It had been three days since I woke up from my two-month slumber, and honestly? I can't say I'm pleased with the situation. Just the other day, Trynda arrived out of nowhere and started spouting shit like this: "You should be grateful I saved your servants, so now offer me food!"
Well, they looked cute, so I tossed them desserts just for fun. That's how we ended up having tea on the balcony I rarely use—too sunny, too bright, not my kind of place.
Jane insisted on it. Something about, "I haven't had direct sunlight in so long, and the dandelions are in full spring." I don't really get the dandelion part since Josephine is allergic to pollen, but I do get what she meant about sunlight. It's true, I haven't had much exposure either.
The problem is, the exposure was a bit too much. I still hate sunlight. Always have. I was mostly a university student-slash-chemist-slash-NEET in my old life, and "touching grass" wasn't exactly part of the curriculum.
Speaking of Josephine, a few days before she went into hibernation she mentioned something about "Marquis Jhake." In the novel he was a very elusive man, barely any information on him at all.
So, I pulled out a book from my sub-space magic.
[Hecatia puffs their chest proudly.]Yeah, yeah—thanks for teaching me.
Hecatia had somehow become my magic tutor during my free time. Back in the mausoleum, when I fought Ashkart, I experimented with all kinds of spells as I reset over and over again. I became well-versed in the practical side, but theory? That was another matter.
Anyway, the book.
It wasn't just a book, but my journal, where I scribbled out notes, plans, profiles, little bits of lore. When I flipped to the page on Marquis Jhake, the picture painted was… odd. A very secretive man, known by the moniker "Marquis of Wealth." According to the fortress city documents, he had secret dealings with the underworld. No—more than that. It was like he was Bephelgor's right hand.
The ledger even confirmed dealings on other continents and regions.
Engaged to Josephine, but still practically unknown. Even "she" didn't really know the reason why. His lineage came from a respectable line, and he had been a prominent bachelor before the engagement. His reputation only grew stronger when he became a candidate for "Chancellor."
What a very fishy man.
"Xip, is there any way to get more information about him?"
[Xipe tells you that while acting cute may have struck their heart, there's no way such a convenient thing exists.]
Tch. Figures. No clairvoyance, no appraisal—at least, not unless I meet him face-to-face.
And then, right on cue, a knock came at the door. Jane stepped in."My Lady, there is a letter for you.""…Ugh."
This is exactly why I hate talking about opportunities. That guy takes every single chance he can to approach me.
And no, I will not do that.
I've read way too many shoujo novels to know—just one meeting is enough to trigger an event. But fine… "Peter."
In an instant, he jumped straight from the training grounds and knelt beside me.
This cheeky bastard. Jane already told me what he did—ignoring Adele, running back to the palace to "take care of some matters," and now scheming to get me. The moment he heard I woke up, he started acting like a desperate puppy, begging for my attention. Of course, I gave him the cold shoulder, but it was rare for Jane to defend him. Normally they just banter endlessly.
Now that I think about it… were Jane and Peter always this strong? The last time I saw them, they were barely scraping by at their level, but now… seeing them, it looks like they've grown a lot while I was asleep.
I flicked my finger, activating a little neat trick I picked up from the sages. We warped to the training grounds in an instant. Trynda was still sitting there, munching on desserts with eyes closed, looking far too relaxed.
I stood up, stretched, then held out my hand to Jane. She understood immediately and handed me a scrunchie.
I kicked the ground lightly, tied up my hair, and caught the falling wooden sword.
"Get up and spar with me."'Let's test out the waters with this one.'
"If you hit me even once, you can ask me anything."
[Eros woke up from his slumber and is watching with excitement!]
I wriggled my arms and stretched again. It's been a while since I last fought… and I'd rather not talk about it. The trauma is still there.