(MTL) It seems that the fiancée who is in love will be turned into a villainess

Chapter 14

14. Chase the Magic Stone (Medium)

　A week passed in the blink of an eye with the glass rabbit that Elizabeth had given me in my bag.
　If I had time, I would take out a rabbit, hold it up to the light from various angles, and just overlap Elizabeth's eyes in my memory. If you look at it before going to bed, you can fall asleep easily and have a restful sleep. Wake up refreshed the next morning.
　I suspected that she might be under divine protection for my sake, but Harold dismissed me saying, "I can't feel anything."
　
　Then, the weekend after the meeting with Domenick-dono.
　Harold and I were treated to dinner at the Marquis Marshall's residence.
　I can see that the servants' expressions are stiff at the improbable visitor who is the crown prince. I'm sorry in my heart... but I can't help it because this is Domenick-dono's proposal.
　
　When Domenick-dono, who served at the royal palace, returned to his residence, he secretly took me out, and tomorrow we plan to leave the Marshall household and head to Edward's parents' house--Earl Norden's residence.
　Edward was not there at that time. For he is once again invited to Miss Ulysses' house.
　
"Tomorrow I should stop Edward."
　
　Raphael, who is also an invited guest of Miss Ulysse, says while moving her hand over the meal. His father is right in front of him, so the way he speaks and the atmosphere of his usual charanpoliness is subdued.
　……In other words, it would be bad if Domenic-dono found out about that attitude towards me. I know this is good.
　
“Is there a son of Marquis Enhant?”
"That's right, Father. Perhaps Edward and Luke are preparing gifts.
"I didn't think you were involved in this matter as a spy for His Highness the Crown Prince. I was surprised when I heard the story, but my father would be proud to be able to help His Highness."
“I appreciate your kind words, such as receiving a compliment from my father.”
　
　Raphael responds with a smile. If you look at it like this, the slit eyes and the mouth with a soft impression seem to be similar.
　Last week, I had a glimpse of the Marshall family's dining table with doubts, and I finished the meal with a feeling of frustration.
　
　
　Once the meal was over, the bath, change of clothes, and preparations for bed, the hospitality of the Marshall family ended without a hitch. All that's left now is to sleep and prepare for tomorrow.
　After receiving an evening greeting from Domenick-dono, Harold and I were invited by Raphael to have dinner in the guest room.
　Without his father, Raphael returns to normal.
　
"So, what about Miss Ulysse? Did you extract any information?"
“What about His Highness the Crown Prince and his fiancé?”
"As usual."
"You don't answer, Harold.... Progress is being made. Look at this."
　
　I take out a leather bag from my chest pocket and show a handstand rabbit. Rafael looked amused at the rabbit, and after a while he said,
　
"It's a cute glass rabbit."
"... Is that all?"
"That's all?"
　
　After all, it seems to be an ordinary glass rabbit. Don't nod behind your back, Harold.
　
“Ulysse-chan, I haven’t made much progress either.”
　
　Raphael shrugged and let out an exaggerated sigh. The look on his face is really sad.
　
"After all, she's aiming like you."
“Me?
“Ulysse-chan doesn’t know that she is protected. She doesn’t even know much about magic.
　
　Fufu, the eyes of Raphael, who leaked out a laugh, were full of complicated colors.
　Since I can remember, I've spent most of my life devoted to Elizabeth, so I don't understand the heart of a man with many loves.
　
“Are you seriously going to talk to me?”
"Well, if Ulysse gave up on you and switched to me, everything would be fine, right?"
"... are you going to take that as your wife?"
"There's no ill will to the person himself. Coming from the countryside, you were tempted to be the main character, and you didn't even notice the protection of the magic stone. I guess that's why you can take such a wild attitude... as a real noble daughter. It might be fun to retrain them♡”
　
　I sensed that Harold was frowning at Raphael, who bent his lips with a grin.
　
　
＊＊＊
　
　
　The next morning, two carriages departed from Marshall Marshall's residence.
　One of them carries Raphael to Baron Merryfield's residence where Miss Ulysse is waiting. About 30 minutes after that, the other car carried me, Harold, and Domenick-dono to the Norden mansion.
　No one in the carriage opened his mouth.
　
　Earl Norden's mansion has an appearance that makes you feel the same history as the family. Triangular holes were drilled at regular intervals on the stone wall, which had a dignified, knight-like structure without gorgeous decorations.
　The iron-barred gate opened to welcome the carriage.
　I get off the carriage with Domenick-dono with an innocent face. Even though the servants know the family head's acquaintances, they don't remember the details of his son. He will think of me as Domenick's son.
　
　The interior of the mansion is a picture of simplicity and sturdiness, and the number of servants is much smaller than the mansions of other nobles. But I could see that they were well-trained men. A knight's house.
　I was passed through a room decorated with armor, and Count Norden arrived within a few minutes.
　Follow the stewards and come in with open arms to welcome Marshall Marshal, who is also a friend of the royal palace.
　
"!"
　
　His steps stiffened.
　
"This is my son. I have been looking forward to your visit."
　
　Domenick-dono pierces Earl Norden's mouth before any unnecessary words leak out.
　Earl Norden, whose face turned hazy at those words, seems to have realized that something was up. After exchanging his customary greetings, he dismissed his maids.
　Only five people remained behind me, Harold, Domenick-dono, Earl Norden, and the steward.
　
"Actually, I heard that you bought a wonderful magic stone. My son really wants to see it, so I asked."
"Is that right? Come to think of it, I bought it about three months ago and completely forgot about it..."
　
　Her face, which had turned pale in surprise, regained its vitality. I found out that the reason why the Crown Prince came to visit incognito was because of his interest in magic stones, so she looks like that.
　If so, it doesn't seem like Count Norden has any guilt.
　
"Let's bring it in right away."
　
　At the signal with his eyes, the steward immediately left the room.
　While waiting for a while while talking about the weather, there is a knock on the door and the steward appears again. He held a wooden box in his arms as he bowed deeply.
　With a respectful gesture, the wooden box was placed on the table, and the lid unlocked by Count Norden slowly opened. The goldwork on all four sides glittered.
　Inside the box was a round ball with complex colors. A streak of light that changes from green to purple appears in the translucent stone.
　
　Domenick-dono was glaring at him with a stern face.
　It's a simple thing for self-defense, but even I, who handles magic, understands it.
　No matter how beautiful this stone is, you can't feel the waves of magic power from this stone.
　
"fakereplicaThat's right."
"!?"
"Earl Norden, do you have any idea?"
　
　Earl Norden turns pale and stares at me.
　It was a more urgent expression than when he recognized the crown prince earlier.