chapter 23
“State your identity.”
The knight guarding the front of the regular council chamber asked sternly.
At that, Elda replied with a bright smile.
“I am the maid Elda. I’ve brought the refreshments requested by the head maid.”
The knight’s sharp gaze swept once over Elda’s face, then over the tray in her hands.
“Hm.”
And naturally, his eyes landed on the man standing tall behind her.
It was Sion—disguised as a shabby laborer—carrying an enormous stack of firewood in both arms, piled so high his face was barely visible.
The knight asked suspiciously,
“…Who is that behind you?”
“Oh, him?”
Elda introduced Sion calmly.
“This is Sean, a servant in charge of firewood. He was called here along with me.”
“Firewood duty? I don’t recall seeing a servant of that build in the main building.”
“As expected of a knight of the main hall! You’re very observant! Actually, both Sean and I work in the annex. We were summoned by Head Maid Olga just for today to help out. Right, Sean?”
At Elda’s natural question, Sion silently nodded. Then, as planned, he delivered his line.
“They said… the meeting room is cold… so I brought extra firewood… I brought it.”
“…….”
“…….”
Watching from inside Sion’s clothes, I almost bit my tongue.
‘…Sion. What is that terrible acting?’
It was amusing to discover that my otherwise perfect favorite had something he was bad at—but unfortunately, this was the worst possible timing.
Sure enough, suspicion began to show on the faces of the two knights.
“…….”
“…….”
An uncomfortable silence followed.
I slowly peeked my head out and steeled myself.
‘If things go wrong… I’ll just knock them out with my fangirl skill!’
Just then, a commotion came from beyond the door.
“—!!!”
“—No!”
Loud voices clashed angrily inside.
“Ah, I think it would be best to deliver the sweets and warm firewood quickly. If we delay any longer, not only us, but you knights might also get dragged into trouble!”
At Elda’s words, the two knights exchanged glances with stiff expressions, then stepped aside.
“…Fine. You may pass.”
Creak—
As the door opened, the shouting inside became even louder.
“Well done, Maid Elda. Now go hide in a corner.”
“Yes, Lady Rin. I’m glad I could help!”
Instead of entering the meeting room, Elda stepped aside near the door.
Before she moved away, I discreetly grabbed a few sweets from the tray and stuffed them into my arms.
‘I’ll share these with Sion later.’
Looking up at him, I said,
“Alright, Sion. Let’s go.”
He nodded.
Then, after dropping the bundle of firewood he had been carrying, he strode straight into the meeting room.
Inside, a group of vassals surrounded a large table, arguing heatedly.
“Even if we find another supplier starting today, there’s no way we can secure that amount of supplies in such a short time!”
“Then what do you expect us to do? No one can guarantee when or how we’ll recover the missing goods!”
“Let’s not get too worked up and wait a little longer. Her Grace has already deployed knights to search the entire duchy!”
“I’ve been saying from the start that we should have assigned knights to escort the merchant group!”
“And I told you—are northern knights some kind of street mercenaries?! We don’t even have enough manpower for border defense!”
At the head of the table, the Grand Duchess tapped her fingers coldly, her expression frozen.
Watching the scene, Sion said cynically,
“Looking at this mess, there’s no reason to delay.”
Step. Step.
As Sion revealed himself, all eyes in the room turned toward us.
“Hmm? Who are you?”
“A mere servant dares—!”
“Wait… ash-gray hair… and blue-gray eyes?”
The vassals’ suspicion quickly turned into shock.
“N-no way…!”
“The one from the annex…?!”
Silence fell like ice.
All gazes that had been fixed on Sion shifted toward the Grand Duchess.
She, too, looked stunned for a brief moment, her cold expression tightening.
Sion gave her a minimal, perfunctory bow.
In the tense atmosphere, the Grand Duchess spoke coldly.
“The young master from the annex. If I recall correctly, you were advised to remain there and recuperate. Why are you here?”
Her tone clearly conveyed: you are not welcome.
But Sion ignored it and addressed the vassals instead.
“You’re searching for the whereabouts of the supplies that Merchant Leader Noel embezzled, correct?”
“…!!!”
“…!?”
The room stirred instantly.
“How would the young master from the annex know that?”
“Do you… perhaps know something?”
Sion pulled out two letters and tossed them onto the table.
“Proof of where the supplies are—and evidence of the merchant leader’s fraud.”
“W-what?!”
“Is that true?!”
Several vassals shot to their feet in shock.
Others, glancing nervously at the Grand Duchess, also rose and examined the letters.
Moments later—
“Th-this is…!”
Everyone stared at Sion in astonishment.
He continued coldly,
“Knight Garen Jade is still at the site. If you want to secure the supplies and detain the remaining culprits, you should dispatch knights immediately.”
With that, Sion turned to leave.
Startled by his abrupt exit, I hurriedly whispered,
“Hey, Sion! Wait! You’re just leaving like that?!”
He paused and looked at me.
“If we’re leaving, at least make sure to claim credit and get a proper reward!”
“…….”
Just then—
“Stop right there.”
The Grand Duchess’s voice cut through the air.
Sion turned back.
She wore a dangerous smile.
“Answer me. How did you obtain this information?”
“…What are you implying?”
“We’ve deployed knights across the entire duchy and still found nothing. Yet you—who have supposedly been resting in the annex—somehow obtained this?”
The atmosphere tightened again.
Several of her supporters added quickly,
“She has a point.”
“Shouldn’t we first verify the authenticity of those letters?”
I frowned.
‘Oh, so now you’re trying to frame him?’
It was clear the Grand Duchess had no intention of letting Sion shine.
“…Is that really what matters right now?”
Despite being under scrutiny, Sion spoke with icy sarcasm.
“Instead of questioning the source, shouldn’t you reconsider your priorities—what the North needs most at this moment?”
Her smile cracked slightly.
“You dare speak of priorities to me—the lady of the North? I, who care more than anyone for this duchy’s safety. That is precisely why investigating you—suspected of conspiring with outsiders—is the priority.”
She sneered at him.
“By the laws of the North, I order the young master of the annex to be imprisoned immediately.”
“…!”
The room erupted in tension.
Some vassals exchanged glances—her faction satisfied, neutral elders uneasy.
An elderly man spoke up bravely,
“Your Grace, with respect, accusing the late Duke’s blood without due process sets a dangerous precedent.”
“Is that so? Then will you stake your family and position to guarantee him?”
“…!”
She dismissed him and ordered again,
“Carry out the order.”
The knights approached Sion with hostile intent.
I clicked my tongue.
“Looks like we’re doing this the hard way.”
Then Sion’s voice came low above me.
“Rin, don’t interfere.”
I nodded obediently.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry.”
…while cracking my knuckles.
Anyone who touched my favorite was done for.
