[Part 3/4]
And with that, she smoothly accepted the dagger from the envoy and revealed it to the others.
"This Dagger here. Indeed, it belonged to my disciple's maid. There's no mistake about that. Isn't that right, Tamaki?"
"...Yes, that's correct."
Sumire's words made Tamaki hesitate for a moment, but she still admitted the truth straightforwardly. Regardless, if she were to tell a lie, it would be quickly exposed and only further intensify suspicion. So, it was slightly better to be upfront about it. However, the main issue wasn't there.
"However—"
"—But, what is it?"
Tamaki interjected as Kochou was about to say something. Her tone was firm, causing Kochou to momentarily pause her assertion.
"I beg your pardon... I apologize for accidentally overhearing. But to base some suspicion on my maid and even cast doubt upon me solely based on fragmented information is truly unwarranted...!!"
Tamaki's voice trembled slightly with agitation, yet she clearly conveyed her intent. She didn't fully grasp the situation, but she understood how detrimental it would be to let things unfold as they were.
"...Are you not involved in this incident?"
"First, could you please explain exactly what this case is about? May I have an explanation?"
"Very well."
Crossing gazes with the mayor and the others, Sumire gained their consent and produced a talisman from her pocket. She released the talisman, which connected lines as a key element of the boundary. It constructed a boundary for privacy and soundproofing.
"The princess of Ezo Officials of the Imperial Court has gone missing."
"...!!"
At the sudden revelation of Sumire's words, despite her premonition, Tamaki was undeniably shocked...
Sumire began explaining to Tamaki and Kochou's group.
It seemed that the princess of Ezo Officials of the Imperial Court, Saeki Kunimori's daughter, arrived at Shiromoku's city but disappeared without a trace. She had used a decoy during the banquet.
The princess urgently needed protection because she was about to marry an important person, and they had only two hours to act.
The leaders of Ezo, the city's mayor, and the military's commander knew about the situation. They also asked the Onitsuki family, who were part of the visiting capital delegation, for help. To keep things secret, only the head of the family and herself knew about the plan. They were going to have a private meeting in the room where her husband was waiting.
It turned out there were two intruders. The first intruder was holding a Dagger, and it seemed to be this one.
She showed the Dagger retrieved by the Ezo agents.
Hotoya's Tamaki's maid, Suzune, owned that Dagger...
"So, do you have any explanation?"
"Ugh...! First of all, I don't even know for sure if that person is my maid. And also, even if she is my maid, how can I know if it's intentional!?"
"On the other hand, that means it's not necessarily unintentional, doesn't it?"
"That's...!?"
In response to her master's question, Tamaki found herself lost for words. She couldn't deny it, and she had no evidence to disprove it. While she genuinely believed in her friend's innocence, she realized it wouldn't be easily accepted by others. Especially when the stakes were this high...
"In this situation, isn't the most important thing to anticipate the worst and ensure the princess's safety...? In that case, isn't it only natural to cast suspicion on you and your maid?"
"That's a very straightforward point, isn't it? Then, shouldn't you treat me, who is your mother-in-law and caretaker, the same way?"
As Sumire pressed her, Kochou intervened. Sumire narrowed her eyes and directed her gaze at her mother-in-law.
"There are two suspects. Moreover, based on what we've heard, one of them could be skilled in Curse Art. There's no one among Tamaki-san's maids with the ability for curses. Naturally, both Tamaki-san and the other servant under her command can attest under the oath of a curse contract that they lack such bewitching abilities."
Kochou stated, aiming to clear Tamaki's suspicion as an actual perpetrator.
"Could they have been lurking in the grass for some reason from the start?"
"Isn't that an endless speculation? If you're wondering about that, why not capture them and question them?"
"However—"
Sumire stopped her sharp retort, sensing something. She shifted her gaze towards what had managed to bypass the boundary.
"—Rudely intruding without a greeting... Just who might you be?"
Sumire sharply declared towards the figure that appeared behind Kochou and Shirowakamaru.
Directing her question coldly at her real daughter, she asked, "Aoi...?"
With a defiant expression and extravagant appearance, the second princess of the Onitsuki family, who hadn't even shown herself at the banquet, stood there. For some reason, Tamaki involuntarily murmured her name, only to feel a sense of unease.
Strange. Was the person right in front of her truly the second princess?
"Isn't it rude to not reveal your true face at a formal event in front of your own mother?"
"Unfortunately, I don't recall receiving such lessons from Mother."
Facing her daughter in a soft tone, Sumire presented a pointed remark akin to an unsheathed blade. Unperturbed by this, Aoi, through her shikigami, remained arrogant and defiant, not altering her expression as she retorted.
"..."
"Could I borrow that dagger for a moment?"
With a cold gaze directed at her mother, who fell silent, Aoi demanded with arrogance. Her mother returned the dagger to Hotoya in a matter-of-fact manner. As it was handed over, Kochou respectfully stepped forward and extended it.
"Thank you very much."
Whether those words were directed at Tamaki's group or at Kochou, it was unclear. They might have been intended for both. It was a perfunctory gesture of gratitude and a slight touch tracing the blade of the offered Dagger.
Suddenly, with a light popping sound, a rooster appeared right above the knife.
"Wha!?"
"What's going on!!?"
The mayor shouted in agitation. Tamaki did the same. Only Sumire, Kochou, Shirowakamaru, and Aoi's expression remained relatively calm. Though Kochou wasn't as astonished as the mayor, her gaze was fixed on the rotating rooster in front of her.
"A weather vane... a tracking technique?"
"It follows the lingering scent of the owner and points the way. ...At least, that's how it's supposed to work."
The rooster, a manifestation of curses, continued to look around in confusion, as if it had lost its bearings. It appeared disoriented and directionless, as if it had lost its target.
"Could it be searching for its owner?"
"The Curse of the Weather Vane is particularly resistant to interference in tracking spells. To disrupt it... would require either a skilled evader or a considerably potent disturbance technique."
As Tamaki muttered, Kochou provided additional explanation.
"That's right."
When the second princess snapped her fingers, the rooster dispersed into mist. She then continued speaking.
"In fact, I sent out shikigami around the city for amusement, and I saw something interesting."
"Hold on. I don't recall giving permission for that...!?"
The city's mayor couldn't help but raise his voice in response to Aoi's words. Exorcists spreading curse haphazardly everywhere was unacceptable. The Fusō-kuni had cautioned each exorcist family against abusing curses without proper reason or jurisdiction. This was particularly emphasized for cities directly under the control of the court, like Shiromoku city.
Though it was unclear how strictly these rules were followed, in the face of such a blatant admission, the city's mayor official couldn't help but react. Ignoring it was out of the question.
"Announcing a violation of the law so openly... Aoi, do you intend to tarnish the name of the Onitsuki family?"
"I shall accept your admonishment gracefully. After all, it's just a hollowing out of the law. However, mayor, would you be willing to hear my words first?"
Against her mother's scolding and warning, Aoi appeared completely unfazed. It seemed she didn't care about it at all, as if she didn't expect any goodwill from the start. With a calm demeanor, she directed her question towards the mayor.
"Alright, I will allow you to speak...!!"
The mayor's voice, trembling due to agitation, granted permission. It was understood by everyone that her words held significance, considering she spoke something that could lead to punishment right there.
"My shikigami in the city was disrupted. Yes, it happened just before the kidnapping and I saw it. The one who captured the princess and the maid."
"What...!?"
The commander reacted to Aoi's statement about her shikigami. Well, only he spoke it out loud, but the mayor, the Ezo leader, and everyone else reacted similarly. They all responded to her statement, their attention fixed on her, waiting for the continuation.
"...Do you know the name of that person?"
Sumire directed the question towards her daughter. With a mocking smile, Aoi flicked her fan and revealed the name of that house.
"Miyataka. It's necessary to inquire with them. What could the daughter of that house be plotting, I wonder?"
"Summon the Joraku representative of Miyataka immediately! We will conduct a thorough interrogation in the room...!!"
The mayor exclaimed, spinning around forcefully. His subordinates, the commander, and the Ezo leader hurriedly moved in response. They stepped out of the boundary and disappeared from the scene.
"Onitsuki's princess. Here is a dagger (tantō), if you'll accept it."
As for Tomono, the Ezo envoy, who had offered the dagger to Aoi, also bowed and followed the Ezo leader, giving way as they exited.
"Oh..."
At the moment of their departure, Tamaki felt as if Tomono had given her a slight nod. However, she didn't have time to react. Another person spoke before that.
"...Regarding the princess's transgression this time, we will leave the punishment to the Onitsuki family."
Mayor stopped in his tracks before leaving the scene and glanced at everyone from the Onitsuki family, including Aoi. Then he addressed Sumire. As per his position, he couldn't just let the proclamation of a violation go unpunished, but issuing a heavy penalty wasn't entirely appropriate either. Thus, he left the decision to the Onitsuki family, allowing room for leniency. It was a way to avoid personal blame.
"...Understood. We will consult with the head of the family and make a judgment. You heard that, Aoi?"
Politely thanking the departing mayor, Sumire addressed her daughter. Aoi, who had been watching her mother through the shikigami, didn't respond audibly. Instead, her gaze urged them on, indicating where the call was meant.
"Regarding your disrespectful behavior, your father will decide on the punishment later. ...Until then, you are confined to your room. And of course, this includes tampering with the shikigami. Is that clear?"
"..."
With only a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, the Shikigami modeled after Onitsuki Aoi responded to Sumire's instruction. At least, that's how it appeared to Tamaki. She didn't fully understand the meaning behind it, though...
"Aoi, are you listening?"
"Yes. I understand."
Aoi finally responded to Sumire's call. She responded concisely, emotionlessly, mechanically. A heavy atmosphere pervaded the corridor.
"...That's right. Tamaki-san?"
"Y-yes!?"
Breaking the momentary silence, Sumire's voice contained Tamaki's name. Tamaki couldn't hide her unease at hearing her own name spoken aloud. She responded with a startled voice.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)