I Transmigrated into the Nameverse, and My Name Came with a Time Limit - Chapter 13

Tilda, Louise, and Frida had once been the closest of friends together.

But after her mother passed away, everything changed. Gisella took the position of Duchess, and once Rose was registered into the Wittgen family, the Empress’s attitude gradually began to change. When Leopold’s fiancée was switched to Rose, she no longer paid Wilhelmina any attention at all.

In truth, the lake incident was a double edged sword for Mina. It was rumored that Wilhelmina had thrown herself into the lake because she couldn’t bear the jealousy of having her fiancé stolen by her younger sister.

The source of that malicious rumor was obvious. And yet it was quite an ironic twist that such an outright lie was actually helpful in the current situation. It allowed her to hide the fact that she had transmigrated by using memory loss from the accident as an excuse.

“Your Majesty the Empress, forgive my boldness, but could you please refrain from mentioning that incident if possible? My older sister still hasn’t fully recovered yet… and repeatedly reminding her of such a terrible memory feels far too cruel…”

Rose interjected with a deeply distressed expression. Her trembling voice and sorrowful face, as if it were sincere, added dramatic effect to her words.

“Our sweet daughter. Oh my, how can your heart be so kind?”

Gisella praised her while tightly embracing Rose’s shoulders as if she were proud of her. Watching that scene, the corners of Duke Wittgen and Leopold’s mouths also rose pleasantly.

Wow! Isn’t that something? Mina stared blankly at Rose’s outrageous behavior. With a bright smile, Rose was openly mocking her as if saying she wasn’t in her right mind and should just be left alone. Just as Mina’s sense of disbelief was about to completely run away from her.

Baam pa ra bam!

A loud fanfare rang out.

Just like three days ago, the protagonist of today’s banquet appeared along with a sudden, resounding fanfare. Unlike the other nobles dressed in splendid, colorful attire, Leonhardt entered still wearing his armor with a red cloak draped over his shoulders.

Soon after, another fanfare sounded as the Emperor appeared. He placed a laurel crown upon Leonhardt, who was kneeling before him, and praised his achievements. Many rewards were bestowed, including grain, wine, gold coins, and silk. The retainers of the Tessen Grand Duchy who had gone to war with him and achieved merit also received generous compensation.

Before long, everyone stood around holding a glass of sparkling wine. Karl laughed heartily and raised his glass toward Leonhardt.

“Come now, everyone, raise your glasses. On a day like today we should drink our fill! After all, the festival will continue for the next five days.”

With faint smiles, the members of the Wittgen Duchy also stood together and clinked their glasses. Clear ringing sounds echoed. Everyone was busy exchanging polite congratulations while carefully hiding their true thoughts.

Mina had made a solemn resolve to somehow approach Leonhardt and ask about the Name, but the situation was still far from easy. There were simply too many people lined up around him, all hoping to make an impression on the brave war hero who had defeated the northern barbarians that had long troubled the Empire.

Moreover, with Mina’s insignificant standing, she had no justification to boldly approach Leonhardt and greet him the way others did. She possessed neither family influence nor business connections that could serve as a pretext. In the end, after wandering around him helplessly for a while, Mina finally went outside with a feeling of resignation.

Her heart was pounding, her chest felt tight, and sweat clung to her skin in the heavy warmth. Dragging her feet down the stairs, Mina plopped down onto a bench at the entrance of the maze garden. She planned to sit here for a moment, get some fresh air, and then go back inside.

With a restless mind, she tilted the glass of white wine she had grabbed earlier. The slightly chilled, sweet liquid flowed down her throat. If things really didn’t work out, perhaps she could at least borrow the help of alcohol.

As she raised the glass to her lips again, a hand suddenly appeared and snatched the glass from Mina’s hand.

“Is it wise to drink like that so early in the evening? You never used to drink alcohol at all…”

Startled, Mina turned around. Leopold, wearing a sly smile, walked toward her with the glass in his grasp, swaggering slightly.

“No, why…?”

Suppressing the irritation rising inside her, she reached out her hand, but it was useless. Leopold raised his arm even higher, as if teasing a child.

“Now then, if I give this back, will you show me your Name?”

“…What?”

At Leopold’s sudden proposal, Mina’s eyes widened. What? She thought this conversation had already ended.

But the moment she saw his sharply gleaming eyes, Mina realized that from the instant Leopold had heard about the Name, he had never once given up on confirming it himself.