Chapter 94

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 94

Chapter Title: The Godmother's Riddle

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[That's how you slam the wall and trap them in your arms. It's called a wall slam!]

Suddenly, Mina's words flashed through my mind.

I hurriedly pulled away from him.

Then I glanced around and firmly shut the terrace door.

"Why are you here?"

You should be in the imperial palace!

"You're the one who should be asking that."

Adrian's words caught me off guard.

"I was invited... No, I asked first!"

"I've been staying here."

Adrian was living at Lady Camilla's house?

That had never happened in my past life. He was supposed to have been chased out of the palace at eight years old due to his maternal grandfather's rebellion.

"Since when?"

"Five years ago."

"So that's why you never replied to my letters."

When I was four, Adrian had sent me a letter. Along with a bouquet of flowers and a pair of shoes.

His childlike image had stuck with me, so I'd written back and sent it through an attendant to the temple.

But Adrian had already left the temple by then, so he'd never received it.

"...You sent me letters?"

"Yeah."

And pretty often, too, you rascal.

I couldn't send them to the castle, so whenever there was a ritual at the temple or I heard that an imperial carriage had arrived, in case Adrian might show up, I'd send one off.

Over ten letters that never reached him.

The corners of Adrian's eyebrows drooped, and his eyes grew hazy.

"I had no idea..."

His expression was like a puppy caught in the rain, leaving me flustered. His eyes were getting misty, making me feel like I'd committed some grave sin.

The face that had already been perfectly formed at eight was now like a fully bloomed flower, breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing such a guilt-trippingly gorgeous man looking so downcast made me want to comfort him right away.

"You might not have known. You weren't there. I'll send more! Now that I know to send them here, you'll get them this time."

"I'll send the first one to Duvered territory."

"I live in the capital now."

"The capital?"

"Yeah. With my family, we—"

I froze mid-sentence.

Adrian thinks I'm Ishak's squire in the Duvered Knights.

Back then, I'd assumed he'd go into exile and blurted it out without thinking.

Should I tell him now?

Camilla would become my godmother anyway, so he'd find out eventually.

"Listen. Actually—"

Bang!!

In an instant, the terrace door flew across to the opposite wall. Then came heavy footsteps, low and steady, and a figure backlit with silver hair gleaming coldly at the edges.

Yohan...!

Before I could call out to Yohan, Adrian wrapped a wary arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

Yohan pointed his sword at Adrian and said,

"Let go of her."

"Who the hell are you?"

Crushed by the two men's killing intent, I could barely breathe.

"This is your only warning."

With that, Yohan lunged at Adrian with blinding speed.

Adrian spun around, still holding me, and retreated behind Yohan in a flash.

Yohan kicked off the wall and whirled back, aiming his sword at Adrian's throat again. That's when Adrian kicked over a decorative stand, toppling a candelabra.

One arm still around me, he caught the candelabra with his free hand and blocked Yohan's sword.

Clang!!

A sharp screech of metal rang out, the air vibrating violently as wind whipped up like a storm.

"Stoooop—!"

I bellowed.

Adrian and Yohan's gazes snapped to me at once. Caught in the crossfire of their clash, my eyes were spinning.

"What in the world... This is absurd...!"

Lady Camilla stared at the wrecked guest reception room and at Yohan, me, and Adrian lined up on the sofa.

I clasped my hands together, stood, and looked up at Lady Camilla with teary eyes.

I'm innocent.

This is all those monsters' fault!

I screamed internally, but all that came out was a choked, "I'm sorry."

"I'm truly sorry, my lady."

"I'm at a loss for words..."

Of course she was stunned.

She'd called me here to talk, only to find her cherished guest room in ruins.

Even if she lodged a formal complaint with Duvered, we wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

No helping it now.

"Lady Camilla... Could you consider the gift you mentioned last time as covering today's blunder?"

It pained me to even think of it, but I had no choice.

Because of those accursed fools.

Yohan was the eldest son of Duvered. Not imperial family yet, but still treated as near-royal. If Lady Camilla, who received such honors, complained, his reputation would hit rock bottom.

There were plenty of people waiting to pounce on any recklessness from Yohan and fabricate flaws. This would be handing them ammunition on a platter.

Thorns in the path of his bright future.

Adrian was an even bigger problem. Coming from the palace and staying long-term with Lady Camilla meant he had nowhere else to go.

Imagining Adrian wandering the streets like a drenched puppy again made my head throb.

"...Did you have a hand in this mess too, my lady?"

"No, but still..."

"First, let's hear why you fought."

I didn't even know.

I pinched Yohan's side, who was keeping his mouth shut. Mouthed Spill it! He furrowed his brow but finally spoke.

"I sensed a presence in the guest room. The butler said only Leblain was inside, but it was the aura of someone highly trained."

This time, I poked Adrian.

You too!

Under my glare, Adrian slowly opened his mouth.

"I came to see you, my lady, and this girl was here."

"You came in through the terrace again."

"We were just talking when we were attacked, so I defended myself."

Lady Camilla sighed deeply after hearing it all. I looked at her with downcast eyes, and she narrowed hers at me.

"Looks like I have to grant your wish."

"Thank you..."

It worked out, but my godmotherhood nearly flew out the window.

I ground my teeth at Yohan and Adrian inwardly. I'd repay this debt a hundredfold once those fools succeeded.

"There's an amusing rumor about you."

"Huh?"

"You can decipher scriptures, right?"

"Yes."

"Then interpret this for me."

She beckoned, and the butler fetched a frame from the floor.

I looked at the frame the butler handed me.

[Eyes that exist yet must not, ears that exist yet must not, a mouth that exists yet must not.]

I read the inscription inside and looked at Lady Camilla. She nodded as if to say go on, but I said nothing.

Everyone in the reception room looked puzzled.

Yohan and Adrian glanced at me too.

Lady Camilla,

"Ahahaha!"

burst into rare, hearty laughter, covering her mouth.

"Clever girl. Looks like I have a good eye for people."

Eyes that exist yet must not—observe everything meticulously, yet not be blinded by immediate gains; master yourself.

Ears that exist yet must not—listen well to others, yet not be swayed by rumors.

A mouth that exists yet must not—mind your manners, yet know when to speak and when to hold your tongue.

So, read the room and don't blabber.

That's why I kept quiet.

"It was passed down to me by my own godmother. You take it."

"...Pardon?"

"I even picked out the frame myself to deliver it nicely, but thanks to this mess, it was all for naught."

She shot a cold glance at Yohan and Adrian.

So this means...!

I clamped my mouth shut to stifle a cheer.

I did it!!

She's my godmother now!

"Thank you, Godmother!"

I blurted it out, and she said, "I like how quick on the uptake you are."

"Once a week, come to my estate for lessons. I'll prepare everything you need, so don't worry about it. If you bring high heels or a harp—those so-called ladylike virtues of the empire—I'll toss them out immediately."

"Yes, Godmother!"

"Good. Then we'll settle this with Count Arijeux. But first, a few ground rules."

"Please, go ahead."

"First, I don't like excessive humility. You must uphold appearances; I won't have my child losing to others."

That was right up my alley.

I grinned and nodded vigorously.

"Second, I don't like excessive arrogance either. I despise those who borrow my prestige for nonsense."

"Understood."

"Good. You may go now..."

As she spoke, Yohan's communication magic tool buzzed.

He checked it and tucked it back into his inner pocket.

Important enough for a communication tool?

Those were exorbitantly expensive; even Duvered struggled to obtain them.

Only the family head—Dad—and heir Yohan carried them.

"Something wrong?"

He brushed it off.

"Someone from the palace is looking for you."

"No way..."

"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager."

Lady Camilla's hand clenched tight, veins bulging.

"I almost forgot one last thing."

"What?"

She raised an eyebrow at me.

"I'm very jealous. I can't stand seeing my child cozying up to another noble lady."

—said Lady Camilla, reputed the most elegant in the empire. I awkwardly smiled with both hands clasped.

The conversation ended, and Yohan and I stood.

"Then we'll be going, my lady."

I said, and Yohan bowed. Lady Camilla nodded.

As we headed for the door together, her voice called out, "Oh, wait."

"Does the young lady have a fiancé?"

"A fiancé?"

Nobles often had marriage pledges from childhood, but I didn't yet.

"No."

She chuckled softly.

"In high society, godmothers often end up as mothers-in-law."

I tilted my head, but Yohan and Adrian both shot chilling glares at her in unison.

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