The Marquis' Daughter, a Research Enthusiast, Fails to Notice Her Junior's Devoted Feelings After Her Engagement is Broken. - Chapter 1.17

A few days after that incident, a message was left for me at the hotel where I was renting a room.

“Tomorrow, 7 PM, at The Whispering Bird Inn on Wutan Street. I wish to have a discussion with you.”

It was likely from the person I had encountered while tailing my target. Considering the possibility of danger, I decided to equip myself with extra protective magical artifacts.

When the appointed time arrived, I made my way to The Whispering Bird Inn. The establishment was covered in ivy, exuding an antique charm. A sign on the door read “Closed,” but when I reached for the handle, the door creaked open with a weary groan.

Inside, the sole bartender behind the counter gave me a silent nod, prompting me to take a seat. The mellow tune playing in the background gave the place a relaxed ambiance. If not for the nature of this meeting, I might have found myself wanting to frequent the place.

After some time, a petite woman took the seat beside me. She had a youthful face and soft brown curls that framed it. There was no doubt in my mind—she was the same person I had encountered before.

“Are you tailing the baron’s daughter?”

“Indeed. And you are as well, aren’t you? I’ve noticed your presence quite often. I thought perhaps we might cooperate.”

In truth, I had only seen her once, but I bluffed, pretending that I had been aware of her all along. It was likely not our only encounter, anyway.

“Hmph… Emil, you’re not as subtle as you think. What exactly is your goal? Are you aligned with the Second Prince’s faction? Or the King’s younger brother’s?”

Without warning, the woman snatched the glasses from my face, exposing my true appearance.

So, she had seen through me. Well, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“I belong to neither. And frankly, I don’t care which side you are on. I simply have something interesting to show you.”

It was best to begin negotiations by revealing a small piece of information.

“Oh? Then show me.”

“Not here, in front of others…”

I glanced briefly at the bartender.

“Ah, no worries. This place is under my jurisdiction. But if you’d prefer, I can step out.”

Before I even asked, the bartender quietly withdrew into the back room.

I activated the Recording Orb, projecting an image into the air.

The scene that appeared was the one I had captured earlier—Nathaniel, the young nobleman, embracing the baron’s daughter.

“What the—! How did you get this? I can even hear their voices…!”

“I created it myself. I may not look it, but I’m quite skilled in the technical arts.”

“Ah, that’s right… you’re part of a research institute, aren’t you?”

She had investigated me. There was no doubt that all my personal information had already been laid bare.

She watched the recording intently, replaying it several times with a serious expression. Then, after a deep sigh, she spoke.

“There’s someone I want you to meet. But keep this to yourself. I trust you understand?”

“I do. I would be honored to meet them.”

The woman stood up and gestured for me to follow. We made our way through the back, climbing a narrow wooden staircase that creaked ominously underfoot. It felt as though it might collapse at any moment.

At the top, she knocked gently on a door, her voice suddenly polite and measured.

“May we enter?”

A low, deep voice granted permission.

“Come in.”

The voice belonged to a man of high standing. I stepped into the cramped room behind the woman and was immediately struck by the sight of a striking gentleman seated comfortably. His neatly combed black hair, tinged with violet, made him look entirely out of place in such modest surroundings.

“You are Emil Fitzgerald, correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

His refined and composed pronunciation suggested that he was a man of great status. Even without explicit confirmation, his presence alone made that clear. I hurriedly bowed with proper etiquette.

“Very well. Take a seat. Let us talk for a while.”

Following his lead, I settled into a chair that was far too luxurious for this setting.

“Why are you investigating Lady Everett, the baron’s daughter? You are a foreigner, and from what I have gathered, you are neither affiliated with the Second Prince’s faction nor the King’s younger brother’s. Nor are you aligned with the First Prince’s faction.”

Was he suspecting that I was driven by some personal vendetta rather than political intrigue or journalism?

“I have no interest in power struggles. I am merely gathering evidence to annul the engagement between His Highness Ernest and Lady Frederica of House Lorenz.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

The nobleman regarded me with sharp scrutiny, his gaze almost piercing. For a brief moment, I hesitated. I had a feeling that deception would not work on him, so I chose to speak frankly.

“Because I am in love with Lady Frederica!”

For a split second, the nobleman widened his eyes in surprise, then—

“Hah…!”

—he chuckled, a deep and amused laughter escaping his lips.

“Pardon me. That was… most unexpected. So, you intend to propose to Frederica after the engagement is annulled?”

“Yes! That is precisely my intention.”

“Why Frederica? Is it simply because she is beautiful?”

“Lady Frederica is indeed beautiful, but… it is not merely that…!”

I poured my heart out, passionately speaking of my feelings for Frederica, when—

“Alright, alright. That’s enough.”

He waved his hand, cutting me off with an air of exhaustion. Just when I was getting to the best part…

“Well then… as it so happens, my goal is also to see Ernest and Frederica’s engagement dissolved. Preferably, with evidence so damning that the royal family cannot refute it.”

“I see.”

“And if possible, I would prefer not to involve the Second Prince’s faction or the King’s younger brother’s faction in this matter.”

I still could not grasp this man’s true motives. He claimed to have no political affiliation, yet he wanted Frederica’s engagement to be broken…? Still, his voice carried the weight of sincerity. He was not lying.

“May I examine the magical device you used?”

“Of course.”

I activated the Recording Orb once more, displaying the same footage as before.

“And the individuals embracing in this image are…?”

“Nathaniel Newcombe, son of the Earl of Newcombe.”

“The image is somewhat unclear, but the voices are distinct.”

“That is because I applied an auditory amplification spell mid-recording. This is only a prototype—later versions have much clearer visuals.”

“I see… and you have more recordings?”

“I do. However, before I hand them over, I need to know who you really are.”

The nobleman adjusted his posture, crossing his legs and resting his chin on his hand, contemplating for a moment before speaking.

“Your device—can it be used by anyone?”

“One version can be used by anyone. The other requires a certain level of magical proficiency.”

“I see…”

At last, the nobleman met my gaze directly and, with unwavering composure, spoke.

“My name is Stein Lorenz. I am Frederica’s father.”

…

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What?!