Of course, it’s a natural response, but Ayla first took me out to the sitting room.
Fortunately, the baron seemed willing to forgive the brief coordination of opinions about the “unexpected guest” and said he would wait quietly in the sitting room.
No, perhaps it wasn’t so much that he forgave Ayla, but rather that he wanted to have a deeper conversation with the Shadow.
Ayla was the second daughter, and naturally, her commoner mother couldn’t become a noble or a member of the baron’s family.
Moreover, the legitimate wife had passed away relatively early, and there were no children left from the baron’s marriage.
Though she was still at an age where it was a bit precarious, it wouldn’t be strange for him to take a wife and have a son. It’s quite common for noblemen to have children with a considerable age difference.
The Shadow certainly wouldn’t fall for such a suggestion, though.
“Who is that person?”
“That’s the Lady of Bluewood.”
“I’ve never heard of that name before.”
“She lives in the royal capital and only does business within the capital, so that’s to be expected. The lady isn’t the type to enjoy balls or parties either.”
“I see. So, can you explain why she is visiting our territory at this time?”
I hesitated for a moment.
“It’s an order.”
Ayla added.
Well, it can’t be helped.
“She’s an acquaintance of mine from a few years ago. She’s famous in the underworld for manipulating various kinds of information. Perhaps she might have a connection with the count. Of course, when she engages in such activities, she hides behind the ‘Shadow.’”
After hearing my explanation, Ayla froze for a moment with her mouth slightly open.
“So, she’s like the information guild I’ve heard of in rumors.”
“Something like that.”
Honestly, talking about the Shadow’s identity to other people like this isn’t exactly safe.
After all, there’s a reason why the Shadow is called the Shadow. They can behead those who oppose them without being detected, and naturally, the people below them also have such skills.
Even though it’s true, they’re probably not at the level of the Marquis’ knights or my brother, but the point is that there’s not just one way to kill someone.
“Is it okay to talk about such things?”
But the next moment, Ayla’s gaze landed on my choker. Then, her expression shifted as if she slightly regretted her words.
It wasn’t because she felt sorry for me, but because the information I had was probably more dangerous than she realized. Right now, it was better for Ayla not to make any more enemies.
Hmm. Thinking about it, maybe it would have been better if the choker just strangled me already.
I had thought about something similar just a moment ago.
While having such casual thoughts, I continued speaking.
“It’s fine.”
“Is it really okay?”
“It’s because we’re acquaintances enough for her to visit me suddenly. I don’t think she’ll want to kill me just because I shared some information with you, Ayla.”
At first glance, it may seem like an impulsive action, but the Shadow’s actions are typically calculated.
Even if I revealed some information, they know not to cross the line. If they wanted to do something drastic, they wouldn’t have attracted Ayla’s attention like this.
But Ayla still looked uneasy.
Unfortunately, I had no words for her.
“Alright.”
Ayla said.
“That said, we can’t leave the baron and the young baroness alone together. Who knows what might be said between them?”
Logically, I should say that there was no reason for that to happen.
But honestly, it was getting a bit tiresome.
Why is it that when I call my acquaintances, they just show up?
I was really glad I didn’t ask the Empress for help.
When Ayla and I entered the sitting room, for some reason, the Shadow was pouring wine for the baron.
“Oh, Luna.”
The Shadow said.
Since their makeup was still intact, they appeared to have a slight blush on their face.
No, more than that, I seriously started worrying about the baron’s life. Did the Shadow find out what the baron had done and decide it would be better to get rid of him?
But there were many people from the baron’s side around. A man like the baron wouldn’t travel alone when visiting another territory.
Though they didn’t completely surround the mansion, most of them were actually outside.
“Don’t worry. This wine isn’t from the count’s house.”
At least, since there was no wine in the sitting room, it must be true.
“I thought you might need a gift, so I brought it along, but I didn’t expect it to be used so wonderfully.”
“I see.”
The baron said, drinking the wine.
“It’s a really good wine. I’ve never heard of the name before.”
“There are many good wines in the world that aren’t well known. Thanks to having people who know, getting them cheaply is no problem. If the baron wants it, I can get it for you anytime.”
Ayla and I exchanged glances.
‘What should we do?’
Ayla asked with her eyes.
‘I’m sorry.’
I answered with my eyes.
Ayla let out a light sigh, then walked over to a chair and plopped down. The baron, annoyingly, moved to take the seat of honor as soon as Ayla got up. He took the seat that would have been occupied by the count if he were alive.
Like me, Ayla probably didn’t feel like thinking anymore and decided to stop pretending.
Unfortunately, I had no right to object to that, so I decided to just observe the situation for now.
“You truly arrived at a most opportune time.”
“An opportune time, you say?”
The baron asked nonchalantly.
The count’s body is still in the royal capital. Ironically, because of the political struggles surrounding the body, attention hasn’t really been drawn to this place.
Well, the count’s assets must be in both here and the royal capital. Before Ayla can get her hands on them, they’re probably trying desperately to find it.
The baron probably didn’t know, but Ayla had just finished sending everyone out and filled this place with other people. While Ayla herself doesn’t seem to think of them as ‘her people,’ if others saw this situation, they’d likely say, ‘The count’s house has fallen into Ayla’s hands.’
Just as everything had settled, the baron arrived. For Ayla, it was indeed the perfect timing.
“Baron.”
Ayla said arrogantly, crossing her legs.
One of the count’s eyebrows slightly lifted. Ayla had usually shown a compliant attitude in the baron’s house, so for the count, it seemed that Ayla’s change was felt to be an indication of something more.
“I will find my husband’s enemy and take revenge.”
“Oh?”
The baron laughed.
“I heard that you said the baron passed away from old age.”
Hmm.
Did the baron only move after gathering some information?
“He was still a bit too young to die from old age. He hadn’t even reached his sixties.”
Ayla said, laced with sarcasm.
“Ah.”
“But at the same time, he was old enough to be considered that. You know, noblemen who avoid exercise tend to die quickly.”
“I’m not his daughter, Baron.”
“Hm?”
“I’m the countess. I’m a married woman now, and I belong to the Wellenborough family. I don’t know if my name is still in the Reedbury baron’s family tree, but my family name now is Wellenborough. Please refrain from calling me ‘daughter’ in such a public setting.”
The baron blinked.
“Do you know who sent me to such a good family?”
“Of course, Baron. I’ll probably continue to be grateful for that matter in the future.”
Once again, her tone was full of sarcasm.
Ayla never wanted this marriage in the first place.
She hadn’t even wanted to be in such a situation.
“But the only reason I was able to seize power like this was purely due to my luck and skills. Isn’t that right, Baron?”
“Luck? Skills? Haha!”
The baron laughed.
A person who wouldn’t get drunk after just a few drinks probably had this kind of personality.
“Do you really think that?”
“Of course. I was able to fill this mansion with the people I wanted because of my skill. It was probably luck that I could fill it with good people, though.”
Could that be it?
This all started when Ayla saved me. If she hadn’t known that she could defeat a few larger men with a sword back then, the story would’ve ended before it even started.
If I hadn’t fallen for Ayla. If I hadn’t been the second son of the Marquis. If I hadn’t met certain fateful encounters.
Perhaps Ayla would have attempted a hopeless escape, been killed by the baron, and lost everything she had.
Both skill and luck mixed together made it all possible.
“Or perhaps, Baron, do you think you should claim credit for all of that? In that case, it would mean that your death is also your doing.”
“Hah.”
The baron laughed.
No. Alright. Let’s say I was lucky. But even so, you can’t deny that you are a member of the baron’s family. Naturally, you would be.
“Could you explain why?”
“I’m here, so.”
The baron said.
“You said you filled it with the people you wanted? Well, you’ve always acted as if you’re not really interested in men. Didn’t you ignore all the men who tried to flirt with you at the balls?”
I looked at Ayla.
Did she?
I often secretly snuck into the balls Ayla attended, but by then, Ayla had already been completely isolated.
“What can you do with just hiring a new maid?”
Hmm, well.
There’s a lot that could be done.
There’s no one here who could challenge the baron to a direct sword fight and guarantee a clear victory. I’m not sure about my brother either.
If we all rushed in together, who knows what would happen?
But when it comes to killing people and persuading them, ‘swordsmanship’ isn’t the only answer.
There’s also the young baroness next to the baron, whose eyes are shining.
Feeling the urge to interfere and biting my tongue, I decided to just stand in place for now.