The fresh breeze was blowing through the window, and the morning sun shining through the curtains was shining brilliantly. The voices of the maids chatting happily and the chirping of the birds in the morning was heard through the half-open window.

Is it because I slept fitfully last night?

Although everybody felt great in the morning, I could not share their happy mood.

My head was throbbing, and I felt heavy all over my body like I was wearing a wet dress.

Do you think you are really okay, my lady?

Yes, Im fine.

Leaving Lina behind, who was worried about me all morning, I raised my tired body and changed into a riding suit. When my body felt heavy, it was better for me to move my body properly than to stay still.

Hi, Sylvia. Good morning.

When I whispered, burying my face in her mane, Sylvia blew from her mouth strongly as if she replied to me. That made me remember my coming-of-age ceremony. That day I fell from Sylvia because of a roaring bear, and I was in a difficult situation because Sylvia was limping due to her sprained ankle. I also rode the emperors horse because of that.

Dont think about it, Aristia. You decided to forget all about it, right?

When I climbed Sylvia with a bitter smile, a knight in white uniform climbed his horse and asked me, Where are you going, my lady?

Um, well

I hesitated for a moment. If I could have my way, I wanted to ride far, but I didnt want to put a burden on the two royal knights who were dispatched to escort me.

Why dont you make a round of the nobles district? I think you will be fine as we are escorting you from behind.

May I?

Of course. Do as you please.

Thank you.

After greeting the knights guarding my house at the gate lightly, I headed to the boulevard of the noble district with the two royal knights.

As it was early in the morning, the street was empty without a single wagon. I raised my head and looked up at the sky. There was no cloud or bright moonlight in the sky.

Suddenly, I felt some hot feelings surging from my heart.

Giddyup!

As I spurred her, pulling the reins, Sylvia shook her silver mane and galloped quickly.

The fresh breeze drifting by my chest seemed to blow away my hard and sad feelings.

Let me forget it. The tears of happiness and the old me last night. Lets forget it all as if they didnt exist from the beginning.

Giddyup!

Heehaw!

As Sylvia picked up speed, blowing roughly from her mouth, my lingering memories of what happened last night disappeared. The magic attraction of the blue moonlight was also blown away.

Oh, welcome back, my lady. Are you feeling better?

Yes, I think so.

Im glad to hear that. You looked so bad a little while ago.

I smiled at Lina who beamed at me, and I headed to the home office to take care of some paperwork before going to work.

While I was organizing letters and documents for a while, which I didnt finish reviewing last night, I noticed a familiar sign. An urgent sign was stamped on the tightly sealed envelope.

The moment I opened the envelope and checked its contents, a smile touched my mouth.

Isnt Amarantine the crest of the Lanier family? I was very pleased to hear that Baron Carot finally obtained the secret document I had been looking for. Moreover, since he confirmed the existence of it, all I had to do was to identify the connection between it and Duke Jena.

If so, I could at least punish the duke for poisoning me.

By the way

I tapped the desk gently. .

All the others were good news, but I was bothered by the fact that Ian Belots daughter was going to change her dwelling. She has stayed put in her location until now, but why is she suddenly moving? Did they notice our surveillance?

Should I rescue her right now?

But I could not. She may just change her dwelling routinely. Besides, the moment that we rescued her, it is certain that they would find out who we were. So, we had to rescue her only after we prepared everything.

While I was pondering over some things, I suddenly noticed the first line of the report.

At that moment, something crossed my mind quickly. Okay, as it happens, Duke Jena Jr. wants to see me. Let me meet him and make a deal. Then I can find out if they have already noticed our plan or not. It may be a bit risky, but I felt it seemed worth a try.

I hid the letter in a secret drawer, and got up in a hurry. It was time for me to head to the knights division for work.

Its been a long time, Duke Jena Jr.

I told you not to call me that way.

Well, dont you remember I asked you how I should call you without any formal title?

When I turned my mouth up a bit, he said, looking at me with an annoying expression.

Dont play on words, will you? Im not here to crack jokes with you.

Sounds good. Then, let me get to the point. Given that you called me here, it seems you have accepted my offer. Is that right?

Ive said it before, but I really cant accept your terms. Give me different terms.

Hmm? I clearly told you that I only wanted one thing. I think Ive got the wrong person as you called me here to engage in this kind of talk. Okay, lets assume our deal is void.

The moment I stood up after speaking coldly, I felt an eerie touch on my neck.

The middle-aged man suddenly pulled a self-defense dagger and pointed it at my neck with his purple eyes sparkling.

Tell me about a different condition.

I dont like it.

It is my last warning. Tell me something else.

Although he pointed the sharp blade right up my neck, as if he would cut it, I shrugged and replied casually, Didnt you hear I already said no?

If he was desperate enough to point the sword at me, it was obvious that he didnt want to miss the deal. If then, I didnt have to make concessions to him. As I originally tried to negotiate with him, I could get what I wanted if I played my cards right.

Unless you give me it, I wont strike a deal with you. Now, what are you going to do? Are you going to stab me?

You !

And there is one fact that you are overlooking. Thats

I was raising my right arm right up to his chest secretly. When he flinched at my cold voice, I quickly reached out and twisted his wrist roughly.

Clang!

The dagger that fell down hit the floor, making a squeaking noise. After kicking the dagger into a corner, I chuckled at the man who was looking at me as if he was dumbfounded.

You are overlooking the fact that Im a full-fledged knight. Im very familiar with coping with a situation like this.

You wretched slut!

So, why dont you stop your useless threat and try to negotiate with me? Dont you want a deal?

When I asked, tilting my head to the side, the man stared at me for a long time, gnashing his teeth. Then, only after a long time, he said with a slightly softened voice, I cant tell you anything about it except for its storage place.

Only

A storage placeHmm. Though I dont like it, let me listen. Please tell me.

Did you say what you wanted was a shield, a sword, and a seal engraved with a rose?

I searched for them in my house, but I didnt find anything like that. Why the hell are you searching for them in my house?

I dont think I have any obligation to answer that.

Well, good. If the seal really exists in my home, there is only one place for it. Its the secret vault.

Secret vault?

Yes. The secret vault that only the head of the family can enter.

Great! The seal must be kept there.