CHAPTER 23

How The Male Lead Cures The Young Lady Who Has A Limited Time

The doctor looked around Yvette's wrist with a serious look.

"How much pain do you feel when you move?"

“It’s not too bad, just a little throbbing.”

“Fortunately, I don't think there are any problems with the bone. Still, for the time being, it would be better to be careful not to strain your wrists.”

The doctor said so and recommended some herbs that were good for reducing swelling.

“Then, I will excuse myself first. If you encounter any discomfort, please call me back anytime.”

After a polite greeting, the doctor left the parlor. Sid, who had been keeping an eye on Noel the whole time, took advantage of that opportunity and quietly left the room.

There were only two people left, and the air in the room subsided awkwardly.

“Look. I said I was fine.”

Yvette lowered her sleeves again and muttered as if nothing had happened. She was more worried about the man in front of her than her throbbing wrists.

“It’s late, so I’m going home.”

“…Use my carriage. I will take you.”

Noel responded briefly and ordered the attendant to ready the carriage. It was close to impossible to catch a private carriage at this time, so Yvette did not decline the offer.

Soon the two got into the carriage to Wheatley Manor.

* * * *

While heading home, Yvette stared out the window in confusion.

'Even though he knew I was Noel's fiancée, I didn't expect he would attack...'

At the last meeting, Baron Larish apparently seemed afraid of Noel. But when I saw him today, the Baron behaved like a man who had lost his temper.

It was somewhat skeptical to say that it was solely due to gambling debt.

'If you think about it, it was strange that Viscount Magnus was there.'

Viscount Magnus did not show up in social circles after suffering a side effect from magic. He used to show his face at imperial ceremonies while the previous emperors was alive, but after Liandrie’s accession he seldom came out of his mansion.

'There's no way that person would appear at the party for no reason......'

When Yvette was in deep thought for a long time. The carriage stopped and Noel's voice was heard.

“Looks like we have arrived.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Yvette raised her head sharply. Through the window, I could see Hubert, who has been waiting for me on the porch.

Noel said he had something to talk to his knights, and got off first. As Yvette descended next to him, Hubert greeted her with a smile.

“You came home late today.”

Yvette smiled weakly and nodded her head.

“I stopped by the Duke’s manor for a while, and I was late.”

"I see. You must be tired from the long journey, so I'll ask Philia to get the bath water ready."

“I beg you.”

Hubert politely bowed his head and went back to the mansion. In the meantime, Noel, who had finished talking to the knights, approached Yvette.

“I have the knights waiting around you, so don’t think about anything else tonight and get a good rest.”

“…Thank you, Noel. Today, in many ways, I only caused trouble.”

Yvette laughed weakly. I guess it's because the tension was relieved now, but her whole body felt stiff and throbbing.

'I thought I wouldn't have to worry about Baron Larish for a while.'

I guess I was thinking too lightly of things.

"Just in case, always have this on your body."

Before leaving, Noel took Yvette to the front door, then put something in her hand. She opened her palm to reveal a bracelet with a delicate purple pendant.

".....What's this?"

“It’s a magic tool called a communication stone. It's a means of contacting me right away in case of an emergency."

Yvette looked at the jewel with curious eyes.

'This is the communication stone.'

The communication stone was a magic tool that has been mentioned in the original work, and it has a function similar to that of a modern phone.

Usually, the number of times that can be used was fixed, and the more expensive the communication stone, the greater the number.

“It’s a precious thing, let’s be careful not to lose it.”

Yvette muttered, clutching the bracelet in her hand. At any other time, she may have refused, saying it was not necessary. But she thought it would be better to have one for now, just in case.

“It’s late, so Noel has to go back. Be careful on the road at night."

"...I don't know who is caring for whom."

Noel turned around smiling like the passing wind.

“Then, I’ll call you back tomorrow.”

“Take care.”

Eventually, the two headed their own ways with the front door between them.

* * * *

“Is there any news about Baron Larish yet?”

"Yes. Currently, the search party is looking for him, but it seems that there is not much progress yet."

“He couldn’t have gone far, so let’s search the capital city thoroughly to find him.”

"Yes, I understand!"

The nervous knight saluted and left the study. As he disappeared, Noel clicked his tongue and leaned back in his chair.

“… Faster than a rat when running away.”

Upon returning from Marquis Theron, the knights were released to find Baron Larish. But whatever he did, he had already disappeared without a trace. Noel closed his eyes, recalling the conversation he had with Sid several hours later.

[Obviously someone helped. Otherwise, it is impossible to disappear like this.]

[...Are you saying that he has an assistant?]

[Yes. If not, it means that Baron Larish is a wizard.]

It was nonsense that Baron Larish was a wizard.

This is because all wizards of the Empire are stipulated by law to be listed in the Wizard's Tower.

“That means that the baron has an accomplice.”

Noel murmured lowly and picked up the paper that was on his desk. The secret report disguised as a normal document was written as follow:

[Baron Larish. 49 years old, male. It turns out he hasn't come home for about a week. Currently location, unknown.]

Noel, who had been scanning the contents indifferently, stopped at one sentence.

Then his gaze turned cold.

[Note. The last contact was identified as Viscount Magnus, the creditor. Currently checking his location.]

* * * *

About a week after the Marquis Teron's party. Today again, Yvette was sitting at her study desk and handling a pile of correspondence.

schliff schliff The sound of the paper turning resonated in the study.

How long has it been?

Yvette stopped reading the letter and suddenly looked up.

"...Noel."

When I called his name, the answer came back as if he had waited.

"Yes?"

Noel, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, slightly raised his head. He looked as comfortable as if he was in his own house.

"Just...I just wanted to call you once."

Yvette, who smiled brightly, bowed her head again. Then Noel also gave attention to the book again without saying much. Yvette watched it with a side glance, and clicked her tongue inside.

'Is it okay for a Duke to be like that?'

Since visiting Marquis Theron, Noel has often visited Wheatley Manor. He said he came while passing by, but I felt strongly that he was trying to check my safety. Of course, I could guess to some extent why he was doing that.

'It must be because of Baron Larish.'

If it were at any other time, I would have nagged at him, asking if a Duke could be this free.

However, this time, Yvette decided to pretend not to know and move on. It was because not long ago, a letter from her aunt came.

[To my niece, Yvette]

Your uncle is gone. I heard that he met you the last time he was seen, if you know anything, please let me know.

-Your aunt]

The letter from the Baroness was concise. However, the contents inside were not as simple as the length.

'...I can't believe Baron Larish disappeared.’

The last thing she saw was him lying flat on the floor. After that, I avoided Viscount Magnus and could not confirm what had happened to the Baron.

'Well, he might have run away because of debt.’

I thought everything would be fine, but I couldn't easily shake off my anxious mind. Yvette sighed lightly and put down the quill she was holding.

I was dying of a headache, but I felt nauseous when I saw a pile of letters stacked up like a mountain.

'...All the letters that came this time are related to alumni.’

Most of the letters that flew to her today had the same content. To ask for sponsorship of my child attending the alumni meeting.

The Alumni Meeting of the Luhen Academy was an event designed to create connections between seniors and juniors regardless of their status and promote friendship with each other.

Of course, not many events that actually urged that purpose were held.

The nobles were busy creating connections between the nobles, and commoners students could not easily intervene in the atmosphere. A few outstanding commoners received sponsorship proposals, but the number was not large.

'If there's a good student, it's not bad to sponsor him, but... I have a lot of trouble now.’

Yvette sighed.

I'm busy taking care of my life, so there's no time to take care of other people's children.

'If it weren't for the original, I wouldn't even go to the meeting.'

The reason she endured this hard work to attend the Alumni Meeting was to meet Kerbel Petoras.

'In the original, he infiltrated the academy as a student.'

The Luhen Academy was not a place you could enter at any time of convenience. So when I had a chance, I had to look for Kerbel in it.

'When we meet, I'll ask him to solve the curse right away.'

Then, at least one of the concerns that bothers me can be solved.

Yvette sighed as if the ground was going to crumble. The more I thought about it, the more I felt complicated about my situation.

It was that time.

"I guess things are not going well."

Noel, who had already put down the book, approached her side before she knew it.

-to be continued

Translated by I.

Not 100% correct

Credit to the Author

<<PREV - NEXT>>