Chapter 109: A battle of Sincerity
“It’s okay; I have Livya.”
“….,” Sigren’s expression turned sulky. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Huh? You’re here too?”
“I wish I hadn’t come.”
Was he disappointed that I mentioned Livya first? His cute attitude made me laugh for a moment.
After that, the day went on normally. Once the party was over, I returned to the mansion a little later than usual.
I wrote a letter to Abel, detailing everything related to the crown prince and what had happened in the Capital during that time. As I wrote, I felt a little proud. Hadn’t I accomplished a lot on my own without Abel?! Of course, I didn’t express that feeling in the letter. Along with those matters, I mentioned that sooner or later, I would investigate the Darkness. I wanted to see the Dead Land in person.
After a while, a reply came. At this rate, he probably responded right after reading my letter.
[Fiona, the work in Heilon has piled up. I don’t think I can go to the Capital for a while. Investigating the Dead Land is very difficult, no matter how hard you try. However, I won’t stop you. I’ll send you a dog to assist you with that matter.]
I blinked in wonder. A dog? It couldn’t be a real dog, could it?
[FYI, Sigren’s permit to enter Heilon Mansion is only until 8 PM.]
Of course it was.
Unfortunately, there was no information on “the dog” he mentioned. What on earth did he mean by that?
I read the last line. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
[Good job, Fiona.]
“….”
When I read that sentence, I felt a little embarrassed. Did the letter give the impression that I wanted to be praised?
Regardless, it felt pretty good.
***
“You couldn’t. No.”
Livya tried to hide me behind her. The luxurious perfume that had recently become popular in the Capital wafted into my nose. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I have nothing to do with Lady Livya Priscilla, do I?”
Hiding was pointless; my opponent was Arrendt Clovis. But weren’t they on good terms? I recalled their relationship from the novel, where they were briefly mentioned as business partners in the past. What would that one sentence look like in reality? I was a little curious.
“Are you two close?”
“How could that be possible?”
“Is that even possible?”
“….” At least I knew the two of them got along well.
“Marquis, what business do you have with me?”
Arrendt smiled habitually. “I have a question for you.”
“Lady Fiona, Marquis Clovis is particularly not someone you should be close to.”
Livya crossed her arms, clearly displeased. It seemed she really didn’t like Arrendt. Considering her personality, it made me wonder if they were similar in some ways. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Arrendt ignored Livya’s words. “Well, to tell you in advance, my question may confuse you a bit.”
“Is that so?”
“But I prefer to talk to you alone.”
I shot a look at Livya, signaling that I would be fine. With my unspoken consent, she left.
As soon as Livya was gone, Arrendt quickly added, “Oh, also, by the way, this might be a little unpleasant.”
This guy. “Then don’t ask it.”
“I apologize in advance, but I will.”
Damn, no luck? Could I at least hit him once? Though I knew he definitely wouldn’t agree.
“Lady Fiona, have we met before?”
I remembered that at least my novel wasn’t a third-rate work. What kind of question was that?
“We met at the flower park.”
“No, before that.”
I looked at him in wonder. Had I met Arrendt before?
“No.”
Arrendt studied me suspiciously for a moment. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Why are you asking this question?”
He chuckled softly. “I cannot give you an answer.”
“Now I understand why you said it would be an offensive question.”
Normally, I would have just walked away, but I decided to show some patience. After all, he was one of the main characters, and I didn’t dislike him ‘objectively.’
“One more thing, do you know anything about the Darkness?”
“Not really. I think we should do some research.”
“Well….”
“Why on earth are you asking this question?”
In the story, Arrendt had a significant influence on Fiona. First of all, the two of them had a cooperative relationship studying the Darkness. Second, Fiona had a crush on Arrendt, although she was eventually dumped. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Actually, I’m suspicious of you, Lady, because of this Darkness matter.”
Was this guy for real?
I thought about Arrendt’s involvement, but there was nothing in particular.
“Then, why?”
“You can’t tell the reason to the person you’re suspicious of, right?”
“I tell you, that is stupid.”
Arrendt grinned. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I apologize.”
“What are you suspecting?”
“Your true identity.”
I flinched as if I had been pricked. Did he know I was not the real Fiona? But Arrendt’s next question was even more unexpected. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Excuse me, but are you a person?”
“Now you’re doubting that I’m human?”
“Yes.”
I put on my sociable smile. “If you get hit by me once, won’t you know?”
Let’s hit that bastard once.
Unexpectedly, Arrendt made a very apologetic face. At least to me, it seemed sincere. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I really don’t mean to offend you.”
“Well, you did offend me. So explain.”
“Later… I’ll tell you everything when my thoughts are sorted out.”
I honestly couldn’t grasp Arrendt’s intentions no matter how hard I tried. He was a guy with a secret that even the original author couldn’t understand. His first question then came to mind: Had I ever met him before? I didn’t think I had. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Oh, I’ve got to go. His Highness the Prince is staring at me.”
I turned my head and saw that Sigren was indeed coming this way.
For a guy who doubted me and questioned whether I was a person, he still greeted me politely and surprisingly left quickly.
Ah, let’s forget him. I have no idea what he was thinking. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
As I looked at Arrendt’s back, Sigren stood beside me. “What were you talking about?”
One question popped into my mind. I leaned against him as if I had lost my strength.
“I don’t even know.”
***
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