Chapter 28
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28
“Um, what is the full name of the Young Lady of House Rohanson?”
“The Rohanson girl? It’s Evangeline Rohanson.”
“Evangeline Rohanson…”
Why was he asking that? A sudden sense of foreboding struck Sir Raphaella. It was a familiar feeling… much like the one he’d had when Gabriel kissed the back of Evangeline’s hand earlier.
“Commander, Sir Raphaella. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew my destiny.”
Please, no. Don’t tell me you fell in love at first sight, Raphaella prayed fervently.
“Lady Evangeline is an angel, isn’t she?”
This is even worse. Raphaella immediately took back his prayer. He would have preferred it if the man had just fallen in love. First, he’d gone mad over that damn painting, trying to jump into it because an “angel” was supposedly waiting for him. And now he was claiming Evangeline Rohanson was an angel?
The problem was, this time, there was a chance it was actually true. Even after hearing Daisy’s testimony, Gabriel and Raphaella hadn’t been able to pinpoint Evangeline’s true identity.
“It doesn’t matter if she isn’t. When Lady Evangeline performed the baptism, I felt it deep in my bones—I knew who I was truly meant to serve.”
Was he talking about that moment right before he fainted, when his eyes had gone wild? What Raphaella had seen wasn't an illusion. He had witnessed the exact moment Michel became captivated by Evangeline.
Common sense dictated that if your body was on fire and some woman appeared to pour water on you, you’d be grateful. Raphaella tried his best to understand Michel’s perspective, but eventually, his anger boiled over, and he gave up trying.
“You lunatic!”
A normal person would just think, ‘Thank you.’ They might even think, ‘She’s like an angel.’ But to serve her? A baptism? The guy’s brain had clearly rotted.
“Sir Raphaella, Sir Michel just woke up. Please, calm down.”
Princess Jeremia covered Raphaella’s mouth, trying to stifle his shouting. Michel, seemingly oblivious to Raphaella’s fury, continued.
“I can no longer remain a knight of Goddess Rachel. I must go to her. I shall petition Lady Evangeline to accept me as her escort knight. If she finds it too sudden and refuses… then I would be content to serve as her stablehand. I only wish to breathe the same air she does.”
Watching Michel commit blatant heresy right on the doorstep of the Grand Temple, Raphaella offered a silent apology to Goddess Rachel. Goddess Rachel, this bastard has just lost his mind for a moment.
“Commander, I think Sir Raphaella is about to faint…”
At Jeremia’s words, Gabriel called out to Michel.
“Michel.”
“Yes, Commander.”
The only silver lining was that, despite his madness, he could at least recognize people now.
“I assume you are well aware of the great sin you have just committed against the Goddess?”
“Yes.”
“Then remain here. Consider it the punishment Goddess Rachel has seen fit to give you.”
“I see. For one who has already come to serve another, continuing to work here for Goddess Rachel is indeed a punishment. As expected, Goddess Rachel is merciful. But are you alright with this, Commander? Staying by the side of a heretic like me?”
“I will always respect your choices.”
“Commander! I respect you as much as I do Goddess Rachel!”
Raphaella wanted to crack the man’s skull open and rearrange his brain. Despite calling himself a heretic, he claimed to respect the Commander as much as the Goddess. When he was possessed by the painting, at least you couldn't talk to him, which was better in a way. Now that he could actually communicate, it was even more agonizing.
“Did Sir Michel just call himself a heretic?”
“Should I cut him down?”
Listening to Sir Uriel and Seraph trade lines like a comedy duo in the back, Raphaella felt it would be better if he were the one to go to the Rohanson mansion instead.
* * *
“The weather is nice and cool today.”
I was spending a leisurely afternoon lying in bed, picking at the fruit Hena had brought me. The clouds were a bit gloomy, but a pleasantly cool breeze drifted in through the slightly cracked window. This must be heaven. It felt like I’d already died and gone there.
“Miss, you’ll catch a cold like that.”
Canna draped a shawl over my shoulders. Since it wasn't hot, it felt quite nice. Ah, Canna. Always so thoughtful, even when I don’t say a word. As a thank you, I speared a piece of fruit with my fork and held it out. Canna’s cheeks flushed as she accepted it.
Seeing that, Hena would usually say something teasing to Canna… she should have said something.
I stole a glance at Hena. She was standing there blankly, lost in thought.
“Hena.”
“Y-yes? Did you call for me, My Lady?”
She only snapped out of it after I called her name. Was she actually sick?
“If you’re tired, you can go rest. Canna is here.”
“No. I’m fine.”
There was no strength in her voice at all. What did she mean, ‘fine’?
“Go and rest.”
“Yes…”
When I insisted a second time, Hena nodded and left the room. She’d been like that ever since we returned from the Temple.
“Canna, is Hena sick or something?”
“She’s not sick. But she won’t tell me what’s wrong, either…” Canna said with a pout. “It’s definitely because of what that Daisy person said back then. I really should have asked what it was…”
Right, she said she heard something from Daisy. It seemed Daisy didn't just get involved with the male lead and the second male lead; she caused trouble for Hena, too.
Was Hena like this because of me? Oh, boy… what on earth did she hear from Daisy? Ah, right. I have that paper Gabriel gave me. Now that the translator is fixed, I should read it. That’s the only way I’ll know what Daisy said to Gabriel and Hena.
“Canna, could you bring me that paper I received from Sir Gabriel the other day?”
“It should be in my room. I’ll go get it.”
Canna left the room and returned some time later. But with her eyes brimming with tears, I knew something was wrong.
“Canna? What’s the matter?”
“M-Miss. I’m so sorry, the paper…”
Canna held out the paper, trembling. I took it and gasped. The ink had bled, and the letters were all a blurred, watery mess.
“I think I accidentally washed it with the laundry. I’m so sorry, Miss. I’m so sorry.”
Canna looked like she was about to hyperventilate. I didn’t think she cried this hard even when she was kidnapped by Donau. Was she that scared I’d scold her?
“Canna.”
“Sniff… Yes.”
“It’s okay. Do you really think I’d scold you over a ruined piece of paper?”
I was actually quite distressed, but I couldn't yell at the poor girl. Besides, I was the one who entrusted the paper to her, so it was my responsibility.
Did this mean I’d never know what was written on it? I couldn't exactly go back to Gabriel and ask. He’d probably wonder why I hadn’t read it and ask if I was illiterate or something. Evangeline is a RoFan noble; there’s no way she can’t read! In the midst of my confusion, a good idea struck me.
“Daisy?”
“Pardon?”
There was one more person I could ask. The statement was based on Daisy’s words, after all. I just had to go find Daisy! Last time, I’d spent all my money on holy water and had nothing to give her, but this time, I’d go with a large sum of money and apologize with cold, hard cash. Money can’t heal a wounded heart, but it certainly helps.
“If only I knew where that Daisy girl lived, I could go find her.”
“Why? Do you have business with her?”
Jelly, who had just returned from a walk, appeared at the perfect time.
“Jelly.”
Right, Jelly had a history with Daisy. Surely he would know?
Pudding jumped out of Jelly’s arms and onto my lap. His paws went to work, diligently kneading my legs. Judging by the fresh claw marks on Jelly’s face, it looked like those paws had already put in a hard day’s work. It was a good thing Jelly was a werewolf with fast healing.
“Jelly, do you know where that girl lives?”
“No. How would I know that? But she knows I’m here, so she’ll probably come find me if she needs anything.”
Was this really the second male lead who had shared hardships with Daisy? He was definitely a main character, what with his looks and being a werewolf, but the more I saw of him, the more he just seemed like a total deadbeat. Or… a deadbeat dog?
Jelly transformed into a wolf, hopped onto the bed, and curled into a ball. It was his non-verbal way of saying he was going to take a nap and not to bother him. It felt less like I was raising a second male lead and more like I was raising a rebellious teenage son.
I couldn’t exactly throw him out, either. So what now? Should I ask Gabriel? That useless thing… As I clicked my tongue, watching him, Canna offered a great suggestion.
“You said that Daisy person used to work at the mansion. Couldn't we just ask the Butler?”
Pudding let out a ‘meow’ as if to say that was the correct answer. Our Canna is so smart; I wanted to give her a round of applause. So different from a certain useless furball.
“Canna. That was helpful.”
“Miss…”
They say you should strike while the iron is hot, so I decided to go ask right away.
“I’ll go get things ready,” Canna said.
There was no need for both of us to go just to pry an address out of the Butler. Canna could prepare for the outing while I did the background check. A perfect division of labor.
As I stood up, Pudding trotted along behind me. I scooped him up and tucked him into Jelly’s arms.
“Could you wake Jelly up while I’m at the Butler’s?”
I tasked him with the job, and when I stroked him, Pudding purred contentedly. Sigh… Even in this world, cats are the ultimate source of healing.
“Don’t tell Hena.”
“Yes. I’ll just say we’re going out for a bit.”
I was going to grill Daisy about what she said to Hena, so I couldn’t take her with me. I’d also ask what she said to Gabriel while I was at it. And give her money. Perfect.
Would she even want to see me? If this were reality, that might be the case. But this is a RoFan world, and Daisy is set up to be a frequent obstacle for the villainess, so she’s bound to appear often anyway. My conscience pricked me a little, but…