CH 98

Gilbert grinned when the Count showed interest.

“There will be a banquet soon.”

“Right. A banquet hall to welcome distinguished guests.”

To celebrate the arrival of Baron Savlin, the northern nobles planned to host a banquet.

As it was a banquet to entertain the distinguished guests, they were preparing grandly and splendidly.

“When you break people down, the most spectacular moment is the best.”

“…Okay. Stop telling me what you’re thinking.”

“Please look forward to the day of the banquet, Count.”

“….”

Gilbert said nothing more. He shut his mouth firmly and left only one word.

“The Count just has to do what I tell you.”

Such an arrogant guy. 

The Count looked at Gilbert with cold eyes as he turned around.

*****

“How did it go?”

Hearing my question, the Count put on a puzzled expression.

“He didn’t go into details. He just told me to look forward to the day of the banquet… Aide Shabrina, I think you better watch out for that day.”

“…Hmm.”

Actually, there was one thing I could guess.

<Shabrina.>

<Is that really your name?>

It was obviously a question to ask me.

He must have found out about my identity.

‘I didn’t know I’d be caught so soon….’

I was guessing that if I stayed by Michelle’s side, I’d be found out someday.

Actually, I didn’t mean to keep this status long.

Because of Michelle, I stayed and used it for quite a while, but it was something that I thought would need to be washed once more when I left the North.

I was sure of my decision as Richard stood in front of me. 

‘That pink hair.’

I was going to dye my hair this time. By magic, definitely.

I couldn’t do it at the time because I didn’t have enough money—.

“I think I know what Gilbert is going to do roughly.”

“You think you know?”

“Even though I’m not sure.”

The Count had his eyes begging for me to speak quickly.

“Since we’re joining hands anyway, if I were to confess one thing… I’m not Shabrina.”

“…What does that mean?”

“I did some identity laundering for some reason.”

“….”

The Count looked at me with a surprised face.

“…Why are you telling me that? It would be good to hide it regardless of the contract.”

“Because the Count has to help me from now on.”

The Count’s expression became quite serious.

“What should I do?”

I smiled. 

“You can just kill me.”

*****

The banquet was just around the corner.

“Rina, I think this will look good on you, too.”

Michelle, who ordered a lot of fashionable clothes in the north, opened the dress in front of me.

I smiled at Michelle like that.

“…Do you have anything to say to me?”

Michelle asked, wondering if I was strange for just smiling.

“Lady, I have something to confess to you.”

“…A confession?”

“Actually, I was deceiving you.”

Michelle’s eyes went wild at my words.

It was an eye that asked me if I dared to lie to her.

“What are you deceiving me about? Are you going to tell me?”

“If I’m not going to tell you, why would I bring this up?”

“…don’t keep changing the subject!”

Michelle urged me as if she wanted me to speak quickly.

Anyway, it was because she was impatient. 

“Before I say it, I think we should part ways for a while.” 

“What?”

Michelle’s eyes shone quite fiercely, not even comparable to the fierce eyes just now.

It was an eye that said parting ways could never be tolerated.

Michelle had a strong attachment to me.

After all, she lost her parents, and the only person she could depend on was me, and until now. 

Actually, I wasn’t any different.

For three years, Michelle was the only one for me.

People need someone they can share their hearts with and depend on. And so am I. 

That’s been Michelle to me for the last time.

“It’s just a short parting way.”

“…Why should we part ways?”

Michelle likes me. I like Michelle, too.

That’s why I’ve been with her for a long time, even taking risks.

“I told you before, right? I’m deceiving you. Actually, I’m not Shabrina.”

“What?”

“I did some identity laundering.”

Michelle’s eyes opened wide as if surprised.

“Then what’s your real name?”

“…Are you curious about that in this situation?”

Michelle nodded her head shamelessly as if it had nothing to do with my status as Shabrina.

I pondered for a moment.

What name should I say?

Rosie? Or Rose?

Neither was my name. My real name is—.

“I’ll tell you when I see you again.”

“…you’ll be back, right?”

“You know I don’t lie to Lady.”

Michelle still looked at me with a glum eye. I smiled and held out my pinky to her.

“Promise.”

“…Promise.”

Michelle reluctantly put her hand on my pinky.

This was the way I taught Michelle.

“If you don’t come back, you’ll have to be prepared to cut this finger.”

“I know you won’t cut it.”

“…Hmph.”

And so the day of the banquet came.

*****

At the beginning of the banquet, many nobles in the north participated.

It is said to be a banquet held for Savlin, so quite a few nobles flocked.

“That’s Baron Savlin…”

“Who is that brown-haired woman with a mask next to her?”

“The person with the mask is… Baron Savlin’s aide….”

The nobles of the North were curious about Michelle.

Savlin was originally a big merchant with a lot of influence, but it wasn’t like this until three years ago.

As the war broke out, its status grew.

“Baron Savlin, I am of the Northern Ascent family….”

“Our family is a martial arts…”

“I am the next successor to the merchant, with Baron Savlin….”

The nobles flocked to Michelle and me.

They were eager to look good to Michelle and tried to say a word.

In fact, Michelle seemed annoyed about them.

‘Lady, reputation. personal connections.’

When I said it in my mouth, Michelle forced a gentle smile as if she knew. 

“Miss Shabrina, you are very pretty today.”

As I was walking around the banquet hall, Richard approached me.

I raised my half-mask, looked at Richard and smiled broadly.

“Commander, you’re also look pretty.” 

Richard looked at me at those words as if lost for a moment.

Today is the last time I see you. What can I say?

“I’m glad I look pretty.”

Richard, who soon came to his senses, responded with a smirk.

“Can I kiss the back of your hand?”

“Of course.”

When I handed him my hand, Richard carefully grabbed my hand.

After looking into my eyes for a while, he soon lowered my head and kissed the back of my hand.

The touch of his hot lips was somehow itchy.

“Everyone has gathered.”

At that time, the Count, the owner of the banquet, came out to the center of the banquet hall.

The surrounding became quiet, and everyone turned their attention to him.

I gently pulled out the hand that was held by Richard and widened the distance.

Now is the time to put the plan into action.

“Thank you for coming all this way. The reason I asked you to gather…” 

The Count saw Michelle and me.

“I have someone I want to introduce to you.”

Even if the Count doesn’t say it, everyone knows who it is.

This northern visitor.

“Baron Savlin.”

When the Count called for Michelle, Michelle smiled and approached him with graceful steps.

I watched Michelle stand in the center of the stage.

Beautiful, Michelle.

“I’m sure everyone knows that Baron Savlin has decided to supply food for this war.”

The Count and Michelle looked at each other.

“Not only that, but we want to be with each other in the future as well. The union of the North and Savlin will continue—.” 

“I am late, Count!”

While the Count’s speech was in progress, Gilbert suddenly broke into the banquet hall.

“Oh my, is it him, right?” 

“The former substitute of Baron Savlin, who was said to have been expelled for abuse….” 

The nobles in the banquet hall looked at Gilbert with a frown.

How dare—.

But Gilbert brazenly raised his chin.

“Gilbert! Where did you come from to get here?”

The Count told Gilbert to stop being rude, but Gilbert didn’t give up and kept walking toward the middle of the banquet hall. 

And then.

“I have to tell you something important, so I came here in a hurry.”

Everyone was gossiping.

Gilbert boldly opened his mouth as if enjoying the reaction.

“The fact that we have to reconsider whether we can really trust our alliance with Savlin!”

In an instant, the intestines froze.

“Gilbert, do you know what you are talking about here?”

“Why don’t you know! I’m here to help the Count!”

“What do you mean–!” 

“Listen. That woman, now called the aide, acting as Baron Savlin’s substitute, is a criminal!”

As Gilbert’s words rang out, the noisy banquet hall became quiet instantly.

“Gilbert, what kind of slip of the tongue….” 

“It’s not a slip of the tongue! If she’s a criminal, you can’t trust the alliance with Savlin, can you? I’m here to prove that it was the identity-laundered criminal who ran into trouble and ran away from The Marquis of Evantes three years ago!”

What the hell is this now?

The nobles who were looking at Gilbert looked at me with those eyes.

I didn’t avoid those piercing gazes and faced them.

“If it’s the Marquis Evantes….” 

No one in this place didn’t know the Marquis, who had a great name, status, and power.

“What are you talking about? Isn’t that a lie?”

“He’s saying it like that, is it really a lie?”

“If it’s true….” 

At that time, I felt a sharp gaze that couldn’t be compared with any other gaze, and I turned my head.

Richard was there. I turned my head back without saying a word.

“I put a letter to the Marquis Evantes to confirm the facts. In a little while, someone will arrive from Evantes.”

I can’t believe he even sent a letter to Evantes. He was more thorough than I thought.

I had to think of the worst when I planned everything. So Gilbert’s letters to Evantes are also included in one of the worst assumptions.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

“Soon, a person will arrive and reveals the face under her mask to prove it—” 

“You won’t have to wait until then.”

I replied with a smile.

The nobles in the banquet hall looked at me with amazement.

I felt the gaze and took my hand to the half mask.

At that moment, my eyes met with Richard, who was looking at me.

<Never take off your mask in front of me.>

<Because I have little self-control.> 

I remembered what Richard had told me.

I smiled softly as I recalled the memories of that time.

And in front of everyone, I took off my mask.

“I don’t know if I’m a criminal.” 

I said with a smile. 

“That’s right, I’m Rosie, the maid who ran away from Evantes three years ago.”