Alyssa's Growth
The room I was shown to was the reception room.
Normally, it was the place where the head of the family, Lord Donold, held meetings, but it seemed I’d been granted special permission to use it this time.
… Or rather, had they anticipated my visit?
“I thought it was about time you would arrive,” Alyssa said.
“Huh?”
“Hehe, you’ve been looking surprised at how prepared we are, haven’t you?”
“M-my apologies.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Please, have a seat.”
Once again, I was reminded that she truly was a noble daughter of a duke’s household.
At the ball or when she’d visited the Tryon family, she gave the impression of being a typical girl her age, full of worries and uncertainties.
But now, I sensed a certain calculated shrewdness in her.
I guess… that’s growth?
I’m sure Lord Donold would be pleased with that, but Doyle, who she secretly (or not-so-secretly) harbors feelings for, should probably be careful.
Of course, I don’t mean that in a bad way.
“I had a feeling you would eventually come to seek out Lord Lowell.”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“That man has been acting suspiciously as of late… and it seems Miss Lillian is also involved.”
“Miss Lillian?”
Amira’s older sister, soon to be married to Wesley of the Knights Order, Lillian.
Lowell Graberson would be her uncle…
Is that the connection to this whole situation?
“Lady Alyssa, could you please share with me the information you have?”
“I would love to—though I must say, this matter is extremely delicate for the McCreed family as well.”
“Of course…”
“That’s why I ask that you be especially cautious in managing this information.”
“Understood. —Huh?”
“Huh?”
Our voices overlapped in surprise.
“Y-you’re willing to tell me?”
“I never said I wouldn’t.”
“That’s… true.”
Thinking back on her words, she hadn’t explicitly refused me.
Rather, she was offering extremely favorable conditions: if I ensured strict confidentiality, she would tell me.
“It feels odd to say this after being the one to ask… but are you sure about this?”
“We—no, the entire McCreed family—have full faith in Holy Knight Justin Foyle. So, there’s no problem.”
That… that kind of trust comes with a lot of pressure.
Unfazed by my tension, Lady Alyssa continued.
“My father surely wishes for that as well.”
“Lord Donold…?”
In other words… the McCreed family has their own reasons for being involved in this.
What do you think about this chapter?
