Chapter 49: The One Who Does Not Come

As always, Lady Albertina continued to be hopelessly devoted to her father.

Perhaps because he was acting as lord in place of the duke, Kishutaria had recently been spending more time in his office next to his private chambers, often wearing a troubled expression. The Latiche territory was prosperous, and with that came a constant flow of people. Even though it was considered relatively safe within the Sandis Kingdom, the more people gathered, the more likely it was that unsavory types would appear as well. Wherever people gathered, money followed. When I had seen the town the other day, it had been lively and full of energy, but it seemed that not every corner was so peaceful.

“I wish there were something I could do to help…”

“Just that thought alone would make Lord Kishutaria very happy.”

Even so, I was practically a useless shut-in noble lady. Anna said that kindly, but was that really enough? Julius had been assisting Kishutaria, so he had once again been away from my side more often.

“I wonder what happened in our territory?”

“…It seems there was a case of slave trafficking. It is prohibited in this country, but because many migrants come from neighboring lands, some were being abducted before obtaining proper residency and sold off to other nations.”

“How terrible… How severe is the damage?”

“It is still unclear how many have already been taken and sold. A wealthy group calling themselves the Blue Blood Club was conducting auctions under the guise of masquerade balls and was apprehended all at once. Those rescued at the venue are safe, but tracking those already sold abroad will be extremely difficult.”

The Sandis Kingdom prohibited both slavery and human trafficking in principle. Criminal slavery existed as an exception, but that was part of punishment—reserved for those deemed beyond rehabilitation, sent to mines or remote battlefronts. Still, even without an official system, the buying and selling of people persisted in the shadows, making eradication nearly impossible. Slaves were often marked with brands and restrained with chains or collars so they could be recognized at a glance. I had never seen such things myself.

Despite being a land known for its beautiful people, the country was strict about slavery, which ironically made its citizens rare and highly valued abroad. Other races such as the Selke, with mismatched eyes, or elves with long lifespans, were treated as high-class slaves. The Moon Wolf tribe, known for combat prowess, was traded as soldiers, and some beastfolk even entered slavery voluntarily to rise through strength. However, young female or child beastfolk were sometimes sought after by eccentric nobles.

No matter how many times authorities cracked down, smuggling and auctions resurfaced year after year.

Come to think of it, Julius had often warned me that if I wandered outside alone, I would be captured and sold. That only reinforced my belief that the outside world was frightening. Truly, long live staying indoors.

Perhaps the royal family’s barrier-focused magic existed to protect people from such dangers. Surrounded by powerful nations that specialized in offensive magic, the Sandis Kingdom served as a kind of stabilizer. Without its protective magic, wars might easily break out among neighboring countries.

…Though, thinking about it, the current candidates for the throne were scandal-ridden. Would that really be alright?

Fortunately, King Lauzes governed steadily and sincerely, if not brilliantly. By the time Kishutaria inherited the duchy, a generational shift would likely have occurred. The king was elderly, after all. I could only hope that, for Kishutaria’s sake, the next crown prince would not be incompetent.

Would Princes Lucas and Leold even be allowed to inherit the throne after everything? The council of elders chose successors, and they were said to be rigid traditionalists. Perhaps they would pull a candidate from a collateral branch? I would not know—I was unfamiliar with high society. Technically, even I belonged to such a branch through my mother’s family, the Fortuna ducal house. Surely they had already been approached.

Past kings had been rather indulgent, so it would not be surprising if there were illegitimate descendants somewhere. Would such a person become a Cinderella-like figure? Absolutely not for me.

Recently, both Kishutaria and Julius had grown unusually cautious about my behavior, and even Michaelis had written asking if something was troubling me. Was it because of my plans to join a convent or live as a commoner? I only wanted independence, yet they seemed opposed.

I had never acted like a villainess as in the game. I might have caused trouble due to my ignorance, but I had never bullied anyone. And yet, for some reason, I was still receiving romantic affection—from multiple people, no less. Kishutaria and Michaelis were supposed to be targets, but somehow their routes had failed and instead flags had been raised with me. Even Julius, who should not have been a target, was undeniably handsome.

Could it be that even Father, Raven, or Sebas were possible routes?

No, absolutely not.

Julius fit the classic older character archetype, and there was also Findor Tran, the teacher. Raven might count as a younger route, but Father and Sebas were impossible. Father was my actual father, and Sebas was practically an elderly man. That would be far too extreme.

I had played the original R18 version on PC in my previous life. I even bought a high-resolution display and expensive headphones just to fully enjoy it. Yet strangely, I could not remember my own name from that life.

Was I not an independent adult woman back then?

Why, then, was I treated like a child here?

My height might not be great, but I believed I had a respectable figure. Still, I was treated as a child, which made little sense.

When it came to my childhood friends, I liked them all, but choosing one above the others was impossible. Kishutaria was already a capable heir, Julius had risen to nobility through sheer ability, and Michaelis had developed his domain impressively. They were all exceptional men, far beyond what someone like me deserved.

Still, once our student days ended, things would change. They would have to seek proper partners. Julius, in particular, was already receiving numerous marriage proposals.

Looking out the window, I saw a carriage bearing the ducal crest leaving the estate. Perhaps another inspection. I wished I had known so I could see him off. The carriage soon disappeared beyond the gates.

Time passed, and the sun began to set. The sky turned reddish, the air grew colder, and I wrapped a shawl around my shoulders as I searched for a carriage that was no longer there.

(…They are not back yet. Neither Kishutaria nor Father.)

Kishutaria was likely occupied with the trafficking investigation. It was a matter serious enough for the duke himself, judging by the commotion in the mansion. Even Sebas and Julius were nowhere to be seen today.

The northern stampede was still ongoing, with monsters endlessly emerging. I knew Father would not lose, but the timing overlapped with the late stage of the story. Many events were supposed to occur now, yet with the heroine imprisoned and me being a useless shut-in instead of a villainess, nothing seemed to be unfolding as expected.

“My lady, dinner is ready. Lady Latine is attending a soirée, and Lord Kishutaria is still out on inspection. Would you prefer to dine in the hall or have your meal brought to your room?”

“In my room, please… The hall is too large. It only makes me feel lonelier.”

“My lady… They will both return by tomorrow morning.”

“Fufu, that is reassuring. I really am quick to lose heart.”

Even my attempt at a smile failed, and Anna’s calm expression softened with concern before she quietly withdrew.

Soon, night fell completely.

Drawn by some impulse, I stepped out onto the balcony. Once before, Kishutaria had come to me through a storm using magic, only to scold me afterward for letting a man into my room at night.

I gazed outside, but there was no sign of movement at the gates. With no moon visible, it must have been a new moon night, the darkness especially deep. Feeling the chill, I turned back toward my room.

Without ever noticing the presence hidden in the shadows of the roof, watching me the entire time.