𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝
Clearly even without sleep, I somehow understood Thor’s explanation.
Thor’s view was that existing vegetables and herbs are being bred to mix specific ingredients together, altering them to weaken the body.
This way, health deteriorates gradually, making it harder to detect. Colds and other diseases would become easier to catch and harder to cure, potentially leading to other illnesses.
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“This is just my personal opinion based on these components, so I can’t be certain. Could you let me know the results from the castle when they’re available?”
“Of course. The Norchev family. . . truly has been of help.”
“It’s for Nee-sama’s sake!”
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The unswerving Thor has become like a work of art. No one interrupts him, and he manages to deflect everything amicably.
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“Thank you for supporting Nee-sama, Thor. Please take it easy for a while.”
“I will do that. Goodnight, Nee-sama.”
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After seeing Thor and Marina off, sneaking away with Chris, everyone started bustling about busily.
I decided to make an easy-to-pick evening meal. The skewered fry party will have to wait for another time.
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With so much to do, I decided to take the next day off from school. On the way out of school the following day, Caroline whispered behind her fan.
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“Come to the tea party today.”
“You can’t be serious. . .”
“Bring only one trusted person with you. I don’t want others to overhear.”
“Understood. I’ll stop by after returning to my room.”
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I prepared a gift in my room and decided to go with Arthur.
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“Miss Caroline is not an enemy, but stay alert. Activate the security magic tool if anything happens. I will listen in with the communication magic tool.”
“Acknowledged. I am on my way.”
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I entered Caroline’s room with a tense expression.
There’s usually a number of servants here, but now there was only one maid.
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Seeing me tensed up, Caroline shrugged her shoulders.
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“There’s someone who gets angry if we don’t eat sweets, but it doesn’t feel right now.”
“I actually do want to eat. Really want to.”
“Please take some with you by all means.”
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Caroline chuckled and set up a soundproof magic tool on the desk and activated it.
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“I’ve spotted a suspicious person.”
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The air became tense.
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“I told you my family is a merchant family, right? Everywhere I go, I hear various rumors. I avoid dangerous places and bring products that are likely to sell. Since you mentioned it, I’ve been getting information passed to me as well. Speculating and discussing, it’s quite fun.”
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After moistening her throat with tea, Caroline continued.
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“Probably, one of Dyson’s confidants is lurking in Valka’s territory.”
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In that moment, a chill spread behind me. It was Arthur.
Without trying to conceal his killing intent, I felt as if he was ready to strike there and then. A little. . . no, quite frightening.
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“What I asked for was about people related to the school. Why does Dyson come into it?”
“Nobility doesn’t see merchants as equals. They blabber in front of a pet, showing their true colors.”
“Meaning?”
“It means I know quite accurately about things concerning Dyson and the royal brother.”
“Isn’t that highly confidential information that isn’t easily obtainable?”
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Without realizing it, I asked genuinely.
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“Oh, don’t underestimate my house; it’s wealthy enough to enroll in a noble’s school.”
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Snapping open her fan, Caroline smiled. It was a smile different from her usual brightness, tinged with a hint of allure.
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“The missing prince feigning illness, and that persistent Dyson. Whenever something happens at the castle, the reason Tianne-sama always takes a leave, saying she’s not interested in such matters. The suddenly appeared Tianne-sama with a different voice. . . It’s all clear if you think about it.”
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. . .This is bad.
Arthur looks as though he might strike at any moment.
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“Why did you reveal that to me?”
“I like the current Tianne-sama. You showed me a new path, you’re a bit quirky in your thinking, always positive. I’m cooperating because you are you. I want you to know that.”
“. . .Is that so.”
“I have no intention of telling anyone. I’m just informing you because I have acquired the information Tianne-sama has been seeking. Information from the informant, a wonderfully new path you’ve shown me, to my first client, Tianne-sama, at a bargain price.”
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Closing her fan, Caroline had a dazzling smile on her face.
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“Tell me your real name. And let’s become friends again. I really like you. You were my first friend at this school. . . and my best friend.”
“Caroline. . .”
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We looked at each other. If this were a drama, surely some good music would be playing.
Arthur, cutting through the moment, whispered secretly to me.
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“Please agree to the terms. It’s likely the location of the one making poison.”
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Nodding, I faced Caroline squarely.
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“My real name is. . . Alice. And I don’t always speak like a noble.”
“I noticed your accent slips at times.”
“Eh.”
“It’s a nice name, Alice. Mine is Caroline.”
“Nice to meet you, Caroline.”
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Not sure what the proper behavior for such a moment is, I offered a handshake, and Caroline, laughing, shook my hand.
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“I often go to Valka and Ouldra territories to stock up. A suspicious man seems to buy in bulk regularly. It’s not particularly unusual. . . but this customer, he stands out.”
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Suddenly serious, Caroline spoke. It seems I’m the only one who can’t keep up with this shift, so I make a serious face.
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“He’s cheerful, lively even when alone. But. . . his eyes. Everyone says his eyes don’t smile. As if dreaming, seeing something through the person in front of him. Buying in bulk, then disappearing after a few weeks or months. And when you’ve forgotten about him, he returns. Moving between Valka and Ouldra territories.”
“How is that connected to Dyson?”
“Because he was a noble with ties to Dyson. . . After the former empress passed away, he stopped appearing. Rumored to have died following her. . . but likely, it’s that man.”
“I want that man’s information and whereabouts.”
“I have it all compiled. Here you go.”
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Handing an envelope sealed with wax to Arthur, I drank the now cold tea. My body felt oddly warm, and the coldness was comforting.
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“. . .So you’re going away.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s a shame, just when we became friends.”
“We’ll meet again. By then, Caroline can cover all the information in the school and grasp as many weaknesses as she wants.”
“Fufu, right. Starting with this school. Leave it to me, I’ll turn it into a major organization.”
“. . .Don’t dig too much into my background. You might end up laughing at the strange things that come up.”
“Oh, if I don’t know about Alice, I won’t be able to help you out of a pinch.”
“Hmm, I can’t argue with that.”
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After chatting with Caroline for a bit in her genuine manner, I decided to leave early.
After saying goodbye with a hug to the seemingly sad Caroline, I hurried back to my room. If all goes well, we can capture the enemy in one fell swoop before they notice.
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My hastened steps almost made me trip, but I managed to reach my room safely.
Thankfully, Arthur was also curious about the content of the letter, which saved me from his usual interjections and puns. That was a relief.
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