Chapter 27: Charlotte and False Accusation

Riven had left. It seemed he’d lost the will to dive into the dungeon today.

No wonder. Even I would lose all motivation after something like that.

"...A friend’s keepsake, huh."

I kept my voice low so I wouldn’t disturb little Alice, who was reading a picture book at a desk a short distance away.

That expression on Riven’s face—it was unbearably pained. Just remembering seemed difficult for him, and it looked so much like how I feel when I recall my own family. It must have been a truly dear friend. I don’t know how he lost them, but it’s clear he still hasn’t come to terms with it.

I rolled over on the bed.

I, too, remembered my family who are gone. If I close my eyes, I can see them right away. A warm family. A gentle mother, and a hardworking father who was respected throughout the village.

Even the family from my previous life. My mother back then was a difficult person, but she was still family, important to me. And my friends, too—the idiots I used to mess around with. I wonder what they’re doing now.

...I didn’t really leave much behind, did I?

I know how it feels to leave something, and how it feels to be left behind. That’s why I understand what’s in Riven’s heart as he faces this auction.

If I had the chance to obtain something left by my mother in this life, I would want it so badly I could claw it out with my hands. I’d do whatever it took to get it. Even if someone told me to hand over every coin I’d worked so hard to save, I’d do it without hesitation.

Nothing. Not a single thing was left behind. And the weight of that pain is... crushing.

I sat up on the bed and opened the catalog, flipping through the pages in search of the item I wanted.

There it was—the sword said to be Riven’s friend’s keepsake. No, not a sword, a katana. Katanas are rare in this world, so there’s little chance of mistaking it.

I don’t know how it ended up at this auction, but for him, it must feel like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"...Alright. It’s decided."

This time, I’ll support Riven without calculating gains or losses. If I can help, I will—freely, without expecting anything in return.

He’s someone I can finally open up to. That alone is worth it. It’s what I want to do.

At times like this, I realize—I still haven’t fully become a person of this world. The thought makes me laugh at myself.

This world is cruel, merciless, unkind. I know that perfectly well in my head. And yet, because I still have my past life’s memories, I can’t bring myself to think only of my own survival.

I glanced toward Alice. She was staring at the illustrations intently, studying the words alongside them.

Whether you can read or not makes a huge difference in this world. Falling victim to a scam just because you’re illiterate is completely normal.

That’s why I decided to teach her letters—to remove that possibility.

I know it makes me soft. Trishel would probably say I’m being far too indulgent.

Ah, she noticed my gaze. She tilted her head, wondering what was wrong. Cute.

"Sorry, it’s nothing."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I distracted you, huh? But if there’s something you’d like me to explain, just let me know."

"No, no! You already went out of your way to get me such an expensive book, I couldn’t possibly ask for more..."

I stood up and went over to Alice’s side. She looked up at me nervously, clearly feeling shy, so I gently patted her head to put her at ease.

"It’s fine. I want to do this."

"But—"

"No buts. Kids should just let themselves be spoiled while they can."

Because you never know when that kind of environment will be gone. Children should take all the comfort they can get before they’re forced to grow up.

I know, because that’s how it was for me in this life.

As I stroked Alice’s glossy, silky hair, a knock came at the door. Who could it be?

Normally, Alice would be the one knocking, but she was right here in front of me.

Even after waiting, there was no voice from outside.

If it were someone from the inn, they’d just open the door without hesitation by now. But there was no sign of that.

Anyone coming here would have had to pass through the shop below. This wasn’t a place strangers could just sneak into.

"...Who is it?"

Cautious, I called out, but didn’t open the door.

"Ah—hello? You haven’t heard from Riven, maybe?"

The reply was far lighter than expected.

Just from the tone, the voice sounded frivolous, almost like a shady door-to-door salesman. Suspicious.

Still, he mentioned Riven by name. That suggests he’s connected somehow. I doubt Riven would throw his own name around carelessly.

"From Riven? Sorry, who are you?"

"Name’s Neil. He kicked me out, told me to come talk to you about the matter two weeks from now. Really put me in a bind."

...From what I can hear, it doesn’t sound like a lie. But the shady vibe remains.

I glanced at Alice. If something happened, she could get caught up in it. Best to keep the conversation outside, not let him in.

"I’ll come out. Please wait a moment."

I sensed the person move away from the door. That should mean he won’t be able to rush inside the moment I open it.

I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, carefully closing it behind me.

"Ah, thank goodness you came. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to sleep under a roof tonight."

In the hallway stood a man with the same shady smile his voice had suggested.

He had short, neatly kept brown hair, and his clothes were tidy enough. If I didn’t know better, I might have mistaken him for some kind of merchant.

I see. Certainly, someone like him would need this kind of person as support.

The type who handles negotiations on the front stage. After all, he’s no good at talking.

Still, this man is someone I absolutely don’t want Alice to meet. He’d only be a bad influence.

"Roof over your head, you said?"

"Well, you know, he’s terrible. Always saying things like, ‘If you fail, don’t bother coming back,’ or, ‘No food for the useless.’ Honestly, I keep wondering when I should just run away—ah, keep that between us, though."

"Ahaha..."

Yeah, that does sound like him. I get it. He really would say things like that.

He can be pretty merciless. Cuts straight to the point with no hesitation.

Though... with me, he’s been fairly gentle? Or maybe he just thinks saying anything would be pointless.

"And so, miss, is it alright if we talk here? I don’t mind moving down to the tavern if you prefer."

"...You say that, but you don’t really mean to."

"Ha, I appreciate you catching on. I was told you’re a carefree, helpless type, but it seems you can actually hold a conversation."

His narrowed eyes opened slightly.

A shiver ran down my spine. I knew it—this man isn’t ordinary.

"Oh dear, my mistake. How careless of me."

Just like that, the tense atmosphere dissolved.

As if nothing had happened, the mood slipped back into casual conversation.

Creepy. My impression of him completely flipped in an instant.

This is the kind of man who could kill with a smile, then sit down to dinner as if nothing had happened.

I’ve met people like this before. They’re always disarmingly friendly, easy to talk to, and they never set off alarm bells until it’s too late.

"So then, may I trouble you with a little talk, princess?"

"...No need to be so dramatic, Neil."

Cold sweat traced down my temple. Maybe I should’ve let him sleep without a roof after all.

I didn’t say it aloud—but the way his grin deepened, he might have already sensed it.

"Now then, as for what’s happening two weeks from now... Well, the pursuit from his homeland, of course."

"From his homeland? Then that means he’s—"

"That much isn’t mine to say. What I can tell you is that an assassination squad will be arriving in this town."

An assassination squad!? What the hell is he being chased by?

With his refined manners and the money he throws around, I figured he was some noble’s son—but is he actually nobility!?

Still, I know a little about the local nobles. If there were someone with such unusual black hair among them, word would’ve reached me.

So if Neil’s telling the truth about him being from ‘the homeland’... then he must be from some foreign land I’ve never even heard of.

Black hair... huh. No, I can’t think of anyone that fits. None at all.

"May I continue?"

"Eh? Ah, yes, please."

Damn, I got lost in thought. Bad habit of mine.

"Assassins, yes—but not here to kill him. Their goal is almost certainly to capture Riven alive."

"So it’s like that? Did he... run away from home or something?"

"Not far from the truth."

Huh. So he’s got a cute side after all. His family must’ve decided to drag him back... though hiring assassins for that is a bit much!

Wait—maybe he grew up in that kind of violent household. That’d explain a lot. Environment shapes a person, after all.

Still... from what I’m hearing...

"Is there anything I can do to help with this?"

Doesn’t sound like it. He asked me to help, sure, but what exactly am I supposed to do? I’m useless in a fight. Healing’s all I’m good for.

"Hahaha, no, not really."

Hey!

"Now, now, don’t make that face. Actually, just the fact that you’re walking around is already helpful."

"...Meaning?"

"The pursuers this time are most likely Lady Rosalind’s men—Riven’s older sister."

And how exactly does that connect to me?

Wait. His sister is the one chasing him? Not his parents? Weird family dynamic.

"Lady Rosalind is quite attached to Riven, you see. She intends to keep him under her protection."

"Uh-huh."

"In fact, not so long ago, she treated anyone who came near him as the enemy."

"...Right."

"Now, tell me—if this overprotective Rosalind hears that Riven is being looked after by a girl while on the run... what do you suppose she’ll think?"

............Wait, what!?

Hold on. You just said she sent assassins, right!? Tell me this is a joke. Please.

Neil just kept smiling that infuriating smile.

"She might assume you seduced him."

Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. Why do I have to be dragged into this!?

Neil’s grin widened, like he was enjoying every second of this.

"Well, most likely."

Well, most likely!? That’s not something you can just shrug off!

And so, at that very moment, my fate was sealed—condemned to be nearly killed for a crime I didn’t commit.