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Chapter 03
Ten days ago.
I begged Teacher Anne to let me go into town.
And there, I mailed the letter I had written in advance to that person—the Duke of Abner.
Of course, when I sealed the letter, I made sure to use the modified secret seal I had crafted myself.
Only by using that seal would the letter be delivered directly to Sharon Abner.
I checked it over and over. The letter must have arrived safely. And yet he still hasn’t come…
Even at this very moment, Longton’s administrators were closing in.
My eyes naturally drooped.
He must’ve concluded it was just a child’s prank.
Even I had to admit the contents of the letter sounded strange.
I had simply asked him to take me in because I would be useful to the family….
But what else was I supposed to say?!
I couldn’t exactly tell anyone that I had regressed.
If I did, they’d either dismiss me as a delusional child or drag me straight into a mage tower laboratory.
Anxiously, I glanced behind me.
I had prepared an escape route beforehand—a narrow path through the bushes nearby.
I have no choice.
If I didn’t run now, I would inevitably become the Longton duchy’s daughter.
Of course, since I knew the future this time, I had considered trying to live differently there.
At least, I had—until I saw Duke Longton’s face again just moments ago.
I can’t do it. If I go back into that house, I’ll end up living exactly the same way again.
Cold sweat still poured from my hands and feet.
Simply looking at Duke Longton had caused this reaction.
Biting my lip bitterly, I thought,
I should’ve carved the seal more carefully….
The seal had plenty of chipped edges.
Naturally so—I had carved it with a carving knife far larger than my hand.
The corners of my eyes stung.
The blisters and cuts covering my palms somehow hurt even more.
But this wasn’t the time to cry.
I shook my head hard and slung the bundle I had prepared over my shoulder.
For now, running away was the best option.
First, I need to get into town. It should take about three days on foot, right?
After that, I’d sneak onto a carriage headed to another region!
Once I arrived, I’d figure something out somehow.
Just as I turned to leave—
Neighhh—!!
Along with the startled cries of horses, a blue circular light suddenly appeared in the orphanage courtyard.
Soon, numerous silhouettes emerged one after another from within the light.
Sturdy men wearing dark navy surcoats that reached their thighs, swords hanging at their waists.
My eyes widened.
They were clearly Abner soldiers.
Recognizing them, Duke Longton froze.
Teacher Anne also covered her mouth with wide eyes.
“Well now. Look who it is.”
A figure slowly stepped forward from among them.
White hair swept back from his forehead.
Violet eyes gleaming like a beast stalking its prey.
“I never expected to run into you here, Lambert.”
That person—Sharon Abner.
Without a doubt, Sharon Abner himself stared crookedly at Duke Longton.
“You still searching for replacement daughters? Even all the way out in my territory now?”
There was one fact every citizen of the Taranta Empire knew.
The northern Abner family and the southern Longton family were mortal enemies.
“It’s been a long time, Lady Abner. Ah, should I call you Duke now?”
When Duke Longton spoke with open hostility, Sharon Abner grinned.
“What a pointless question. How long has it been since I inherited the family head position?”
“Yes, quite some time. Ever since you stole your husband’s title from your fully grown son.”
The atmosphere froze instantly.
The Abner soldiers grimly rested their hands on their sword hilts.
Naturally, Longton’s administrators did not remain still either.
They silently pulled out offensive magic scrolls.
What in the world is going on….
I crouched lower behind the barn with a dazed expression.
The fact that Sharon Abner had come here itself was fortunate.
It meant the letter I sent had worked.
The problem was this atmosphere that looked like war could break out at any second.
Why is the timing so awful? This could seriously turn disastrous.
The northern Abners and southern Longtons had been enemies for ages.
For generations upon generations, they had clashed over countless reasons, and the bitterness between them had only deepened.
Whenever grand events were held in the capital, the two families were always seated on opposite ends.
Everyone in the empire knew nothing good would happen if they crossed paths.
However, over the past several centuries, the balance between the two evenly matched houses had shifted heavily in Longton’s favor.
The Longton family steadily expanded its influence throughout the empire by investing in magical academic research.
Meanwhile, the Abner family stagnated.
The previous Abner heads were utterly ignorant when it came to magical engineering industries such as pharmaceutical development or magic formula research.
The only things they knew how to do were train soldiers and stubbornly cling to inefficient regional specialty businesses.
Then, as if things weren’t bad enough, a severe drought struck the empire’s north.
A terrible famine spread throughout Abner territory.
People expected the Abner family to decline completely.
At least, until the current duke, Sharon Abner, inherited the family leadership.
“I never realized you were so interested in my family affairs.”
In the tense silence, Sharon Abner finally spoke.
Duke Longton smiled cynically.
“Not interested at all. I merely heard about it. It was such a bizarre incident, after all. A mother stealing her son’s position.”
Blatant mockery.
Yet Sharon Abner did not even blink.
“Strange. I don’t find it bizarre at all. If anything, your worldview seems rather narrow. I think I finally understand why your father hesitated to pass the title on to you.”
Lambert Longton’s face twisted horribly.
With a mocking smile, Sharon Abner continued,
“Is leading your family perhaps too difficult for you? I could help, you know. Unlike you, this position suits me quite well.”
“…Your words go too far, Lady.”
“Not ‘Lady.’ Duke. Your memory resembles trash rolling down the roadside. That won’t do for someone leading a noble house.”
Crunch.
It almost sounded as if the grinding of Lambert Longton’s teeth reached all the way behind the barn.
I swallowed nervously.
A massive fury surged invisibly between the two dukes.
Naturally, the Abner soldiers and Longton administrators were no different.
At that moment, Teacher Anne standing by the orphanage entrance caught my eye.
She looked like a rabbit trapped between predators.
Frozen stiff in place, utterly unable to understand what was happening.
Duke Longton let out an irritated sigh.
“This conversation is becoming increasingly pointless. What brings you here with an army?”
“Do I need your permission to inspect my own territory? Besides, that’s my question. What business do you have on my land?”
“It’s not illegal to cross territorial borders.”
“But as the territory’s lord, I’m entitled to ask why.”
When Sharon Abner smiled leisurely, Duke Longton narrowed his eyes sharply.
“We aren’t close enough to casually open portals into each other’s lands, are we? Don’t you agree?”
“……”
“Unless you intend to start a war right here and now.”
As though those words were a signal, the Abner soldiers drew their swords all at once.
The instant dozens of blades flashed into view, Teacher Anne collapsed onto the ground.
The orphanage children watched the scene outside from inside the building with terrified faces.
Lambert Longton clenched his teeth as though exhausted.
“…Honestly.”
Reading his mood, the butler hurriedly stepped forward.
“T-there are no political or military reasons involved! Longton only came today to bring back the young lady who will become our duchy’s princess!”
“Oh? From this Evehill Orphanage?”
“Th-that’s correct. His Grace had his eye on a certain child….”
Interest flickered across Sharon Abner’s face.
“So you intend to make that child Longton’s duchess candidate?”
“That is correct.”
At the same moment, hearty laughter echoed across the courtyard.
Tilting his head slightly, Sharon Abner said:
“And who exactly gave you permission to do that?”
