Chapter 16
Aaron Taylor—or rather, Travie—emerged from the Grand Duke’s residence in a complete mess.
He had been pretending to be a cost-effective tutor under a strange alias for half a month, sneaking into the Bennett Grand Duke’s household.
Today, after begging and pleading with Butler Hail, he had finally managed to secure a day of rest.
Selena, the Grand Duchess, who was usually at the residence every day, was out today.
“Since the Miss isn’t home, you may go out,” Hail had said.
“Thank you. Then I’ll be off…”
“But, Aaron, did you manage to find all one hundred four-leaf clovers in the garden?”
Even Hail, who asked this after being instructed by the cruel Selena Bennett to “find one hundred four-leaf clovers in the garden,” seemed insane.
Childcare, cleaning, household chores, gardening, horse training… and now absurd tasks like this!
How could anyone reasonably be expected to find one hundred four-leaf clovers?
But Hail, with a completely natural expression, handed him a basket. Tearfully, he headed back to the garden.
And now, he had finally escaped this hellish Grand Duke’s residence.
His legs wobbled from exhaustion.
“…Sitting in a crouch so long, my legs are trembling.”
Travie, confident that his magical ability could rival anyone in the Empire, was being treated like this.
‘The Marquis Zains isn’t the demon—it’s Grand Duchess Selena who’s the demon!’
He shouted this in his mind as he trudged along.
Today, he decided he’d go to a quiet inn, soak in a warm bath, and sleep.
After all the hardships he’d endured, a little indulgence was justified.
He trudged toward the most expensive hotel in the Empire’s city.
Then, near the most isolated part of town, close to an empty junkyard, he stopped abruptly.
“…I’m tired, but I should probably return to the palace and report the situation so far.”
Marquis Layton Zains seemed ordinary enough, and Grand Duchess Selena was barely keeping the household running.
Everything was far from smooth, even if they pretended otherwise.
All of this needed to be reported to the Empress.
Travie gathered his strength to activate teleportation magic, closing his eyes.
He hoped this report would help bring about justice.
Before he could even recite a short incantation, a flash of light enveloped him, and he vanished in an instant.
No trace of magic remained where he had been.
It was a sunny afternoon.
Having commanded Aaron to search the garden for four-leaf clovers, I set out to meet Deon, my steps light.
“Hmm, maybe it’s the nice weather… I feel good.”
As I reached the city and was about to step down from the carriage,
‘Ah, eyes again…’
I could feel someone watching me.
A subtle but distinct sensation of being observed.
It was similar to the feeling I had when visiting the hamster teahouse before.
Chirp-chirp must have felt it too, whispering softly into my ear.
[Selena, I feel eyes on us. It doesn’t feel good.]
The little bird flitted high into the air, likely trying to locate the source of the gaze.
Who could this observer be?
I felt irritation rise. My otherwise pleasant outing was getting off to a messy start.
‘…Better find out if it bothers me.’
Fortunately, I wasn’t completely alone.
Chirp-chirp was there, and I had a small amount of divine power ready in case of danger.
Stopping calmly, I deliberately gestured cheerfully to a nearby escort.
The guard approached. I spoke loudly so that anyone nearby could hear.
“Hey, I have somewhere to stop by before my appointment. I’d like to go alone. Is that okay?”
“Miss, that’s dangerous…”
No, not that answer.
I furrowed my brow, giving him a subtle hint. He carefully replied.
“…Ah, yes. Of course. Go ahead.”
Thankfully, he seemed to notice something, and the escort guarding me glanced around cautiously.
I whispered softly as I passed him.
“Don’t look around. Follow me at a distance.”
I glanced at Chirp-chirp, who flitted a short distance ahead, seemingly indicating a narrow alley.
‘Who could be watching me?’
Someone who knew I would be out today?
Then… Aaron Taylor?
Or perhaps it was someone who had been tailing me consistently.
‘…Some lackey of the Empress?’
As I walked calmly, that seemed the most likely candidate.
Pretending to be alone, I stopped as the alley grew darker.
Chirp-chirp was ahead, but going in alone was dangerous.
I still wasn’t confident in my full abilities.
‘Let’s lure them out.’
I began retreating slowly.
“Not here…?”
Then, I ran as fast as I could.
Letting the watcher think I was easy prey was part of the plan.
Once I returned to a crowded street, I saw the guard who had promised to follow at a distance.
“Oh? Miss!”
“Yes, I’m back. Just didn’t want to go alone.”
Sitting on a bench with a dazed expression, I felt the gaze again.
Chirp-chirp flew toward me simultaneously.
[They’re in that alley. Want to go together?]
“…Wait a moment.”
I lowered my head to ignore the sensation of being watched.
Then, suddenly raising my head, I saw someone in a black cloak at the alley entrance immediately turn their head.
‘Got you.’
The cloaked figure quickly disappeared back into the alley.
“Follow me!”
I shouted at the guard and sprinted.
Feeling the guard behind me, I ran more boldly, but still couldn’t catch the person.
[Should I grab them?!]
Chirp-chirp called frantically from above.
“No! If someone notices your presence, what then? I’ll handle it!”
I clenched my teeth and ran desperately.
‘…Should I use divine power now?’
I felt I had to see the face of the person chasing me.
“Nothing to lose!”
With that, I closed my eyes tightly, focusing on the power flowing through my body.
A queasy, almost nauseous sensation swept over me as golden divine energy began to surge.
Meanwhile, the cloaked figure was already running ahead.
“That’s them!”
I shouted as the blue divine energy formed into a thick rope, wrapping around the cloaked figure.
“No, no!!”
But the man, already entangled in the divine rope, had no choice but to stop in front of me.
“……”
“……”
I could hear the guard catching his breath clearly.
The man, caught, gave an embarrassed groan.
He was sprawled on the ground, looking at me quietly.
Speechless, he could only groan helplessly.
I, too, was momentarily at a loss.
I glared at the man, whose shoulders continued to jerk up and down in surprise, and demanded,
“Who are you!”
Ah, damn.
My voice cracked from all the running.
At my words, the man’s shoulders twitched again.
‘Who is it?’
He looked vaguely familiar.
As I hesitated, Chirp-chirp came flying urgently.
[Hey, why are you alone… chirp!]
I signaled at the diligent little bird.
Quiet for now!
Chirp-chirp seemed to understand, perching nearby like a normal sparrow.
I watched the man, who seemed to have no intention of fleeing or resisting, and signaled to the guard.
The guard drew his sword and approached.
The man trapped in the divine rope struggled, shouting,
“No, it’s not like that! Really!”
“Who are you?”
The man frantically spread his hands, shouting,
“I-I really am not a bad person!”
“Who says they’re bad themselves! Then why were you chasing me?”
I yanked off his hood, revealing his face.
I blinked in disbelief.
“…Y-you are?”
The man I had seen recently at the hamster teahouse.
The one wearing a cute apron embroidered with a hamster.
Why was he here?
Confused, I stared at the hamster teahouse employee.
“…Why are you here?”
He cast his eyes about nervously, then bowed deeply.
“Well… that is…”
The hesitancy in his voice only made him seem more suspicious.
