No matter how insane the woman before me was, I didn't expect her to be this insane.
'She admitted it outright.'
At first, I had only been suspicious about the massive change in the wedding arc. After all, the appearance of the fire spirit Prometheus was never in the original.
So I reasoned: if someone had planned it, they'd surely be furious at the failure of their scheme.
The only candidate that came to mind was Cynthia—not only because she's the villain in TWTSH, but also because she was the only person who had entered the bride's waiting room to confront Leyla before the ceremony began.
'What had only been speculation… she just confirmed herself outright. What the hell is wrong with this woman?'
"I won't do anything. But Lady Cynthia, think carefully for a moment." I finally spoke after thirty seconds of silence.
"You nearly killed the king and the royal blood. If it ever comes to light that this was your doing… don't you think the punishment will be severe?"
Keith's eyes locked onto Cynthia's, who stared back with icy intensity.
"Keith… are you threatening me?"
'Just as I thought, she's going to twist my words to the extreme!'
I quickly softened my expression, letting sorrow wash over my face.
Taking her freshly bandaged hand into mine, I looked at her with gentle eyes. "Certainly not, my lady. I just wanted to hear it from you directly. I am your knight now, your sword and your shield. In other words, we're on the same ship."
I stroked the back of her hand. "I only want to protect you. By knowing the truth—and by your honesty with me—that you were indeed behind the explosion and Prometheus's appearance at the church… I can protect you more freely, testify for you, even serve as your alibi."
My face radiated sincerity. Cynthia's cold features softened as she listened.
"…I didn't realize you'd thought it through like that. Keith, you're truly kind."
'Kind? No. I'm only making sure you don't spiral too far like the villainess in the novel.'
"So Lady Cynthia, you don't have to worry about me. I will keep my lips sealed."
Cynthia smiled. "Alright then, Keith. I'll trust you… though I am rather curious why you feel no anger toward me, considering I endangered the lady you once loyally served."
'Damn it, angry? Of course I'm furious. But right now, I'm just relieved. Relieved that this was your doing, and Epsilon has nothing to do with it.'
"Of course I'm not angry, my lady. I'm only disappointed that you acted without discussing it with me or with Epsilon first."
"…Hmmm. So you're certain he wasn't involved."
*Thump—
Her sudden shift in expression made me nervous.
"I just think… it's impossible he was involved. If he had been, he wouldn't have worked so desperately to extinguish the flames."
"You're right…" Cynthia murmured faintly. "As you said, he knows nothing of this. So, Keith keep this secret between the two of us. Don't tell him."
'A secret only I know? Sounds fishy…'
"…As you wish, my lady. I'll keep it in my heart." I answered firmly.
"But, my lady… how did you summon Prometheus?"
"…"
Silence filled the air. Cynthia then placed a finger on her lips, winked, and whispered, "Secret."
'Tch… so it won't be that easy after all.'
"Well then, I'll take my leave for now, Keith. That was the last of your questions, right?"
"Err… yes."
"Oh, by the way… later, you and Epsilon, come to my study. There's something I want to tell you."
"…Very well. Have a pleasant day, my lady."
Cynthia walked away, leaving me staring at her back.
"…Damn, just talking to her drains all my energy."
---
I nudged Epsilon, who was standing beside me. "Open it," I whispered.
Even Epsilon seemed confused.
Earlier, I'd informed him of Lady Cynthia's summons. He stood in the courtyard, the air thick with the scent of training, focusing mana. Approaching, I saw sweat slicking his brow, his hair plastered to his forehead.
I offered him a hair tie and told him to use it. Epsilon accepted it, but he struggled a little to tie his hair. So, I helped him, pulling his hair back for him. Beads of sweat trickled down his neck.
'Damn, that looks sexy.'
Anyway, back to the present. Now, the two of us were standing before Cynthia's office door. I didn't know what she wanted to say to us, but I had the feeling she wanted to speak mainly with Epsilon—I was probably just an accessory.
'Well, that's how it's always been from the start.'
"What business does My Lady have with us?" Epsilon addressed Lady Cynthia first, who was seated at her desk buried in documents. Keith noticed two of her secretaries also working at the front.
"Epsilon… so the news reached you quickly. Keith must have told you to come right away." Cynthia smiled. "Both of you sit in front of me."
Epsilon and I did as told and sat down. The woman still seemed busy with her papers.
'If being a duchess keeps you this busy, why are you still obsessing over Leyla and her husband…'
"You know, lately the kingdom's economy has been a little unstable since the neighboring kingdom, Dromist, took our nickel mines over. And as you both know, our relations with them haven't exactly been good."
'Of course I know. The final conflict in the novel The Way to Save Her is the war between kingdoms. That arc was emotionally draining, but it was also where the protagonist and the male lead finally established their relationship.'
"Since then, the king has been trying to build good relations with Duke Helming, since the northern territory has a prime location for nickel mining. But, as you know, they haven't surveyed the area yet because it borders the monster lands."
'This woman talks in circles.'
I understood her point. But even at the end of the novel, there was no nickel mine up there. And besides, mining requires labor. The northern region is freezing; creating livable working conditions there would be extremely difficult.
"The king wants me to win over Duke Helming, so we can gain easy access in and out of the northern territory."
'Win him over?'
What's the context? Do you mean you want a temporary alliance with him? From the start, labor resources have always been Duke Hemser's specialty. Does Cynthia mean to send his people? Even so, that would still require official approval.
"You know that my relationship with Duke Helming has been strained, I'll admit. However, there's someone who's managed to earn his complete trust."
Cynthia smiled at me. "Isn't that right, Keith?"
'Shit. Did she mean me?'
I instinctively pointed at myself, and Epsilon gave me a doubtful look.
"Keith… since you've already received the royal insignia, you can act as a representative for both me and the king. You know that since his marriage, Xerta has returned to his estate and shut off access to outsiders. I don't know what he's planning, but the king suspects he's secretly providing mana stones to Dromist."
"This is troubling for many parties. I want you to go there and deliver this scroll." Cynthia handed me a thick scroll.
"Of course, you won't be going alone. Epsilon, as a great magician, will accompany you."
Epsilon's head snapped toward Cynthia, clearly displeased with the idea. "I'm not sure my presence would be welcomed by Duke Helming."
"Epsilon… you are, after all, still a representative of the kingdom. You're a recognized great magician. You have to go as well." Cynthia handed him another scroll. "This is from the magic tower. The king also wants you to foster good relations with the southern region."
The Kingdom of Raythinez has five major powers: in the north is Helming's domain, in the south the Magic Tower, in the west the Cathedral—the main church of the god Helius, in the east the territory and manpower resources of Duke Hemser, and in the center the capital itself.
However, there's another place that remains ignored: the slums. That's where I came from before Count Nerwine took me in to the estate.
"Is that all I have to do, My Lady?" I asked just to be sure. "Build diplomatic relations? Nothing else?"
Cynthia and I locked eyes, while Epsilon seemed uncomfortable with the tension between us.
"…And while you're at it, Keith, make sure that couple doesn't spend their honeymoon being too affectionate."
'I knew it. This snake of a woman is using this as a cover.'
I smiled politely, outwardly pleasant, though inside it was a forced smile I had painstakingly trained myself to wear.
"Of course, Lady. I'll see to it."
"Besides… you don't want to see them being lovey-dovey, do you?" Cynthia asked.
"I have no right to forbid them since both of them is legally married… but if I must answer honestly, no, I don't like it either."
Epsilon studied me closely in silence.
'Anyway, flaunting their affection in front of a single guy like me should be illegal.'
I had a strange feeling that Epsilon, for some reason, saw a shadow of Cynthia and me clasping hands, united in agreement on this one thing.