Chapter 21: The Charm? — Part 3

At last, we have passed through the heaviest developments.

From here on, the romance deepens and the atmosphere grows brighter.

Though the mystery still lingers in the background.

Please enjoy.

Tea was brought in, and we were finally able to take a breath.

After inhaling the fragrance and calming myself, I asked the question I had been avoiding.

“Who will claim Merry’s body?”

“That has not yet been decided.
Messengers have been sent to her family.
If the Baron of Bath or Jason does not claim her, the church will likely take responsibility.”

So she truly had nowhere to go, I thought.

I knew dwelling on it would do no good, so I dropped another sugar cube into my tea and drank it.

She died.
Both times.

And what about me?
The thought brushed faintly across my mind.

At that moment, my eyes met Brian-sama’s.
It seemed he had been watching me the entire time.

“Lady Maria, your demeanor changes each time we meet.
You are a most intriguing person.”

Oh no. I had forgotten.

This man misses nothing.

Then I must leave quickly.

“Is that so?
Perhaps I am simply very tense.
In that case, I shall take my leave.
Thank you for your consideration today.”

“I had arranged to visit the Count’s estate tomorrow, but with this incident, it appears I will be unable to call for some time.”

“That is most unfortunate.
Please excuse me, then.”

I stood first.
My brother hurried to follow, offered his farewells, and exited the room.

“I will escort you out.”

Brian-sama fell into step beside me.
I walked with my gaze lowered.

It would not do for him to suspect that I knew about Merry’s murder.
Nor that I feared the culprit might break into our estate.
Secrets upon secrets.

Lost in such thoughts, I walked quietly.

By the time we reached the gate, we had become the focus of attention.
Few women were present on these grounds—certainly no noble daughters.

Bell and I stood out conspicuously, and being the center of so many male gazes made me deeply uncomfortable.

When Brian-sama cast a sharp look at them, they quickly dispersed.

I felt relief wash over me.

“Thank you.
It seems I am still not accustomed to being stared at by men.”

“At last, you speak to me plainly.
I had begun to fear you were avoiding me today.”

I flinched.

“That could not be further from the truth.
So many things have happened—I suppose I am simply tired.”

My brother swiftly offered his hand and helped me into the Count’s carriage.

As I leaned back into the seat, I sighed in relief.
At least I had escaped those eyes.

Yet almost immediately, I realized I would not be seeing those deep blue—almost navy—eyes anymore, and an inexplicable disappointment welled within me.

I quietly leaned toward the window and peered outside.
Brian-sama stood a short distance away, watching this way.

“If it’s through the window, that should be fine.”

Murmuring to myself, I met his gaze.

Clear, vivid blue eyes.
When I return home, I must embroider again.

The thought made my heart flutter.
I smiled without thinking.

Brian-sama looked suddenly troubled.

The carriage began moving toward home, but we decided to stop by the fountain to see if the Second Prince’s dog might be there.

Sure enough, a dog had its head buried in the water, drinking.

“Brother, is that the one?”

“No.
The prince’s dog is smaller, with shorter legs.”

“I see.
Then perhaps tomorrow.
You said it had been missing for two days?”

“That would make today,” my brother said, and we decided to wait a while.

“By the way, you were rather cold to the Vice Commander today.”

“Cold?
I was only avoiding his eyes so he would not uncover our secret.”

“Hm,” my brother made an odd sound.

“Father mentioned the Vice Commander requested a visit addressed specifically to you, to offer thanks for the recent matter.”

“I heard from Lloyd.”

“Do you suppose the Vice Commander has feelings for you?”

I laughed.

“That is impossible.
He is far too splendid.
Surely he is quite popular.
I would not even be considered.”

My brother shifted his gaze toward Bell.
Just like Lloyd, they seemed to communicate silently.

“In other words, you are unaware that Prince Brian is the object of admiration for young ladies throughout society.”

“Well, naturally!
Even I thought he was wonderful.”

My brother glanced at Bell again.
I saw her lips curve faintly.

“We have exchanged letters once.
In my reply, I enclosed a handkerchief embroidered with blue flowers and a pale green bird.”

She paused before adding,

“It was a magnificent piece.
And a single spritz of her favorite perfume.
That was a thoughtful touch from Mr. Lloyd and myself.”

“Oh,” my brother murmured, staring at me.

He watched me for a long moment before relaxing.

“…And after that reunion today, you behaved as you did.
All of this entirely without awareness.”

“Yes, precisely.
I shall remain vigilant at all times.
Mr. Lloyd as well.”

Bell declared this quite firmly.

“What a handful,” my brother muttered, reaching out to ruffle my hair—then abruptly stopping.

“Right.
It was always like this when we were young.”

Just then, I spotted a small figure running toward the fountain.

“Look, that short-legged dog.
Isn’t it?
What an unusual face.”

My brother glanced outside, flung open the carriage door, and dashed out.

He scooped the dog up from behind as it drank and returned, tucking it under his arm.

“That’s the one.
The Second Prince’s beloved dog, gifted from another country.”

The dog flailed its short legs indignantly, perhaps unhappy at being interrupted.
Its unfamiliar face was oddly endearing.

It seemed to give up struggling and instead gazed at me with mournful eyes.

“Poor darling.
Would you like to come here?”

I extended my arms.
The tiny front paws stretched eagerly toward me.

“Wait.
Its paws are wet from the fountain.
We must wipe them first.”

Bell promptly dried the dog’s paws with a handkerchief before handing it to me.

The dog whimpered softly and buried its face against my chest.
When I stroked it, it made contented little sounds.

“Oh my, I’m sure it is doted upon by the ladies of the palace.
How affectionate.”

My brother frowned.

“I’ve heard it runs away when women approach.”

“It doesn’t seem that way at all…”

Since returning to the palace immediately would be troublesome, we decided to take the dog back to our estate and return it the next day.

Its name was Chuck.
When I called it, it reacted with great enthusiasm, spinning in circles on my lap.

Then it began gathering the fabric of my skirt, as if making a bed.

Soon enough, it burrowed into it and fell asleep.