「もしかして、だけど......」
勘が鋭いのか、それともティナが鈍すぎるだけか。声に出して言っていいのか迷っているようで、アイラは何度もティナとリリアの間で視線を往復させる。ケイティンも察しているのか、口角がわずかに上がっていた。
「できれば内密にお願いしたいわね。......気づいてないようだし、ティナにも」
「あ、うん......。分かったよ。約束する。ティナには言わない」
アイラがしっかり頷いて、リリアも満足そうに頷いた。そして、
「これでどうかな!」
ティナが服を一着出してきた。広げると、真っ白なワンピースだった。装飾などはなく、とてもシンプルなものだ。
「白色だからリリアにぴったり!」
――ぶは! 白色! ぴったり! リリアがすごい誤解されてるよ!
――さくらの言い方に腹は立つけど、概ね同意よ。この子、私を美化していないかしら?
――ティナの中ではリリアはとてもいい人になってるみたいだね。裏切らないようにがんばれ。
――努力はするけど......。
いつの間にこのような評価になっていたのだろう、とため息をつきながら、リリアは服を受け取ろうとして、
「待った」
アイラがそれを横から奪い取った。
「アイラ?」
「どういうつもり?」
ティナがきょとんと首を傾げ、リリアは目を細める。怖いよその目、とアイラは苦笑しつつ、
「リリアさん。あんたがこれをこのまま持って行っていいの? 間違いなく貴族連中が反応すると思うんだけど」
「ああ......。そうね。それで? そう言うからには何か良い案でもあるの?」
挑発しているかのような問いかけだったが、純粋に気になって聞いているだけだ。それはアイラも理解したのか、真面目な表情で頷いた。
「ちょうど良いサイズの木箱があるからさ、それに入れてあんたの部屋に持って行くよ。あたしはあんたと騒ぎを起こしたところだし、詫びの品を持って行った、と見られる程度じゃないかな」
なるほど、とリリアは頷いた。確かにそれなら不自然なところはないだろう。本来なら使用人が代わりに届けたりするものだが、下級貴族、もしくは庶民のアイラなら本人が直接訪ねてもおかしくはない。
「いいわね。それじゃあアイラさん、お願いできる?」
「ああ。任せて」
アイラは頷くと、服を持って部屋を出て行った。ケイティンも頭をしっかりと下げてからその後を追う。残されたリリアとティナは、それを見送った後、
「いいお友達ね」
「えへへ。私にはもったいないぐらいだよ」
友達が褒められたのが嬉しいのか、満面の笑顔だった。
「それじゃあ私は部屋に戻るわね。ティナ、このお礼は必ずするから」
「別にいいよ。その代わり、また一緒にご飯、行こうね」
そう言って屈託無く笑う。リリアは一瞬だけ目を見開くと、ええ、と静かに頷いた。
――ティナは欲がないね。リリアにはもったいない友達だ。
――ええ、本当に。
――いや、そこは同意しないでよ。これからのリリアにはふさわしい友達だよ。ほんとだよ?
寝室でさくらと言葉を交わしながら、リリアはアリサが用意したドレスに着替えさせられていた。ドレスといっても華美なものではなく、落ち着いた印象を受けるものだ。着替えもしやすく、これならリリア一人でも脱ぐことができるだろう。ドレスの準備を始めたアリサに盗まれても困らないものをと頼んだので、リリアが着るものにしてはそれほど高いものではない。一般的なものに比べると十分に高級品なのではあるが。
盗まれても困らないもの、と言った時に当然ながらアリサは疑わしげにリリアを見つめてきたが、特に何も詮索することなく流してくれている。ただ、密偵に対して何かを相談していたようだったので、監視を兼ねた護衛はつきそうだ。邪魔されなければそれも構わない。
――来たみたいだよ。
さくらの声に、リリアは顔を上げた。寝室の扉がノックされ、アリサの声が届く。お客様です、と。
「ここまで案内してあげてもらえる?」
リリアがそう応えると、アリサの声が途切れた。絶句したかのような気配の後、かしこまりましたと気配が下がっていく。そしてさほど待つこともなく、再び扉がノックされた。
「どうぞ」
「失礼します......」
そうして入ってきたのは、先ほど別れたアイラだ。大きめの木箱を抱えて、挙動不審になっている。物に触れないように気を遣っているのがすぐに分かった。
「別に何かを壊して落としてしまっても私は気にしないわよ?」
「いや、あたしが気にするよ......、気にします」
「言葉遣いも先ほどと同じで結構。今更改められても気持ち悪いわ」
「うぐ......。分かったよ......」
アイラは肩を落とすと、木箱を持ってリリアに近づく。リリアがその場の床を指差すと、木箱をその場に置いた。
「なあ、リリアさん」
「なにかしら」
「もしかしなくても......南側に行くつもりなのか?」
未だ信じられないのか、疑わしげにそう問うてくる。リリアはしっかりと頷いた。
「ええ、そうよ。何か問題でも?」
「いや、問題はないけどさ。学園の側ってことで治安も悪くないし。ただ、ちょっとイメージに合わなくて......。何が目的なんだ?」
「どら焼き」
「え......。は?」
自分が聞いた言葉が信じられなかったのか、アイラが目を丸くした。その様子が少しおかしく、わずかに笑みを浮かべてしまう。
「この間、ティナにどら焼きをもらったのよ。それが美味しくて、買いに行こうかなと。あと他にも色々とあると聞いたから、少し見て回るつもりよ」
「なるほどねえ......。この間ティナがどら焼きをどこかに持って行ったのは知っていたけど、まさかリリアさんだったとはね。本当に友達なんだな。嫌がらせしてたってのは単なる噂か」
「あら、事実よ? ただ和解をしただけだから」
ぽかん、と間抜けに口を開くアイラ。くすくすとリリアは忍び笑いを漏らし、さて、と立ち上がった。
"Just maybe, are you...."
Did she have a sharp intuition, or was Tina just a bit too dense? It seemed like she was hesitating over whether it would be okay for her to say it, as Aira glanced back and forth between Tina and Lilia. Kayten probably also guessed what was up, as the corners of her mouth were raised slightly.
"I'd like to keep this ac confidential as possible. ...And Tina hasn't seem to have realised yet either."
"Ah, yeah. Got it. I promise. I won't tell Tina either."
Aira nodded firmly, and Lilia also gave a satisfied nod. Then,
"How about this!"
Tina had brought out a set of clothes. Spreading them out, it was a pure white one-piece dress. There were no decorations or anything, and it looked quite simple.
"The white here is perfect for Lilia!"
--Buhah! White! Perfect for Lilia! You're being totally misunderstood here!
--The way you say it p.i.s.ses me off, but I have to agree. Isn't she idealising me a bit too much here?
--It seems the Lilia inside Tina's mind has become an extremely good person. Better work hard so you don't disappoint.
--I'll put in an effort but...
Just when did her evaluation become something like this, thought Lilia as she sighed and reached out to take the clothes when,
"Hold up."
Aira stepped in to grab it from the side.
"Aira?"
"What are you doing?"
Tina had a blank look as she tilted her head, and Lilia narrowed her eyes. Your eyes are scary, said Aira with a wry smile as she continued,
"Miss Lilia. Are you just gonna take this with you and leave? I think those n.o.bles will certainly have a reaction if they saw that."
"Ahh... You're right. And so? Since you mentioned it do you have some sort of good idea?"
Her tone almost seemed provocative, but she was actually just curious. Aira seemed to get that too, as she nodded with an earnest expression.
"I have a wooden box that's just the right size for this, so I'll put it in and take it to your room. I'd just caused a disturbance earlier, so at most people would think I'm bringin' something over to make amends yeah?"
I see, said Lilia as she nodded. Certainly it wouldn't seem too out of place that way. In fact normally in such situations a servant would be sent over for the task, but Aira who was either a lower cla.s.s n.o.ble or commoner would probably go to visit personally.
"Sounds good. In that case could I get you to take care of that, Miss Aira?"
"Sure thing. Just leave it to me."
Aira nodded, and left the room with the clothes. Kayten also gave a firm bow and followed after her. Tina and Lilia saw them off, then,
"What good friends."
"Eheheh. They're too good for someone like me."
She seemed overjoyed at having her friends praised, as she beamed a full-faced smile.
"Well then I'll be returning to my room. Tina, I'll definitely repay this favour."
"It's fine even if you don't. Rather, let's go to dinner again sometime, alright?"
Tina said with a carefree smile. Lilia's eyes widened for just a moment, as she quietly nodded,
--Tina sure is pure. She too good for someone like you.
--Yes, truly.
--Hey, you're not supposed to be agreeing there. She's a good friend for the new and improved Lilia. I mean it alright?
While conversing with Sakura in her bedroom, Lilia was being changed into the dress Alisa had prepared. That said it wasn't actually that flashy, and was something that gave off more of a muted impression. It was also easy enough to change in and out of that could probably take it off herself too. Something that wouldn't pose a problem even if it were stolen, was what Lilia had asked Alisa to prepare, so among the things Lilia wore it relatively cheap. Compared to regular things it was still very much a high-cla.s.s item though.
Something that wouldn't be a problem even if stolen, when told that Alisa had looked at Lilia with a doubtful expression, but she didn't really pry too much and just went along with it. Though, it seems she'd consulted with the agents about this, so they would probably attach a guard to watch over her. As long as they didn't get in the way that was fine too.
--It seems she's here.
At Sakura's voice, Lilia looked up. There was a knock on the door to the bedroom, and Alisa's voice came through. A guest, apparently.
"Could you please show her into this room?"
At Lilia's reply, Alisa's voice paused. You could feel her speechlessness, before she responded understood, as she returned to normal. And before waiting long, there was another knock on the door.
"Please enter."
"Pardon the intrusion..."
And then entered Aira. She was holding largish wooden box, and looking like she was doing something super shady. Lilia quickly realised she was being very careful with the contents of the box.
"Even if you break of drop anything I wouldn't really mind you know?"
"Nah, well I'd mind... I would mind."
"It's fine to speak like you were before too. Even if you get all polite now it just feels weird."
"Ugu... I got it."
Aira lowered her shoulders, and went towards Lilia with the box. Lilia pointed at a place on the floor, and she let it down there.
"Say, Miss Lilia."
"What is it?"
"It seems pretty obvious... But are you planning on goin' to the south side?"
As if she still couldn't believe it, she doubtfully asked that question. Lilia firmly nodded.
"Yes, that's right. Is there some problem?"
"Nah, it ain't a problem. It's a side of the academy so the public order's probably fine. Just, it seems so out of place... What are you trying to accomplish there?"
"Dorayaki."
"Eh... Hah?"
She probably couldn't believe what she had just heard, as Aira's eyes went wide. Finding that state somewhat amusing, a bit of a smile floated onto Lilia's face.
"The other day, I received some dorayaki from Tina. It was really good, I thought I'd go buy some more. Also I've heard that there were many other things too, so I plan to have a look around."
"I see... I knew Tina'd gone and brought some dorayaki with her somewhere the other day, but to think it was for you. You guys're really friends huh. So you hara.s.sing her was just some rumours then."
"Oh my, it's true though? It's just that we've since reconciled after that."
Aira's mouth dropped open with a thud. Some stifled laughter was leaking out o Lilia, as she went and got up.
Haunted Duke’s Daughter
取り憑かれた公爵令嬢
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/haunted-dukes-daughter/
Comedy Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo Slice of Life Supernatural
Broken Engagement Character Growth Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Female Protagonist Friendship Hard-Working Protagonist Heartwarming Loyal Subordinates Maids Nobles Otome Game Possession Royalty Second Chance Servants Sharing A Body Sword And Magic Unrequited Love Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5708cr/
龍翠