Bonus chapter
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Translator: Raizu
Editor: Schwarz13
Vol.7 Ch.6
[Aisha, as in one of Scarlet’s admirers…?]
When Connie timidly asked, Randolph affirmed with a [Yes].
[The Spencer family owns several workshops that work with precious metals.]
Scarlet crossed her arms and frowned thoughtfully.
『…If it’s Aisha Spencer, it wouldn’t be strange for her to make something that looks just like my earrings.』
If Connie remembered correctly, Aisha admired Scarlet so much to the point that she would try to mimic the latter’s clothing.
[You said you were going to Huxley’s house, Miss Grail.]
[Yes.]
As Abigail had promised, within a few days after visiting the O’Brien’s residence, an invitation from Viscount Huxley had arrived.
[Even if Aisha Huxley was involved in the incident ten years ago, it would be quite difficult to file a case unless she turns herself in. Besides, there is a possibility that she is involved with 【Dae Gallus】. Please don’t be reckless.]
Connie nodded with a solemn expression.
[….yes.]
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Aisha frustratedly bites her nails. She knows it’s a bad habit, but she just can’t stop. It’s because she felt so bad.
—–Constance Greil, whom she had dismissed as a mere child, was actually a cunning and sly fox.
She used Abigail O’Brien to contact Aisha’s husband. The husband, who knew nothing about it, was overjoyed about making connections with the Duke, and immediately invited the eldest daughter of the Grail family to his mansion.
From that day onwards, Aisha’s frustration only grew and showed no sign of subsiding.
Her nails were sharply scraped off. If it breaks, it will be troublesome to style it again. Thinking that, she took out an amber pipe from the drawer. She knew that this was also a bad habit. But now she just couldn’t stand the frustration.
The round bowl was already filled with custom-recipe leaves. With a familiar gesture, she lit a match and approached the grate chamber to ignite it.
After adjusting the heat while inhaling, she slowly sipped it. At that moment, her stormy heart calmed down. Purple smoke rose and disappeared.
By the time she exhaled the last of the smoke toward the ceiling, her mood had completely calmed down.
After placing the pipe on the table, Aisha approached the window. Her room was on the second floor, so she could observe the state of the main gate. A horse-drawn carriage soon entered the mansion. A girl with hazel hair came down. As soon as she saw that figure, Aisha’s heart trembled again.
Constance Grail looked like an ordinary girl at a single glance.
So why is it said that such a girl resembles the divine Scarlet?
Was it Emilia Godwin who said she’ll understand when she meets her in person? So much from a woman who likes men with high-pitched voices and empty heads. That woman hasn’t changed at all since ten years ago.
This little fox may have successfully deceived the stupid Emilia, but she won’t be tricked. Aisha knows Scarlet Castiel better than anyone else.
Aisha’s Goddess, who was more noble and arrogant than anyone else, with amethyst eyes that were more beautiful than any jewel.
No one can take her place. In the past ten years, Aisha had learned that fact to the point that she hated it. She was painfully aware of it. A ball without Scarlet was like dancing in front of an extinguished fireplace. And every time Aisha wanted to be like her, a voice echoed somewhere.
—–Who do you think I am?
Aisha lowered her eyes slightly and slipped a knife for self-defense into her dress just in case.
Shortly after that, a maid came to announce the arrival of a guest.
============
[Welcome, Miss Grail. Welcome.]
[Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Huxley.]
Constance Grail’s bow certainly resembled the way Scarlet did it. But it’s just similar. She’s not her.
There’s no air of divinity that makes people want to kneel just from looking.
[But I was surprised. A messenger from the Duke of O’Brien came all the way to our house, which is a lower-ranked aristocrat. When I opened the envelope, it was an invitation from the Grail family.]
[Pardon. I really wanted to see Mrs. Huxley.]
Despite using a roundabout way of sarcasm, all she got was a very serious answer. Aisha, who was preparing herself for what kind of counterattack would come, was disappointed, and the words she had prepared floated in the air.
Aisha didn’t think the other side was aware of it, but Constance Grail continued on.
[I would like to ask you one thing.]
—–As expected, here goes.
Of course, she knew the rest. It’s about Scarlet. Talkative and dumb Emilia Godwin, perhaps just a little tipsy, must’ve told the girl about her. It’s easy to deal with if you know what it is. Aisha was confident that she wouldn’t get upset no matter what she said about what happened ten years ago.
however―――
[What-is-that-smell?]
What the young girl said was far from what Aisha expected.
[―――eh?]
[Is it tobacco? Ah, but that is not all.]
Her heart jumped with a thud. No way, she thought to herself.
[…..what are you talking about?]
[I have an acquaintance who has a very good nose and a very good memory. So, the moment I walked into this room, I-know-immediately.]
Her sober yet dignified bright green eyes caught Aisha straight.
[Tell me, Mrs. Huxley. Why――― do you smell like Jackal’s Paradise?]
―――she noticed.
Aisha could feel her arms freezing. Her legs trembled. However, she suppressed all the turmoil and tilted her head, pretending it was nothing.
[What are you talking about?]
[I don’t know if it was mixed with tobacco or if it was processed for that purpose. But it is Jackal’s Paradise, right?]
[…Jackal’s Paradise? Oh, you mean the hallucinogen that was popular ten years ago.]
When she put her hands together as if she finally understood, Constance Grail was silently staring at her. Cold sweat ran down Aisha’s spine. She forced herself to smile and shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing.
[I think you are misunderstanding something. I wore a slightly unusual perfume today, so I guess that’s it.]
[Perfume, you say?]
[Yes… It’s from a distant foreign country. So even if I tell you the name, you most likely won’t know it, and I don’t think you can buy it either.]
Even she herself knew it was a hollow excuse. But, she didn’t care. As long as she can get through this spot, anything goes. No matter how much she doubted her, Constance Grail should have no way of confirming that it was a lie.
At that time, Aisha heard a snorting sound.
[―――You’re so bad at lying it’s laughable.]
Blood rushed to Aisha’s head upon hearing such a mocking voice.
[You are being rude now, little girl. That is enough. Please go home.]
While saying that, Aisha turned around to let the other person go home as she was offended. It should still be on time. Once Constance Grail had been sent home, Aisha would ask them for help immediately.
[Oh dear. You acted like an undisciplined child caught red-handed. Asking to be yelled at?]
――――Why? Even the haughty, rude, and happy voice was definitely of that girl’s.
Aisha unintentionally looked behind her, feeling uncomfortable with the sudden arrogant tone and feeling a sense of déjà vu.
What was there was, after all, an ordinary girl with bright hair and bright green eyes that could be found anywhere――――
But, something was different.
[Remember, Aisha Spencer. Trying to deceive me is much more disrespectful.]
Averting her chin, narrowing her eyes slightly, glaring back as if she were looking at an insect, it wasn’t Constance Grail.
[―――――Who do you think I am?]
Aisha’s eyes widened at the overwhelming presence that made her want to prostrate herself.
[S, Scarlet…?]
She couldn’t possibly mistake that figure.
After all, Aisha knew her better than anyone else.
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