Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Between Love and Friendship -5
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Crackle. Crackle.
Flames danced inside the fireplace, casting bright light in all directions. And in front of it, the shadow of a single person fell across the floor.
The fire welcomed its guest with cozy warmth, but that didn't seem to be the person's goal. They pulled a letter from their bosom.
And tossed it casually into a spot where a diligent servant might stumble upon it while poking the fire. The flames caught immediately.
The fire savored the letter thoroughly. What if this was something important—like a love letter brimming with affection? Surely it shouldn't be burned.
But no matter how it licked and probed, no emotions emanated from within the letter. Only then did the flames relax. Ah, this really is just kindling. Safe to swallow.
Snap. Pop.
Sparks flew. The loveless love letter blackened and crumbled to ash.
The letter merged with the logs and turned to cinders.
In a secluded corner of the mansion, a guest room that had stood empty for years and saw no servants coming or going. Neriel headed there deep into the night.
A secretly delivered letter had requested her presence: important words to share.
As Neriel opened the door and entered, a maid already waiting inside rose and bowed her head. She served under Neriel.
"You...? Why did you call me here?"
The maid gazed at Neriel with pity-filled eyes, her expression brimming with sorrow.
"Second Madam, even heaven is indifferent. And the Grand Duke even more so. How can he be this heartless...?"
"......"
"Madam, don't you feel wronged living like this? I have a way. A way out of this situation."
Neriel held her breath and asked cautiously.
"...What might that way be?"
"Spread rumors of how neglected you are, then return to your family home. Once everyone knows the circumstances, the finger-pointing will turn to the Grand Duke!"
"......"
"I've prepared a carriage too. Johnny from the stables gladly offered to help. He said your plight is too heartbreaking..."
A surprisingly bland plan. She'd expected something like planting the second wife inside to siphon key intelligence from the Grand Duke's household, or sowing discord among the staff to create bitter strife.
Or perhaps a bigger scheme: lure Neriel out to bear a child, then claim inheritance rights by declaring it the Northern Grand Duke's blood.
But whatever the plan, it ended here.
Neriel seized the maid's hand as if overcome with gratitude. And then.
Click. Mana restraints snapped on.
"Ma-Madame? What is this...?"
"So you're the one plotting to shake the Grand Duke's house from within."
"...Pardon?"
"Come out."
At Neriel's command, I and the Grand Duke's soldiers waiting outside burst through the door. The maid's face drained of color.
The soldiers grabbed the maid's arms on either side—the one who'd dared harm the Grand Duke's house—and dragged her away.
"I'm innocent! I never meant to...!"
The maid wailed her injustice as she was hauled off. I figured it was just a thief's final desperate thrash after exposure and moved to ignore it.
"......"
But the expression on the maid's face wasn't anger or desperation. Not frantic urgency to escape, nor rage at me for putting her in this state.
One stark emotion stood out above all. It puzzled me so much my head spun.
Why did that maid look... betrayed...?
I turned to Neriel and asked. She was twisting strands of her hair around her finger, watching the maid's retreating figure to the end.
"Neriel. Doesn't this feel a bit off?"
"Pardon? Heart, what part?"
"The maid's expression. Makes me wonder if we got the wrong idea..."
"Hmm... But it played out just like you said, Heart. The Grand Duke's soldiers will interrogate her now, so we can just wait for the results."
Fair point.
I stretched with a mix of relief and lingering unease, then said to Neriel.
"Shall we all grab a meal together? I'll call Arte and Daisy too. Now that the misunderstanding's cleared, a little steady charm could build a harmonious family!"
"Yes, thank you, Heart. It's all thanks to you!"
No trouble at all.
Hand over the marriage counseling, and my role ends. I led Neriel to the dining hall. That meal was remarkably warm and lively.
Knock knock knock.
A midnight knock pulled Arte Ropelman from her research. She set it aside and rose.
Before, she'd have ignored it. But after the dropkick that shattered her door, she now checked visitors. Once was enough.
"Who is it?"
"It's Second Wife Neriel. May I come in?"
An unwelcome guest.
She wanted to chase her off, but giving Neriel ammo to badmouth her to Heart was worse. Arte clicked her tongue and replied.
"Visiting at bedtime isn't exactly pleasant. Come in."
"I heard the First Wife's days and nights are flipped. Pardon the intrusion."
Creeeak. The door opened.
Neriel entered without hesitation, glancing around the room. Arte quietly lit the kettle first. Conversation with someone she loathed needed coffee to stomach.
Clink clink. She prepped the brew. No words passed between them meanwhile.
Bubble bubble bubble.
The kettle boiled. Only then did Arte speak.
"We settled our boundaries ages ago. I don't care what you do in the mansion—as long as you don't drag me in. I warned you clearly. Forgotten already?"
"Of course not. I just came with a question tonight. I heard you had tea time with Heart this evening."
"We did."
"Must've been a fun chat. Mind sharing the topic? I'd like to get closer to Heart too."
Pour. Coffee filled the cup, saucer and all, moved to the table. Arte prepared only her own. Nothing for Neriel.
She sipped, savoring the deep flavor and aroma. Then Arte said.
"No idea."
"...Pardon?"
"Didn't come to check if Heart caught on? No clue. I tested her because your prank soured my mood, and she trusted you completely."
"......"
At Arte's cryptic response, Neriel flinched like she'd been pricked. Her smile cracked, revealing guilt.
Arte scoffed.
"I won't meddle. Or tell. It's none of my business anyway. Heart even asked me to get along with you. But... isn't it ridiculous?"
"What's ridiculous?"
"Come on. A love letter incident... but the recipient felt no love or friendship. So what was there, Neriel?"
Neriel's face darkened sharply. Heart struck.
"...I'll take my leave."
Neriel fled the seat. Arte sneered at her back. Her future was crystal clear.
Heart was sharp. She'd realize soon enough. Then what? Forgiveness?
Deep night, when even the servants had retired.
I headed to Daisy's office with a bottle of liquor in each hand. Light shone through the window, so he wasn't asleep.
With the love letter disappearance solved, time to catch up.
We'd barely talked properly amid the holy city's chaos. Perfect chance now.
No free hands, so I knocked with my mouth.
"Knock knock knock. Daisy in there?"
"Ah, Heart. Come on in."
Daisy welcomed me warmly. He eyed the bottles, grinned, and cleared the papers from the table, shoving them aside.
Quite the workload. Should help later.
"Cheers for old times' sake?"
"You never got drunk easily, Heart. I always passed out first during our binges—fond memory. Still hold your liquor?"
"Ah, I cheated a bit back then. Drank but it was like I didn't. Might get tipsy now, so sipping carefully."
"We'll take it slow then."
We set up simply. Drag a chair to the table—done. Snacks would've been nice... stories would substitute.
"Daisy, tea time just us two after so long... Wait, we met in the holy city, right."
"It's been ages. Felt eternal to me."
"Save those lines for your wives. I always say, they're kinda creepy."
"Exactly why I say them."
Shameless. Thinks he's grown enough to banter back.
"Cheers."
"Cheers."
Downed it.
We swapped old tales. Two years together meant stories poured out at a nudge.
Daisy often called me his savior.
But he'd anchored my emotions too. Magic Tower seniors were rough then, and Yuna's spats were fun... but she was a girl.
To me, Daisy was my first male friend.
Some talks only guys share—like snagging a sleek branch (Excalibur-shaped) from the back alleys, mesmerized.
Or VS debates: who wins if these two fought?
"Liquor's hitting stronger, Daisy?"
"Built up tolerance. Can hold back now if needed."
"Right, right. Remember when you blacked out yelling 'Where's Heart?!'"
We laughed and chatted long. Then suddenly.
This wasn't my memory.
"......"
I'm not the original.
I remember Daisy closer, but the one who bonded with him was the original. I'm a doppelganger.
If the original returns north, I lose claim as Daisy's friend. My existence too. Knowing I'm a copy chilled deeper than thought.
I stared at my reflection in the glass.
Daisy spoke abruptly.
"Not true."
"...Pardon?"
"You're Heart."
"Haha, what's this out of nowhere, Daisy? I am Heart—who else?"
I circled words, but Daisy's gaze pierced straight. Those eyes seemed to bore through to my core.
Right. Northern Grand Duke Daisy learned to read hearts from me five years ago. His insight rivaled the 'original' me.
And since I'd studied him long, he knew me well too. So he read me.
He said.
"I know you're a bit different."
"......"
"But if we cherish our time, trust our bond, support each other... different or same doesn't matter. Whoever you are, you're my friend."
"...What, Daisy. When'd you learn sweet talk?"
"You taught me. How to say what others need."
Cheeky.
I burst laughing. Such simple acceptance eased my heart. Funny how easy.
Yeah. Module or not, I've got two friends now. Three counting Arte's subtle feelings.
Even if absorbed by the original, no big regrets.
"Impressive, Daisy. Even if I'm a thirtieth shard... reading me isn't easy..."
Huh.
Alcohol warmed me, but a chill crawled my spine. Insight struck.
What? Feels like I missed something. Why this sensation?
Daisy's insight is amazing. Original-level. Just talking about that...
—Neriel Brune doesn't like me either. So it didn't hurt that much.
Oh.
Daisy's words flashed by.
I'd dismissed it as his misjudgment. Neriel showering love letters yet not loving Daisy? Odd. And I saw no flaws.
But.
I'm now... split into thirty, incomplete. Reduced processing drops mind-reading too. So.
Between insights, trust Daisy's.
'Neriel Brune doesn't like Daisy.'
If true...
"...Guh!"
I bolted up. Scanned around, spotted the frame on the wall.
A black-haired woman's portrait, Heart-like. I snatched it without hesitation. Needed the frame.
"Heart, wait... use the one beside. That's my treasured..."
"Borrowing it, Daisy!"
"......"
I dashed the hall. Destination: Neriel's room.
The letter disappearance wasn't over.