「............」
朝と同じ寝室だった。掃除やベッドの手入れなどはされているが、それだけだ。なら何を隠そうとしていたのか。
――さくら。もしかして......。
――忍者みたいだね! かっこいい!
――忍者? なにそれ?
――えっと......。ずっと東にある国の密偵、とかそんな感じ、かな?
曖昧だな、と苦笑しつつ、リリアはテーブルまで戻るといすに深く腰掛けた。テーブルを指で叩くと、すぐにアリサが頭を下げて紅茶の準備を始めてくれる。それを見守りながら、さて、とリリアは口を開いた。
「お父様かお兄様のどちらの指示か分からないけど......。出てきなさい」
アリサの動きが固まった。引きつった笑みを浮かべながらリリアへと振り返る。
「あの、リリア様? 何のことでしょうか......?」
アリサの言葉に、リリアが不機嫌そうに目を細めた。凍てついた視線を向けられ、アリサがひっ、と短い悲鳴を上げた。
「アリサ。貴方は私のメイドよ」
「貴方は私のものよ。私に隠し事をするの?」
「それは......その......」
何も答えられなくなったアリサが目を逸らし、うつむいてしまう。その表情は泣きそうなものになっていた。実際のところ、リリアにはそこまでアリサを責めるつもりはない。契約は父としているものであり、アルディス家の命令なら従わざるを得ないだろう。
だから、責めるべきは他にいる。
――さくら。どこにいるの?
――んー......。ここと寝室の真ん中ぐらい。天井に潜んでる。二人。寝室に一人。
よく分かるな、と内心で驚きながら、指示された場所へと目を向ける。リリアには何もないように見えるのだが、さくらが断言するからにはそこにいるのだろう。
「とりあえずそこの二人、下りてきなさい。寝室の一人は......どうでもいいわ。後で、私が、一人で、話を、するから」
しっかりと笑顔を見せて、一言一言紡いでいく。かた、と軽い音が天井からした。この程度で動揺するなど情けない、と思いつつも、急かすようにテーブルを叩く。最初はゆっくり、そして下りてこないのでどんどん早くして。
天井の一部が凹んだかと思うと、横にずらされ、男が二人下りてきた。二人とも黒い衣服で、片方は老人、もう一人は中年といったところか。リリアの前に立つと、片膝を折ってリリアに頭を下げた。
「名前なんてどうでもいいわ」
ぴしゃりとリリアが言い放つ。言葉を遮られた老人はわずかに眉を寄せ、顔を上げた。
「寝室のやつも呼びなさい」
「いえ、そのような者はいませんが?」
「私に二度も同じことを言わせるの?」
再び指でテーブルを叩く。最初はゆっくり、そして少しずつ早く。それが何を意味するのか分からないだろうが薄ら寒いものを感じたのだろう、老人は硬い笑顔で、失礼しました、と頭を下げた。
「すぐにお呼び致します。......おい」
老人が厳しい声を発すると、男が頷き、天井へとまた上る。一跳びで先ほどの穴に入っていったことに少しばかり驚くが、表情には一切出さなかった。
待つこと数秒、男がまた下りてくる。そしてもう一人、今度は少女で、年はリリアと同じ程度か。顔を覆う覆面をしているのではっきりとは分からない。
「良かったわね」
リリアが優しげに言って、目の前で跪く三人が顔を上げた。
「これで男が寝室にいたら、三人とも殺しているところだわ」
笑顔のその言葉に、三人ともが深く頭を下げた。この三人は知っているのだろう、リリアのそれが例えでもなんでもなく、事実を告げていることに。主の逆鱗に触れた密偵が生きていられるはずもない。
――怖いよ! リリアが怖いよ! そんなの私のリリアじゃない!
――誰が誰のものなのよ。それよりこれで全部よね?
――ん......。うん。間違いなくこれで全員。
――そう。分かったわ。
「顔を上げなさい」
リリアがテーブルを指で叩きながら、言う。三人は何も言わず、静かに顔を上げた。
「貴方たちは誰の指示でここにいるの?」
リリアの問いに、老人が答える。クロス様です、と。
「そう。お兄様ね。ふうん......」
リリアは頷くと、アリサへと視線をやる。アリサは思い出したように、慌てて紅茶の準備を始めた。
「それで? 貴方たちの責任者はどなた? まあ、察しはつくけと」
リリアが老人を見ると、老人も真っ直ぐにリリアを見つめ、一度だけ頷いた。
「それじゃあ貴方に聞きたいのだけど」
「何なりと」
「貴方は誰の許しを持って、あの子に命令したのかしら? 自分たちのことは言うな、とでも命令をしていたのでしょう?」
リリアの声音が一気に低くなった。老人と男はさすがと言うべきか身じろぎ一つしないが、少女の方は小さく震えている。まだ半人前なのだろうか、かわいらしいものだ。
「聞いているの?」
リリアの再度の問いかけに、老人はまた頭を下げた。
「クロス様から、アルディスに仕える者は使っても構わない、と」
「なるほどね。ずいぶんと正直に話しているけど、それもお兄様から?」
「お察しの通りです」
「そう。それじゃあ、私からもお礼をしないとね」
アリサが紅茶のカップをテーブルに置く。リリアはそれを一口飲み、そして、
そのまま投げた。未だ熱い紅茶が老人にかかり、老人がわずかに顔をしかめる。だがそれでも気が収まらず、リリアは拳でテーブルを勢いよく叩いた。大きな音に、少女が震えが上がる。
「貴方は、誰の、許しを持って、アリサに命令したのかしら」
リリアがゆっくりと立ち上がる。優しげな笑顔を浮かべているが、目だけは完全に据わっていた。
「貴方たちに言っておくわ」
「アリサは私のメイドよ。アルディスのメイドじゃない、私のメイドなの。その私のメイドに対して、貴方は誰の許しを持って命令しているのかしら?」
「申し訳ありませんでした」
老人がさらに深く頭を下げ、男と少女もそれに続いた。リリアはそれを感情のない瞳でしばらく見つめていたが、やがて目を逸らし、またいすに座った。
"......"
It was the same old bedroom she saw this morning. The room was cleaned and the bed was made, but that was it. Just what was she trying to hide?
--Sakura. Perhaps...
--It's just like a Ninja! Awesome!
--Ninja? What's that?
--Uhm... they're spies from a faraway country in the east, or something like that, maybe?
How ambiguous, Lilia thought with a wry smile as she returned to the table and sank back into the chair. Tapping the table with her finger, Alisa quickly went to go prepare some black tea for her. Watching her as she worked, Lilia went,well then, as she opened her mouth.
"I don't know if it's by Father's or Elder Brother's orders but... Come out here."
Alisa's movements stiffened. Forcing a stiff smile to her face she turned towards Lilia.
"Uhm, Miss Lilia? What might you be talking about...?"
At Alisa's words, Lilia's eyes narrowed in displeasure. Having that chilly glance directed at her, Alisa went let out a short shriek.
"Alisa. You are my maid."
"You belong to me. Are you trying to hide something from me?"
"That is... well..."
Alisa was unable to give a response and looked away, casting her eyes down. Her expression looked like it was about to break into tears. In actuality, Lilia didn't intend to condemn Alisa that much. The contract was with her Father, and for any orders from the Aldis house a subordinate could nary ignore such a thing.
That's why, there were others that she should be blaming.
--Sakura. Where are they?
--Nnnn... About here and in the middle of the bedroom. Hidden in the ceiling. Two of them. One in the bedroom.
How'd she know all this, Lilia was surprised inside, as she turned her eyes towards the places that were pointed out. Lilia couldn't see anything, but if Sakura was declaring so then they must be there.
"For the time being the two over there, come down. As for the one in the bedroom... well whatever. Afterwards, I, will go, have a chat, alone."
Making sure she showed her smile, Lilia spun each word one after the other. *Kata*, and so came a light sound from the ceiling. How pathetic, to be rattled by something of this degree, thought Lilia as she tapped the table like she was urging them. At first slowly, and since they still did not come down she increased her pace.
Where she felt she saw thee ceiling sink inwards, it slid to the side, and two men descended. The two were dressed in black, one an old man, the other seeming to be in his middle ages. Coming before Lilia, they got on one knee and lowered their heads.
"Your name doesn't matter."
Lilia declared like a slap in the face. Having his words interrupted the old man frowned slightly, lifting his face.
"Get the one in the bedroom as well."
"Nay, there should not be anyone more."
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
She once again began to tap the table. Slowly at first, then gradually quickening. Though he probably didn't know the exact meaning behind this the old man seemed to feel a chilling intent, and with a stiff smile, excused himself as he lowered his head.
"I will call them at once. ...Oi."
At the old man's severe voice, the other man nodded, and returned up into the ceiling. Lilia was a bit surprised at how he went back into the hole from before with a single leap, but she didn't allow it to show on her face in the slightest.
After waiting a few seconds, the man descended from the ceiling again. And this time with him was one more, a girl, who should have been around the same age as Lilia. Her face was concealed with a mask so it was hard to tell for sure.
"Oh good."
Lilia said so gently, and the three kneeling before her looked up.
"If it was a man in the bedroom, I might just have killed all three of you."
She said such words with a smile, and the three deeply lowered their heads. These three probably knew, that Lilia wasn't just saying so as an example, but conveyed reality. Most spies who wrought their master's wrath would not live to tell the tale.
--Scary! Lilia's scary! That's no Lilia of mine!
--Who belongs to who now? More importantly this is everyone right?
--Nn... Yup. No doubt about it this is all of them.
--Is that so. Got it.
"Lift your faces."
Lilia said so as she tapped the tabled= with her finger. Without a word, the three silently lifted their faces.
"Under who's orders were you sent here?"
The old man answered Lilia question. Master Claus, he said.
"I see. Elder brother was it. Hmmm..."
Lilia nodded, and sent her gaze towards Alisa. Alisa seemed to remember then, as she began to prepare the tea.
"And? Who is the one in charge here? Well, I more or less have an idea already though."
When Lilia looked at the old man, he also returned her gaze, and gave a single nod.
"Well then I have something I want to ask you."
"Anything my lady."
"On who's authority, did you order Alisa? Aside from yourselves, you were also giving orders to her no?"
Lilia's tone lowered all at once. The two men, perhaps as would be expected did not stir in the slightest, but the young girl was shaking ever so slightly. She had yet to mature unlike the others, how lovely.
"Did you not hear me?"
When Lilia asked for the second time, the old man again lowered his head.
"Master Claus, said that it would be fine to make use of those serving the Aldis house."
"I see. That's quite the frank way of speaking, was that also how Elder Brother conveyed it?"
"It is as you surmise."
"Really. In that case, I suppose I should offer my grat.i.tude as well."
Alisa put the cup of black tea on the table. Lilia took one sip, and then,
She threw it just like that. The still hot tea splashed onto the old man, and his face made a slight grimace. However Lilia's anger had yet to dissipate, and she forcefully struck the table with her fist. At the loud bang, the young girl's trembling intensified.
"On, just, who's, authority, did you order Alisa."
Lilia slowly stood up. She had a sweet-looking smile on her face, yet her eyes alone were perfectly focused down on them.
"I'll have you understand something."
"Alisa is my maid. Not a maid of Aldis, my maid. Towards this maid of mine, on just who's authority did you order her with?"
"My deepest apologies."
The old man further lowered his head, and the other two followed suit. Lilia stared at them emotionlessly for a while, but eventually she released her gaze, and sat back down into the chair.
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