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Chapter 21
How to Replace a Father
Godin’s matter was successfully resolved.
He ran off in a panic.
Leaving behind even a thick pouch of money.
Antonio was aghast when he opened it.
“Are the people in Benseong normally this wealthy?”
“It’s because he’s embezzled a lot,” came the reply.
Then Budanju asked,
“Is it alright to accept this much money?”
“It’s not an exchange of favors, so it’s fine.”
Of course, Godin would probably think it was given in return for keeping their collusion quiet.
I, on the other hand, was busy writing a report.
It would be submitted under a different name, not mine.
And there was one more thing Godin had left behind in his flustered escape.
“…Th-thank you for saving me.”
It was the old blacksmith.
Leaving him behind had been my request.
‘I’m the saint here; it wouldn’t be right for someone else to be taken instead of me.’
I guessed Godin had thought that Gaspar had ordered him to bring the saint, so he tried to bring someone who roughly met the conditions.
Probably to avoid drawing the attention of other princes or the Teressa Church.
He might have assumed Gaspar wouldn’t actually kill him.
‘He really would die.’
That reckless Gaspar would have surely struck Godin’s neck the moment the old man was offered.
Perhaps the old man might have been at fault too.
So I told him to leave the old man behind.
Antonio looked at the old man in surprise.
“You’re capable of saying thank you, huh? I thought you only knew how to cheat.”
“…Since I received help, it’s only natural to express gratitude.”
The old man cleared his throat and slid a piece of paper toward me.
Curious, I looked at it—it was a written oath.
It stated that he would grant any one request I desired.
“This is fine,” I said, and the old man scratched his neck.
“This is all I can offer, so please accept it.”
Then, embarrassed, he quickly ran off.
I blinked at the oath.
Budanju chuckled softly.
“Keep it. It will surely be of help.”
“Huh?”
“There isn’t a blacksmith as skilled as him in the system. He could craft anything you need, and it would be extraordinary.”
In that case, I decided to keep the oath safe.
“Are we departing for Benseong tomorrow?”
I nodded at Budanju’s words.
Other recruits had already been sent ahead to Esgarotte Benseong.
It made sense to call them before the princes arrived.
I had been appointed later under Luciano’s orders.
“We should go before it’s too late.”
Preparations were complete before the leading recruits arrived.
Now, only the journey to Esgarotte Benseong remained.
I clenched my fists and said,
“I’ll do my best.”
“I trust you,” Budanju said with a soft smile.
Finally, the next morning, I boarded the carriage marked with the San Miguel flag to depart for Esgarotte.
…Along with Danju.
“….”
“….”
The carriage was silent.
Danju quietly stared out the window, and I nervously watched him.
I understood why he was going to Esgarotte.
‘Probably so he can meet the duke immediately if I make an opening.’
No one should notice anything suspicious while messages travel to the San Miguel territory.
Still, I hadn’t expected him to ride in the carriage with me.
As I pondered that, Danju, still gazing outside, spoke.
“You don’t ask any questions.”
I flinched and looked up.
“Huh?”
His eyes turned to me.
“You don’t wonder why I didn’t just hire someone for the mission, but instead took in a foster daughter. Or why you have to secretly meet the duke like this.”
“Um… Wasn’t taking in a foster daughter to prevent betrayal?”
“And…”
He meant, why am I not curious about his reasons for secretly meeting the duke?
Danju was suspicious of me.
His red eyes held a deadly gleam.
The intimidation was enough to stiffen anyone’s face.
But unlike before, I just blinked.
‘Is it strange to follow orders without questioning the reason?’
Of course, I knew from the game that Danju’s child had been born without the duke’s knowledge.
But…
“Should I be curious?”
“…What?”
“You gave me a job when I came to you out of nowhere. You saved me when I was in danger.”
“….”
“And I like being an irregular. I want to stay here.”
“….”
“So even without a reason, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Yes. Even if I hadn’t known, I would have done it.
For me, being an irregular here was like finding a warm fire in a freezing wasteland.
He lets me go, greets me in the morning, and speaks kindly.
“….”
Danju stared at me silently.
After a while, he returned his gaze to the window.
“The weather is nice today.”
“…!”
He was speaking to me.
I smiled sheepishly.
“Isn’t it? The wind feels nice.”
“…Yes.”
“This year’s cabbage harvest is good. I’ll buy some and make cabbage stew for you. It’ll be delicious.”
“Whatever you make will probably taste good.”
“I’m also good at sewing.”
“I never thought you couldn’t do something.”
Danju gave short answers, but I liked it.
I’d never had this kind of conversation even with my biological father.
Then…
‘Huh?’
He rested his chin, so I couldn’t see his mouth—but I thought his lips might have curled slightly.
It could have been my imagination, but I wanted it to be true.
The carriage arrived at the castle gate.
I got off and looked at Danju.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Go well,” he said.
After that greeting, Danju left to join the elite irregulars in Esgarotte, and I turned toward the castle.
“I am Eustea of San Miguel,” I announced.
I finally entered Esgarotte Castle.
At the gate, I showed the identification of the lead recruits and San Miguel’s credentials.
A young maid, perhaps waiting for me, guided me inside.
It was a residence building within the castle.
‘So the recruits stay here.’
“Rooms are shared by two. Uniforms and other supplies are prepared in the rooms,” she said, then left.
I entered the room.
Inside were girls dressed in what looked like recruit uniforms.
‘I thought it was two per room?’
There were so many people.
The girls continued chatting, ignoring my presence.
“This is nothing like I expected.”
“Yes. There’s barely time to talk to the princes individually. Even if we try to guide you around Esgarotte, there’s hardly time.”
“Besides, there’s even a newcomer. If you’re from a merit family, fine. But San Miguel? How disappointing.”
They clearly didn’t like me.
The girls in the recruit selection were likely from Esgarotte’s prominent families.
But I came from the underdeveloped San Miguel.
‘And I became a recruit without even taking the exam—they must be frustrated.’
Of course, I had successfully negotiated the alliance between the 2nd and 4th princes, a task more difficult than the recruit exam.
But to them, I was just an intruder.
Then the only quiet girl spoke.
“Don’t be too harsh.”
She had a dignified posture, giving off an air of grace.
Her words drew annoyed murmurs from the others.
“Ayabel is too kind—it’s a problem.”
‘Ayabel?’
I recognized her immediately.
Ayabel Balboa
Granddaughter of Viscount Balboa, one of Esgarotte’s Three Elders.
A beautiful girl from a noble family, admired by her peers.
‘So she’s Ayabel.’
Ayabel approached me.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ayabel.”
“Hello.”
“You’ll share a room with me. I came to check if you’d be lonely. Everyone, greet her.”
Ayabel said this, but the other girls scowled.
She sighed.
“Everyone.”
One of the girls pouted.
“You don’t have to be kind to someone like her.”
“We’re all recruits. We should get along. And…,” Ayabel smiled at me, “I heard you’re the eldest daughter of Andres.”
“….”
“Ah, don’t take it the wrong way. I just happened to hear it.”
The girls flinched.
“Andres?”
“Eustea Andres?”
Some were surprised, while others frowned.
“Unbelievable!”
They couldn’t believe someone like me had ended up in Esgarotte.
Even as their expressions darkened, Ayabel tried to calm them.
“Rumors are just rumors.”
“Even if it were true, we’re colleagues now. And someone from a great family could teach you a lot.”
“But think about it—Eustea Andres and the 2nd prince are like enemies. So why would she be called here? He’s mocking her misfortune.”
“Perhaps the prince took pity and gave her a chance,” Ayabel said.
Still, the girls barely wanted to associate with me and eventually left.
Only Ayabel and I remained.
Ayabel sighed.
“It may be unpleasant, but please understand. I want to get along with you.”
She smiled and extended her hand.
“Let’s try to get along.”
“Of course.”
I shook her hand.
Being a recruit wasn’t just about staying near the princes.
We had to:
-
Check the prince’s route in advance.
-
Observe the prince’s condition.
-
Accompany him on his schedule.
-
Respond to requests.
-
Prepare tea, etc.
And the recruits in Esgarotte…
“Servants could do all this,” I muttered.
“Nonsense. Why should I prepare the tea?”
…They were utterly displeased.
The maid helping with recruits broke into a cold sweat.
“You need to specify the tea leaves to prepare the tea…”
“Just prepare the best leaves, that’s enough,” I said, bluntly.
The maid looked troubled.
I approached her.
“I’ll do it.”
Her face lit up instantly.
The recruits continued to focus only on the captain.
I was guided to a room for tea preparation.
I was amazed.
The room was enormous, seemingly just for tea.
The cabinets were filled with tea leaves, some so high I’d need a ladder.
They probably processed them themselves to maximize flavor.
There was even a fermentation tray for oxidizing the leaves.
‘Incredible.’
Compared to the royal palace… No, by variety alone, there were more teas here.
The palace used only certified Royal Warrant leaves, but this included teas from common households.
‘Could it be…’
I climbed the ladder eagerly.
The maid looked surprised.
“I’ll do it.”
“No, I want to see the leaves.”
I scrutinized the tea leaves with a hawk’s eye.
Finally, I found what I was looking for.
“Let’s use this tea today.”
“But it isn’t fully processed yet.”
“It’s fine.”
The maid looked troubled but didn’t protest.
I prepared the tea carefully.
It took a long time just for the leaves.
I also selected the tea set meticulously.
The maid muttered softly, impressed.
“You’re amazing…”
“Huh?”
“Sorry. I’ve never seen a recruit prepare tea before.”
“Didn’t the other recruits do it when I wasn’t around?”
She looked awkward.
‘No one did it.’
They had all shirked the task.
“They’d just watch and get instructions when the tea was ready.”
Tea preparation was an opportunity to impress the prince.
Those inexperienced might find it tedious.
But in the palace, the mistress’s tea time was the most important.
I placed the prepared tray.
Bang!
The recruits entered.
“Bring the tray if ready.”
They quickly grabbed it.
Then…
“Don’t test the tea in front of the princes. Ayabel will explain it.”
They meant I should stay quiet.
“I’d rather explain the tea myself,” I said.
The recruits snickered in disbelief.
“See how cocky she’s gotten, trusting Prince Luciano’s consideration.”
“There was no need to give her a chance to speak.”
Ayabel sighed quietly.
“I understand wanting to explain after preparing tea. But we already divided roles before Eustea arrived.”
“….”
“It’s unfortunate you couldn’t voice your opinion, but understand.”
“….”
“If you’d taken the official procedure, this wouldn’t have happened.”
She subtly pointed out that I had come without an exam.
Ayabel looked at the maid who had helped me.
“What tea did you prepare?”
“Moonlight.”
Another recruit scoffed.
“Moonlight? That’s tea for commoners.”
They looked incredulous.
One snapped,
“Prepare Ceylon immediately…”
“Moonlight is good for fatigue recovery,” Ayabel said.
She looked at me.
“Ceylon or Darjeeling is abundant in the palace. Commoner tea will be interesting. Since it grows only in the north, it carries meaning here in Esgarotte.”
I nodded, and Ayabel smiled.
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain the tea properly.”
Together, we headed out with the recruits.
The maid glanced at me, checking if I was okay.
‘It’s fine.’
I followed behind the recruits.
Today’s tea time wasn’t just for the princes.
The retainers of Esgarotte had expressed a desire to join.
Before they arrived, Ain sighed.
“Why stick around even during break time?”
“It must be at the duchess’s request.”
“The duchess?”
“She wants to support the succession.”
The only son of the duke and duchess was over thirty and still not the heir.
“Relying on the royal family for the duchess’s pride? She’s eager.”
The duchess was the daughter of the previous emperor, sister to the current emperor Augusto.
She had once held immense influence.
Ain sighed, annoyed.
‘Nothing good comes from Esgarotte.’
The duchess was a nuisance, and the saint wasn’t showing up despite Luciano’s subordinates’ tracking.
At least Gaspar’s frantic searches kept him busy.
At that moment, the retainers arrived.
“Honored to be invited to tea time.”
They were all active retainers of Esgarotte.
Shortly after, another knock came.
“Tea is ready.”
The recruits entered with the tray and bowed.
The platinum-haired girl in front smiled.
“Today’s tea is prepared with Moonlight.”
“Moonlight?”
A retainer questioned why such a tea was used.
The girl answered politely.
“It’s not Royal Warrant certified, but it’s effective for fatigue recovery. The leaves endure the northern cold, which suits the resilient spirit of Esgarotte.”
The retainers looked at Ayabel with admiration.
