Tab 1
Dathus El Lagrind
The outcome of the game was Rudell's defeat.
"Damn it…"
"Ahahahahahaha-!!"
Leje was laughing her head off, looking at Rudell, who was slumped over the table in a gloomy voice.
She was laughing so hard that tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
"The card you picked so confidently was a dud! Ahahahaha!! It's so… Ahaha!! Funny!!"
"Don't laugh…"
He felt like he wanted to hide in a mouse hole if he could.
Next to Rudell, who had sunk spectacularly, lay a golden card that read, 'Oh well, better luck next time.'
I should never gamble on luck again.
Making that resolution, Rudell let out a short sigh and got up.
"Now, then, it's time to receive your punishment, isn't it?"
"Yeah, do whatever you want."
Leje, who had been laughing for a while longer, caught her breath and sat down.
Bring it on.
I'll take it all.
Thinking about the questions Leje might ask, Rudell placed his hand on the crystal ball on the table.
"Hurry up if you're going to do it, I hate it when you stall."
"Hold on, let me think about what to ask."
"You didn't even think about that beforehand?"
Rudell narrowed his eyes as he replied curtly to her words, and Leje let out a low groan as she fell into thought.
How much time had passed like that…?
Just as Rudell's patience was wearing thin, Leje seemed to have decided on her question and turned her gaze towards him.
"Now, then, I'll ask my question?"
When Rudell nodded in response to her words, Leje took a short, deep breath and spoke.
"Does Rudellheit Weinstein have anything he's hiding from Leje El Lagrind?"
"Huh…?"
At the same time as her question, Rudell's eyes widened as he looked at her.
It was because he didn't understand the meaning of the question.
"What kind of question is that?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like, you're not telling me something, are you?"
"Ugh…"
Rudell let out a low groan at the sight of Leje asking with a triumphant look on her face.
He had thought that she, with her keen intuition, would have some idea, but he never imagined she would ask him so directly…
However, he couldn't beat around the bush because if he lied, the crystal ball he was touching would immediately reveal the lie.
What's the best way to answer in this situation?
As he was thinking about his answer, a sudden idea flashed through Rudell's mind.
A faint smile began to appear on Rudell's lips…
"Yes. I do."
Following that, Rudell answered in a most confident voice.
"Oh? Then what is this secret you're hiding?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Huh? What do you mean, you have to answer properly."
"Leje, you said it yourself. The punishment is to answer 'one' question."
"Eh…?"
At those words, a look of bewilderment began to spread across Leje's face, and seeing that, Rudell let out a chuckle.
The condition Leje had set was to honestly answer 'one' question, whatever it may be.
Rudell had no reason to answer any further questions from Leje.
"What's that!? How can you do that!?"
"The ship has already sailed."
Leje shouted in a voice filled with frustration, but Rudell got up from his seat with a relaxed expression.
However…
"Ugh! Come here! You're not going anywhere until you answer!"
"No!? W-Wait a minute! How can you do this!? I kept my promise!"
At the same time, Leje lunged at Rudell.
Unable to match her strength, Rudell was pushed back by Leje and ended up rolling on the floor with her.
"You really! How dare you make fun of a princess of the Dukedom!?"
"Ouch!! Leje! My arm! My arm's going to break!!"
As the two struggled back and forth for a while…
-Knock, knock.
"Young Master Weinstein, I'll come in."
A familiar voice was heard along with a knock, and the door opened, revealing a familiar woman to both of them.
Neatly tied-up black hair and a stern-looking impression.
A woman with striking deep red eyes.
It was none other than Alma, Leje's personal maid and also the Head Maid of the Dukedom, who appeared behind her.
"..."
"..."
At her sudden appearance, the two lost their words and stared at her…
"…E-Excuse me."
Alma, who had been watching the two entangled while panting, slowly bowed her head and closed the door as she left.
And, the next moment…
"W-Wait!"
"Stop! It's a misunderstanding!!"
The two, who had been watching the scene, shouted almost simultaneously and dashed out without a second thought.
* * *
The hallway of the Dukedom's mansion.
Three people were walking down the hallway bathed in a blue light from the moonlight filtering in.
"Do you understand? My Lady is the sole heir of the Lagrind Dukedom. You have a duty to behave more gracefully…"
"Ugh…"
Leje couldn't even respond to Alma's rapid-fire words.
Anyone who saw the situation would have misunderstood.
All she could do in this situation was make a tearful face and mutter, "It's not like that…"
"Young Master Weinstein, please refrain from actions that could lead to misunderstandings as well."
"I-I'm sorry…"
Rudell also felt a sense of injustice, but saying anything in this situation wouldn't have any effect.
And so, with Alma's nagging continuing for a while, the two arrived in front of a large door…
"Rudell. Just in case, I'll tell you in advance, don't say anything unnecessary. My father hates long talks."
"Ah, alright…"
Rudell nodded at Leje's words.
The reason they were there was simple.
[The Duke wishes to see Young Master Weinstein.]
It was because Duke Lagrind, who had returned earlier than expected, wanted to see him.
"Whew…"
Rudell took a short breath…
Judging that they were ready, Alma slowly raised her hand and knocked on the door in front of her.
"Duke. It's Alma. I've brought Young Master Weinstein."
"Enter."
As soon as Alma knocked lightly on the door, a deep voice came from beyond.
"Please come in."
Alma opened the door and stepped aside, and Rudell slowly stepped into the room.
And what he saw was a man.
A blue uniform, fading blond hair, and deep blue eyes that were the spitting image of Leje's.
He had a strong impression, his chin covered with a sharp beard, and his eyes were as sharp as a blade, giving the illusion of being pierced just by looking at him.
Dathus El Lagrind.
The head of the Lagrind Dukedom.
Duke Lagrind.
And Leje's father.
"Rudellheit Weinstein, Young Master of the Weinstein Countdom, greets the Duke."
Looking at the man in front of him, Rudell bowed his head with a nervous expression.
Indeed, the Duke of the Dukedom.
His gaze made Rudell feel like he was seeing right through him.
"I've heard a lot about you. First, take a seat."
"Yes."
Responding to his words, Rudell took his seat.
At the same time, a heavy silence fell…
"First of all, I must thank you. Thank you, Young Master Weinstein."
"Yes? W-What do you mean all of a sudden…"
Rudell let out a flustered voice at his sudden thanks.
No matter how much he thought about it, he hadn't done anything to deserve thanks from him.
"For becoming friends with my daughter."
"That's…"
"Even though she may not look like it, Leje hadn't made any proper friends until she became friends with you. They all said things like they didn't like her or that she was unpleasant."
"I see."
Rudell slowly nodded at his words.
He vaguely knew about her circumstances, so he didn't have any particular questions.
"Alma and other members of the Dukedom also have quite a good opinion of you."
"You flatter me."
Rudell replied to Dathus, thinking it was unexpected that even the strict Alma praised him, although he didn't know about others.
"However, I don't trust people easily. Humans are beings who can become both good and evil for their own purposes."
And then Rudell seemed to understand why Dathus had called for him.
The type of person who trusts his own judgment rather than the evaluations of others when judging people.
That was exactly the type of person Dathus was.
"You are absolutely right."
The story of the original work, where countless betrayals were rampant.
Among them were also the existence of completely unexpected traitors.
"Then let me ask you directly. Can I trust you? Can you swear that you didn't approach Leje with impure motives?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can answer that question."
Rudell replied to his following question.
At the same time, Dathus's eyes twitched…
"May I ask why?"
"You said that people are not easily trusted. Then, no matter what answer I give, you will doubt it, won't you? Isn't that right?"
"An interesting perspective."
An answer that, depending on the circumstances, could lead the Duke to punish Rudell for being impudent.
However, at Rudell's answer, he stroked his chin as if intrigued
"If you still want an answer from me, Duke, I would say don't trust me."
"Why?"
"Because that would be the wisest decision for you."
"..."
At those words, the Duke stared at Rudell with a dumbfounded expression.
And Rudell could feel cold sweat forming on the back of his neck.
In the original story, the Duke had considerable insight.
Therefore, it was wiser for Rudell to entrust the judgment to the Duke rather than clumsily trying to prove his innocence.
And then, the next moment…
"Hahahaha!!!"
The Duke burst into laughter at his answer.
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