chapter 15
It was a classic scam tactic—but Cassel had no way of dealing with the Western Alliance when they invoked the Emperor’s name.
As a result, the moment Lishid’s curse was lifted, he had no choice but to throw himself like a madman into hunting monsters just to refill his emptied treasury.
But battles always come with casualties.
Lishid himself had nearly died several times and suffered countless injuries.
And naturally, that only deepened his hatred toward the one who had cursed him.
If he had attended the welcoming ceremony as planned, the western nobles wouldn’t have dared to push things this far.
‘And yet, that very turning point is happening right in front of me?’
Then there was no reason for me not to step in.
Since the original story had already gone off track, there was no need to leave a risk behind just because I wanted to avoid standing out.
Of course, if the Duchess found out, she’d probably collapse from shock—but in the end, it was Lishid Effenterion who would kill Airel.
And right now, I was far more afraid of the Lishid inside my hat than anyone from the ducal household.
“What do you mean nonsense? What do you even know—!”
“What else would you call ganging up on one person without a single piece of evidence? If you disagree, why not ask everyone here?”
Marquis Langard glanced around, visibly unsettled, before shutting his mouth.
No one in the crowd spoke up—but no one could deny that the western nobles had been cornering Cassel as a group.
Sensing the situation turning against them, one of the men behind the Marquis stepped forward.
“You’re quite skilled at cornering people yourself, aren’t you? What right does Your Ladyship have to speak like that—”
“That’s exactly why I know it so well. People of the same kind recognize each other.”
Airel, for once, I’m actually grateful you’re a villainess.
I lifted my chin toward the man with a smug expression.
“So, you all rushed over the moment you heard His Highness wasn’t here, didn’t you? Either way, stop this now. If there really are damages, prove them properly before a judge.”
Since it was all lies anyway, they’d probably exhaust themselves before even filing a lawsuit.
Though I had a way to stop that too.
“Let’s go, Sir Elvience.”
With a sigh, I lightly tugged on Cassel’s sleeve.
But Marquis Langard stubbornly stepped in front of me again.
“Wait. Do you even understand how severe the damage is? Preparing a lawsuit takes time. If Effenterion doesn’t compensate us immediately, the people of the western territories will starve!”
Wow, persistent much.
‘Maybe they spent all their taxes on luxury, so their territories have no funds left.’
Ignoring his words, I looked him up and down.
He was so drenched in luxury that he practically glittered from head to toe.
Two necklaces, one watch, eight rings.
He looked like a walking jewelry mannequin. Selling what he wore alone could probably support his entire territory.
At this point, I glanced at Cassel, hoping he’d respond—but he just stared at me, dumbfounded.
‘Guess I have no choice.’
I was just about to say whatever came to mind so I could leave—
“Then let them starve.”
Lishid…?
“The West was never suited for agriculture. It barely rains, and the soil is dry—closer to a desert.”
His low whisper came from inside the hat.
There was a hint of weariness in his voice.
“Especially that man’s territory. Whatever little they harvest, they keep for themselves and inflate taxes. The imperial citizens in the West die every year because of it. Only recently have more people started migrating north.”
Exploiting their own people…
They were even worse than I thought.
Frowning slightly, I looked over the Marquis and the western nobles.
Lishid tapped the hat lightly.
“What are you doing, Lady? Aren’t you going to repeat that?”
Ah—yes!
I gave a small nod and gathered strength in my voice.
“Then… you should be the ones to starve.”
“…What?”
“If you’re so worried about your people starving, then you should go hungry first.”
“……”
“Or open your granaries and distribute food. Surely they’re not empty, right?”
As I said that, I deliberately looked over their well-fed bodies from head to toe.
Leaving behind the stunned crowd, I finally turned to leave with Cassel.
Of course, as I turned, I didn’t forget to “accidentally” stomp hard on Marquis Langard’s foot.
“Argh!”
“Oh my, not sorry at all.”
I smiled sweetly at him.
“It was just a young lady’s mistake. You’ll be generous enough to overlook it, won’t you?”
“Um… Lady Blandiche?”
Having been dragged out of the banquet hall, Cassel gently removed the hand holding his arm.
“Thank you for helping me out of that difficult situation, but… I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“What?”
The lady stopped walking, her eyes widening in surprise.
‘Why that reaction?’
Cassel awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
“Well, I was planning to leave after my official duties anyway… haha.”
Of course, he couldn’t say the real reason out loud.
How could he bluntly admit that being around her made him uncomfortable?
Lady Blandiche stood out even when she did nothing.
And now, she was wearing that bizarre hat.
But more importantly—
‘If His Grace finds out, he’ll definitely be angry!’
The Grand Duke disliked her immensely.
Or rather, found her troublesome—but Cassel saw it as dislike.
After all, Airel had followed Lishid around relentlessly, causing all sorts of trouble.
So it was only natural for Cassel to be suspicious of her kindness.
‘She might use this as leverage to demand something from His Grace. It’s best to leave before getting further entangled.’
Clenching his fist inwardly, Cassel resolved himself.
But—
“Returning is not permitted, Cassel.”
Huh…?
A low, cold voice came from the lady’s lips.
With a firm expression, she grabbed his arm again.
“Cassel Elvience. Come with me immediately.”
And just like that, she began dragging him toward the garden behind the banquet hall.
Cassel screamed internally.
‘Why… why does she sound like His Grace?!’
Did she… swallow him or something?!
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the garden lights flickered on one by one in the dusk.
And under the orange glow—
For a brief moment, a small silhouette appeared atop the lady’s straw hat, surrounded by flowers—then vanished.
‘Th-that just now…’
Was it his imagination?
Cassel rubbed his eyes and stared at the hat.
Another lamp flickered on.
At the same time, he gulped.
‘No… I didn’t imagine it.’
That was—
“…A doll?”
‘Hahaha… no way.’
A doll inside the lady’s hat?
What kind of absurd idea was that?
Even as a novel, it wouldn’t sell.
‘No matter how outrageous she is… that’s just impossible.’
Bullying others? Sure.
Clinging to the Grand Duke endlessly? Also believable.
But that?
He must be hallucinating from exhaustion.
Shaking his head, Cassel continued following her, though all he wanted was to return to his residence in the capital as soon as possible.
Fortunately, before long, she stopped at a bench surrounded by thick bushes on all sides. There wasn’t a single person in sight.
“So, Lady… did you have something to discuss with me?”
Cassel stopped at a distance, glancing around nervously.
