𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚・𝐕𝐨𝐧・𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡

A breeze bearing the scent of the sea brushes against my cheek.

Even though it’s the middle of winter, I don’t feel too cold, perhaps due to the warmer climate here than in Vulcano.

Seeing that Ga-chan is still lively and well, I let out a sigh of relief. I had been worried about her entering Binemöer, a place without any fairies.

Florenci seems to be enjoying the unfamiliar atmosphere of this port city with a gleeful expression.

The area is crowded with passengers disembarking, sailors unloading cargo, and what must be merchants coming to pick up their goods.

I firmly hold Florenci’s hand, ensuring that we don’t get separated.

Amid such a situation, Rachael strikes up a conversation.

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“Were you surprised by the chaotic port city?”

“No, it’s lively and bustling. I think it’s a lovely port city.”

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The eyes of the people passing by are shining, filled with hope.

This was a stark contrast to the harsh and busy port city of Vulcano.

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“I’m glad to hear you say that. I love this port city.”

“I think I’ll grow to love it too.”

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Rachael gives a relieved smile.

We are guided by the servants who came to pick us up, boarding a carriage directly to Rachael’s grandmother’s house.

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It seems they prepared a less shaky carriage for Florenci, loaded with plenty of stuffed animals and toys. It’s adorned with cute red and yellow paint and is a size smaller than the standard carriage.

Florenci was delighted at the sight of it and immediately hopped on. A maid will take care of him, so there’s no need to worry.

Rachael and I seem to be going on a separate carriage.

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“I must explain more about my grandmother.”

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Rachael’s expression darkens.

At this point, I realized the children’s carriage was prepared to keep Florenci from hearing this conversation.

As the carriage begins to move, Rachael opens up.

Her grandmother is a Marchioness named Delma・Von・Falkenhigh.

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“My mother is the youngest daughter of my grandmother, which makes me an external granddaughter.”

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Apparently, the relationship with the reclusive Marchioness is not exactly favorable.

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“In Binemöer, people tend to favor their internal grandchildren over their external ones. So, well, it can’t be helped.”

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Many of Vulcano’s nobility have little interest in their family, whether they are internal or external grandchildren. This was surprising to me, as I have no memories of being favored by my grandparents.

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“My grandmother’s favorite was Irma, the only female among the internal grandchildren.”

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Irma appears to be the daughter of Rachael’s uncle, making her a cousin.

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“Because my uncle died young, my grandmother especially doted on Irma, who was his only child――”

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Not only was she loved as if she was the apple of her eye, but she was also given special education to marry her into royalty.

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“Irma, who was raised like a princess, was truly beautiful and symbolized happiness.”

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I’m caught in the past tense she used to describe Irma.

Just as I was wondering if something happened to Irma, Rachael discloses the reason.

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“Irma passed away suddenly at the young age of eighteen.”

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On an extremely cold morning three years ago, Irma was found floating in a lake.

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“The knight’s investigation concluded it was an accident, that she slipped and fell into the lake and drowned. However, it’s hard to believe that Irma would approach a winter lake alone without her maid. That’s why I think she chose to end her life.”

“Why would she make such a choice?”

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It’s not good to meddle in the affairs of the Marquis family. But if I accidentally make a thoughtless remark, it could be troublesome. As a servant to the Marchioness, I need to know the minimum circumstances.

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“I don’t know the exact reason. But she was very frail and doctors had told her that she might not be able to have children. Perhaps she was lamenting that she couldn’t fulfill her duty even if she got married, or she might have been troubled by some other issue and decided to end her life.”

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While she was seemingly innocent and kind-hearted, she was also sensitive and easily hurt, and seemed to care too much about the opinions of others.

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“It might have been due to the immense love and expectations from her grandmother, which she possibly felt were too burdensome. . . . . . To be honest, I can’t say what the decisive reason might have been.”

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After Irma’s death, the Marchioness’s dislike of people seemed to accelerate, and she reportedly kept only a minimal number of servants around.

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“The only ones in the mansion are a few maids responsible for housekeeping, a single manservant, and a cook.”

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Even her husband, the Marquis, was reportedly told not to return home.

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“Initially, my grandfather lived in a separate residence with his mistress and returned to the main residence once or twice a month, so there was no issue there.”

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Of course, it seems that she doesn’t think highly of what Rachael is doing

I’m getting more and more anxious about whether I can be placed next to such a person.

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All the servants commute, and apparently there’s one day a week when nobody comes.

She declared she wanted to be alone and designated a servants’ day off.

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“My grandmother has a chronic illness, and once forgot to take her medicine, she collapsed.”

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To make matters worse, that day happened to be the servants’ day off. 

Although it was a dangerous situation, there was someone who visited the Marchioness.

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“That was Leon・Von・Montyver, my grandmother’s only tea-drinking friend.”

“Um, who exactly is he?”

“He serves as the personal knight to Prince Goddlobe. He’s not a suspicious man. Probably.”

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Upon hearing he’s a royal knight, I felt relieved, but Rachael’s added comment, “Probably,” left me uneasy.

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“How did he become a tea-drinking friend of the Marchioness?”

“Well, Lord Montyver is, how shall I put it, he’s very good at getting into people’s good graces. Maybe you could describe him as a person like a friendly dog?”

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He’s cheerful, bright, and very lively.

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“Originally, it seems that Lord Montyver’s mother and my grandmother were tea-drinking friends.”

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However, after Lord Montyver’s mother passed away, it seems he took over in her place.

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“At first, my grandmother seemed to show resistance, but she was eventually won over.”

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At this point, Rachael grabs my hand and leans in closer.

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“My grandmother might come across as very stubborn and cold, but she’s a very compassionate person. If you persistently approach her, you’ll surely be accepted.”

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If it comes to that, I want you to make her comfortable by taking cues from Lord Montyver’s behavior.

Rachael pleaded with me with serious eyes.