive. Moreover, she should be at Grand Duchy Sestein now.
I should have taken care of Eirin.
Why did she leave the fainted Eirin in the care of Louis? This was because she was confident that Eirin would be safe under the Grand Duchy of Sestein, which was armed with multiple layers of magic barriers. But why is Eirin dead here? Who would dare to break through the Sestein family’s magic barrier? Unless it was the work of an insider, this couldn’t happen.
Elusiana closed her eyes tightly and protested desperately. “D-don’t lie. E-Eirin is now at the Grand Duchy of Sestein. H-how could she be here?”
“Can you tell if you see her face?”
Hatu bent over his huge body. Grabbing the woman’s hair, he pulled it to the side with an expectant look in his eyes. It might be an illusion, but that flowing was particularly familiar to Elusiana’s eyes.
No way. N-no—
However, the light purple hair reflected in the moonlight was clearly Eirin’s. The fear-stained face beneath it was also something she was familiar with.
“E-E-Eirin… Uurgh.”
Elusiana couldn’t help but feel nausea and vomit rising. Naturally, a feeling of rejection tightened her entire body.
Why? Why is Eirin here? Why! What happened to you? Eirin. Eirin. Eirin.
Her face was still fine. It meant that it was so clean compared to her wounded body. However, the sight of her dead with her eyes wide open made it easy to guess how much fear she felt at the time.
Nausea welled up involuntarily.
“Urgh. Uuurgh.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
When he saw Elusiana nauseous without vomiting anything out, Hatu shook his head as if she was pitiful.
“How could it be? You gave the same reaction. Tsk, tsk.”
Hatu casually threw Eirin’s head, which he was holding, and raised his body.
“Even if you are like that, it won’t change anything. Well. Lady, are you mentally prepared now?”
“…!”
Hatu grinned as he firmly squeezed both Elusiana’s shaking shoulders. Excited with joy, his murky eyes passed by as if licking her face.
I-I’m scared!
Elusiana twisted her whole body and screamed. But then, the man’s hand pressed down her throat, muffling her voice and constricting her breathing.
It was that moment. Ziing— She seemed to hear something resonating within her, and then light emanated from Elusiana’s body.
“Uh? Aargh!”
Bang!
Hatu, who was pushed under strong pressure as if pushed by light, was instantly thrown against the wall.
“Giggle. Giggle.”
Elusiana, who was finally able to breathe, straightened her neck and inhaled breath.
“Gasp. Gasp. W-what was it?”
Covered in tears and a runny nose, she belatedly examined her body. A bright light continued to burst from around her chest. It didn’t take long to figure out where it was coming from.
“Li-lisianthus… necklace…?”
“Sigh. This is really amazing. I was wondering where I had seen it before, and it was that necklace.”
A familiar voice came in, and Elusiana raised her head. He didn’t know when he came in, but the man was frowning at her.
“…?”
“I can’t believe they imprinted protection magic on something like that. It’s really amazing. That’s a good shot.”
Protection magic? Imprinted on this necklace? Elusiana looked down at the necklace for some reason. But she couldn’t help but to turn her gaze to the light that was getting stronger. The man was visible through the white light. She was sure he must be someone she had never seen before, but why did she feel this sense of déjà vu?
Was it because of his voice? The moment she thought like that, the man’s brightly shining eyes were pointed directly at her. Only then could Elusiana clearly see the man’s face. And soon, she was horrified.
H-huh? T-that person… No way…! G-Grand Prince? He was none other than Genoyer Run Sestein.
Her confused eyes glanced at him again. Even though Elusiana met his eyes, Genoyer didn’t take any action. His eyes were excessively calm. There seemed to be no emotion in his face as if he was looking at something that shouldn’t be there.
Ah, I see. He didn’t intend to keep me alive in the first place. When she thought like that, the blood in her body seemed cold. There was no way for her to know that she would die like this and be killed without even leaving a trace. But her thoughts were quickly overturned.
The white flashing light expanded like an explosion and soon swallowed the space completely. Swaaa— Elusiana closed her eyes tightly and then opened them. But how did this happen? Genoyer, who was so close that he could almost touch her, had disappeared as if it were a lie. Instead, the office of Grand Duke Sestein, which was familiar to Elusiana, unfolded before her eyes.
“Lusi!”
Without a moment to grasp the situation, someone grabbed her and hugged her. Who? As the question arose, her gaze became fixed as if rooted in one place.
A silver chain necklace and a half-exposed pendant that seemed to be hastily stuffed into the man’s chest pocket. It was certainly another lisianthus necklace, similar to hers but a little different, with a clear diamond in the exact center instead of a bright red ruby. The same one Astein took a long time ago.
Why is that? Elusiana clutched her lisianthus necklace tightly with trembling hands.
“Astein…?”
…Is that really you?
Elusiana fainted on the spot, relieved by the familiar scent.
* * *
“You’re calmer than I thought. I thought you’d run right away.”
Louis, who was standing by the window of the Aster’s office, spoke calmly. “I’m proud of you.”
Aster frowned at Louis’s words, who was talking without knowing anything.
As soon as Aster got out of the Imperial Palace, he moved in the direction the necklace pointed at. However, the coordinates were mixed every time he moved, as if something was happening.
If only the protective magic of the necklace didn’t work at the right time.
He might still be wandering crazy somewhere in the forest.
Aster stared out the window with dark, sunken eyes. There, he could immediately see the annex where Genoyer was staying.
“What about Genoyer’s whereabouts?”
“I found out that he has a separate place in Eragost’s mansion.”
“…”
“And he had also visited Eragost’s mansion three days ago.”
“Three days ago?”
“Yes. First, the entry and exit of the vassals who supported the young master were also confirmed. But.”
Louis continued in a serious tone. “It is said that immediately after meeting with the first young master, his vassals purchased a large quantity of rare herbs?”
“Herbs?”
“Yes.”
“Even if they buy it in bulk, the quantity wouldn’t be much. Ah, so that’s what happened.”
Aster, who narrowed his eyes, kicked his tongue softly.
“No wonder. There was a strangely familiar scent. It must be handed over to her.”
The scent that lingered on Camilla’s body was seen in the hallway. That scent was similar to the scent given off by the magic candle that the young Genoyer had developed after a long period of research.
“I want to give you paradise, Aster. Isn’t it so irresponsible to say that it is a poison that causes pain? Everyone deserves to be happy once before they die, even a scum like you. So thank me, Aster. Because all of this is for you.”
Genoyer wanted to create a scent that fascinated people. But his underlying intention was extremely vicious.
* * *
