Chapter 57 The Identity Of The Attacker
"Hey! Hah!"
It was still early in the morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise.
Since coming to the Detached Palace, training at this hour had become my daily routine.
Since Rifine woke up, she had been by my side, and I couldn't find time to train.
I needed to strengthen my body while that girl was still asleep.
"Fuu..."
But today, for some reason, my sword felt dull, and I couldn't quite concentrate.
Well, I knew the reason.
Ever since that letter from my family arrived, Maid Mei had disappeared... and Rifine, who hadn't been told the circumstances, was completely downcast.
I felt the same way, not knowing the situation, and a lingering unease was stuck in my heart.
"Ah, this isn't good... at this rate, I'll never catch up to Elder Brother."
With a sigh, I sheathed my sword.
My small body still struggled to carry it at my waist, so I had no choice but to hold it with the sheath, and as I sighed more and more, I caught sight of an unexpected figure at the edge of my vision.
"Is that Sigurt? What are you doing here?"
"Hey, Yumie. I had a bit of free time, so I came to see you."
He had said he couldn't come here, so I wondered what was going on.
As I pondered this, Sigurt opened his mouth with his usual smile, but... for some reason, I felt a slight sense of discomfort.
"It's not good to chat here, so why don't we talk at the Royal Palace? I don't want too many people to know I'm here."
"At this time, no one will come, right?"
"Just trust me. I got some good tea leaves, and I want to enjoy it just the two of us at first."
Taking my hand, Sigurt started to head toward the Royal Palace.
As I unconsciously tightened my grip on the sword, Sigurt smiled.
"That sword, isn't it heavy? Should I carry it for you?"
"No... I'm still the daughter of Granbell. The sword is the soul of a knight, so I'll carry it myself."
"I see, that's admirable."
"No... it's nothing special."
As I walked with Sigurt, the feeling of unease inside me kept growing.
It might be because it was early in the morning, but I hadn't seen a single person around.
Not even the maids who should be working.
"How's Rifine doing? Is she okay?"
"She's a bit down since Mei disappeared."
"I see. Well, it's common for maids to change, so you shouldn't worry too much... Yumie?"
Before I knew it, I had shaken off Sigurt's hand and drawn my sword.
It was a quick draw, showcasing the results of my training.
I pointed the tip of my sword at Sigurt's throat.
"Ahaha... What's wrong, Yumie? You look scary."
"Who are you? You're not Sigurt, are you?"
For a brief moment, Sigurt's movements froze unnaturally.
"...Ahaha, that's impossible. I'm definitely Sigurt Dia Ortria..."
"Don't play dumb. Do you think I would mistake a dear friend just because you look and sound similar?"
At first, I thought Sigurt might be trying to send me a message by deliberately creating this strange feeling.
But no, I felt nothing of Sigurt in the person standing in front of me.
Sigurt would never say something like "don't worry" about the disappearance of someone important to Rifine, even as a joke...!!
"I don't know what kind of disguise you're using, or if you always looked like this, but if you keep pretending to be part of the Royal Family, I'll take your head right here."
Seeing the determination in my eyes, the one who looked like Sigurt seemed to realize I was serious.
He started laughing while holding his head.
"Hahaha! Wow, I can't believe you saw through it so easily. This magic tool was my pride and joy."
In that moment, the space in front of me twisted and warped.
The height that was just a bit taller than mine grew even more, transforming into the figure of a man I recognized, one who looked nothing like Sigurt.
I couldn't hide my surprise.
"Your Excellency Alvine...Neithardt!?"
Trying to calm my shaken heart, I take a step back.
To use magic that changes one's appearance so drastically and not feel a thing...!!.
"Hmm, I was starting to lose confidence after being seen through so easily, but it seems you were surprised enough. This is also a new magic tool created by the Neithardt family. If you use magic for disguise too flamboyantly, people around you can easily catch on, but with this, you can disguise yourself without anyone noticing."
See? Alvine shows off a bracelet engraved with a magic circle.
I also tend to use magic in a way that doesn't draw attention, so I can appreciate just how amazing this magic tool is.
That's why.
"So...what's your purpose in getting close to me by disguising yourself as Prince Sigurt...!?"
The other party is a Marquis.
He holds a much higher position than I do, and keeping my sword pointed at him like this might be disrespectful.
But pretending to be a prince and approaching me is far more disrespectful than me pointing my sword at a Marquis.
So, I keep my sword steady, trying not to let my inner anxiety show.
"Of course, it's to capture you."
The moment he says that, mysterious men in black suddenly appear from all around and leap at me.
"Ugh!?"
I was so focused on Alvine in front of me that I couldn't react in time, and I'm pinned to the ground.
I quickly reach out to weave a loud magic to alert others, but Alvine steps down hard on me.
"Ugh...ahhh!!!!"
A dull crack echoes in my head, and the intense pain makes me scream.
It was loud enough that I didn't even need to use magic, but still, there's no sign of anyone around.
What did he do? I look up at Alvine with tears blurring my vision.
"We're trying to abduct a young lady, so of course, I'm using soundproofing and crowd-dispersing magic. Stop your useless resistance and do as we say. If you do, you won't have to suffer."
"Haah, haah, haah... what exactly... is your purpose...?"
As I gasp in pain, Alvine smirks wickedly and replies.
"Princess Rifine... it's to leave an indelible scar on her reputation and her heart. So that she can never stand on the stage again, thoroughly."
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