HSRD 13

Chapter 13

As someone who had many things to hide from him, meeting him alone was not exactly appealing.

But it wasn’t as if I could bring someone else along either…

After hesitating like that, I shook my head.

I’m the type who doesn’t really care about the cause once a situation is resolved.
But—

“Since this involves regression, it’s better to be certain.”

Right. No matter what the duke says, I can just brush it off as not knowing much. If necessary, I can use this ring like I did today.

Seeing the legitimate fabrication on my finger eased my mind.

“After all, thinking simply is best for mental health.”

And so the day ended, and the next day arrived.

I dressed up simply like the day before and stepped out of my room, but my great-aunt let out a deep sigh when she saw me.

“Didn’t you say you were invited by Duke Lapman? And that’s all you’re wearing?”

At her words, I glanced down at my outfit.

It was plain, but not something that would be criticized anywhere.

“This should be fine.”

If I looked for it, I could find more elaborate clothes.
But dresses take so much effort to wear. It’s not like I’m going to a matchmaking meeting.

I just smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes…!”

At my confident reply, my great-aunt paused for a moment, then pressed her forehead as if dealing with a headache.

“You must not do anything that would bring shame to our family.”

“Yes! I’ll be back.”

Before she could start nagging further, I quickly headed for the entrance and boarded the waiting carriage.

“Before, she didn’t even care where I went.”

Even so, perhaps even my great-aunt couldn’t ignore the Lapman Ducal House.

“What unnecessary worries.”

I’ll manage just fine.

…Though, even I feel like a child like me would be somewhat untrustworthy.

Anyway, the carriage raced forward.

The scenery outside the window changed rapidly, and soon a road lined with poplar trees leading to the Lapman Ducal Estate appeared.

As the carriage traveled along the sunlit green path, the Lapman mansion soon came into view beyond it.

I heard that this mansion was originally the Emperor’s private property, and when the Lapman family was granted their ducal title, ownership was transferred along with it.

“Considering they represent the beastkin as a new part of the Empire, it makes sense that their estate would be upgraded accordingly.”

Come to think of it, perhaps because it had once belonged to the Emperor, the mansion’s grandeur surpassed other estates in the capital.

Even when I saw it at the banquet night, I thought it was large—but seeing it in daylight made its scale feel even more real.

The carriage passed through the inspection of guards stationed at the massive gate and entered.

Passing through the well-maintained garden, it soon arrived at the entrance hall.

I got out of the carriage with the assistance of a servant waiting there.

The first thing that caught my eye after stepping out was the pair of black panther statues placed on either side of the entrance.

“I thought this before, but… those statues really suit the Black Panther house.”

Oh? The muscle detailing here is incredibly precise.

As I admired the dynamic sculpture, someone approached me.

“Welcome, Lady Aigle Atlas. I am Galek, the head butler of the Lapman family.”

“Thank you for the welcome.”

I greeted him politely and looked at the butler.

An elderly man, he smiled kindly and guided me into the mansion.

“Please come this way.”

Following his guidance, I entered the mansion.

Since the banquet had a separate hall, this was my first time seeing the main residence.

The interior was decorated in a white and black monochrome theme.

While observing the somewhat modern aesthetic, I followed the butler, who soon led me to a set of double doors.

“His Grace the Duke is waiting.”

With that, the butler gently opened the door.

Inside, the Duke of Lapman—who had been sitting on a sofa drinking tea—met my eyes.

I stepped into the reception room, gathered my skirt, and bowed slightly.

“Thank you for inviting me, Duke Lapman.”

“Have a seat.”

His expression seemed much more relaxed than when I had seen him at the banquet.

However, his eyes, observing me, were still sharp and keen—almost as if the embrace at the banquet had been a lie…

“Yes, this is the Duke Lapman I know.”

I felt reassured that he had returned to his strict, difficult personality.

Ignoring his gaze lightly, I took a seat opposite him.

We said nothing until the butler personally served tea in front of me.

“If you require anything, please feel free to call.”

With those words, the butler left the reception room.

Once the door closed, the Duke slowly spoke.

“How much do you know?”

At the sudden direct question, I blinked and shrugged.

“What exactly do you mean by ‘how much’?”

If someone suddenly asks what I know, what am I supposed to say?

No matter how simple-minded I am, I’m not foolish enough to reveal everything I know.

Apparently dissatisfied with my answer, the Duke’s eyes flashed coldly.

In a sharp voice, he said:

“How will you explain preventing the assassination of Izancel Lapman?”

“Oh, that.”

“Are you going to spout that ridiculous excuse again—that we’re close like you did last time?”

“I did say that, but it was admittedly quite far-fetched. Still, most of the nobles accepted it and moved on. Strange, isn’t it?”

“Stop with the pointless talk and answer the question.”

“Hmm… how should I explain this…”

How much should I tell the Duke?

Should I go as far as the quests given by a divine messenger?
Or just that I’ve become aware of regression?

I rested my chin on my hand and thought for a long time.

“Should I say this, or that…”

If the person in front of me had been Lily, she would have probably exploded in frustration several times over during that long silence.

The Duke, who had been quietly waiting, let out a deep sigh.

“You’re wasting my time like this. Is that your strategy?”

“……”

I didn’t answer and simply smiled.

It wasn’t intentional—I simply hadn’t found the words.

Perhaps interpreting my reaction in his own way, the Duke raised the corner of his lips crookedly and spoke.

“Fine. If you feel it’s unfair for only you to speak, we’ll exchange information one by one.”

Huh, I never said it was unfair…

But since his proposal wasn’t bad for me, I readily agreed.

“Alright. I’ll start. Duke, do you believe in regression?”

I looked at him with a serious expression.

Speaking about regression to others was a delicate matter.
I still remembered how, when I brought it up to my great-uncle, I was treated like a fool.

However, I was certain that the Duke was connected to regression in some way.

At my question, he smirked slightly.

“Of course I do. Because I’m the one who caused that regression.”

“As expected… Why did you initiate regression? Was it to prevent Lady Izancel’s death?”

“Yes. I did it to save my mother.”

The Duke answered me honestly.

At his response, I nodded and muttered,

“I thought so. But still…”

“You’ve failed repeatedly, haven’t you?”

…That last thought was too blunt, so I kept it to myself.

But then the Duke’s brow twitched and furrowed!

I quietly shut my mouth.

It seemed he had read my thoughts from my tone even without me speaking.

“Sharp instincts. Are you going to get angry at me?”

But contrary to my expectations, he showed no sign of anger. Instead, he composed himself and asked:

“My turn now. How did you come to know about regression?”

At that question, I briefly widened my eyes, then slowly tilted my head.

“I actually found it strange that others didn’t notice. The day keeps repeating—how could they not realize it?”

“So you don’t know the reason either?”

“That’s right. I just woke up one day and the same day kept repeating. I’ve been investigating the cause of regression as well.”

At my words, the Duke frowned openly this time.

He glared at me with clear dissatisfaction.

I met his gaze briefly, then looked away.

“I’m sorry, Duke. In truth, I do have some guesses—but it’s a bit difficult to reveal them.”

The Duke of Lapman had long been searching for the Evening Glow Nymph. And he could trigger regression.

I am the Evening Glow Nymph. And his regression does not affect me.

From this, the conclusion is that because I am the Evening Glow Nymph, his regression does not work on me.

If that assumption is true, many more questions arise.

Why doesn’t regression work on the Evening Glow Nymph?
What is the relationship between the Duke and the Evening Glow Nymph?

Since I didn’t yet understand his intentions, revealing that I was the Evening Glow Nymph felt premature.

I kept my cards hidden as much as possible, maintaining a smile to read his.

“By the way, Duke, how do you trigger regression? Is it magic?”

“It could be magic—or not.”

The Duke answered vaguely, staring intently at me.

I simply maintained a relaxed smile and sipped my tea.

Soon, he spoke again.

“Leaving regression aside, how did you find the assassin? That seemed like magic to me.”

“Oh, that…”

I guess it’s fine to reveal this much.

I nodded.

“Yes, it was magic. To be precise, the magic of an ancient artifact.”

“An ancient artifact… I couldn’t find those rats no matter what I tried. I should have used an ancient artifact earlier.”

The Duke fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

Perhaps because of that, his violet eyes shimmered even more brilliantly than the embroidered cufflinks on his shirt sleeve.

Watching him, I admired him once again while sipping my tea.