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Chapter 14
At first, everyone simply believed it was delayed. But once he passed the age of fifteen, expectation transformed into disappointment in an instant.
‘So that’s why he was treated that way? But…’
“Has there ever been a case where someone developed physical abnormalities because they failed to awaken an ability?”
“There has never been a precedent. But I am the only Voltaire with gray hair who failed to manifest an ability, so it is a reasonable suspicion.”
At first glance, it sounded plausible.
If gray-haired Voltaires truly possessed exceptionally powerful abilities, then perhaps problems could arise if that power accumulated without ever being released.
But even considering that, something still felt strange.
“Then what about Lord Gregory? He also failed to manifest an ability, didn’t he?”
Theodore was not the only direct descendant without powers. No matter how severe his madness was, Claire could not understand such extreme discrimination.
But Theodore reacted as though he had heard something absurd.
“Uncle is different. He’s adopted.”
“…What?”
“Hm?”
Claire blinked rapidly. Theodore looked startled and explained,
“You didn’t know? It’s a famous story. When my grandfather was once isolated and nearly died, there was an adjutant who sacrificed his own life to save him. Uncle is that man’s son.”
It was the first Claire had heard of it.
‘Wait. I think Angela’s background report mentioned something like this.’
Claire regretted skimming through the documents instead of reading them properly. If Angela found out, she would have every right to smack her on the back.
‘Then that means the raccoon siblings are the only legitimate heirs left?’
Claire’s head began to ache.
Power struggles, family affairs, outside factions… those kinds of stories.
As someone used to living alone, Claire always struggled with problems that could not be solved through force. Still, no matter how much she thought about it, something felt off.
“Does Count Voltaire know about your current condition, Young Master?”
The current Count Voltaire—Theodore’s grandfather—was supposedly the only family member who possessed an ability.
‘Then that means there’s no heir with an awakened ability. So why would he ignore the legitimate heir suffering from madness?’
The leader of a group was usually obsessed with preserving the group’s survival.
Yet Theodore had practically been abandoned and locked away, while even the servants openly looked down on the siblings.
Why?
The answer came quickly enough.
“…Grandfather probably doesn’t care. He’s barely returned to the estate since my parents died.”
Claire barely suppressed a sigh.
She did not know the full story, but in the end, it seemed the baby raccoons had simply been abandoned.
“I see.”
Her response was calm and simple.
Just as Claire had been isolated because her “Ferality” was too strong, Theodore had been isolated because he lacked an “Ability.”
The circumstances were opposite, yet strangely similar.
‘Then is Gregory aiming for the heir’s position?’
If the line of abilities died out and the legitimate heir died young from illness, the title would most likely pass to Gregory unless another suitable branch family appeared.
Claire resolved to pay even closer attention to the siblings’ safety.
Meanwhile, Theodore noticed her serious expression and added quietly,
“The reason I’m telling you all this is because I want you to know that you can leave whenever you wish. Even later. I won’t resent you for it.”
Claire looked at him with complete exasperation.
“We’re still not done with that conversation?”
The exhaustion in her voice made Theodore cough awkwardly.
“I’m just saying.”
Claire nodded suspiciously before rising from her seat. Somehow, it was already time for breakfast.
Despite all the tension surrounding Gregory’s return, the quality of life for the raccoon siblings visibly improved.
“Hm.”
The meals became plentiful, and even the supplies were replaced with luxurious goods.
Claire narrowed her eyes as she observed the changes before slowly nodding.
“This is how it should have been.”
After preparing Theodore’s meal and finishing her duties attending to him, Claire headed straight for Isabella.
Since Gregory’s return, Isabella’s room had been moved from the annex to the main estate, so it no longer took much time to reach her.
Feeling strangely awkward about not climbing a tree and entering through the window, Claire knocked politely on the door.
“My lady. It’s Claire.”
A loud clatter immediately erupted inside the room before the door flew open energetically.
“Claire?!”
The little red raccoon popped out through the gap.
Gone was the wary child from before. After what had happened that day, Isabella now seemed to trust Claire completely, her wide round eyes soft and affectionate.
“You came!”
Claire lowered herself to the child’s eye level before speaking.
“I apologize for not coming sooner.”
“No, I’m just happy you came.”
Claire followed Isabella into the room while quietly surveying her surroundings.
Clothes and shoes made from high-quality materials that fit perfectly. Lace bedding and small furniture suited for a young child.
‘Thank goodness.’
Relieved to see the proper improvements in her treatment, Claire listened as Isabella shyly spoke.
“Today’s food was really delicious too. My room changed, but they even returned all my old belongings.”
Perhaps because she had finally eaten a full meal, Isabella looked pleasantly drowsy.
Claire watched the excited child fondly before lowering her voice.
“Did anything happen while you were in the capital?”
“Hm?”
“When you stayed with Lord Gregory, were you uncomfortable at all?”
Caught off guard by the direct question, Isabella hesitated briefly before shaking her head.
“No. It was fine when I stayed with Uncle. I just hated being alone, so I kept saying I wanted to come home.”
‘So Gregory hasn’t directly harmed the siblings yet.’
As Claire organized her thoughts, Isabella cautiously tugged at the edge of her skirt.
“Um, Claire.”
“Yes, my lady?”
Blushing red, Isabella hesitated before asking shyly,
“Could you call me Bella again? Like yesterday?”
At once, Isabella recalled the dreamlike events of the previous day.
‘It was so, so scary… but Claire came for me.’
Claire had appeared through the storm and darkness, pulling Isabella from terror in an instant.
‘Bella!’
That warm nickname she had not heard in so long. The comforting warmth that wrapped around her trembling body. Isabella wanted to feel that warmth once again.
“Of course. Lady Bella.”
Isabella’s eyes sparkled brightly.
‘Good. But not enough.’
It was moving, but still not quite like yesterday.
‘I wish she’d drop the “Lady.”’
Unable to hold herself back, Isabella asked immediately,
“Can’t you just call me Bella? Without the ‘Lady’ part?”
But Claire answered firmly.
“No.”
“Why?”
“That would be insubordination.”
Isabella’s face instantly went blank.
Before the child could continue pleading, Claire quickly changed the topic.
“More importantly, please look at this.”
She pulled a letter from her apron.
“It’s a letter from Young Master Theodore.”
“From Brother?!”
Unable to hide her excitement, Isabella quickly accepted the letter.
“Please sit comfortably while reading it.”
Seeing Isabella trying to read it while standing, Claire guided her toward the couch.
‘A letter should be fine.’
Claire recalled what Isabella had said yesterday.
“I wanted to see Brother too. But they told me I shouldn’t, so I held myself back.”
“Whenever I see him, Brother’s madness gets worse.”
“He gets angrier and suffers more. So I’m not supposed to see him. I promised Uncle Gregory.”
Since even Theodore himself was aware of how serious the condition was, Claire could not recklessly reunite the siblings.
‘For now, it’s better if I act as the messenger pigeon. It’ll also reduce misunderstandings.’
“Brother really doesn’t hate me after all.”
Isabella’s face melted into happiness as she read the letter.
“Claire! Can you deliver my letter to Brother too? I’ll write one right now!”
“Of course. Take your time writing it.”
Claire watched the child fondly as Isabella hurriedly gathered paper and a pen.
Then Claire’s gaze drifted toward the window.
‘That’s…’
A tree beside the building. Hidden among the thick leaves sat a tiny white bird.
It was no larger than a palm, with a single brown spot on its head. A very familiar bird.
Pretending to look outside casually, Claire carefully observed Isabella.
“Hmm, there isn’t any pretty stationery.”
The child seemed completely absorbed in writing her letter.
Claire quietly opened the window—
Thwack!
‘Ugh.’
The bird instantly flew forward and body-slammed itself directly into Claire’s forehead.
