Chapter 40 : The Deal (5)

“So, my younger sibling.”

After Ayla fell back asleep in her room, I left the mansion again and headed towards the hunting groundskeeper’s villa.

By that time, the campfire had already gone out.

Still, there were a few torches around the building, so it wasn’t completely dark.

“How did the heir to the Marquis family end up as the coachman for the baron’s daughter? Did he somehow get something on him?”

“No, that’s not it.”

At my question, my younger sibling made a serious face.

He was still wearing clothes that fit the preferences of the shadows. A black outfit, top and bottom. Even the carriage was black, so if there was a body inside, it wouldn’t have looked out of place.

My younger sibling is usually quite serious, but not serious enough to choose funeral attire as his everyday wear.

Noticing my gaze on him, he let out a deep sigh.

“First, older brother, let me ask you something.”

“Alright, ask whatever you want.”

“Didn’t you say, older brother, that a gentleman never lets a lady be in danger?”

“Good heavens.”

I couldn’t help but murmur.

“Younger sibling, do you seriously think that the shadow of the royal family could be in any danger?”

If we were to argue it, yes, there could be danger. But a woman who couldn’t escape such a situation on her own would never be the kind to end up in that position. She would simply avoid stepping into a place where such a thing could happen.

By the time I made the decision to come here, I was already sure my life wasn’t in danger.

“If I’m not there, that family becomes meaningless. Is there another option?”

“If you refuse, he would have found another way. The Marquis family has no real weaknesses.”

Many nobles believe that corruption and political maneuvering are essential tools. To gain power, they think they must always be tightly connected with the central authority and somehow squeeze the common people in their territories to create the money they need to hold that power.

It’s mostly true. With money, you can literally do a lot of things, and naturally, those things include acts that strengthen power.

Such corruption creates weaknesses. Those not tightly connected to power can use that as a weapon or justification to attack.

Of course, those on the “opposite side” also have weaknesses for similar reasons, so nobles are always probing each other, wondering how to avoid exposing their own weaknesses while striking at the others.

However, some people stay far from that game.

The Marquis family is one of them.

A family that subdued the surrounding lands solely by strength, far from the court’s intrigues. Their family’s reputation is not far behind that of the royal family, and historically, they are slightly superior.

They didn’t seek corruption but instead built their power purely through strength.

After realizing I was a bastard, I briefly wondered if the baron had brought in the Marquis to create a weakness, but having a few illegitimate children is hardly a big flaw in this world. It would be a different story if they tried to split the family with the wife’s family, but I don’t think it would affect the Marquis much.

So, the shadow of the Marquis wouldn’t have forced my younger sibling to become his coachman. The Marquis would have known that once the shadow learned the truth, he would have been killed.

“…He also said that if he died without a guard, he wouldn’t be able to help you, older brother.”

“You think that of me? I’m really moved, younger sibling.”

“And father also told me to keep a close eye on you.”

“Probably for a while, he’ll stay here and keep an eye on you. The shadow already knows that. More than just knowing, he has clearly inferred that father wants to have a daughter. Older brother, do you know anything about that?”

I have a vague idea.

“Father, who had longed for a daughter, will surely cherish this one dearly now that he really has a daughter. Of course, father did say that.”

The idea that someone was placed in the Marquis family seems a bit strange. It’s clear there’s no major weakness that would justify taking such a risk.

So, this is also an inference.

“So, what happened next?”

“Probably soon, father will send someone officially to the count’s domain, or one of them will visit the estate. I thought this was a very reasonable deduction. After all, older brother, you wouldn’t go if father called you, would you? And mother wouldn’t force you either.”

“Father has a hasty personality, so he probably won’t be able to wait much longer.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better if you kept an eye on the Marquis’ movements in the estate?”

“That’s what he said, too. He wants to go alone. To check the useful information he had gathered earlier and confirm it again. He took time because he was sorting through important information that he couldn’t entrust to anyone else. If he has to go urgently, he’ll need to go with minimal personnel, but it’s too dangerous for a woman to ride alone.”

I couldn’t respond to that.

“Then, I can’t visit the Marquis’ estate as the heir of the baron’s house, so this is how it happened.”

“I see… You’ve had a hard time, younger sibling.”

“Of course. It was incredibly hard.”

My younger sibling nodded with a serious expression.

“That’s why, I think I’ll stay here for a while. I’ll try to avoid meeting the baron as much as possible.”

“Uh… right. Well, I…”

Seeing my younger sibling staring at me, I turned my gaze around,

“Thank you.”

“Well, I also want to see certain things, so I’m doing this.”

My younger sibling smiled as if he was pleased for winning against me after a long time.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what father and mother will say when they see you, older brother.”

The last thing he said was, ‘I wanted a daughter, after all.’

“…”

I stopped imagining what the Marquis would say to me and just stopped thinking about it.

Well, we’ll meet eventually, so I’ll think about it when the time comes.

Not everything in the world goes according to my wishes, but at least some things are turning out the way I want them.

Ayla’s trust in me is growing slowly as time passes.

Even so, I wouldn’t ask a servant I don’t trust to change my clothes.

It’s the same for helping me wash my body in the bathroom.

Ayla even entrusted me with the task of undressing her.

I know this isn’t really a sign of deep affection; she just wants to make things awkward for me, but knowing that even she doesn’t see it as mere acting, I was a bit relieved.

After much effort, I’ve reached the point where, even though I can’t directly face Ayla’s front, I can at least catch a glimpse of her back.

Still, I can’t let my gaze fall below her waist—well, let’s call it a big improvement.

Her upper body, rising slightly above the bathtub, with her white skin, is dangerous.

Even though I slowly wash Ayla’s body with a wet towel, I’m always cautious. If I were to look directly at her, there would be things I shouldn’t see, so I’m careful.

The water is warm, and steam is rising constantly, making the bathroom humid to the point that it’s hard to bear even in clothes.

“Luna, your clothes are wet.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why would it be wrong for your clothes to get wet while you’re helping me wash?”

Ayla spoke to me after my instinctive apology.

The steam is one thing, but the maid’s dress is long, and when I crouch down, the hem gets wet.

“It doesn’t seem very efficient, but how about next time you take off all your clothes?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

It’s embarrassing to look, but I don’t mind being seen.

Ayla stayed silent for a while, then said,

“No, even so, completely undressing seems a bit much.”

She said, serious.

“In that case, I’ll just wear underwear.”

“Please wear something thin. Something that won’t matter if it gets wet.”

“Understood, Ayla.”

“Goodness. I really can’t tell if you have any sense of shame or not.”

“If it’s your command, I’ll try to throw away whatever remains of my shame.”

“…No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Ayla said, sounding a little reluctant.

But she didn’t completely reject my touch.

She looks straight into my eyes as usual.

Is she reassured because she sees me as a hunting dog on a leash, or has she started to take an interest in my eyes?

My appearance may have completely changed, but this distinctive gaze remains.

Could she be seeing the past me reflected in my eyes?

Well, that’s unlikely.

I should be more worried about whether she remembers me or not.

“Luna.”

“Yes, Ayla.”

“Your expression is blank. You look twice as perverted as usual.”

“I don’t look perverted.”

“On what confidence do you say such a thing…?”

Ayla said this and laughed slightly, as if she found it ridiculous.

At least, it was a different expression from her usual sharp, deliberately exaggerated smile.

For now, I’ll take that as enough.