Chapter 131: Passing Jealousy

Quietly, the four continued on their way toward the fort, the surroundings gradually becoming more twisted the deeper they traveled.

Though Leonard wasn’t worried about any potential ambush, his eyes gazed at Elizabeth as she led the way.

“Did something happen?” He directed the question to Harley and Miranda.

“She learned that I am your bodyguard… Maybe she is just feeling competitive because I can match her in battle without using mana?” Miranda theorized and let out an amused giggle.

“Hmph! Figure it out yourself!” Harley crossed her arms and averted her gaze.

Leonard heaved a deep sigh, quickened his pace, and went to her side.

‘She is clearly upset… Right, it must be because of William’s death. I don’t think the two interacted much, but losing a fellow scholar surely stung even the Ice Queen herself.’ Leonard thought.

‘However, that brings up the issue… Do I try to lighten the mood or leave her alone? Maybe changing the topic will work best? Goddamn, I am not that good at small talk!’ His shoulders dropped slightly.

Elizabeth noticed that he was intentionally walking close to her.

“What?” She asked, her icy gaze sparing him only a glance.

Leonard blinked slowly and pointed at her scythe.

“How does the weapon feel now?” He asked, grateful that he could steer the conversation toward a topic he was familiar with.

She gazed at the heirloom she was carrying in her hand.

For a moment, her expression softened.

“Perfect.” She couldn’t help but admit. “Fighting with the weapon without any pain made me feel like my mother was beside me. Watching over my shoulder.”

“That’s good.” Leonard smiled warmly. “I suppose it will be useful if we are unlikely enough to encounter monsters in the fort beside the roots.”

Elizabeth remained silent for a second.

“Miranda is with you, so everything will be fine, no? You two are quite close, I heard.”

Leonard arched an eyebrow at the comment.

“She has saved my life on numerous occasions. Even if I survived, without her, I would be a shell of my former self. Of course we are close.”

Elizabeth shifted her head in his direction.

“Close enough to live together?”

“Naturally!” Leonard remained unfazed.

“Enough to share one room?”

“???”

Understandably, Leonard was completely flabbergasted.

What could have possibly gotten into Elizabeth’s head, he wondered.

“E—Excuse me? Where did that come from? We have separate rooms.”

She gauged his reaction.

“I just find it strange… You’re living with another woman so close to your age, especially… someone like Miranda.”

Miranda, who was subtly eavesdropping on the conversation, put a palm over her cheek and visibly beamed. She had taken Elizabeth’s remark as a compliment.

“Okay, hold up.” Leonard took a deep breath. “Is it not considered normal for every household to house their bodyguards and maids under one roof for safety reasons? What makes Miranda’s situation so different from the rest to warrant such a reaction?”

“Plenty.” Elizabeth declared. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, almost as though she had wanted him to ask that question.

“All households reside in mansions. They are separated by numerous rooms and full of personnel. Everywhere you look, there is no shortage of prying eyes and ears ready to start rumors about the smallest thing. However… that hasn’t been the case with you two, has it?”

She paused briefly.

“Rather than a spacious residence, you two have probably been crammed into a simple apartment. Constant interaction is guaranteed and can’t be avoided. The walls separating you are thin, and there are no bystanders who can testify to what happens inside, are there?”

The more she thought about it, the more perfectly everything lined up! Which infuriated her even more, leading her to think about it more deeply only for the process to repeat. It was a vicious cycle!

The longer her ramble went on, the more her expression hardened like a glacier, and the temperature around her seemed to drop.

Leonard was rendered speechless. What was Elizabeth going on about at this point? He didn’t know that the famous Ice Queen was fond of forming conspiracies!

Before he could retort, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Young Master.” Miranda whispered softly into his ear. “I fear talking any longer will only infuriate Lady Elizabeth further. It’s probably for the best if you don’t push her anymore right now.”

Leonard noticed that Elizabeth was still engrossed in her own thoughts and did not notice Miranda’s presence.

Letting out a sigh, he reluctantly took a few steps backward.

“Pff!” Harley could barely contain her laughter. “Good work, smooth talker.”

“Shut up.” Leonard grumbled, trying not to pay her any attention. “Like you’re one to talk. Speaking with you is even worse sometimes.”

Harley gasped, feigning shock.

“I take offense!” She bellowed and stomped her foot.

Meanwhile, Miranda discreetly went over to Elizabeth’s side.

“Lady Elizabeth Starlight?” She called out.

“Um… yes? I am sorry, I got a bit carried away,” Elizabeth apologized. “But… to be honest, I needed to get to the bottom of the truth. Otherwise, I feel like not knowing will eat me from the inside.”

Miranda waved her hand dismissively. “Fret not, my lady. Like an older sister, remember? My relationship with the Young Master doesn’t extend any further than that point.”

“Is that so…” Elizabeth’s gaze dropped to the ground, clearly still unconvinced.

Suddenly, Miranda got an idea, and a mischievous smile bloomed across her face.

“Be careful. A little jealousy here and there isn’t a bad thing, but too much and you just might scare off the Young Master, you know?”

Elizabeth stared blankly at the maid.

“What are you talking about?”

Miranda chuckled.

“Ah, I wonder~”

It seemed Miranda’s words had done the job. Elizabeth needed a few seconds to realize how embarrassing her mumbling must have looked.

Flustered, Elizabeth sped up even more, doing her best to steady her heartbeat, before she could humiliate herself even further.

In awe, Leonard stared at Miranda, who merely gave him an encouraging thumbs-up.

Soon enough, the party of four followed the spreading roots, which converged toward the fort.

After making sure the area was safe, Leonard opened the gates.

He grimaced.

“This might be a problem…”