"Listen, she's mine! If you pull another stunt like that with Silvia, I’ll consider the Duchy itself—the one you protect so dearly—my enemy. Consider yourself warned!"
Katerina fell silent for a moment after hearing my declaration.
Following a long pause, she let out a deep sigh and smiled.
"I'm sorry, Silvia. I apologize to you as your mother."
...That was surprisingly quick.
I had considered the possibility that she might suddenly attempt some Educational Guidance, but—
"Silvia, my orders to you remain unchanged. However, I will acknowledge your methods. Your performance has been magnificent. I was wrong. I will no longer interfere in this matter."
"Mother...?"
Silvia seemed to have the wind taken out of her sails as well.
It wasn't exactly like the fable of 'The Sun and the North Wind,' but when someone approaches you gently from a position of humility, you tend to be swayed by emotion—especially when it’s your own mother.
In reality, the problem was solved.
Silvia had no complaints about her work as an agent. She simply hated her mother meddling in her relationship with me, and she had just received official clearance on that front right here and now.
"You may hate me if you wish—but will you continue to serve the Duchy?"
Silvia looked at me, appearing troubled.
She was likely struggling to decide how to respond. Could she really forgive her mother here? This was a woman who had gone so far as to heartlessly erase her daughter’s own will. Should she let herself be swayed by those words?
"...It’s your decision. But you already have an answer, don't you?"
"Thank you, Albert-kun."
Silvia looked her mother in the eye and answered clearly.
"It’s okay, it doesn't matter anymore. I don't hate you. Leave everything to me, Mother."
"Thank you for forgiving my lack of foresight. You have my gratitude for your generosity—and once again, my apologies."
After bowing her head, Katerina reached out her right hand.
Silvia took it.
Ultimately, Silvia loved the Duchy, her homeland, and she probably maintained a certain degree of understanding regarding her mother's strictness.
That was what led to this outcome.
It wasn't a bad way for things to end. It was certainly better than a furious Katerina attacking Silvia and starting a bloody life-or-death struggle.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, Albert-san. Well then, she’s an unworthy daughter, but please look after her from now on."
With those words, the Legendary Intelligence Agent departed from the inn.
...God, I’m tired.
It felt like a happy ending where everything had been settled peacefully, but it was also a bit of an anticlimax. I’d come here prepared for a major confrontation.
"Your mother was surprisingly reasonable. What was that about?"
"...Eh? You really aren't aware?"
"Aware of what?"
"Well, they do say the mouth is the source of all misfortune."
After a soft "fufufu" laugh, Silvia continued.
"I think it's simply because Mother was able to confirm the mission's progress. She probably felt like at least half of the objective was accomplished."
"Half accomplished? What do you mean?"
I hadn't promised to support the Duchy of Osterreich, and I certainly hadn't been ensnared by Silvia... right?
Shouldn't the progress be at zero?
"Well, it doesn't matter, does it? Let's just say Mother had a little misunderstanding!"
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It's fine if you don't. I'm satisfied—either way, it’s over."
Forcibly ending the conversation, Silvia flashed a bright smile.
"I'm looking forward to our time together, my Master."
"...Stop calling me that."
"I refuse. Besides, you're the one who made me your Kin, aren't you, Albert-kun?"
She spoke with high spirits, happily entwining her arm with mine.
She was way too close.
A lot had happened yesterday alone, so I suppose it wasn't strange for her to act this way, but—
Then, cynical as I am, another strange thought took hold of me.
—What if everything up to this point had been a scenario written by Silvia and Katerina?
I had discarded the 'Fake Scenario' theory because Katerina had actually attacked Silvia, but what if even that attack was part of the script? Overcoming a massive obstacle together is a great way to build a relationship of trust.
...No, that's ridiculous.
Would she really go so far as to use a curse that stripped her own daughter's will just for a scheme? There was no guarantee I could dispel it. Then again, I couldn't deny the possibility that the Duchy of Osterreich's Royal House had their own means of Curse Dispel. If they did, it wouldn't be that dangerous of a gamble.
"Silvia, by any chance, was everything up to this point part of your scenario?"
Sharp as ever, she seemed to understand exactly what I was getting at from that one short question.
"Hmm? Hmmm..."
She thought about it for a moment before answering.
"Listen, Albert-kun. A woman of mystery is much more attractive. So, I think I'll remain silent. It's more interesting that way, don't you think?"
"You're terrible."
"If you really want to know, there is a way."
"And that is?"
"You just have to order me. I am your Kin, after all."
Silvia looked up at me with testing eyes.
They were the kind of eyes that said, You wouldn't actually do something like that, would you?
As a man with a twisted personality, part of me wanted to betray those expectations, but I wasn't so insensitive as to pry into someone's private secrets.
Besides, it didn't really matter either way.
The problem had occurred and had been resolved. That was the end of it.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm not going to give you any weird orders."
"You're such a softie—Master, you're way too soft!"
"Don't underestimate me. If it's necessary, I'll command you without mercy. It's just not necessary right now."
"Ufufu, you're exactly the kind of person I thought you were, Albert-kun!"
Silvia leaned her body against mine, looking utterly pleased.
Close! Too close! Hey, give me some space!
...Good grief, I was dragged around from start to finish by this whole ordeal. I'm exhausted...
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Inside the carriage heading toward the Duchy, Katerina’s lips curled into a smile.
—Listen, she's mine! If you pull another stunt like that with Silvia, I’ll consider the Duchy itself—the one you protect so dearly—my enemy!
In the threat Albert had barked at her, there were words she couldn't simply overlook.
"Ufufufu, calling Silvia 'his'... You've ensnared him well, Silvia."
It seemed the curse truly had been broken.
And yet, while she didn't know the specifics of how they had proceeded, it didn't matter if her daughter had already worked her way deep enough into his heart to make him say such things.
The rest could be left to her daughter’s feminine wiles.
That was why she had backed off without another word.
"To break the Royal House's Curse... he truly is a formidable practitioner. Now I want his power for our family even more."
Her assessment was complete. Silvia had secured a truly advantageous position.
"I'll have to report this to my husband and the children. I wonder how grand the Wedding Ceremony should be?"
In high spirits, Katerina allowed her thoughts to drift toward a rock-solid future.