Chapter 97

Chiroru must have noticed that the name of the Verite Duke's family was mentioned, as he stopped moving and seemed to be hiding quietly.

"Oh, I didn't expect the daughter of the Verite Duke to come here..."

"Is it okay? The Verite Duke's daughter is known as a candidate for the Crown Princess, after all."

"But I heard she clearly declared that she has no interest. It's not that she finds such a childish prince unsatisfying, is it?"

"Indeed, that's why she came to our Duke, isn't it?"

(...It seems like there's a huge misunderstanding!?)

Ortencia broke out in a cold sweat at their conversation.

She knew that rumors in society could spread far and wide, but it was still unsettling when it involved her.

(Come to think of it, the Duke of Linié is single, isn't he? But I didn't expect he would be thought of in such a way...)

Ortencia let out a small sigh. Gathering information is important, but she might need to be more careful about her own actions.

"I heard that the Verite Duke's daughter was once kidnapped by that cult."

"Since she has once fallen into their hands, there is a possibility that she will willingly submit herself this time. People are creatures that cannot help but be drawn to danger."

"Regardless, if we can bring her into our fold, it will greatly advance the Duke's plans. According to rumors, she possesses a powerful blessing that rivals that of the royal family."

Ortencia found herself sweating in her hands.

Her heart was pounding.

What were they talking about?

She swallowed hard, and at that moment—

"If we can bring her under our control, the day the Duke wears the crown will not be far off."

"The true god will defeat the false god, and the true king will judge the false king... It's wonderful."

"They are steadily expanding their influence. It's hard to believe they were once driven underground and nearly destroyed."

(Such... Could it be...?)

The shock was so great that the shared senses suddenly cut off.

But Ortencia was still there, dazed and squatting on the spot.

(The Duke of Linié will wear the crown? The true god will defeat the false god? Those who were driven underground are expanding their influence... Could it be...?)

The answer she reached made Ortencia shudder as if hugging herself.

(The Duke of Linié is working with a cult to usurp the throne...!?)

The answer left her dazed, sitting on the spot, unable to move.

"...Sia! Sia! Are you okay!?"

When she came to, Chiroru was already back, worriedly stomping on Ortencia's knees.

"Chiroru...?"

"You look pale. Did something happen?"

"......Yeah"

In response to Chiroru's call, Ortencia nodded weakly.

She was exhausted from the side effects of the prolonged "shared senses," feeling as if she might collapse at any moment.

But more than that... the information she obtained through Chiroru gave her a significant shock.

(I can't believe the Duke of Linié is not only working with a cult but also planning to usurp the throne...!)

The shock was so great that she barely remembered how she got back to the Duke's mansion.

But when she realized, she was in her usual room, exchanging goodnight greetings with Pamela.

Once the room was empty, Ortencia hugged her pillow and let out a deep sigh.

She couldn't possibly sleep peacefully.

(What should I do... Should I tell someone that the Duke of Linié is after the throne? But...)

Is it wise to speak rashly based on just a rumor?

(Father... He would surely take it seriously. But without any evidence, the Duke of Linié and the cult might escape. And...)

The scene of her father's funeral from her first life resurfaced in Ortencia's mind.

(If something happens to Father because of me...!)

The thought of her father being drawn into political strife and possibly meeting an early death, just like in her first life, was unbearable.

(No! I can't let that happen...!)

Tears welled up, and Ortencia hugged her pillow tightly.

(What about my brother? But...)

--- "You don't need to do anything. Just stay here quietly."

--- "It's a nuisance if you wander around defenselessly. Just do the minimum necessary and stay in the mansion quietly."

The cold words he had thrown at her recently resurfaced.

...He probably wouldn't listen to her now.

Worse, he might be disappointed if she went to a dangerous place on her own.

Even worse things might happen.

(...I need to do something about the cult quickly, or my brother might...)

He is clearly acting strange. As the goddess said, the power of the demon god is likely causing some negative effects.

(If I can do something about the cult, maybe my brother will return to his kind self...)

Now, that seemed like her only hope.

She didn't want to involve her father or brother in any danger because of her.

If so—

(I need to gather more information on my own)

She now knew the Duke of Linié's goal.

If she pretended to agree with him and infiltrated his inner circle, she might obtain more decisive information.

"......Ha"

Anxiety came crashing down like an avalanche, and Ortencia let out a deep sigh.

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