CH 84.1

“We have quite a few guests this year.”

“Those bandits have been showing up and kidnapping women. It was said that they only wanted their fingers this year, instead of killing innocent people.”

In an inn located halfway up Mount Rombel, the innkeepers, a couple with beaming faces, were carrying food and quietly conversing.

The bandits of Mount Rombel were ruthless.

Not only did they steal belongings, but they also took pleasure in killing at least one person to show off their cruelty.

During this season, there were many traveling merchants passing through the mountains, but for the past two or three years, due to those bastards gaining power, the guests had gradually dwindled, fearing hunger and death.

“But…”

The innkeeper hesitated.

“Who could those nobles be? They’ve been staying here for several days now.”

“And they go out every night….”

“Could they be wanted criminals? It’s suspicious to have such handsome men in this remote village.”

The innkeeper gestured toward them, where two men were sitting by the stone fireplace.

One had jet-black hair, and his age was indeterminable. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to be in his mid-thirties or twenties.

The man, who was astonishingly handsome to the point where it dazzled the onlookers, was dressed as a traveler and reading a letter.

Next to him stood a neatly groomed man with a dignified appearance, equally handsome.

The innkeeper spoke hesitantly, gesturing towards them.

“They might be marriage swindlers.”

“Oh, that could be possible. I’ve heard there are many of those swallows in the capital.”

Their conversation was barely audible. It was because the aura emanating from the man with black hair was quite unsettling. It didn’t feel like an ordinary presence; it felt as if one wrong move would invite danger.

That man, Collen, had a grim expression as he read the letter.

“What’s in the letter that has you looking like that?”

Beside him, the butler, Zion, asked softly.

“It’s about Rose…” Collen furrowed his brow. “Who was it?”

“…It was the woman my master went on a short date with. And at a time when you were considering adopting Leticia…”

As Zion mentioned Leticia, Collen finally noticed the implications.

“Is that so? Ah, I see. The woman who insulted my daughter at the dress shop. I remember.”

“There are rumors that lady Rose suffered from an illness due to the Duke afterward… Ah, I apologize. It’s not an important fact for the Duke. But why did she…”

“She tried to steal Leticia’s prophecy and give it to her younger sister. Second prince, who happened to witness it, sent me a letter. How should I handle this?”

Collen fell into deep thought.

“Should I kill her?”

“But… Don’t we have rules?”

“After making her commit murder, we can kill her.”

Zion felt a momentary dizziness.

So, in order to abide by the rule of only executing murderers, they would turn Rose into a murderer? It made sense, but the real issue was whether Collen would be able to accomplish it.

Zion calmly spoke up.

“It would be better to arrange a social execution. It would be a greater punishment for the nobility. Moreover, Count Gallian is affiliated with a distant branch family of the Duke’s lineage, so he would be easier to handle.”

“Well, we can’t break the rules because of things like this.”

Collen nodded.

“Convey to them that I never want to see those girls from that house at any event again. Whether it’s a ball or any other gathering, there are no exceptions. If I ever notice them again, let’s exterminate the entire family.”

Collen chuckled coldly. He was a man with a strong sense of territory and despised anyone who dared to touch his daughter.

‘It’s a rather cruel decision, but…’

Zion thought to himself.

Stay away from social events.

That meant annihilation in the social circles and, in a normal context, a public burial of engagement activities in noble society.

‘Well, they touched the young lady, so it should be like this.’

Zion, too, couldn’t control his bias. He only felt that way towards the young lady.

“And here, it’s a telegram.”

Zion handed over another letter. Collen’s expression changed.

It was a letter sent by Leticia. Collen tore open the envelope.

“What’s going on? Why did this child send a letter?”

The content of the letter was as concise as a telegram should be.

[I decided to play the role of a flower fairy in this year’s parade.]

It was as if he could still hear her slightly childish voice. Collen’s eyes trembled.

“Leticia is going to the temple parade event, yes”

If that’s the case, she would attract attention and surely appear adorable in her outfit! He couldn’t miss that sight.

“Arrange the journey immediately, Zion.”

“But we haven’t finished the hunt. Are you sure about this?”

“The rest will be handed over to the king’s dogs.”

Collen handed the precious telegram to Zion. Zion’s eyes widened.

“I’ll arrange the fastest transportation.”

He ascended to the second floor faster than anyone else. Both the master and servant had the same desire to witness Leticia’s growth process.

* * *

Near the main temple, there was a late New Year festival combined with a spring festival. They said there would be a splendid parade at the temple that day.

Marianne suddenly pointed at me and said it would be nice if I played the role of a flower fairy. Before I knew it, I was wearing a flower fairy dress on the day of the festival.

“Can I really play the role of a flower fairy?”

“Of course! Thanks to you, Marianne decided to participate in the parade after a long time, so we are truly grateful.”

I don’t really understand, but the people from the temple are cheering. Did Marianne decide not to skip the event this year?

I heard that the role of a flower fairy wasn’t anything special. It was said to be wearing a glamorous dress, wearing a flower crown, and scattering flowers next to Marianne.

‘It should be fine to do that much.’

I agreed simply because Marianne wanted it.

‘This dress is beautiful.’

It looks a little chilly though.

A flowing sky blue dress, layered like the wings of a butterfly. And a large flower crown made of pink, yellow, and red flowers.

Finally, to protect against the winter cold, I wore a thick fur cape adorned with soft white fur.