What the–, just because you don't know the reason, then you became discontent. In the end, even someone like Ortzen couldn't guessed the real reason. Somehow I feel like I'm winning over him. I know the reason~
"There's only a few days left now, when will you arrange for the engagement ceremony? Will I still get engaged in the end?"
"Of course you should."
"Really?"
"Yes. It would be even better if both of you get married."
Ortzen eagerly said so. This is unexpected. I wonder whether if I'm still useful for him. Well, it's a good thing if that being the case.
"Now that there isn't any obstacle anymore, it's possible to have the engagement ceremony tomorrow right away. But, I think it's better to postpone it for now because I intend to make an official announcement that the Epheria couple, your parents, was murdered by some mysterious men. It won't be good for your reputation if you hold the engagement ceremony right after your parents' deaths."
"But I have to meet with the High Priest!"
"For now, I'm considering to push the day of the engagement ceremony to the day before the scheduled visit to the Central Church, but if the situation isn't good, I'll have to delay the visit for a few days."
"…, I think that's not a very good idea."
Postponing the regular visit to the Central Church means that for each passing days, Captain Jullius will also be in danger. It's not rare for him to be in danger, but recently there's an incident involving the Crown Prince, so how could Ortzen seemed unconcerned and too calm. After I voiced out my disagreement, Ortzen just lightly shook his head.
"There's nothing to be worried about. Usually Captain Jullius received the blessings three to four days in advanced. Although normally the time period to receive the blessings should be once in every thirty days, but so far Captain Jullius always visited the Central Church within 26 to 27 days."
"Oh, is that so?"
I didn't know there's such a thing. When I didn't have to go for a war, I stayed within the Church so I didn't need to be blessed. However, other common people who isn't a clergy, could have faced an unforseen predicament so they had to spare some of their time to receive the blessings on the appointed time.
"If that's so, then let's do it that way…"
Now, I have to ask what needed to be ask. I put the last cookie into my mouth then said,
"I know you hid the fact that Sofia was getting caught as hostage."
After hearing my words, without even getting perplexed or embarrassed in the slightest, Ortzen shamlessly asked.
"Did you figure it out?"
"Of course I'll know about it! After all you've said too much!"
(T/N: Silla was referring to Ortzen's ramblings before she returned to the mansion)
"I thought you didn't know, it's unexpected."
I'm not that dumb. Initially I was in doubt. But later on I was convinced thanks to Captain Jullius for telling me the truth.
"Even though you've known all along, but you still let me go even after you've meticulously prepared everything? I almost escaped by myself and left Sofia behind!"
"That's the best possible outcome."
…, what?
"You shamless bastard!"
"That's nothing new. Everyone knows I'm this Empire's number one bad guy."
Well, that's true. I sipped my tea to cease my anger. This tea is delicious.
"…, Was sacrificing Sofia the best way out?"
"Yes. It would be the worst if Miss was captured by them and failed to rescue the hostage even after Sir Silac had stepped out to help."
"Then, what do you think about the current result?"
"As I see it, it can't be considered as the best, but overall it's still quite good. Well, although it's unfortunate that Sir Silac's disguise got revealed in the end."
"You don't look that disappointed though."
If he thought that it's unfortunate, then it's impossible he would be in a good mood for awhile now.
"Now that the Countess has died, it's not a big deal to have Sir Silac's disguise revealed. Even if the Countess was alive, it would be better to save the person who is precious to you. Since the beginning, if you showed a sign that you're going to escape by yourself, I have asked Sir Silac to come out and save your maid if it looked like you really value that maid."
…, so that bastard Cain would still revealed himself even if I decided to escape alone?
"I never thought you cared for me up to this degree."
I mumbled, feeling somewhat in doubt. It seems like he had other ulterior motives. What could it be? I felt like he's hiding something from me because the human like snake in front of me is too kind out of the blue that it made me uncomfortable.
"Well, now you've gotten to know it. Miss Epheria is a very precious existence for me."
"…,uh, oh. Alright."
What's gotten into this guy?! Did he eat something wrong? This one creature was unnecessarily friendly that made me lost interest to ask him anything more. Hah, whatever. I've made sure that I'm going to meet with the High Priest anyway.
"Sofia can stay with me here, can't she?"
"Yes. It happened that we're also in need of a maid to take care of your needs. But her movements need to be restricted."
"Then, please arrange a room for Sofia next to mine. I'll tell her myself that she could only move around by herself to my room and the kitchen. Otherwise, it's fine for her to go elsewhere as long as I accompany her, right?"
"Okay. I'll have it prepared right away. Additionally, please do not go outside at least until the engagement ceremony if it's possible, Miss. If you have something to do outside, please inform me beforehand so I can arrange someone to escort you."
"Got it."
It would be the best not to act recklessly at least until the problem around the Epheria family is resolved. Nonetheless, I don't have any place to go other than the Church. After I drank up the rest of the tea in my teacup, I left Ortzen's office room.
'Where could Captain Jullius be right now?'
I was loitering along the corridor to search for Captain Jullius because I was worried he would be crestfallen after getting scolded by Ortzen when suddenly a familiar figure came into my sight. In the past I always had a hard time to restrain my anger and worried about whether if I should punch him or not, but now I don't feel that way anymore because I owe him. Shit, it's getting awkward. I didn't know what kind of expression I should to put on my face to meet him while I was looking at Sir Cain Silac who was walking to me from the otherside of the corridor. No matter even if he did so per Ortzen's order, the fact that I'm indebt to him is evident.
"… Sir Cain Silac."
I held back myself from sighing and stopped my steps. Regardless what happened between us in the past, a debt is still a debt. I should restrain myself just for this once.
"For helping me today, thank you."
I've lived until today that the day has finally come when I have to give my thanks to this bastard. I slightly bowed and Cain also did the same then nodded his head once.
"It's nothing. Rather, it was me who had offended you that day, Miss."
That day? He must be referring to the murdering case which I was made as a scapegoat when he was still worked as a spy, or maybe the occurance inside the inn backthen. Actually it's a good thing for me that he chose to stay away from giving any help to that bastard ex-fiancee that day.
"Due to my own foolishness, I misunderstood you and put you in a dangerous situation. I'm deeply sorry."
He embarrassedly apologized with a red face. What is this? Is he another person who shared similar name? But his face undoubtly belongs to that bastard Cain.
"Uh… if that being the case, then it's fine."
I answered absent-mindedly and looked closely at his face. Maybe someone else was impersonating as that bastard Cain by wearing a leather skin. His demeanor was completely different compared to the bastard I knew.
"Miss is very generous."
…, I'm not that generous. But rather than that…
"Can I touch your face?"
"…, pardon?"
"Your face. Please lower your head for a moment."
I have to make sure that the guy in front of me is really that bastard Cain Silac. At my sudden request, he hesitated for a moment before lowering his head in the end. I quickly reached out my hands to his face and probed the area around his ears down until his jawline thoroughly, but I felt nothing strange on my fingertips. So he's really the real one? For Heaven's sake!
"… Ermm, Miss Epheria?"
I keep probing his face because I still can't believe it until he voiced out his confussion. Hmm, based on his behavior, he can't be that bastard Cain, but it's very strange.
"Are you really Sir Cain Silac?"
"…, yes."
"Do you perhaps have a twin or–"
"I'm an only child."
This was unbelievable, but it seemed to be the truth. Did he perhaps reflect on his misconduct all this time? In the end, I didn't find any traces of the leather skin on his face so when I withdrew my hands, he sighed in relief.
"Once again I apologize for all my rudeness backthen."
"Ah, okay."
Don't keep apologizing to me! It feels weird! I was about to leave from there to continue my search for Captain Jullius whereabout after I have said my gratitude to Cain, but suddenly he called for me again.
"Miss Epheria."
"Yes?"
"Don't trust Ortzen Persona too much! He's a very dangerous man."
He warned me with a serious voice. But…
"I know that too."
I know very well what kind of person Ortzen is. It hasn't been an hour since he declared himself as a bad guy. Furthermore, he's a convicted criminal so of course I can't blindly trust him.