Chapter 131

 

* * *

 

The winter in Kristonson was famous.

Snow piling up as high as a person.

The ceaseless, cold winds blowing.

And the overly long, lengthy nights.

After enduring all these, the summer that followed was truly like finding a treasure.

Moreover, during this time, the number of travelers escaping the dreadful heat from the south to enjoy themselves increased, adding vitality to the entire village.

Travelers were generous with their spending, and there was a saying in Kristonson that one could earn a year’s income during the short summer.

“They knew a method to make the most of this charming season.”

“A method…?”

As she asked, Claude returned from behind the curtain, wearing a wrinkle-free white shirt.

While he was fastening his cufflinks, a servant raised his tie up snugly.

Soon after, a vest and jacket were layered on top, and another servant came to neatly comb his hair.

With each touch, he gradually returned to his usual appearance.

“Think about it.”

He checked his appearance in the mirror brought by the servants and nodded his head.

The servants all bowed and stepped back.

“It’s an immediate increase in sales and a great way to maximize the charm of the tourist spot. It also serves to comfort the soldiers at the border who have suffered during the winter.”

“Ah.”

Melody clapped her hands lightly. She remembered something she had studied about the border regions.

“Summer festival!”

It seemed to be the correct answer.

He said, ‘Well done,’ and playfully placed a gentleman’s hat on top of Melody’s head, laughing aloud.

“The festival is the best time to enjoy oneself away from the eyes of others.”

“That makes sense. Since there are many people enjoying themselves, wearing a mask wouldn’t seem odd to anyone.”

It must have been a very good opportunity for Prince Samuel, who couldn’t openly walk around with his son.

“But…”

Melody cautiously brought up the conversation. She was afraid of getting too hopeful and then being disappointed later.

“This is all just speculation.”

“Direction and possibility. That’s what I’ve been craving for the past few days.”

“Relying solely on this speculation to go to Kristonson when we don’t know what the reality will be…”

“So, Miss Melody, do you wish to simply fold this small possibility and put it away?”

His gaze became slightly sharper, and Melody shook her head. That wasn’t what she meant.

“Just, I…”

Melody quietly responded after taking off his hat, ensuring the servants moving luggage in the hallway couldn’t hear.

“I wonder if the Emperor would find it inappropriate for the Baldwin heir to go to Kristonson…”

The Emperor often lost his rationality when it came to matters involving his younger brother.

Considering he had nearly beheaded all the nobles close to him, Melody’s worry was far from excessive.

“I don’t wish for the young master to become endangered in the effort to save Loretta.”

Upon hearing her speak so earnestly, he seemed to lose his words for a rare moment.

“Um, you have a talent for moving people in unexpected ways, Miss Melody.”

His reply, coming after a long pause, was laced with deep emotion.

But for Melody, it was nothing more than an obvious statement.

Claude being in danger meant a crisis for the entire ducal family.

Following her father’s wishes, she hoped above all that such a situation would never occur.

“Anyway, you don’t need to worry about me being in danger. I have a suitable reason.”

He took out one of the posts laid on the desk. It was sent by someone in the capital worried about his confinement.

“What’s this?”

Instead of answering, he extended the letter towards her, as if asking her to read it.

It was a letter from the merchant Briggs, who was closely involved in business with Claude.

The letter started with the usual expressions of concern for his health.

And then it suggested,

 

[Why not spend the summer in the relatively cool Kristonson? It will be much better than the capital.

Moreover, the summer festival is just next week, so you can enjoy your time with beautiful ladies.

A mansion for the prince and his servants is always prepared, so please let us know at your convenience.]

 

Using this invitation wasn’t a bad idea.

Especially since the festival was next week. It made sense why Claude was in a hurry.

“Um…”

Despite this, Melody found herself unable to nod. The promise not to act recklessly made to the duke kept weighing on her mind.

“Miss Melody. If we don’t seize this opportunity now, the next festival is a year away.”

“I know. But still…”

Would it be a good idea to send a letter to the duke? Melody briefly considered this but soon shook her head, especially considering he had left to accompany the Emperor.

Because we mustn’t get caught by the Emperor.

“…Ugh.”

“Then, it’s decided.”

He snapped his fingers with a smile.

“Go pack your bags.”

“…What?”

“Your travel luggage. It’s going to take a few weeks, isn’t it? Don’t you need anything?”

“Me?!”

“Yes.”

“That’s absurd. Why would I…?”

“Because wherever Baldwin goes, Higgins must follow.”

“…?”

“Just like our fathers.”

His words sounded plausible at the moment, so Melody found herself unwittingly nodding and agreeing, “Ah, I see.”

 

* * *

 

However, Melody’s momentary agreement to his words was due to the illusion given by the name “Higgins.”

Of course, she had a duty to do her best for the ducal siblings, just like a father would.

But that was supposed to be within the limits conforming to the wishes of the parents, the masters of the Higgins family.

In other words, leaving a note saying ‘I’ll be visiting Kristonson’ and then leaving the mansion entirely was absolutely not allowed!

“I’m still seventeen. I’m at an age where the permission of a guardian precedes duty. My strict parents would never allow me to go to a regional summer festival! So, your argument that I must accompany you is completely wrong!”

After about two hours, Melody countered Claude’s opinion with such words.

It was a flawless argument without even a slight error, so Claude willingly conceded.

“You’re right. My argument was sophistry. I apologize.”

Despite his polite bow, Melody could only stomp her feet in frustration.

That’s because she was already on the luxurious carriage of merchant Briggs, heading to Kristonson with him!

Melody stuck her head out of the carriage window, clenching her fists.

Large flags fluttered in a line over the increasingly distant capital’s walls.

She thought she’d be prepared to be beaten until she was black and blue the next time she saw those flags.

The thought made her profoundly gloomy.

 

“Don’t worry too much. It might turn out to be a trip you quite enjoy.”

The consolation offered by Claude, who sat opposite her, wasn’t very helpful.

“You might even enjoy the festival a little.”

“Unlike you, my lord, I’m not interested in festivals.”

“Actually, I’m not fond of them either. It just depends on who I’m with…”

“Ah!”

Melody suddenly perked up as if something had dawned on her.

“A lady! You said there would be many beautiful ladies at the festival!”

“…What?”

“It was written in Mr. Briggs’ letter. That you could spend time with beautiful ladies!”

Claude closely observed Melody’s expression as she said this, trying to gauge the intention behind her words.

“…Miss Melody, are you suggesting you want to enjoy the company of women other than Loretta?”

“That’s absurd! It’s not me who will be spending time with the lovely ladies, but you.”

“What?”

He blinked, utterly confused.

Melody sighed, knowing this would happen.

“I’m saying that you, sir, need time to socialize with wonderful ladies.”

It was odd, no matter how adorable his sister might be, not to think of his own love life or marriage.

It seemed Claude himself was hardly aware of this issue.

“Um… I’m always interacting with wonderful ladies.”

“I’m not talking about Loretta!”

“I don’t understand why you’re suddenly saying this.”

It was because Melody awaited the arrival of a wonderful person.

The ‘young lady’ of the Baldwin ducal house.

Though such a position did not exist in the original work, Melody wished to welcome this honored individual into the mansion.

Having this gracious person in the mansion would significantly reduce Melody’s workload in assisting Claude.

Indeed, the official duties of Higgins might not decrease, but she could escape from bizarre requests like selecting ties.

After all, that would be the role of the gracious (pseudo) young lady (in spirit)!

“Well…”

Observing Melody’s somewhat cunning smile, he spoke up quietly with a bitter expression.

“So, the conclusion is, I should seriously engage with wonderful ladies other than our Loretta?”

“Exactly!”

“Alright, if my Higgins says so, I’ll do it.”

“Really?”

Her voice rose in excitement, and he nodded willingly.

“Yes, that’s what I said. Are you happy?”

“Of course!”

With just the promise made, Melody began to feel a bit more positive about the trip.