Side Story 4

Agnita supported the unconscious Annibella. Versha quickly entered the alley where the incident had occurred, accompanied by the local guards.  

The five men, whose hands and feet had been completely frozen, begged for their lives.  

“Two men are dead here.”  

“Clean it up quickly.”  

The man, who appeared to be the captain of the guards, urgently gave orders to his subordinates and swiftly managed the scene. He then bowed deeply to Meia and Theodore.  

“Greetings. I am Shubern Rudmax, the Captain in charge of maintaining order at Elaine Port. It’s an honor to meet you.”  

Shubern was startled upon realizing Versha’s identity. Florence was the Grand Duchy of the Sirius Empire, and hearing that such an incident had involved them at Elaine Port left him overwhelmed with dread.  

“Your Grace, Grand Duke Florence, and Your Grace, Grand Duchess. I deeply apologize for subjecting you to such an ordeal upon your arrival in the Gradi Empire.”  

“Do not make a fuss.”  

Theodore, with a cold expression, calmly addressed the tense Shubern.  

“Understood.”  

“There should be someone from the Marquis Zenovil’s household waiting for us at the teleportation point.”  

“I will bring them immediately.”  

Hearing the mention of the Marquis Zenovil’s household, Shubern’s face turned pale. Not long after, three individuals rushed toward the alley where Meia and Theodore stood.  

“My deepest apologies, Your Grace, Grand Duke Florence, and Your Grace, Grand Duchess. I am a knight from the Marquis Zenovil’s household.”  

“I am maid Sera.”  

“I am coachman Taro.”  

As soon as the three introduced themselves and raised their heads, their faces turned pale.  

“M-M-Miss!”  

The three cried out as they saw the woman supported by Agnita. It was then that Meia and Theodore realized the woman they had rescued was none other than Lady Annibella of the Marquis Zenovil’s household, who was supposed to greet them.  

* * *

The news of Annibella’s near-kidnapping enraged the Marquis Zenovil. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Theodore and Meia for saving her.  

“I am Klaritas of the Zenovil household in the Gradi Empire. It is an honor to meet you, and I thank you for saving my most precious treasure.”  

“It was nothing.”  

Klaritas looked at Theodore. His sharp jawline and firm lips resembled those of the late Grand Duke Florence, while his gentle eyes mirrored those of the late Grand Duchess.  

Then, his gaze shifted to Meia, who was smiling beside Theodore. She was as beautiful as the rumors described, yet her beauty evoked a sense of caution.  

“Even if the person you saved wasn’t my daughter… my gratitude would remain the same.”  

Annibella had already been struggling due to malicious rumors spreading through the academy and her entanglement with the Crown Prince. Now, experiencing such a terrible event added to her distress, and Klaritas couldn’t help but sigh, worrying about her emotional state.  

“You could have simply passed by… I don’t know how to repay this kindness. I will do my utmost to ensure your comfort during your stay at the Marquis Zenovil’s household.”  

Klaritas bowed deeply once again, expressing his gratitude.  

“But…”  

“What’s on your mind, Meia?”  

“Something is bothering me.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“They gave up their chance to escape and were determined to kill Lady Annibella until the very end.”  

Although they had been given a brief opportunity to flee, it was clear they intended to capture her again later.  

“I don’t think this was a simple kidnapping.”  

Meia continued, directing her words toward Klaritas.  

“I share the same thoughts as the Grand Duchess. In addition to the shadow guards of the Marquis household, my daughter also has secret escorts assigned by the Imperial Family.”  

For those destined to join the Imperial Family, the Imperial Household assigns secret escorts. However, the fact that Annibella was in danger and these escorts didn’t appear was inexplicable.  

“According to Dan and Sera, who were guarding her, she disappeared right before their eyes in an instant.”  

Klaritas clenched his teeth so hard it made a grinding sound.  

“I intend to thoroughly investigate this matter.”  

“Lady Annibella has never experienced anything like this before, has she?”  

“That’s correct.”  

“Today’s kidnapping might just be the beginning.”  

“What do you mean, Your Grace, Grand Duchess? The beginning?”  

“Since the kidnapping attempt failed today, they might plan a more elaborate one next time. If kidnapping becomes too difficult, they might resort to sending assassins or attempting poison.”  

“That… that can’t possibly happen…”  

“Lady Annibella is the Crown Prince’s fiancée. If there are those who desire her position, such things are entirely possible.”  

Recalling her own experiences with kidnappings and assassins from a young age, Meia spoke calmly to Klaritas.  

“And… you must also keep an eye on your servants and retainers. If today’s kidnapping was premeditated, there may be someone passing on all of Lady Annibella’s information.”  

At Meia’s words, Klaritas buried his face in his hands, clearly distressed.  

***

After being unconscious for a day, Annibella regained her senses and repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Meia for saving her.  

“Are you feeling better, Lady Annibella?”  

“Yes, thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay this kindness…”  

Seeing Annibella flustered and at a loss for words, Meia smiled. Annibella blushed even more at Meia’s kind expression.  

Annibella tried to calm her racing heart as she gazed at Meia, whom she had only heard about through rumors. Those rumors didn’t do her justice. Meia was even more beautiful and mysterious in person. Annibella now understood why Madame Clairira had chosen her as a muse.  

“…Lady Annibella.”  

“Yes, Your Grace, Grand Duchess?”  

Meia explained the situation regarding the kidnappers to Annibella. She believed it was important for Annibella to be aware of the danger she was in so that she wouldn’t let her guard down. Klaritas also agreed with Meia’s perspective.  

“I believe someone is targeting your life, Lady Annibella.”  

Annibella’s violet eyes trembled.  

“I thought it was strange too. Dan and Sera were right by my side, but… I disappeared in an instant.”  

Meia recalled what Dan and Sera had said.  

<We never took our eyes off her, not even once. She vanished in the blink of an eye.>  

Annibella and her escorts spoke in unison.  

“I believe you must have stepped on a magic circle, Lady Annibella. That’s why you were transported to another nearby magic circle.”  

At Meia’s words, Annibella nodded in agreement.  

“I should have been more cautious…” 

Annibella said, her cheeks turning red.  

“So, the fact that I was kidnapped is absolutely not the servants’ fault.”  

“They failed to protect you, Lady Annibella, so they’ve been ordered to temporarily stand down.”  

“Because of me…”  

“It’s only a short suspension, so there’s no need to worry too much, Lady Annibella.”  

Hearing that the suspension would be brief, Annibella let out a small sigh of relief.  

“Your Grace, Grand Duchess, I don’t know if you would ever need my help, but… I promise in the name of the Zenovil household that if you ever require assistance, please let me know.”  

“If I ever need help, I’ll be sure to ask, Lady Annibella. But calling me a benefactor feels too heavy.”  

“Too heavy?”  

“How about ‘friend’ instead?”  

Meia asked with a gentle smile. She found it endearing how Annibella genuinely cared for her servants.  

“F-F-Friend? That’s far too much. Someone like me… and Your Grace, Grand Duchess…”  

“Do you not want to be friends with me, Lady Annibella?”  

Annibella was already nervous just meeting Meia as a fan. On top of that, Meia had saved her life. That alone would have been enough to make her happy for a lifetime as a devoted fan. But to be friends? Annibella bit the soft flesh inside her mouth until it hurt.  

It hurt. This wasn’t a dream. It was reality!  

“No, it’s an honor. But as I mentioned earlier… it feels overwhelming.”  

Seeing Annibella’s trembling lips, Meia couldn’t help but smile and let out a small laugh.  

“I wanted to get closer to you, Lady Annibella, so I suggested we become friends.”  

“What?”  

Annibella’s heart began to race even faster than before. One thing was certain: Meia’s suggestion to be friends wasn’t made lightly; it was sincere. The situation felt completely unexpected.  

“We’ve just met, so suddenly asking to be friends might feel burdensome, right?”  

“No, Grand Duchess.”  

“Feel free to call me by my name.”  

“Y-Your name?”  

“Yes.”  

Seeing Annibella’s eyes sparkle, Meia chuckled softly again. She liked the genuine look in Annibella’s eyes, which didn’t seem to hide anything.  

It reminded her of Theodore’s transparency, which showed everything he was feeling. It even made her feel like she wanted to dote on her.  

“Lady Meia, as your friend, I’ll do my best.”  

“Lady Annibella.”

“Yes.”

“Friends don’t need to do their best. I think friends are those who stay by your side even without trying their hardest.”  

Annibella blushed from her cheeks to her ears. She already wanted to boast to Madam Clairira that she had become friends with Meia. Her lips itched with excitement at the thought.