His Highness laughed and tried to console him. “It would have been hard for her to talk about these things with people she’d never met before.”
“She’d never met me, yet she did whatever she pleased at my expense.”
“Now, now. We can just ask her about it. At any rate, that’s enough for today. Go home with Marielle. You have to speak to that manservant, after all.”
“Will that really be all right, sir?”
“I’m willing to bet even the princess won’t try anything tonight. Marielle may have ended up fine today, but it was surely still frightening for her. Stay by her side.”
Oh my, those are surprisingly kind words coming from you. I was overcome with emotion. “Thank you very much, Your Highness. You’re a prince!”
“Just what did you think I was until now?”
No, no, not like that. I meant it figuratively! I was praising you, saying both your looks and personality are those of a wonderful gentleman.
Lord Simeon lightly rapped my head with his knuckles, then announced that we’d be taking our leave. The Flaubert carriage was to be left at the palace for further investigation, so we would ride home on my husband’s horse. Leaving the rest to Sir Alain, Lord Simeon finished preparing to depart, and we set out. The end of the long summer day was upon us; the sky had grown dim.
“Heh heh heh,” I giggled. “I get to be with my husband tonight. I’m sure Chouchou will be happy too.”
I was in a great mood—I hadn’t expected to be able to go home with my husband. All the fear from the accident had flown away.
“I hope so,” Lord Simeon muttered. “I wonder if she forgot about me while I was away.”
He’d placed me in front of him on the saddle, and his arms were on either side of me, gripping the reins. I loved when I could feel the heat from his large body.
“How’s your work been?” he asked. “Have you made progress on your writing?”
“Urgh...” My joyful feelings sank all at once, so I hurried to buoy them back up. Let’s forget about that for today! Lord Simeon is coming home, so I have to prioritize time with him. Oh... But I have plans to go out tomorrow as well... I wish I could’ve gotten work done today... However! I’m going to take my time with my husband tonight!
I planned to turn my eyes away from the approaching deadlines and just enjoy my time with Lord Simeon. Unfortunately, once we reached the manor and spoke to the manservant, I was laden with worries once more.
“I’d never forget to put a part back! I made sure of everything!” Remy went pale after we told him what had happened. He fervently denied any potential mistakes. “I even double-checked before we left today... A-And, I used the brakes when we arrived at the building! They worked! It’s true—please believe me!”
As tears started to form in Remy’s eyes, our main driver Joseph stepped in and patted his head. “Young Madam, the repairs to the carriage are primarily done by me, since we can’t leave it all to Remy. I’m also in charge of the checks afterward.” He was trying to say that this situation was his responsibility. Like a father figure, Joseph was covering for Remy, who he knew was a studious, good kid. “He may be carefree, but he’d never cut corners at work. It’s not his fault.”
Lord Simeon stood up straight. “We’re not necessarily blaming him. We’re just trying to get the full story. Are there ever times you remove parts from the brakes for repairs?”
“I wouldn’t say it never happens... But we haven’t done so recently.”
According to Joseph, they hadn’t changed the brake parts in about two months. The carriage had been used many times within that time frame, so someone would’ve noticed defects had there been any.
“Is it possible something could have fallen off during travel?”
“No sir. It is not built that way.”
Even Lord Simeon couldn’t find fault with that logic when he was being denied so firmly. He and Joseph went to inspect the carriage house to make sure, but according to them, everything was perfectly in line. Every single item was in working order.
Lord Simeon ended their check as soon as it was finished and thanked our two staff members. “I’m grateful for your cooperation. I apologize for cutting into your dinnertime.”
Joseph looked relieved as he took Remy out with him. Lord Simeon and I went into the main building and settled in the living room on the second floor. I decided I’d change my clothing later, so I had Joanna leave for the time being. My husband also kept his uniform on.
He stood, contemplating the situation with a hardened expression, and I took my seat on the couch.
“This doesn’t seem to have been an unplanned accident.” I broached the subject.
He turned around to face me. “You said that Remy was taken to a waiting room while you were at the embassy?”
“Yes. They gave him tea and sweets.”
“So the carriage was damaged while he was away from it.”
The entire incident had been planned in advance. Someone had intentionally removed the parts from the brakes. Remy had said he’d been called to leave the carriage—this could have been part of the culprit’s ploy as well.
A chill ran through my body. Who had done this, and why? They couldn’t have possibly predicted that Princess Mira would use my carriage... So was their target me? The culprit was among those who could enter the embassy—one of the staff. But what could their motive have possibly been?
Lord Simeon hugged my shaking form. “There’s no guarantee that you were being targeted. Even if that were the case, it’s unclear whether there was any direct killing intent. As His Highness noted, this accident resulted from several coincidences. Had someone wanted to murder you, they would have used a more efficient method.”
“I would prefer not to be murdered.”
He chuckled as he petted my hair. “Of course. I would kill anyone who plotted to do so before they could act.”
I leaned against his reliable frame, which helped calm me. He was right—there was no discernible reason for someone to be after my life. The culprit could’ve just been playing a prank. It’s fine... It’s fine.
Lord Simeon’s hand slid from the top of my head down to my ear, brushing along my cheek gently. Soaking in this pleasant feeling, I absently looked up at him. His pretty face was close. My fluttering emotions dispelled my previous fear, so I closed my eyes and waited for his touch.
But just as I felt his breath near my lips—
“Ouch!”
He suddenly gave a small yelp, surprising me, and my eyes shot open. The next thing I heard was a scratching sound. A ball of white fur was climbing up Lord Simeon’s body, her claws digging into his clothes.
“Chouchou...”
She’d made it up to his shoulder and was glaring at him reproachfully. She then used him as a springboard as if it were nothing so she could jump over to me. Without realizing it, I let go of Lord Simeon to catch her.
“Oh, you. Don’t bully your father!”
Lord Simeon was rubbing his legs, clearly in pain. Thinking about it, I hadn’t clipped her nails in a while. I pressed on her paw pads to get her sharp claws to poke out. Indeed, I’ll have to have someone help me clip them later.
See, Lord Simeon? She didn’t forget about you, and she’s not acting cold toward you. She greeted you just as she always does!