Chapter 45: Saintess Marianne (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Saintess Marianne (2)
And I was no different.
Despite having introduced Marianne perfectly well while maintaining my "cheerful child" persona, I now found myself struck dumb, as if my mouth were full of honey.
[Master’s mother—the atmosphere right now is no joke!]
[Mommy is so scary!]
“....”
Desmond and Bibi were making a fuss as well.
Come to think of it, in the original story, Veronica was supposed to be Desmond’s master. I gazed down at the red teddy bear that was Desmond.
The woman you’re so afraid of was originally supposed to be your master.
Unable to say the words aloud, I swallowed them back and looked up at the sound of Veronica’s calm voice.
“I am aware that the Temple received a revelation for the first time in a long while. Were you on your way there after being summoned?”
“Ye-yes. That is correct.”
“I see. Thank you for saving our Dia.”
“O-oh, no. I only did what was natural.”
Surprisingly, the conversation between the two was smooth.
Although Marianne was trembling slightly from extreme tension, Veronica treated her so nonchalantly that, on the surface, they both seemed fine.
“Dia, let’s head inside first.”
“Okay.”
Her tone was soft as usual, but I could feel that Veronica’s mood had plummeted.
This time, I couldn't bring myself to refuse and took the hand she offered.
“....”
Lingering regret made me look back at Marianne the entire way to the mansion.
Fortunately, it seemed she wouldn't be returning to the Temple for a while, likely because she had to investigate the traces of the Ancient Demon alongside the Paladins.
That meant I still had a chance.
Carried in Veronica’s arms into the cozy drawing room, I was secretly burning with determination.
*
“Our Dia! What on earth happened?!”
“Father.”
Duke Winston returned to the mansion before sunset.
Vincent, who arrived with him, also wore a somber expression.
“Berry, are you alright? Nothing happened to you?”
“Yes, Brother. I’m safe as well.”
Vincent checked on me first, then asked Veronica, seemingly worried about her encounter with Cedric.
He let out a sigh and shook his head.
“I truly don't know what's going on. To think a demon would sneak into the mansion.”
“Are there still traces in the garden?”
“Yes. That’s why the Paladins and that Saintess girl will be staying here for the time being.”
“So it’s come to that...”
Veronica bit her lip and muttered. Seeing this, Vincent spoke while watching her reaction.
“Berry, don’t pay that girl any mind. We’ll take care of everything.”
“I’m fine.”
“How could you be fine? She looks exactly like that woman.”
“....”
It seemed that with the Winston family’s information network, they were already well aware of Cedric and Gloria. Vincent frowned as he thought of Marianne.
Veronica replied with a composed face.
“I don’t resent the child.”
“Right, the child is innocent. But even so, there’s no need for you to push yourself to see her.”
“....”
For once, I agreed with Vincent’s opinion.
Even though I had to find a way to contact Marianne again, Veronica didn't need to.
“Our Dia, were you very scared?”
“I’m okay.”
“Did you miss Gwanpa?”
“I’m... okay.”
Before I knew it, Duke Winston’s eyes were brimming with tears as he looked at me.
I didn't know how to react to the Duke’s increasingly excessive behavior.
As my eyes darted around awkwardly, the Duke suddenly pulled me into a tight hug and shouted.
“This won't do! I must stay by Dia’s side and protect her myself!”
“...?”
Excuse me? What did you say?
Everyone in the drawing room blinked at Duke Winston’s sudden declaration.
Veronica, the first to snap out of it, asked in bewilderment.
“What are you talking about, Father?”
“Some bastard used a demon to try and harm our Dia! I can’t rest easy until that fellow is caught!”
“...I have something to tell you regarding that.”
Duke Winston, who had been highly agitated, froze at Veronica’s ominous words.
He looked at Veronica with serious eyes, then looked back down at me.
“Our Dia, do you want to drink some cocoa while Grandpa is gone?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, Grandpa will be back soon.”
After placing a cup of sweet cocoa in my hands, Duke Winston left the drawing room with Veronica and Vincent.
Before leaving, he strictly ordered the knights, including Raven, to stand guard over me.
The knights, looking even more tense than usual, surrounded me.
[Hmph, even a whole swarm of these pathetic weaklings can’t compare to me!]
[Whatever. If you’d been alone earlier, you would’ve been done in by that Ancient Demon.]
[How dare this tiny rabbit look down on me!]
I let Desmond and Bibi’s bickering go in one ear and out the other as I took a sip of cocoa.
Abel wasn't by my side either, likely giving his own report to the Duke.
Glancing at the grim-faced knights, I figured it wouldn't be easy to move around from now on.
It looks like I won't be able to meet Marianne alone.
Veronica seemed to have already guessed who was behind the Ancient Demon attack.
I knew the culprit was the Empress Dowager because I’d heard it from the demons, but Veronica shouldn't have had any way of knowing.
Feeling curious, I looked down at Desmond, who was still fighting with Bibi.
Demon.
[You and your uselessly big ears...! Huh?]
Go to work, Demon.
[Master is always making me do these trivial chores!]
It’s because you’re better at it than Bibi, right?
[H-hmph. Well, that much is true.]
When I flattered him by saying he was better than Bibi, Desmond couldn't hide his joy.
Bibi, who was quick-witted and had already seen through my tactics, looked at the delighted Desmond with a look of pure boredom.
Excited, Desmond left the teddy bear’s body for a moment to go eavesdrop on the conversation between the Duke and the direct lineage.
*
“Is that true?”
“Yes, I heard it clearly with my own ears.”
Veronica told Duke Winston everything about her encounter with Cedric earlier that day.
The Duke was especially infuriated by the claim that Cedric was the primary culprit behind the harm done to Claudia.
“That goddamn piece of trash!”
Thud! As Duke Winston swung his hand, the armrest of his chair shattered and fell to the floor.
Watching this scene quietly, Veronica spoke calmly.
“Please calm down, Father.”
“Do I look like I can be calm right now?! I’ll take that bastard right this—!”
“We still don't have proof that he did it.”
“...Ugh.”
At Veronica’s cold, rational words, Duke Winston finally managed to settle down.
However, he continued to huff, unable to hide his rage.
“First, we should cooperate with the Paladins outside to track the demon’s traces.”
“Will those people cooperate with us willingly?”
“We’ll have to make them.”
Vincent said, his eyes gleaming. Duke Winston looked at his heir, who took after him so much, with satisfied eyes.
“Then I’ll leave that matter to you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And don't worry too much; we’ll proceed with Cedric’s trial immediately.”
“Yes.”
Vincent left the office to speak with the Paladins. Seeing the dark expression on the face of the remaining Veronica, Duke Winston spoke again.
“As Vincent said, don't pay too much attention to that Saintess girl.”
“But...”
“Nothing will happen, so don't worry. Just focus on getting a quick divorce from that Cedric fellow.”
“...Yes.”
Anxious thoughts had been haunting her mind for a while now. The sound of Cedric’s laughter as he looked on with glaring eyes, threatening to harm Dia, lingered persistently to torture Veronica.
And now, even his illegitimate child had appeared to disturb her peace. For some reason, she had an ill omen.
Veronica let out a deep sigh.
*
So Marianne is going to stay at the mansion.
Having eavesdropped on the conversation of the direct lineage, I let out a sigh of relief.
I felt a twinge of guilt when I thought of Veronica and her complicated feelings, but everything I was doing was for her and the Winstons.
So, I couldn't afford to be weak-hearted.
Renewing my resolve, I snapped my head around.
“Si’ Raven!”
“...Yes, My Lady.”
“I wanna go to the bafroom!”
“Understood.”
At my words, Raven approached with a solemn expression.
Naturally wrapping my arms around his neck, I let him carry me out of the drawing room.
“I—I could have carried her...”
“No. This is more efficient for protection.”
“I see...”
Come to think of it, Sophia would have to go into the bathroom with me anyway.
I looked at Raven with suspicious eyes. Did you just want to hold me?
“Ah.”
“...!”
As I was passing through the hallway with those thoughts, I ran right into someone unexpected.
It was Marianne and...
“Dia, where are you going?”
“....”
It was Abel.
I stared intently at the unlikely pair.