Chapter 44: Letter from Belsia — Part 2
It was addressed to the Cruz Count’s family, so it was something my father should properly receive—but the contents were too frightening not to check first.
Reading through it quickly, it said that they wished to pass on keepsakes of the deceased and tokens of gratitude to the granddaughter of Ellis, who had once helped them. They strongly hoped to invite us to Belsia.
“Is it possible to refuse this?”
At my question, Joel-sama lowered his brows slightly.
“Once you’re invited this clearly, it’s hard to refuse without a very strong reason. It’s an official document, and it’s framed as a gesture of goodwill—repaying an old favor and giving mementos of the late king along with tokens of gratitude. Regardless of whatever may be implied behind it.”
Joel-sama observed me for a moment, then sighed.
“It seems like you have a very strong reason for not wanting to go.”
Brian-sama started to rise, but Joel-sama stopped him with one hand.
“I’m not trying to pry. I’m the second prince, after all. If I couldn’t pick up on things like this, I wouldn’t survive.”
He said this with a wink.
Chuck was also looking at me, seeming very pleased.
“Could my brother go instead, as the representative of the Cruz family?”
“Ah, sorry. There was also an inventory list included, but it’s all items intended for women. Eric could go, but it clearly looks like they’re inviting the women of the family.”
It would be difficult for a count’s house to decline a formal invitation from a foreign royal family without a compelling reason.
If I lied and said I was ill, my younger sister Noel and my mother might end up going instead.
And whether they would return safely… was uncertain.
Were they targeting me and Noel?
Since they couldn’t meet my grandmother directly, did they want to observe her granddaughters and make assumptions? What a troublesome person.
Were they a deeply loving couple?
And because of that, they couldn’t tolerate the existence of another woman?
If so, I had no idea how to make them accept anything.
“This letter will be delivered to my father, correct? May I be entrusted with delivering it myself?”
“You brought it with that intention, didn’t you, Brian?”
“Well, yes. When delivering this, I will accompany you to the Cruz estate, Lady Maria. It’s dangerous, after all. I would also like to stay at the estate during that time.”
“Yes, I’ll send word immediately. Would two nights be sufficient?”
“I’ll notify Eric as well,” Brian-sama said, jotting something down on paper.
After discussion, it was decided that the letter would be delivered to the Cruz estate in four days.
Brian-sama still needed to complete his report on the memorial visit and wrap up related matters.
This letter also had to be reported to the king.
Even though it was addressed to the Cruz family, anything from a foreign royal house required notification to our own royal family.
Then, at the count’s estate, they would decide the visit date, duration, and members of the delegation, obtain the king’s approval, and only then formally approach Belsia.
We couldn’t go empty-handed either, so a suitable gift would need to be prepared in the meantime, based on the inventory that had been sent.
Considering all these formalities, the visit itself would likely take place about two months later.
Before that, those who knew the situation would need to gather and devise countermeasures.
If refusing wasn’t an option, then we had no choice but to prepare accordingly.
If my brother Eric could accompany us to Belsia, that would be somewhat reassuring—but I wondered about the schedule of the Royal Guard.
As my thoughts spiraled, Joel-sama spoke brightly.
“Lady Maria is the caretaker of my beloved Chuck. That makes this my business too, so I’ll help you think things through. But more importantly, if you go to Belsia, I’d rather not think about what will happen to Chuck while you’re away. He’ll surely become listless or sulk every day.”
That’s right—I’d be separated from Chuck for a long time too.
Taking Noel, who knew nothing, into enemy territory was already a burden—and now even my source of comfort would be taken away.
A heavy sigh escaped me.
Brian-sama watched me anxiously, then glared at Joel-sama.
“Don’t glare at me, Brian. If there’s anything you should tell me, just say it. I might be able to help a little. I won’t pry, but I will cooperate. I’m a good guy, right?”
Seeing Joel-sama’s bright expression and Chuck’s happy face beneath him, I couldn’t help but relax.
I found myself smiling as well.
“That’s quite powerful. When I look at Joel-sama and Chuck, it feels like my spirits lift instantly.”
As I said that cheerfully, Bell, who had come to my side unnoticed, lightly tapped my arm.
“Milady, your handkerchief is soiled. I’ll replace it,” she said modestly, handing me a clean one.
Her expression clearly said, “That’s not appropriate.”
When I glanced around, Joel-sama looked surprised, Chuck looked delighted, and Brian-sama was looking down.
“Was that… inappropriate?”
I asked quietly, hiding behind my fan.
Bell gave a small nod.
“My apologies.”
“No, not at all. I’m honored to be praised alongside Chuck, Lady Maria. But I hear that among human men, your favorite is Brian. What a shame.”
Joel-sama added teasingly.
“Lady Maria, that hasn’t changed, has it? Among human men, I am still number one, correct?”
Before I realized it, Brian-sama had taken my hand again.
I nodded vigorously.
Looking relieved, he rested his forehead against my hand.
“To think that Brian—who is always composed and smooth with women—is being led around like this… impressive, Lady Maria.”
“Wan!” Chuck barked.
“See? Even you think so?”
“I’m sorry. I haven’t had much interaction with men until now, so it seems my responses are a bit strange. I’ll do my best to learn from now on.”
When I tried to explain myself, Joel-sama laughed.
“That’s why he wants to take responsibility so quickly. Before any other man gets the same idea.”
Brian-sama and Joel-sama really did seem close.
They spoke frankly to each other—and quite often, it even escalated to physical antics.
Brian-sama threw the letter again.
“Hey! What if it gets ruined before we deliver it to the Cruz estate? Stop that.”
Even as he said that, Joel-sama tossed it back.
“I’d prefer if it got lost. It’s listed properly in the official document register, so I couldn’t just throw it away.”
Chuck jumped onto the table and leapt toward the flying letter.
“Hey—! Ahh… it might have bite marks now. What should we do?”
Bell subtly signaled to me.
“Let my maid handle it. Bell is a very capable maid—she can surely repair it.”
Bell said calmly, “I will repair it so that it is not noticeable.”
Since Chuck might cause more trouble, he stayed behind in the room with Joel-sama.
As we left Joel-sama’s room, Brian-sama said he would escort me back.
I thanked him for the omelet and commented on how the prince’s meals were even more delicious than usual as we walked slowly.
When we entered my room and Bell spread out the letter to prepare for repairs, Brian-sama called her over and moved into the adjoining room with her.
I wondered what it was about, and shortly after, Bell returned.
“Milady, there is something I would like to ask you. May I?”
With a slightly strange expression, Bell looked at me.