It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 23
Against my will, the fact that I had seen his memory was shocking enough, but Lionel’s actions were utterly bewildering.
I stared intently at Lionel’s abdomen, which was now completely healed without a trace of a scar, before shifting my gaze to his belt.
I couldn’t believe what I had seen.
Drawn as if under a spell, I reached out and felt along the belt. Lionel’s slightly flustered voice came from above my head.
“Priestess…? Why all of a sudden….”
I pretended not to hear and kept moving my hand, prompting him to speak again.
“If you tell me what you’re looking for….”
But his words were abruptly cut off.
Because I had pulled out the palm-length concealed blade hidden in his belt.
“It’s real…?”
I alternated between staring at the well-polished blade that still faintly carried the scent of blood and Lionel’s face, which had turned rigid with surprise.
“How… did you know?”
Well, the deed was done, so now I just had to make up an excuse.
But was this even something I needed to explain?
After all, it wasn’t me who had done something insane; it was Lionel Luanax.
So I blurted out something nonsensical.
“I once saw a belt design similar to this one. It seemed perfect for self-defense, but the actual product was hard to find.”
I carefully sheathed the blade back into Lionel’s belt and met his gaze.
“Your Grace.”
Staring straight into those eyes of the same hue that now stained my hands, I said:
“A strong body is a gift from the gods. Please, take care of it.”
Whether he had injured himself to test my healing powers or for some other reason, I couldn’t tell.
But whatever the reason, I couldn’t just overlook Lionel’s disregard for his own body was no different from the previous vision, so I couldn’t say anything.
“…I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”
* * *
Even though there was still plenty of time before dinner, I needed to digest the large amount of snacks I had consumed in order to properly enjoy the meal.
That’s why I agreed to Lionel’s suggestion of taking a walk.
It felt strange to be escorted like some noble lady while dressed in my priestly robes, but I didn’t refuse his hand.
After all, he now knew I was Serenia Solen.
Perhaps he had known from the very beginning.
For Lionel and me, this was only natural. As the master of this estate, he was entitled to his behavior, regardless of what others might think. And even if Lionel didn’t seem particularly stringent in managing his staff, I trusted he wouldn’t tolerate anyone spreading rumors outside.
As we descended the stairs together, I glanced briefly at the second-floor corridor.
I wondered what had happened to Dantère and that maid.
“Dantère Ortatum will have to offer significant compensation. He insulted both me and my family.”
Lionel spoke as if he had read my mind.
“Once I’ve received the damages, I’ll hand them over to you, Priestess.”
“To… me?”
“You’re the direct victim here. And it was my failure to properly protect a guest of this estate.”
Damages for defamation or insults exchanged between noble houses were calculated on an entirely different scale. And this was between the Luanax and Ortatum families.
To say he’d give all of that to me…
Perhaps it might even be enough to secure a comfortable settlement for my family.
“However, dismissing the maid might be difficult. She likely orchestrated this incident under the promise of employment at Ortatum.”
Still distracted by thoughts of the damages, I nodded absentmindedly at Lionel’s words.
“She will be reassigned to a place where she won’t be seen, so you won’t encounter her again.”
