「アリサ。悪いけどもう一杯、お願いできる?」
「はい。畏まりました」
恭しく一礼して、アリサは紅茶の準備へと向かう。それを見送ってから、リリアはまた三人に視線を向けた。
正直、リリア自身やり過ぎだとは分かってはいる。おそらくさくらも本来なら注意してくるだろう。だが今回ばかりはどうしても許せなかった。兄の命令で来たのなら、父に会っていない可能性もある。ならリリアがアリサをもらったと知らないのも無理はないだろう。しかし、リリアにとってはそんなことはどうでもいいことだ。調べることが仕事の者が調べることを怠ったのだから、リリアにとっても知ったことではない。
――お、終わった? 終わったよね?
――ええ。そう言えばずいぶんと静かだったわね。
――うん......。怖かったから......。本気で怒ってるのが分かったから、黙ってた。
――ああ、そう......。ごめんね、驚かせたわね。
優しく謝罪を口にする。するとさくらから驚いたような気配が伝わってきた。
――その、ね。私は別にいいよ。それだけリリアがアリサを大事にしてるってことだから。いい傾向だと思うから、何も言わないよ。
――そう。ありがとう。
――でもやり過ぎだからね?
――そう、ね......。反省するわ。
気持ちを落ち着かせるように、ゆっくりと息を吸って吐き出す。その間、誰も一言も喋らない。重苦しい沈黙が場を支配していた。そんな中でリリアが再び三人を見据える。老人と男はその視線を受け止めたが、少女の方はあからさまに怯えて目を逸らしてしまった。
男がそれに気づき、少女を横目で睨む。少女はびくりとまた体を震わせると、すみません、とその場で項垂れた。
――これって、私が怯えられてるのよね? 何かしたかしら?
――あれを見たら誰だって怖いよ、自覚しようよ。
――この子に対してはまだ怒ってないのだけど。
――怒り方を見ただけで十分だから!
そんなものか、と納得しておくことにする。リリアは努めて笑顔を浮かべると、少女を見た。少女の震えが大きくなる。
――ここまで怯えられるとは思わなかったわ。
――うん。仲直りは諦めてお仕事の話でもしたら?
――そうしましょうか。
リリアはあからさまに小さくため息をつくと、老人へと向き直った。少女の顔が青ざめるが、今となってはどうでもいい。男はそんな少女に落胆したようなため息をついた。
「貴方たちに私から仕事を依頼してもいいのかしら?」
この言葉は予想外だったのか、老人が目を瞠った。だが一瞬後にはすぐに無表情になっていたのはさすがというべきか。
「クロス様からリリア様を手助けするように言付かっております。何なりとお申し付けください」
「そう。じゃあ何人かの身辺調査をお願いするわ」
「身辺調査、ですか。どなたのでしょうか?」
「とりあえず私のクラス全員。ああ、さすがに殿下については必要ないわ。あと、図書室でよく勉強をしているレイっていう子もお願い」
その人数の多さに驚いたのか、今度は男がわずかに眉を寄せていた。しかしこちらもやはりすぐに表情を消す。
「人数が多いので少々お時間をいただくことになりますが、よろしいでしょうか?」
「ええ。ただ定期的に......。そうね、一日に一回は報告に来なさい。その子がいいわ」
リリアが指で指し示したのは、先ほどから怯えている少女だ。少女がこの世の終わりを見たかのような表情になっているが、リリアも今更意見を変えるつもりはない。
「何か問題はある?」
「いえ。問題ありません。確かに承りました」
少女に聞いたつもりだったのだが、答えたのは老人だった。リリアは少しだけ残念そうに目を伏せ、すぐに首を振る。気を取り直して、では、と続ける。
「任せたわ」
三人はしっかりと頷くと、天井の穴へと戻っていった。それを見送って、リリアは小さくため息をついた。
――ところでさくら。今も誰かいるの? それとも全員行ったの?
――さすがに一人だけは残ってるよ。リリアの護衛もしないといけないから。
――別にいいのに。学園で襲われたなんて聞いたことがないわ。
――リリア。見えてるものが全てじゃないよ。
リリアがわずかに眉をひそめる。その言い方はまるで、過去何かがあったような言い方だった。
――命知らずもいるんだよ。
さくらは楽しげに笑っていた。
「リリア様。お客様です」
密偵三人との話の後、寝室で勉強をしているとアリサが声をかけてきた。誰が来たのか察したリリアは苦笑しながら席を立つ。部屋の扉まで行くと、やはりというべきか、ティナが立っていた。
「こんばんは、リリア。ご飯、どうかな? あ、これどうぞ」
ティナが差し出してきた小さな紙の箱を反射的に受け取ってしまった。見ると、いくつかの焼き菓子が入っていた。
「お誘いありがとう。これはなに?」
「どら焼きだよ。知らない?」
「聞いたことはあるけど、初めて見たわね......」
試しに一つ手に取ってみる。まだほんのりと温かい。どうやら買って間もないらしい。リリアは恐る恐るそれを口に入れた。
「......っ!」
――美味しい......!
――どら焼きだあ! こっちにもあるなんて! もしかして他にもあるのかな?
――他? 似たようなものがまだあるの?
――あるよ! いっぱいあるよ! たい焼きとか大福とか!
少なくない興味を覚え、リリアはティナへと視線を向ける。ティナは嬉しそうな、満面の笑顔だった。
"Alisa. Sorry, but could I get you to make another cup?"
"Yes, certainly."
Bowing respectfully, Alisa went to prepare some more tea. After seeing her off, Lilia once again returned her gaze to the trio.
In truth, Lilia herself knew of the fact that she was overdoing it. By all means, Sakura would probably be cautioning her as well at this point. However, this case was simply unforgivable. If they came here under her brother's orders, then there was also a chance that they'd never gotten in touch with her father. In that case it wouldn't be surprising for them to not know that Lilia had received Alisa as her own maid. Nonetheless, that didn't matter a single bit to Lilia. If the ones who's very job was to seek out information neglected to find out about such a thing, then it was no excuse to her.
--I-is it over? It's over right?
--Yes. Come to think of it you were pretty silent.
--Yeah... Cause it was scary... I could tell that you were angry for real, so I kept quiet
--Ahh, I see. Sorry, that must have startled you.
She gave a gentle apology. Seeing that, Sakura seemed to convey a sense of surprise.
--Well, okay. I think it's fine. It really shows just how much you value Alisa after all. It's a good development, so I won't say anything more.
--I see. Thanks.
--Though this was going a bit overboard.
--Right, yes... I'll reflect on it.
Calming herself down, she slowly drew in a breathed in and out. In that interval, no one spoke a word. The s.p.a.ce was dominated by a heavy silence. Lilia once again gazed at the three. The two men were able to receive her gaze, but the girl was clearly frightened as she averted her eyes.
The younger man noticed that, and sent her a sidelong glare. The girl was startled as her body once again began to tremble, as she apologised with and hung her head on the spot.
--This is, from her being frightened by me? Did I do something?
--Anyone would be scared by that gaze of yours, have some self awareness.
--I haven't really gotten angry at her yet though.
--Seeing your anger at all is more than enough!
I suppose that's how it is, thought Lilia. Lilia made her best effort at putting on a smile, and looked to the girl. The girl's trembling worsened.
--I didn't think she was this scared of me.
--Yup. How about we give up on reconciling and just talk about their work or something?
--I suppose so.
Lilia let out a clear small sigh, and turned to the old man. The girl's face had become completely pale, but whatever. The younger man let out a disappointed sigh at the girl.
"I wonder if it is alright for me to give you guys work to do as well?"
Not expecting such a thing to come from Lilia's mouth, the old man's eyes widened. Though perhaps as expected of an agent he wiped the expression from his face in an instant.
"Master Claus had ordered us to provide aid to Mistress Lilia. Please order us as you wish."
"I see. Then I'll have you do some background checks on a few people."
"Background checks, is it. Of whom shall it be?"
"For now, do everyone in my cla.s.s. Ahh, of course His Highness is an exception. Also, do one for a boy named Ray who often studies in the library."
Probably astonished at the number of people, this time it was the younger man who's face was tinged with a slight frown. Though as expected this one also quickly erased his reaction.
"That is a fair amount of people and thus would certainly require some time, if that is acceptable?"
"Yes. Let's have regularly... Let's see, come give a report once a day. This girl can do it."
The one Lilia pointed to with her finger was the girl who'd been frightened this entire time. The girl's expression became as if she had seen the end of the world, but Lilia wasn't going to try to change her opinion at this point.
"Are there any problems?"
"Nay, no problems at all. Your orders have been received."
She had intended to ask the girl, but it was the old man who replied. Lilia looked down with slight disappointment, then quickly shook her head. Coming back to herself, she continued.
"I'll be leaving it to you."
The three gave a firm nod, and returned into the hole in the ceiling. Seeing them off, Lilia gave a small sigh.
--By the way Sakura. Is there still anyone around? Or has everyone gone?
--Of course there's at least one person still remaining. They've got to have a guard for you around after all.
--It's fine even if they didn't. I've never heard of anyone getting attacked inside the academy.
--Lilia. There's more to it than just what's seen on the surface.
Lilia made a slight frown. The way Sakura spoke, it was as if something really had happened in the past.
--There are reckless ones out there as well you know.
Sakura gave a cheerful laugh.
"Mistress Lilia. A guest."
After the three spies left, Lilia was studying in her bedroom when Alisa called out to her. Having an idea as to who the visitor was, Lilia smiled wryly as she stood from her chair. When she got to the door, as expected, there stood Tina.
"Good evening, Lilia. Wanna, go for some dinner? Ah, here."
Lilia ended up reflexively receiving the small paper box Tina presented. Taking a look, there were a few baked sweets inside.
"Thanks for inviting me. What is this?"
"It's dorayaki. You don't know of it?"
"I've heard of it, but it's the first time I'm seeing the actual thing..."
She grabbed one to give it a try. It still had a faint warmth. It seems it was freshly bought. Lilia timidly took a bite.
"...!"
--Delicious...!
--It's dorayaki! I can't believe they have them here as well! Maybe there are others too?
--Others? There are more things like this?
--There are! There are lots! Like taiyaki or daif.u.ku!
Taking a not insignificant interest in it, Lilia looked at Tina. Tina was sporting a joyous, full faced smile.
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