She Is Not a Witch

The corridor of the Agdelin family passed through the garden in the courtyard. The stone pillars along the corridor were carved with patterns of seashells and mermaids, clearly visible in the bright moonlight.

After following the butler away from the banquet hall, the surroundings became quiet, with only occasional sounds of revelry and music from the distant party.

The young butler walked ahead, carrying a black wrought-iron lantern. The orange light illuminated the path beneath their feet, casting flickering shadows across his face.

“Is this Miss Lacy’s first visit to the Agdelin house? Lord Angus used to stay here frequently. There’s no need to feel too formal.”

“Yes, it’s my first time. I’m sure I’ll become familiar with it soon.”

The young woman gazed at the bright full moon in the sky, her eyes occasionally sweeping across the increasingly quiet and dark courtyard. She asked, “Is Lord Jelinc’s study far from here?”

“It’s just around the corner. The master prefers to work in a quieter place. I apologize for inviting you so late.”

He explained naturally, but his footsteps didn’t slow.

Loranhil looked at the butler’s back, sighed softly, and continued to follow.

Knock knock——

The dark red lacquered wooden door was knocked, and light could be seen seeping through the cracks.

“Come in.”

Creak——

As the door opened, a middle-aged man could be seen sitting at the desk. A small table and sofa had been temporarily set up in the room. On the small table was a night lamp, along with some snacks and fruit. Several candle lamps on the walls illuminated the room brightly.

“Miss Lacy, please have a seat.”

Jelinc stood up from his seat and invited Loranhil to sit on the sofa by the small table, then sat down on the sofa opposite her.

Afterwards, butler Orwin brought in two drinks and placed them on the small table, then retreated and closed the door.

“Miss Lacy, perhaps this form of address is a bit formal. I’d prefer to call you Niece Lacy, as Angus and I have been good friends for many years, like brothers.”

“That’s fine. You’re a close friend of my father, so it’s alright to call me that,” Loranhil, or rather Lacy, responded, holding the drink in her hands.

“Regarding your father’s sudden passing, I’m deeply saddened and have many questions.”

“I know this is presumptuous and impolite, but as his close friend, I would like to understand the circumstances of the attack.”

“Please, feel free to ask.”

“Where exactly were you attacked, Niece Lacy?”

“It was on the road from Western Wind to Vegar…” Loranhil then recounted the attack based on what she had witnessed.

“So, your father transferred all his assets to you before he passed away?”

“Yes.”

“Was anyone else present at the time?”

“Butler Ceres and Head Maid Chelsea were also there.” The young woman looked at the slightly red fruit wine in her hand, answering calmly.

“I see, so Chelsea was there too…” The middle-aged man’s expression seemed somewhat regretful and wistful.

“Uncle Jelinc, you seem to have many doubts.”

Jelinc picked up the fruit wine in front of him, drank it in one gulp, and then said,

“Indeed, I do have doubts. I can’t believe Chelsea would betray Angus.” As he finished speaking, the glass in his hand fell, shattering with a loud crash.

The door to the room was suddenly flung open, and more than a dozen guards in hooded chainmail rushed in. They held long spears and crossbows, surrounding Loranhil.

Over a dozen sharp spears were pointed at the blue-gowned girl, their blades gleaming coldly in the candlelight. Six crossbowmen stood behind Jelinc, raising their weapons and aiming at the ethereally beautiful young woman. Magical energy flickered on the matte black crossbows, ready to be released.

These spearmen were all War Sequence 2 · Lance Guards, while the crossbowmen were War Sequence 2 · Black Crossbow Guards. It seemed the Agdelin family’s influence was not small, being able to summon more than a dozen Sequence 2 guards at once.

Loranhil didn’t panic. She raised her head to look at the man who was supposedly her uncle, as if asking, why?

“I advise you not to resist. This way, you might still keep your life. Don’t hope for the riders outside the courtyard gates to come and save you. They’ve been dealt with as well.”

Jelinc placed both hands on the armrests, staring at the golden-haired girl in the blue dress before him.

Seeing Loranhil remain silent, he continued speaking.

“Angus and I have known each other for over a decade. Years ago, we went on an adventure to the Southern Sea Islands. We escaped death several times, and he saved my life many times. We viewed each other as brothers.”

“I cannot tolerate someone murdering him and impersonating his daughter to usurp his life’s work.” He spoke each word deliberately.

“Why do you think I’m not his daughter?”

“Indeed, Angus protected his daughter very well. She always lived in Western Wind, and no one in Vegar had seen her.”

“But as luck would have it, I’m an exception. Years ago, when I went to Western Wind on business, I had the fortune of being invited to his home and met his daughter once.”

“Perhaps she didn’t have your stunning beauty, but she was a lovely little girl. She looked nothing like you.”

“Moreover, Angus called her Eileen at the time, not Lacy.” There was a hint of indignation in Jelinc’s voice.

“Mr. Jelinc, you truly are Angus’s close friend.”

“You must be aware that many guests have already seen me tonight. If you imprison me here, it won’t take three days for this matter to spread throughout Vegar.”

“The news that the Agdelin family betrayed their longtime friend and plotted against the orphaned daughter of the Carithes family will quickly spread to every town, guild, and person’s ears in Vegar.”

“Yes, and what of it? I will report this matter to the Vegar Alliance court and accuse you of your crimes.”

Loranhil sipped her fruit wine, her cheeks turning slightly red. She wasn’t intimidated by Jelinc.

“Mr. Jelinc is correct. I am indeed not Angus’s daughter.” As these words fell, the surrounding guards began to grip their spears tighter.

The young woman sighed inwardly, realizing she was indeed not suited for lying, as she had been exposed in just a few days.

“However, Angus’s transfer of the merchant association to me was not a deception.” Loranhil placed the empty wine glass on the table, making a soft sound.

“How is that possible?” Jelinc’s eyes were full of disbelief.

“Why wouldn’t it be possible?” the young woman asked in return.

At this moment, sounds of fighting could be heard from outside the door, with the metallic clang of swords clashing intermittently.

“Jelinc, you fool, open the door quickly!” Chelsea’s urgent voice came from outside.

Jelinc stared at the young woman, still unmoved.

“Jelinc, remember when you slept with Milly and Cona at the bar without a penny to your name, and had to borrow money from me? If you don’t open the door, I’ll reveal your affair with Tess too!”

The expressions of the guards in the room became somewhat awkward, while Jelinc’s face darkened. How could she remember such old stories so clearly?

A perceptive guard beside him requested, “Sir, perhaps we should open the door and see what’s happening.”

Jelinc waved his hand, reluctantly signaling to open the door.

The door was opened again, revealing Chelsea, Ceres, and several Carithes family knights engaged in fierce combat with the Agdelin family guards. Fortunately, both sides had shown restraint, and no one had been seriously injured yet.

“Finally, you’ve opened the door. Jelinc, I can’t believe after all these years, you’re still such a coward, needing so many people to deal with a single girl.”

Chelsea put away her rapier and pushed aside the nearby spears, standing next to Loranhil.

“I apologize, young mistress. I’m late.”