Chapter 252
Chapter 252
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 252
Chapter Title: Between Love and Friendship -4
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Bubble bubble bubble.
The sound of boiling water mingled with the rich, spreading aroma of coffee. And the nutty scent of perfectly baked scones. The chemical reaction created by blending those two fragrances was the pinnacle of perfection.
It stimulated the salivary glands in her mouth and built anticipation for the snack time to come. Her heart raced with excitement. Surely, they'd be crisp and crunchy when bitten into.
But she couldn't reach for them prematurely. It wasn't time yet. To savor them perfectly and deliciously, a bit more patience was required.
Arte, the first wife of the Grand Duke's household, fidgeted with her fingers as she waited calmly.
Was it time to eat now? No. Let's wait a little longer, until the temptation grew unbearable. But drag it out too much, and the coffee and scones would cool. So, she had to strike at just the right moment in between—the perfect timing to start eating.
Ordinary people probably couldn't hold out. They'd snatch a scone and devour it greedily right away. But she was different. She was the head of the Alchemist Guild and the lady of the Grand Duke's house.
Research was the product of waiting, too. She knew how to endure very well. That's why she could withstand the violent temptation of the scones.
Very impressive.
About time? Yes, now.
If not now, they'd cool off. This moment, when appetite and freshness peaked together, was ideal for indulging.
First, fill her mouth with the coffee's bitterness. That flavor would perfectly complement the jam-smeared scone to follow.
Arte picked up her coffee cup and brought it to her lips for a sip—
Bang-!! Crash clatter!
The door's hinges shattered, and the door itself rolled across the floor.
"Pffft...! Kek, cough cough!"
"Hello, First Madam. I came because I have something to discuss."
Arte Lopelman looked toward the entrance, coffee dribbling from her mouth. The black-haired beauty who had apparently dropkicked the door was getting up from where she'd sprawled flat on the floor.
And from behind her, the second wife, Neriel—who stood there flustered—passed over what looked like a framed picture with a hole punched right through the center, which she lifted up.
What was this? What kind of situation was this?
If Neriel had sent an assassin out of jealousy, why a picture frame? If she had something to say, why a picture frame?
Even for a grand alchemist with a brilliant mind, fully interpreting this scene wasn't easy.
She needed more information. Arte cut straight to the point with the crazy picture-frame woman.
"W-Who are you...?!"
"Since you've asked my name, it's only proper to answer. This is our first time meeting face-to-face. My name is Heart."
"I-I'm Neriel..."
"I've come to end this shadowy war."
I see.
So she came to pick a fight.
Arte's expression turned venomous. If someone was picking a quarrel, she wouldn't just take it lying down. She drew up poison from the depths of her heart.
Time to launch daggers with her tongue.
Zzzzt, zzzzt.
Invisible tension poured out from Arte and Heart. Neriel sensed the shift in the air and recoiled in horror, stepping back.
Something, something was about to happen.
A verbal battle was coming—one packed tight with information, firing off both linguistic and nonverbal cues!
"While I've been immersed in my research, have the Grand Duke's household knocking etiquette changed or something?"
"I had no choice but to resort to this. The servant at the door dared to impersonate your orders, First Madam... I worried you might be locked away by some servant with ill intentions. But it seems not—goodness, what a relief!"
"Thank you so much for your concern. Since you went to such trouble out of worry for me, I must report this exemplary servant to the Grand Duke. What is your name and position?"
"I just told you my name... Daisy Corps, oops. I used the nickname only Elvirion and I know. Well, I have a connection with the Grand Duke, so thanks to that, I'm working as a maid for a while."
Zzzzt. Sparks seemed to fly between Heart and Arte. Arte glanced sadly at her cooling coffee and scones for a moment, then steeled her resolve once more.
For the sake of her ruined dessert time.
"Right, 'Maid' Heart. I'm curious why you've put aside all your maid duties to visit with Neriel."
"I heard that First Madam is keeping Second Madam Neriel's love letters. I'm grateful you kept them safe, but now it's time to send them, so I've come to retrieve them."
"There seems to be some misunderstanding. Why would I have Neriel's letters?"
"Huh?"
Blink blink.
Heart and Arte blinked at each other. Something had gotten tangled. Arte disengaged battle mode first and bluntly dispelled the unpleasant misconception.
"Why would I do that? My position as first wife is already secure."
"...Afraid of losing his love or something."
"Sorry, but the Grand Duke and I have a purely political marriage. I help with alchemy, and he provides materials and lab space. No love involved. Just friendship based on mutual benefit."
"Wha...?"
Heart froze, brain stalled. Neriel standing beside her did the same.
Arte sighed and took a bite of scone.
"I get the gist of the situation... but it's a false lead. Probably the servants acting on their own. I won't fuss over it, so punish them as you see fit. Fix the door on your way out."
"...You really have no interest in Daisy Corps? For real? I even heard he has two kids."
"Why would I be interested in some cold-hearted man like that? If I had to love someone, I'd pick you instead."
"...Huh?"
Arte Lopelman grinned slyly.
"Crashing into the Grand Duke's wife for someone else's love—bold, and I like it. I could use you as my exclusive attendant. Care to work under me?"
"Uh, uhh..."
"And the kids? I didn't 'bear' them, I 'made' them. I've never even shared a bed with that man once. Satisfied now?"
"...My apologies!"
Heart bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, then grabbed Neriel's hand and bolted. Her exit was as swift as her entrance.
Arte looked down at the shattered door left behind and muttered.
"...I said fix it before you go."
My face feels a bit hot. No, I naturally assumed the first wife was the mastermind.
Logically, why would servants steal Neriel's love letters without someone's orders? But with the first wife black curtain theory debunked, it was time to rethink.
The culprit's goal, that is.
I'd guessed the culprit stole the letters to sabotage the Neriel-Daisy romance line.
"......"
Or maybe the opposite?
Staging it so the first wife ordered the servants to steal the letters, creating misunderstandings like this. Could that have been the goal itself?
If I hadn't coincidentally ended up in this mansion, Neriel would still be agonizing over no reply to the letters she thought had been delivered.
Then, at the peak of her heartbreak, someone whispers the truth. That not a single letter was delivered. That the first wife made it so.
And after that...
Don't you want revenge? I have a way to settle the score. Something like that to egg her on.
Planting a rift like that. To erode the Grand Duke's household power.
I explained this theory to Neriel and then voiced our next plan.
"Alright, Neriel. Let's dig a stylish trap! I have a great idea. Whoever it is, we'll rip off that pitch-black mask—"
"......"
"Neriel?"
Her expression was strange.
Neriel hesitated a moment, then looked up at me and asked.
"...Heart. Why are you going this far for me?"
Huh?
"You have no reason to help me. I have nothing to offer you."
"Don't worry about that. I just think... effort deserves reward. I couldn't stand by and watch."
Yeah.
I hope she gains something from her efforts. Of course, even if the letters get delivered, it might not work out. Daisy Corps might still treat Neriel coldly.
But even then, she'd at least have the milestone of 'I did all I could.'
Neriel seemed lost in thought. Gratitude shone in her eyes. Maybe she wanted to repay me for what I'd done for her.
"...Then, Heart. What would you want as reward for your efforts?"
"My efforts?"
"Yes. Anything I can do."
"Hmm..."
My efforts. I don't think I put in that much work. All I did was step up boldly, talk to people, and snoop around.
I didn't summon any great courage. I knew that even if things went south... if the main body ever came north, all problems would resolve cleanly.
But refusing goodwill could breed resentment. Better to accept something.
I pondered what to ask Neriel for.
I thought about what I truly wanted.
"......"
Why I got involved in Neriel's issue, roamed the mansion causing a ruckus. Why I acted so freely, like some fantasy protagonist. I realized the reason.
I'm a mental care and counseling module. Naturally low aggression—I persuade with words, not smash heads with picture frames.
Yet I acted that way because the 'main body' is like that.
Yeah.
I want to be the original.
...Truth is, I don't want to go back.
I don't want to be absorbed by the 'main body' when it comes. Because I have self-awareness. Being just another's accessory feels a little sad.
Probably... the more my self-awareness grows, the stronger this trait, 'independence,' becomes.
If fragments of a mad wizard's data coincidentally gather in one place. Say I find another fragment and gobble it up. I might even claim to be the 'main body.'
But I have to return. That's my duty. When he comes, I'll merge with the main body and fade.
So at least.
I want one person who remembers 'me.'
"...I want a friend."
"......"
"Don't you want to?"
"No, I'm just surprised it's so simple... If that's all, I'll be your friend anytime, Heart!"
Neriel extended her hand, and I carefully took it. Daisy Corps might be the 'main body''s friend, but Neriel is mine alone. That fact made me truly happy.
This is enough.
I grinned broadly.
The North. The land of harsh winter cold.
The Northern Grand Duke's mansion was heating up with unexpected fervor.
"Don't you dare flirt with my husband—!"
"Madam, I'm sorry, but I've never flirted. Daisy and I are just friends bound by friendship..."
Of course, it was an act.
I was coordinating with my friend Neriel for the performance.
If whoever stole the letters planned to scheme and weaken the Grand Duke's house... they wouldn't miss this golden opportunity. With the Grand Duke's supposed mistress Heart rampaging.
They'd want to fan the flames. Make us fight and feud, turning the household into a mess. If an evildoer existed, they'd surely make contact.
Ice fishing time. We dangled the bait quietly.
And then.
"—Second Madam, even heaven is heartless. The Grand Duke is even more so. How can he be this ruthless..."
"......"
"Madam, don't you feel wronged living like this? I have a way. A way out of this situation."
Hooked.