Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 371

I visited the office of the mansion with Farah, and when we entered the room, we all gathered around the desk to make it easier for us to talk.

However, the sight of Fara with her cheeks puffed out and her face turned away from him caused Father to look at him suspiciously.

When I explained to him what had happened before we came here to clear up the misunderstanding, he laughed pleasantly.

"Ha-ha-ha. Oh, I didn't know that was going on. I had thought that you had already discussed this with Farrah before you came here. It's Rid's fault for not talking to her properly".

I'm sorry, Fara,"

When I bowed my head to the point, Farah, who was sitting next to me, looked at me.

"Yes, it is true. Master Rid, you should be more reflective. In the future, we will have the opportunity to eat with various noblemen. When we do, this story will surely be told to them. If you know what is going on, you can take measures to deal with it, but if you do not know anything, you will not be able to even take measures. I am aware of the reasons, but I think there are a few more ways to do it. ...... Well, I was happy with the content."

"Well,......, I'm sorry. I didn't quite catch that last part. ......"

"I don't care!" And Fara tsked again and turned away.

"Heh. Fara is right. Rid, you should take this opportunity to review your behavior".

...... I will."

When I was sagging, my father cleared his throat and cut to the chase.

'And that's why I called you here . You asked me to look into 'the matter' ...... of 'Marrone Jean-Paul.'"

"Really?!"

I looked up with a start at those words.

In fact, after the reception, I had asked my father to investigate Marrone Jean-Paul based on the information Fara had given me.

'Mm, there were some clues you guys got. Besides, the matter of the girl Marone being adopted by the Marquis Berluti had been talked about for a while in aristocratic circles. With a little research, I got the general gist."

"I see. How did Marlone become the adopted daughter of the Marquis de Jean-Paul?"

When I asked again, the father began to speak slowly.

She was originally a commoner girl who was taken care of in an orphanage run by the "Baron Ashen Rhodopis.

Baron Ashen, who opened the orphanage, is a rising aristocrat who was given the title several years ago, and it is said that he used to be a businessman who traveled all over the empire.

The orphanage he runs teaches young children letters and calculations.

"I see. It is similar to what I am doing for the children of the Beast Tribe in Bardia territory."

"Yes, that is true. I am a little surprised to know that there are other people besides Master Rid who are doing such things."

I nodded in admiration with Fara, but my father said quizzically.

'One would think so, if one only hears this story. But what Baron Acheson is doing is more like 'screening' than 'educating' you, though."

"......?　What do you mean?"

When I asked him, he answered slowly, "Baron Acheson.

Baron Acheson. At first, he gently accepts children into the orphanage, but if they have trouble learning to write or do arithmetic, he makes them do manual labor or transfers them to another orphanage. The remaining good children are then sent to serve the nobility or merchant companies in the empire. I hear they also charge a placement fee for doing so."

...... Wouldn't that be some sort of human trafficking?"

Fara's expression is a little clouded.

The dark elves, who have a low birth rate, seem to find it hard to believe that children can be treated as merchandise.

"It depends on your point of view . However, it is also true that children with no relatives are recognized for their abilities and given opportunities to serve the nobility and the merchant community. If a talented child receives a high fee from the place of service, the orphanage seems to have a good system and management in place to make it easier to operate. Baron Acheson seems to be a very shrewd man."

"So he sees the children as a kind of merchandise. Certainly 'selection' rather than 'education' would be more apt. ......"

The atmosphere in the office was indescribable, and then, as if to change the mood, the father began to speak.

Well, ......, let's get down to the real subject, Marrone. She was a particularly good girl at the orphanage, with excellent grades and a good disposition. When the Marquis Berluti visited the orphanage, he took notice of her and the Jean-Paul family took her in. Well, that's about all I know.

"So that's how it happened. Also, was there a girl in that orphanage with the same name as Marone?"

No,......, I have received no such report. The Marquis Berluti took her in. There was a time when he told people that if the Marquis de Berluti had not taken her, he would have kept her for himself,.......

"Oh well. ......," I chimed in, and went on with my thoughts.

As far as the story goes, it is very likely that "Marrone Jean-Paul" is the same as "Marrone Roadpis," the main heroine of "Tokirella!"

If she had not been taken in by the Marquis Berluti, Baron Aschene would have kept her ...... and her name would then be "Marone Lordopis".

This would not just be a coincidence.

By the way, why did you bother to ask me to check on her? I also had some concerns about the Marquis Berluti, so I also investigated her, but did something happen during the reception?"

I huffed at Father's question and shook my head lightly.

Oh, no. The Marquis Berruti has a son named Lord Bergamot and a grandson named Berzelia. And yet, I was wondering why he went to the trouble of adopting Marone as his daughter. Since we have promised to exchange letters in the future, I thought it would be good to have more information. ......

I see. Of course, this is the point that I was also concerned about. The reason why the Marquis Berruti adopted Marrone as his daughter is unknown to me. Well, I have a pretty good guess".

"......?　I beg your pardon?"

"Of course, ...... it's strengthening the faction through political marriages with powerful nobles. Besides, we have the first prince, Crown Prince David, and the second prince, Kiel. So every noble parent with a daughter of the same age as the two of them is aiming for that wife's position. But the Marquise Jean-Paul has no daughters of the same age. For the Marquis Berruti, Marrone is probably the pawn he has prepared for that purpose."

"Oh, so that's what you mean."

I nodded, and my father reached for the tea on his desk and brought it to his lips.

Marrone at the reception was very good at sensing the mood of the people around her and adapted her conversation accordingly.

I have had conversations with many Imperial noblewomen, but Marrone seemed to have the best communication skills of all of them.

Soon after, Fara muttered with deep emotion.

"So, Marrone-sama was kind of a depthless person, wasn't she?"

"What do you mean?"

"When we talked about various things at the reception, on the surface she acted very cheerful and happy, but it was very difficult to read her ...... emotions and the intentions of her words. And sometimes I had the impression that she was staring into the emptiness. ......"

When she finished, Father nodded.

"The Marquis Berruti liked her so much that he adopted her as his daughter. She must be acting so as not to let her feelings be known to others. I hear that you and the others communicate with her by letter, but be on your guard."

"Yes, I understand".

When Fara and I replied together, Father's face broke into a little smile.

I have nothing further to say to you. Now that we've said all we have to say, the greetings to the emperor are over, and we've gotten a good deal of the repercussions of the reception under control. In a few days, we will leave this place and return to Bardia territory. If you want to see the imperial capital, you'd better get it over with as soon as possible."

"Thank you. Then I will buy some souvenirs to give to Meldi and Mother later. Would Fara like to go with me?"

"Yes, , by all means, I would like to join you. Oh, but I am still angry with you about the letters, you know!　Please do me a favor and reflect on what you did."

"U...... understand."

At the sight of me flinching at her tantalizing reply, everyone present laughed at me.

Marrone was supposed to be taken in by the Baron Rhodopeis.

The "Tokirella!" as I knew it. and why she was taken in by the Marquise Jean-Paul.

What is the purpose of the Marquis de Berluti?

I can't be too careful, but I have renewed my determination to face my destiny.