🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 06
“Don’t tell me….”
“Cleora Bern’s attendant. My grandfather served at Lady Cleora’s side and recorded one week of her life.”
“…….”
Eanok’s family had, for many generations, served the direct line at their very side.
More loyal and devoted than any other house, they had remained behind to guard this vacant seat even when the family split apart, each taking their share and leaving.
Eanok’s grandfather was one of them—and more than that, he had been Cleora’s personal aide.
He recorded in detail where Cleora went and what she did, intending to pass those records down to future generations. Those records had been handed down within the family and were now in Eanok’s possession.
“My grandfather’s records can only be read by the heads of the family. Most of what’s written inside consists of secrets never revealed to the outside world—especially events from the War of the Golden Plains, which lasted fifteen years.”
“…….”
“Frankly, everything that child said could be made up. But if she truly knew those stories and spoke of them….”
Eanok, who had been speaking calmly, furrowed his brow.
“It would mean someone has stolen a look at these records.”
“…….”
“And that someone would have to be an insider—someone who knows these records exist.”
“I–It wasn’t me!”
Reginald shook his head frantically.
Only a very small number of people knew that Eanok’s grandfather had left behind such records.
Reginald knew as well, solely because his family had served Eisenbold for generations, managing the castle over a long span of time.
Eanok ran a hand through his hair and let out a quiet breath.
‘Is there a traitor among us?’
No—he already knew there were traitors.
There were likely dozens in this castle alone who would abandon him the moment things turned sour, so that in itself wasn’t strange. But this was different. If someone close enough to know about these records existed, then they would also know why he continued searching for a child with blond hair and red eyes. And if that happened, every plan would fall apart.
“Your Grace.”
At the sound of someone calling him, Eanok shifted his gaze.
“Just give the order. I will take full responsibility and handle it.”
Eanok understood what “responsibility” meant.
Most likely, torture—the most effective way to dig out the truth. But to torture a girl who still looked so young…
‘Is that really something the Eisenbold family, once known for its chivalry, would do?’
Protect children and women. Devote oneself to the nation.
No matter how far the family had fallen, they could not abandon those roots.
“No. Rather, I will personally—”
“Let’s observe a little longer.”
“But, Your Grace—”
“There is still time.”
If internal information had truly leaked, they wouldn’t resort to such a shallow ploy as sending a girl like that. With sharp eyes, Eanok stared at Reginald.
“Report everything about that child. Don’t overlook even the smallest detail.”
“Yes, sir.”
At Eanok’s gesture dismissing him, Reginald bowed deeply.
A moment later, once Reginald had left and the door closed, Eanok, seated alone in the silent room, slowly closed his eyes.
The bold crimson eyes that had stared back at him rose vividly in his mind.
Had he ever seen eyes that red in his life?
They were nothing like the motley impostors with blond hair and red eyes that had been brought before him so far.
‘If she’s real….’
Lost in thought, Eanok suddenly opened his eyes. A dry smirk tugged at his lips.
“Absurd nonsense.”
A dead person resurrecting and appearing in the form of a child?
And that person being Cleora—the last master of the family, the one called the very essence of House Eisenbold?
“I must be tired.”
Scolding himself for entertaining such ridiculous thoughts, Eanok closed his eyes once more.
Cleora, slouched crookedly in a chair and sighing with a face full of dissatisfaction, tilted her head.
“Were the secrets I told them too weak?”
On her way here, she had thought up various things she could use as proof to claim she was Cleora.
In the era she had lived in, they were secrets not known to the public.
Even things like the founding lord being bald or the existence of a secret vault were known only to a handful within the direct line.
And yet—they weren’t surprised even after hearing all that?
“Did that woman lie to them?”
Cleora had expected suspicion if she revealed secrets.
She thought they’d ask where she got the information or what her true identity was. But contrary to her expectations, his attitude had been strangely lukewarm.
Starting with the family head who looked at her with dry eyes, and the retainers behind him clicking their tongues as if she were pathetic—it was as though these “secrets” weren’t secrets at all.
In the past, a mere butler who couldn’t even straighten his back in front of me would dare—! Back in my day…
Even as she struggled to accept that this was seventy years later, Cleora’s old-fashioned grumpiness only seemed to grow stronger.
Bang!
Lost in muttering on the bed, Cleora looked up at the sudden noise.
The tightly shut door had been flung wide open.
“Come out.”
A guard watching Cleora from outside spoke curtly.
Cleora slowly rose to her feet.
Once she stepped out, the guard closed the door and led the way, telling her to follow.
She didn’t like the guard’s casual, rude tone, but since she was out of that room, she kept silent for now.
‘By the way, where are we going? Oh? Are they finally believing me?’
Just yesterday they’d looked at her like she was insane, as if she were spouting nonsense—and now, finally? Forcing down a smile that threatened to twist upward in disbelief, Cleora clicked her tongue softly.
Then the guard walking ahead stopped and turned around.
“This is it.”
“……?”
Where is this? Cleora stared at the building in front of her, bewildered.
It looked like an old annex outside the castle—so run-down she wondered if it was even still in use.
It didn’t seem like an office or a reception room. Could it be… a torture chamber?
The guard opened the door and gave Cleora’s back a rough shove.
Stumbling inside, Cleora found herself face to face with several sharp gazes fixed on her.
“So you’re here.”
“You’re late.”
“Oh? So that’s what she looks like.”
Inside were none other than knights.
Judging by the way they sat around in light armor, it was obvious they’d claimed this place as their own hideout.
Who are these guys? As Cleora tilted her head, the guard who had brought her spoke from behind.
“I’ve brought her.”
“Good work.”
One of the knights casually tossed a coin toward the guard. Catching the silver coin, the guard grinned, bowed his head, closed the door, and disappeared.
Once the door shut, cutting them off from the outside, silence settled over the building.
‘Doesn’t look like they called me here with good intentions.’
Their faces practically screamed “thugs.” After silently observing the five knights—men and women alike—Cleora spoke in a low voice.
“What is this?”
“What else? We’re the knights you so thoroughly disrespected.”
The brown-eyed knight seated in the center twisted his lips in a mocking sneer.
Ah, so they dragged me here because they’re angry I ignored them?
Having at least kindly explained their motive, Cleora smiled at him.
“So?”
“So? So?! Wow, look at her. In a situation like this, she still says ‘so’?”
The green-haired female knight sitting off to the side burst out laughing.
“Do you seriously not understand your situation? Do you think we called you here to give you kind words or encouragement?”
“This is why commoners are hopeless—no sense at all.”
“No sense? More like no brains. If what’s on your shoulders is really a head, you wouldn’t think you’d walk away fine after trash-talking knights in front of a duke. Right?”
Once one of them started, the rest chimed in as if they’d been waiting, each adding a remark.
‘Hmm.’
Cleora calmly examined the knights hurling insults at her.
Others might have been frightened in such a situation, but Cleora remained composed.
Watching people who didn’t even seem like real knights flap their gums while calling themselves knights…
“Mercenary knights?”
“…….”
“Looks like I’m right.”
At the stiffening expressions on their faces, Cleora broke into a bright smile.
