I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After the Regression
Chapter 19
Bandits, accidents, disasters.
Naturally, there were many variables that could arise during a journey from the capital to the western border.
That was why, when she first heard the story from the head maid, Beatrice had simply thought it was to be expected.
‘The Imperial Knights wouldn’t be unable to handle a problem of this scale.’
The moment she heard the news, she had only one dilemma: whether or not to follow the head maid, Nao, and attend the meeting.
Her hesitation was brief.
“Lia, you are…”
“I will follow you!”
If she had to take the hit, it was better to get it over with.
Even though she had minimized her professional contact with him, she couldn’t avoid him for the entire duration of their stay in the marquisate, could she?
‘I should take this chance to check on things, even if just lightly.’
She was wearing thick glasses enchanted with optical illusion magic, and her hair, dyed brown and styled into tight curls, should be fine.
‘Above all, these are items guaranteed by Her Majesty the Empress!’
Thinking this, Beatrice followed the head maid, naturally blending into the crowd and slipping into a spot at the back.
A spot where she wouldn’t be noticed, but wouldn’t be completely absent either.
However, the nervousness she felt about being discovered lasted only a moment.
After observing the expressions of the people present, Beatrice realized the situation was more serious than she had anticipated.
“Has it been made clear that His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived in person?”
“Of course. But the Marquisate of Downer has still not lifted the restricted access order.”
“Furthermore, Grand Duke Alec has also left word requesting that we reconsider joining forces for the sake of the Crown Prince’s safety. It is difficult to explain as nothing is certain yet, but he mentioned that an ominous energy is lingering at the western border.”
“…Any word from the advance party?”
“Only a few… returned. They said the monsters’ attacks in the mountains are becoming more frequent, and supplies are running low.”
“…….”
“Moreover, they were clearly following Grand Duke Alec and the monks who joined them, but there were reports that they vanished in the blink of an eye. Since then, all contact has been lost.”
At the grave voices of the knights, Beatrice pushed up her thick glasses and pricked up her ears.
As the destination was the ‘cursed Marquisate of Downer,’ she had expected there to be abnormal signs.
After all, no phenomenon ever erupts suddenly without any warning symptoms.
‘But even so, this is a bit extreme. Is it already time to block entry?’
She didn’t remember it being like this.
She distinctly remembered it being a season cold enough to make the tip of her nose ache.
‘Then something else must have had an influence.’
Beatrice blinked and began to count the things that had changed from the past, one by one.
Sometimes, the cause of such abnormal phenomena is discovered in unexpected factors.
‘Like in a mystery novel where the most unexpected person turns out to be the culprit!’
Anyway, there were roughly three things that were different from the past.
‘First, our marriage. Second, Grand Duke Alec and Lady Crawford, who had no connection to the marquisate in the past, are here. Third, Clyde came with the Crown Prince and reinforcements much faster than in the past.’
Hmm…….
Leaving the sluggish meeting behind, Beatrice fell into deep thought.
‘What could it be? If I had to pick the biggest difference from the past, it’s the number of people who have descended upon the marquisate……. Does an increase in personnel affect the curse? For example, does the curse grow stronger if the death toll rises?’
If the ‘patient with an unknown cause’ she had discussed with the Empress was truly related to this case, she could form a plausible hypothesis.
‘Or perhaps the Princess has meddled again.’
She would know that Valois Crawford had headed here with the monks.
Since the Crown Prince solving the problems of the western border was a thorn in her side, this was entirely possible.
‘Whatever the case, I’ll only find the answer if I investigate inside the marquisate.’
However, the meeting showed no signs of reaching a conclusion.
It was only natural. This was a matter involving the Crown Prince’s safety and friction with the marquisate.
“However, judging by these circumstances, there must be a major problem occurring inside. Now, while we have a surplus of personnel and resources, might be the best time to resolve the situation.”
“I agree. In matters like this, once you miss the moment to resolve it, the problem inevitably grows out of control.”
“I understand, but that is exactly why I must oppose it. How could we send His Highness into such unknown danger…!”
The confrontation between the knights and the aides, both earnestly expressing their opinions, was intense.
‘Sigh, this doesn’t look easy. Will I even be able to get in?’
Beatrice carefully rolled her eyes, beginning to search for Clyde, who would be sitting in this meeting room.
‘Ah. There he is.’
Clyde, as she saw him, was simply holding his ground without a word, even in this situation.
As he listened to everyone’s opinions with a face as calm as a painting, he suddenly turned his gaze toward Beatrice.
‘Oops!’
Had she been staring too intently?
Just as Beatrice bowed her head in a panic, a familiar voice rang out.
“In that case, let His Highness remain here and assemble an escort team. We don’t need a large number; myself and a few others should suffice.”
“But contact with the advance party has already been lost….”
“We cannot simply withdraw like this, can we? Why not set a time limit instead?”
“Hmm…….”
As of now, it was the most logical answer.
The eyes of everyone in the meeting room turned toward Crown Prince Crowell. From this point on, his intentions were what mattered most.
Tapping his fingers against the table, he slowly opened his eyes, which had been closed.
“We shall do as Sir Dalton suggests. Decisions made without accurate information inevitably lead to the wrong conclusions. Clyde, it is enough to just learn the situation of the marquisate. Do not push yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I may look like this, but I am a newlywed, so I wasn’t keen on risking my life. Since I have heard your concern, I will prioritize my own safety over orders if it comes to that.”
Clyde’s lighthearted remark softened the atmosphere in the meeting room slightly.
The Crown Prince let out a short, helpless chuckle and nodded.
“Very well. You may choose the knights yourself, and as for the aides….”
Before the Crown Prince could finish his sentence, the head maid, Nao, raised her hand slightly.
“I have someone I would like to recommend.”
“The head maid?”
“Yes. I recommend Lia Kruger, who is by my side.”
Beatrice stared at the head maid with a look of utter shock, then felt deeply moved.
‘Honestly, I was wondering if I’d have to climb a mountain on my own….’
Some of the aides beside the Crown Prince briefly flashed a look of ‘Could it be?’, but quickly composed their expressions.
“That person is….”
At the Crown Prince’s gaze, the head maid stepped forward a few paces, taking Beatrice’s place.
“As I mentioned a moment ago, this is Lia Kruger. She is a girl I brought along to assist with administrative tasks and external investigations. She has magical aptitude and a connection to the marquisate.”
“Is she from the Marquisate of Downer?”
“In a sense, yes. She seems worried because the meeting content is so serious, and she hasn’t been able to sit still for a moment. I would rather have her do her part in the escort team.”
“Hmm…….”
“As I have trained her myself, she will be of help.”
“Very well. The opinion of someone from the local area, especially one with magical perception, is important. Since the head maid vouches for her, her identity must be certain……. Clyde?”
“I have no objections.”
“Good. Then, Lia Kruger, I leave you to your duties as a member of the escort team.”
“Ah, yes.”
Even as she reflexively bowed her head in greeting, Beatrice pressed down on her rapidly beating heart.
‘I almost reacted when he said I was from the marquisate. Ah, I really am terrible at hiding things.’
I must be careful, truly careful.
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