Chapter 63
The castle of the Marcel Viscount was more modest than I'd expected. Even a baron from the smallest territory would build something grand for their home, but the viscount's residence looked so unassuming it was hard to believe a noble lived there.
"The mansion looks awfully ordinary. I doubt someone living in a place like this would be up to anything shady."
"Well, I agree to an extent, Saintess, but you can't judge by appearances alone."
People who looked kind and gentle on the outside but indulged in all sorts of crimes and filthy desires behind closed doors were a dime a dozen. Knowing that, I couldn't let my guard down easily.
"This way."
When we reached the mansion, the guard who'd taken custody of us seemed already briefed on the situation and led us to the front gate. As we arrived at the door, he opened it with utmost courtesy, and there—
"Welcome. Your Highness the Imperial Princess, Lady Celine. We extend our warmest greetings to you in Marcel Territory."
Waiting to greet us were rows of servants lined up neatly by the entrance, a middle-aged man, and a woman of stunning beauty. Her halo-like glow made our female companions hesitate and step back involuntarily. Once they snapped out of it, their cheeks flushed pink—embarrassed at being outshone.
The woman supported the man beside her as they slowly descended the stairs. Though his face was relatively youthful for middle age, his blackened, wrinkled skin suggested a grave illness.
His trembling legs barely carried him down the stairs, but he finally reached us without complaint. It took a while, but none of us were so insensitive as to rush a sick man.
"My apologies... My husband isn't well... To show such an unseemly sight before esteemed guests."
"N-no, not at all! If you're in pain, let me check you over!"
The Saintess rushed forward, pouring her divine power into him. We all assumed her pure energy would fix him right up, but his condition didn't change.
"Wh-what? That can't be...?"
Shocked that her power had no effect, she tried again, but nothing improved.
"Thank you, Saintess... But this isn't a simple illness... I'll cherish your kind intentions."
"Is it... a curse?"
"Yes... The priests said it was some ancient curse, though I don't know the details..."
Our companions pitied him at the word "curse." But my eyes were drawn elsewhere—not to the man on the verge of collapse.
...Something's off.
Even to me, her face was breathtakingly beautiful. Her sharp features were more than compensated by an allure that could melt any man's heart.
As a biological male, my pulse quickened naturally, blood surging faster through my veins.
"...She's too pretty."
This might sound suspicious, but I meant it as a puzzled observation. I'm no eunuch—I'm interested in women. A straight guy in his prime, curious about sex and marriage. But my body's reaction to her was wildly out of sync with my mind.
Thump-thump-! Boom-!
My heartbeat raced, cheeks flushing. No workout or dream girl encounter—just spontaneous arousal with zero warning. I quickly circulated my aura to regulate every inch of my body, finally calming the inexplicable pounding.
Is she my type? No way.
Beautiful, sure, but that's it. My rational mind dismissed her as a stranger, sharpening my suspicion of this bizarre phenomenon.
Snap-! Snap-! Whoosh!
The problem? The women whipped their heads toward my mutter like horror-game monsters, which was scarier than my rogue body. Their empty stares triggered pure survival instinct over any physical stir.
"Oh my~ Even he thinks I'm pretty, does he~ How delightful."
She'd overheard too, covering her mouth with a tinkling laugh. Compliments on looks always pleased women, her smile blooming like a flower—but the icy gaze that could shatter it chilled me. I forced a blank expression.
"Hello~ Allow me a proper introduction. I'm Lillia de Marcel, acting lord of this territory. This is my husband, Viscount Marcel. He's not well, so I'm helping him along."
"Ugh... Cough! Cough!"
The viscount, leaning on her with quaking legs, finally collapsed coughing. We hurried to help him up.
"Mm... My apologies. Had I known the viscount's condition, he needn't have come out."
"How could we shirk before the Empire's light?"
"I take no pleasure in tormenting the ill. Best he rests now."
At the princess's cue, two attendants approached.
"I'll escort him. After our imposition, the least we can do is help."
"Mm. If you insist."
Ever unable to ignore the weak, Polo volunteered to carry the viscount to his room instead of the servants, following the guide as they departed.
"Such a reliable gentleman. Were my husband well, he'd have welcomed such heroic guests with open arms."
"We're the ones sorry for dropping in unannounced. No need to apologize."
Celine, assuming we'd worsened the viscount's pain, spoke deferentially despite her higher station.
"Nonsense. Visits from esteemed guests like you are always welcome. But... may I ask the purpose of your trip?"
"Ah, right—we forgot the important part. Mars?"
"Yes, Acting Lord. The reason for our visit is—"
"Just call me Lillia~"
"...Very well, Lillia. We've heard recent tax payments from this territory have been delayed. But months ago, you requested aid against monster attacks, which our side apparently mishandled and overlooked."
Her reaction wasn't what we'd expected. Normally, one might rage or bristle at the admission of lost aid, but she looked blankly surprised, then flustered.
"Are you alright? Your face pales."
"N-no... Yes, now that you mention it, I vaguely recall hearing we'd sent... something."
"Were you unaware, ma'am?"
"W-well, I didn't handle family affairs much before my husband's illness. This was his domain, so I only dimly remember."
Something was wrong. Monster-induced crop failures affected the whole territory—food for the people, tax viability. Any thoughtful lord would consult his wife. Yet her response felt like the first she'd heard, fueling my growing doubts.
"Steward~ Is the monster flood still severe in our territory?"
"...Yes, ma'am. The horde from the rear mountains remains unsubdued, causing heavy damage."
"Hm? Ma'am, you haven't grasped the full situation?"
"I-it's just... I've only recently taken over... I don't know the territory well~ I prioritized other admin, so I couldn't address this urgently..."
Her sad self-reproach evoked easy pity.
"Then we'll stay a bit to plan monster countermeasures. For taxes and other issues, I'll request imperial support upon return."
"Th-thank you, Your Highness! We'll prepare rooms—rest well for a few days~"
Our first meeting wrapped hastily. As nagging unease lingered, Celine sidled up and poked me.
"Hey, Mars."
"Lady Celine? Something wrong?"
"No, it's... there are only men here?"
"...?"
Glancing around, every servant in the modest mansion was male. No maids in sight—just a sea of men, contrasting sharply with the women-only vibe outside.
"Lillia? One more question?"
"Of course~ Ask away~"
"Why are there only men here? Don't mansions usually have female staff? And the territory seemed devoid of men too."
"Oh, th-that's... Vacations and births overlapped unluckily! The other men are scouting monsters in the back mountains, so it looks empty~"
A flimsy excuse. I stared long at Lillia's beautiful yet deeply suspicious retreating figure, praying my gut feeling was just paranoia.