Chapter 84

My father and mother, who were involved in human trafficking, were apprehended by Lady Latrice and taken away by Prince Leonard. A formal interrogation awaited them.

I heard that my once-arrogant parents could do nothing but tremble like leaves before Lady Latrice, her riding beasts, and the Imperial Guards.

Lord Bertrand and Lady Latrice, who remained at the mansion, spoke to Paul and me with serious expressions.

I was still being held firmly by Lord Nazel, but not a single person pointed it out.

Acclimatization is a terrifying thing…

“House Eventail will likely be dissolved,” Lord Bertrand began. “This is because, in addition to your parents, numerous other relatives were involved in the incident. Even in the territory ruled by House Eventail, there was a string of cases where young women went missing. Upon investigation, they were discovered at a nearby convent, about to be sold off.”

Lady Latrice nodded alongside him.

“Even if Paul were to inherit the title, he’s only twelve and lacks the knowledge to manage a territory. If we appoint someone else, the status of House Eventail will pass to them. If that person has a daughter, we could arrange an engagement to secure your future… but there’s no guarantee things would go so smoothly.”

Even if they had a daughter, it wasn’t certain the parents would hand the actual power back to Paul once he grew up.

The current, naive Paul would be no match for that kind of political maneuvering.

“With that in mind, I have a proposal,” Lady Latrice said, fixing her gaze on Paul.

“How would you like to study abroad in my home country, Porpistan? We are currently recruiting promising young nobles from other nations. I shall act as your backer.”

Paul hurriedly addressed Lady Latrice.

“But I couldn’t possibly ask you to go that far for me…!”

“My influence in this country is thin, but in Porpistan, you will receive proper treatment. The public outcry against House Eventail is going to be severe from here on out. Don’t you think it would be wise to head to a neighboring country for your studies until the heat dies down?”

“It’s true that I have no home to return to…”

“Staying here in Sutrena to assist the Lord’s family is also an option, you know?”

After a moment of deep thought, Paul finally looked up at Lady Latrice.

“Please… let me study abroad. I realized through this whole ordeal that because I lived believing only in the common sense of my own tiny world, I am incredibly ignorant. I want to know more about the world.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll leave the arrangements to my younger brother back home. When you return, make sure to support Bell.”

“Thank you very much. I will definitely prove myself useful to Lord Bertrand and Lady Latrice.”

It seemed Lady Latrice was on very good terms with her younger brother from the same mother.

“Thank you as well, Lady Latrice,” I added.

Since my brother would be in her care, I had to offer my thanks.

“Don’t mention it. I want to build a friendly relationship with Sutrena, after all.”

Thus, my brother Paul’s study abroad was decided.

“That aside, I would like to become friends with Lady Agnes. Because the Queen holds so much sway, I don’t really have any close noblewomen friends. Especially with a personality like mine…”

My heart skipped a beat at Lady Latrice’s shyly spoken words.

“I would love to! I-I don’t have any noblewoman friends either!”

Lord Bertrand spat out the tea he was drinking, Lord Nazel looked shaken, and Torre let out a surprised, “Come to think of it…”

It was true that the “Potato Lady” had no female friends; in the frontier, Kelly and the maids had been my only substitutes for friends.

“Is that so? Then I look forward to our friendship, Agnes.”

“Yes!”

My very first female friend turned out to be none other than the Crown Princess, Lady Latrice.

Afterward, Lord Bertrand and Lady Latrice stayed at our home for a short while. I spent many happy days riding Geni with Lady Latrice and being allowed to ride her favorite horse.