Volume 4, Chapter 3 – Coincidence and Inevitability

Perhaps feeling nervous, Erin Slate’s speech was slightly halting.

「Uh, I mean, regarding what to do about Prince Schain. I have considered many methods, but none of them are foolproof. They either leave behind remnants of Schain’s faction or cause His Majesty to become suspicious of you. I believe that using a scheme of alienation—making them fight amongst themselves to weaken their power—is the most stable option at present. As for how to sow discord, the allure of money is too weak. A woman would be more suitable. But if we are to choose a woman, it must be someone from our organization to ensure there are absolutely no leaks…」

Seeming to be in thought, Erin Slate paused.

「I’m not suggesting that our people would be unwilling. Everyone has received your grace to achieve what they have today. We wouldn’t even be alive without you; you are the one who let everyone feel what warmth is. It’s just the choice of candidate… who do you think is most suitable?」

Of course, Lady Erin Slate, you are the most suitable.

Renee answered silently in her heart.

Erin possessed an overwhelmingly noble aura and extremely formidable strength. At the same time, she was the daughter of a former duke. Although she had been exiled, she was not a direct relative of the traitor, so she hadn’t been branded with a Sinner’s Mark like Anastasia.

Now, sitting in the position of Captain of the Imperial Guard, the nobles pursuing her were as numerous as bees and butterflies. She was a dazzling star wherever she went.

Furthermore, Erin herself was a master of clever rhetoric. Speaking objectively and without personal feelings, no one was more suited than Erin Slate to stir up trouble between Prince Schain and the other great nobles. Renee could even imagine Schain’s group becoming so infatuated with Erin that they wouldn’t be able to see straight.

But that was a consideration without personal feelings.

On the surface, Erin Slate was the Eldest Princess’s loyal servant. But as a fellow woman, Renee had long ago discovered that Erin was head-over-heels for the princess. Whenever she went to meet the Eldest Princess, Erin, standing behind her, would always gaze at her with an incredibly fervent look. That was by no means ordinary respect. If Renee had to describe it, it was the deep love of a runaway mistress for her lover.

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Lady Erin Slate is absolutely not the right person. It would be more appropriate for me to go than her.

Silence.

The only sound in the world was the creaking of the carriage wheels.

After Erin Slate’s words faded, the entire [Remote Message] channel fell into a deathly quiet.

Feeling the sharp drain on her mana, Renee couldn’t help but grow anxious.

No one knew what Lord Thanatos was thinking. She always made choices that were beyond people’s expectations, her perpetually cold gaze making it seem as if nothing in the world mattered to her. If her master, out of purely rational consideration, truly ordered Erin Slate to seduce Prince Schain, Renee couldn’t imagine how she would face Erin in the future.

She is a queen who is deeply in love with you, my master.

Although Renee and Erin would only nod and answer “Yes” if Fia truly gave that order, Renee hoped she wouldn’t. She looked at Fia’s face—at this moment, Fia’s brow was slightly furrowed, as if pondering an esoteric puzzle. Renee had rarely seen her master wear such an expression. In the past, no matter the problem, her master could almost always give an answer in less than two seconds.

Erin’s inquiry came through the [Remote Message] again.

「Lo… Lord Thanatos?」

Her voice seemed to be trembling.

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Lady Erin Slate must also be afraid that Lord Thanatos will make such a choice.

Unlike Renee, who could see Lord Thanatos’s contemplative face, Lady Erin Slate could not see her expression and guess at the choice she might make.

Subconsciously, Renee clasped her hands tightly, but because Anastasia could enter at any moment, she had to maintain a look of utmost solemnity.

Less than five seconds of agonizing time passed, yet it felt like a full year. Just as the silent atmosphere was about to drop below freezing, Fia finally reacted.

It was an expression Renee had never seen before.

Those ruby-like, magnificent eyes were full of determination, yet Renee felt there was a hint of shame in them, like a child admitting a mistake. Renee instantly dismissed her own thoughts. An emotion like shame could not possibly exist in Lord Thanatos’s heart, because there was nothing in this world for which Lord Thanatos needed to feel ashamed.

It must be something else.

Renee waited quietly for the moment Fia would give her answer through the [Remote Message].

Then, Fia’s cherry lips parted, and she slowly said:

“…I’ve lost my memory.”

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“Huh?”

An involuntary sound of surprise escaped Renee’s lips. She immediately realized her gaffe and hastily covered her mouth, but even so, she could not hide the look of shock on her face.

Lost her memory? What does that mean? And why answer with spoken words instead of transmitting the message through the [Remote Message]?

Renee did not understand the deep meaning. She waited for Fia to explain, but Fia merely lowered her gaze and said no more.

Another deathly silence.

After a few breaths, Erin Slate’s voice came from the other end of the [Remote Message].

It was a voice filled with sudden clarity and joy, like seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

「I see. I… I was thinking too simply.」

「Wait, Lady Erin Slate, I don’t understand. Why are you so happy? Lord Thanatos merely said she lost her memory.」

Unable to suppress her intense curiosity, Renee lowered the hand covering her mouth and asked through the [Remote Message].

Erin’s reply was light and cheerful, as if she already had the answer.

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「It’s fine if you can’t figure it out. Remember, you must not tell anyone about our conversation, not even Loca. Don’t ask why. I already have a rough idea in mind. On the day the truth comes to light, I will tell you the answer. But really, Renee, for Lord Thanatos to give a hint this obvious, and you still can’t figure it out… It seems I’ll have to order Loca to send you more books to open your mind.」

Not knowing how to answer Erin, Renee could only lower her head in shame. She knew she wasn’t smart, and not reading enough books was undoubtedly her own fault.

「Thank you, Lord Thanatos, for the enlightenment. As expected, even if I were to try for another hundred years, I would never be able to see your back. Your birth is the accumulated good fortune of the elf race over millennia. Well then, I will arrange everything before your arrival. Erin Slate looks forward to the day you arrive in Blossom.」

After saying all this in a joyful tone, Erin Slate switched back to her usual majestic voice.

「Renee, Prince Schain will soon meet his end. Serve Lord Thanatos well. Do not forget that this is your honor.」

「Yes. Renee will remember it always.」

「Until we meet again.」

With a ‘tshh— ‘ sounds, the [Remote Message] was cut off.

Renee looked with a solemn gaze at Fia, whose eyes were still downcast.

Even without being told, Renee knew how to respond. She bowed her head deeply, her heart filled with loyalty and admiration.

“Lady Erin Slate will arrange everything. Please leave the road ahead to me, Lord Thanatos.”