A Seal Too Clean
That… that’s for a gift.
A gift?
Yes, so if you’ll excuse me…
Who are you giving it to?
I-I’m sorry, but I don’t really know that either.
You don’t even know what painting it is?
That’s…
He clearly avoided answering.
Back at the mansion, Riena recalled the words she had heard earlier. The servant who had broken out in a cold sweat at her single remark had looked desperate to escape the situation somehow—suspicious enough that anyone watching would have noticed.
He might not be able to answer…
The lady might have told him not to speak. But to panic so badly his voice trembled? That wasn’t normal, was it?
I wasn’t even interrogating him.
She had only asked a question. Was there any reason to get that flustered?
I should look into it.
It had also been a little unsettling that he had handed over the seal so readily. She didn’t know who the gift was for, but she doubted the purpose was entirely innocent.
Riena pulled the box she had received earlier toward herself. Inside lay a seal carved from the finest marble—the one Lady Pesant had been holding, the household authority that only the mistress of the family could possess. At the end of the small seal that fit perfectly in one hand hung a black flag and tassel symbolizing the family.
She smiled as she rolled it around in her palm for the first time in a long while. In the old days she hadn’t known how to use it and had clung to Herman asking. His answer back then was still unforgettable.
The seal?
Yes. It’s my first time managing the internal affairs… so I’m a bit confused about the scope of how far I can use it.
The scope, huh.
If you just set the standards, next time I’ll…
Everything.
…Pardon?
Whatever it is, whenever you want something, feel free to use it as much as you like.
…What?
Who said so seriously that it was fine even if someone emptied the family’s entire fortune? Just thinking about it again was so absurd that Riena couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.
That wasn’t the only memorable part. At first she had been so clumsy she dropped the seal. She thought she had chipped the corner a little…
“Huh?”
Riena, who had casually checked the corner, blinked.
Was it repaired?
The area around the corner was smooth. She was certain it had been broken here. Now the edge was so flawless it looked brand new.
Looking closely, it even seems to have a bit of a polish.
The more she examined the seal, the deeper her doubts grew. A seal that had been handled would naturally show signs of use. No matter how hard and fine the marble, after years of stamping documents the bottom would wear down a little—that was only natural. But the seal in her hand now was as clean as if it had never been used. There were ink stains, yet no traces of wear from long use.
“…This is really weird.”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Riena immediately summoned the head maid. The head maid who examined the seal also looked puzzled and tilted her head.
“It seems it was polished once. The one I gave you wasn’t this neat.”
“Can seals be repaired?”
“I’ve heard that families who use the same seal for decades repair it once in a while. They sand the surface to make it smooth. But whether it’s possible to seamlessly fill in a broken part, I’m not sure.”
“Hmm—then could you look into it a bit?”
After handing the seal over to the head maid, Riena checked the time. After moving around so busily, it was already evening.
Shall I head down soon.
It was time to meet him.
Herman usually ate haphazardly. He didn’t particularly like working on a full stomach, and found meals themselves bothersome. So he would eat meat after rough training to replenish nutrients. Otherwise he often just had bread or skipped breakfast and lunch altogether. Even when the chef and aides all nagged him to please take care of his meals, it was useless. Habits ingrained over a lifetime weren’t easily fixed.
However.
“You’re here?”
There are always exceptions.
“…Sorry I’m late.”
“No! I just got here too.”
“You should have started with the soup at least.”
“By myself? How could I.”
“Even so.”
Herman headed to the prepared seats and glanced sideways at her. The glass looked somewhat emptied, as if she had only drunk a few sips of water.
“Next time, if you’re hungry, go ahead and eat first.”
Leisurely enjoying a meal together was one of the few happinesses for Herman. But he had no desire whatsoever to starve Riena for his own greed.
From next time, I should come about thirty minutes early.
Having made that resolution, Herman gulped down cold water. Seeing that, the servants moved discreetly. In the blink of an eye, appetizers to whet the appetite were set before the two.
As the proper meal began, Riena was the first to speak.
“I met Lady Pesant today.”
“…Was it alright?”
Herman knew her temperament well. Moreover, since the purpose had been to retrieve the seal, Lady Pesant wouldn’t have handed it over willingly. If only he had had the time, he would have gone with her. Had she been hurt because of her?
Herman suddenly grew anxious. But contrary to his worries, Riena’s expression as she took a bite of gnocchi was utterly calm.
“Yes. Nothing particular happened.”
“I don’t think the lady would have stayed quiet.”
“Ah, that’s right. Her reaction was a bit fierce.”
Perhaps because she had been through all sorts of hardships. Now that level of power struggle didn’t bother her at all. It would be annoying, of course. She had been handling the family’s assets as if they were her own, and suddenly an interloper appeared. From Lady Pesant’s perspective, it was absolutely not welcome. Thinking that way, she could just brush off whatever was said. Moreover, since the words Lady Pesant spat were all filled with criticism and malice, she hadn’t listened carefully in the first place. Others all thought that with her gentle appearance she would easily get hurt and despair, but it was the opposite. Her mental strength was second to none.
“I got the seal back safely too…”
Riena trailed off. Should she tell him now that the seal Lady Pesant had handed over might be fake? After pondering briefly, she soon picked up her spoon again.
No. I’ll tell him when I’m sure.
Stealing the family seal and handing over a fake was a serious crime. She still couldn’t determine whether what Lady Pesant gave was real or fake. Rather than rashly escalating things, confirming the authenticity came first.
“Riena.”
“Yes?”
Riena looked up at the call. Herman slowly set down the knife he had been using to cut the steak.
“I’d like you to clear some days soon.”
“Days?”
Herman nodded.
“The king wants to see us separately.”
What a bother.
Herman muttered as he swallowed a sigh.
“Is it because of this matter, by any chance?”
“Probably so.”
Herman didn’t know the exact reason either. That strange fellow had shut his mouth saying it was a secret.
“Let me know when the schedule comes out. I’ll clear the time.”
It wasn’t as if she could refuse an order from His Majesty the King, of all people. Moreover, she herself was planning to go meet the colleagues she had worked with at the trading company soon. She might be able to find information that could help with the case, or new facts.
Riena put the remaining mashed potatoes in her mouth and chewed with her plump lips. Her little head was busy turning over how to move forward.