<Chapter 33>

 

Whether or not the Earl collapsed, the servants went about their tasks undisturbed.

They seemed to harbor no small amount of resentment toward him for abandoning the household and estate for three months.

The butler and maid, after showing Viretta to her room, repeatedly grasped her hands, pleading with her to resolve the situation “by any means necessary.”

Naturally, Viretta assured them she would handle it, “by any means necessary.”

After washing up and being escorted to her guest room, Viretta rolled across the bed.

Attempting a handstand on the mattress, she swiftly dropped her legs when she saw Iola standing in the doorway.

“Iola! You should’ve said something before coming in.”

“Ah, Viretta, there you are.”

Iola, freshly bathed, entered the room, his light nightwear emitting a scent that seemed to be cotton. Viretta didn’t know what exactly cotton smelled like, but this freshly laundered scent made her think it must be something like that.

“You’ve had quite the day.”

“Honestly, the Earl of Bechdelrace is incredibly delicate, isn’t he? Fainting over words like that! I wonder how he manages his duties with such a fragile disposition.”

Iola walked over and sat beside her on the bed, where she was patting the mattress. Adjusting her robe, Viretta sat on the edge, stretching her legs.

“You’ve had a rough day too, Iola.”

“Oh, not at all. You did all the work, Viretta. I seem to always rely on you.”

“Helping a gentleman in distress is a woman’s delight.”

“Well, I was curious how things would turn out, but I’m relieved everything worked out in the end. I can’t believe you managed to make the Earl collapse without lifting a finger.”

“Oh, it was nothing.”

Viretta conveniently disregarded the fact that the Earl was technically their ally.

As long as he regarded her as impressive, that was all that mattered.

“By the way, I didn’t know you had a lawyer’s license, Viretta.”

“I don’t.”

“Oh?”

Iola made a noise of surprise, quickly regaining composure as he lowered his voice in a confidential tone.

“You need a lawyer’s license to participate in a trial.”

“I’ll simply bring in any lawyer and speak on my behalf. A lawyer’s role is to respect their client’s views, after all. Just because the order is reversed doesn’t mean it’s an issue.”

“That’s... quite a revolutionary approach, challenging conventional values.”

Always gentle toward Viretta, Iola indulged her with another flattering interpretation.

“Truly impressive, Viretta. With that method, even non-experts could voice their opinions.”

Iola’s genuine approval brightened Viretta’s spirits.

“Of course! I’m a woman who’s never lost a case in court. You can count on me.”

With a proud chest puffed out, Viretta, with a 0-0 win-loss record, declared herself undefeated.

Having never actually been in court, her perfect record was, naturally, unblemished.

While it wasn’t something to brag about, Iola, unaware of her lack of experience, beamed with admiration, encouraging her further.

“So, all we need now is someone with a lawyer’s license.”

“I have one.”

“Huh?”

“I hold a lawyer’s license from Fillian. I earned it while preparing my thesis. I have no field experience, though.”

“I-I see…”

Iola, ever the accomplished man, possessed a lawyer’s license as well.

At this point, Viretta was hardly surprised. His exceptional skills and handsome features were all just, well, expected at this point.

It was almost absurd that a man with a lawyer’s license would be here supporting her attempt at court proceedings.

Forcing herself to smile, Viretta clenched her teeth.

“Well, having a license isn’t everything. I can win without one.”

“Of course. In court, everyone has a lawyer’s license, so having one doesn’t guarantee a victory. But I’m still impressed. I can’t think of any way the Earl of Bechdelrace could win.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be a landslide victory.”

Viretta and Iola exchanged puzzled looks.

They clearly didn’t understand each other’s points, each finding the other’s view a bit peculiar.

“Is that so? A child grows under a mother’s teaching. The Earl’s meager claims likely won’t stand a chance.”

“Hardly. I have a secret strategy.”

“A secret strategy, you say?”

“Is that why you came to my room? You’ll find out tomorrow, so why not wait and savor the joy when it happens?”

Viretta cheerfully flaunted her advantage before Iola.

If she, without a license, could win a case where even licensed Iola predicted defeat, it would be a magnificent achievement.

Beaming, Viretta was taken aback by Iola’s unexpected response. He blinked, disagreeing with her.

“Huh? No, actually, this is the room they directed me to for my stay.”

“What? They directed me to stay here as well. Was there a mix-up?”

Though unclear what directions Iola received, Viretta had certainly been escorted to this room by a servant.

Iola studied Viretta carefully, this time with no trace of confusion on his face.

“I don’t think so. Look, two pillows, two sets of clothes, two sets of toiletries, and heart-shaped decorations everywhere. This is a couple’s room.”

Following Iola’s gaze, Viretta looked around, her cheeks slowly turning pink.

A large bed meant for two, two pillows, and personal toiletries for each of them.

“It’s likely a thoughtful gesture since we’re engaged.”

“What?”

The room was even adorned with carved figures blessing marital bliss and sweet-smelling candles.

“What?”

Unlike the composed Iola, Viretta’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly.

“Whaaaaaaat?”

She couldn’t close her mouth, her eyes spinning as she slapped her cheeks.

The sight of two pillows and one blanket was far too stimulating for Viretta, who had never had a lover.

“No! Sharing a bed already is out of the question. This pace is far too fast!”

Her cheeks flushed bright red as she squirmed on the bed.

The lack of any intention to flee betrayed her true thoughts.

“Save that for after we slay the dragon.”

“Then we’d be broken off and mere strangers.”

At this logical response, Viretta, now completely flustered, shoved Iola.

“Oh, Iola! You have no sense of romance!”

“Pardon?”

Having been pushed onto the bed—though likely he let her—he looked at her in mild bewilderment as Viretta blushed and glanced his way, smacking her cheeks.

“Think about it emotionally! This should only happen after we break off the engagement.”

“Why?”

“Oh, how can I even say this! I-I… eek! I can’t explain it!”

Inside Viretta’s mind, thoughts were racing like a runaway carriage. In this mental carriage race, Iola had been left behind somewhere along the road, leaving her alone with her wild thoughts.

She had no idea where this mental carriage was heading or where it had come from.

“Two people in one room…”

At that moment, salvation arrived to rescue her from her predicament.

“Lanken! What are you doing here?”

“Lanken! Ah, thank goodness. Come on in.”

Their long-neglected third companion, Lanken, entered the room.

Also clad in nightwear, Lanken leaned against the door frame, looking at Iola, who greeted him with surprise.

“Why are you happier to see him…?”

“He must’ve been shy.”

“Right. Wow, it really is a room for the two of you, isn’t it?”

Entering the room, Lanken looked around in astonishment.

He reacted with surprise at the large bed, at the statues wishing for a happy marriage, and at the pair of shoes lined up beside each other.

Each time he looked around, he glanced at Viretta, and after four or five times, even Viretta couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Finally, unable to endure the silent judgment from her old friend and bodyguard, Viretta groaned.

“I didn’t ask for this.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Really, I didn’t!”

“Sure. I’ve been given a separate room. It’s the servants’ quarters, but it’s fitting for me. Meanwhile, Miss got her own guest room, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But if they had two rooms, they could’ve split them between you and Iola and Miss and Viretta.”

“Indeed. Before marriage, at that.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Before marriage, this is just improper. They’re trying to corrupt an innocent person.”

For once, Lanken sided with Viretta’s point. He glanced around before walking over to Iola and firmly grasping his hand.

“If anything happens, shout with all your might.”

Lanken’s hand clasped Iola’s rough hand instead of Viretta’s, giving him a comforting squeeze.

Viretta glared at Lanken, tugging on his sleeve.

“What’s that about? Don’t you trust me?”

“I do… You’re… capable of anything.”

Lanken’s expression was utterly sincere. Being trusted only in this way stung a little.

“Of course, I’m… not! I’m a dignified and cultured lady!”

“Cultured ladies don’t hunt dragons.”

An unarguable truth.