MPBAGS Chapter 28

"Excuse me, what is Lady Rohanson's given name?"

"Lady Rohanson? Evangeline Rohanson."

"Evangeline Rohanson..."

Why is he asking that? Raphaela felt an ominous sensation. This was... similar to when Gabriel had kissed Evangeline's hand earlier.

"Commander, Sir Raphaela. The moment I faced her, I realized my destiny."

Please no, right? He didn't fall in love at first sight, did he? Raphaela prayed desperately that it wasn't that.

"Lady Evangeline is an angel, isn't she?"

This is even worse. Raphaela corrected himself. He'd rather Michel had just fallen in love. He'd been obsessed with that damned painting, trying to jump into it saying an angel was waiting for him, and now he was saying Evangeline Rohanson was an angel?

The problem was that this time, it might actually be possible. Even after hearing Daisy's testimony, Gabriel and Raphaela hadn't been able to identify what Evangeline really was.

"It doesn't matter if she isn't. When Lady Evangeline baptized me, I realized to the bone who I truly must serve."

Was he talking about that moment right before he passed out, when his eyes had rolled back? What Raphaela had seen hadn't been an illusion. He'd witnessed the moment Michel became enthralled by Evangeline.

Common sense says if your body is on fire and some woman appears and pours water to put out the flames, you'd be grateful, right? Raphaela, who'd been trying to understand Michel, finally gave up on empathy as rage welled up.

"You crazy bastard!"

Just be thankful, right? You might think she's angelic. But serve her? Baptism? That bastard's brain had clearly gone rotten.

"Sir Raphaela, Sir Michel just woke up. Calm down."

Jeremiah covered Raphaela's mouth and tried to calm his shouting. Michel, not even registering Raphaela's fury, continued speaking.

"I can no longer remain a knight of Lord Rahel. I will go where she is. I'll ask Lady Rohanson to accept me as her guard knight. Will she refuse because it's so sudden? Then I wouldn't mind being a stable hand. I want to breathe in the place where she exists."

Watching Michel commit heretical worship right next to the Grand Temple, Raphaela apologized to Lord Rahel on his behalf. Lord Rahel, that bastard is temporarily insane.

"Commander, Sir Raphaela looks like he's about to collapse..."

At Jeremiah's words, Gabriel called out to Michel.

"Michel."

"Yes, Commander."

At least he still recognized people in his madness—that was better than before.

"You understand how great a sin you've just committed against God, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then continue staying here. Consider it punishment from Lord Rahel."

"I see. The punishment is that despite already serving another, I must continue working here for Lord Rahel's sake. Lord Rahel is truly merciful. But are you alright with this, Commander? Being with a heretic worshiper like me?"

"I'll always respect you."

"Commander! I respect you as much as Lord Rahel!"

Raphaela wanted to reform the rotten mind of someone who'd just called himself a heretic worshiper and then described liking the Commander as much as Lord Rahel. When he was possessed by the painting, at least they couldn't communicate with him, which was somewhat better. Now that they could, it’s worse. Unbearably worse.

"Did Sir Michel just call himself a heretic worshiper?"

"Did he?"

Listening to Uriel and Seraph's comedy routine in the background, Raphaela thought he'd rather go to the Rohanson estate himself.

"Another lovely cool day."

I was lying in bed, spearing fruit Henna had brought with a fork, enjoying my leisure time. The clouds were gloomily overcast, but a pleasantly cool breeze blew through the slightly open window. Is this heaven? I think I'm already dead...

"Miss, you'll catch a cold like that."

Kanna draped a shawl over my shoulders. Maybe because the weather wasn't hot, this felt nice too. Aw, our Kanna is so thoughtful, taking care of things without being asked. I speared a piece of fruit and offered it to her as thanks, and Kanna ate it with reddened cheeks.

And Henna, watching this, should say something to Kanna like usual... should say something, but...

I glanced at Henna discreetly. She was standing there blankly, lost in thought.

"Henna."

"Y-yes? Did you call me, my lady?"

Only after I called her name did she snap back to attention. She's not actually sick, is she?

"If you're tired, you can rest. Kanna's here too."

"No, I'm fine."

Her words had no energy at all. Fine my ass.

"Go rest."

"Yes..."

When I said it a second time, Henna nodded and left the room. She'd been like this ever since we returned from the temple.

"Kanna. Is Henna sick or something?"

"She's not sick. But she won't even tell me what's wrong..."

Kanna said sulkily.

"It's definitely because of what that Daisy person said. I should have asked her properly..."

Right, she said Daisy had told her something. Daisy doesn't just cause conflicts with the male lead and second male lead—she creates tension with Henna too, apparently.

So is Henna like this because of me? What did Daisy tell her? Oh, right. I have that paper Gabriel gave me. The translator should be fixed by now. I should read it now. That way I'll know what Daisy told Gabriel and Henna.

"Kanna, can you get me that paper I received from Sir Gabriel last time?"

"It should be in my room. I'll get it."

Kanna left the room and came back after a while. But her eyes were brimming with tears—something had gone wrong.

"Kanna? What's wrong?"

"M-Miss. I'm so sorry, the paper..."

Kanna held out the paper tearfully. When I took it, I was shocked. The ink had bled from water and all the letters were smudged beyond recognition.

"I think I made a mistake when laundering the clothes. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm so sorry."

Kanna acted like she was about to expire from distress. I don't think she cried this hard even when Donau kidnapped her—is she more scared of me scolding her?

"Kanna."

"Sob... Y-yes."

"It's fine. You think I'd scold you over ruining a piece of paper?"

I was pretty rattled, sure, but I couldn't yell at the kid. It was my responsibility for entrusting the paper to Kanna in the first place.

So now I'll never know what was written on it? I can't go back to Gabriel and ask. He'd wonder why I couldn't read it—would he think I'm illiterate? Evangeline is a romance fantasy noble, so there's no way she can't read! In my confusion, a good idea came to mind.

"Daisy?"

"Huh?"

There's one more person I can ask. The statement was based on what Daisy said, after all. So I should go find Daisy! Last time I met her after spending all my money on holy water so I had nothing to give her, but this time I'll go with a fortune and apologize with cold hard cash. Money can't heal emotional wounds, but it helps.

"If only I knew where that Daisy girl lives, I could go see her."

"Why? Do you have business with her?"

Jelly returned from his walk at just the right moment.

"Jelly."

Right, Jelly has that past connection with Daisy. Wouldn't he know?

Pudding jumped out of Jelly's arms and onto my lap. His kneading paws were very skilled. With these paws, he must have gone another round today—there were claw marks scratched across Jelly's face. Good thing he's a werewolf with fast recovery.

"Jelly, do you know where she lives?"

"No? How would I know that? But she knows I'm here, so if she needs something, she'll come find me."

Is this really the second male lead who weathered hardships alongside Daisy...? He's definitely a main character based on his looks and werewolf status, but the more I see, he's just like a piece of shit. No... a shitty-dog?

Jelly also transformed into a wolf and curled up on the bed. That was his non-verbal signal not to talk to him because he was taking a nap. I think I'm raising a teenage son, not a second male lead.

I can't throw that out either. So what do I do? Should I ask Gabriel? That useless thing... I was clicking my tongue at him when Kanna came up with a good suggestion.

"That Daisy person used to work at the estate, right? So couldn't we ask the butler?"

Pudding meowed in agreement. Our Kanna is so smart, I could applaud. So different from a certain unhelpful furball.

"Kanna. That helps."

"Miss..."

Strike while the iron is hot—I should go ask right now.

"I'll get ready in the meantime."

There's no need for both of us to go interrogate the butler about Daisy's address. Kanna can prepare for going out, I'll do the background investigation. Perfect division of labor.

When I stood up, Pudding followed along. I picked him up and placed him in Jelly's arms.

"Can you wake Jelly up while I go see the butler?"

Being a beastfolk who can understand speech is really convenient. I petted him and Pudding purred contentedly. Hah... even in this world, cats are pure healing.

"Don't tell Henna."

"Okay. I'll just say we're going out."

I'm going to interrogate Daisy about what she said to Henna—I can't bring her along. While I'm at it, I'll ask what she told Gabriel too. And give her money. Perfect.

What if she doesn't want to see me? In reality, maybe. But this is a romance fantasy world, and Daisy is set up to appear frequently as some kind of obstacle to the villainess, so it's fine. Though I do feel a bit guilty...