ABSVW~05

Chapter 05

The Grand Duke brought me into his office and set me down on a chair meant for adults.

My feet dangled in the air, unable to touch the floor.

“There’s no need for further discussion,” he said in a low voice. “As you said, that place filed for bankruptcy today.”

Just as expected. So now he’ll finally acknowledge my ability.

“Right! Nana is very ca-pa-ble!”

“My vision is correct (I’m very capable).”

“So,” he continued.

But his voice dropped colder.

“I seem to recall saying that if you came here again, I would kill you.”

“Eep—!”

I instantly shrank back like a scolded puppy.

But I couldn’t back down now.

I quickly brought together everything I knew from the future and the original story and played my second card.

“G-Gandunim… Undine Hae-yo!”

The Grand Duke blinked.

He leaned back in his chair, as if telling me to continue.

“Undine Strait… is also a lie.”

“…What?”

“There’s a secret in the Undine Strait. You found it, right?”

“….”

“It’s not real.”

At my words, the Grand Duke went still for a moment, studying me.

Then he said,

“Start from the beginning. What do you know about it?”

“I can’t tell you everything,” I shook my head quickly. “If you protect the fallen priests, I’ll tell you.”

His gaze sharpened instantly.

Please don’t look at me like that. Even if you’re handsome, my heart can’t take it.

I carefully reached into my pocket.

“This—”

Inside was my precious chocolate.

Sniff… my chocolate… I never even got to eat it…

“It’s… mine…”

I hopped down from the chair and quickly bowed.

“Blessings be with you!”

And I fully intended to escape.

That is—if the Grand Duke hadn’t grabbed the back of my collar.

And just like that, I was placed back onto the chair in his office, trembling.

Is he going to kill me this time for real?!

Oh no… my chocolate is melting!

Is he going to kill me over that?!

The Grand Duke stared at me.

“Tell me. How far does your golden-eye ability go—”

Grrrrr—

Before he could finish, my stomach growled loudly.

Embarrassingly loud.

He paused.

“…”

“…Are you hungry?”

I couldn’t answer. I just lowered my head.

“Eat first,” he said.

And before I could protest, I was once again lifted like luggage and carried to the dining room.

Soon, a feast was laid out before me.

Juicy roasted meat, perfectly cooked asparagus, beans, and other dishes I had never even seen before.

Wow…

My stomach growled again.

But—

I couldn’t reach out.

If I ate something this fancy… I might never be able to tolerate simple food again.

And then I’d suffer.

“You’re not eating?”

At his voice, I flinched and smiled awkwardly.

“I-I’m full…”

Lies. Obvious lies.

He watched me silently, unimpressed.

So I reluctantly picked up my fork and began poking at a few beans, swallowing them carefully.

This should be enough… right?

But then—

“Annoying.”

I jumped.

His gaze was sharp and unyielding.

I froze.

Carefully, I cut a small piece of meat and put it in my mouth.

He narrowed his eyes.

“That’s all you can eat?”

Startled, I quickly grabbed another piece—bigger this time—and swallowed it.

Then I looked at him as if to say, There.

But—

“Still not enough.”

What? More?

Do people in Sladeite have to be gluttons to survive?!

But I was a wise reincarnated adult.

I would not fall for this—

“…Mm.”

I already had.

Before I knew it, my plate was empty.

He’s scary…!

He kept encouraging me to eat without me even noticing until everything was gone.

Was this even allowed?

The orphanage priests always said overeating brings divine punishment…

I nervously buried my face in my hands.

Then—

A sound came from the desk.

Clink.

I looked up.

A glass jar filled with colorful, glowing candies sat there.

So pretty…

If I ate one, it would probably sparkle in my mouth like stars.

I want it.

But sweets were rare. I had never even tasted one.

And if I lost control again, I might truly be punished.

I turned my head away quickly and shook it.

“I’m f-full…”

The Grand Duke tilted the jar in front of me.

“Not interested?”

Nod. Nod.

“I see.”

He tilted it further, as if about to drop it.

“If no one wants it, it’s just trash.”

“What?!”

My eyes widened.

That expensive thing?!

“As expected of a villain with too much money!”

“If no one needs it, it’s garbage.”

His red eyes narrowed slightly.

“But if someone does need it… that changes.”

The jar dipped even lower.

My heart panicked.

This was a crime against good items!

I quickly held out my hands like an obedient puppy.

“P-Please give it to Nana if you’re going to throw it away!”

“Good. It found an owner.”

He placed the jar into my hands.

Ah…!

Just holding it felt like a miracle.

I shook it gently. The candies clinked inside.

I had never held something so full of sweets before.

Maybe… this “villain” wasn’t so bad.

I hugged the jar happily.

“Gandunim… blessings be with you!”

The Grand Duke stared at me for a long moment.

“…Blessings, huh.”

Then he let out a faint chuckle.

“If there is anyone in Sladeite who truly gives blessings, it would be you.”

His expression softened slightly.

He looks… completely different when he smiles.

Maybe… he’s actually a kind person?

Not that it mattered! Definitely not because of the candy!

The Grand Duke watched the child emptying plate after plate with surprising speed.

What is this child?

The Undine Strait was the only passage to another continent, and many coveted it.

Now rumors of magical energy surfacing there had only intensified the situation.

“There may be mana stones there!”

Naturally, nobles were scrambling to seize it.

And yet—

“That was a lie?”

He studied the child.

Could she really be lying?

With such an open, expressive face?

Still… she was a priest. Even if she was only four.

But then again—

“…She might actually be telling the truth.”

The golden eyes sparkled with unnatural clarity.

“Na-na will become a talented dispatched priest!”

“…Perhaps you will.”

She bowed happily.

“Th-thank you!”

The Grand Duke looked away toward the darkening sky.

Then he spoke again.

“Stay here tonight.”

“Huh?! At your house?!”

Her eyes widened as she dropped the candy jar.

“…You sleep anywhere anyway.”

After a pause, she nodded firmly.

“Thank you!”

And just like that, she accepted.

The Grand Duke turned to leave—

Then stopped.

Because when he looked back—

The child had stuffed an entire candy into her cheeks.

Her face puffed up like a small squirrel.

“I didn’t eat it.”

“….”

“I only ate one.”

“….”

“…Can you tell?”