Mess 167

167.

[We’re going on a journey for research, Lily and I. It’s not that we’re running away because the Crown Prince frightens us, but we really do need to spend some time apart from that bastard.]

Seraphie nodded.

Having suffered the most at the hands of that madman, it was only right for her to leave the capital, if only for her mental well-being.

[I’m truly sorry, and grateful to you, Sera. If it hadn’t been for you, Lily and I would have spent our lives misunderstanding each other.]

At that, Seraphie felt a sudden surge of emotion. What she had thought an act of selfish kindness—done for her own sake—had turned out to be of great help to those two. Hearing it directly from them made her eyes prickle with unexpected tears.

[The rings are gifts that Lily and I prepared beforehand. One of them is for the Countess Dowager. I’m sorry for giving it to you in this manner.]

It was written that both rings bore enchantments of protection and healing.

Seraphie was sincerely grateful.

In Iris’s domain, the rings the two of them had crafted had each played an important role.

Peonia’s ring protected the Marquis of Iris, while Lily’s magic stone had barely saved the Marquis herself from the brink of death.

So surely, this time too, they would be of great help.

[I hope you never have to use them, but given the circumstances, keep them on you at all times.]

To the very moment of her departure, Peonia worried about Seraphie.

[Give my regards to Lou, will you? That girl—hopefully, she won’t sulk over the fact that I left without saying goodbye.]

Seraphie stifled a giggle. If anything, Lou had hardly seemed to mind the departure of Peonia and Lily. She had even joked that it would be nice if they brought back some souvenirs.

Seraphie was just admiring how like true old friends they were,

when Peonia’s last line changed the warm mood in an instant.

[Sera.]

[Be careful of Count Loria.]

Seraphie could hardly believe her eyes.

[The investigation at the Mage Tower revealed that Count Loria’s family did not die by magic.]

The letter ended there.

“Be wary of Count Loria.”

The warning the Emperor had once issued tormented Seraphie’s thoughts. She even recalled the music that had been playing at the time those words were spoken.

Count Loria’s wife and children had become perfect mysteries in death. With all his family lost, he was now sequestered in the count’s mansion as chief mourner.

“……”

Seraphie couldn’t explain why, but in Count Loria—whom she’d never met—she saw the shadow of someone else. She saw the Crown Prince.

And then, she thought of another member of her own family.

“Grandmother….”

---

Not only among the children of the Empire, but even among the adults, the “Orchard Friends” were ever popular—and now, a new fruit friend had joined the gang.

“I am the Kiwi Mask!”

The youngest of Bia’s siblings ran about with a kiwi plush, its gaping mouth bouncing along as the doll soared through the air.

“You rascal.”

Seraphie caught the exuberant little one. The child laughed merrily and threw her arms around the folds of Seraphie’s skirt.

“Come on, time to get in the carriage. If you don’t, we’ll leave you behind, and then you won’t see your teacher.”

“I have to show this to Teacher!”

The little one proudly held out the kiwi mask plush to Seraphie.

“Kiwi Mask is a Knight of Darkness, and when he puts on the mask, he punishes bad people!”

“Oh, that’s impressive!”

“That’s why I’m going to give it to Teacher as a present!”

The child, eyes shining with her grand aspirations, clearly took pride in herself.

Her lower lip, stuck out in determination, was so adorably earnest that Seraphie couldn’t help but pat her on the head. The little girl’s mouth stretched into a wide, beaming grin.

“Madam, we’re ready to depart.”

Just then, the butler spoke.

“You heard him, right? Now it’s really time to board the carriage.”

“Okaaay.”

While the little one clambered up the carriage steps, Seraphie turned to the butler remaining behind at the house to leave a word of request.

“There may be some commotion in the capital while I’m away.”

“I’ll see to it just as you instructed, madam.”

“Avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. The Kia Trading Company will deliver any food or supplies we need.”

Seraphie’s worries seemed endless.

“Please don’t concern yourself—just take a good rest on your trip.”

The butler replied serenely.

“Validus does not fall so easily.”

“….”

For a moment, Seraphie was at a loss for words.

“…You’re right.”

This wasn’t even her first time leaving the house unattended—so why was she feeling so uneasy?

Now, Validus was a place no one could trifle with.

At last, Seraphie headed for the carriage.

“Have a safe trip.”

Pura, standing by the carriage, held out her hand in farewell.

“I wish you could come with us.”

Seraphie was truly disappointed that Pura couldn’t join them on this holiday. But Pura had matters even more important than a vacation.

“I think I’ll find the tracks soon.”

Despite the bright smile, Pura’s eyes gleamed with the sharpness of a predator who’d caught scent of its prey.

“There’s something odd about the Crown Prince’s movements. I found sections of his route that overlap, even though his supposed destinations are different.”

“…Be careful.”

Seraphie urged her.

“Pura, your safety is key to finding the others.”

“I know.”

Pura flashed a reassuring grin—and somehow, Seraphie felt her tension ease.

Taking Pura’s hand as she stepped into the carriage, Seraphie peeked out the window.

Soon, the carriage started to move, and the staff of Validus waved from where they stood, not turning away until the carriage disappeared from view.

Seraphie, too, watched until those figures vanished from sight.

“Oh, you’re such a fuss.”

Lou teased Seraphie with an amused snort.

“It’s because I’m worried.”

Seraphie coughed self-consciously as she returned to her seat.

“What if something happens while we’re away?”

“Mmm, I don’t think we have much reason to worry.”

In Lou’s opinion, those left at the mansion were no ordinary employees. They were the ones who had stayed and helped Seraphie through her hardships.

“In fact, I’d wager they’ll have the upper hand against anyone.”

“I just hope everyone stays safe, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

Orchis spoke up.

“My family has dispatched knights. They’ll guard the mansion and keep it safe.”

“Times like these make me wish for a proper order of knights….”

Even as Seraphie spoke, she glanced at Karl.

Sensing her gaze, Karl gave a gentle, reassuring smile.

“I, too, hope you’ll soon reinstate a knightly order at Seraphie’s estate. It will be a rare chance to help rebuild Iris with my own hands.”

“When will you have permission?”

Lou asked.

“Likely at the next council of elders. I got a general sense of the proceedings at the palace yesterday.”

The next council meeting would take place after Seraphie’s return from her holiday, and there, the reestablishment of Validus’s knighthood would be on the agenda.

“Truthfully, since His Majesty the Emperor has already given his blessing, the rest is a mere formality.”

“Is there anything else?”

“There was a proposal from the Crown Prince…”

“It was about the roadworks.”

“Ah, right! Too many carriage accidents at night, so he wanted measures to prevent them….”

The carriage heading for the retreat became lively at once.

Though their discussions were mostly about preparing for the events to come, the destination—a holiday retreat—seemed to imbue the group with contentment.

Seraphie, too, made a point of focusing on the conversation.

Thanks to that, she could forget the unease gnawing at her since last night—if only for a while.

“I wonder how the Countess Dowager is faring?”

Lou asked.

“She’s doing better than anyone.”

Seraphie was still exchanging letters with the Countess Dowager.

With time, their correspondence had taken on a rich variety, eventually even including jokes about wanting to try her hand at romance.

She had been utterly shocked the first time she’d read that.

But she’d replied—earnestly assuring her mother that anyone who could bring her happiness, regardless of age or gender, would be welcomed with open arms.

“If it’s what Mother wants, anyone will be welcome.”

“Indeed, the Countess Dowager is so beautiful and full of vigor.”

“Isn’t she? Who knows, she may already have news of a suitor.”

“Sera, you’re being ridiculous!”

Seraphie and Lou broke out in laughter.

“……”

“……”

Orchis and Karl kept their silence, doing everything they could not to be drawn into that conversation.

“A new love for Mother is something truly worth celebrating.”

It was proof that she had finally broken free from a bleak past and begun to live a life for herself.

“You deserve to be happier than anyone.”

Seraphie wished with all her heart for her mother’s happiness.

But only a few hours later, when she arrived at the retreat, Seraphie bitterly regretted those words.

---

The resort was utterly changed from their last visit.

“Wow….”

Seraphie, gazing out the carriage window, could not keep her mouth closed in amazement.

The wild overgrowth had been thoroughly cleared, and the rough dirt road was now level and smooth enough for the carriage to ride comfortably.

True to the name “resort,” flowerbeds adorned every path, and the roads had been reconstructed for pleasant strolls.

“It already feels like summer here!”

Lou marveled beside her.

“It’s thanks to Mother and Grandmother’s careful management.”

It had been Seraphie and Lou who purchased the site and drew up the plans, but it was the Countess Dowager who’d overseen everything on the ground.

Grandmother may have lended a hand, Seraphie mused, but Count Kia was not one to meddle unduly—so this was, properly, all the Countess Dowager’s achievement.

The realization brought her an unexpected pang. How could someone with such talent have spent years in misery, all because of one mistaken marriage?

If she hadn’t had children, wouldn’t she have left much sooner?

“……”

Catching herself spiraling into pointless thoughts, Seraphie clicked her tongue softly.

There was no point getting lost in bleak ifs. Her mother had finally begun to find happiness, albeit late—so it ought to be great and beautiful to make up for it.

The carriage stopped before a villa.

“Sera, is this the place?”

Lou’s quivering voice mirrored Seraphie’s own emotion.

If their memories served them right, this was the villa they and Lou had first visited together.

Once choked with ivy and weeds, with a door hanging from its hinges and floorboards that groaned and gave, it had been a wretchedly shabby building.

Now, the once decrepit structure stood strikingly grand—almost, Seraphie thought, like a royal summer villa.

And someone was waiting for their carriage at the entrance.

“Sera, Lou!”

A young lady with brown hair dashed over, waving her arm high.

“Batisa!”

“Oh my, goodness!”

Seraphie and Lou, stepping down from the carriage, widened their eyes in delight.

Having come here to recuperate after being worn down by a malicious stalker, Lady Batisa Castane, the marquis’s daughter, now had her hair cut into a neat short bob.