Edward spoke to Adeline with a kinder expression.

“In that sense, would you like to have a drink?”

“Ah, my mother is strict, so I can’t drink.”

Edward bit the tip of his tongue slightly.

According to inquiries about Adeline, she used to be fragile and gentle in the past. A passive character without any strength.

Edward confirmed several things through his meeting with Adeline. Her eating habits, the habit of scratching her nose, and frequently used vocabulary and words. These were habits that Leira used to show.

Edward swallowed a hollow laugh.

‘No way.’

He could hardly believe the thoughts he was having now. But no matter how much he thought about it, there was no way to explain the current situation. Moreover, Adeline had approached Edward too comfortably from the beginning. As if she knew Edward would welcome the beast fur.

There was only one assumption that fit all the strange things he had noticed.

That Leira was inside Adeline.

‘Is this even possible?’

As it was close to impossible, caution was necessary. If he prodded wrongly, it could backfire. Edward spoke carefully.

“I remember Leira’s mother was also strict in the past. Do you know about Leira’s mother?”

“Um, she was a good person. She was wise. When she told me not to do something, she always explained the reason… Ahem. That’s what I heard.”

Once I realized it, I felt a sense of discomfort. Besides, on the day we first met at the temple, she called Edward by name, didn’t she?

Edward kept throwing bait without pause. Adeline naively took the bait, then let it go, repeatedly. Not even realizing that she was being tested.

*

“Ah, I’m full.”

I patted my stomach with my hand. I really ate to my heart’s content. Edward had always had a developed sense for delicious food and good things. I suppose it’s because he was born into the Vincent family and received education from birth.

Thanks to that, even when attending the academy, I only ate delicious things.

“Josephine. There’s a restaurant nearby that’s really delicious.”

I chattered while Josephine was drying my hair.

Even when I was Leira, I used to share daily life with Josephine and eat delicious things together. Back then, we were so poor that we literally shared a single bean. Today at the restaurant, I thought it would be nice to come with Josephine.

Today again, Edward didn’t mention anything about Theodore. That point was very regrettable, but it wasn’t a bad day.

“Tomorrow I have to go to the temple. Let’s go together the day after tomorrow.”

“You mean the viscount will dine with a maid?”

Ah. Right. I scratched my cheek. That was normal originally.

“People will look at us strangely, my lord.”

“It’s just a meal, what’s the big deal.”

I could never be lenient towards Edward. So I used Esme as an excuse to avoid him this way and that, but was there any reason to do so with Josephine? I was a person who could be infinitely generous, but only towards Josephine.

In fact, Esme seemed to have no interest at all in what I was doing these days. Esme was repeating a life of leaving early in the morning and returning late at night.

It seems she’s been going back and forth to the police station a few times, probably because of the fire incident.

Yeah, I hope she continues to live like that, not caring about others’ business.

“You’ll come with me, right?”

Josephine sighed, covering her mouth.

“Ha, really… You’re only the second person like this I’ve met in my life, my lord. What nobleman asks for a maid’s opinion?”

“No. I can’t order you to eat with me.”

Is this world crazy? Sigh, or is it because I was a merchant’s daughter that my thinking is enlightened? My father used to say there’s no high or low status at the dining table.

He said everyone gets hungry the same, so you should never let a hungry person starve.

When people are full, they become gentle, but hungry people are easily violent.

“So you won’t come?”

“I’ll go, I said I’ll go.”

Josephine’s voice grew quieter.

I closed my eyes slightly, feeling Josephine’s hands combing my hair. If only Theodore would return here, it would be truly perfect.

Today, Edward asked if I believed in miracles.

Miracles do exist.

Coming back to life as Adeline, and meeting Edward at the right time in the temple, these would all count as miracles. And I desperately hoped that miracle would descend upon Theodore as well.

*

At that time, at the Vincent Duke’s residence.

Edward had also returned to the mansion, bathed, and was resting. However, Royce couldn’t rest and was urgently summoned.

Seeing Royce’s face turned ashen, Edward said.

“Do you believe in miracles, Your Excellency?”

No, right now.

Is that what you say after disturbing someone’s rest? Suddenly grasping at straws.

“I don’t believe. Especially not now. Do you know I just jumped out from lying next to my wife? If you keep doing this, my wife might follow along!”

Royce’s voice got slightly louder. It seemed Edward needed to be married off. He’s of marriageable age but not married and only working, so he’s looking for Royce day and night. The unfortunate thing is that there are no adults in Vincent who can proceed with Edward’s marriage.

Royce gritted his teeth.

It’s really presumptuous to say, but the late Duke and Duchess should have married off Edward before they died!

“Oh? Then bring her. After that, you might start believing in miracles.”

Royce trembled. The most heartbreaking reality was that Edward couldn’t be trusted with words.

“What on earth are you trying to say…”

Edward continued with an ambiguous face.

Even Edward couldn’t be certain yet. He needed one powerful blow that could turn his intense suspicion into certainty.

“Reincarnation, or possession. Hmm, or body switching? I’m not sure what to call it.”

Royce’s eyes widened. While talking about something that seemed to belong in a fairy tale, Edward had a serious face.

Royce muttered reluctantly.

“What is that…?”

“Look into that kind of thing, Royce. Whether you search the temple, or ancient magic books, or fairy tales.”

“What exactly are you doing this for?”

Royce expressed his doubt. Edward was not a person who did anything without purpose. Royce added with a surprised face.

“Don’t tell me, have you switched bodies?”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Your Excellency.”

Edward stared at Royce crookedly. Edward’s eyes were still filled with raw reason.

Don’t you realize that you’re the one talking nonsense? Royce swallowed the words he couldn’t bring himself to say.

“I need certainty. Scrape up all related information. If there’s someone who knows, bring them in.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Royce, giving up on getting an accurate answer, acquiesced. Edward’s business wasn’t over there.

“And what happened to Theodore Clderiff? Did you find him in the west wing?”

“Ah, I was going to report tomorrow. Moretz confirmed Theodore’s existence. As you said, he’s serving his sentence in the west wing.”

“Tsk.”

Edward clicked his tongue.

Leira was a person with deep love for her family. Even when attending the academy, I often heard her talking about Theodore.

It seemed Andres wasn’t content with just killing Leira, but was intent on wiping out the Clderiff lineage. That means there must be something that absolutely needs to be hidden.

It felt like Andres being dirty as usual. Moreover, if Edward’s suspicion was true, Adeline’s insides must be burning black right now.

“But… thanks to us stirring up the west wing, word will probably reach Andres as well. Will that be alright?”

“It’s fine. I think we need to overturn the northern mines anyway. There have been rumors for a long time that Andres has been imprisoning innocent people in the northern mines.”

“That’s…”

It wasn’t a rumor but the truth, wasn’t it? It was an open secret.

“Wrongs should be righted, shouldn’t they? His Highness the Crown Prince always said that a sword that is not just is not needed at all. I intend to follow the will of my cousin and the great master of the Empire.”

Suddenly?

Royce closed his eyes tightly. He could see the black swamp of overtime work approaching. Edward was acting as if he had become a guardian of justice. Was his sudden interest in something he previously had no interest in related to that nonsense about ‘soul switching’?

Royce tried hard to swallow a sigh.

“Prepare to take action. We’ll investigate and submit a proposal directly to the central government. Separately from this, also look into ways to get Theodore Clderiff out as quickly as possible.”

Edward had drawn his sword towards Andres. Knowing Edward’s personality, he wouldn’t sheathe his sword until he achieved his goal.

Royce bowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Grace.”