“Last night, Liyakade was just feeling a bit down. We left the camp only because I wanted to comfort her a little.”
Field spoke the words very flatly, then continued to add.
“We were just finding a place where no one could overhear to talk with Liyakade, that’s all.”
“Hmph, are you joking with me?”
Even though Field had already stated the reason she and Liyakade left the camp last night, Walter, who was provoked by her, obviously wouldn’t let them off so easily.
This level of explanation was far from enough to satisfy him.
He was determined to pry out more of their secrets.
“This kind of statement proves nothing. You should at least produce some evidence that you were talking, otherwise, tell everyone present what you discussed, and then let us judge if it’s credible!”
Walter continued to press Liyakade and the others.
Of course, he knew it was highly unlikely that Liyakade and the others were the culprits who poisoned the water source.
However, Walter’s childish pride and probing desire compelled him to expose Field’s true identity before he would be satisfied.
Walter obviously didn’t know the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat.’
The identities of these three—Liyakade and the others—were clearly not something Walter should be prying into.
If he managed to uncover Alice’s identity, that would still be somewhat acceptable.
That way, he could understand why Liyakade and the others could purify the toxin, and at the same time, he wouldn’t get into too much trouble.
At most, he’d just be threatened by Liyakade and the others to keep it secret.
If he uncovered Field’s true identity, that would be the crime of disrespect, offending the Royal Family.
Walter’s life and death would be entirely in Field’s hands, living or dying depending entirely on Field’s mood.
Even if he escaped the death penalty, he wouldn’t escape punishment; at the very least, he’d have to endure imprisonment.
However, the first two scenarios were still relatively better.
If Walter truly discovered Liyakade’s real identity, then the only path awaiting him would be death.
“Walter.”
Field clearly saw through what Walter was thinking.
She called his name coldly, her tone serious as she warned him.
“It seems you have some strange voyeuristic desires. Since you are also a noble, didn’t your Noble Etiquette courses teach you not to casually inquire into other people’s affairs?”
“You! You’re just feeling guilty!”
Walter, whose thoughts were laid bare, had his pupils contract slightly.
He began to quibble again, throwing the question back at Field.
“What am I guilty of?”
Field retorted, then continued.
“Liyakade is my wife. She was feeling a bit emotionally unwell, so we found a secluded place to talk and soothe her feelings. Is there a problem with that? Or do you intend to pry into such private family matters as well?”
Field’s explanation couldn’t be said to be completely truthful, but it was almost there.
It was originally about the estrangement between Liyakade and Alice due to Liyakade’s instinctive physiological fear of the Light Element, which filled her heart with sadness and conflict.
To put it broadly, this was an emotional issue between them, an internal private matter, a family affair.
And Field really was just comforting Liyakade.
Furthermore, Field was currently disguised on the surface as a male noble, accompanied by two beauties.
Given this setup, anyone could tell these two beauties had a close relationship with Field.
So, Field saying Liyakade was her wife wasn’t really a problem.
Though, setting aside the disguise factors, Liyakade was indeed Field’s fiancée right now.
“Ah, Lord Walter, Lord Fied has already made it very clear. Even this cannot satisfy you? Your suspicions are completely baseless, Lord Walter. Listen to my advice, don’t target Lord Fied and the others anymore. Right now, when the water supply is tight, your arguing like this will only make the situation more chaotic, allowing the real culprit to take advantage of the confusion and hide!”
As soon as Field finished speaking, Graham, who had been watching the two argue, quickly chimed in, once again trying to persuade the quarreling pair.
“…Hmph, Fied.”
Walter’s face was shifting between shades of green and pale.
After quite a while, he finally calmed down a bit.
“You’re right. Indeed, prying into such matters really isn’t the style of a noble… However, I only did this for the greater good, for the sake of the caravan. We’ll stop here for today. I hope you truly haven’t done anything to harm the caravan.”
Hearing the words of the caravan head, Graham, and seeing the slightly dissatisfied, even somewhat contemptuous looks from the surrounding crowd, Walter knew that if he continued to pester Liyakade and the others today, the advantage was no longer on his side.
Continuing would only further stir up public anger and wouldn’t help him uncover their identities at all.
It was better to stop here, say something nice to save face, and give himself a way out.
“There’s no need for you to worry about that, Mr. Walter. At the very least, we helped detoxify those poisoned people. Unlike some who just eat dry rice and still target those of us who actually do the work.”
However, Field, who understood Walter’s intention, not only didn’t go along with it to give him a way out, she didn’t leave him any face at all, ruthlessly mocking and ridiculing him.
“You… Forget it. Let’s go!”
Hearing Field’s sarcastic words, Walter almost lost his temper again.
But now was clearly not the time to continue acting on impulse.
Walter had to suppress his anger, then turned and left.
After Walter left, the atmosphere in the camp lightened somewhat.
The onlookers also dispersed.
However, Liyakade, beside Field, seemed a bit strange.
A blush colored her small face.
She came to Field’s side, tugged at Field’s sleeve, and asked softly and timidly.
“Fiel… Ah, no, Fied, you just said I…”
“Are my wife, yes. What about it?”
Hearing Liyakade’s voice, Field’s attitude instantly softened, no longer carrying the icy coldness and authority she had when facing Walter’s questioning.
Like an iceberg melting, her tone was filled with warmth and affection.
“H-how can you just say it so matter-of-factly in front of everyone! A-and besides…”
Saying this, Liyakade looked around, left and right.
After confirming no one was looking their way, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered secretly into Field’s ear.
“Besides, you’re disguised as someone else right now. Is it really okay to just call me your wife like that?”