Our body was free to move, but it’s not possible to make an unexpected action due to the presence of the Demon’s soldiers. We moved to the Black Town’s border under the watchful eyes of them.

“Now, get out of here. If you make a fuss in Black Town again, I won’t let it go.” said the Prince, still ice-cold.

The demons, who saw us completely out of Black Town, turned their backs and returned to their territory. Although we were out of the demons’ surveillance, the threat of Genosid and Millia remained. Wary of being attacked again, I clung onto Mr. Teil’s back—but the two had disappeared before long.

“There’s a lot of eyes outside the Black Town and there are guards everywhere, so it’s not suitable for a battle. They had no choice but to roll up their tails.”

We walked all the way to where the carriage was waiting and talked about what happened earlier. I could barely breathe a sigh of relief at Mr. Teil’s words. It was tiring to be nervous about being attacked continuously.

Marron Merchant, although it has grown significantly recently, was previously closely watched by the Empire due to frequent criminal acts. They must know that heavy sanctions will be imposed if they got caught making a fuss outside the Black Town.

“I apologize, Miss Riana. I haven’t been able to escort you properly.”

“No, you didn’t expect people from the Marron would appear. Still, it was a good thing that the Demons intervened. I think they helped us.”

“That way of thinking is dangerous.”

I thought the atmosphere would get heavy, so I tried to change the subject by talking about the Demons, but Mr. Teil hardened his face.

“The Demons are extremely selfish. They took care of it just because we made a fuss in their territory. They’re not going to help anyone.”

“I see … I didn’t think much.”

“I’m not blaming you. I’m telling you to be careful. They’re as cruel as they’re selfish.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Ordinary people won’t bump into the Demons, but I’ve been looking for magic stones, so it was something that could happen if I made a mistake. Well, I don’t think it’s a smart thing to poke around trying to find a magic stone for no reason. I’d better give up the magic stone in Black Town.

“I only secretly informed the Imperial Family about the magic stone … I wonder if there’s any information leaked or if there’s a spy in the palace. I’ll look into it when I get back.”

Spy in the palace … isn’t that a big problem? But if there was such a suspicious one, it would have been mentioned in The Story of Ramona at least once….

It could be information from somewhere other than the palace, or a spy who was quickly ousted and disappeared behind the scene. Then, shouldn’t we worry too much?

“Oh, Mr. Teil, is your wound okay?”

“This is not a big deal….”

“But….”

“It’s alright. You must have been very surprised. Miss Riana, do you want me to drive you home?”

“Oh, then … just to the front of the Lavigne Fragrance Flower Shop.”

Mr. Teil helped me climb the carriage, and then he got on the horseman’s seat. It seemed to be to guard the surrounding area from the open field of vision.

At first, I was nervous to sit alone, so I looked around at the window, but I was tired soon. Since nothing happened, I relaxed a little.

As I looked out of the window, I recalled the images of the people I saw earlier.

The Demons.

In The Story of Ramona, monster appeared quite often. This is because more than half of the requests Ramona’s party made were related to evil spirits. When they cross the mountain, slime comes out or a golem appears in mine.

However, the Demons didn’t appear until quite later.

In the second half of the plot that I remember, the Demon’s army stormed into the palace for the magic stone. Ramona and her party made a tremendous efforts in stopping it. All three of them had celestial treasures, making it easier to deal with the Demons—they were weak to the divine power—especially brother Theodore.

The Chaosblade of the Demon’s Prince was beaten by the heavenly treasure, the Holy Sword, and after a fierce battle, my brother won and brought the victory to our side.

It wasn’t written in much details about the Demon’s Prince. Did they skip it because it’s on the second half?

From Ramona’s standpoint, the Prince of Demon was a clear enemy, so she might have disliked showing the enemy’s situation in detail and producing The Villain had a reason, too.

Somehow I was heartbroken.

He seemed at least not to be a cruel man, according to what could be inferred from the match against my brother. I knew he was responsible and would accept the result.

He blamed himself for the defeat and took all the responsibility. I’m sure there must have been a story behind that kind of battle.

It’s very, very unlikely, but if we had a chance to talk, would we able to harmonize?

I was thinking of such things when the carriage had already reached its destination. Mr. Teil opened the carriage door and said.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you until the front of your house?”

“It’s alright. It’s just around the corner.”

I got off the carriage with his help.

“They won’t act preposterously either, but I think you’d better refrain from going out alone in a while.”

“Yes. I’m a little worried, too.”

“Then please go home carefully.”

After leaving Mr. Teil, I headed to the Crescente residence. Perhaps because of the turbulent day, I lost all my strength. When I returned to the mansion with a heavy body like a water-drenched cotton, a sense of relief flowed in like a tide.

I tried to fall right down on my bed without washing up, but I changed my mind and prepared the bath. As I was immersed in the warm water, I felt relaxed and drowsy. I almost fell asleep in the bathtub.

After changing into comfortable clothes and dying my hair, I lay off the soft bed. The texture of the blanket was very pleasing. I tried to lie down and think about what was going to happen, but I couldn’t beat the sleepiness that had hit me in an instant.

***

< Thank you for your reply, brother.
I’m glad you’re having fun at the Academy. I was so surprised that you were really close to the Prince.
Actually, I became close to Princess Cynthia. No, I may be the one who thinks we’re close. I’m a little embarrassed. But since Cynthia invited me to the palace and we drank tea together, I guess she’s taking me closer to her, right?
And I got a wonderful gift. It’s a tea leaf with a nice scent that can help me to fall asleep pleasantly. >

While writing a letter to my brother in the afternoon sun, I briefly lowered my pen to eat the shortcake that Leah brought.

My brother sent me a reply and told me about his life in the Academy. There was also a story about his good friends and colleagues, Claudian and Ramona. Most of the episodes I read in The Story of Ramona were different from my brother’s point of view.

In the novel, the sentences was already written on the premise that Theodore likes Ramona, but in the letter, it looks like my brother trying to deny his feeling.

Give up and admit it, dear brother. That’ll only deepen your liking.

It also seemed that Theodore was worried that I might be neglected at home because I told him not to send the reply to the mansion. I couldn’t tell him the truth. If I worry him for no reason, he may return to the Empire.

At this point, my brother has not yet reached the highest level of a swordsman. It is on the eve of Claudian’s return to the Empire at the Emperor’s call a few months later.

Of course, he is still far superior to others, but there is still a big difference between crossing that stage and not exceeding it.

We have a great brother and sister relationship, and I often missed my brother in a situation where there was no one to rely on freely, but I had to hold my heart for the day of our reunion.

Since there should not be any mishaps of cake crumbs and tea spills on the letter paper, I left the letter on my desk and moved to the tea table. Shortcake with delicious strawberries goes well with an unsweetened tea.

“You write letters often these days, my lady. Where are you sending it to?”

“Those whom I met at the social party of Her Highness the Princess.”

Leah is still a new maid, so there’s not trick in her question—but if she gets more and more, she may sell my information to Marianne.

I don’t want to think that’s what Leah, who seems naive and nice, would do, but I don’t know much about people … that’s why I decided not to reveal everything. A letter to the Arcentia Academy will be sent directly to the Postal Service by my own hands.

Academy … come to think of it, aristocrats and some wealthy commoners often choose academies as a means of educating their children. High-ranking aristocrats tended to prefer a tutor than an academy, but the important thing was that everyone was studying.

…I have to study.

There was a limit to a self-study as it is now. In the future, I needed a teacher who would make me a proper lady if I wanted to get closer to Cynthia and other social figures. It’s my second life, but I was living in a rural village in my previous life, so there’s not much help for my present life.

Sobs.

In the past, a governess visited the mansion, but I have not been educated since my father passed away and I locked myself in my room.

And I didn’t mean to ask Marianne for a governess.

There was no way she will get me a proper teacher, and there was also a high possibility of paying the teacher to bully me.

“Leah, do you know how much a tutor’s salary is?”

“I don’t know, I’m sorry … why do you ask?”

Leah shook her head.

I guess there’s no noble daughter that curious about such a thing. Not unless she’s from a fairly poor family.

“Well, that’s enough if you don’t know. I’m going out alone, so you can just sit around for half a day.”

“Oh, yes. Shall I bring out the robe?”

“Yes.”

I wore my shoes and put on the robe.

Sharon’s mood seemed to be very bad these days, so I left the mansion with caution not to run into her. Sharon has been under pressure ever since I had dinner at the palace.

I was going to ask the Magnolia Trade to get me a tutor. Then, I have to pay the service free and the tutor’s salary separately. I can’t predict how much money it will cost.

I still don’t know how much profit I’ll get for selling the magic stone information. I can’t sell jewelry every time.

I decided to stop by the bank first to see how much money I have.

The account books have been given by the Magnolia when I went to the Postal Service to check on my brother’s reply. All I had to do was get what was made, so I could get it from the waiting staff without having to go to the secret room.

The account contained 50 gold. The information fee was 50 gold. When I wondered what was going on with the ruby price, the employee said, feeling ashamed.

“Sorry, we’ve received a message that the ruby’s disposition has been delayed a little because of an unexpected accident. Fortunately, the customer who wants to buy at good price now has to pay, so it will be deposited within two days at the latest.”

“Really? Okay, then.”

Two days have already passed, so today the money for the ruby will be deposited.

The account created by Magnolia Trade belonged to the Central Bank. It’s a highly credible bank used by most of the nobles in the Capital, the building was also huge and luxurious.

I’m sure these banks will be very careful about identifications and open accounts, but they’re making it easy for me, right?