A family of Count’s rank could have avoided this, so why did they choose to participate?
“What if the bloodline ends?”
If this expedition force were to be annihilated in the forest, Epine would be finished. Sending both of them at once was beyond common sense.
Hmm. Or perhaps the Count has created a new heir.
As I was looking at them, the Grand Duke also gazed in the same direction.
“The Epines, I see.”
“You didn’t know?”
“They weren’t on the initial list. They must have joined later.”
So they did try to avoid it. But why did they suddenly change their minds and reluctantly come, both of them?
“I don’t understand.”
“Are you worried about them?”
He didn’t refer to them as family. He knew. The fact that I had been driven out of Epine was already a well-known story.
“Of course not. They’re strangers to me now.”
I smiled without a trace of shadow toward the Grand Duke who was asking.
Once I left, that was the end of it.
The Grand Duke silently raised one hand and tucked my flowing hair behind my ear.
Their gazes were also directed at me. Our eyes met, but I indifferently turned away.
“Your Highness, I’m hungry.”
“Let’s go.”
The Grand Duke pulled me toward where the food was placed. The two Epines were no longer visible, buried in the crowd.

***

“Lora.”
Someone stopped me as I was walking in the garden. I sighed at the familiar voice.
It was a mistake to come out to the garden alone because I felt stifled while the Grand Duke was giving something like a speech, wishing for success.
As I turned around, the expected people were standing there. Leaving the hesitant Lindel behind, Calix stepped forward and stood in front of me.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
“Were we on terms to exchange pleasant greetings?”
When I countered his greeting with a rebuke, Lindel’s violet eyes, who had been sauntering over from a distance, flared up.
“Hey!”
“Lindel.”
Calix stopped him as he approached, huffing and getting angry first.
Despite having grown more than a span taller than me, Lindel still had the same temperament. Meeting his eyes, I raised the corner of my mouth crookedly. Lindel, as expected, flared up and lost his temper.
“What’s with that expression?”
“What do you think? Think about it carefully.”
“Why do you get more impudent by the day?”
“Lindel.”
Calix sighed at his impulsive temper and stopped him. I curled up the corner of my mouth and turned away.
“Thanks for ruining my mood for a walk. I’ll be heading back inside.”
“Lora.”
As I was trying to pass them and return to the party, Calix called me.
Curious to hear what he had to say, I slightly turned my head, and he drew a bitter smile on his lips.
I had clearly left everything behind at the Count’s house, but perhaps because I had dreamed of Lora, I didn’t like the belated regret and lingering attachment visible on his face.
“You can return to Epine anytime.”
I snickered.
“That will absolutely never happen.”
“You! How can you say that while still using the Epine name?”
“Take it back then. I told you to disown me.”
“What? Hey!”
Lindel grabbed my wrist as I tried to leave. I shook off the captured arm as if flicking off a bug, and asked irritably.
“What now?”
“…Are you seeing the Grand Duke Kalschmitz?”
Lindel asked hesitantly, unlike his usual self, and I couldn’t understand the intention behind his question.
“What if I am?”
“I’m against it. I’ll introduce you to someone else, so stop it.”
Good grief. I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. Whether I do or don’t, who are you to be against it?
Without answering, I gave him a look of contempt, then coldly turned away.

***

“Miss.”
“Lady Lora…”
“Am I going to my death?”
On the morning of our departure for the expedition, Irena and Lionel were sobbing and wouldn’t leave my side.
They were in the way as I needed to pack, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell them to move. I felt much the same way.
“Irena, can you hand me that robe?”
I planned to join after changing my hair and eye color using the ring the Grand Duke had given me. This time, my identity would be a maid.
The only females allowed to accompany were priestesses and maids. Without holy power, my only option was to be a maid.
I would mainly serve the Grand Duke, with occasional errands as my duties.
“Will I be able to do well?”
“Our Miss doing maid work…”
“Irena, you do it too.”
“But you and I are different, Miss.”
Irena was almost sobbing. I had wanted to get some advice on how to be a good maid, but I gave up, fearing that asking would lead to wailing.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Miss…”
“Send me off with a smile.”
Leaving Irena, who burst into tears, Lionel spoke with a gentle smile.
“Yes, Lady Lora. Please return safely.”
“I will.”
After putting on the robe and the ring, I embraced them both.
“Take good care of the mansion.”
“…Yes.”
The arms of the two people holding me tightened. Our embrace continued until the Grand Duke came to fetch me.

***

embracing. It was because he saw the hands of the two desperately trying to hold onto me as I was leaving.
“I promise to return your mistress safe and sound, no matter what, so please let her go.”
And he continued to tease me throughout our walk down the corridor.
“Really.”
“Please don’t tease me.”
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
“I’m saying this because I know what you’re going to say.”
“Really.”
“Trivial and cute, right?”
“Yes. It was cute.”
What? Startled, I looked at his face, and those eyes, which rarely showed emotion in daily life, were once again gently crinkled. He continued in a voice full of amusement.
“That solemnity was impressive.”
“Ah, yes.”
I must absolutely not get drawn in.
“Like a warrior being deployed.”
“It’s similar, isn’t it?”
“I almost shed tears myself.”
“You should just laugh, Your Highness.”
“Why would I laugh? After seeing such a moving scene.”
That irritating mouth responding so shamelessly. Should I hit it just once?
My hand twitched.
After an intense internal debate, I had just reached an agreement with myself for one light tap on the head and was stealthily raising my hand. The Grand Duke looked at me with all humor gone from his face.
“I truly mean it when I say I’ll bring you back safely no matter what.”
His resolute face was quite solemn.
But it’s already too late.
It had been a long time since the fragile Grand Duke family, collapsing at every opportunity, had lost people’s trust.
The only thing to believe in was the hundred magical scrolls packed in my pocket. I felt my pocket to check if they were well secured. The bulging pocket, heavy with its contents, brought me peace of mind.
Perhaps sensing distrust in my silence, the Grand Duke added.
“Even if a dangerous situation arises, Lora, I will definitely save you.”
“Yes. You said we’re not going to die, Your Highness.”
“Which means there’s no need to say goodbye as if it’s the last day of your life.”
“…Alright, that’s enough.”
“Yes.”
He smiled gently, indicating he would stop there. As if.
It was detestable how he pretended to stop of his own accord.
He only stopped because we had reached the end of the corridor and were about to meet other people. Looking closely, the Grand Duke never did things completely.