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Chapter 11
“I believe it’s a side effect of the ability.”
“Side effect?”
Turning to face Bennet, Dr. Paul removed his monocle and began cleaning it with a cloth.
“I once heard that if an unrefined ability manifests at too young an age, the user may bleed or fall into a prolonged comatose state.”
“From whom did you hear that?”
“My father.”
“Ah.”
Bennet nodded, recalling that Paul’s late father, Emmet, had also served the Asher family for many years.
“Then—”
“Yes. I heard that Lord Sharie also collapsed like this when he was six years old. Judging by that, I suspect Lady Leticia has overexerted her ability as well.”
“……”
“The strain that had built up in her body must have burst all at once. I don’t know what kind of power she was born with, but if she keeps using it recklessly like this, she won’t last long.”
“Is this something that doesn’t happen to other ability users? This is the first I’ve heard of such a side effect.”
Adjusting his monocle back onto his face, Paul looked back at Bennet.
“How many ability users in the Empire have had to prove their worth just to survive at such a young age?”
“……”
“And the wounds on her body were significant as well. Her physical development doesn’t look like that of a six-year-old either.”
Bennet’s lips tightened at Paul’s cool words, which were enough to suggest what might have happened.
Did she believe she had to prove herself—or she wouldn’t survive?
‘But the family head is here, and Lord Sharie too.’
Unable to understand the little girl’s desperate will, Bennet turned his head just as—
“Lieutenant.”
Comet, who had been waiting outside, entered and whispered quietly.
“Failen has returned.”
“You may go. I’ll stay here.”
Paul adjusted his monocle as he looked back at Bennet.
“Just send in some new maids.”
“Ah.”
Maids.
Bennet blinked, realizing he had forgotten about them for a moment.
“Where are the maids?”
“They’re gathered in the first-floor drawing room.”
Bennet turned to go check the situation when—
“My lady, are you awake?”
Paul’s voice came from behind him, near the bed. Leticia’s eyelids fluttered open slightly.
“……Hungry.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m… hungry.”
She spoke faintly, her small voice barely audible.
I fainted after seeing Hale, but when I opened my eyes, I was in my room.
And there they were—Paul, Bennet, and several of my grandfather’s aides—filling the small room and staring down at me.
The oppressive sight made me blurt out something nonsensical.
“I think she should start with something light, like soup,” Paul suggested.
And, somehow, five different kinds of soup appeared out of nowhere.
Apparently, this place did have a kitchen.
The smell of food made me realize I really was hungry.
So I picked up the spoon—and immediately felt every pair of eyes in the room following my hand as if it were some sacred object.
“Shall I feed you, my lady?”
“I’m not a baby.”
“I know. But since you’ve just regained consciousness, your hands seem unsteady—you’re spilling quite a bit.”
Indeed, the spoon trembled so much it looked like it might fall from my hand at any moment. I’d probably ruin the blanket and my clothes if I kept this up.
“Alright.”
There was no need to be stubborn over something like this. I put the spoon down easily and slid it toward Bennet, who smiled and took the bowl and spoon from me.
“So, you suddenly lost consciousness?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded while tasting the spoonful of soup Bennet held up to my lips.
The creamy flavor spread over my tongue—it was delicious.
“And nothing else happened?”
“Nothing.”
“You came straight to the annex after leaving the study?”
He asked carefully. I gave him a playful look and nodded again.
“Mm-hmm.”
I meant to wink, but somehow both eyes closed and opened at once.
The men in the room all softened at the sight.
Am I… cute?
Maybe I should try that look in front of Grandfather later.
Thinking so, I accepted another spoonful of soup from Bennet.
It really was tasty.
“Do you remember anything else?”
The tone of Bennet’s question carried some weight. I looked up at him curiously.
“Is there something you want me to say?”
“……No.”
He shook his head and rested the spoon and bowl on his lap.
“The doctor said the bruises on your knees and body are recent. But the marks on your wrists seem older.”
Ah.
If I hadn’t fainted, this would’ve gone unnoticed. But thanks to Paul’s examination, everything came to light.
‘What now?’
If I told Bennet the truth, Chandler would definitely be summoned and scolded harshly by Grandfather.
But really, he’d probably just say it was an accident while playing with his younger cousin—and that’d be the end of it.
After all, Chandler and Jason were Grandfather’s precious direct descendants.
‘And I’m… not quite at that level yet.’
“I fell.”
“Did you?”
“Mm. The book was too heavy.”
“I see. And the maids? Why didn’t you bring them with you?”
Bennet’s eyes flicked to my wrist. He was fishing for something—probably wanted me to mention Arina and Lindsay’s negligence.
But even if I dismissed them now, my second aunt would just send new ones.
At least with Arina and Lindsay, I knew what to expect.
New ones would only be trouble.
“I’m not a baby.”
I decided to get through this with a little charm—it worked better that way.
And besides, their punishment was my responsibility anyway.
“I did have them come with me. I told them I’d return on my own. There’s barely anyone in the annex, and they’re busy with chores. I didn’t want to bother them.”
“……I see.”
Bennet smiled faintly, though it was clear he didn’t quite buy it. Still, he didn’t press further. He understood what I meant.
“So… why am I sick?”
“Ah. It seems your ability suddenly manifested.”
“Huh?”
I… have an ability?
I thought my nosebleed and fainting were just from frustration after getting bullied by Chandler.
“I have an ability?”
“It appears so.”
Could an ability suddenly appear when I didn’t have one in my past life?
Aren’t abilities something you’re born with?
Then again—maybe when I hit my head after that carriage accident in my past life… maybe that was when it first awakened?
If that’s true, it makes sense.
Because if I awakened it then—and was reborn—then the power carried over.
Abilities are spiritual, after all.
If my soul is the same, then the ability would remain too.
‘Hmm.’
I’ll need to check the books again—see if there’s any record of such cases.
And about regression too… there’s a lot I need to look into.
Just as I lifted my head, a spoon appeared before my lips again.
“My lady.”
“Ah—”
Om nom.
The soup Bennet fed me tasted even better than before.
Yaaawn—
“I’m sleepy.”
“Shall I call for your maids?”
“Arina and Lindsay?”
“No.”
Bennet shook his head, and half-asleep, I turned my gaze toward him.
“They’re good girls.”
“……”
“Don’t scold them too much.”
“……Understood.”
As Bennet gently laid Leticia’s head back onto the pillow, he turned to Paul.
“I’ll leave her in your care.”
Listening to her soft, even breaths, Bennet nodded and quietly stepped out of the room.
Outside the door, Failen bowed as Bennet appeared.
“Report while we walk.”
“As you said, sir—the discussions for revising the Banking Act have advanced considerably. The main issue lies in Asher’s ownership profit distribution.”
“What’s the complication?”
“Well…”
Trailing after Bennet down the stairs, Failen hesitated. Bennet stopped at the bottom and looked back at him, prompting a sigh from the man.
“If they use the accounts of Lady Andrea and Lord Windrun to press for revisions, we’ll have no way to justify them.”
“……”
“Especially since Lady Andrea has been conducting questionable transactions ever since taking the acting position…”
Bennet ran a hand through his hair at Failen’s cautious words.
He’d heard rumors of suspicious activity—but still.
‘Fools.’
“How long until the Banking Act review?”
What’s done is done. The only thing left was to minimize the damage.
“Two weeks.”
“Bring me every transaction they could use against us.”
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
