🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 6
The faint light of a lamp illuminated the dark interior of the study.
Tap, crackle—. The embers of the fireplace that had burned through the night glowed faintly.
“The snowfall has increased, and the number of monsters has surged, resulting in serious damage to the military equipment. The forge has requested additional manpower. Also, movements of the noble faction have been detected, and the southern trading guilds are involved…”
Anton, the steward of the Grand Duke’s household, was reporting.
Much had occurred in the Grand Duchy while Elbadin had been away.
“And this is a report just brought by Maid Mei.”
“…….”
It was a report concerning Luscilea, who had come to the Grand Duke’s residence after being chosen by the elite corps.
The report was mundane, noting that she had woken up late at night, taken a bath quickly, and had a late dinner.
But when Elbadin flipped to the next page, his brows narrowed slightly.
The report contained a detailed description of the wounds and scars on Luscilea’s body.
In addition, it included a furious string of Maid Mei’s curses, describing the abuse in detail.
Two more pages were filled entirely with curses too obscene to speak aloud.
As Elbadin’s expression twisted, Anton smiled wryly and defended Mei.
“It seems Mei was reminded of her own childhood while looking at this child, Luscilea. She’s naturally someone who cannot let such things pass quietly.”
“…….”
Still, Elbadin could not bear to read further and set the documents down with a grim look.
“Tell Irevan to inspect her closely at dawn.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“And tell Camilla to keep an eye on the child for the time being.”
As Elbadin considered placing a maid next to Luscilea, Anton spoke with some concern.
“Your Grace, it seems the topic is already being discussed.”
“Discussed?”
“Upon entering the Grand Duke’s residence, not only was Mei assigned as her maid, but she was also placed immediately in the fifth floor of the western annex.”
“Why?”
“Your Grace, a child being placed on the fifth floor immediately after entering, and receiving Your Grace’s approval so quickly, is unprecedented. It has no precedent.”
The western annex of the Grand Duke’s residence was where children chosen by the elite corps stayed.
Its scale was comparable to a small academy within the residence, and the fifth floor was reserved for particularly outstanding children.
Where one stayed created another hierarchy among them.
Anton spoke cautiously.
“I worry she might be targeted by other children before she even adapts to the Grand Duke’s residence.”
But Elbadin’s reply was cold.
“Targeted? Ridiculous. If one has the ability, one is placed in a position befitting that ability. That is the law of this household. If they cannot accept it, they may leave at any time.”
Anton, momentarily taken aback, bowed and answered.
“Yes, Your Grace. I misspoke. But… is the child really that capable?”
“…….”
The question was essentially asking if Luscilea was truly deserving of such treatment.
Elbadin’s gaze shifted to the window in response.
In the dim early dawn, gray clouds passed over the half-set early morning moon.
“The child has magic on her.”
“Eh?”
Anton’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected answer.
Elbadin continued in a calm, serious tone.
“It doesn’t seem to be dangerous magic, but it’s better to keep watch just in case.”
“Ah… so that’s why Mei…”
Elbadin nodded once.
“I’ve contacted the Magic Tower in advance, so keep it a secret for now. There’s no need to cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Elbadin shifted his gaze from the window back to Anton and asked,
“And Serdian?”
Anton responded promptly.
“All monsters that invaded the northern border have been repelled. The young prince is returning after finishing his duties. We expect him to arrive by dawn.”
The last matter in the report concerned Serdian, heir of the Decart Grand Duke’s household.
Elbadin turned back to the documents and spoke slowly.
“Any injuries?”
When Elbadin inquired about the young prince Serdian’s condition, Anton gave a faint smile.
“The young prince is unharmed. After all, he is the heir of the Grand Duke’s house. Monsters cannot touch him.”
Yet Elbadin responded matter-of-factly.
“Still, he’s only thirteen. No matter how talented, that’s still young.”
“……Indeed, Your Grace.”
Elbadin looked up at Anton for a moment.
“Anton.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I’ve been away for a long time. I understand that finding my child is as important as the affairs of the Grand Duke’s house… Eight years is enough to have done as much.”
“Your Grace……”
“But, Anton.”
Elbadin’s tone turned colder.
“Just because I’ve spent little time at the residence does not mean I am not the head of this house. And just because my sister has helped with household matters does not make her the head.”
“……Of course, Your Grace.”
“Especially regarding Serdian, I expected my sister’s influence. She likely had a hand in sending him into battle without my permission.”
Anton lowered his head.
“……I apologize, Your Grace.”
Elbadin returned his gaze to the documents.
“You are the steward of this household. My sister is no longer a princess of this house.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Do not let her interference sway you.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Grace.”
Elbadin did not hold Anton responsible.
Anton had watched both Elbadin and his sister Anasis from childhood. He had spent more time with them than the previous Grand Duke and Duchess, who had died young.
He knew well that refusing an order from Anasis would have been difficult.
But that was Anton’s perspective alone.
Elbadin felt he could no longer overlook Anasis’s actions.
“Anton.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Contact Marchioness Anasis Belgar at dawn. Tell her to visit as a marchioness, not as a princess of this house.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Luscilea Niiim~.”
I’m here~ Mei has arrived~.
“…….”
[Luci! Luci! An intruder!!]
“Luscilea Niiim~ Today’s sun has risen for the lovely Luscilea~ If you don’t greet it, it will be sad~.”
[Luci! Luci! Open your eyes! A suspicious woman came in?!]
Squawk! Screech!
Kuki flew around the room, warning loudly.
“Kuki, be quiet……”
Ah, my head.
Sleepily, Luscilea caught Kuki, who had just passed by her side.
“I told you to be quiet.”
[But Luci! A stranger suddenly acts friendly with you!]
Luci is mine! She likes me the most!
As Luscilea bickered with Kuki, Mei approached with sparkling eyes.
“Oh my, Luscilea. That parrot is the same one that was in the cage last night, isn’t it?”
“Acting friendly?!” Luscilea pinched Kuki’s tiny beak with her fingertips and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. This is Kuki. He’s my friend from the village I used to live in. I asked Your Grace to bring him along. Now, Kuki. Say hello.”
[…….]
Luscilea let go of Kuki’s beak, but the parrot just glared at Mei, keeping his beak tightly shut.
Pressing gently on his yellow head, Kuki begrudgingly nodded up and down.
His beak normally protrudes, but today it seemed even more pronounced.
Clearly, he didn’t approve of Mei’s appearance.
Mei then pulled something from her pocket and offered it to Kuki.
“I brought this just in case. Would you like to try it?”
[Eh?!]
“Oh……”
Kuki’s sharp eyes widened. They sparkled like stars had been set in them.
[What’s that?! It smells amazing! Luci! Give it to me! Hurry!]
It was a red fruit.
“It’s called a Lache. It only grows in the North. In the North, where food is scarce, birds go crazy over this fruit.”
[I want it! I want to try it!]
Let me go crazy too! Give it to me!
Kuki excitedly opened his tiny yellow beak threateningly.
Mei smiled softly and placed the fruit in his beak.
Kuki grabbed the fruit with one foot and began tearing into it passionately.
[Wow, so delicious! Slurp slurp! This is amazing! What a flavor!]
“…….”
The yellow beak quickly turned red.
‘They said birds go crazy for it… it’s true.’
At least, that was how Kuki appeared to Luscilea.
Then Mei whispered in Luscilea’s ear.
“Luscilea, this way with me.”
“Yes?”
While Kuki was distracted with the fruit, Mei took Luscilea’s hand.
