Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Art of Deception
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That night, Nirua succeeded in concealing Diello's lily.

Diello said he confirmed it himself—no magic was leaking out.

“It’s really gone. I can’t sense it at all.”

I could tell the moment I saw Diello after he’d had the lily concealed.

Only one lily was concealed by Nirua's ability.

To others, it would look as though Diello would lose his chance to fully awaken as the family head for good if he lost just two more lilies.

“I didn’t know it could be concealed so perfectly.”

Diello seemed surprised, too.

After all, no matter how impressive Argenta's intelligence network was, he couldn't possibly have known the secret arts of the Shadow Sword Family—something even the Allojes weren't fully aware of.

This was something only the people of the Shadow Sword Family and I, who knew the original story, would know.

‘May I be so bold as to ask?’

‘Yes?’

‘My lady, how… did you know of my ability?’

So, it seemed Nirua was curious about how I knew of this ability.

However.

‘Sir Nirua, I trust you. But everyone has things they must keep secret.’

As I said that, I made the water in my teacup move.

In short, it meant that just as I had hidden my water-controlling ability from Alloje, the way I learned of his ability was also a secret.

‘…I understand.’

Thankfully, Nirua didn't ask anything else.

“Then all we need to do now is safely finish preparing for the meeting.”

I nodded at Diello’s words.

The next day, after that weight had been lifted, I received a strange message.

“What? Someone else is trying to buy Daisy Forest for a higher price?”

“Yes.”

It was a report from Pielle.

The deal had fallen through.

What? We were just about to sign the deed. What kind of unethical business is this?

Just as I raised an eyebrow.

—*Click.*

I saw Diello peeking his head into my office.

“Does it seem serious? Should I come back later?”

“No, no.”

I waved my hand. It wasn't *that* serious... but still.

Doesn't this man have work to do during the day?

I'm sure I saw a pile of documents heading to his office just a while ago.

He finished it all already?

As I scratched my cheek.

“Croire, has something troubling happened?”

Diello, who had approached before I realized it, asked in a gentle voice.

“Ah, well.”

I pointed at the map and explained the situation.

Pielle, who had fallen silent, quietly excused herself.

“Ah… so someone else bought the forest you wanted to go to.”

Smiling as if in sympathy, he slyly took the map I was looking at.

He pointed to Daisy Forest with his hand.

“But why did you want to go to this forest?”

Because a waterway will be built there later and it'll be a huge hit… I couldn't say that, so I made something up.

“First of all, it’s far from the main Alloje and Cartiel manors.”

I started making excuses based on what was on the map.

It was true, in a way.

Diello watched as my finger pointed to the Alloje and Cartiel manors.

“So there’s less risk of being attacked, less attention from people, and most importantly, there’s water. The air is good, and it’s quiet.”

Of course, there are monsters.

“But I can just take care of the monsters with water.”

At my words, Diello looked at the map again.

“Far from the main Alloje and Cartiel manors.”

As he said that, he suddenly folded the part of the map with the Alloje and Cartiel manors.

“Has water.”

Then he folded the side where no river flowed.

“No monsters.”

He also folded the three major areas where monsters appeared.

“Good air and a quiet place.”

As he listed the various conditions and folded the map, soon only one place was left, like an island.

He smiled beautifully.

“How about this place?”

I stared in disbelief at the ‘Argetina Forest’ that remained like an island.

“This is Argenta territory.”

As I said that and looked up at Diello, my eyes met his brightly smiling face.

“The conditions are the same.”

Far from the two family manors, has water, good air, no monsters.

At his words, I couldn't help but scowl.

Ugh, you troublesome man!

“The new Pero would never welcome the former Duchess staying in Argenta territory!”

What will you do if Pero can't awaken because of that?

I crossed my arms, but Diello’s expression didn’t change a bit as he spoke.

“I’ll persuade them. Surely you don’t think I’d let any harm come to you, Croire?”

We're supposed to separate when the real Pero shows up!

“Don’t worry so much.”

As he said that with a radiant smile, I finally covered my face with my hands.

We have a business relationship, you know?

Giving me… giving me this much absolute trust is actually suspicious, you know?

But of all people, my partner was Diello Argenta.

He treated me too well, and the problem was that it was all genuine.

I really feel like a con artist! Aaargh!

—*Thud!*

When I finally slammed my face onto the desk, a startled Diello reached out.

My head, which should have hit the wooden desk, landed on his fingertips.

“Croire, you’ll get hurt.”

Diello, kind and needlessly agile.

* * *

[We shall see you soon at the Argenta banquet hall. It has been a while since I've set foot in the land of flames, and I am quite excited.]

[Argenta's banquets have always been satisfactory. We shall see you soon.]

Messages arrived, announcing their departures from Cartiel and Alloje.

“*Phew.*”

The meeting was really about to begin. A meeting where we had to deceive everyone.

I couldn't help but be nervous, but things had been proceeding well so far.

‘Sir Nirua, will you be able to stay in your room during the banquet period?’

‘Of course.’

It would be a problem if Nirua, who had escaped from Alloje, was discovered here, so I had him hidden in a suitable location.

All that was left was to act like the sweetest married couple possible.

This was the perfect chance to make them lower their guard, and I couldn't miss it.

“I hope Duke Alloje is properly deceived.”

The night before the meeting, Diello said with a worried expression.

When I mentioned I couldn't sleep, Diello came into the bedroom with a simple snack.

It was a salad that felt refreshing with every crisp bite.

He must have figured out my preference for meat at some point, because it was packed with it.

Mmm, but what if my face is bloated tomorrow after eating all this?

“He’ll be fooled.”

I replied, picking at the meat.

“You’re a good actor now, Diello.”

Much better than before!

Just the other day, you even kissed my forehead in front of the Argenta staff below the third floor.

His lips were only there for a brief moment, but my face had flushed so hotly.

…Is this what they call the student surpassing the master?

How can he be better at acting than me?

At my words, Diello’s eyes widened before he smiled.

Just as he aimed his fork at a piece of meat, I spoke.

“From Duke Alloje’s perspective, everything is proceeding very smoothly. You and I are married, there have been no issues, and most importantly, he’ll see that another lily is gone this time, so he’ll be very satisfied.”

And while he's satisfied, we can take what we want.

“We just need to make him let his guard down. That’s our goal.”

I said, spearing a piece of meat.

“No matter how much the other side has, the one who eats the tastiest part wins.”

Diello paused at my words.

Then he stealthily moved his fork away from the piece of meat he was about to spear.

Don't tell me you're not eating because I said the one who eats the tastiest part wins.

“No, you have to win, Diello.”

Honestly, I can't deal with you!

In the end, I put the piece of meat I had picked up into his mouth.

“Croire?”

Diello, who had unconsciously accepted the meat with a surprised look, blushed.

Then he burst out laughing.

“I understand.”

Then, fork still in hand, he noted the important fact.

“Our goal is to make our opponent let his guard down.”

“Yes, we just have to act as we always do.”

Just don't get nervous! Diello smiled faintly at my words.

This is why he was tricked into marrying the fake Pero in the original story!

*Sigh!*

The fortunate thing was that Diello was a fast learner.

It would be a problem if my partner-in-crime was too naive, so I'd only taught him a little.

The way he accepted it and followed along like a gentle lamb was so cute.

…No, maybe not a gentle lamb?

I recalled the lips and the heat that would touch my forehead and the nape of my neck whenever he got the chance.

Whether in front of others or when we were alone.

Practice… was it really?

I found myself blushing all over again.

And so, the next day arrived.

* * *

The first to arrive was the Cartiel carriage.

“I can already feel the heat.”

Siete greeted me in a soft voice.

“Congratulations once again on Argenta’s joyous occasion.”

This was the first time I had seen Siete Cartiel up close.

Befitting one who commanded the wind, he was cold, yet possessed the calm of a predator.

And next to him stood a girl who resembled him slightly but had a completely different air about her.

She tried to act composed, but her curious gaze darted here and there, unable to be suppressed.

Who is that child? She can't be his daughter, can she?

“Then we shall see you in the hall.”

Siete, the head of the Cartiel family, gave a brief greeting and turned away.

The child scurried after him with quick, short steps.

And after them, the Alloje carriage arrived.

*Click.* The door opened, and Duke Alloje and Pentas Alloje revealed themselves.

‘Your name. It will have to be re-engraved.’

Perhaps because that chilling voice was the last thing I'd heard from him.

I tensed up without realizing it.

Duke Alloje suddenly looked at me with a smile that said he found me unbearably lovely.

In front of others, I'm still his precious, treasured daughter, is that it?

*Ugh.*

More than nervousness, I felt a wave of nausea.