Now that the strategy is set and Bertia has safely returned to my side, the only thing left is to decide how to bring this finale to a close. We already have various pawns and plots ready; it’s just a matter of how to maneuver them.
“Hey, Kulgan. I’ve heard that Baroness Heronia has been visiting you often lately. What’s she like?”
Kulgan, who had also been a member of the student council in high school as he had been in middle school, paused his diligent paperwork and turned to face me. It wasn’t just Kulgan who looked up at my question.
Even though no major events were happening, my close aide candidates, who also assisted with the student council and my personal royal duties, often gathered in the council room. Today, they all reacted to the mention of “Baroness Heronia” and turned their attention to me.
Amidst all of this, Kulgan responded to my question.
“Not great, I’m afraid. She’s always been a bit annoying, but recently, she’s been particularly curious about Lady Bertia and her family.”
“You mean suspecting them of wrongdoing… or something?” I asked with a bright smile.
Kulgan, appearing slightly surprised, furrowed his brow and nodded.
“There have been several instances in which she asked whether Lady Bertia’s family had heard any bad rumors or if being related to them might have gotten her involved in some kind of trouble.”
“Hmm,” I murmured.
Just as I thought.
According to Bertia, in the “otome game” scenario, Kulgan was meant to be the adopted son of her family, the Noches Marquis household. However, due to a deviation in the scenario, he ended up being adopted by the lower-ranking Uradil Count family instead.
This was primarily a strategic move for infiltration, intended to investigate the suspicious activities of the Uradil family.
Kulgan is supposed to play a vital role in the impending “doom” that is expected to befall Bertia during my graduation ceremony. If Baroness Heronia is frequently approaching Kulgan now, it’s likely to serve as a preparatory step to bring about Bertia’s “doom.”
Kulgan’s recent statements have confirmed this suspicion.
“What’s up? Are you discussing some crafty scheme? I’ve had my share of unpleasant experiences with Baroness Heronia too, concerning Lady Anne. I’d be happy to lend a hand.” Charles chimed in with a smirk, propping his cheek on his hand as he listened to our conversation.
I remembered how Charles had been annoyed by Baroness Heronia constantly telling him to abandon his feelings for Anne. She had even gone so far as to spread rumors that Charles was a playboy and to pressure him into an engagement with someone else, despite his brother’s objections.
Even someone as chivalrous as Charles would be justifiably upset if someone interfered in his blossoming romantic pursuits.
“I feel the same,” Nert added. “I was just reading a book when she started complaining about Silica right next to me, saying things like, ‘That must have been hard for you,’ without really understanding anything. She doesn’t realize that when Silica scolds me, it’s out of love. Despite her complaints, she always takes care of me happily, which is really cute.”
Nert glanced up from his book, his brow furrowed and his expression irritated.
It truly takes a lot to anger Nert, who is typically so calm.
“I feel the same way. I usually don’t like to gang up and speak poorly of someone, but… I truly find her challenging,” Bard remarked, maintained his usual calm demeanor.
“I was looking forward to a long ride just with Cynthia, but then out of the blue, she insisted on joining us. I had no choice but to take her along, yet she couldn’t keep up with our pace and ended up complaining and demanding to turn back halfway, ruining our date several times over.” Ah, Baroness Heronia can ride a horse, but trying to keep up with Bard and Cynthia is reckless.
Their equestrian skills rival those of knights serving in the royal palace, if not surpassing them. While it may be admirable to persistently try to join them on their rides, it becomes inappropriate when it interrupts the outings of a couple who are engaged.
Bard isn’t typically quick-tempered, but he does hold onto his anger. However, repeating the same mistakes could only lessen his favorable impression of her over time.
“I don’t feel very warmly toward her either. After all, she’s said things that could hurt my Joanna,” added Shaun, jumping into the conversation with a scowl.
Well, it’s understandable that the “targets” would become increasingly averse to a “heroine” who disregards their feelings and continues with aggressive approaches. Moreover, the power of the light spirit contracted to Baroness Heronia — as Zeno noted, Little Pi barely qualifies as a high-level spirit.
Thus, she can use “Healing Light,” a power characteristic of high-level light spirits, which grants a sense of well-being to those around her. This ability creates a unique happiness in those near Baroness Heronia, making it difficult for them to separate from her.
The enchantment is also partially blocked by magic-warding earrings that diminish the influence of the light spirit.
Indeed, according to Zeno, the “Healing Light” remains immature. Little Pi has only recently evolved from a mid-level to a high-level spirit and is still seen as an apprentice in that realm. A fully matured high-level spirit can wield their powers over a vast area without causing discomfort to those nearby. However, Little Pi hasn’t mastered this ability yet. Thus, to those of us not under Little Pi’s spell, the followers surrounding Baroness Heronia appear to have the vacant look of “addicts,” clearly under some type of enchantment.
Based on Bertia’s explanation of the “otome game,” we, the “targets” of conquest, are supposedly prone to becoming her followers. Thankfully, we are accompanied by a genuine, experienced high-level spirit.
It’s very unlikely that Baroness Heronia’s spirit can significantly harm us, considering our protections.
I smiled at my close aides. “It sounds bad when you call it a crafty scheme. I’m just considering defensive measures to protect my fiancée. If Baroness Heronia doesn’t intentionally try to harm her, I plan to treat her as just any other stranger.”
“These defensive measures are necessary for us as well, right?” Charles said with his usual grin, pointing out the obvious without hesitation. The other members nodded in agreement.