CH 93

In the novel, one of the major characters appears in the North.

It’s the 2nd princess, Evangeline.

‘I don’t think she had that much influence in the novel….’

I was surprised that her influence was much greater than what was described. 

‘Anyway, I don’t particularly want to meet her.’

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed from the novel, it’s Evangeline’s personality. After doing some careful investigations, the main conclusion was that she was a princess who was crazy about power or that she seemed to be crazy. And it’s the same as in the novel. 

Although I avoided going North in case of an unexpected situation, Richards is a greater risk now. 

And because our schedules are different, I probably won’t meet Evangeline in the North. I even investigated where Evangelin is now and what she is doing before coming here. Anyway, I don’t want to meet any more of these types of people, whether they are crazy or dirty.

“Rina, should I beat the Paladins who didn’t properly escort you?” 

“….”

Michelle, who was next to me, was nagging me about the time I returned while covered in dirt from looking for her mementos a few days before. 

One Michelle in front of me is enough for a dirty Lady. 

* * *

“Welcome, Baron Savlin. I’ve been waiting.” 

As soon as Savlin’s carriage entered the northern territories, the Count immediately came out and greeted Michelle and me.

In the north, fighting often took place. That’s why food was so essential. However, farming was difficult in the north’s barren land, so they couldn’t grow their own food. And due to that reason, they bought food from the outside. 

The deal with Savlin made through the temple would be special for the Count. So, despite being a Count, he shows a low attitude towards Baron Michelle. 

“Thank you for coming. The northern territories would have been cold and different from where the baron was. I’ll guide you inside. It’s very cold.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Even though I wore thick clothes, the fierce wind in the north seemed to permeate the inside.

“By the way… That one.” 

The northern Lord looks at me with puzzled eyes. Then, before I got out of the carriage, I pressed hard to ensure that my mask was properly attached to my face.

“She’s my aide, Count.”

“Oh, is that so? But why the mask… “

“It’s because she recently hurt her face.”

“I see.”

The Count nodded as if he understood. There seemed to be a lot of questions, but it was more comfortable not to ask more questions.

It was when I was about to enter the castle.

“Long time no see, Michelle!”

Michelle and I hardened.

“…Why are you here?”

“It’s been a long time since you saw your uncle. That’s rude. Tsk.”

Michelle’s face was distorted when she saw Gilbert. Then Michelle looked at the Count as if asking what had happened. The Count turned to Gilbert with a puzzled look.

“…Didn’t I tell you not to come out, Gilbert?”

“Please understand with a generous heart. I’m glad to see my niece after a long time, so I ran like this.”

“Gilbert, you…!”

“What is it, Count?”

Michelle cut the Count’s and Gilbert’s conversations with a chilled look, taking turns looking at them.

Few knew the relationship between Michelle and Gilbert. Knowing that these two are enemies, Gilbert shouldn’t have been there when Michelle was there. Isn’t that a common unwritten rule? 

“I decided to teach the North how to grow special products. That’s why I’m here. You don’t like your uncle even after a long time, do you?”

“Grow special products?” 

“Yeah. You know what I’m selling at the merchant, Michelle.” 

—If it’s a special product, don’t tell me.

When Gilbert lost his agent, he didn’t just leave. He stole the money from the merchant. Not enough, he stole the special product method that Savlin’s merchant had exclusively and set up the merchant as if to show off. 

I don’t think he doesn’t know that—.

“The Count seems to think little of Savlin.”

“It’s not like that, Baron! It’s a misunderstanding.” 

The Count tried to explain as if he was flustered. 

However, it was clear that Michelle couldn’t accept any excuses. Of course, the Count’s situation was understandable. 

Farming couldn’t be done properly in the barren land, but possibly the growing special products that Gilbert will tell him about will also blossom here.

The barren land and the condition of relying solely on outside food for survival. If this land could grow special crops that would make flowers grow, the Count wouldn’t have missed the chance. 

Even more so now that the territorial people are leaving.

‘You wouldn’t want to miss both rabbits.’

Then he should at least show that he is sincere. How can he put them together in this way? 

Judging from the look on Michelle’s expression, it was just one step before she exploded. However, she seemed to have managed to contain her anger.

“How about we go inside and talk?”

Now that Michelle is angry, she needs time to think.

She knows what she will do with this contract in the future.

The Count took a liking to my words.

* * *

“Does it suit your taste?”

Of course, it was an uncomfortable place to eat.

Michelle and Gilbert.

I don’t know what kind of harmony this is.

The Count, who made this place, looked at us and asked.

“There’s no problem with the food.” 

Michelle nodded bluntly.

It was said that the problem was not the food, but the people.

“Michelle, it’s rude to talk like that.”

“Well. I think it would be better to fix your bad hand habit first, uncle.” 

I thought as I watched their conversation.

‘Two unexploded bombs—’

If I had thought the same way, I would have wanted to leave the North with Michelle, but the contract with the temple was unclear.

“You’re still arrogant.”

“Even uncle still doesn’t understand his subject.”

“…What?” 

Michelle smiled softly, savoring the food.

It was a tense atmosphere. I, who was next to Michelle, pondered whether I should cut this flow once. However, the servant soon came to the side, cleared the empty plate, and put down new food. 

The servant’s appearance cut off the conversation between Michelle and Gilbert.

‘Should I say this it’s a relief?’

But when the moment I felt relief. 

“…Rina.” 

Michelle, who was next to me, suddenly complained of pain and called me. I forgot to cut the steak and looked at Michelle.

“…Cough.” 

Michelle suddenly coughed and grabbed her neck.

“Baron?”

“…Ugh.” 

Michelle, who was holding the table painfully, lost her balance and fell to the floor.

“Lady!”

“Baron!”

I hurriedly got up from the chair and picked up the fallen Michelle. The surprised Count also gets up from his seat and runs quickly.

“Hurry up and call the doctor!” 

As the Count shouted hastily, the servant ran somewhere. I looked at Michelle, who was having a hard time breathing. Looking closely, hives rose above her skin.

‘Don’t tell me, this reaction is—’

As I was examining Michelle’s body, Gilbert walked over to me.

“It must be an allergy.”

Even in this situation, he was smiling.

After a while, the doctor arrived.

The doctor looked at Michelle on her bed and opened his mouth.

“It sounds like an allergy, but—” 

As expected. 

The doctor continued his words, but I looked at the Lord with cold eyes.

“I’m sure the Baron told you in advance that she was allergic to peanuts before coming here.”

“…There must have been some mistake.”

“Mistake? This is not something that can just be ignored.”

I was disturbed when I saw Michelle, who couldn’t come to her senses. It was then.

Someone came in through the open door. 

“Are you saying there was a mistake? It’s been a long time since I worked with Michelle, so it seems like you don’t know your subject.”

“….” 

“Do you dare think that you are the subject of such a statement to the Count?” 

I looked at Gilbert with cold eyes.

“It’s not a place for Sir Gilbert to step up.”

“It’s cruel of you not to let me come to see my niece.”

“Before that, first of all, I want you to remember that you lost your position as a substitute because you abused her.”

“How dare you frame me by conspiring young Michelle….”

“The Count, the Lady need to rest now, so I hope you can let Sir Gilbert go.”

I looked at the Count without hearing any more of Gilbert’s worthless voice. The Count sighed, nodded his head, and looked at Gilbert with perplexed eyes.

“All right, let’s get out of here.”

I watched Michelle in her room for a while. Fortunately, it’s not life-threatening, but—.

“Uh…” 

Then Michelle groaned as if she had come to her senses.

“Are you awake, Lady?”

Michelle blinked her eyes as she wanted to say yes.

I looked at Michelle and sighed in relief.

“I’ll call the doctor.”

I had to go outside and tell them that Michelle was awake. It was when I went out of the castle because I couldn’t see a doctor and the Count.

I could see the Count standing in the distance.

Someone approached him like that.

“Lord!”

A knight hurried toward the Count. The lord looked back at the knight with puzzled eyes.

“What’s all the fuss about?”

“T, that, the Commander of Paladin has visited now!” 

At the words of the knight, I almost stopped asking questions. 

…Richard is here? 

I was in the dark, and someone walked by from afar. A white man walking on the dark ground as if darkness had subsided. A man in a white robe with dazzling silver hair looked at me and smiled.

“It’s been a while.”