Chapter 44
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44
As long as you’re happy, Daisy, that’s all that matters.
“Did the conversation go well?”
“Yes… The butler mentioned that you asked him to look after the children. Thank you so much.”
When I told the butler yesterday that Daisy was returning to her post, he looked utterly floored. Since she’d likely quit because of Evangeline’s torment, the idea of her coming back must have been a shock.
And when I told him I’d brought three children with me, he asked in a trembling voice if I’d kidnapped them. Honestly, it’s been a while since I possessed this body. Why hasn’t Evangeline’s reputation as a villainess faded in the slightest?
The butler only accepted the situation after I explained the children’s circumstances. I was tempted to sarcastically ask if it bothered him to see a villainess doing a good deed. Of course, being a cultured woman who respects her elders, I kept the thought to myself.
“My Lady, a letter from Sir Gabriel has arrived.”
Should I open this? After a moment of hesitation, I tore it open. Today’s letter was also written in an elegant, flowing script. The content was nothing special—he wanted to join me for afternoon tea. In other words, he would be here at two o’clock. A glance at the clock told me I still had plenty of time.
“Let’s get ready.”
Part of me wanted to just throw on whatever, but I needed to stay on his good side, so I had to look my best.
With three people helping me, my preparation time was cut down significantly. When I first possessed this body, I didn’t even have a dedicated maid, but now I had three. I think I’m handling this romance fantasy life pretty well, don’t you?
“You look truly radiant today, My Lady.”
Just as Canna said, Evangeline was already stunning enough to live up to her villainess title, but today she was even more beautiful.
Perhaps because Daisy used to serve the original Evangeline, her styling skills were impressive. She even brought out accessories I never knew I owned and draped them on me.
Once I was ready and simply waiting, a servant knocked on the door.
“My Lady, Sir Gabriel has arrived.”
As I headed down to the drawing room with Daisy, Gabriel rose from his seat. Damn… The male lead is looking as sharp as ever today. I was the one who put in all the effort to dress up, but he certainly wasn’t losing in the looks department.
The man, who looked so stoic you could stab him without getting a reaction, bowed his head politely.
“Lady Rohanson. I trust you had a peaceful night.”
No, I didn’t sleep a wink, you jerk.
“I rested well, thanks to your consideration, Sir Gabriel.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Once I sat across from him, Gabriel took his seat again. I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye. He looked as calm and unshakable as he had yesterday, making me wonder if he’d really heard from Daisy that I was a possessor.
No, don’t let your guard down. This could be a trick to make me lower my defenses.
“As I mentioned, the children have been placed in the temple’s orphanage. Mr. Troy has decided to stay there for the time being to help with odd jobs. The institution can easily accommodate ten more children, so you needn’t worry.”
Gabriel began by detailing the aftermath.
“This is an entry pass to the orphanage for Miss Daisy. Access is restricted, so she must carry this with her at all times.”
“…Thank you.”
Along with a map of the orphanage, he had even prepared a pass so Daisy could visit.
He added that Troy hadn’t spent a single one of the gold coins he’d borrowed and was going to repay the debt today, accompanied by a knight. Since they’d left together, they should have arrived by now. No matter how bold a moneylender might be, they wouldn’t dare threaten or cheat someone in the presence of a Paladin. It was a very sensible way to handle things.
Furthermore, once the preliminary investigation into the director and the basement was complete, Troy had apparently decided to donate the orphanage to the temple.
“The priest who was Merai’s contact will be defrocked today.”
As for the other buyers, since they were nobles or merchants, he wasn’t sure how much influence the temple could exert, but he said they would report it to the Imperial Palace first.
Given the nature of a class-based romance fantasy world, I didn’t expect them to receive particularly heavy punishments. But with the male lead involved, maybe their sentences would be a little harsher.
“Due to the gravity of her crimes, Merai will not escape the death penalty.”
Apparently, it wouldn’t be burning at the stake—just a simple beheading.
One gets defrocked, the other gets executed. The punishments were different for two people involved in human trafficking, but since Merai’s crimes were more direct, it made a strange kind of sense.
“The death penalty…”
“I will inform you in writing once the exact date is set.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Daisy’s voice trembled. Even if Merai was a human trafficker, she must have felt conflicted, considering the woman had raised her.
I had brought Daisy along as a witness, certain Gabriel would bring up the possession. If I’d known this would be the topic, I would have brought Canna instead.
“That roughly concludes the matter regarding Merai. I will update you as the situation progresses.”
“It must have been a hassle. Thank you for your hard work.”
If Gabriel hadn’t shown up yesterday, I would have had to handle all of that myself. Thinking about it that way, he briefly looked like an angel.
How did he get so much done in a single night? I just spent it tossing and turning. Is this the power of a male lead who’s used to working overtime every day?
Having finished his report, Gabriel cleared his throat.
Ah. Here it comes. My heart began to pound.
What is he going to say? He’s not going to splash holy water on me and shout, “Begone, demon!” is he? Would that be out of character? Or will he just cut my head off first? He might even take me away in handcuffs—no, ropes…
I was dying of anxiety, but Gabriel paused for a moment, like a commercial break right before the climax.
“The reason I visited you so suddenly yesterday was…”
This is the kind of pacing I hate the most. Just get it over with!
“It is sudden, but would you be my partner?”
Please just don’t kill me—wait, what?
“Partner?”
What is he talking about?
Huh? Out of nowhere? Is he asking me on a date? To a ball? I was bracing for a thrilling, shocking, suspenseful development, but Gabriel suddenly veered into romance.
Is he serious? Is he going to pretend he doesn’t know I’m a possessor? No, wait. Maybe he’s just waiting for the perfect moment to expose me. Does he think I’ll just sit around and wait for that? I’d rather spit it out myself than live in constant fear of being caught. When you’re backed into a corner, you have to strike first.
“Are you asking me this knowing that I’m not Evangeline?”
I was so flabbergasted that the words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Gabriel lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes fluttering. Who does he think he’s trying to charm right now?
And he doesn’t even know what a “possession story” is. Normally, if you hear that another soul has entered a dead body, shouldn’t you treat them like a ghost or a demon? Especially a Paladin like you!
“Yes. I am well aware.”
Gabriel toyed with the handle of his teacup. So, he was asking me even though he knew?
It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but he must like me a lot more than I thought. He’s at the point where he doesn’t care who I am. I mean, I may have flirted a little, but man, he was an easy catch.
All the worries I’d had all night suddenly felt pointless. Why was I trembling all day over a guy who was already wrapped around my finger?
“To be precise, I would like you to accompany me as my partner to the upcoming banquets.”
“Why so suddenly?”
It really was out of the blue, so I asked for a reason. The answer was beyond anything I could have imagined.
Apparently, word of my spirit summoning circles was spreading quietly among the wealthy.
He was afraid they would be misused if left unchecked. Well, both the priest and the director had certainly used them for nefarious purposes. So, he wanted to scout for suspicious individuals by attending social events with me.
Wait, but do you really need me to catch spirits?
Of course, I can’t just stand by while people use my summoning circles however they please. I don’t even know the proper summoning method myself! How is everyone else succeeding so easily?
A chilling thought struck me. Could it be that I have a despairingly low affinity for spirits? Maybe all you have to do is draw the circle and call them, and I’m the only one who fails. Is Gabriel asking for my help because the success rate of spirit summoning plummets when I’m nearby or something?
“Because when you are present, My Lady, the influence of the drawings becomes muddied.”
Gabriel confirmed my fears. My eyes suddenly stung. That’s just too much. It’s sad enough that I don’t know the original story and that my “translator” glitches sometimes, but I don’t even have spirit affinity? Even for a villainess, this is too cruel.
“It is also to avoid suspicion regarding your identity.”
True. This is a romance fantasy world, and since Evangeline is a villainess, things sometimes fall into place perfectly even when I haven’t done anything. If I’m not careful, rumors might spread that I’m the one controlling the spirits.
Donau acted as if I’d ordered his kidnapping, and there was a spirit summoning circle at Daisy’s orphanage, too. If I hadn’t been there, they might have pinned all the blame on me.
At least if I’m with Gabriel, I’ll be under less suspicion. He is a Paladin of integrity, after all.
“If that’s the case, fine. I’ll do it.”
Besides, Gabriel chose to overlook the possession and take my side, even though he doesn’t know if I’m a demon or a ghost. I’m not the type to forget a favor.
We had reached a satisfactory deal, but Daisy cautiously raised an objection.
“Um… My Lady hasn’t had her debutante yet…”
What? As a villainess, shouldn’t I already be reigning as the queen of high society?
* * *
The dense lights gradually faded as Gabriel walked. By the time he descended into the basement, it was impossible to see without a lantern.
The cellar, where sunlight could not reach, was a suitable place to commit hideous acts away from the eyes of God. That was why there were so many basements in the Empire. The Grand Temple was no exception. The place Gabriel sought was a detention room, primarily used for confining or interrogating sinners.
“Bishop Zabaniya?”
“We meet again, Sir Knight.”
There were people already in the basement. Two priests, Bishop Zabaniya, and a middle-aged woman in a white veil greeted Gabriel graciously.
“Knight Commander, it has been a long time.”