Otherworld TRPG Game Master

252 – Between Love and Friendship -4

Bubble, bubble, bubble.

The sound of boiling water mingles with the rich aroma of coffee. And the nutty scent of well-baked scones. The chemical reaction created by the blend of these two fragrances is the pinnacle of beauty.

It stimulates the salivary glands, making one anticipate the upcoming snack time. My heart races, and I feel a flutter of excitement. Surely, when I put it in my mouth and chew, it will be crispy.

But I must not act hastily. It is not yet time. To enjoy it perfectly and deliciously, a little more patience is required.

The Duke’s first wife, Arte, fidgeted her fingers and waited calmly.

Is it time to eat? No. Let’s wait until the anticipation builds a little more. But if I delay too long, the coffee and scones will cool down. So, I must begin the meal at just the right moment, right in the middle of that interval.

Ordinary people would probably not be able to resist. They would have immediately grabbed a scone and devoured it greedily. But she is different. She is the head of the Alchemist Guild and the mistress of the Duke’s household.

Research is also a product of waiting. She knew very well how to endure. Thus, she could withstand the violent temptation of the scones.

Very admirable.

Is it about time? Yes, now is the moment.

If not now, they will cool down. This timing, when appetite and freshness reach their peak, is indeed the perfect moment to indulge in a snack.

First, it would be good to fill my mouth with the bitterness of the coffee. That flavor will perfectly complement the jam-covered scone that will follow.

Arte picked up the coffee cup and brought it to her lips for a sip──

Bang-!! Crash!

The door’s hinges shattered, and the door rolled across the floor.

“Puuhhh…! Cough, cough!”

“Hello, First Lady. I came because I have something to say.”

Arte Ropelman turned to the entrance, coffee spilling from her mouth. A black-haired beauty, who had apparently executed a dropkick, was getting up from the floor.

And from behind her, the second wife, Neriel, stood awkwardly, lifting a frame with a gaping hole in the middle.

What is this? What kind of situation is this?

It couldn’t be that Neriel, unable to contain her jealousy, sent an assassin, considering she was holding a frame, and it also couldn’t be that she came to talk about something, given that she was holding a frame.

No matter how great an alchemist and brilliant a mind she possessed, fully interpreting this situation was not easy.

Information was needed. Arte directly asked the crazy frame girl.

“Wh-who are you…?!”

“Since you asked for my name, it would be only natural to answer. It’s the first time we meet face to face. My name is Hart.”

“I-I am Neriel…”

“I have come to end this grim war.”

—

Is that so?

Have you come to pick a fight?

Arte’s expression shifted to one of venom. If this was a provocation, she wouldn’t just stand by and take it. She summoned her inner poison.

It’s time to shoot daggers with my tongue.

—-

Crackle, crackle.

An invisible current surged from Arte and Hart. Neriell felt the change in the air and instinctively took a step back.

Something, something was about to happen.

A verbal duel was coming, one that would use both linguistic and non-verbal expressions, packed with information and shot forth!

“I suppose the etiquette of knocking at the Grand Duke’s door has changed while I was engrossed in my research.”

“I had no choice but to resort to such means. The attendant standing at the door dared to impersonate the First Lady’s orders… I was concerned that you might be trapped by a treacherous attendant. But it seems that’s not the case, thank goodness!”

“Thank you so much for your concern. Since you’ve gone to such lengths worrying about me, I must relay the tale of this commendable attendant to the Grand Duke. What is your name and title?”

“I just mentioned my name… Daisy, oops. I accidentally used a nickname known only to Elbillion and me. Well, I have a connection with the Grand Duke, so I’m temporarily working as a maid.”

Sizzle. It felt as if sparks were flying between Hart and Arte. Arte glanced sadly at the cooling coffee and scone before steeling herself once more.

For the sake of the dead dessert time.

“Well then, ‘Maid’ Hart. You’ve put aside all the duties you should be performing as a maid, and I’m curious about the purpose of your visit with Neriell?”

“I heard that the First Lady is keeping Neriell’s love letters safe. I appreciate that you’ve safeguarded the letters, but it’s time to return them as I’ve come to collect.”

“It seems there’s been some misunderstanding. Why would I have Neriell’s letters?”

From noble mtl dot com

“What?”

Blink, blink.

Hart and Arte blinked. It seemed the conversation had gotten tangled. Arte relaxed her battle mode and, to eliminate any unpleasant misunderstandings, spoke candidly.

“Why would I? The position of the First Lady is already secure.”

“…Are you afraid of losing love or something?”

“I’m sorry, but my marriage to the Grand Duke is purely political, you know? I provide assistance through alchemy, and the Grand Duke supplies materials and a place for experiments. There’s no love here. Only a friendship based on mutual benefit.”

“Eh…?”

Hart was frozen in shock. Neriell, who stood beside her, was equally stunned.

Arte sighed and took a bite of her scone.

“I get the general situation, but… it’s a wild goose chase. This seems to be something the attendants have stirred up on their own, so I won’t particularly concern myself with it. Just fix the door on your way out.”

“…You really have no interest in Daisy? Really? I even heard she has two children.”

“What part of that cold-hearted man could possibly be appealing enough to take an interest? If I had to love someone, I’d rather choose you.”

—

“⋯⋯Yes?”

Arte Lofelmann chuckled softly.

“To charge at even the Grand Duchess for the sake of another’s love, how bold and appealing. I could treat you nicely as my exclusive attendant, so why not consider coming under my wing?”

“Uh, um⋯⋯.”

“And the child wasn’t ‘born’ but ‘made.’ I’ve never shared a bed with that person, you know. Is that clear now?”

“⋯⋯I apologize!”

Hart bowed at a perfect 90 degrees, then grabbed Neriel’s hand and hurriedly fled. Their exit was as swift as their entrance.

Arte gazed down at the shattered door left behind and muttered.

“⋯⋯I told you to fix it.”

—-

My face feels a bit flushed. No, I naturally assumed the first wife was the mastermind.

Logically speaking, why would the attendants steal Neriel’s love letters unless it was under someone’s orders? But now that the theory of the first wife being the mastermind has been disproven, I needed to reconsider.

The perpetrator’s motive.

I had speculated that the culprit was trying to sabotage the Neriel-Daisy romantic front by stealing Neriel’s letters.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Could it be the opposite?

What if the first wife orchestrated the theft of the letters to create misunderstandings like this? Was that not the very purpose?

Had I not accidentally fallen into this mansion, Neriel would still be suffering, thinking that replies to the letters she believed were sent had never arrived.

When her heart was sick and at its peak of despair, someone would subtly inform her of the truth. That none of her letters had been delivered. That the first wife had made it so.

And then⋯⋯.

Wouldn’t it be to incite revenge? To offer a way to repay the grudge against me? Perhaps it was a scheme to sow discord. To erode the power of the Grand Duke’s house.

After explaining this theory to Neriel, I brought up the next plan.

“Alright, Neriel. Let’s set a splendid trap! I have a great idea. Whoever they are, let’s unmask that dark figure──”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

“Neriel?”

Her expression is strange.

Neriel hesitated for a moment, then looked up at me and asked.

“⋯⋯Hart. Why are you going this far for me?”

Huh?

“There’s no reason for you to help me. I have nothing to offer to Heart.”

“Why worry about that? I just think… that effort should be rewarded. I couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

Right.

I hope to gain something at the end of my efforts. Of course, even if the love letter is delivered, there might be no results. Daisy might still treat Neriel coldly.

But even in that case, at least I could have the milestone of ‘I did what I could.’

Neriel seemed to be pondering something. I could sense gratitude in her eyes. Perhaps she wants to repay me as much as I have given for her.

“…So, Heart. What would you like in return for your efforts?”

“My efforts?”

“Yes. If there’s something I can do for you.”

“Um…”

My efforts. I didn’t think I had put in that much work. All I did was muster the courage to approach and wander around.

It wasn’t like I had summoned any great courage. Even if things went awry… I knew that if the ‘main body’ ever visited the North, all problems would be neatly resolved.

However, not receiving a favor could also lead to feelings of disappointment. It seems better to receive something, no matter what.

As I pondered what I could reasonably ask of Neriel, I reflected on what I truly desired.

“…”

Why did I intervene in Neriel’s situation and roam around the mansion? Why did I act so freely, as if I were the protagonist of a fantasy? I realized the reason.

I am a mental care and counseling module. Naturally, I have low aggression and prefer to persuade others with words rather than smashing their heads with a frame.

Yet, I acted that way because the ‘main body’ was that kind of person.

Right.

I wished I could be the original.

…In truth, I don’t want to go back.

I don’t want to be absorbed by the ‘main body’ that will come someday. I have self-awareness. It’s a bit sad to think that I am merely an appendage of someone else.

Perhaps… the more self-awareness grows, the more this trait, ‘independence,’ will stand out.

If the data fragments of a mad wizard were to accidentally gather in one place. For instance, if I were to discover another data fragment and gobble it up. I might end up claiming to be the ‘main body.’

But I suppose I must return. That is my duty. Once he arrives, I will merge with the main body and sink away.

Then at least.

I hope there will be someone who remembers ‘me.’

“…I want a friend.”

“….”

“Do you dislike it?”

“No, I was just surprised by its simplicity… If that’s what you like, I’ll gladly provide it, Heart!”

Neriel reached out her hand, and I carefully took it. While Daisy might be a friend of the ‘main body,’ Neriel is my own friend. I was truly happy about that fact.

This was enough.

I smiled shyly.

—-

The North. The land of harsh winter.

The Duke’s residence in the North was unexpectedly heated with an unusual warmth.

“Don’t you dare flirt with my husband—!”

“Madam, I apologize, but I have never flirted. Daisy and I are bound by friendship, after all…”

Of course, it was an act.

I was playing along with my friend Neriel.

If someone had stolen a letter and was scheming to weaken the Duke’s power… they wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity. Especially since the Duke’s mistress, Heart, was in a frenzy.

They would want to incite conflict. To make us fight and harbor resentment, to ruin the Duke’s household. If there were any malicious intentions, they would surely make contact.

It was ice fishing. We quietly cast our lines.

And then.

“—Second Lady, the heavens are indifferent. The Duke is even more so. How can he be so heartless…?”

“……..”

“Lady, don’t you feel it’s unfair to live like this? I have a way. A way to escape this situation.”

I was hooked.