Chapter 210: Fire Drips, Pantile Gets Wet 4
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“I see. So basically, everyone sensed something was up, but when Erica and I disappeared from the academy, they just accepted it as one of those things.”
After hearing Jen’s account of what happened after Erica and I left the academy, I felt a mix of exasperation and resignation. Well, I suppose that’s how it would be.
Certainly, the ones who wanted Erica expelled from the academy were the students and their noble families.
But realistically, once things started rolling, it was out of the hands of the noble children attending the academy.
I could understand their somewhat detached attitude, as if it were someone else’s problem.
It was an elopement farce born from an incredibly tangled situation that had even involved the Church.
Their parents probably told their sons and daughters attending the academy that we had eloped, but nothing more.
They likely feared that if word somehow leaked from the children to the Maiden of Light, all their efforts would go down the drain.
Though, since those attending the academy are members of the nobility themselves, I doubt any of them would be that foolish.
Then again, they were the ones who did something stupid as a family in the first place.
“But it wouldn’t be right for me to curse them for starting the fire, seeing as I willingly jumped right into the middle of it.”
It rankled, but my current happiness was undoubtedly thanks to those fools doing foolish things. It still rankled, though.
“That’s very like you, which actually made me happy, you know,” Jen quipped, her familiar sarcasm hitting a nostalgic note.
“Besides, I found out while investigating, but what’s this? You were surprisingly well-liked, weren’t you? I was asked several times if you were doing well.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
I waved back at the toddlers waving from the carriage ahead of us.
Who were they? Eguchi-kun, maybe?
Still, why would they ask Jen about my well-being?
“I understand about the academy, but what about elsewhere?”
“Well, let’s see,” Jen said, looking thoughtful.
“Given the circumstances, it’s being thoroughly concealed. The fact that the eldest daughter of a major noble house plotted to assassinate the Maiden of Light isn’t exactly something that can be made public, after all.”
Even the people of the Solntsalri House domain probably know nothing, Jen added, glancing warily behind her.
“The Royal Family is desperately trying to find a way to open talks with the Solntsalri House, but…”
Jen stared intently at my face.
“It seems your enemies are not only numerous but also quite cunning. They made fools do foolish things and didn’t even leave a trace behind. Truly despicable, hiding after scheming like that. They give villains a bad name. A true villain would keep a cool face even when everyone points fingers at them, don’t you think?”
It was hard to grasp fully, but did this mean it was an opponent even Jen couldn’t pin down?
So, the Royal Family was still clashing fiercely with the Prime Minister (honorific).
Not because the Royal Family wanted to, necessarily.
They probably had no choice.
And the Prime Minister (honorific) wasn’t fool enough to blindly trust the Royal Family when he didn’t even know who the enemy was.
“My apologies. I really wanted to uncover all your enemies for you.”
I was surprised by Jen’s sincere apology.
“What’s with that look?” she asked, sounding displeased.
“I was quite shocked by your elopement, you know. Isn’t it fair for me to want to surprise you back as payback?”
“Don’t worry, you already achieved that the moment I heard your name back in Loakum.”
What’s the point of surprising me if I don’t even notice it!
Finding Jen’s indignation amusing, the toddlers peeking out from the carriage giggled and laughed.
“Anyway, you probably know, but the other day, the Prince and the Maiden of Light came to Hecate, and…”
“I regret not being there,” Jen interjected dryly.
I ignored her.
“Daryl told me something then… Have you heard anything about the Church… about the Pope?”
Silence was the response to my question.
That Jen was silent!?
Startled, I instantly turned around to see Jen looking surprised. What’s with that look?
My questioning gaze met her simultaneous smirk.
“Have you finally decided to accept the Prince’s love?”
“Stop it, even as a joke!”
As I cried out, the toddlers in the carriage mimicked my words in their lisping voices and laughed.
“I just assumed, since you called the Prince ‘Daryl’ and all.”
“A lot happened.”
Jen sighed as I scratched my head while answering.
“I still regret it. I truly regret not being able to witness such an interesting event.”
If you had, you’d have come face-to-face with a swarm of Majin in the Sewers, you know?
I grumbled inwardly, trying to compose myself.
I wish she’d stop trying to trip me up mentally with just a few words.
“Anyway, that idiot (Daryl) said it as he was leaving: be wary of the Church’s Pope.”
“Anything specific?”
I shrugged.
“Nothing, just that he’s suspicious, so be careful.”
“You should really choose your friends more carefully, Shin.”
I nodded at Jen’s sharp words. Though Daryl wasn’t exactly a friend.
“Judging by that reaction, you haven’t found anything either, Jen?”
I sensed Jen nodding.
“Infuriatingly, yes. I never thought I’d fall behind that Prince. That idiot… oops, disrespectful. If that idiot told you that, Shin, he must have some conviction behind it.”
I could clearly sense Jen’s frustration in how she deliberately hesitated at ‘disrespectful’ before correcting herself to ‘idiot’.
“But dealing with the Church is proving a bit tricky, as expected.”
“Sorry about that.”
“If you’d actually asked me for help, I would have charged you a fortune, you know.”
Silence is golden, indeed.
It was Jen’s sigh that broke that silence.
“Honestly, Shin. You, you really are an idiot. Why didn’t you consult me?”
I glanced sideways at Jen walking beside me. She looked both angry and exasperated.
“If you had just said one word to me, I could have done something about it. Why did you keep quiet? Don’t tell me you held back out of some misplaced consideration? I’d appreciate it if you’d spare a thought for how I feel, having missed my friend spectacularly throwing his life away.”
Well, basically, it was the usual Jen.
So, I gave my usual reply.
“When I thought of it as a farce for the woman I love, I had no reason to hesitate.”
Just as I answered Jen, a voice called out from behind me.
It was a voice I couldn’t possibly mistake. I turned around.
For some reason, Erica was frozen mid-motion, looking like she was halfway through reaching out her hand.
Though her feet were still moving, she had a troubled look on her face, nervously clenching and unclenching the hand she had awkwardly extended.
“Um…”
Erica smiled, a soft expression that seemed almost sad, and started waving her hand just as I realized.
Thinking I shouldn’t get in the way, I stepped aside.
The toddlers peeking out from the carriage giggled and laughed as they waved back at Erica.
Savor this happiness, toddlers, the joy of having Erica wave at you.
As I nodded approvingly at the interaction between the toddlers and Erica, I noticed Jen looking at me as if I were some strange creature.
What kind of look was that?