“Don’t worry. The charm worked well, and the Grand Duchess won’t last a month without returning to the palace on her own.”

Violet responded calmly without a change in expression.

“A month? What if she doesn’t return within that time?”

A tone devoid of trust.

“If she doesn’t return, I’ll give up my life.”

“What would you do with your life?”

“Do whatever you want, whether it’s punishment or death.”

In the face of Violet’s sincere attitude, Serdis snorted.

“It seems like you’re just trying to avoid responsibility. After a month, it might be the end of us being together, as Serdis said.”

After uttering a cutting remark, Serdis left the reception room, which still had the morning sunlight lingering.

“Don’t be upset, Lady. You tend to blindly pursue only what you want, resembling someone.”

Only the empress, who remained, advised Violet.

“I like even the appearance of that Crown Prince.”

“Oh. It’s more attractive to have a bad man like our Crown Prince than a man who does everything like the Grand Duke.”

Violet smiled without responding.

“But, Lady, even though I trust you, will she really return within a month? I’m afraid she might be scheming with the Grand Duke there. Shouldn’t we prepare a plan as Serdis suggested?”

“There’s no need for that. Your Majesty, please be patient and wait. When she returns, just make good use of the reason.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Possessed person?

My head turned at that statement.

“What are you talking about? You always mention a possessed person.”

“Because you keep saying things I can’t understand.”

There were two young men carrying bags full of vegetables.

To confirm if what I heard was correct, I followed them.

“Don’t you ever think that you don’t know anything?”

“I don’t know anything. You’re just talking so complicatedly. It’s weird.”

“A smart person. The devil who makes a possessed person out of jealousy of a smart friend and tries to make them miserable.”

“You’re pushing it, man.”

I overheard it, but I couldn’t make sense of what they were saying.

In the end, when they turned into a quiet alley, I couldn’t stand it and spoke up.

“Excuse me.”

When I tapped the back of the taller person, he turned around in surprise.

“Oh, surprised. Who are you?”

In response to the man’s voice, his friend also turned around.

“I’m a traveler going around the villages. I have something to ask briefly.”

“What is it?”

Once I was about to ask about the possessed person, my mouth wouldn’t move.

Was it okay to ask this?

There was no other choice.

“Do you know about possessed people?”

Asking felt like asking if it was me.

Taking a deep breath, the robe rustled.

At the same time, the pupils of the two young men widened.

Hastily, I turned the robe inside out.

“Uh…”

Seeing the change in complexion, it seemed suspicious.

Well, it was a strange question.

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.”

However, disappointment was only temporary.

“Of course, I should tell you. What would you like to know?”

“You asked me, right? I’ll answer, not this guy!”
One young man dropped the vegetable basket and pushed his friend aside. The pushed young man quickly fixed his disheveled hair and approached.

“Thank you. I overheard you talking about a possessed person and got curious.”

“Oh! You must be someone from elsewhere. No wonder I haven’t seen a beautiful… hehe. Anyway, the possessed person story was popular about ten years ago.”

A trendy story?

“What is that story about?”

In response to my urgent question, the young man seemed to ponder something.

“It was a story about someone in this village suddenly changing like a person from another world… Wasn’t it you?”

“It was a story about a woman who possessed into another girl, roughly.”

“Do you always talk about possessed people without knowing the details?”

While pushing the face of his friend calling him a blockhead, the other young man explained to me.

“I’m sorry for sounding like this to someone who suddenly uses words I don’t know, like talking to a child who suddenly uses unfamiliar words. I’m really sorry!”

Bowing his head apologetically, I applauded.

“There’s no need to apologize to me. I appreciate you answering.”

“Ha… Or should I find a book for you? Where should we go together?”

The young man picked up the vegetable basket and stood next to me. Naturally, his friend positioned himself on the other side.

“These people seem very kind.”

Earlier, the lady generously filled my stew bowl.

These people were also very friendly towards me.

“Haha. When did you arrive, Navalle?”

It was when the three of us were walking side by side in such a narrow alley.

“Huh? Huh?”

Thud-.

Both of them fell backward simultaneously. A vacant breeze blew towards the place where the two men disappeared in an instant.

“Who tripped?”

“From behind…!”

As I followed them with my eyes, I found a man wearing the same robe as me walking from the end of that alley.

“What? I’m sure someone kicked from behind.”

“Me too.”

Herthian must have tripped the two men.

But it seemed that only I realized that the person was Herthian.

‘What is this to such nice people.’

The two young men didn’t even notice the cobblestone on the ground, let alone the fallen vegetables, as they complained while picking them up. Pure people. I also helped them pick up the vegetables. It was like being overturned by Herthian.

“Thank you for helping. But what’s your name? I’m Hans.”

“Who asks for a name like this?”

The answer came not from me but from Herthian, who had approached where I was standing.

“Are you asking me now?”

One of the young men asked, but Herthian didn’t care and took me away.

“Madam. I thought you were resting, but did you meet a villain?”

Emphasizing the two letters ‘Madam’ on purpose.

Under my robe, Herthian’s shadowy face was clearly visible when I looked up.

Despite being a smiling face, it seemed toothless.

“Herthian. These people helped me.”

“Helping people with mischievous eyes.”

It seems I won’t be able to go to the bookstore today.