BMPEW 26

Chapter 26

Even paler than usual, Paulus’s complexion became increasingly white, as if the blood had drained from his face. It was to the point where anyone watching would feel sorry for him.

Vivian just watched him as if she was used to it. Apparently, the youngest being scolded was nothing new.

Seeing how distressed Paulus looked, another relative who couldn’t bear it tried to change the subject.

“That child couldn’t possibly replace Young Master Scaevola. Didn’t Lord Erasinus say we should observe for a while? We might be able to bring him back.”

For a moment, I thought I misheard.

Bring him back?

The one who hurt Lord Abellus?

“Hah!”

Nonus scoffed in annoyance.

For once, we were on the same page. I felt like yelling, too.

There had to be a limit to shamelessness. Did they have no sense of right or wrong?

I had held back out of duty as a descendant, but it seemed someone had to teach them what was right and wrong.

I jumped to my feet and marched to the center, shouting sternly, “Nonsense!”

“Huttory.”

…Trying to speak clearly backfired. But this wasn’t the time to be embarrassed by small things.

I glared at the people staring blankly at me and declared:

“The one who hurt the heir can’t be forgiven. So don’t even dream about it. I’ll tell the head of the house and stop it.”

Just then, someone in the crowd let out a snicker.

Desperate for a change of topic to lighten the increasingly uncomfortable mood, the others followed with loud laughter.

“What a foolish child.”

“We’re questioning the qualifications of the injured one. What kind of Ignitus gets hurt from a fall? You praised him so highly, and now his arm breaks from a simple prank—how ridiculous…”

Puh!

I couldn’t hold it in any longer and spat what I had been chewing right into Nonus’s face.

He touched his cheek in shock and peeled off the mushy grape skin stuck to it.

His face darkened immediately.

“You… you insolent little—!”

I ran as fast as I could, but I didn’t get far before he grabbed the back of my collar and lifted me into the air.

“I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”

Fine. Just hit me already.

The moment he lays a finger on me, I’ll report it to the Lord and make sure something happens!

I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself.

But I wasn’t hit.

“Stop him!”

Vivian shouted, and immediately a bunch of people rushed to restrain Nonus.

“Please, calm down, Nonus!”

“No matter what, hitting a child is going too far…!”

“I can’t let go! We need to teach this brat some manners!”

My body, still suspended in the air, swung back and forth.

“Waaaah…”

Nonus even used his powers to shake everyone off, then whisked me away to a corner of the room.

There stood a large ornate jar with elaborate patterns carved on it.

Then—thud!—he dropped me into the jar.

“Let me out! I said let me out!”

I banged on the inside of the jar and shouted, but the sound stayed trapped inside.

“Finally, it’s quiet.”

“You scared me! I thought you were really going to throw her!”

“What do you take me for, some barbarian? A civilized person gives a civilized punishment!”

“Well done, Nonus. That’s just perfect.”

“Let me out!”

“Let’s leave the child here and go. No reason to waste more time.”

“Agreed.”

I heard the sound of people gathering their things and leaving.

But then, the last set of footsteps stopped, turned, and came back toward me.

A few seconds later, something was silently poured into the jar.

Something small and bouncy hit my head. I grabbed it—green grapes.

The same grapes I’d been eating earlier.

‘What the heck!’

What did I do to deserve this?

Because I’m the daughter of a criminal? So just my existence is an insult to them?

Maybe even Lord Abellus thought so too…

I brushed off the grapes stuck to my clothes and began pounding on the jar walls with my fists.

But instead of making any sound outside, my soft fists just turned blue and bruised.

‘Ouch…’

Drained of strength, I slumped to the bottom of the jar.

I thought I had grown numb to the helplessness I’d felt so many times before.

“Ugh…”

Tears, rising from deep within, were just about to fall when—

Creak.

The door opened. Someone was coming in.

“Help! I’m in here!”

I screamed with all the strength I had. The footsteps came closer.

Then something hard tapped on the outside of the jar.

“Help! I’m trapped! Please…”

“I see. Let me get you out.”

It was a stranger’s voice.

Soon, his arms reached in and pulled me out of the jar.

After being trapped for hours, I stumbled out and collapsed on the floor.

“How did you end up in there?”

A kind voice asked.

“Gugeh…”

I turned my head toward the man—and saw a long metal cane come into view.

‘Wait, I’ve seen that before…’

I remembered. The first day I came to the annex.

I lifted my head, face pale.

Erasinus.

Father of the three siblings who locked me in here. Great-uncle to the expelled Scaevola and the Vellicus siblings.

And the man who led the charge in calling me a criminal’s daughter.

He looked down at me with a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

I started backing away slowly, eyes locked on his.

At the same time, my mind raced with information.

Erasinus. A scholar and writer from the time of Lord Tiberius.

Renowned for his intellect from a young age, he had once been a promising military man before an injury forced him to abandon that path.

Afterward, he focused on writing and supported other family members.

Even after realizing the need to check the power of other factions, I had never intended to antagonize him.

The real threats were the next-generation members of the Erasinus faction who gained power after his death—he himself had contributed significantly to our family’s reputation.

But after spending time here, something felt off.

Excluding the Lord’s faction, the rest of House Ignitus seemed to revolve around him.

If only children admired him, I could understand, but…

“We must go to him. He will save us,” they said.

Even Scaevola’s parents treated him like a lifeline. And Scaevola’s father was a current senator.

In terms of rank, they shouldn’t have to defer to him.

‘Nonus said he brought me here on his father’s orders.’

That means it was Erasinus’s will that I was dragged to the annex.

If he catches me, who knows what’ll happen.

I kept backing up until I hit the firmly closed door.

“Come here, child.”

While I tensed up, Erasinus remained calm.

Though this was our first proper encounter, he didn’t ask my name.

Of course. He already knew it. And had no reason to offer pleasantries to a mere child.

‘Calm down.’

I forced down my fear and lifted my chin.

“I—I’m the heir of Ignitus, so I only follow Father’s orders!”

For a moment, I imagined him blowing up in rage like his son Nonus.

But contrary to expectations, he gently softened his tone.

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Then allow me to make a request. Could you walk over here? As a child of Ignitus, surely you can grant me that much courtesy.”

I glanced at the door handle. It was far above my head.

Escape was impossible—maybe I could get some information by approaching him.

I cautiously walked to the center of the room and stopped a short distance from where Erasinus stood tall.

“Now, courtesy.”

Erasinus raised his eyebrows.

“I showed you, so say thank you.”

“You’re quite bold.”

Erasinus smiled quietly.