*Clack clack clack…*
The sound of distracted footsteps echoed in the room.
Emilia had been pacing back and forth, fidgeting restlessly.
– *Schlus agent personal information theft risk, flee!*
It was due to this coded message consisting of seven words that she had just deciphered.
The term ‘agent’ clearly referred to an intelligence agency operative.
It meant that Schlus had stolen data containing the personal information of an intelligence agency agent.
She couldn’t quite grasp how that could have happened, but if it was true—
“Wh-What a mess.”
*I’m in deep trouble. Seriously deep trouble.*
If it involved agents’ personal info, Emilia’s must be included too, and Schlus would easily see through her identity.
The intelligence agency must have issued a command to flee considering the risk.
But there was one problem.
The coded message had arrived yesterday.
She had been so busy lately that she could only decipher it a day later.
“So I’ve already been discovered, huh…?”
Schlus had taken the data, and more than a day had passed.
This meant there was a high likelihood that she had already been caught.
But Schlus hadn’t tried to kick her out or even showed the slightest sign of noticing her.
That only meant one thing.
Schlus was pretending not to notice.
“Why?”
But nothing came to mind as a reason.
Why would he leave a maid who was a spy from an enemy nation alone?
“I have no idea why, but…”
Emilia decided to take action and picked up the coded message.
With a flick of her fingers, the paper went *whoosh* and vanished in flames.
“I can’t escape.”
She made her decision.
If Schlus had no intention of kicking her out, she had no intention of leaving voluntarily.
If he was pretending he didn’t know, then all she had to do was pretend she didn’t notice either.
Let’s see who can hold out longer.
Thus, the uncomfortable cohabitation began…
which Emilia now realized.
*
*Clack clack clack…*
The clear sound of shoes echoed in the hall.
The raucous talking of the nobles turned abruptly, their gazes fixed on the entrance.
Schlus Hainkel. An unwelcome guest, a commoner had arrived.
“Host! What is the meaning of this? How can a commoner—”
“He’s a guest invited from Flechette.”
“…”
The nobles froze at the staff’s quiet response.
Flechette. No one could contest the fact that one of the three great families had formally invited him.
Only the other two great families, the Wigenshteins and the Lichtenburgs, could raise objections.
Wigenshtein… oddly wasn’t present. That left only Lichtenburg.
The nobles looked expectantly at Madam Lichtenburg.
“Count Lichtenburg’s deputy. A commoner has entered, but… Ha ha…”
“Is there a problem? The Saintess personally invited him.”
“Ah…”
Madam Lichtenburg responded with a smirk, gazing straight ahead.
To where Iris, the Saintess of Flechette, sat gracefully.
And with her condescending smile, she answered without needing to say anything.
*I simply don’t like it…*
Honestly, she couldn’t understand what that Saintess was thinking.
When she went out to heal, she looked like a truly benevolent saint, but at times during official events, she resembled a dark-hearted politician.
She was the one who had restored Flechette’s position among the three great families, even though she was supposed to be a troublesome brat.
Deciding on how to deal with the cunning elder of Flechette was easier than confronting that young girl.
Every word she spoke seemed like a glimpse into the future…
Indeed, a Saintess recognized by the Papal Palace, huh.
Madam Lichtenburg sighed deeply and turned her head sharply.
“It’s been a long time since you came out, Lady Julia.”
“…It’s nice to meet you. I see you resemble the Countess, truly beautiful.”
“Ah… yes…”
The nobles surrounded Julia.
Since Julia rarely came out, such scenes unfolded on the rare occasions she did.
She had no great talents or claims to inheritance, yet her striking beauty was more than enough to capture the nobles’ attention.
She even received proposals from dukes and counts quite frequently.
They thought it best to marry her off before her health worsened, but Julia firmly rejected every single one of them.
Due to her being sickly since birth and feeling guilty for not caring for Erica as well, they couldn’t force her into marriage.
“Julia seems quite confused.”
“Ha ha. I apologize for this. Well, we shall take our leave now.”
As the nobles withdrew, Madam Lichtenburg held onto her daughter’s hand.
So small, it was hard to believe it belonged to an eleven-year-old.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Mm. No, I’m the one grateful Julia came out like this.”
Julia, who barely moved unless it was a necessary event, was beginning to venture outside, perhaps?
Madam Lichtenburg held onto that vague hope, but it was all in vain.
Julia had come out to meet one person.
The very person her mother despised.
“Ah…”
That person was now approaching.
Brushing off the noble’s attempts to strike up a conversation. Directly.
Madam Lichtenburg’s expression darkened in an instant.
“Head Maid.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Could you take Julia somewhere private? She seems to be feeling dizzy.”
“Mother, I’m fine—”
“Quickly.”
The maid swiftly wheeled away, disappearing from the hall.
As Schlus Hainkel, the man who was practically the center of attention at the gathering, drew near, Madam Lichtenburg let out a heavy sigh.
She was certain they had sent the strongest crow, and yet here he was, alive and well.
It was frustrating, but that was all.
What could a mere commoner do to her?
If he complained noisily, she’d just remind him of the social divide and have him sent away.
With that thought, Madam Lichtenburg raised her eyes.
“You’re looking healthy, Madam. I’m relieved.”
“…?”
Schlus approached with a beaming smile.
In that moment, she felt a sense of unease.
A thin recognition interference barrier had been deployed around them.
This must be his doing.
“I have nothing to discuss with you. So—”
“Madam, turn around. You will regret it.”
“…”
At that moment, when she turned away, Schlus’s lower voice rang in her ears.
How rude, to be speaking in such a casual tone like a commoner!
And was he actually trying to threaten her?
He could easily snap her neck, yet she felt no fear.
Go ahead, try it.
“See if you can make me regret it.”
“What a shame. Your daughter is quite beautiful.”
“…!”
Madam Lichtenburg whipped around.
Knowing full well she was falling for Schlus’s provocation, she couldn’t help herself.
If she ignored him and walked away, he might actually do something to her daughter.
A commoner with nothing to lose might really go through with it.
Her own life didn’t matter, but mentioning her daughter made it impossible to ignore.
“…What do you want?”
“What do I want? I have no desires. I merely came to deliver a warning.”
“A warning…?”
“Madam, pay close attention. There won’t be a second reminder.”
“…”
Schlus picked up a champagne glass from the table, grinning widely.
To those outside the barrier, they must seem like two people having a pleasant conversation.
Madam Lichtenburg tried not to show her tension as she accepted the glass he offered.
“If you want to kill me, that’s fine. In fact, I would prefer you to keep it up. Because thanks to that, I had the opportunity to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“… ”
“But putting my companions in danger is unacceptable. This time, no harm was done, but if anyone had died, one of your lovely daughters would have had to pay their debt with their life.”
“Stop carelessly talking about my daughter.”
For a moment, her anger bubbled over, and Madam Lichtenburg’s shoulders trembled as she replied.
With her daughter’s life at stake, the outcome was essentially already decided, but she couldn’t let that show.
Feign that she wasn’t being threatened. It was vital to maintain the appearance of having the upper hand.
“Ha. Courtesy?”
When Schlus grinned, a chill ran down her spine.
“Discussing courtesy, huh? Sure. Fine. You probably see commoners as unbelievably rude. But from our perspective, the truly rude ones are you.”
“What do you mean—”
“The commoners who misstep and act rudely get beaten to death. But what about nobles? Those with power can act foolishly without consequence. That’s why you all lose basic courtesy. You can’t even remember the proper attitude to take in front of someone you tried to kill but failed.”
“… ”
Madam Lichtenburg barely managed to suppress her frustration at his words.
In some ways, it was the truth, so she didn’t feel inclined to retort.
Anything she said would simply sound like the barking of a noble with no basic manners.
“What I want is nothing special, Madam. I just want you to maintain a bit of basic courtesy. That’s all, is it really that difficult?”
Schlus smiled as he spoke.
At that moment, the faint ripple of mana vanished.
The barrier was gone.
Madam Lichtenburg clenched her teeth and glared at Schlus.
“By the way, I never got to hear your introduction.”
“…What?”
“Introduction. Would you do me the honor?”
Schlus looked down at her with a cold gaze.
Though it was framed as a question, it was neither a question nor a request nor even a demand. It was a coercion.
From his eyes, Madam Lichtenburg quickly grasped what Schlus desired.
If she hesitated and stumbled through it, it would only lead to greater embarrassment.
If she was going to do it, she might as well do it right.
Madam Lichtenburg bit her lip in shame and grasped her skirt.
“Irene von der Lichtenburg. Countess Deputy.”
With one leg stepping back and the other bending at the knee, she performed a curtsy.
A greeting one would normally give only to someone of higher dignity.
Madam Lichtenburg had never before showed such respect to anyone other than royalty.
Certainly, silence descended and every gaze turned towards them.
She felt her face flush with heat as she straightened up.
“Hmm. Now this feels more appropriate.”
“… ”
Schlus burst into laughter, holding out his glass.
Madam Lichtenburg, with trembling hands, met his and clinked the glasses.
A *cling* of clear sound resonated, and Schlus leisurely downed his champagne.
It felt almost like a humiliating peace treaty was being signed.
