Epilogue: The Result of Pretending to Sleep in a Panic After Almost Being Caught Waiting Up
After a brief rest, we headed back to the gala venue to regroup with Prince Lucas. By the time we arrived, the battle was over, with over a hundred swords scattered across the floor.
The venue reeked of rusty iron, making Lilly and me grimace. But there were no monster corpses—just reddish-brown stains on the ground.
…So the collapse of the monster that was Duke Letchery wasn’t due to my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill going haywire.
I sighed in relief, scanning the venue.
Prince Lucas, Roan-san, Alyssa-san, and the other knights were all unharmed. No notable injuries among them. Ten knights had protected everyone against that many monsters.
“You’re back. …From the looks of it, you lost Duke Letchery?”
At Lucas’s question, Lilly and I exchanged glances. Explaining it was worse than that, Lucas instructed us to move elsewhere. Leaving the scene to Alyssa-san, he led Roan-san, Lilly, and me to a room in the mansion.
The parlor-like room was gaudy, filled with ostentatious furnishings. Roan-san stood guard outside, while we sat on sofas facing Lucas.
“So, what happened?”
We recounted everything since chasing Duke Letchery from the venue. Lucas listened silently, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers, until we finished.
When we concluded, he let out a quiet sigh.
“I understand the situation. This incident is far darker than I anticipated.” Lucas leaned back, arms behind his head, as if throwing his hands up.
“I suspected foreign interference. Selling kidnapped people would likely be abroad. But monsters attacking the gala and a liquid that turns people into monsters? Even I couldn’t predict something so outlandish.”
“My skill doesn’t see the future, you know,” he added with a shrug.
“…What did the monsters look like to you?”
Lucas had said his skill let him see both what he wanted and what he didn’t. Maybe his eyes saw something different from what we did.
I hoped for insight, but—
“That’s a tough question, Hugh. What I see with my skill isn’t always what you see. But I can confirm the monsters that attacked the gala didn’t look human to me.”
“I see…”
“Still, I think it’s highly likely they were humans transformed, like Duke Letchery. …I’ve had reports that the mansion’s servants and private soldiers are nowhere to be found.”
“…!”
Lilly paled, covering her mouth, likely recalling the stains in the venue. It was almost certain…
“A mysterious liquid that transforms people into monsters. For now, let’s keep this between us and the Kingdom Knights investigating it. If word got out that it might’ve been mixed into the gala’s food, the nobles would lose their minds.”
Prince Lucas’s words sent a chill down my spine. I’d eaten some of the food out of curiosity…
Judging from Duke Letchery’s reaction, the liquid acts quickly. I feel fine for now, so I’m probably okay… but still.
“Well, I should head back. You two should go home and rest. You’ve got classes tomorrow, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah… Is that okay?”
I asked as Prince Lucas stood from the sofa. I’d assumed he’d rope me into investigating the liquid or the person who gave it to Letchery. Switching skills could easily track their movements…
Lucas, heading toward the exit, turned back with a smile.
“I’ve heard enough. I considered having you stay for the investigation, but I’d rather not keep you here. Catching more of Brother Sley’s attention would be troublesome.”
He wants to keep me under wraps. I might’ve stood out a bit at the gala, but compared to Lilly or Lucas, I was less noticed—barely safe, maybe…?
“And…”
“And?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
Lucas started to say something but shook his head. There’s probably more to it, but pressing him wouldn’t help. If he’s letting us go, I’ll take it. I’m exhausted.
“We’ll set up another meeting to discuss next steps. The Puridy family’s matters can be handled then. That's okay with you, Lady Lilly?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your efforts.”
“No, I just acted in my own interest. If you want to thank someone, thank Hugh for dragging me into this. …Oh, and please look after my sister. She’s a bit jealous, so it might be tough.”
“Hehe, understood.”
Lucas’s all-seeing words were met with Lilly’s confident smile.
“Good. Take care of my sister and brother-in-law.”
With a smile, Lucas left the parlor.
“Nice to be acknowledged by such a kind brother-in-law, huh?”
“No idea how serious he is.”
Dealing with Lucas feels like it requires constant suspicion. His promise about Lugue is just words for now. Until he becomes king, nothing’s certain.
We waited a bit before returning to the gala venue. On the way, we passed several Kingdom Knights, unfamiliar faces among the gala’s attackers—probably reinforcements.
“Lilly!”
Near the grand hall, Marquis Puridy ran toward us, enveloping Lilly in a hug.
“F-Father!?”
“Thank goodness you’re safe, Lilly! No injuries!?”
“None, thanks to Hugh protecting me.”
Lilly, initially startled, softened and hugged him back.
“I’m just glad you’re safe, Father.”
“I wasn’t always a desk noble, you know. I used to train with a sword. Took down three of those monsters myself.”
Marquis Puridy boasted, but knowing the truth, Lilly and I exchanged uneasy looks.
“Anyway, you’re both safe, and that’s what matters. Hugh-kun, thank you for saving my daughter. I’ve prepared a carriage; let’s head back to the mansion. We shouldn’t linger here.”
Glancing around, he ushered us toward the carriage.
Even with Letchery’s crimes exposed, Lilly’s annulment was a betrayal to Sley’s camp. No open criticism, but grudges were likely.
Lucas had mentioned a future meeting for the Puridy family’s next steps. Knowing him, he’d already informed the marquis. No reason to stay.
We boarded the carriage, which left immediately. Many other carriages were departing—nobles fleeing the gala.
Without incident, we reached the Puridy mansion. I changed from the borrowed tailcoat into my academy uniform and prepared to return to the Royal Academy.
“I thought you’d stay the night,” Lilly said.
“Can’t keep Lugue waiting any longer.”
I’ve worried Lugue enough lately. Even with some explanation, asking her not to worry is too much. I want to get back and reassure her.
And honestly, I want to see her.
“I was hoping we’d sleep together tonight.”
“No openings with you, huh…?”
I’d love to stay with Lilly tonight, but getting swept up in her pace risks crossing lines. It’s too dangerous.
“Fine. Supporting the first wife is the second wife’s duty.”
“Hey, you’re not sticking to that stance, are you…?”
“Of course. You’ll have to greet Father as my husband eventually, so be ready, dear.”
“I’m gonna be sick from the pressure…”
Sent off by Lilly’s mischievous smile, I boarded the marquis’s carriage back to the academy. Lilly would stay the night and return early tomorrow.
The carriage reached the academy in thirty minutes. Despite the late hour, I’d gotten official permission, so the guard greeted me casually, “Yo, welcome back,” and opened the gate.
From outside the dorm, I saw light leaking through my room’s curtains. Lugue was still awake. My steps quickened. I rushed into the dorm, up the stairs two at a time, down the hall, and grabbed my door’s knob.
Locked tight. Good job, Lugue, safety first!
I unlocked and opened the door.
“I’m back!”
I expected a “Welcome back, Hugh!” but got no reply. Huh…?
Inside, Lugue was asleep on my bed, clutching Nokoko-san, lights still on. “…Hehe, can’t eat anymore…”
Dreaming a classic food dream, huh? Her happy sleeping face drooled a bit.
…I’m home.
Seeing Lugue’s carefree face, I let out a relieved sigh. The tension drained from me, and I sank onto the floor beside the bed.
My eyes met Lugue’s sleeping face. Touching her hair, she stirred comfortably in her sleep.
“I’m back, Lugue.”
“Mnyu, welcome back, Hugh~”
Her sleepy, mumbled reply made me chuckle.
“Ah… I love you, Lucretia.”
Must be Lilly’s influence. The words slipped out naturally. I’m more tired than I thought.
…Time to shower and sleep.
As I stood to head to the bathroom—
“~~~!”
Lugue’s thrashing sounds came from behind, but… yeah, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.
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