CHAPTER 101
After meeting the Duke, Lewis returned to the Magic Tower. The Duke also continued his work in his office.
Even after Tom returned, the Duke's residence remained peaceful, as if nothing had happened.
But there's a feeling. The calm before the storm.
Bella, who had gone to practice swordsmanship in the training grounds, returned shortly after.
As more time passed, Michael returned from work and entered with Lewis.
"Hello, Selina? It's a beautiful evening."
Seeing Michael greet me cheerfully, it felt like he already anticipated what was about to happen. Well, he must have heard everything from Lewis on the way here!
"It's about time we get started, right?"
"Indeed."
Michael and Lewis exchanged words.
"What? What are you talking about?" Bella looked at them with a puzzled face.
On the way to the Duke's office, I told Bella about what had happened earlier in the day.
"What?"
Bella was just as shocked.
"Is he out of his mind—"
Beep—beep—beep beep—
A stream of colorful curses flowed from Bella's mouth.
Bella really is fiery. It felt like I had heard years' worth of curses all at once.
She's cursing at Tom, but why is my body trembling...?
"Everyone's gathered."
When we arrived at the office, the Duke stood up from his seat.
He had already instructed the butler, who was present in the office.
"Summon the knights of the family. Have that man sent to the underground prison."
I got to see Croft's underground prison, which I had only heard about in rumors.
After a while, we moved to the underground prison where Tom was sitting on a chair.
Such a stern atmosphere.
Tom, bound with ropes, was being guarded by two knights on either side.
"W-Why are you doing this to me?"
Tom looked very bewildered.
"You should know very well why."
Lewis said coldly.
"Let me do it! I can torture him well."
Bella exclaimed eagerly.
Imagine how uneasy Tom must feel, seeing her with a one-armed doll saying such things?
"It's not finished yet. It's incomplete."
Bella said, noticing my gaze at the doll, but Michael followed up with an eerie comment.
"If Bella handles the torture, he'll end up like that doll."
Oh, that's a bit...
I don't have the courage to endure this.
I might faint if I stay here...
Just then, I made eye contact with Lewis.
He chuckled and said,
"How about you stay outside?"
"Uh...would that be better?"
"Do that, Selina."
The Duke supported Lewis's suggestion.
"Don't stay here. Go upstairs and have something delicious to eat."
They're conducting torture down here, and I'm supposed to eat something tasty alone?
"I'll head up then...!"
I awkwardly smiled at the Duke's words and quickly went up to my room.
* * *
It seemed the Duke had instructed it because, not long after, a maid brought food to my room.
"Miss, please rest and enjoy this."
The menu was meat pie and red velvet cake.
Minced meat and bright red cake, what a combination!
When I stared at the food, the maid looked puzzled.
"Miss, why aren't you eating?"
"I feel a bit..."
The Croft family came upstairs only after a long time had passed.
I waited without touching the food, then immediately went out to ask.
"What happened? Did he say the Crown Prince ordered it?"
"No."
I thought they might come back with blood on them, but fortunately, the Croft family looked just as they did when they went down.
They were spotless, not a drop of blood on them.
"He kept his mouth shut until the end."
Lewis shrugged.
"If he just said the Crown Prince ordered it, he'd be spared."
"Did he...die?"
"He's still alive. But if he keeps his mouth shut, it won't be for long."
He could have survived if he just spoke up. Such incredible loyalty.
Did Philip threaten him or something?
* * *
"A lot happened today."
As Lewis was about to leave the hall, I followed to see him off.
It had truly been a day full of events.
I had followed the servant with Lewis and even had an experience that might give me a fear of heights.
I almost stayed for the torture scene too!
"Did you eat something nice? The madam prepared it for you."
Even in this situation, Lewis was concerned about my meal.
"With a spy around, how could I eat something alone?"
Besides, the menu was a bit...
I added, making Lewis chuckle.
"The menu was a bit odd."
"Still, I'm grateful for the gesture."
It didn't seem like he was leaving right away.
So, I chatted with Lewis outside the entrance for a bit.
"I thought I had built up quite some courage, but I guess not yet."
"You might get used to it if you see it often."
"That's quite a scary thought."
Getting used to it. It would probably take ten years for me to get used to something like that.
A few months is just...
No way!
I shivered, and Lewis laughed mischievously. Then he lightly tapped my head.
Huh? When I looked at him with puzzled eyes, he asked.
"Are you scared of me?"
Previously, I would have strongly said "Yes!" but now, Lewis isn't scary.
We've spent enough time together to become accustomed, and we are quite close... well, something like that.
"I'm not scared."
"But you were scared earlier?"
"The situation was scary. I'm a bit squeamish, and I get scared easily..."
I tried to explain, and Lewis said,
"Sorry for scaring you."
"No, it's okay. It was necessary to catch the spy. This is the family tradition, after all."
Croft is a family of wizards, but far from just sitting and researching like scholars.
"Next time, stay upstairs from the beginning. Don't come down and see something scary and faint."
"People don't faint so easily, Marquis."
Though I did faint when I saw the assassins, that was truly terrifying.
"I won't faint anymore. I'll keep my wits about me."
Just stay focused. Even if the Croft family creates another scary situation like today!
"Alright then."
Lewis chuckled at my words.
Seeing him laugh naturally made me feel at ease. It felt like we had found peace again.
I liked seeing Lewis's genuine smile...
"I have to go now."
"Yes."
Lewis, who had been spending some time with me, now really had to leave.
"Even though I moved out, I visit so often. Should I just move to the mansion next door?"
"That sounds good."
He joked as he boarded the carriage that had arrived.
"Since the spy is gone, the Crown Prince will soon notice something strange. Keep that ring with you wherever you go."
"Yes. Don't worry!"
Lewis waved lightly, and the carriage departed.
I watched his carriage until it disappeared from sight before returning to the mansion.
But it seems I was smiling without realizing it.
"What did you and Lewis talk about? You look happy."
"Huh? We didn't talk about anything special?"
Looking in the mirror at Bella's words, I was smiling.
Was my expression this bright? I didn't even realize...
* * *
After seeing Philip at Redmond's daughter's birthday party, I hadn't encountered him since.
Which is natural, as it's rare to frequently meet the Crown Prince.
Philip used to appear often when he liked Charlotte and hung out with her, but...
Is it fortunate that I don't see him?
Still, it's not like I won't run into him at all. Since Lewis was assigned to investigate the temple.
I went to the Magic Tower to see Lewis and remembered to ask.
"Marquis, what happened to the magic circle?"
"I'm roughly monitoring it."
It doesn't seem like he's looking into it very thoroughly.
"If I uncover it, even the temple will be troubled. And I don't really want to uncover it completely."
"But the Magic Tower might be considered inferior to the court wizards."
"Just for one result."
Lewis scoffed.
"Are you going to the magic circle again today?"
"Yeah. I'll drop you off at the Duke's residence first."
I suddenly thought of an idea and suggested it.
"Do I have to go today?"
"You might run into the Crown Prince. I encounter him occasionally."
Frowning at the mention of the Crown Prince, he must really dislike it.
Considering Lewis's personality, going to the temple must be a really unpleasant time for him.
"You don't like going to the temple, do you?"
"It's bothersome."
Anyway, we arrived at the temple.
Not long after we arrived, Philip entered the temple.
He said we might run into him occasionally, and today must be one of those days.
"Lady Elsner?"
"Oh, greetings to the Crown Prince!"
Philip was accompanied by Madden. Since Madden would practically investigate the magic circle.
Our side had Lewis investigating, so it ended up being me, Philip, and the High Priest watching together.
We were standing off to the side, not getting in the way, but still close to Lewis.
Hearing that we might run into the Crown Prince was one thing, but actually seeing him felt different.
Seeing Philip reminded me of all the things he had orchestrated...
Tom, who was imprisoned in the underground dungeon, never revealed that the Crown Prince was behind it.
He only insisted that he didn't know.
Even after encountering Philip in a hood!
Whether he didn't know he was the Crown Prince or genuinely didn't know the identities of those who ordered the deed.
Eventually, I heard that a few days ago, Tom bit his tongue.
This is all too scary... sigh.
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