I was carried by Coachman to the carriage. When Sophia and Vladilena saw me descend from Coachman's back, they looked surprised. I pretended not to notice their expressions and sat in my previous spot.
"Why were you carried like that?"
Sophia asked innocently, although the girl next to her gasped spontaneously. Vladilena might have realized that my condition was not just a joke. Still, I didn't want to make her feel guilty. I also didn't want Sophia to be burdened if one of us explained my actual condition. So, I grinned arrogantly and said,
"This is a special service for a lady. A little girl like you wouldn't understand my charm."
Sophia pouted immediately. "There's no such service!"
"Yes, there is! You saw it yourself earlier."
Vladilena chuckled. "Sophia, there are some things we can't understand unless we're a lady."
"No way! Lena, you said before that the words 'lady' and 'Martha' couldn't be combined, right?"
How could you remember something like that?
Vladilena smiled. "No one knows when and how a person's nature can change." Vladilena clapped her hands once. "Let's put it this way. If you still don't believe. How about we test Martha?"
Oh, I see. Apparently, she intended to play a trick on me too. This girl is truly a potential antagonist!
"What kind of test?" Sophia asked.
The carriage started moving again. The traffic was still slow. Our carriage could easily follow the flow without worrying about colliding with other vehicles. Actually, the distance from here to her parents' carriage wouldn't take much time even if we walked. From this place to the bridge was only about twenty meters, plus the length of the bridge was about ten meters because their carriage was on the other side.
Vladilena's smile widened. "As we know, often a noble, or lady, cannot express their thoughts in words because it can be considered too offensive. Therefore, a lady sometimes uses body language to convey her meaning. So, Martha, I will show a gesture with my body. Can you understand it? I'm sure you can. A prospective lady couldn't possibly not learn it."
Good heavens! I don't know anything about the body language of a noble. I don't even know how to use a knife and fork at the dinner table.
"O-Of course!"
"I'll start, then! Sophia, you can join in guessing too."
"Alright."
Vladilena then clasped her hands together, pressed them against her right cheek, and tilted her head to the right. She maintained her annoying smile with both eyes closed.
"There you go, that's my gesture," said Vladilena.
Sophia raised her hand. "I know!"
"Go ahead."
"That means 'time to sleep'!"
Vladilena responded with just a smile. "And what about you, Martha?"
"That gesture means, 'The Swiss roll is delicious. Can I have another portion?'"
Sophia protested loudly, "There's no way it means that!"
Meanwhile, Vladilena said, "No, Sophia. Martha is correct."
"How is that possible?"
"Try to remember, what did I say earlier?"
"Which part?"
"Often a noble cannot express their thoughts with words because it might be considered too harsh."
"So?"
"What I meant is that a noble must be able to adapt to situations and conditions. In this case, gestures are used in situations where the noble is with others, discussing something. However, I didn't implicitly or explicitly show the surrounding conditions. So, it can be assumed that you can conclude for yourself what the surrounding conditions are. In this case, you might choose the bedroom, while Martha chose the dining room.
"Because you assumed that my gesture was used in the bedroom, I can understand why you concluded my gesture as 'time to sleep.' However, you forgot one thing, and that's the situation.
"What kind of situation would require a gesture to refine the meaning? In this case, if you and your interlocutor are in the bedroom, you don't need a gesture to tell them to sleep or ask for leniency so that you can sleep. This situation can still be addressed with words, even with a straightforward sentence. There would be no offense just because you tell someone to sleep, right?"
"While Martha assumed she was facing her interlocutor at the dining table. I didn't specifically talk about a Swiss roll. That is indeed Martha's favorite. However, that's Martha's way of asking for additional food in a way that only certain people can understand. For example, Martha doesn't want to be called greedy by others, so she uses a gesture that she wants more. That way, Martha will be offered an additional Swiss roll instead of Martha asking for it directly with words."
Sophia interrupted, "What does putting your hand on your cheek have to do with asking for extra food? Just think, most people would think that you're sleepy and want to go to bed quickly."
Vladilena answered, "This is what you don't understand, Sophia."
"What?"
"No specific rules exist for body movements to be interpreted in a particular way." Vladilena leaned towards Sophia. "In general, you might be right that the gesture is used to be interpreted as 'sleep.' However, if Martha wants the same gesture but with a different meaning, you can't blame her."
I didn't know if Vladilena was really teaching Sophia or just making up nonsense, but one thing I understood from all this is that Vladilena's eloquence has been trained since childhood. Even I, seven years older than this blonde girl, doubt if I can talk so fluently about theories.
Our carriage began to cross the bridge. From the window, I glanced slightly downward at the attackers tied along the railing of the bridge. Their faces were all grim, gloomy, and sullen. They truly embodied the role of criminals. In contrast, their equipment sparkled as if everything had just been made. It wouldn't be wrong to say that their money was spent on polishing weapons rather than buying facial soap.
"Please do not stop around here."
The carriage stopped right next to Sophia's parents' carriage. I looked through the front window, and the Coachman showed something from behind his coat to the Knight who had spoken earlier. After that, the Knight ran towards Sophia's parents' carriage.
"Ladies, please sit quietly. It's still dangerous outside," Coachman said, glancing back.
Therefore, the three of us were once again crowded at the carriage window. This time at the front window. I could see the Knight from earlier returning. He noticed our presence and nodded slightly while smiling.
"Thank you for waiting, but at the request of Sir Ivan, Miss Vladilena and her friends are allowed to wait at Viscount residence. We will go there as soon as the sector police take over this place."
The Knight shifted to make way. Coachman snapped the reins. Not a hard whip, but his horse obediently started moving.
I turned to Sophia. "Well, let's just wait at my house."
***
They really have us waiting.
It was now three o'clock in the afternoon. There's no sign of Sophia's parents' carriage at a glance. We had rushed to set the table and decorate the living room as soon as we arrived. Of course, I understand if the interrogation takes a long time. However, two little girls sitting on the porch may not understand the situation like I do.
Dad can't be relied on either. He left us as soon as people reported that there had been a robbery on the bridge. Even though Coachman deliberately didn't mention the issue when he dropped us off here. In the end, we were the ones scolded. "Why didn't you say anything!" he said, even though he was clearly only angry with me, but these two little girls would feel guilty too.
"So long," Sophia complained.
"What can we do? The attack involved your parents. This can't be considered an ordinary crime." Vladilena, sitting next to her, responded logically.
"It must have been just an ordinary robbery. What they knew was that a carriage escorted by many knights must belong to a rich person. It just happened that my parents were inside. But compared to Uncle Julius, my father's wealth is far different. Huh, because it's guarded and all, this is what happens, right?"
Vladilena's expression suddenly changed. She turned to me. "Martha, I might offend you a little, but please understand."
I had no clue where this girl's conversation was heading. What does she want to bring up about me? I almost ate all the Swiss rolls she brought the other day. Today, I almost took a whole box of her cookies. Is she mad about that?
"...It's okay."
Vladilena continued, "Sophia, do you know what happened to Mrs. Lydia?"
"Aunt Lydia? She died in an accident, right? Just ask Martha."
Vladilena shook her head. "She died from premeditated murder."
Sophia immediately turned to me. I just nodded without saying a word.
"The incident was exactly like that; she was intercepted by a group of people. Unfortunately, she wasn't escorted by any knights, mercenaries, or the like."
"B-but...."
"Sophia, you should be aware that your family―and Martha's family as well―are important people in this empire."
"Eh?"
"Your father became a noble not only because he has vast estates but also because he contributes to imperial politics. By the way, do you know where... no, do you know for what purpose your parents went out of town?"
"...."
"They—" Vladilena suddenly stopped her sentence. "Sorry, I retract my statement."
Hey, what's going on? Don't stop in the middle! It's just making us more curious!