Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Twenty-Five

A Request of Rescue

ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

When I said Lothario and Clarence are my main leads, I was serious.

"My lady, I heard that Lady Clarence won't get out of her room and kept breaking her things. Will she be all right?" Elise whispered beside me while I'm reading one of the books from Luxes. I never knew I'll take interest in history books.

"Hmm, I wonder," Clarence is devastated after the incident, and if I'm feeling guilty over what I did? Heck no. She deserves it. Every. Second. Of it. I don't care if her eyeballs roll out of her socket because of crying or whether she has become dehydrated from crying her heart out. I simply don't care. You may call me cold-hearted but what can I do? I don't sympathize with her at all. I can't. Not after what she did to Jozine. Clarence must have not seen this coming because she's confident of Lothario's mouth being sealed and because it's just the two of them that know what they did. But... BUT the story is different because of my rat army. My informants and also Eufema's excellent spying abilities. Speaking of their wonderful job, I should choose a weapon Eufema. She deserves it after a job well done and the rat too, I know they're enjoying their little festival underground. Amba and Tion were crying when I told them their foods are ready underground. I had to prioritize their lair underground but I don't regret doing so since they have accomplished their jobs, all of it.

"Where are Blake and Eufema, my lady?"

"Hm? Ah, Eufema went to the Hunters Association while Blake went to Soka's." Blake has been hanging out with that guy Soka almost every day. Ugh, whenever I see them, I can't help but think it's not fair that two fairly hot young men are together. I'm jealous haha! I wanna spend time with males too. Just kidding! A little bit.

Anyway, this kingdom's history is pretty interesting huh. I mean, I get it, the power struggle between royals and fighting for the throne is common, expected even, but to think that the second king of Magia took the throne for himself because the first emperor's last concubine was his lover.

Man, love sure is strong. And messy.

"Have some snacks, my lady," Elise placed the tray of food on my table.

I gestured her to kiss her, "thanks!" Elise just chuckle. It's safe to say Elise got used to me being casual with her and the odd way of how I speak. She's still as innocent as even regardless.

"My lady, I heard from Mistress Felicia's servants that the Second Mistress will arrive soon but there isn't a specific date," Elise informed. She must have heard it from the other servants gossiping.

"Yeah, I heard something from them too. Something about Felicia being extremely anxious because of Clarence's incident and Mom's." Although I don't know what Felicia is so anxious about Mom. I did not receive any indication that something happened to Mom that put her in danger, if that's not what Felicia is worried about then it must be something else.

Just what are they hiding? Could this have something to do with the lapses in Jozine's memories? As much as I badly want to solve the issue regarding this, as of now, I can't. Aya once told me when I asked her for help how dangerous the repercussion could be if we try to resolve the issue regarding Jozine's memories since we're not sure what type of magic it is or if it's magic in the first place.

All of a sudden, someone softly knocks on the door. "Lady Jozine, I letter came addressed to you," It was one of the maids.

Elise and I look at each other before I gesture for her to open the door. The maid bowed before she left while Elise handed me the letter placed on a small tray.

Ah... I knew it, if it isn't an invitation for tea parties it's from Lothario Dexter's family, specifically the head of the family. They've been sending me letters of invitation to their residence after the revelation of Lothario's true colors and while I know that they intend to apologize, it was only on the surface. Based on one of the rat's reports, the Dexter's are in shambles. Their businesses are in ruin and anytime soon the family will collapse.

"Ugh!"

This is giving me a massive headache. Yes, I want to ruin Lothario's name, he deserves every shame he's receiving right now but to involve his family who did nothing wrong to me would be overkill. Apart from me, Duke Franklin's influence is taking a toll on the family's name too because of Lothario's insult to Geubert and while I and the Duke are acquaintances, I can't just tell him to let the Dexter family go.

I mean, I did cause Lothario's confession but... Oh well. Lothario is now ruined, there is no point in involving the rest of his family even though they're not particularly a pure family, they have nothing to do with Lothario's wrongdoings. If karma will strike them because of their own wrongdoings, then that would be none of my business.

Although it would be nice if they had disciplined their shitty son.

I decided to write a reply telling them that I will visit their residence one of these days even though I'm not sure when since I'm busy until the construction of the auction house is complete.

Sheesh, I say this but Aya won't let me visit the site, not even once! She said it would be a surprise.

"Please have the messenger send this by today, Lise," Elise nodded before she left the room.

The Vesaurius mansion has been tense these days, especially Felicia and Clarence. Clarence would run away whenever she sees me. I don't know if she's ashamed or just feeling guilty, anyway, I don't care because if she feels guilty in the first place, she wouldn't have done what she did.

When Elise returned I asked her about her training. Her face glowed. "My lady, based on the recent test Eufema and I had using the magic energy quantifying orb you gave us, I'm now mid-advance while Eufema is in... oops! I'm not supposed to tell you, my lady! Forgive me!" she bowed, flustered. Ah, must be Eufema. There must be a spoke rule between them that they will report their progress on me personally, even Blake agreed on that.

I can't help but laugh while feeling proud of her. Elise is a natural-born healer no matter what. To think she would achieve that level without practicing her magic since her childhood, there's no other explanation about it except her being a genius, like me. Hoho!

Damn, I'm getting ahead of myself again haha!

"How about your magic base?"

Elise shakes her head with a little pout. I see. It means she's still colored gray. With how easy for her magic energy to level up means she's compatible using magic power externally than internally. Either of the two, it's great for her regardless.

Once the sun sets, Blake and Eufema returned, and then I had Elise prepared us dinner in my room. I added a personal dining area in my room since I often lose a little bit of my appetite in front of Felicia and Clarence.

"How was your day?" I casually ask while eating pudding prepared by Elise. Perfect dessert after a meal!

"It was the same as usual, Master. I helped Soka train and then visited the residence where the servants are training. I met Eufema there and we came back afterward." Blake informed while Eufema is just nodding her head.

I had Eufema manage the training of the employees of the auction house while Blake manages the security. Elise on the other hand retains the position of being my secretary.

"Oh! I have something to report from the Hunters Association." Eufema took out a piece of paper and showed it to me. Odalf asked me if you would like to join his party for that request."

A request for a rescue mission from one of the villagers from Kalghaya village two days from here outside the city.

"What's this? Twenty villagers are missing without traces in the lake near the village but there's no sighting of monsters?" I ask.

Weird. Twenty villagers are missing for days now but they couldn't find a single trace from them or even a cause?

"Is there a possibility that this is k********g?"

Eufema shakes her head. "Based on the information that Odalf gathered, the village is protected by trained warriors and also mercenaries that are residing in the village. They are taking into consideration the fact that the activities of the monsters in the nearby forest is somewhat weird and could be the cause although it's not quite certain since the forest is a little far from the lake and the village itself."

Well if there are disturbances in the forest near the village then it could be possible but if warriors and mercenaries are protecting the village, why is the disappearance continued? More importantly...

"...why the lake? I mean why do they think the lake is the cause?"

"Ah, about that, Odalf told me that there are reports of a monster under the lake because of a certain incident where a villager drowned and disappeared while in there, afterward came the constant disappearance of the villagers."

If that's the case, then it's understandable that they want us to rescue the villagers from the lake. If I was on earth, I would think about how we'll rescue people who disappeared in the lake but this is Pralea, people. Magic exists! For that reason, rescuing people from under the lake, deep, deep lake, with monsters if I may add, it's possible to rescue people. Right?

We won't need to dive deep in that lake, right?

"FOR THIS rescue mission, we need to dive in that deep lake."

WE DO!!!!!!

"Ack...!"

"My lady...!" Elise and Blake are quick to help me stand while Eufema and the others are wide-eyed.

Damn. I wasn't able to keep my cool.

HOW DO I EVEN KEEP MY COOL WHEN I NEED TO DIVE IN THAT LAKE?!!!

"My lady, what happened? Are you alright?"

I shake my head. I probably look as pale as paper right now. Holy s**t! Why! Why did I accept this request in the first place?!

Oh right, I had no choice because...

"I know you're going to agree anyway so I agreed to Odalf's request." Was what the amazing Eufema told me yesterday.

I would agree anyway? NO, I WON'T! WHY WOULD I AGREE WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO f*****g SWIM?!!!!

I looked at Odalf, my heartbreaking. "I don't know how to f*****g swim..." I sob.

... Still, here I am, riding Kiera's lesser being fox form, outside of Griselda City and on our way to my doom — err rescue mission.

"My lady," I turned to Elise while she's riding the carpet. Her face was painted with worry. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

I don't know either is what I'd like to answer but that will surely make her more worried than she already is. "I'm sure I will be fine, besides, I have you and the other two." Yeah. I'll be fine. Because I won't be needing to dive in that lake. I'll stand on guard so I'll be fine.

I WILL BE FINE!

There are only six of us in this rescue mission. Odalf and Ice and then the four of us.

I noticed that Eufema is keeping her distance from me probably because she feels guilty for agreeing without my and the other two's consent. I hope that's what she's guilty of instead of laughing out loud at me when I cried in front of them and admitted I can't swim.

She can't be guilty because of that. She can't!

"Pfft...!"

SHE'S NOT GUILTY AT ALL!!!!

I glared at her so she looked away while stifling so hard to contain her laughter.

Damn it. That was too embarrassing. To think I cried, no I didn't cry, I just shedded a couple of tears for not being able to swim. Why did I even do that?! That was freaking embarrassing I could die! I take that back, I can't die because of that. Or maybe I will? I will if I had to swim in there!!!!

Wooo! Hooo! s**t. I'm going crazy aren't I? Hahaha! Ahhhh! I don't want to swim oh my f*****g gosh!

Yes. I'm going insane.

"Hey, Elise...?"

"Yes, my lady?" She's attentive as ever.

Riding that red carpet mid-air sure looks convenient but I can't refuse Kiera's adorable request to be my mount for this mission while the Vana, Alarkson, and Siren are taking care of the construction.

"Elise, can you repeat after me?"

Her eyebrows crunched clearly confused. "My... Lady?"

"Sing like this; I can show you the world~ shinning swimmering splen...dead..."

Shit. I think I might cry again. f**k!

"My lady...!!!"

ICE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Ice, your contracted beast still amazed me every time." Odalf grinned at me while riding his horse.

"You say that every time,"

He simply chuckles.

"My lady...!!!"

We turned out attention towards the people behind us. It's Lady Jozine and her servant named Elise, a healer. She's riding a red carpet bought by Lady Jozine herself since she can't ride a horse alone.

Elise seems to be comforting her master over something. Odalf chuckles beside me.

"Aren't they an odd pair?" He said now looking ahead.

"Odd pair? I do not think so. The noble lady is the only odd person in my opinion." That is the truth. Her servant, Elise, although she acts friendlier to her master than other servants, it is to be expected since she is her personal maid.

But, Jozine Vesaurius acts and talks to her servants as if they're of the same standing. As if she is not the master. She talks informally and casually as well, aside from that, she swears. For nobles, the use of profanities is taboo, especially between ladies. It is labeled unladylike. It is. But she...

The Jozine Vesaurius I know is not this Jozine I am seeing right now, however, I wonder who the real Jozine is. Always.

ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

We stopped when the sun sets and decided to spend the night in the nearby forest from the road we were taking since it would be risky to be out in the open area where bandits can attack us. Since we are near the entrance of this small forest and hidden from naked eyes in that road I was tasked with our barrier for the night while Blake and Ice are to keep watch as we sleep then Odalf and Eufema will change shift with them. Elise offered to guard too and she was allowed but I—

"There is no need for Lady Jozine to guard,"

They answered in unison except for Ice.

"HUH?!!!!" Is this discrimination that I am experiencing right now?!

I insisted but how can one mouth win against four? I lost that's why I am now inside my tent, alone. I was commanded to rest and sleep early to preserve my magic since I'm maintaining the barrier. I mean, we have a barrier, so why is a need for a guard, right? Apparently, that kind of thinking is deadly since barriers can be broken by stronger attack magic. Besides, there are things that barriers can't do. It can't identify or sense approaching danger.

That lesson that I learned today is very helpful in more ways than one. I'm so thankful and for that, I won't insist on guarding tonight.

"Kiera? How's construction going?" I asked through our link since she can receive a daily report from Alarkson and the others. I can't communicate with my three familiars mentally since they are not in Luxes and Aya is also busy. I think. I haven't talked to her the entire day.

"Mistress! Alarkson said the construction is going well!"

"That's good to know. Why don't you rest too Kiera? I'm sure you're tired because of this journey." We stopped here and there but I know it's tiring having one person on your back.

"Mistress need not worry! I am perfectly fine but if it will help then I will rest. Please call for me for anything!"

I smiled. How cheerful! "I will! Rest well, Kiera!"

"You too, Mistress!"

Sometimes, I forget that Kiera and the others are legendary beings, they're way too friendly and respectful to me when I haven't done anything for them to do that.

Instead of thinking about things too deeply, I choose to lay on my make-bed while staring at the tent. Slowly, sleep crept unto me...

To be continued...