SRHNVW 02

chapter 02

Among the adults, who all looked dumbfounded and couldn’t say a word, the child alone stood tall and proud.

A heavy silence filled the lobby.

The first to regain composure was me.

“W-what did you just say? Um… Artea…?”

“Hmph!”

I didn’t even need to ask if you were Artea. The child didn’t deny their identity, responding instead with a snort.

Besides, they had just called me “Aunt.”

‘Am I dreaming? Or is this some illusion?’

Wow, suddenly my niece had appeared. Even before the thank-you card I’d expected might come someday.

‘I was just thinking about Artea… but what’s going on?’

The child looked exactly as I had imagined in my mind, but this unexpected reunion… was not moving at all.

“Is she really your niece?”

“She is, technically.”

The child looked up at me with bright, clear eyes. I had just been thinking it might be hard to see my niece’s face… yet this didn’t feel real at all.

I asked the security guard with my eyes, and he explained the situation.

“There was a child alone on the street, so it looked dangerous. We brought her here for safety.”

“Alone? Artea, by herself?”

“Yes.”

I glanced around, but there were no maids or nannies.

Well, since I’m her aunt, it’s natural that Artea might come if she wanted to see me. Fine, let’s just accept that.

But to show up so suddenly, without warning? I had never dealt with a child, in either my past or present life.

I awkwardly spoke to Artea first.

“Artea… you didn’t come all the way here alone, right? Where are your nanny or maids? Your bodyguards? Did you… get separated from them?”

“Why are you asking about other people?”

Artea’s voice sharpened. I answered only in my mind.

‘Well, it’s probably hard to explain a child’s journey over such a long distance.’

How far is it from the Ducal Manor to here? At least a full day’s carriage ride. And yet the child came all that way, completely alone, without any supervision?

I subtly gestured to the employees, signaling them to find out more about how Artea had made it here.

‘If the manor were close, or if she were over fifteen, I wouldn’t be this flustered!’

Looking at her, I thought maybe I’d even shed a tear at seeing a face so much like my sister’s. But seeing my niece appear out of nowhere after so many years, the only feelings I had were shock and bewilderment.

Still… there’s a pressing sense that I have to do something!

‘Her cheeks are getting puffier. At this rate, her face might burst! Ah, if I had known she’d come, I could’ve prepared something she’d like!’

Right. She’s a child, and I’m an adult… whatever I do, I have to take the lead!

I cleared my throat a few times and softened my tone.

“Well… the Ducal Manor you lived in is very far. I didn’t see anyone around, so when the guard said you were alone, I got worried…”

“I did come alone.”

“Huh?”

A brief silence. I dismissed the possibility that flashed through my mind and asked again gently.

“So you came here all by yourself, following the guards after parting from the adults?”

“Yes!”

Artea lifted her chin high. Tiny as she was, the twitch of her lips told me my approach was having an effect.

“That’s amazing! You snuck out all by yourself!”

“Huh?”

But my voice fell again.

“You left the manor alone? Secretly?”

What was I even hearing?

“I thought I couldn’t do it because the nanny was always with me… but I ‘ran away’!”

“What?”

“You don’t know what running away is? Even a six-year-old like me knows!”

“That’s not it.”

“Running away means leaving home secretly! Ahem. I usually use difficult words a lot, you know!”

Little Artea, all worked up, began proudly explaining how smart she was and how many big words she knew. Her speech was scattered and hard to follow, as children’s often is.

But one thing was clear:

‘Artea ran away.’

Does that even make sense? My already chaotic mind went into overdrive.

‘The young lady of the manor sneaked out without anyone noticing?’

Normally, a noble child would be under strict security and meticulous care. Even for a regular child, traveling a long distance alone is absurd. Yet the young lady of Killet ran away, and no one knew? How could they pay so little attention?

“Artea, this isn’t something to boast about. Do you realize what you’ve done?”

Just yesterday, I’d received news of a village destroyed by rampaging monsters. Thoughts of kidnapping, disappearance, and countless dangers filled my mind. My gentle voice sank into gloom again.

“You were lucky to arrive safely, but it was extremely dangerous. What if someone with ill intentions had tried to hurt you?”

Despite my shock, I was from the Mage Tower. Strong-willed and accustomed to arguing logically, I could corner others who couldn’t easily escape.

“Leaving the adults behind and coming alone is not something to brag about!”

“Waaahhh….”

Yet my proud rhetoric achieved nothing.

“Artea?”

I had overlooked one fact. The opponent wasn’t a mage, but a mere six-year-old. I had never argued with such an opponent before.

“Waaaaaah!”

Instead of acknowledging defeat, she burst into tears, streams running down her face.

‘Where did the child who was standing proudly just moments ago go? Why this sudden change?’

Her initial resolve vanished instantly, and I fumbled helplessly in front of the crying child.

“Uh, um…”
“Waaaaah!”

The crying only grew louder. I finally shut my mouth and stopped thinking, repeatedly apologizing.

“Sorry, Auntie is sorry!”

Today was a historic day. I had never suffered such an overwhelming and crushing defeat in my life…

“I… I thought you hated me. Waaah.”

“Artea, Auntie was worried about you. I don’t hate you!”

“Lies!”

“The world is dangerous! There are many bad adults! I worried something might happen to you!”

I repeatedly apologized, gently soothed her little shoulders, and reassured her over and over that I didn’t hate her. My effort paid off.

“If I weren’t worried about you, I wouldn’t have asked those questions.”

“Hmm.”

Thankfully, it seemed to work a little. Though Artea hadn’t stopped crying, she raised her head. That’s when I noticed…

‘Huh?’

At first, it was the sudden visit. Then, something hidden behind her back. Now, while crying so hard she couldn’t see…

“I’m not a thoughtless dummy!”

I saw the tattered purple cat doll she was clutching. I recognized it immediately.

“That’s the gift you sent me! You said it would protect me!”

Right, I had written in the card sent with Artea’s doll:

• “Like a baby cat. Artea looks like her sister, cute and slightly haughty!”

• “Bellona. A cat, like you too!”

When Artea was still a baby, her sharp-upturned eyes caught my attention even before her features were fully formed. So when making the doll, I thought of the shared purple eyes among me, my sister, and Artea.

‘The doll has a protective spell…’

Yet Artea’s beautiful eyes were brimming with indignation. Though she couldn’t explain herself well, it was clear she meant: “I didn’t come here thoughtlessly.”

“I’m not scared at all as long as you’re here. Adults don’t matter.”

“I see…”

Then I realized my critical mistake. Meeting a niece I hadn’t seen in years—someone practically a stranger from her perspective—and scolding her right away naturally frightened her.

‘I should’ve greeted her first, listened to her story, then explained why she shouldn’t do that next time.’

I’d never been close to a child. Never raised one. This was entirely my fault. My sister and brother-in-law had passed in an accident, making me overly sensitive.

“I’m truly sorry for raising my voice suddenly.”

“Sniff.”

“But Artea, let me say again, I didn’t say those things because I hate you. I said them because I care about you.”

Finally, I sat before her, bent my knees, and met her eyes to convey the most important thing.

“Artea, hello. Nice to see you.”

“Hmph.”

“My name is Bellona Sortis. I am your aunt.”

You’re just surprised, not unhappy.

“I’ve wanted to see you, Artea. I’ve thought about you so much.”

“…….”

“See? Look at you now.”

I held her tiny hand and led her to my workshop, cluttered with magical tools in progress.

“Just like I sent the cat doll, I was making your birthday present, thinking of you.”

Artea’s eyes widened as she inspected the items. I spoke softly.

“Up until just now, I was thinking of you.”

“…….”

“Artea, can you read?”

I gently guided her hands. The desk was filled with sketches and doodles inspired by her.

Would Artea like this? It would be better to ask her in person. I wanted it to fit her size, but how big is she now?

Artea had stopped crying by now.

“If I had known you’d come, I would’ve prepared delicious food and fun toys. Next time, I’ll do that for sure. Can you forgive me just this once?”

“Ah… Araja.”

Relieved that she seemed to understand, I then heard a surprising murmur.

“I’m glad… I thought my aunt hated me too…”

What did Artea just say?