Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 30

30.

At the loud voice, Alex and the Barkel knights froze the moment they saw the woman—Martin, known as the Witch of the Intelligence Department.

"Where do you think this is, to be causing such a ruckus! You ruffians! Let me see—this one's a familiar ruffian."

At her words, Alex rolled his eyes.

"And this lot is from House Barkel."

"Th-that's correct. I am Sir Ruse of House Barkel."

"Yes, and did your lord teach you to behave this way? Knights—brawling over one person?"

"No, it's not like that—"

Ruse tried to excuse himself with a wronged expression, but Martin wouldn't have it.

"I will send a formal letter of protest to House Barkel about this! How dare you fight in the palace! If you want to duel, do it honorably, one-on-one, in a dueling ground! You cowards!"

At Martin's words, Alex grinned—but she didn't miss that either.

"You're no better!"

And she promptly smacked his back.

Crack!

With a resounding slap, Alex twisted and let out a pained groan.

"I-I'm sorry!"

"Good. Now disperse!"

The Barkel knights ground their teeth but withdrew quietly. Martin's authority was evidently formidable.

Once they were all gone, leaving only Ibelin and Alex, Martin raised her hand again.

Crack!

"I told you—!"

Crack!

"—to maintain decorum!"

Crack!

"How many times must I say it! You're a knight of a ducal house!"

Crack!

Each time Martin's hand swung, Alex let out a cry.

"Ow—agh—ack!"

It looked painful, yet he didn't resist—and they seemed oddly close. That was probably why she could slap his back like that.

As Ibelin was thinking that, Martin turned around.

"Lady Frillie, was it?"

"Y-yes?"

"Frillie—Frillie—that damn man!"

Ibelin blinked and cautiously asked.

"Do you know my grandfather?"

"Know him? Of course I do."

This wasn't the first time she had met someone in the capital who knew her grandfather—but the reactions were always similar. Grandfather, what on earth did you do in the past? It was too late to resent him now, so Ibelin decided to shoulder all of her grandfather's past!

"I'm sorry!"

She bowed, ready to apologize, but Martin waved her hand.

"No—it's not your place to apologize. More importantly, I'm surprised that man had such a proper granddaughter. If you have time, would you care to have some tea?"

At Martin's invitation, Alex interjected cautiously.

"Auntie—are you really just having tea?"

Crack!

"Then what else would I be doing?"

"Ow—ow—please stop hitting me, it really hurts!"

"Then stop causing trouble! Your lord's antics alone are enough to give me a headache!"

"The Barkel side started it this time."

"They must still hold a grudge from before."

"Petty, to say the least."

"Good grief. You're done here. So, Lady Frillie—shall we go?"

"Yes, I'd be honored."

By now, Ibelin had grown curious about her grandfather's past. A grandfather feared by underworld figures—a grandfather who left behind a strange house and peculiar items—a grandfather who taught her so many things.

While talking to her escorts, Lucen and Alex, she had often noticed discrepancies. It seemed ordinary noble ladies didn't hunt bears. And though they might enjoy hunting, they didn't roll around in deep mountains like she did.

Even a dull person would realize her grandfather was no ordinary man.

"This way."

Martin led Ibelin to one side of the palace. They walked a considerable distance past the glittering central palace, until they reached a building with a different feel from the others.

"Let me introduce you—this is the Empire's Intelligence Department. Come in."

Following Martin inside, Ibelin saw a long corridor lined with doors.

"What does the Intelligence Department do?"

"Officially, it collects and organizes information."

"Officially?"

Then what does it actually do? Just as the question formed, Martin opened the nearest door. The interior looked like a typical reception room—simpler than the palace's, but similar.

"I also make excellent tea."

Saying that, Martin closed the door right in front of Alex's nose as he tried to follow.

Bam!

"Auntie!"

"Wait outside!"

"I can't—I'm Lady Ibelin's escort!"

"Still, no. Guard the door. I'm with her, so nothing will happen."

"But still—"

Alex knocked urgently, but he didn't try to force his way in.

"Sir Alex listens to you well."

It was somewhat surprising, given his usual temperament.

"I've known him since he was a child—so I've become the best at slapping his back. He was quite the troublemaker."

Martin smiled lightly. The fine wrinkles around her eyes softened, giving her a warm aura.

"Wait just a moment—I'll brew the tea."

Martin placed a kettle on a small lamp in the corner. The water soon boiled. After steeping the leaves, she set the tea and some pastries on the table.

The raspberry-scented tea was sweet yet bitter—an intriguing taste. But paired with the pastries, it was delicious, and she took her time enjoying it.

Only after finishing a cup did Martin speak.

"Lady Frillie."

"Please call me Ibelin."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes—you're a friend of my grandfather's, aren't you?"

"I was. Until that damn man quit everything and went to the provinces."

Though her words were harsh, she didn't seem to harbor ill will. Martin gazed into space as if recalling old memories.

"He said he was going down to see his grandchild back then. You've grown up well."

"Have I?"

Ibelin set down her teacup and folded her hands neatly on her lap.

"You followed me because you're curious about what your grandfather did, aren't you?"

"Why do you think that?"

"He never spoke of his work even to his family. Did he treat his granddaughter any differently?"

"You're right."

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

"Still—Grandfather was always my most precious person."

"I see. Then I'll tell you honestly—about your grandfather."

The Empire's Intelligence Department had many hidden divisions.

"Most countries have something similar. Even if you're not in Intelligence, you always need people to track other nations' movements and act accordingly—to maintain the state."

Her grandfather had been the vice-commander of the Shadow Division, one of those hidden departments.

"Is it alright to tell me all this?"

"Why wouldn't it be? You're family. And from what I can see, you don't seem the type to go around blabbing. That man was the same."

Her grandfather had been capable enough to become commander, but he found the decision-making position troublesome and remained vice-commander. He was later assigned to assassinate the chieftain of the northern barbarians—and that was when he became connected to Kite.

"His personality was truly infuriating—but his abilities were outstanding. Especially his intuition—he avoided danger many times. So I thought he'd stay here forever. But one day, he just said it."

That he wanted to quit.

"It's not easy to leave this work—but your grandfather did it."

"How?"

"He had gathered many nobles' weaknesses."

Using those, he freed himself and several others who wanted to leave the Shadow Division.

"W-was that really alright?"

"It was. He prepared thoroughly and got out. I lost several capable subordinates because of it, but it wasn't all bad—I met new talents."

"So you were the commander back then?"

"I still am."

At Martin's words, Ibelin tensed for the first time.

She had said the Shadow Division's true nature was hidden—so why was she telling all this? At first, she thought it was because of her grandfather, but perhaps that wasn't the only reason.

"Yes—Ibelin."

Martin's red eyes looked straight at her.

"What did your grandfather teach you? When Alex was fighting the Barkel knight earlier, you were about to do something, weren't you? Your hand was moving downward."

Ah—she noticed.

Back   Next