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Did the shocking drunken episode from that day not bother her? Wearing a natural smile as if nothing had happened, she spoke before introducing me to my new office.
“After that incident, I am quite ashamed to face Your Highness. I know I am in no position to ask this, but I hope you will consider our previous conversation to have never happened. Oksana is still a pure and fragile child who knows nothing. I wish to be the one to reveal the truth to her myself, as her mother.”
It seems my assumption that she wasn't bothered was a mistake.
“Do not worry, Duchess. Oksana is my friend, so I will be especially careful with my words wherever I am.”
“I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I shall certainly repay this favor.”
Soon, Oksana entered the room, clutching a stack of papers in her arms. Fortunately, she did not trip this time.
“As Mother said, I've brought only the blueprints stacked on the left side of the bookshelf... I think there are slightly fewer than a hundred sheets.”
“Good girl. Place them on that desk so Her Highness can view them comfortably.”
Fewer than a hundred, huh.
‘At a glance, this is barely a quarter of the amount that was in the Duchess's office.’
She must have heard about my memory from Valentin. It seems she still doesn't quite trust me.
I can prove my utility even today. After Oksana left the office, the Duchess took the topmost blueprint from the stack on the desk and showed it to me.
“This blueprint is the structure we must look for. According to Horgan's information, all of Libertan's safehouses follow this design. This is to ensure that exits can be found intuitively and intruders handled in case of emergency.”
The blueprint was very simple.
Based on a single horizontally long rectangular room, doors were located to the west and north. Beyond the north door was a relatively large square room, and beyond the west door was a relatively small square room.
“This structure can be linked together—at minimum one, at maximum ten times. When two or more are linked, the central room may serve as a corridor. As an exception, when the central room acts as a corridor, the northern door and room shift to the right of the western door. Depending on the case, it may be rotated, but the position and proportion of the doors and rooms remain the same relative to the center. Please let me know if you need further explanation.”
“I understand.”
I also immediately understood that my assumption about it being simple was a mistake.
Though the structure was basic, it could transform into a completely different appearance depending on whether it was rotated or if a corridor existed. Furthermore, she added that if only a part of a blueprint followed this structure, there was a possibility it was a safehouse, meaning I would have to scrutinize every single blueprint meticulously.
Nodding, Duchess Illyn finally held out the notebook she had been gripping the entire time. When I took it with a puzzled look, a smile far deeper than the one she wore while explaining the blueprints appeared.
“Having experienced it myself, I found that a person cannot focus on a single task all day. When you need a distraction, please check that notebook. You can find interesting yet tedious personal details and rumors regarding the gentlemen of Ohala. Naturally, updated for this year.”
Unable to hide my surprise, I opened the notebook. Sure enough, the white pages were densely filled with handwritten notes. It was a graceful script befitting a noblewoman.
“So this was the notebook that Tatyana and Duchess Nikitin were said to possess?”
I had been wondering what was in it, and to think I'd obtain it this way!
‘Though I've already made up my mind.’
Still, as Duchess Illyn said, it seemed it would serve as a good diversion.
“Ah... it seems you already know what it is. Duchess Nikitin... if I recall, she provided some brief assistance when Her Imperial Highness attended the Nikitin ball, is that correct?”
“She did. She is a kind person.”
“She is not a particularly good woman, so I hope you do not give her your heart.”
While skimming through the notebook, I slowly lifted my head and looked at her. The other woman still wore a soft smile, but she could not hide the cold hostility lurking in her eyes.
“Is it because of Duke Nikitin?”
“You know about the Messiah.”
“I don't know the details.”
“The Nikitin family are traitors who provided funds to Libertan. Fortunately, they were caught before they could run rampant further. It is a house that wouldn't be strange to be annihilated at any moment. Tomorrow, or even today.”
Annihilation. It was a word no one dared utter lightly.
“Because of that, they always bow in a posture of submission before the Imperial Family. They offer money, and they offer their children. Though that child seems to know nothing. Like Oksana.”
I brushed away the image of Sergei that surfaced in my mind. I see, Seryozha doesn't know. I felt it was a relief that he didn't.
‘Even if they were caught in treason, for a historic ducal house to voluntarily pave the way to prevent annihilation...’
It meant the evidence was definitive and the nature of the crime was severe. Considering the existence of the Messiah, it was a perfectly plausible story.
It also explained why Duchess Illyn had shown no personal emotion regarding the relationship between Sergei and me.
“I am surprised that Princess Larissa is so challenging and proactive for her age.”
“I am nothing special compared to my siblings.”
“...Do you believe you must be of help to them?”
“To some extent.”
“Your Highness is a great comfort to the Imperial Family simply by existing.”
“No, no such thing exists.”
At my firm denial, Duchess Illyn's eyes widened slightly.
“One cannot be a great comfort simply by existing without a reason. My family merely treats me as a child. In fact, because I have had few experiences outside the Imperial Palace, my perspective on the world is narrow.”
“That is absolutely not your fault, Your Highness.”
Denying it as firmly as I had, she spoke with the smile gone from her face.
“You may already know, but Libertan's obsession with Princess Larissa is no less than their obsession with the Crown Prince. The Imperial Palace is the optimal place to protect Your Highness. For your safety and future, it was inevitable.”
Why did that make me think of Oksana?
Because if I had lived trapped in the Imperial Palace, Oksana would have lived trapped in this tedious fortress? Or because she would have said the exact same words to Oksana today?
“I know that too.”
“It is a relief that you know. Then, by any chance, do you know the reason why Libertan is obsessed with Your Highness?”
“No. What is the reason?”
“I do not know either.”
What was the point of this? As I stared at her in silence, Duchess Illyn covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Since Your Highness knows so many secrets, I asked in hopes that you might provide an answer to my question. Even the great Count Valentin has not given a precise answer, so my curiosity only grows as time passes.”
“...I am not that man's daughter.”
“One can tell just by looking at your face, Your Highness. I believe I have mentioned this before, but you strongly resemble Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Tatyana.”
The face of Duchess Illyn, as she met my gaze kindly, reminded me of my mother. Since Oksana and I were the same age, she might be thinking of me as her own child. It was an attitude that could be called insolent toward royalty, but I didn't find it unpleasant at all. Thinking of the Illyn family and the Illyn mother and daughter, I couldn't possibly feel that way.
“Ah, Count Valentin mentioned he is sending someone for Your Highness, who might find it lonely here. Since they arrive late at night, I will send them to Your Highness immediately.”
If it was a person... it must be Fedora.
With a feeling of anticipation, I saw Duchess Illyn out and pored over the blueprints.
And so, after the sun set and the moon rose, the friend who arrived was...
“We meet again, Your Highness? Your own incompetent errand boy has arrived. Haha, my throat is a bit parched; may I have some water first?”
It wasn't Fedora, but Chenko.
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