Sigrid Chapter 107

[ … words ]

“I understand. Don’t stay away too long. You’re the star now, so your absence will be noticed quickly.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

As Sigrid thanked her again, Lowengrin smiled sweetly, glanced at the girl, and left the lounge. Sigrid admired her retreating figure as she glided out, her dress swaying gracefully.

‘How can she make her dress move so elegantly just by walking?’

Lowengrin closed the door with a soft click as she exited. Sigrid turned to face the girl.

“So, your name is…?”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry. My name is Violet Rivans.”

“Rivans.”

Sigrid murmured the familiar surname.

“Are you referring to Mr. Rivans, the steward of Conwills manor?”

“Yes, he’s my father.”

Violet answered, bowing her head.

Sigrid knew Rivans well, as his name had appeared on the documents.

He was the steward of Conwills manor, overseeing all affairs of the estate. Should he be called a house steward? Or the lord’s representative?

Though calling him the lord’s representative might be an overstatement, as his power was limited to within the manor.

“I see. So? What business does Mr. Rivans’s daughter have with me?”

“I heard that the new lord intends to replace everyone. If it’s because of the rumors about my father, I came to prove his innocence.”

Rumors? What rumors?

As Sigrid frowned, Violet misinterpreted her expression and hastily began to explain.

“My father has managed the manor honestly. He’s well-respected by the other staff. The person causing trouble for my father is Eintz, the tax collector. He’s always seen my father as a thorn in his side, but my father is absolutely not that kind of person.”

Eintz.

That name was also in the documents. He was a tax collector dispatched by the imperial family, responsible for collecting taxes. So he was the most important person to the imperial family.

After all, nothing was more important to the imperial family than collecting taxes from the estate.

“Did your father ask you to do this?”

“No!”

Violet jumped up, exclaiming. She clutched her skirt as if she might tear it, saying:

“If my father knew I was saying these things here, he would never forgive me. Please, Countess, keep my visit here a secret. I beg you.”

Is this true? Sigrid wondered as she looked at her. Violet trembled as she spoke:

“I came all the way up here in secret. It’s true. Please believe me, Countess.”

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

At Sigrid’s words, Violet swallowed hard and nodded. Sigrid said, “I see.”

“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Y-yes?”

“How did you get into the ballroom?”

Mr. Rivans would certainly not be of a status to receive an invitation to this ball. That meant she had entered the ballroom without an invitation, which had been bothering Sigrid.

At that question, Violet fidgeted nervously and said:

“Well, I… I came in through where they bring in the food supplies… wearing an apron and a headscarf.”

“And then you took off those two things after entering, I assume.”

“Yes, yes.”

“I see.”

Sigrid smiled wryly.

Of course, the Imperial Guard was in charge of security for today’s ball. She and Beramund, as Vice-Captain and Captain, were responsible.

“Then you should probably get going.”

At Sigrid’s words, Violet bowed repeatedly, and Sigrid left the lounge, walking quickly to change locations.

She headed for the door where servants entered and exited the ballroom. The soldiers saluted at the sudden appearance of a noblewoman.

“Where’s the other one?”

Sigrid’s voice sharpened.

“Pardon?”

The lone remaining soldier asked in a dazed voice, and Sigrid asked again:

“There should be two guards on duty, right? Where’s the other one? And where is Lord Solid, who’s in charge of this area?”

At those words, the soldier stared blankly at Sigrid before hastily saluting.

“Vice-Captain Ankertna!”

“Speak.”

Despite her elegant attire and ornate accessories, the aura emanating from Sigrid’s eyes was enough to overwhelm her surroundings.

The soldier, unsure how to respond to Sigrid’s words, quietly disclosed where they had gone. Sigrid nodded and began walking quickly, her dress hem fluttering. Before long, Beramund appeared beside her, as if he had materialized out of thin air.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“There’s a breach in security.”

“What?”

As Beramund frowned, Sigrid stopped in front of a closed door. She grabbed her dress hem and kicked the door open.

Bang—!

The door flew open with a loud crash.

Inside, the room was filled with smoke and the smell of alcohol. Knights and soldiers sitting at a table playing cards gaped at the entrance with their mouths wide open.

“I’d like to hear why you’re here playing games instead of guarding your assigned areas.”

Sigrid spoke in a chilling tone. Those who hadn’t recognized Sigrid at first quickly recognized Beramund.

Everyone stood up in surprise, but many were so drunk they could barely stand. Beramund groaned, covering his eyes, while Sigrid smiled darkly.

“Oh, Vice-Captain Ankertna…? You look beautiful today.”

One knight who failed to read the atmosphere hiccupped as he complimented Sigrid. Sigrid opened her mouth:

“Lord Solid.”

“Yes!”

Solid answered, standing at attention with a stiff posture.

“Security has been breached. Through the servants’ entrance, to be precise.”

At those words, Solid’s face turned pale.

“How many drinks have you had? It seems you’re no longer needed today. Leave.”

“Vice-Captain…”

Solid tried to make excuses, but he lowered his head at Sigrid’s cold gaze. After checking all the personnel inside, Sigrid slightly adjusted the guard areas and increased the allocation slightly to cover Solid’s absence.

Throughout her inspection rounds, she received many surprised looks and questions of “Lady Ankertna?” but she paid them no mind. By the time she finished and returned to the ballroom, quite some time had passed.

Sigrid was about to look for her companions when she saw Marie-Chez and Lowengrin buried among a crowd of people. Swallowing a sigh, she headed in their direction. As Marie-Chez raised her head to acknowledge her, the surrounding people parted like magic. Marie-Chez asked:

“Siri, what took you so long?”

“I had some work to do.”

“Work at a time like this? Countess Ankertna, you live such a dull life.”

One woman fanned herself and laughed shrilly.

“That’s right. Leave such things to your subordinates and enjoy yourself today.”

“Oh— No, do you know how formidable she is? She’s a commoner who rose from the bottom.”

As someone made a remark about Sigrid’s common birth, Marie-Chez frowned and was about to say something, but Sigrid spoke first.

“What did you say?”

Lowengrin swallowed a laugh. The person who had spoken flinched and fanned herself more quickly.

“Pardon?”

“No, I didn’t quite catch what you said just now. What did you say, Countess Atilla?”

Having just come from asserting her authority as Vice-Captain over her subordinates, Sigrid’s aura still lingered.

Her crimson eyes were cold, and the elegant smile on her lips didn’t waver. It was the aura of someone who faced magical beasts with a sword and stood at the forefront of battlefields.

The noblewomen were no match for it.

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

With her lips trembling, Countess Atilla lowered her head.

“I’m glad it was nothing.”

Sigrid said with a smile and turned her gaze to Marie-Chez. Marie-Chez linked arms with Sigrid, flashing a sweet, charming smile.

“So, have you found anyone you like?”

At the blunt question, Beramund groaned and said:

“I’m right here, you know?”

At those words, the noblewomen finally burst into laughter. It was an intentionally louder laugh. Romantic gossip is always an enjoyable topic.

“I never imagined Countess Ankertna and Lord Lunatil together.”

“Ah, when he broke that dance fan, my heart was pounding!”

The group’s topic quickly shifted. Questions flooded in about how they met, where they met, who confessed first. Most of the answers came from Beramund.

As Sigrid was being cornered by the noblewomen’s persistent questions with sparkling eyes, a ray of light appeared.

“My, everyone seems to be having an enjoyable conversation?”

“Your Highness.”

“We are honored by your presence, Your Highness.”

Everyone bowed politely, making way.

“What were you all discussing?”

As Erial asked, Sigrid bowed her head, and someone playfully answered:

“The romance between Lady Ankertna and Lord Lunatil, Your Highness.”

“Oho—” Erial turned her gaze to the couple, then burst into laughter upon seeing Sigrid’s expression.

“It seems I need to rescue you, doesn’t it?”

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

As Sigrid bowed her head, Erial laughed again.

“So, what about that promise to go horseback riding together?”

“I apologize, Your Highness. I’ve been busy lately with estate matters…”

At Sigrid’s refusal, everyone held their breath and looked at Erial. Erial replied nonchalantly, as if it were no issue:

“Ah, when that matter is settled, we must certainly get together.”

“I’m honored.”

“Your friends too, of course.”

Erial turned her gaze to Lowengrin and Marie-Chez. Lowengrin bowed her head slightly, while Marie-Chez greeted her with a charming smile, almost as if she might float away.

“We’re honored, Your Highness.”

As Erial left, Marie-Chez became triumphant. Sigrid was certain that she was enjoying this moment more than anyone else present.

To be recognized by the Crown Princess and even invited to go horseback riding. Envious gazes from those around them were directed at the three. Marie-Chez’s shoulders unconsciously straightened. She lifted her nose slightly and said:

“Shall we have a private chat for a moment? Excuse us.”

Dismissing the onlookers, Marie-Chez, Lowengrin, and Sigrid moved to a different spot. As they extricated themselves from the crowd, a relieved Sigrid sighed and said:

“Why are they so curious about other people’s business?”

“Other people’s affairs are always the most interesting.”

Lowengrin chuckled. Beramund followed behind the three and let out an exaggerated sigh, saying:

“I should thank Her Highness. She got us out of there. And Lady Inglet too, of course.”

As the three women separated from the group, Alkerto and Morris quietly approached. Alkerto shook his head and said:

“When they’re all huddled together like that, it’s impossible to approach. Lord Lunatil, I admire you.”

“I was fine because Siri was there.”

Beramund said, wiping his brow. Marie-Chez snorted and said:

“Why can’t you just approach them?”

“Men are delicate, you know.”

Alkerto raised his eyebrows, and Beramund nodded. Marie-Chez laughed derisively.

“It’s not delicacy, it’s cowardice.”

“It’s not! It’s delicacy!”

At Alkerto’s protest, Marie-Chez laughed openly again. Alkerto poked Morris in the ribs, saying:

“Say something, will you?”

“Alkerto, we can’t win against Marie-Chez.”

As Morris advised seriously, Alkerto nodded, saying “Ah.”

“That’s true.”

At those words, Marie-Chez laughed haughtily and poked Alkerto’s chest.

“If you know, don’t challenge me, sir.”

“I’ll remember that, my lady.”

Alkerto bowed exaggeratedly. Lowengrin asked Sigrid:

“What was that girl from earlier about?”

“Ah, it seems she misunderstood something. She said her father is the manor’s steward and that he’s innocent. For some reason, she thought I was going to dismiss him.”

“Hmm, a new Master is quite pressuring for the subordinates. It might be best to go down there as soon as possible. More importantly, I’m curious about the source of those rumors.”

“Yeah. Maybe I should have asked. But I was more concerned about how that girl got in here…”

Sigrid groaned. Morris frowned slightly and asked:

“Is there a breach in security?”

“Yeah, well. Thankfully nothing serious happened. Anyway, I’ll have to run them ragged tomorrow.”

Sigrid said lightly. Marie-Chez exclaimed “Ah—” and said:

“Come to think of it, you did well earlier. You should just keep doing that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You really put Countess Atilla in her place! With that expression and tone! Plus, the atmosphere was incredible, I got goosebumps. I thought, ‘As expected, a Master is different.’ Sigrid should go with that concept— no, not concept. That approach.”

“Really?”

Sigrid tilted her head, thinking ‘What did I do?’ and Lowengrin nodded.

“That’s right. I thought they were taking you lightly, but when you opened your mouth, it felt like seeing a predator with its fangs bared. Well done, Siri.”

“It’s thanks to your good teaching, Lowengrin.”

Sigrid smiled. Alkerto took a sip of champagne, leaned forward slightly, and said:

“But wow. The attention is no joke. I think this is the first time I’ve been the center of attention like this.”

Morris nodded at those words after a moment’s thought.

“You’re right. It’s like we’re surrounded by hyenas eyeing a piece of meat.”

At those words, Sigrid groaned and said:

“Can I leave before I get torn apart?”

“What? Not yet.”

Marie-Chez jumped up. Morris frowned slightly at her words, but Lowengrin spoke first:

“Marie, stop exploiting Siri.”

At those words, Marie-Chez’s shoulders slumped. She glanced at Sigrid and asked:

“Are you not enjoying it?”

“It’s exhausting.”

Sigrid answered honestly, and Marie-Chez nodded.

“Then it can’t be helped. Let’s make one more round and then pretend to go to the lounge while leaving.”

“One more round?”