Chapter 11

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Too Many Accomplices
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We’d made it through the first crisis.

Afterward, the Allojes returned to their estate, and Diello and I went back to the main Argenta house, citing his busy schedule as the reason.

And that night.

I sighed and fell face-first onto the bed.

“Haaah.”

A sigh escaped my lips.

I never thought they’d actually come to check!

I knew Duke Alloje wouldn't just sit idly by.

“Still, demanding proof was going too far, wasn't it?”

What kind of proof were they even expecting?

And to approach me disguised as a child!

He probably used that form because it’s easiest to lower one’s guard around a child.

Even if she’d turned into an adult woman for the “proof,” it was still just as baffling.

Coming to me like a child and then pulling a stunt like that!

“Ugh.”

You have to hand it to the Allojes for their wickedness.

Just as I shot up into a sitting position.

—*Click.*

Diello’s face peeked through the carefully opened door.

“...May I come in, Croire?”

What, did he expect me to use the bridal suite all by myself?

I nodded.

“Of course.”

I patted the space beside me, and he entered with a pleased expression.

“I'm sorry I couldn't be with you this afternoon. An urgent matter came up from the coastal front.”

I waved his apology away.

“It was an emergency, so it’s fine. Besides, it would have looked strange for me to be in your office when I still know so little about Argenta’s affairs.”

No matter how sweet the couple.

“More importantly, I looked up at your office several times.”

“...You did?”

Diello blinked.

Why is he so flustered? I burst out laughing.

“Wondering when you'd come down. Like a new bride eagerly waiting for her husband.”

At my words, Diello blinked, then smiled apologetically.

“And I still didn’t come down. I must have looked like a terrible husband.”

“But at least Duke Alloje didn’t get the impression that we’re a couple on bad terms.”

I shrugged. That was all that mattered.

“Ah, and about Duke Alloje.”

This was information that definitely needed to be shared.

As he came to sit beside me, I tapped my collarbone.

“They checked.”

“...!”

Diello’s eyes widened.

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked cautiously.

“...Himself?”

His brow furrowed.

His question made my own face twist in disgust.

If Duke Alloje had been standing there instead of that spy, what—and to whom—would I have had to show...?

“No, someone else.”

Someone else. A different person! A completely different person—a woman, even!

I denied it with a flurry of gestures.

Seeing my frantic denial, Diello finally took my hand to calm me.

“I see. I almost had a grave misunderstanding about Duke Alloje.”

he said in a composed voice.

“He’s our enemy anyway, what’s there to misunderstand…?”

I muttered, looking at him.

If anything, this was a man who *needed* to misunderstand Duke Alloje a little more.

After all, that monster killed the previous Duke and Duchess Argenta!

“...Anyway, thanks to you, we’re past the first crisis.”

At my words, Diello tilted his head.

“The first crisis, you say...?”

“Don't you think they’ll keep watching us?”

I tapped his chest lightly.

“Duke Alloje is waiting for me to get rid of this lily, isn't he?”

That mark fades only when Diello Argenta gives his purity to his spouse with sincere affection.

Right now, it was, of course, still vivid.

And for the next two months, there was no chance of it fading.

Not until the real Pero appeared.

“You’re right.”

Diello’s expression grew serious. I patted his shoulder.

“Don't worry. It'll look exactly the same as it does now until the real Pero comes.”

Relax! Don't look so worried! I gave him a bright smile.

“Ah, but. I just remembered something we need to clarify before that.”

It was something I’d been wanting to ask since this afternoon.

Something I’d especially noticed today.

While watching Pielle and the other Argenta maids.

“What is it?”

Seeing his serious response, I asked.

“Exactly who in Argenta knows our secret? I know that Pielle, at least, is aware.”

I needed to know who in the Argenta household knew about our political marriage. It would make things much easier going forward.

“Ah,”

He parted his lips slightly at the mention of Pielle’s name.

He seemed surprised.

He must have thought I didn’t know.

“I’m not so dense that I wouldn’t notice.”

I crossed my arms.

“If your accomplice were that foolish, wouldn't that be a problem for you too, Diello?”

At that, Diello laughed as if in defeat.

“You're right, Pielle knows.”

And he readily admitted it.

I didn’t bother telling him I also knew Pielle was a cleaner.

It would only make me look suspicious.

Instead, I moved closer to him.

And asked in a hushed voice.

“Tell me who in Argenta I can truly trust.”

I’d have to be extra careful around anyone not on that list.

At those words, Diello stroked his chin and then tilted his head.

“If that's what you're worried about, you can rest assured, Croire.”

Rest assured? About what?

“At least on this floor of the mansion, you won’t have to worry.”

This floor? The fourth floor, where this room is?

I blinked, not understanding what he meant.

Then, he dropped a bombshell on me.

“Anyone from Argenta who comes and goes on the fourth floor, you can trust them all.”

“?”

I blinked a few more times, unable to comprehend.

No, I didn’t *want* to comprehend.

Don't tell me...?

“Everyone in the Argenta household who comes and goes on this floor knows?”

Even if it’s just the fourth floor, how many rooms are there? How many maids and knights are assigned here?

At my words,

my naive accomplice,

“Yes.”

smiled brightly and nodded.

...Oh, you sweet, foolish man.

I pressed a hand to my forehead, staring at his face, which shone with untainted innocence.

“You really don't have to worry.”

His clear voice made me feel like I was going to lose my mind.

—*Fwoosh!*

Just then, a flame blossomed from Diello’s fingertips.

He turned to me and said,

“Especially if they have this ability and frequent the fourth floor, they are all true Argentas, so you can trust them.”

“...”

His clear blue eyes sparkled as they met mine.

Can a person… be this naive?

Where do I even begin to explain?

Not everyone in the world is a good person?

People are capable of betrayal, you know?

“That's...”

I trailed off, unable to continue. Diello extinguished the flame and burst out laughing.

“You don't have to consider the possibility of an Argenta on the fourth floor betraying us, Croire.”

He patted my shoulder as if to reassure me.

“A true Argenta knows that betrayal is a foolish act.”

Well… I glanced at the ceiling, then back at him.

“...Diello, everyone knows that betrayal is foolish. To be precise, they know that if they fail in their betrayal, they'll be ruined.”

And they also know that a successful betrayal becomes its own justice.

People who commit treason don’t do it while planning for their own ruin.

My calm words didn’t sway him.

He simply offered that characteristic smile of his.

“I understand your concern, Croire.”

He looked into my eyes and said.

Looking into those blue eyes, I felt my sanity slipping again.

How can someone be… so… impeccably clear… so innocent…?

His beautiful eyes crinkled as he smiled and said,

“Once you get to know the people of Argenta, your worries will ease considerably.”

He wrapped his arm around me as if to reassure me. Then, after seeming to ponder for a moment, he gently pulled me into an embrace.

His soft lips brushed against my neck before pulling away. It wasn’t as deep a touch as yesterday, but it was enough to startle me.

“...Is it all right if we… practice?”

Diello asked, lifting his face slightly from my neck.

“Of course.”

Of course it is! I tried to hide my face, which had flushed before I even realized it.

—*Click.*

Thankfully, as soon as I spoke, the lights began to dim. They were powered by Argenta’s magic.

“Good night.”

He whispered softly as his arm guided me down onto the plush bed.

And the room was plunged into complete darkness.

* * *

The next morning, I found myself contemplating my future.

When the real Pero arrives and Argenta begins its full-scale assault on Alloje, I naturally won’t be able to return to my family.

According to my agreement with Diello, I would have no choice but to be pro-Argenta.

Even though I’d give up the Argenta name and leave the estate, my life would remain closely tied to them.

That was unavoidable.

However.

“...You want me to do this?”

“Yes, the master asked me to present it to you.”

Pielle held out a contract of some sort, a bright smile on her face.

This was the reason I’d been worrying about my future since first thing in the morning.