Chapter 171: Oath
The carriage with its soft cushions was large enough for the three of us to travel to Agni Estate. However, the atmosphere inside was tense. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Carl, why did you follow us?” Sigren asked.
To be honest, I was relieved Carl came along. I had been worried he might attack the Erez family while I was away.
“Not for any particular reason, Your Highness.”
“…”
Carl smiled charmingly. “I just want to get to know Miss Fiona better.”
What a misleading statement.
Carl was probably testing the truth behind my words when I said, ‘I might be part of your revenge.’
“And how should I interpret that?” Sigren asked.
“However you like, Your Highness.”
“…”
The tension in the carriage suddenly grew heavier.
So, he just followed us for no real reason. Ha ha ha.
I gazed quietly out of the carriage window.
And that was how we arrived at Agni Estate.
***
Knowing the location of the diamond mine wasn’t really a big deal. This was because, in the end, the beautiful jewelry she wore at her wedding was adorned with diamonds found here. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The reason I wanted Sigren to discover the mine early was that I had promised him when we were young that he would have wealth and power. The sooner he gained that wealth, the better.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness,” the chief of the village nearest to the mine greeted me.
“Thanks to your grace, our lives have become more comfortable. I’m very grateful.”
I looked around and saw that Sigren had distributed necessities to the impoverished village. Although he was too busy to visit in person, he still seemed to manage the estate properly. Several villagers hid in the shadows of buildings, watching us uneasily. When my eyes met those of a child, I smiled and waved. The startled child hesitantly waved back, but their parents, alarmed, quickly pulled the child away.
“I want to see the mine,” Sigren said.
It would have been nice if Sigren had been more sociable. His blunt manner, especially in a village with such a tense atmosphere, didn’t help. Though not outright hostile, the villagers weren’t friendly either.
Why? Was it because this remote village was unfamiliar with nobles and royalty?
The village chief hesitated. “It’s… quite late now. Why not rest and take a look tomorrow?”
It was indeed too late to explore.
Sigren agreed. “Alright, we’ll do that.”
The chief let out a small sigh of relief as he turned away, trying to be discreet, but I noticed. I wondered why he seemed so relieved. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Our accommodations were in a mansion once used by the former lord. It was well-maintained and comfortable.
“Isn’t it strange?” I asked.
“It is strange,” Sigren replied.
I was glad I wasn’t the only one who felt it.
“The villagers’ attitudes are very odd. They seem wary of outsiders.”
I hadn’t survived the battlefield for nothing; when it came to intuition, I trusted mine.
“I think so too,” Sigren agreed.
“What about you, Carl?” I asked.
“I agree as well.”
When the three of us shared the same thought, it felt like confirmation.
“The chief seemed troubled. He looked nervous. It’s a bit suspicious if that restlessness was just because he was meeting royalty and nobles.”
“That’s true. Your Highness, have you received any reports about this from your emissary?” I asked.
Sigren shook his head. “No, I haven’t. They said it was a peaceful and quiet town, but the reality is completely different from the report I got. I think I’ll need to investigate this village.”
Carl responded calmly, “That’s my specialty.”
“I should give it a try too,” I said.
Both men looked at me simultaneously upon hearing my response. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“That doesn’t suit you, Miss,” Carl said.
“Gathering information isn’t your strong suit,” Sigren added.
Wow, I think this was the first time Carl had ever said anything critical about me.
“You gather information secretly, and I gather it openly.”
“What do you mean?” Sigren asked.
“If an innocent noble lady pretends to wander around out of curiosity, it might make some people relax.”
“Innocent…”
Sigren had to emphasize that part, didn’t he?
“And what about me?” Sigren asked.
I smiled brightly.
“Prince, since you’re rather conspicuous, please stay here and guard the quarters.”
“…”
Sigren looked dissatisfied with my suggestion. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
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