The Childhood Friend of the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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“I want to begin by saying that we haven’t yet identified any clear threats.”

Hyung started the conversation that way.

“However, there is evidence that someone has been monitoring the vicinity of this mansion.”

“Monitoring, you say?”

“Quite literally. Someone has been circling the area around this mansion regularly. Although there were no signs of intrusion when I checked last night, it seems likely that they’re tailing Lady Grattanmount whenever she goes outside.”

“What’s your basis for that?”

Amelia asked with a serious expression. It wasn’t that she doubted Hyung’s words; she just wanted to confirm the facts.

Hyung continued as if her question was expected.

“In a city where daylight persists, people tend to stay indoors once darkness falls. If someone is wandering around at night, there’s a high likelihood that they have a specific purpose.”

“Did you actually see such a person?”

“Not exactly, but I sensed a presence. Are you aware that aura can be used to mask footsteps?”

Amelia and I nodded. After all, we already knew someone capable of startling us in exactly that way.

“However, using magic in such a way still leaves distinct traces, often referred to as ‘marks.'”

“So… are you referring to something akin to footprints?”

“Exactly.”

“But isn’t this entire area paved with stone?”

In poorer areas where commoners live—for instance, near the Tower of Magic—it wouldn’t be unusual to find unpaved roads. But this neighborhood was where high-ranking nobles resided.

Even areas for relatively lower-ranking nobles, like common nobility, were usually paved with stone.

“Yes, but there’s always soil between the stones. While normal footprints might not remain in such areas…”

“You’re saying aura leaves marks even in those gaps.”

Amelia and I couldn’t help but be surprised at Hyung’s words.

“Elsie, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s natural that such details are hard to notice from an ordinary perspective.”

No, it wasn’t that I was shocked at failing to notice it. What amazed me more was that he managed to find a pattern etched into the soil between the stones.

Did he meticulously inspect every gap between the stones?

And all of this without even knowing for sure if there was something to find?

…Should he see someone about this? Isn’t this borderline PTSD?

Maybe the reason Hyung couldn’t find such traces in the novel was because he’d lived a peaceful life.

It seemed Amelia was thinking along similar lines. But whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Hyung didn’t seem to pick up on our reactions.

“…So, Sir Harvey, you’re certain these are aura traces?”

“Yes. Of course, I haven’t found any evidence of an actual intrusion yet.”

“Then why didn’t you tell us this immediately yesterday?”

“Hmm?”

When I interjected, Hyung looked at me intently.

“You’re saying you confirmed this before coming to the mansion. That means you already knew about it when you met us yesterday.”

“Ah, well…”

Hyung wore a slightly troubled expression for a moment before speaking.

“Seeing your face after so long, I didn’t want to bring it up right away.”

“…”

“It’s nice to see siblings getting along so well.”

“…”

I shot a glare at Amelia. Was that really the comment to make in this situation?

“I also think it’s good to see the two of you getting along. And Elsie, don’t worry too much. There’s no indication yet that an attack is imminent. Striking the Grand Duke’s Daughter in the heart of the capital would be akin to a death wish.”

“…But if someone is ready to die, it becomes a different story.”

“That’s true. That’s why I intend to investigate further. As a Delkis citizen, I can’t overlook this situation.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“It’s merely my duty.”

At Amelia’s gratitude, Hyung gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

“Do you have any plans to go out?”

“I have classes at the Tower of Magic. I plan to go out after lunch today. Elsie will be accompanying me.”

“Elsie? Are you going to escort her into the classroom as well?”

Hyung looked at me with a surprised expression.

“While she can’t use magic, the Archmage of the tower invited her. It seems he’s interested in Elsie’s unique talent.”

“Ah.”

Hyung immediately understood after Amelia’s explanation.

“It’s certainly not a common talent.”

Though I found the Archmage’s gaze unsettling, as it seemed more like he was eyeing a fascinating experiment rather than a person.

But I held back from mentioning that. Otherwise, Hyung might storm off to confront the Archmage directly. They didn’t get along in the original story, so it was unlikely they’d become friends here either.

“In that case, after Lady Grattanmount leaves, I’ll take my time checking things out. It’s probably nothing major. I’ve heard nobles sometimes plant people to gather information when they enter new environments.”

“…”

That comment reminded me of someone.

For a moment, I met Amelia’s gaze, but neither of us spoke.

There was a girl named Diane in the original story who had done something similar. But without solid evidence, it would be a hassle to implicate a Count’s house.

“Then, I leave it in your hands.”

“Yes. If there’s any threat, I will make sure to eliminate it.”

…Whoever is following us, I already feel sorry for them.

Unlike me, a half-Delkis, Harvey is a true Delkis native.

*

“Could it be Diane?”

Inside the carriage heading to the Tower of Magic, Amelia asked me.

“Would Diane bother to plant someone to spy on us? She’s sensitive to power dynamics and wouldn’t risk clashing with the Grand Ducal House for no reason. Besides, she doesn’t even disregard me when you’re around.”

“…Does she disregard you when I’m not around?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s not what I meant. I’ve never been alone with her in the first place. I just mean that, based on her personality in the novel, it’s something she might do.”

“Hmm…”

Amelia thought about it for a moment before speaking again.

“If anything like that happens, tell me right away. I can’t stand by if someone disrespects the Duke’s family.”

“I’m not part of the Grand Ducal House. I’m a Delkis person.”

“Even as a Delkis person, it’s the same. You’re protecting me, so you’re one of my people. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

Hearing that made me happy. If only she’d outright claim ownership of me, it’d make me even happier…

Well, knowing Amelia’s personality, that’s unlikely to happen.

“Oh, right. I plan to pick up Adele today. She started learning horseback riding yesterday but is still a novice. She doesn’t seem to have a horse at home.”

“Do you think Adele will willingly get into the carriage?”

“Well, we did get along quite well yesterday… Even if she says she’ll repay us someday, she probably won’t refuse.”

Indeed, during our time together yesterday, much of her guarded attitude seemed to dissipate. Not that she had been overly wary before, but there was still a subtle sense of a barrier between us due to our different social standings.

However, after witnessing Snow biting my head yesterday, it seemed like she felt something, and the conversations that followed helped break down that wall.

“…You’ll keep helping her practice horseback riding, right?”

“…Of course.”

“So, will Adele ride behind you every time?”

“…”

When I stared at her, Amelia briefly turned her gaze out the carriage window. But as I kept watching her, she finally relented.

“Alright, fine. Then we’ll take turns having her ride behind us, okay?”

“But if we do that, she’ll end up riding behind you on the way back. You’ll have taken her twice.”

“…Then we’ll switch it up daily.”

Only after that did I nod in satisfaction, and Amelia let out a deep sigh.

*

This time, Adele didn’t refuse.

Was it because we arrived well before the time she was supposed to come out?

She initially looked surprised, but then she smiled wryly before getting into our carriage. It seemed she now realized we approached her with genuine goodwill.

Strictly speaking, Amelia was doing this to avoid her own bad ending, while I was sticking close to prevent Adele from getting too close to Amelia.

…Well, she has no way of knowing that, so does it even matter?

The conversation on the way to the Tower of Magic was nothing special. We exchanged greetings about how we slept, briefly discussed what happened yesterday, and before long, we arrived at the tower.

As I got off the carriage, I glanced behind us, but Harvey was nowhere to be seen.

How had he managed to hide that large frame of his?

Just as I turned to head into the tower—

“Lady Delkis.”

Ah, geez, that startled me.

The Crown Prince suddenly spoke to me, catching me off guard.

“Ah, sorry for startling you. It’s just that I have something important to discuss—”

“Hello, Your Highness.”

Amelia smoothly interrupted as the Crown Prince spoke to me.

“…Lady Grattanmount.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to discuss matters inside the tower’s classroom rather than standing out here? Standing under the hot sun isn’t good for the skin.”

Though the weather was clear, it didn’t feel particularly hot to me.

Of course, I could guess why Amelia made such a comment. She was trying to shield me from the Crown Prince.

“…Very well. Let’s continue the conversation inside.”

Thankfully, her excuse seemed perfectly plausible to the Crown Prince.