MDRH 25

Chapter 25

The next day.

After finishing her morning class, Lucillea grabbed Mei’s hand, who was waiting outside the training grounds, and headed back to her bedroom.

—“In the next lesson, I’ll give you a gift.”

Her steps down the hallway were light and full of energy.

Mei asked,
“Did you enjoy the lesson? You look very happy.”

Lucillea nodded eagerly.
“Yes, yes! Learning little by little is so much fun!”

Then she stretched out her hand and summoned her magic.

Fwoosh—a small flame sprouted from her index finger, freely growing bigger and smaller.

“How’s this? Huh?!”

“Wow!” Mei clapped and gave her two thumbs up.

Feeling smug, Lucillea lifted her chin proudly with a silly grin.

‘Now this is easy as pie!’

As always, after finishing class, Lucillea told Mei about what she had learned.
It could have been tiresome, but Mei listened with genuine interest.

“My teacher said I’m learning quickly and praised me a lot!”

“So that’s why you’re in such a good mood?”

“Yep! He even said he’ll give me a present in the next class!”

“A present?”

“Yes! Yes!”

A gift.

It was already the second one since she’d come to the Grand Duke’s residence.

It felt different from the support she received as a “chosen child.”
This was a gift prepared just for her.

The lollipop Mei had given her was still tucked safely in her drawer.
Sometimes, when lying on the bed, a faint sweet fragrance would waft out, tickling her chest.

‘I’m happy.’

It was a word she’d never once thought of in Mille Village.
But here, at the Grand Duke’s estate, it came to her so easily.

‘I hope things stay peaceful like this.’

Of course, she still hadn’t won over Serdian’s heart yet.

‘But that’s only a matter of time.’

They say no male lead can withstand persistence!

Thinking of Serdian, Lucillea asked Mei,
“Is Serdian eating lunch in his room again?”

Mei gave a troubled smile.
“Yes… he said he’d be dining alone in his chambers for the time being.”

“Tsk…”

Lucillea clicked her tongue, looking disappointed.

‘Why is it so hard to have just one meal with the male lead?’

Then Mei added,
“But I think he’ll probably use the dining hall for dinner.”

“Oh?!” Lucillea’s eyes sparkled.
“Why? Why, why?”

“Because Sir Jed, his aide, had to attend the funeral of Marquis Belgar under His Highness’s orders.”

“Huh? A funeral?”

‘Wait a minute.’

Marquis Belgar? She’d heard that name before… but where?

She tilted her head, but nothing came to mind.

‘Must’ve been someone important to the Grand Duke’s family, if they sent his aide.’

In any case, with no one to bring food to his room, he’d have to come to the dining hall.

Lucillea smirked mischievously.
“Mei, I’ll eat dinner in the east annex dining hall tonight too!”

Just wait, male lead! This big sister is coming to knock on your door ten times if I have to!

Clenching her fist, eyes sparkling, Lucillea made her declaration. Mei chuckled.

“Yes, I’ll prepare for that.”

“Mm-hm!” Lucillea beamed.
“Until dinner, I should go read those borrowed books.”

She had been borrowing books on magic from the library whenever she could. A pile of unread ones still sat on her desk.

“I’ll prepare some tea and snacks for you.”

“Oooh, perfect! Ah, and bring some fruit for Cookie too.”

“Of course.”

Then, suddenly, Lucillea reached out and patted Mei’s arm.

“After that, you should go do your own work.”

“…Pardon?”

“You must’ve been too busy following me around to get your work done.”

“Protecting you is my work, Lucillea.”

“I know a maid’s work is never-ending. And honestly, what danger could there be inside the Grand Duke’s residence? If anything, I’m the most dangerous one here.”

She teased, reminding Mei of the fire incident.
“Since that first day, no one’s even tried to pick a fight with me.”

“That’s because I—”

Mei opened her mouth but closed it again.
She couldn’t say it was because she had been by Lucillea’s side the whole time.

Mei looked at her with a conflicted gaze.

‘Why is she suddenly trying to send me away? Does she have another reason? Is she finally revealing her true nature?!’

At that moment, Lucillea tilted her head innocently and asked,
“Unless… is there some other reason you have to stay with me?”

The question caught Mei off guard. She quickly replied, hiding her fluster.

“Huh? No, of course not. What other reason could I have? My only duty is to protect you.”

She gave her gentle, usual smile.

“Then it’s fine. The Grand Duke’s estate is the safest place there is. I’ll stay quietly in my room reading. You can go finish your work. Right?”

“Well… yes, but…”

“If I need you, I’ll call. So don’t worry too much.”

“……”

Lucillea smiled brightly, unaware of Mei’s inner conflict.

Then she suddenly stopped. Through the hallway window, she spotted a carriage entering the Grand Duke’s front gates.

“Huh?”

She pressed against the window and peered out.
“Looks like a guest has arrived.”

Mei narrowed her eyes, also looking out.
“Ah… that’s a temple carriage.”

“The temple?”

At that, Lucillea tilted her head.
“It’s so big and fancy.”

The carriage was painted pure white with golden trim, lavish and grand.
It wouldn’t look out of place even for an emperor.

“Wow, the temple must be rich. That thing looks like a palace on wheels.”

“Heh… I suppose so.” Mei gave an awkward smile.

“But why would they come here?”

“I don’t know. As far as I know, there wasn’t any prior notice. Shall I go check?”

“Eh? No, it’s not that important. Maybe they just had an appointment with His Highness.”

Lucillea stopped Mei from rushing out and turned her gaze back to the carriage.

After a while, a priest in pristine white robes stepped down, followed by two more clerics.

Lucillea furrowed her brows.

‘Strange.’

In the original story, it was written that the Grand Duke’s family and the temple were on bad terms.

‘That’s why, later, when Serdian attacked the Grand Duke’s family, the temple didn’t intervene or try to mediate.’

And yet here they were, visiting in person.

Lucillea felt uneasy.
It was the same dread she felt whenever an unknown plot detail appeared.

‘Why would the temple come here? Could they already be working with the imperial family to spy on the Grand Duke?’

‘Ugh… I can’t exactly warn them, “Stay away from the temple, they’ll stab you in the back years from now.”’

Though she’d told Mei she wasn’t curious, in truth, Lucillea was dying to know what the priests and Elbadin were discussing.

Then it hit her.

‘That’s right—Cookie!’

She remembered Cookie, napping in her room, and quickly hurried back with Mei.

As soon as they entered, Lucillea dismissed her.

“See you later, Mei!”

“…Alright. If you need anything, call me. Promise.”

“Okay!”

Reluctantly, Mei glanced back several times before finally leaving the room.

Once her footsteps faded, Lucillea turned to the bird napping on the windowsill.

“Cookie, wake up. This is no time to be sleeping.”

“…Mmm?”

Cookie, sprawled like a corpse, blinked drowsily.

[Yaaawn—! Lucy, you’re back…?]

Lucillea picked him up onto her finger and walked to the window, looking him straight in the eyes with a serious expression.

“Cookie. Look at me.”

[Wh-what’s going on…?!]

“It’s time.”

[Time?]

“The time to show off your brilliance.”

Cookie’s sleepy eyes instantly lit up.

[My brilliance?! At last! Is it finally my turn to shine?!]

“That’s right. Remember what we always used to do back in Mille Village?”

Heheh—Lucillea’s sly grin was met with Cookie’s mischievous chuckle.

[Of course I do!]