Chapter 79

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: A Change in the Air
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When I opened my eyes, Diello was gone.

But the scent he left behind remained. His deep musk and warmth, mingled with the fragrant oil, still clung to me.

And the mirror, placed as if to make me look at my reflection, was still there.

“...Good heavens.”

I covered my face with my hands.

Last night.

It was no use telling myself it was just a massage.

My heart pounded, and I couldn't control the strange heat that washed over my entire body like a wave.

I felt that if our eyes met, I would react to him.

And then I wouldn't be able to hold back.

I felt I might lose my reason, forget what I had to do, and just take his hand.

So I closed my eyes.

‘Sleep well.’

Until he whispered those words and left.

Just thinking about last night made me feel flushed all over again.

“You’re awake, my lady?”

The maids who had entered silently bowed to me.

“How are you feeling?”

Pielle asked. At her words, my eyes widened.

“Ah.”

The clumped mana had truly, completely vanished.

Moving felt perfectly fine.

“I'm fine.”

I was in surprisingly pristine condition.

“That's a relief.”

Pielle smiled, seemingly relieved.

“Where's Diello?”

“He is attending to his duties.”

Pielle answered lightly.

I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. I felt as if I would flush the moment I saw him again.

“He must have had breakfast, right?”

Then I should probably have a simple meal myself.

As I thought this and started to get up.

The maids moved in a flurry.

They were clearly preparing my clothes for the day.

“Which would you prefer?”

But they had laid out four different sets, complete with accessories.

...Just to go down to the first floor of the mansion for breakfast?

Of course, it wasn't that I disliked pretty dresses.

“The third one.”

I chose a light sky-blue dress that looked comfortable to move in. The maids holding the other outfits quietly stepped back.

Then, the maid holding the sky-blue dress approached.

“Allow me.”

More attentive than usual, she slipped the garment from my shoulders.

As they removed my sleeping gown, the maids' service was far more meticulous than usual.

I was dressed in an instant without having to lift a finger.

“...Everyone seems particularly diligent today.”

At my words, the maids bowed their heads.

That wasn't all.

As I headed to the first floor, four knights from the fourth floor followed behind me.

They kept their distance, perhaps worried I would be uncomfortable, but it was impossible not to notice their disciplined steps.

It was an impressive sight, but…

“...The atmosphere is different from usual.”

I finally said to Pielle, who was standing beside me.

Pielle responded with a gentle smile.

“They are expressing their gratitude.”

“Gratitude? For what—”

Ah. Only then did I take another look at the faces of the Argenta people trailing behind me.

Among them were people I had saved from the sea with my water control, as well as Argenta members from the village that received the northwestern supplies.

“They know that you care for each and every member of Argenta, my lady.”

Pielle said in a low voice.

“Please do not refuse their repayment.”

At Pielle's words, I turned to look at her.

“They would prefer it that way.”

It was the first time I'd been treated like this.

I looked at them for a moment before turning back around.

I could feel the maids watching my expression, then hurrying to keep up with me.

I could see them paying attention to my every move, trying to ensure I wasn't uncomfortable.

It would be a lie to say it wasn't a bit overwhelming, but more than that, I felt a warm, fuzzy feeling.

It was unfamiliar at first, but not a bad feeling.

Before I was transmigrated, I was always walking on eggshells, so I'd never had the chance to feel this way.

Even if it weren't me, who wouldn't be happy in front of people who so clearly wished to care for them?

“Thank you.”

I finally offered a gentle smile.

* * *

It wasn't just the servants who had changed.

Diello, whom I met after finishing a rather extravagant meal for a light breakfast, greeted me with a soft smile.

“Croire.”

One might have seen it as the same gentle smile as always.

But there was a subtle change in his aura.

Or perhaps, with last night still fresh in my mind, I was just seeing him a little differently.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Diello's voice, as he asked, sounded overly sweet.

“I'm perfectly fine. Thanks to you, Diello.”

At my words, Diello smiled with a look of satisfaction.

“My lord, you can delay your duties no longer.”

But at Pielle's cool-headed words, he gave a helpless smile.

“Then please excuse me for a moment.”

And with that, he returned to his office.

“Nias said it would be best for you to rest until the end of today.”

At Pielle's suggestion, I willingly returned to my room.

After all, it's common sense that if you run wild just because you feel better, your condition will only worsen.

However.

—Click.

There had been a huge pile of documents on his office desk, yet Diello entered the bedroom moments later.

“Diello? Are you finished already?”

In response, Diello held up a bundle of documents he had been hiding behind the door.

…Don't tell me he brought them with him?

“I wanted to be by your side, Croire.”

Saying so with a lift of his lips, he began his work at a table where he could keep me in his sights.

Of course.

“My lord. These are tasks from the knight's quarters that must be handled by today.”

“My lord, a report from the intelligence department.”

Unable to focus properly on his work, he seemed to spend more time looking at me than at his papers.

“...”

My face grew hot every time his gaze fell on me.

‘Stay just like this, Croire.’

At that moment, a strange whisper seemed to echo in my mind.

Had Diello ever said something like that?

As the hazy feeling resurfaced… he was still looking at me.

—Swoosh!

Before the pile of documents in front of him could spill over the edge of the table, I quickly lowered the bed's canopy.

Through the canopy, I could see the contrast between Diello's troubled expression and Pielle's relieved one.

And after that, naturally, Diello's work pace quickened.

What am I to do with that man?

I glanced at the mirror on the bedside table, a remnant of last night.

“...”

He wasn't the only problem.

Seeing my face flushed all the way to my ears, I quietly covered the mirror.

* * *

The next day, I naturally returned to my duties.

My trip to the sea and the display of my abilities were, of course, kept secret.

The Alloje side must be wondering how their assassins were dealt with on the sea, but they would have no reason to suspect me.

Pielle had, after all, gone to the northwestern village disguised as me.

And Diello had officially never left his office.

Duke Alloje was probably having quite a headache right about now.

Wondering what on earth had happened.

[Shadow Supply Status]

The Shadow Supplies were now escorted by more troops than before, and a new step was added to the inspection process: 'boiling various combinations of the food items in water.'

This incident would slow down the Shadow Supplies for a while, but it was said that not a single recipient complained.

On the contrary, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

Moreover.

[Argenta Special Supply]

The document, titled as such, contained the proposal I had previously made to Sir Redius.

[We are recruiting volunteers for training from among the recipients of the Shadow Supplies, and are allocating facilities and personnel.

The planned scale is...]

This, too, was said to have a very high satisfaction rate.

All who applied to participate were training diligently.

Riel's name was on the list of applicants. And below it…

[Next Training Supervisor:       ]

The blank was normally filled in by the knight's quarters.

But a name suddenly came to mind.

I glanced at Riel's name on the applicant list.

I recalled how Pielle, unable to go home for some reason, would only ask me for news.

I looked over at Diello.

“Diello. Is there a reason Pielle doesn't return home?”

At my question, Diello turned to me.

He tilted his head slightly.

When our eyes met, my cheeks flushed for no reason, and I quickly averted my gaze.

“I've only heard that it's a family matter.”

His low chuckle echoed.

“Shall I have it looked into?”

“No, that's alright.”

I waved my hand. There was no need to go that far.

If Pielle wasn't talking about it, she must have her reasons for keeping it private.

Instead, I asked something important.

“Does Pielle dislike going home?”

“Not at all. I've heard that if she has reason to be nearby, she always makes sure to check on her house, even if only from a distance.”

He held out his hand.

“She even installed a device on the door so the child could open and close it easily.”

“Hmm…”

Then it seems it's definitely not a matter of discord.

Suddenly, I remembered Pielle's words.

‘I do not wish to leave my post when I have assigned duties.’

And Redius's words, too.

‘...The sisters had a hard time after their father died.’

I wonder if something happened while their father was away.

Looking at the documents, it said only the frail Riel and their sick mother lived in that house.

“So, in short, she wants to go but can't because she doesn't have the time.”

Diello nodded at my words.

“That's about right. But why do you ask?”

He approached my desk.

[Training Supervisor: Pielle]

I showed him the blank I had filled in.

“She seems curious about news from home.”

Since a training supervisor is being dispatched to the village where Riel lives, she'll be able to check on her family with ease.

Diello's eyes widened, then he broke into a gentle smile.

“I think I understand why the maids have been so devoted to you lately, Croire.”

You're so considerate.

He said, looking at me.

…The maids have changed, but Diello has changed even more.

Before, he seemed to be holding back, aware of the reality that he had to marry Pero.

But now, he was like a flame about to catch fire.

The heat that had approached me like a dream was becoming clearer and more vivid.

Every time I received his feverish gaze.

I wanted to ask what kind of change of heart he'd had.

But I was afraid that if I asked carelessly, his flame would catch onto the hem of my dress.

A flame that could never be extinguished, never be denied.

Just as I was thinking how dry my mouth felt.

“My lady, a letter has arrived.”

“A letter?”

For me? I turned toward the door.

The knight continued in a somewhat subdued voice.

“...It's from Duke Alloje. Shall I bring it in?”

At those words, Diello's eyebrow shot up for a moment.