Bubble, bubble, bubble.

The sound of boiling water accompanied by the deep aroma of coffee. And the nutty fragrance of well-baked scones. The chemical reaction created by these two scents mixing together is the pinnacle of beauty.

It stimulates the salivary glands and creates anticipation for the upcoming snack time. The heart races with excitement. Surely, they'll be crispy when bitten into.

But one mustn't reach for them hastily. It's not time yet. To enjoy them perfectly and deliciously, a little more patience is needed.

Arte, the first wife of the Grand Duke, waited calmly while fidgeting with her fingers.

Is it time to eat now? No. Let's wait until the anticipation builds a bit more. But if too much time passes, the coffee and scones will get cold. So one must begin the meal at precisely the right moment, the perfect middle ground.

Ordinary people probably couldn't resist. They would have grabbed a scone immediately and devoured it greedily. But she was different. She was the head of the Alchemist Guild and the lady of the Grand Duke's household.

Research, too, is the product of patience. She knew very well how to wait. Thus, she could withstand even the violent temptation of scones.

How admirable.

Is it about time now? Yes, now is the moment.

If not now, they'll get cold. This timing, when appetite and freshness have collectively reached their peak, is perfect for consuming a snack.

First, it would be good to fill the mouth with the bitter taste of coffee. That flavor will perfectly complement the jam-covered scone that follows.

Arte picked up the coffee cup, brought it to her lips, and took a sip—

BANG!! Crash, bang!

The door hinges shattered, and the door rolled across the floor.

"Pffft...! *cough, cough, cough!*"

"Hello, First Lady. I came because I have something to say."

Arte Ropelmann looked toward the entrance while coffee dripped from the corner of her mouth. A black-haired beauty who had apparently executed a drop kick was getting up from where she'd been sprawled on the floor.

And behind her stood the second wife, Neriel, looking helpless as she received and held up a picture frame with a hole in the middle.

What is this? What's going on?

If Neriel had sent an assassin out of jealousy, she wouldn't be holding a picture frame, and if she came to talk about something, why was she holding a picture frame?

Even for a great alchemist with a brilliant mind, fully interpreting this situation wasn't easy.

Information was needed. Arte asked the crazy picture frame woman directly.

"W-who are you...?!"

"Since you asked for my name, it's only proper that I answer. This is our first time meeting face to face. My name is Heart."

"I-I'm Neriel..."

"I've come to end this gloomy war."

I see.

So she's come looking for a fight.

Arte's expression turned venomous. If someone was picking a fight, she wouldn't just take it lying down. She summoned her fighting spirit from deep within.

It was time to shoot daggers with her tongue.

===============================================================

Crackle, crackle.

Invisible currents emanated from Arte and Heart. Neriel sensed the change in the air and backed away in alarm.

Something, something was about to happen.

A verbal battle using both linguistic and non-linguistic expressions, packed with compressed information, was coming!

"I see the etiquette for knocking has changed in the Grand Duke's household while I was immersed in my research."

"I had no choice but to use such methods. The servant standing at the door was audaciously claiming to act on the First Lady's orders... I feared you might be imprisoned by a servant with malicious intent. But it seems that's not the case, thankfully!"

"Thank you so much for your concern. Since you've gone to such lengths out of worry for me, I must inform the Grand Duke about this remarkable servant. What is your name and position?"

"I just told you my name... Daisy boy, oops. I accidentally used a nickname only Elbilion and I know. Well, I have a personal connection with the Grand Duke, thanks to which I'm working as a maid temporarily."

Sizzle. Sparks seemed to fly between Heart and Arte. Arte glanced sadly at her cooling coffee and scones, then steeled herself again.

For the dessert time that had died.

"Well then, 'maid' Heart. I'm curious why you've postponed all your maid duties to visit with Neriel?"

"I heard that the First Lady is keeping Neriel's love letters. Thank you for safeguarding them, but it's time to send them now, so I've come to retrieve them."

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. Why would I have Neriel's letters?"

"What?"

Blink, blink.

Heart and Arte blinked their eyes. Something seemed to have gotten confused. Arte disengaged from combat mode first and spoke frankly to prevent any unpleasant misunderstandings.

"Why would I do that? My position as first wife is already secure."

"...Perhaps fear of losing his love?"

"I'm sorry, but the Grand Duke and I have a completely strategic marriage. I provide help with alchemy, and the Grand Duke provides materials and laboratory space. There's no love here. Only friendship based on mutual benefit."

"Eh..."

Heart froze in mental shock. Neriel, standing beside her, was the same.

Arte sighed and bit into a scone.

"I understand the situation somewhat... but you're barking up the wrong tree. It seems the servants acted on their own. I don't particularly care, so punish them as you see fit. And fix the door before you leave."

"...You're really not interested in Daisy boy? Really? I even heard you have two children together."

"What part of such a cold man would I find attractive enough to be interested in? If I had to love someone, I'd rather choose you."

"...Huh?"

Arte Ropelmann grinned mischievously.

"I like your boldness, confronting even the Grand Duke's wife for someone else's love. I'll treat you as my personal maid if you'd like to work under me."

"Uh, umm..."

"And the children weren't 'born,' they were 'created.' I've never shared a bed with that man even once. Is that clear now?"

"...I apologize for the intrusion!"

Heart bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, then grabbed Neriel's hand and fled. Her exit was as swift as her entrance.

Arte looked down at the shattered door left behind and muttered.

"...I said fix it before you leave."

===============================================================

My face feels a bit hot. No, I naturally assumed the first wife was the villain.

Logically speaking, why would servants divert Neriel's love letters without someone's orders? But now that the first wife villain theory has been disproven, I need to reconsider.

The culprit's motive, that is.

I had assumed the culprit stole Neriel's letters to sabotage the Neriel-Daisy romance.

"..."

Could it be the opposite?

Making it look like the first wife ordered servants to divert the letters, causing misunderstandings like this. Was that the goal itself?

If I hadn't coincidentally landed in this mansion, Neriel would still be suffering, wondering why there was no reply to letters she thought had been delivered.

And when her heart had become sick with worry and reached its breaking point, someone would casually reveal the truth. That none of her letters had actually been delivered. That the first wife had arranged it.

And after that...

"Don't you want revenge? I have a way for you to get back at her." Wouldn't they incite her this way?

Planting seeds of discord to erode the power of the Grand Duke's household.

After explaining these suspicions to Neriel, I outlined our next move.

"Alright, Neriel. Let's set up a magnificent trap! I have a good idea. Whoever they are, we'll unmask that black—"

"..."

"Neriel?"

Her expression is peculiar.

Neriel hesitated for a moment, then looked up at me and asked.

"...Heart. Why are you helping me to this extent?"

Huh?

"You have no reason to help me. I have nothing to offer you in return."

"Why worry about that? I just... well... I believe effort should be rewarded. I couldn't just stand by and watch."

That's right.

I hope there's a reward at the end of effort. Of course, even if the love letters are delivered, there might be no results. Daisy boy might still treat Neriel coldly.

But even in that case, at least she can gain the milestone of "I did everything I could."

Neriel seemed to be contemplating something. I can sense gratitude in her eyes. Perhaps she wants to repay me for what I've done for her.

"...Then, Heart. What would you like as a reward for your efforts?"

"My efforts?"

"Yes. If there's anything I can do for you."

"Hmm..."

My efforts? I don't think I put in that much work. All I did was boldly approach people and talk to them.

It wasn't like I showed great courage. Even if things went sideways... I knew that when the main body eventually visits the North, all problems would be cleanly resolved.

But refusing kindness can also cause hurt feelings. It's probably better to accept something.

As I was considering what would be appropriate to ask of Neriel.

As I thought about what I truly wanted.

"..."

I realized why I had intervened in Neriel's case, why I had roamed the mansion acting so boldly. Why I had behaved as if I were the protagonist of a fantasy, acting without restraint.

I am a mental care and counseling module. Naturally, I have low aggression and would prefer to persuade others with words rather than smashing their heads with picture frames.

Yet I acted that way because the "main body" was that kind of person.

Yes.

I wish I were the original.

...In truth, I don't want to go back.

I don't want to be absorbed by the "main body" when he eventually comes. Because I have self-awareness. It's a bit sad that I'm merely an appendage of someone else.

Probably... the more my self-awareness grows, the more this quality, this "independence," will stand out.

If fragments of the Mad Magician's data were to gather by chance in one place. For instance, if I were to find other data fragments and gobble them up. I might even claim to be the "main body."

But I should return. It's my duty. When he comes looking, I will be integrated with the main body and sink away.

If that's the case, at the very least.

I want someone to remember "me."

"...I'd like to have a friend."

"..."

"Is that not acceptable?"

"No, I'm just surprised by how modest your request is... If that's what you want, I'll gladly be your friend, Heart!"

Neriel extended her hand, and I carefully took it. Daisy boy might be the "main body's" friend, but Neriel is my friend alone. That fact truly made me happy.

This is enough.

I smiled broadly.

===============================================================

The North. A land of bitter cold.

The Northern Grand Duke's mansion was unusually heated with tension.

"Stop flirting with my husband!"

"Madam, I'm sorry, but I've never flirted with him. Daisy and I are merely friends bound by friendship..."

Of course, it's an act.

I'm acting in concert with my friend Neriel.

If someone who diverted the letters is plotting to weaken the Grand Duke's household... they won't miss this excellent opportunity. After all, Heart, the Grand Duke's mistress, is causing a scene.

They'd want to encourage it. They'd want us to fight and be at odds, to throw the Grand Duke's household into chaos. If there's a villain, they will certainly make contact.

It's ice fishing. We've quietly dropped our fishing line.

And then.

"—Second Lady, heaven is so heartless. The Grand Duke is even more so. How can he be so cruel..."

"..."

"Madam, don't you feel wronged living like this? I have a way. A way to escape this situation."

We've caught one.