A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 125: Another Heroine

Screeech...

The carriage carrying Lady Meredia and me slowly came to a halt at our destination.

“Time to get ready to step out.”

“...Ah, yes.”

“You’re not going to forget the escort this time, right?”

Our first destination on this sudden date—initiated by Lady Meredia herself—was none other than the Empire’s most bustling district: Lunastella Road.

For a shopping street, it was almost surreal—ancient magic of stars and moons woven into the landscape, creating such a stunning atmosphere that first-time visitors were often left speechless.

To think I’d be here with Lady Meredia, on a date, no less. I should have been thrilled.

But the moment I held her outstretched hand, my face looked... less than happy.

“W-Wait for me! I’m not ready yet!”

“...Haaah.”

Because, just as we were about to disembark, an uninvited guest had boarded our carriage.

“It’s really been a while since I’ve come to such a crowded place! I’m always stuck in the palace...”

“...Your Highness. Have you forgotten? You’re here as our attendant today.”

“Oh, right! Hehe.”

Yes. The Imperial Crown Prince—no, the Princess—Katarina, had gone so far as to disguise herself as an attendant to tag along on our date.

World’s worst at reading the room, I swear.

But what truly stung was Meredia’s reaction to the intrusion.

“Please! Please, I beg you! Th-The estate is nice, but I really want to go out just once! I-I won’t interfere, I’ll behave! Just let me tag along this once...”

“Very well.”

“...Huh?”

“Come along, Your Highness.”

Normally, Meredia would have flat-out rejected Katarina—but for some reason, she readily agreed to let her join us.

“...Are you sure about this?”

“If anything, it’ll be more amusing this way.”

“Haha... if you say so.”

Since this was her date to begin with, I didn’t have much grounds to object.

“Yaaay! This is gonna be fun!”

“...Your Highness, please mind your dignity.”

“But I’m excited, what can I do...”

“If you keep this up, I’m sending you back to the mansion.”

“Ugh, fine...”

And so, what was meant to be an intimate outing between just the two of us had become a chaperoning job for what might as well have been a ten-year-old with boundless energy.

“Stop spacing out.”

“...Ah, yes.”

Of course, I couldn’t neglect Lady Meredia either as I escorted her down the street.

Why did this already feel like I was a ten-year veteran in a marriage?

“Are you upset?”

“...Not at all.”

“Liar. It’s written all over your face.”

I responded quickly, but as expected—it was Meredia I was talking to.

“I insisted, yes, but I had my reasons.”

“...Reasons?”

As I looked awkward, Meredia glanced at the princess trailing behind us and continued.

“She’s kind of pitiful, when you think about it.”

“......”

“I know what it feels like... to be trapped in the same place your whole life.”

That explained the reluctant expression she’d made when Katarina had pleaded to come along.

“Well, she was Maier’s pawn at first. But now—whatever you did—she’s fully on your side, so I don’t care anymore.”

“...Haha.”

“And her combat ability is decent. She could be useful as a bodyguard.”

I didn’t quite understand how the Imperial Princess became our escort, especially considering that we already had one of the strongest people in the world walking beside us.

“And... there’s something I want to confirm.”

Those parting words, muttered almost too quietly, sent a chill down my spine.

It was clear—Meredia had some other reason for bringing Katarina along.

...Surely she didn’t suspect the gender thing, right?

For a moment, I considered it—but quickly dismissed the thought.

After all, the merit selection and rewards ceremony offered no real points of contact between Meredia and Katarina.

Unless Meredia had some unknown way of monitoring my mansion 24/7, it was unlikely even she would figure that out.

“Well then, where should we start...”

Just as I began wondering what would make for the perfect opening move on this date—

—Squeeze...

Lady Meredia suddenly gripped my hand tightly.

“...L-Lady Meredia?”

“......”

“Is something...?”

Her grip was so intense I almost let out a yelp—until I realized why.

...Why is he here?

Beyond the murmuring crowd already beginning to notice us, the last person I wanted to run into during a peaceful moment was walking in our direction.

“Maier Embergreen... What is he doing here?”

“That disgusting bastard’s reason for being here is obvious.”

“...Ah.”

Fortunately, his back was to us. I couldn’t see clearly, but it seemed there was a woman walking beside him.

“That must be the woman he’s remarrying. Poor girl—marrying such trash. Then again, they say like attracts like.”

Meredia’s tone was sharp as ice—and her grip kept tightening.

“Ha... Shall we go the other way, Lady Meredia?”

“......”

“I know a dessert shop my sister really likes...”

She finally looked at me, expression sulky, and nodded before pulling me along.

“...It’d better be good.”

“Of course...”

I couldn’t even move my legs, yet somehow I was being dragged.

Yup, I was doomed in any fight against her—gemstone eyes or not.

Note to self: Never, ever start a couple’s quarrel.

“Commoners’ desserts!!! I’ve always wanted to try them!”

“...Your Highness, both my sister and I are nobles. The shops here cater mostly to noble clientele.”

“Oh... then where—”

“You’d have to go deep into the slums for the true ‘commoner’ stuff.”

“...I see.”

As I was being dragged along by Meredia, I also had to calm down the overly excited princess.

“......?”

But suddenly, I felt eyes on my back.

“...What was that?”

I thought maybe Maier had spotted us—but when I glanced back, he was already far gone.

“What’s wrong?”

“...Nothing.”

As I scratched my head, still being pulled along, a lingering thought struck me.

...I think the woman beside Maier looked back at us for a moment.

“Sir Whitney!!! Look over there!!! There’s a duel happening in the street!!!”

“...That’s a play, Your Highness.”

Of course, that fleeting thought was quickly swept away by the princess—already back to her old self.

***

“So, Lady Meredia. Isn’t it delicious?”

“...Hmph.”

Upon entering the dessert shop, Lady Meredia immediately booked out the entire place. The moment our cake arrived, she stuffed a slice into her mouth without hesitation.

“Is it not to your liking?”

“...It’s edible.”

She pouted slightly, cheeks full of cake, eyebrows furrowing at my question—and I’ll be honest: it was adorable.

A paragon of noble etiquette losing her cool over sugar...

According to her character profile in my past life, Lady Meredia loved sweets—absolutely loved them.

Sure, it’s a well-known trope that villainesses maintain perfect decorum in public.

She’d mastered social etiquette to near perfection. But sweets? That was her one critical weakness.

“Just so you know, I don’t show this side of me to just anyone.”

As I smiled softly, amused, she dabbed her lips with a napkin and gave me a haughty tilt of her head.

“I only act like this when I’m alone... or with you.”

“Ah...”

“It’s a rare sight. Consider yourself lucky.”

She whispered it, almost sulking—and honestly, it was hard to keep a straight face.

“Om nom nom. Excuse me! Can I get more of this?!”

“...Good grief, Your Highness.”

Had it not been for the princess, cheeks puffed out, raising her hand to shout at the staff—I might’ve been teased about my blushing for years.

“...Was I ever like that?”

Meredia glanced sidelong at her and muttered as I quickly fixed my expression.

“...You should eat too.”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“You don’t like sweets?”

“No, it’s not that... This place is just kind of pricey.”

My smile turned a bit hollow.

“My sister only comes here once a month... as a treat.”

“...What are you even saying?”

Lady Meredia stared at me, completely puzzled.

“If I wanted, I could buy this whole store. Why worry about the price of dessert...”

“Well, it’s our first date. Of course I should pay.”

“...Huh.”

She stared at me, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Trying to act all manly, huh?”

“I am a man.”

“Hah. Fine. That’s cute, I guess.”

Her tone was nonchalant, but her gaze shifted off to the side.

“But seriously... You’re the heir to a count family. Are you really that broke you can’t even pay for dessert?”

Smiling wryly, I replied with confidence.

“I used to be. But things are a little better now.”

“Of course they are. I’ve been pouring a fortune into you.”

“Sorry?”

“...Nothing.”

She cut herself off, and I shrugged it off.

“I’ve been investing everything lately.”

“...Into what?”

“Ahaha. That’s a secret.”

Honestly, I didn’t even know where our estate’s ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) money was going. That was all Parsha’s domain. No one else, including me, had the talent to manage it.

“Well, I don’t care as long as it’s not all going into the Lavertane Mines.”

“Haha, who’d be dumb enough to do that?”

As we shared a laugh, things felt peaceful again—until...

“S-Sir, this place is closed for a private party—”

“...Move.”

A cold voice rang out from the entrance—a voice I knew shouldn’t be here.

“...Tsk.”

Lady Meredia’s playful expression instantly turned to ice.

“Well, well... It’s been a while, little sister.”

The person she hated almost as much as her father—Maier Embergreen—was striding in, having brushed aside the protesting staff.

“...Huh?”

But what shocked me wasn’t Maier’s sudden appearance.

“Fufu. Hello there.”

It was the woman standing beside him, smiling brightly.

...Why is she here?

Because that woman was none other than a character from Blacktail Fantasy 3—the very game that shaped this world.

If the Saintess Hestia died early in the tutorial, this woman would become either your party member or the main heroine.

She was—without a doubt—another heroine of the story.