MSPD 24

Chapter 24

“Can we play with the puppy too if we bring a four-leaf clover?”

“Do you know where there are plenty of them?”

By now, a group of children had quietly gathered, peeking their heads over a tree trunk that was more than a bundle in size.

Since the castle allowed the minor children of the household staff to reside within, there were quite a few children of servants living inside.

However, keeping dogs or cats was not allowed, so it was natural that the children’s attention was drawn to the small puppy.

As a dozen or so children wandered around Bella, glancing at her, the servants finally noticed and seemed to sense that something unusual was happening.

“Joy!”

“Nancy!”

A group of women ran from behind the children, but Bella and the children were only focused on each other.

Finally, the corners of her pink lips curled smoothly upward, making a decision.

After all, isn’t it true that the more good things, the better?

“What’s your name?”

After Bella’s first attempt had failed, a heavy silence hung over the Duke’s study.

Edwin thought: if something happens, it’s never something small.

First of all, that bright yellow coat, the vivid purple skirt, and the red flats…

The combination seemed to shock Countess Fillmore, who considered clothing a reflection of one’s attitude and had never seen such an unusual color mix in her life.

But the problem wasn’t just the outfit.

Edwin carefully reviewed the shorthand notes of Belladis’ words.

“Aren’t you curious why I named it Cerberus? The reason it’s Cerberus is because the name of the strongest creature is Cerberus.”

She had even gone into a long-winded explanation of the origin of a wolf pup’s name without being asked.

“It’s small now, but it will grow incredibly large soon. I guarantee it.”

She had also discussed the future of the wolf.

“There was a large tree on the way, and the reflection of the dew on each leaf was really remarkable.”

She had given highly specific and peculiar observations.

Then, she even went on.

“Grandfather, your mustache is really impressive. You must trim it like pruning a tree.”

“It must be tiring to maintain. If you’d like, I could trim it for you sometime. I’m actually pretty good with knives…”

Edwin snapped his notebook shut.

“This is a serious problem, Your Grace.”

He met the Duke’s red eyes and spoke.

“It’s inevitable that the Marchioness’ mental state will deteriorate further. If more time passes, any issue with her mental health could become our responsibility, so sending her to the royal palace as soon as possible is the correct course of action.”

“But I can’t make that decision without consulting the Marquis.”

Edwin replied to Count Rodik’s objection.

“If you’re considering resuming the refinement of the purification stones, it’s best to send her to the palace quickly, even leaving aside her health. The palace could always use the Marchioness as a pretext to send someone, after all.”

“….”

“A letter arrived saying she’s passing through Eiffel Avenue the day before yesterday. She should arrive sometime during the week. We could send a hawk to inform her and be ready to discuss it as soon as she arrives…”

However, his words trailed off as the Duke rose from his seat with a silent authority.

Kalterion, who had been silent the entire time, turned toward the massive window facing the courtyard.

Now that he thought about it, it was especially noisy outside today, as if a flock of birds had taken over the beech trees.

But as the doors opened and the sounds became clear, it was evident it wasn’t birds chirping.

“Kyaaa!”

“Here! Over here!”

“Kerrooo!”

At those strange voices, Count Rodik, Countess Fillmore, and even Edwin tilted their heads, standing.

Today, it was not a flock of birds that had taken over the beech trees.

“Mar-Marchioness! I…I brought it too!”

A child toddled over, holding his mother’s hand, and offered something to Belladis.

Belladis, hands on her hips, took the object, examined it, and nodded approvingly.

“Good, Ron Brown. You’re accepted too.”

“Kyaaa!”

The child squealed with joy and ran off, while his mother looked around anxiously.

We shouldn’t be making such a ruckus here…

But it wasn’t just her son making noise; all the children of the castle had come out.

And the one allowing this chaos was none other than the Marchioness herself.

Of course, even the lowest-ranking servants called her “princess” behind her back, and no one truly considered her the lady of the house.

Even she herself had wished the Marchioness would leave for the palace soon…

“Mom! Kerro is so soft!”

“Th-thank you, Marchioness.”

The child smiled brightly without a hint of shame, giving a careful thanks.

However, the Marchioness, standing tall and proud, didn’t even look at her. She replied:

“Why should you be thankful? This is a contract between me and Ron Brown.”

The maid was left speechless.

How could the princess, the lady of this great house, make a contract not with a servant’s son but with just a maid’s child?

“Alright, did all the children return?”

Counting the children, the Marchioness looked at the basket of four-leaf clovers held by the guards and, with the authority of a soldier, called out someone’s name.

“John May!”

The stable boy’s son raised his head among the children.

“Yes!”

With a light gesture, the Marchioness called him forward. His parents, who had just heard the rumor, appeared in the courtyard almost simultaneously.

The parents, working in the stables, went pale seeing their son standing before the Marchioness.

Their mischievous son had finally caused trouble.

Their hearts sank.

“John!”

They hurried over, choosing to apologize rather than figure out the situation.

“Marchioness! I’m sorry! Truly sorry!”

Both bowed so low their heads nearly touched the ground, but the boy leapt up, shouting:

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“You brat! Can’t you stay quiet!”

His father scolded him loudly, then kneeled, lowering his head.

“The child is too young to know better, Marchioness. I’ll take responsibility for his actions, so please have mercy.”

Even as a mere stable worker, in his son’s eyes, he was a great father.

Seeing his father kneel, the boy began to cry quietly.

“What’s the matter?”

Bella muttered impatiently and, ignoring the flustered parents, called the sobbing child back.

“John May!”

“Uh, yes.”

“You’re responsible for taking care of Kerro until I return. Then you’ll get to look after him every day.”

John’s parents, who assumed she would punish their son, looked on in shock.

“Marchioness?”

The Marchioness, bathed in sunlight, asked their son.

“Can you do it?”

Tears in his eyes, the boy clenched his fists and nodded.

“I trust you.”

With that one sentence, the Marchioness walked toward the spire.

The boy, inspired like the knights of the family he had glimpsed before, squared his shoulders and shouted loudly:

“Leave it to me, Marchioness!”

His loud shout rode the wind swirling through the golden courtyard, brushing past the Duke’s ears.

Kalterion quietly observed the courtyard, now transformed into a children’s playground.

“Kerrooo! Hahaha!”

“No! Don’t do that, Kerro will hate it!”

“Everyone, be quiet!”

The castle, momentarily quiet, became noisy again.

At that commotion, even the children of the servants peeked out from windows, some venturing to the edge of the courtyard.

“I’ll make them quiet.”

Countess Fillmore said, but the Duke turned from the window and replied:

“Let them be. It’s fine.”