Ah, just because I say I’m thinking about getting engaged doesn’t mean I actually want to.
Wink!
Of course, I need to keep an escape route open. I’m dealing with the Count Crowfield here.
Zoom!
“I would appreciate your assistance, as I have plenty of chances to attempt this.”
I quickly said that to the two before Mia arrived.
“First, find that glasses-wearing guy tomorrow morning. I’m not sure if he’ll be in the territory again, but… if he is, it’ll probably be the same place as last time.”
Ding!
“I remember.”
Alice nodded in agreement. Claire didn’t know the place as she wasn’t with us at the time, but she still nodded along with Alice.
After all, Claire saw me almost get killed by that guy.
Gasp!
…Then again, unlike me who managed to restrain myself, that guy might actually end up in hell.
Boom!
But I don’t care! Even if he goes to hell, I intend to reset this world.
Whoosh!
I mean, my companions are growing, and I can’t just ruin that progress.
“Send the two of you to that place. You need to stick together. That way, Claire can assist in case of an emergency.”
Thud!
And we’re not the only ones here. Claire and Alice have their own escorts, even if they’re not mine.
“It’s best if it happens that you ‘coincidentally’ encounter an illegal gambling den while ‘coincidentally’ getting involved and ‘coincidentally’ offer help.”
Whistle!
“…Won’t they notice if we act like that?”
“If they notice, it doesn’t matter. In the meantime, I’ll be convincing Count Crowfield.”
Chime!
“Is that okay?”
While answering Alice, Claire asked with a worried face.
“The Goddess has been manipulating time, so it’s an excellent moment for my death, right?”
Uh-oh!
There’s no way Count Crowfield would be trying to kill me.
Gulp!
Although he’s someone at odds between the Emperor’s faction and the nobility faction, the Count I know is thoroughly self-serving. He may have the talent to lead a territory well if it weren’t for the drugs and that depraved hobby, but his head’s not fit after living in addiction for so long.
Facepalm!
To put it another way, he probably lost any values of loyalty to the Emperor or aristocracy long ago.
Shudder!
The Emperor might not have gotten rid of Count Crowfield for that reason. Even considering his underlying anxieties.
Yikes!
But that’s why I should be even more careful. The Count might succumb to his desires and try to pounce on me, and if he slips and hits his head just wrong, who knows where he’ll end up!
Splat!
So, I came prepared.
Ta-da!
I pulled out a gun from my pocket.
Pop!
It was a small gun. The barrel was shorter than my finger, so even if I aimed carefully, I wouldn’t know where I’d hit.
Pew-pew!
For such a minor weapon, it took .455 caliber rounds.
Bang!
It was a women’s self-defense revolver. A model that holds two rounds. With the voluminous dress typical of this era, it’s easy to hide anywhere.
Shhh!
Thank goodness they don’t have metal detectors here yet. I tucked it inside my thigh and even the searchers couldn’t find it.
Ha-ha!
To reiterate, all the servants in this mansion are male. There’s no one here capable of ‘properly’ searching a noblewoman’s body.
Zing!
“You do realize this gun could hit a person from ten meters away with two shots if I needed it, right?”
Boom!
As long as I can get a shot to land, I can hit anyone. I can just reset time infinitely.
Time warp!
I hardly practiced shooting in this world. I had to be a pure ‘strategist character.’ I had to be physically weak enough to be easily broken.
Crack!
That way, the Emperor would underestimate me.
Uh-oh!
He must clearly recognize that besides my ‘intelligence,’ I’ve got nothing else.
Uh-huh!
But that doesn’t mean I can entirely let the talents I’ve nurtured go to waste.
Bingo!
“…Okay. If that’s what you think.”
Alice said with a sigh.
“Then let’s discuss that matter—”
“Let’s do it tomorrow morning.”
I quickly cut off Alice mid-sentence.
Snip!
I heard footsteps outside the door. That must be Mia coming in.
Shuffle!
This was still information I couldn’t share with Mia yet. Even if she’s disappointed in her father, she’s still the daughter of those two.
Dilemma!
…Moreover, if I were to get engaged to Count Crowfield, then I’d be Mia’s mother, right? Just the thought makes my head spin.
Whee-oo!
There’s absolutely no way that’s happening.
Knock knock!
“Um, everyone?”
Creak, opens!
Mia pushed the door open with her elbow and came in.
Bam!
As expected, Mia was carrying a tray. A teapot, teacups, and a bit of snacks.
Ding-dong!
Considering the tea we had downstairs earlier, I bet those are quite high quality too.
Cha-ching!
This territory profits from selling drugs. They must have money dripping everywhere. Plus, they cleverly sell it as morphine precursor, after all.
Wink!
“I brought tea and snacks.”
Mia smiled, her face looking so pure that it pricked a corner of my heart.
Ouch!
Wham!
The person selling drugs and addicted to them still usually decorates their home nicely. They wouldn’t be living in a mess with that much money.
Huh?
Or maybe not? Think about it; it’s common in dramas, movies, or even news to see the homes of drug addicts being a sight for sore eyes.
Shock!
The fact that this place is so well-kept must just mean that someone is exceptionally skilled at maintaining the garden.
Garden party!
“So, what was the reason for calling me here, Lady Grace?”
A deep baritone voice stroked my back.
Whoosh!
It’s not like anyone actually touched me. That voice just slid across my body. And the gaze too.
Glance!
When I turned around, there stood Count Crowfield, gazing at me intently.
Heartbeat!
…Looks like I really had a type.
Heart eyes!
Honestly, even I think ‘Sylvia Black’s’ appearance is beautiful. If this weren’t ‘my’ body, I’d definitely feel some attraction. The ridiculous nickname ‘Black Lily’ must have come to be because of people being attracted to me.
Eye roll!
Getting Count Crowfield to come all the way here was harder than expected.
Challenge accepted!
Inviting the Count himself was easy. He naturally trailed behind me as soon as I suggested talking privately, as if it was obvious.
Trotting!
The problem was getting Countess Crowfield here.
Eek!
She glared at him intensely while he conversed with another woman, and whenever I tried to involve him in a conversation, she’d somehow squeeze herself in.
Interrupt!
Being the closest aide to the two princesses, she couldn’t openly insult me, but it seemed she was intent on keeping an eye.
Spy mode!
Does she feel jealousy over a girl her daughter’s age? Well, that’s not uncommon in the world I lived in.
Drama alert!
So, I twisted time a few times, observing Count Crowfield in detail. Only after rewinding about four mornings could I subtly ask, “Could we meet in the garden in thirty minutes?”
Tick-tock!
“We have important matters to discuss.”
I said while glancing down at the flowers planted in the garden. At least they didn’t plant poppies there.
Pretty flowers!
“If it’s about something important…”
Count Crowfield’s voice carried an unexpected excitement.
Exciting!
Thinking about it, it’s quite funny. I merely mentioned that we had something to discuss, but I hadn’t whispered any words of affection or love.
Nope!
But the Count isn’t exactly a stunning beauty either. Maybe he was back in his youth. I wouldn’t know, but Mia’s good looks must’ve come from her parents. The Baroness had a slightly sharp edge, but she was quite a beauty, so I can see how the Count’s looks could have been one of the ‘conditions’ for winning her affection.
Condition check!
He might have been trapped in those memories of his youth ever since.
Lost in time!
“It’s about the current political situation.”
Alert!
“Oh? The political situation.”
Whistle!
Did he think I was just a bashful lady trying to attract his attention awkwardly? I could even see his thick mustache twitching as he spoke.
Wiggle!
The sight of his prickly beard moving was quite unpleasant, so I cut to the chase.
Slash!
“A war is about to happen. At this rate, Crowfield will be at the frontlines, and of course, all the accomplishments you’ve worked hard for will be at risk of collapsing.”
Bam!
Count Crowfield’s footsteps toward me abruptly stopped.
Halt!
“A Dreadnought-class imperial battleship will be passing over Crowfield. Along with fighter jets slicing through the sky.”
Uh-oh!
“…What?”
Shocking!
“I happen to know the vulnerabilities of that Dreadnought-class battleship. If it’s needed, I can share that information with you. What do you think?”
Whispering!
Count Crowfield’s expression suddenly drained of emotion.
Blank stare!
He didn’t hide his expression to suppress his feelings; he was genuinely ‘dazed.’
Dazed!
Well, even if I look like this now, I’ve had my share of massive accidents in the previous timeline.
Whoosh!
I know just where to hit inside the battleship to bring it down properly, after all.
Kaboom!
That means I don’t necessarily need to do it ‘myself,’ right?
Right on!
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