Chapter 53.

I opened my mouth, what the hell does that mean? The Duke’s words sound a little oozy.
“Ah, Dad. What does that mean ……”
I stammered, carefully testing to see if he understood. The Duke smacked his lips loudly.
“Tsk, don’t run around like a beggar in front of everyone like you used to, and don’t try to discredit the family!”
“You’ll lose your memory if you pass out anyway, so don’t let anyone see you open your bow. Understand?”
The tone was like warning an unintelligent daughter before an accident.
“Why do you think you were banned from participating for so many years? Who was the one who shouted indiscriminately to kill him with a stone bow?!”
But than nothing was given and the arrow was turned into a bead that could make people faint and a magic that could make people lose their memories was applied.
“Truly …… the prestige of the Duke’s family is truly remarkable ……”
Or rather, Penelope, who couldn’t be controlled, was remarkable.
“Why didn’t you answer.”
The Duke stared straight at the silent me.
“Ah. Yes ……”
I mumbled a confused reply.
I couldn’t bear to tell him that I didn’t want to participate in the hunting convention and wanted to stay honest. But the hunting convention that I wanted to avoid was already set to be attended ……
“…… I know, dad. I’ll put it to good use.”
“Ahem, just be able to listen.”
Hearing the muffled reply once more, the Duke gave a dry cough.
“Just trying to put myself in your shoes and hear what’s going on. Gave this to you by the way, not trying to lecture you.”
Unexpectedly comforting. I looked at the Duke with wide eyes.
“Well, take it up if you know.”
In person, I don’t know if that’s the right thing to say, but he smiled a little embarrassed and hastily organized his seat, instructing the maid to take the stone bow to my room.
I looked at the table that had instantly become neat and tidy, hesitated for a moment, and said.
“Ah, I ……”
The …… Duke looked at me, who was still seated there, in surprise.
“Hmm?”
Oops, I don’t know. Since I brought it, I’ll give it to him.
“I have something for Dad too.” I hastily rummaged around next to my dress and took out a box.
It was a box wrapped in fine velvet. I opened it carefully and pushed it in front of the Duke.
The brilliant silver light reflected the Duke’s dilated eyes. The sudden gift surprised him.
“Isn’t this a …… magic tool?”
“A magic tool engraved with emergency movement magic.”
“Why did you give this to me ……”
Sure enough, judging from the Duke’s reaction, it was clear that all this time, he had never received a single flower scattered in the garden from his youngest daughter.
Penelope is so stupid. I shook my head.
In a gentle voice, I explained.
“It’s the most recent gift from the nobles attending the hunting convention, Papa.”
“Gifts ……?”
“Yes. Because of this hunting competition, guests from exotic countries will also attend, and moreover, the rare animals they bring will be released.”
“Yes.”
“Just in case, I would like you to carry it with you throughout the competition.”
“…… Who would dare attack me in this empire?”
I said, “There will be no attack, but I don’t know which forces would covet Eckhardt’s political position.”
At my answer, the Duke’s eyes looked like he was looking at a stranger.
The ornate silver magic tool given to him had emergency movement magic engraved on it and was very expensive. In fact, I had agonized between it and the magic tool engraved with defense magic, but this one was better.
Eckhardt is the poster child for neutrality and has not been involved in the war. But if you killed or attacked the Duke, even Eckhardt would have to become an enemy, and the war would resume, and no one would do anything stupid like that.
But they could kidnap or terrorize him.
“If someone gets upset with Dad’s recruits, forces will arise to bring Eckhardt into the faction fight.”
“Yes, you have such a marvelous idea ……!” The Duke muttered as if he was in shock. Looking at me, he said.
“No, no,” and then was silent for a moment.
“Yes. I’ll be sure to bring it.”
His answer was as bewildered as if I had just received the “Magic Stone Bow that makes the person struck lose their memory”. He didn’t expect to receive such a meaningful gift from his adopted daughter at all.
“Then I’ll go up.”
It was supposed to be a gift brought to avoid his anger. Regardless of the purpose, the gift had been given and the ritual of conveying one’s thoughts was over.
Inexplicably, his heart itched. Shaking his body, he hurried toward the door. At that time.
“Penelope.”
Suddenly a low voice rang out from behind.
“Yes, father.”
“You have …… become steady lately.”
The Duke gazed at me with a complicated face and spat out a sentence. It was a nice compliment.
But somehow the words left me speechless. The reason for this was beyond me. I moved my mouth.
“…… Duke.”
Hearing the long-forgotten title, the Duke widened his blue eyes.
“I can’t say I haven’t complained in a while.”
“But ……”
This is for Penelope, who has no home, or…
“You brought me to a home, and I have always been grateful.”
Being handled like Penelope, being discriminated against like a pony who doesn’t know any better, even so, she thought so.
That moment.
[System] Relationship with Duke Eckhardt improved, reputation +15.[Total: 30]
No matter what it’s because of, I kind of want to cry.
It’s a couple days before the hunting convention.
I called the butler in the morning and got a practice arrow (Bolt). It’s because I can’t use the expensive beads that apply magic as practice.
“Miss, there’s also this ……”
After handing me the bundle of arrows, the butler hasn’t gone out yet, he hesitates and hands me a paper bag.
“…… What?”
I was surprised. Since the successful meeting with Winter, I had the butler burn all the invitations.
“It’s an invitation from the palace, so I can’t just handle it ……”
“The royal …… palace?”
The butler’s words made my face freeze.
It’s no big deal to write to me from the palace, it looks incredibly gorgeous with a golden wax seal printed on it, but it always feels ominous.
“…… I don’t want to read it.”
But in order to prepare, it had to be read. I sighed deeply and opened the envelope with a paper knife. Then took out the letter and began to read.
[Dear Duchess Penelope Eckhardt.
Several months have passed since our last meeting in the Labyrinth Garden.
During this time, every time there was a banquet, big or small, held in the palace, not once did I miss sending an invitation to the Duchess. But not once did she come.
Is it still teetering on the edge of metal poisoning.
Fortunately, the hunting competition is coming up soon, and the chance to meet you again is not far away.
You’ve heard that the ban on participation has been lifted, haven’t you? For the sake of my sick male daughter, I personally intervened in favor of it.
Therefore, I hope that you will recover soon and meet with an intact face.
Added: You have not forgotten the engagement you made with me, have you? You would do well to remember that, male daughter.
I look forward to your reply to me, I have been waiting for you to be cured of your metal poisoning, you have not been out for a long time.
–Callisto Legulus]
“Madman!”
I even read the signature written in powerful handwriting. I gritted my teeth and rubbed the paper out of my hand without mercy.
“Why haven’t you forgotten!”
The Crown Prince’s persistence sent shivers down my spine. I didn’t understand why, when I was clearly in a romance simulation game, I had to be subjected to threatening letters.
“Ah, miss?”
The butler looked at me like this with a surprised expression.
“What exactly is the letter?”
Hmm. A threatening letter from a crazy person who has nothing better to do.
“…… Butler.”
I chewed the words carefully and asked violently.
“Is it time for the knights to train today?”
“By six in the afternoon. But why is …… asking that?”
I had planned to try it once or twice when I had time.
That was because of that melee last year, and wanted to estimate the archery strength of this body.
But thoughts changed.
“I have to go to the training ground immediately today.”
Because there was a reason to be desperately proficient in archery.