I Reincarnated as the Daughter of a Runaway Sub Heroine - Chapter 80

* * *

After returning to the Duke’s residence, I lay on my bed and began to sort through everything that had happened today, one by one.

First of all, the most suspicious mastermind was, of course, the princess. So, I retraced the princess’s actions from the beginning of the day. I thought about what was different from usual and whether there was anything strange about her behavior today.

Looking back now, it was odd from the very start. As soon as the princess saw me and Hyperion, she started picking a fight. It was obvious to everyone that her words implied we could never marry.

Had the princess spoken like that before? No, she hadn’t. Although we had only met a few times, she was always someone who chose her words carefully in public.

If she had intentionally said such things, what was her purpose?

It wasn’t a difficult question to predict. By showing jealousy over my relationship with Hyperion, the princess made her next actions seem more convincing.

She pretended to have hurt her leg and left with Hyperion, leaving me behind. She must have aimed for that from the very beginning because Hyperion should not get involved in this unfortunate incident.

Even if it were later discovered that her leg injury was fake, people would have dismissed it as a childish act to attract Hyperion’s attention.

However, if she hadn’t provoked us in the first place, her lie would have felt very sudden. Then someone might have connected it to the assassination of Persis.

The only variable in this situation was that Hyperion saw through the princess’s intentions and returned early. This was her only mistake.

Now, there is just one final question remaining.

How did the princess acquire the monster’s poison? Did she receive it from someone in the Grand Duke’s household? Or was it prepared by some apothecary in the capital?

But to be able to refine monster poison requires extraordinary skill…

At that moment, I recalled what the princess had said earlier in the greenhouse.

“The only apothecary who knows the purpose of Marta is under my protection right now. He used to work in the royal palace, but after the previous Grand Duke died, he suddenly vanished. I have been searching for him since three years ago and finally found him.”

Right, there is quite a skilled apothecary by the princess’s side now. If it’s him, it might be possible. He knows about rare poisonous plants that others do not.

And one more thing. Before parting in the greenhouse, the princess said to me:

“Well then, I suppose I must make an effort. So that my abilities can be recognized by everyone. I will prove that soon.”

Did that remark mean this? To either kill Persis or at least corner me?

Perhaps the princess anticipated that if the assassination failed, Persis would cover for me. Since Persis has an interest in me, she calculated that he would prevent me from getting into trouble.

So in the end, I was truly a useful bait for the princess.

If Persis dies, I would be suspected in her place, and if he doesn’t die, it would be because of me that he hides everything himself.

“Hah!”

I smirked, lifting one corner of my lip. It was clear that the princess had proven her abilities. I finally realized I was facing a formidable opponent.

For the first time in my life, I felt my competitive spirit ignite. Yes, since you challenged me directly, I shouldn’t avoid this fight.

I have no choice but to show you what happens when you touch me.

By the way, if it weren’t for Hyperion, I could have been in danger today. Should I say I was oddly lucky…?

Then I belatedly realized one more fact.

Hyperion must have known that the assassin’s magic scroll was a fire magic scroll all along.

How was that possible? The runes must require magical power to be read.

* * *

“Lord Arcadia, did you fight with the prince again yesterday?”

Bell originally loved shopping. So ever since we arrived in Rosen, she would light up with happiness like a puppy in the snow whenever I suggested going out to shop.

However, today, throughout our shopping, she was anxious and kept bombarding me with questions. In the process, she didn’t even notice that I was buying something quite strange.

“Why are you asking about that?”

As we walked, I asked indifferently, and Bell followed closely behind me.

“Yesterday, the prince came back looking like a mess. It looked like he had been beaten up and rolled in the dirt. Everyone was in an uproar, wondering if the duke and the prince had gotten into a fistfight over you.”

“Then shouldn’t you ask if the prince was beaten by Hyperion? Why are you asking if I fought with him?”

“Well, it’s because you are the most suspicious, Ar. Didn’t you hit him?”

“I didn’t hit him! Do I look like someone who goes around hitting people?”

Bell made a face that clearly suggested I looked like I could, and I let out a deep sigh.

“It’s not like the two of them fought over me, and I didn’t hit the prince either. Something just happened, so please stop with the wild imaginations.”

After covering up the assassination attempt on Persis, strange rumors began to circulate again. This time, it was a love triangle.

It made sense for such rumors to arise since the three of us returned together, and Persis looked particularly disheveled. And by all three of us keeping our mouths shut, the rumors were becoming almost accepted as fact.

While Hyperion and I were fine, Persis was the biggest victim of this rumor. Unlike Persis, Hyperion looked perfectly fine, leading to speculation that he had been beaten up unilaterally.

I had thought that perhaps Persis, feeling wronged, might spill the truth, but given his silence so far, it seemed he was keeping his lips sealed.

“Anyway, it seems like new incidents keep popping up every day! When we return to the Grand Duchy, I could probably talk for days and nights about everything that happened in Rosen, and it still wouldn’t be enough!”

“You seem to be having a lot of fun.”

My mind was so complicated right now that it felt like it was about to burst. With the counterfeit currency issue, the fake romance, and yesterday’s incident.

In contrast, it seemed that Bell’s mind was filled with entirely different thoughts.

“Of course, it’s fun! Everyone will probably be envious and wish they were me! I’ve seen all of this happen right next to me!”

Bell laughed joyfully and walked briskly down the street.

As I shook my head at her, I suddenly sensed a presence following us from behind.

Is it that guy from the cake shop?

I had intentionally left Derek behind, and sure enough, the follower revealed their position so easily. Without a guard, I guess they were too relaxed, thinking I wouldn’t notice their tailing.

But I wonder if they know that I’m more sensitive to presence than Derek.

“Bell.”

At my call, Bell turned around. I pointed to a hat shop nearby and smiled.

“Let’s stop here for a moment and look at some hats.”

* * *

“Oh, you want to change clothes?”

After buying a suitable hat from the shop, I got the owner’s permission to borrow a fitting room. At my sudden suggestion to change clothes, Bell flinched and stepped back.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Stop talking and take it off. Have you ever seen me do this for no reason?”

“I know that, but will my clothes fit you, Ar? You’re taller than me. What if they tear…?”

“What are you talking about? Just take it off and give it to me!”

“Ahhh!”

A little while later, as we both exited the fitting room, the hat shop owner looked at me with a very strange expression, as if I had stolen the girl’s clothes.

“…Let’s go.”

Tired of making excuses, I took Bell and left the hat shop. Since Bell was shorter and smaller than me, the clothes were a bit snug, but aside from the shorter skirt, it wasn’t too noticeable.

With a large hat covering her head, it would be hard for anyone to easily realize that we had switched places.

Walking side by side, I spoke to Bell.

“Bell, don’t look back. Just pretend to be me and keep walking. And do you see that doll shop up ahead? Stop in front of it and look at the dolls for a moment.”

Bell nodded at my words.

I walked with her for a while before turning into a side alley. Immediately, I started running in the opposite direction from where we had been heading. I circled the alley to get behind the person who was tailing us.

When I emerged from the alley, I saw a man leaning against the wall, watching Bell. I quickly drew a dagger from my pocket and silently approached, pressing the blade against the man’s neck.

“…!”

The man’s body stiffened immediately. I spoke to him in a low voice.

“Turn around slowly. If you make any sudden moves, I’ll cut you right here.”