“Cassia?”
Amy's eyes widened at my words.
“Madam!
Have you become so close to the saint that you call her by name?”
Amy asked me, jumping excitedly.
“No, I only call her that to myf.”
The excited looks of Amy and Mary turned cold in an instant.
I returned to the room with the letter Amy had given me, sat down at the desk and slowly opened it.
[I have an important matter I would like to discuss with you.
Since it's related to temple matters, I'll skip etiquette and visit you in the afternoon.]
If it was urgent, why didn't she come herf with the message?
Why the afternoon?
Whether it comes in the morning or afternoon, it's the same.
“There will be an unofficial visit to the saint in the afternoon, so get ready.”
"What?
Really?"
“Do you think I'm lying to you?”
At my grumbling words, Amy and Mary closed their mouths and began to flounder.
Their faces were filled with joy that could not be hidden.
I leaned my chin and looked into the void, lost in thought.
'Is Leon okay?'
From his previous reactions, and since the events of the novel have not begun yet, it does not seem that Leon and Cassia have any feelings for each other.
Love begins with adversity, as expected from a dramatic novel.
'Love blooms in the midst of adversity...'
I shook my head and sighed deeply.
“I don't want this.”
I muttered to myf and got up from the desk and started walking around the room.
Everyone was excited about the saint's visit, but I was the exception.
Time passed quickly without me noticing.
Mary rushed into the room.
From her expression, I knew Cassia had arrived.
I went down to the first floor, wearing a fake smile, and greeted Cassia.
She came in, blowing on her hands.
Her skin was paler, and her cheeks were slightly swollen red.
“Your Highness, the Duchess, are you okay?”
“You're welcome, it's quite cold, isn't it?
I'm still trying to adjust to the Aster weather.”
“Yes, this cold is new to me.”
She spoke, trembling slightly.
“Let's go to the reception room.”
“Isn’t His Highness the Duke in the castle?”
Cassia tilted her head, looking at the empty seat next to me.
I felt like I had been hit in the back of the head.
Are you finally starting to care about Leon?
I frowned slightly and looked at her without answering easily.
“His Highness the Duke told us that the Saint will visit, but he has not finished his duties today, so he is busy with her now.
Did he send someone to summon him?”
She spoke with difficulty under the pressure of her expectant gaze.
“No, it's okay.
I came to speak to Her Highness the Duchess.”
I nodded and we entered the reception room together.
“Ma’am, shall we make tea now?”
Mary asked in an excited tone as she glanced at the saint.
"Yes."
When we were alone in the room, I couldn't stand the distress and quickly asked, “What's so urgent that made you come so quickly?”
Cassia's face became embarrassed.
It was only when she was caught eating secretly that I saw this expression from her, and I instinctively knew that something serious had happened.
'Is it related to Essar?'
I remembered what she said about temple matters.
Did the temple find out that I took Essar?
But if Cassia didn't reveal it, how would they know?
“You are aware of the recent appearance of magical beasts.”
But Cassia's words were completely unexpected.
“Yes, I know.”
“Even in Esther, monsters have reached the villages, haven't they?”
At that moment, Amy and Mary entered with tea after knocking.
Cassia was about to continue, but closed her mouth when she saw them.
Amy and Mary couldn't take their eyes off the saint, looked at her with dreamy eyes, poured the tea and went out.
When they left, I spoke first: “Fortunately, the damage was not significant.”
“But you know that monsters have appeared in Palanobo recently, right?”
"Yes."
“Of course, because you were there.”
“Hey, how did you know that?”
“Since I am affiliated with the temple, I went down to Palanobo with the priests to investigate.
We verified the victims and the information of those who had taken refuge in the castle.”
I raised my eyebrows and nodded slowly.
“But...”
Cassia stopped and looked at me.
Her look changed sharply, and I swallowed unconsciously.
“But what?”
“There is something in common between the places where monsters appeared.”
"What is it?"
I felt a bad feeling all over my body.
“It's you, Your Highness.”
“…You mean I was in places where monsters appeared?”
"Yes."
Cassia spoke with confidence and assurance.
There might be someone by chance in the same places as the monsters, and I might be the most famous person who was there.
“My maids will be with me too.
Why are you only meeting with me?
Shall I invite Amy and Mary?”
“No.
I came to tell you that this talk came up in the temple and was discussed.
I also have a personal question...”
"Oh my God, this is unfair!
I almost died in Palanobo.
What do you want to ask me personally?"
I wasn't sure I'd die, but I took refuge in the castle with the others, but it's a white lie to defend myf.
My question came out unintentionally offensive.
Cassia's face stiffened slightly.
“This is an important question that will determine whether I speak on your behalf with the temple.
Your Highness, did you hide Issar on purpose?”
“Are you crazy?”
The words escaped my mouth.
Not only did Cassia's face harden this time, she frowned deeply.
I quickly waved my hand to explain, this was a bit serious.
“No, Saint, I am truly wronged.
Why does the temple associate me with monsters?
This is a conspiracy.
Who did this?
Who dared to associate me with this?”
“...Actually, I was the one who said it...and everyone agreed...”
Damn, she's crazy!
The insults ran through my mind without me saying them.
She ties me up with monsters and then comes to me and says she'll speak for me?
I covered up her secret eating while praying, and this is how the heroine behaves?
“Get out!”
I got up and screamed.
“Your Highness, the Duchess, what is this rude language?”
"There's no need to hear this.
So, I'm the one who collects monsters?
What?
And why should I hide Issar?
To be honest, I sold him.
What are you going to do?"
Cassia's eyes flashed and her lips trembled.
Her face turned pale.
"Is this correct?"
“Why don't people believe me?
Yes, I sold it.”
“Your actions are light and mean!
If you l Issar to someone, it will really anger the ruler!”
“Let him get angry.”
I waved my hand impatiently.
Cassia rose, panting, and stared at me.
Why did she come to say such stupid things?
“Upon closer inspection, you don't seem to be related to monsters.”
I shook my head at her words.
She plays and dances by herf!
Why is the heroine like this?
Should I leave Leon for such a girl?
I shook my head violently and started screaming: “Leon is too good to deserve someone like you!
Why!”
At my scream, Cassia looked at me expressionlessly.
“It seems my guess may be correct.
Your actions indicate...”
At my scream, Amy and Mary opened the drawing-room door and rushed in.
“Ma’am, what’s wrong?”
Fear and confusion suddenly appeared on Cassia's expressionless face.
'Are you acting now?'
I laughed sarcastically and looked at her.
“Bill Bill?”
Behind Amy and Mary, Leon appeared with an innocent face.