CH 33

Chapter 33: Harp

“As a servant, you wouldn’t touch a guest’s belongings. In other words, it’s common to assume that someone is conducting an investigation into your personal affairs.”

A Druid and Courtesan - Neverwinter...

“…What should I do? I’ve been writing in my diary.”

“What?!”

Engeberg glared sharply. Ernesta trembled as she had never seen such an expression before, but he quickly noticed that the girl was scared and apologized.

“Did you write anything that would expose your identity as a substitute?”

“No, I was careful not to write anything like that. It was just a daily record and something I used for reviewing.”

Engeberg let out a deep sigh and wiped the sweat that had beaded on his forehead with a pocket handkerchief. It seems he had caused quite a bit of stress on his heart.

“I’m glad that you’re smart. Did you write it to inform Ermengard-sama?”

“Yes, but if someone sees it, it’s a little embarrassing…”

Ernesta blushed and looked down, and Engeberg laughed as if he couldn’t help it.

“Don’t worry. You may not like it, but please continue to write as is. If we stop at this stage, we may be suspected of something we didn’t do.”

“Understood. But still, I wonder how much they know about us.”

Even with her imagination, Ernesta couldn’t find an answer. Engeberg also seemed hesitant and crossed his arms with a difficult expression.

“We cannot be certain about the substitute matter. They may want to investigate the situation in Bral or have their own motives… There are countless possibilities. However, since I don’t have any evidence, we haven’t reached the truth.”

“I see. For now, that’s good to know.”

Ernesta breathed a sigh of relief.

It was true. If anyone knew about the substitute, they should have been imprisoned by now.

“The only certain thing is that someone with the authority to control spies is involved.”

“That means…”

Those who have such power are naturally limited. The capable ambassador, Shenka, gave a serious look to the pale Ernesta.

“Please be extremely careful, Ernesta-sama. Returning you without harm is my biggest wish.”

❂❂❂

After finishing dinner alone and taking a bath, Ernesta went out to the balcony of her bedroom to count stars.

Through a gap in the clouds, the constellation Lyra, which is famously known for Orpheus’ lyre in “Orpheus and Eurydice,” could be seen.

Orpheus lost his beloved wife, Eurydice, and went to the underworld to plead with Hades to return her by playing his lyre. Hades was fond of the lyre and agreed to let Eurydice go with the condition that Orpheus could not look back until they reached the surface. However, Orpheus could not help himself and turned around to see Eurydice’s face, so she was taken back to the underworld, and they never met again. Afterward, Orpheus was said to have wandered the earth.

As she recalled her mother’s voice telling her the myth, Ernesta pressed her forehead against the railing and resisted her urge to look back.

I really hate my own foolishness. I got too comfortable with living here and forgot that the most important thing was to make this substitution a success.

This is just like Orpheus. Instead of prioritizing bringing his wife back, he lost everything because he couldn’t suppress his desire to see her beautiful face.

This won’t do. I shouldn’t get too attached to the life here or think of everyone’s warmth as lovely. I shouldn’t be happy every time I learn of Ivan’s kindness either.

Suddenly, the sound of the door closing made Ernesta turn around inside the room.

There was Ivan, standing there and staring at her while wearing a gray chokha he had on during the day.

“Ivan? What’s wrong?”

Feeling the unusual atmosphere emanating from him, Ernesta decided to return inside the room.

Standing in front of Ivan again, she felt insecure in her thin nightwear compared to him, who was in a well-fitted outfit with a sword on. Ernesta adjusted her shawl on her shoulders and looked up at his pair of blue eyes.

Ivan didn’t return any answer and she couldn’t read what was reflected in his eyes.

She remembered her conversation with Engeberg during the day, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

“Hey, Ivan, are you perhaps sleepy?”

Ernesta behaved unnaturally cheerfully. The fear and regret that he might have found out moved her body involuntarily.

“You had a busy day today. If that’s the case, it’s better to take a bath tomorrow and go to bed kya——”

Her words were replaced by a scream.

Because Ernesta was lifted up by Ivan.

Her heart throbbed violently at the suddenness of it all, and she fell into confusion. Her body, losing its balance, stiffened, and her hands were clenched in front of her chest without any purpose.

“W-What…?!︎ Ivan, what are you doing? Hey…!”

No matter how many times she asked, his outline looking down diagonally remained motionless. While she was doing that, his long legs reached the bed and she was laid down with an unnatural politeness.

Ernesta was completely petrified, her thought processes no longer functioning, when suddenly a robust physique came pouncing on her, and a stunning beauty came into view.

Then, lips tightly knit together, the beauty spoke, and all Ernesta could do was stare dumbstruck.

“——Who are you?”