Chapter 27: The Attack — Part 1
In the middle of the wide garden, Mother was speaking with a man who appeared to be a messenger.
“I will go and hear what he has to say.
Please wait here.”
Bell said this and hurried toward Mother.
At that moment, I saw Lloyd approaching us briskly.
He was the most reliable source in such situations, and the moment I saw his face, I felt relief.
“Welcome back, my lady.
Welcome, Young Master of the Duke of Rose House.”
“When did they arrive?”
“Only a short while ago.
The items have not yet been brought inside.
They insisted on haste, but I stopped them.”
“Where is my brother?”
“At the knights’ training grounds.
I have already informed him of the situation.
He should be here shortly.”
After speaking with Mother, Bell returned.
“My lady, the messenger claims he has come to deliver apology gifts from the Marquis House.
He says prior notice should have reached us.”
“There was no notice.
How strange.”
Led by Lloyd, we approached Mother.
The moment I saw the man standing before her, the blood drained from my face.
That man!
Though his demeanor was entirely different, there was no mistake.
My heart pounded violently, heat rushing into my ears.
“Maria, you are early.
These are apology gifts from the Marquis House, for you.”
Mother spoke cheerfully.
Then the man opened his mouth.
“I am Marco, a servant of the Marquis House.
I have been sent with items of apology for Lady Maria.
There are furnishings and small goods alike.
Should anything not suit your taste, arrangements may be made for exchange at a later date.
We would be grateful if you would examine them now.”
That voice.
The same voice that had said, smiling, that he would ensure there would be no trouble.
So this was his method of entering the estate in broad daylight?
What were these crates!?
Could a mere criminal prepare so many?
“Leave them here.
I will look at them later.
I am fatigued.”
Was I still dreaming?
My voice sounded mechanical.
Flat.
“Oh my, it would be discourteous to treat a gift from the Marquis House so casually.
They must be carried inside.”
Mother was correct—under normal circumstances.
But this time, she was entirely wrong.
“Why so sudden?
We received no prior word.”
“I cannot reveal the details, but an unfortunate matter has occurred within the Marquis House.
We were instructed to act before things grow hectic.”
“Oh my.
How dreadful.
We understand.”
Mother interpreted the implication and nodded sympathetically.
This was bad.
We must not allow this man inside.
My thoughts were scattered, but that much was certain.
“My room is in disarray from preparing to go out.
It is not suitable to receive anyone now.
Here will suffice.”
“Then we shall have them carried into the hall.”
Mother said brightly.
“Mother, my brother will be here shortly.
Please wait.”
My tone came out sharper than intended.
Mother looked startled.
So did the man.
“I had heard you were a very quiet young lady.
It seems rumors are unreliable.”
“Did you hear that from the maid Merry, perhaps?”
At once, I sensed the tension in Lloyd and Bell beside me.
“Merry?
You mean that insolent woman?
I had no opportunity to meet her.
I understand your anger.
These are part of the apology for that matter.
Please accept them.”
He assumed I was angry at Merry.
But Lloyd and Bell, who knew the truth, must have sensed the strangeness of his mention of her name here.
I stepped back and whispered to Lloyd.
“Urge my brother to hurry.”
Then, lowering my voice further—
“It is that man.”
Lloyd and Bell stiffened, staring at me.
Bell moved closer to my side.
“I shall inform Lord Eric to come at once.
Please wait.”
Lloyd bowed politely and departed at nearly a run.
“Maria-jou.
While we wait, may I speak with you briefly?”
Brian-sama’s voice snapped me back to myself.
The world, which had felt unreal like a dream, suddenly solidified.
We walked a short distance away and spoke in low tones.
“He is the murderer.
And the man targeting my belongings.”
“We will discuss how you know later.
But he is dangerous, correct?”
“Most likely.
He appears to be after the jewel my grandmother left me.
Neither he nor I know which piece it is.”
Brian-sama muttered, “Damn.
I am unarmed.”
Today he escorted me to visit His Highness and had not brought his sword.
“Bell.
Tell my brother to bring a sword.
For Brian-sama.”
Bell hurried toward the barracks.
Brian-sama strolled beside me, observing the Marquis House servants.
“That man is strong.
The others are not remarkable.
His aim is your jewelry.
He will remain quiet until he gains entry.”
As we returned to Mother and the man, Brian-sama asked softly,
“Were you intending to lure him inside and capture him?”
“Yes.
But I never imagined he would come like this, in broad daylight.”
When we rejoined them only minutes later, the man smiled gently and inclined his head toward me.
I hid my face behind my fan and studied him with my eyes alone.
Today he played the role of a Marquis House servant flawlessly.
So earnest.
He could assume any face he pleased.
Perhaps I stared too long.
A flicker of suspicion crossed his features.
I seized Brian-sama’s sleeve and steadied myself.
We needed time—any excuse to stall.
“Has the succession within the Marquis House progressed?
Has the next Marquis already arrived?”
“No.
Not yet.
It will take several months.”
“I see.”
“There are many matters and possessions to transfer.
Incidentally, I heard that Lady Maria’s jewelry was stolen by Merry.
You must have been greatly disappointed.
For a lady, jewelry is precious.”
“Yes.
They were favorites.”
“Were they heirlooms passed down through your family?”
He was probing.
What answer was correct?
If I said there were few, would he give up?
Or perhaps I should claim most had already been sold.
As I considered this, Mother spoke first.