"Anyway, Count Riphaely would never allow it, so it's not wrong either way, is it? If she happens to be spiteful, at least know why she's acting that way."
A waiter automaton approached as the words ended and set down cake plates. Since this was all it did, it had to do it well, and the automaton really did set things up perfectly. Esperanza admired the cleanly angled setting.
Already accustomed to it, Cordelia didn't even glance as she stabbed her fork into the lavishly decorated cake and began talking about Mabelwood again.
"And, even if anyone asks, I'd prefer if you didn't mention that you're going to Mabelwood."
"That's not difficult, but why?"
Cordelia's shoulders, which had been lively all day, drooped. She spoke while dejectedly stabbing at her cake.
"Honestly, there probably isn't anyone who would particularly want to come to Mabelwood right now."
No one knew the details about the incident that occurred in Mabelwood. Even Kendrick, who was a judge, only knew it in general terms, and only the fact that such an incident had happened was known through the broken engagement with Dunbarton. Nevertheless, there was no reason to 'particularly' go.
Perhaps it was because of a lingering uneasiness in people's minds. Even in an age when airships could circle the world in a week, superstition still powerfully dominated people.
"I'm hoping that if Lord Avondale and Esperanza visit, such rumors might die down. Either way. That's why grandmother allowed it too. And most importantly, no matter what happens, Esperanza will be safe, right?"
Cordelia giggled while making punching motions. While pushing aside her mutilated cake. Esperanza suddenly felt doubtful.
That day, at least that day, Cordelia probably couldn't think to have doubts. She would have been surprised and tired since something big had happened. But the next day, and the day after that, didn't she have doubts?
How 'lady' Esperanza Hunter had such force. Why she didn't even blink when faced with a gun, one loaded with magic bullets at that.
"Oh my, that's only natural. Esperanza, you came from Paolun, didn't you?"
Ominous.
"People from Paolun are all martial arts masters, right? Do you also wake up at dawn to meditate, Esperanza?"
Ahaha. Esperanza laughed awkwardly. Should I say that prejudice saved me?
"But do those people teach such things to Osdern people too? Didn't you learn from some reclusive martial arts master?"
"......It's like a riding club."
So like weekend sports? Or an early morning soccer club? If Cordelia ever met a real Paolun person, this lie would probably come back to her tenfold.
"It must be quite common. How wonderful. I'd like to travel too...... but they say to go after marriage. Even then, don't even dream of going to the colonies. Esperanza, the colonies aren't that dangerous, are they?"
"Well, yes. People live there too."
She roughly recycled a similar excuse from before. You couldn't escape the imperialism that permeated like air.
"Before going down to Mabelwood, would you like to come to our tea party once? Lucinda, Sylvia, Gloria and the others you saw before will come. A few more will be added, but they're all unmarried ladies. We'll play card games, sing songs, and it would be nice if you told us about Paolun too."
Esperanza, who had no talent for making up even similar stories about Paolun, awkwardly smiled and declined.
"I'm helping Lord Avondale with his research. It would be difficult to find time. To go to Mabelwood, I need to finish the current research, so I'll be busy for a while too."
"Ah, I see. I didn't think of that."
Fortunately, Cordelia was quickly convinced. It was fortunate she didn't persistently probe like someone else.
"So when did you say we're going down?"
"Didn't I mention that?"
Cordelia smiled brightly while brushing back her long blonde hair.
"In a week."
Really, Cordelia was impatient. Very much so.
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"A week? That's impossible. No matter how much I rush, I need at least 2 weeks. I need to take leave and prepare."
"I suppose so, right? Then we can go separately."
Cider blinked. The gear he was trying to fit inside the machine went askew and made a clang sound.
"You and me?"
"What are you talking about? Obviously us and Cordelia."
"That would be a good idea. If Lady Cordelia is attached too, it'll be cramped, uncomfortable, and no fun."
"Why are you so harsh toward Cordelia? She's my friend."
He had no grudge against an eighteen-year-old young lady. Even if he wanted to have a grudge, there had to be contact points to have one, and they had no contact points. Even if there were, he probably wouldn't have been interested.
"I'm just stating facts."
"I think she's much better compared to Viscount Poulsbury."
"I agree with that. And that person isn't my friend."
"You're alumni though? Aren't you somewhat close?"
Cider brushed the dust around the gear with a brush, then emerged from the machine and said:
"Do you think I would have played around having picnics with alumni?"
"That's a bit... disgusting......"
"Consistently rude as always."
Cider clicked his tongue at the openly distorted expression. Esperanza soon smoothed her expression and giggled.
"But where are you alumni from? University?"
"No, college."
"Ah, you went to such a place too. Wearing shorts, boys living together in dormitories, performing plays and reciting poetry......"
"That's a very narrow perspective."
It wasn't entirely wrong. Though they didn't wear shorts.
"It didn't suit me at all, so I skipped grades. But they still count me as alumni."
"Ah, yes, I see."
If school doesn't suit you, you skip grades.
"Anyway, whether Lady Cordelia is your friend or not, if more people join, there's less we can talk about."
"That's true."
Esperanza answered nonchalantly. Did they really need to have important conversations? It seemed like they could spend time well enough just chatting like now.
"Esperanza, I know what you're thinking, but it's five hours by train from here to Mabelwood."
No one told me that!
The fountain pen that suddenly approached her face gently lifted and closed Esperanza's jaw.
"You didn't discuss this with your friend?"
Cider sneered. Esperanza threw the cushion she was holding. Cider caught the cushion and chuckled. Just as a second round was about to begin, the sound of bells announcing the hour came from the clock tower in the plaza outside. Cider put down the cushion as if he had never been fooling around with Esperanza.
"Now, let's go out."
Being pushed out by the back, Esperanza grumbled.
"What on earth are you doing......"
What secret research was he conducting? Esperanza firmly decided she wouldn't be surprised even if there were corpses in the laboratory.
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Cider Russ Claiborne. He really didn't give a single hint for the entire two weeks.
'I have to leave for Mabelwood this afternoon!'
Esperanza colored the map with a sullen face. The reason it took longer than expected was that during that time, Esperanza had been busy being dragged around shopping by the girls, buying ribbons that Annie would like, and going to meet Jack.
And from the incompetent information broker, she received news that he couldn't find the hunter, along with tourist report-level information about Mabelwood territory.
"I have no words to offer. Regarding information about the hunter, as you instructed, we searched centered on hunters who deal with the magic goods store owner, but he says he doesn't remember anything either. The only thing certain is that they're not real relatives."
He doesn't remember anything. It was too shallow to be a lie or a ploy to cover up the situation. If he really didn't remember anything, then that hunter was likely a much more dangerous person than Esperanza had guessed. Probably not even a hunter.
"Our fault is great in this matter. We won't take money for this part. We'll return the advance payment too."
She deducted it from the remaining payment for information about Mabelwood and took the Mabelwood information. It also detailed how the marriage with Dunbarton had progressed and how it had been overturned.
Honestly, this was as entertaining as a popular novel, so the tedious organizing work was somewhat delayed.
"Miss Esperanza, the Count is calling for you."
"What's this about, being awake at this hour?"
Eight o'clock in the morning sharp. A time when an alert lady would never enter a man's room alone. Esperanza, who had no alertness and wasn't a lady, unhesitatingly knocked on Cider's study door. The employees who had initially whispered about whether this was proper soon accepted it. Those two often went in and out in the evenings, so what about mornings.
"Miss, let me retie your hair."
Even the employee who had initially cheered had become more accustomed than before. Annie, who had loosely braided Esperanza's hair to the side, smiled slyly and trotted outside.
"Why did you call me?"
"I have something to show you."
Cider smiled confidently. Esperanza instinctively realized. He was finally going to show her what he had been hiding all this time.
"What is it? What?"
When she opened the laboratory door and entered, she saw a huge magical device in front of her.
It was a long gun decorated with golden ornaments.
"Did you make this?"
Esperanza asked in bewilderment while stroking the barrel.
"I didn't make the exterior, but I did the internal design."
"My goodness."
She was about to compliment how pretty the exterior really was. Esperanza closed her mouth for a moment. She should see the internal design before complimenting. After hesitating, she asked as if spitting out a lump:
"Are you giving it to me?"
"Of course. Who else would use it. The gun I made."