Chapter 93.

I slowly looked back at him. Now, he mentioned to me about the merchant group.

”…… What? Are you trying?’

I wanted to try to understand the situation, but I didn’t expect him to show his true identity in person. And, not to mention such a bold test.

I considered what to answer. Winter could still say it was insurance, and couldn’t just put an ‘x’ on it. I finally answered vaguely.

“I don’t think there’s anything worth looking for again.”

“True, you know.”

It was answered right away. Sure enough, it was a genuine test.

“Because I remember people’s characteristics clearly.”

With an ambiguous smile, I gently locked eyes with him for a moment.

“Ah.”

Probably an unexpected response, he let out a faint moan.

In normal mode, the heroine instantly gained Winters’ favor. Using only the color of his pupils, he guessed that the Marquis and the Wizard were the same person.

But after experiencing it firsthand, it was possible in the world of the game. Arrogant nobles who ignored merchants wouldn’t remember the color of the pupils in their masks.

“If you’re worried that I won’t be able to speak carefully, you can erase your memories of the children.”

“It’s not like that.”

Making a rough guess as to why he was testing me, I said without a second thought. Winter shook his head vehemently.

“It’s not like that. ……”

He said vaguely, suddenly extending his hand to me.

“Miss, every time we meet, it seems to hurt.”

The long and sturdy fingers gently rubbed as if they had touched the neck.

“Ah.”

The stinging pain caused me to let out an involuntary moan. Winter stiffened his hand at my short moan.

Instead, I reached out and caressed the spot. Rough, bloody scabs felt on my hand. Come to think of it, this was where Leonard had anointed me.

I hadn’t felt anything at the time, and this time the fiery pain hit me. Without my knowledge, the same scene had occurred again.

Caressing the wound, Winter said in a heavy tone.

“Don’t touch it, just in case, go to the medical clinic ……”

“Penelope.”

It was that time that someone called me. I turned my head and turned my back to Winter.

[Favorability 29%]

Thanks to the system reward, I unknowingly restored the favorability that I had before the drop. Derrick walked towards me with a stiff face. Looks like the Duke left first.

Looking at the empty space around him was a bit surprising.

“Hello, Little Duke Eckhardt.”

Winter bowed slightly in salute to the approaching Derrick. Derrick stopped, barely bowed his head, and said hello.

“Thank you for corroborating me just now.”

“It wasn’t like that. It’s what I should have done.”

“I don’t know what you and my sister have to say to each other, but there’s an emergency between family members. May I show her around?”

“Okay.”

Derrick’s statement was rude, but he smiled appropriately and Winter dutifully withdrew.

“Next time then, miss… ……”

“Nah. There’s no need for that.”

I gently grabbed Winter’s wrist, still trying to continue the conversation with him.

“Go on, Marquis.”

“Penelope Eckhardt.”

Drake called my name in an icy voice. The favorability on his black hair began to flicker.

“What is this.”

Derrick’s expression became terrifying. He stared at me grabbing Winter’s hand. Ignoring Winter’s subtle expression, I faced Derrick with icy eyes.

“I’ll tell you what, I have nothing more to say.”

‘What a pain in the ass.’

Derrick tensed his jaw.

“Let go of that hand and come with me immediately.”

At the sound of that voice, my first thought was.

‘Why should I obey his words?’

I really don’t have anything to say to this guy. Without resolving the matter that brought harm to the family, what was done wasn’t completely resolved.

“When did the eyes even become unable to distinguish between seeing or not seeing?”

I unconsciously smiled.

“People are looking at me because I’m the one who just got up from a hospital bed and wasn’t able to stand still. Never mind.”

Speaking in the name of my defense, I answered mockingly. Derrick cringed.

Winter was quite a good shield. Knowing the attention he would get from others, Derrick didn’t pull me away rashly. He took a deep, well-deserved breath.

“Yes. I admit it.”

“…… What?”

“I thought wrong.”

“But now, looking back at your behavior and remembering your reputation, that’s all anyone can judge.”

“Ha……”

A dry laugh escaped.

“What else was I going to say?”

Just defense and blame. They didn’t believe me, they didn’t want to confirm the facts, and they treated me like a “noble murderer”.

When playing the game, the rational, cool and beautiful male lead that I aspired to be was this kind of clumsy guy.

“That was easy for the little duke.”

“…… What?”

“Framing someone as a noble murderer and calling him a mentally unstable patient.”

“It’s easy to fix if you blame me for everything.”

My sarcasm made Derrick’s eyes widen. Good sense was beginning to be at stake.

“Doesn’t what you’re saying to me mean that you’ve done nothing wrong, suffered a wrong, and have to accept blame from someone else?”

“Penelope Eckhardt.”

[Favorability -2%]

[Favorability 27%]

The easily rising and falling favorability didn’t give me any feeling. It doesn’t matter if it drops to 10% with a gnashing of teeth.

That guy’s face became menacing. On the contrary, I smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry, I also know that it was all my fault. So I’ll watch it alone.”

“The result of you cleaning up alone is to discredit Eckhardt? A secret meeting with His Royal Highness, I have nothing to say ……”

“So what am I supposed to do?”

I really don’t know, and shrugged.

“While engaged in a fight to the death with a bear he met by chance, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who happened to pass by cut off the bear’s neck, and on his way back he stumbled upon the assassin and were chased together.”

“Should I say that?”

I repeated what I had said to Derrick the night before in its original form. Honestly, no one would believe me if I said that. Because so did Marquis Ellen.

“So it’s going to hurt in your heart to make me a noble murderer?”

“Don’t be a coward.”

Probably because Winter barely held back, Derrick muttered in a small voice. The eyes that looked at me began to fill with a sharp murderous aura.

“If you had said that there was evidence, there would have been no need for the ridiculous scandal that corrupted the family’s reputation to be resolved.”

“Who told you to make up such a ridiculous scandal?” I clenched my teeth and retorted hard.

“Did you give me time to tell you that I have proof?”

It was hard to manage the expression. I realized my terrible expression, but could only barely lift the corners of my mouth. Felt the sight of Winter on the side. Nonetheless, it was impossible to stop.

“You don’t care about anything. It doesn’t matter if I’m being falsely accused or if there’s a solution. Even spilling the truth is tough.”

“Penelope.”

“Why, are you going to say it’s my fault too?”

Is it because it’s too exciting? I can’t even remember to say “brother” in front of others.

–Little Duke, this time it’s an obvious false accusation. There are ways to fix it. In fact, I ……

–You don’t think I have any grounds for self-defense?

–The passing Crown Prince helped me cut off the bear’s head in a time of crisis.

Crown Prince, secret meeting, lover. The person who would most like to avoid uttering them is me.

But that was the limit for me, and I thought hard about it all night.

Maybe there was a better way. If I borrowed Derrick’s brilliant mind and Eckhardt’s name, I could match it with better testimony. To that end, I made sure to give Derrick the assassin’s tokens.

But isn’t it you who ignored them and ultimately left me alone to clean up the mess.

“If you’ve said everything you wanted to say, I’d like to have a word with the Marquis of Belldandy. As you know, we’re having a stern talk about the trial’s testimony.”

Looking as if he was about to drag Winter away immediately, Derrick stopped me and replied somewhat sharply.

“You know, the situation is becoming very urgent. The news that has been passed on to our side is extremely limited.”

“They continue to make Eckhardt out to be behind the royal killings, even saying that they trained your stone bow in order to assassinate the royal family. This claim has become an established fact.”

Derrick said with a depressed expression. I think that was a continuation of yesterday.

“In order to get you straight out of prison, I think it’s best to finish the job quickly.”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but I’m fine, Little Duke.” I replied immediately in a firm tone.

“Not a thing to look forward to anyway.”

At that moment, Derrick’s face turned terrible. I don’t know what the reason was. What indescribable emotion besides anger clearly surfaced on his always expressionless face.

“Penelope.”

He called me in a raw tone. And.

[Favorability 32%]

The flickering favorability level rose sharply, and I looked at him in surprise.

However, I quickly gathered the interest I once had. Then, quickly bid him farewell with short manners.

“Come along, Marquis.”

As he walked by holding Winter’s hand, Derek stood as stiff as a stone statue.

There was no grabbing of my hand.