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Chapter 8
At that moment, having summoned Sylvia and heard the full account, Belia bit her lip.
“You’re saying she read something that no one ever taught her?”
“Yes, Madam. No one at all,”
Sylvia replied firmly.
But if that was true, it was an even bigger problem.
An Awakened One.
Even among nobles, only a rare few were born with special abilities—powers more valuable than a magician’s magic itself.
Even a commoner could rise in status overnight if they manifested such a gift.
Like Sharie.
It was because of that ability that Sharie, once an illegitimate child, was acknowledged as the family’s heir.
He had manifested two sword auras at the age of six, and by fifteen had already become a Sword Master.
It was fortunate he had no desire for the family seat.
Had he wanted it, her husband, Andrea, would have long since been stripped of his right to inherit and sent away to some distant post.
But if Leticia possessed such a power—
Then her own sons’ positions could be in danger.
The family might have to be handed over.
To the daughter of a mere bastard.
If Sharie had been born with an ability, and now his daughter, too, had inherited it—there would be no place left for Belia’s children.
And then—
“I miss Grandpa so much.”
That six-year-old girl, trying so hard to win everyone’s affection—it was clear she had no intention of being pushed aside.
What a sly little fox.
Belia had to crush her.
She had to uproot the threat completely—make sure that child never even dreamed of reaching for the family’s seat.
Belia chewed her lip again, only realizing after a moment that Sylvia was watching her. She turned her head.
“Understood.”
“Then, shall I—”
“For now, Father’s orders are clear. Go and rest.”
“But—!”
Sylvia almost shouted—You were the one who ordered me to do this!—but bit her tongue.
It wasn’t in her favor to clash with Belia now. Her own family was merely a barony, living off Belia’s noble house.
For the sake of her sons, she had to endure.
So she forced a smile.
“Then please, call on me anytime, Madam.”
Belia, pleased by Sylvia’s tact, smiled back with satisfaction.
“I will, Sylvia.”
“……”
“Consider this a small token of my appreciation.”
“Oh, Madam, between us, there’s no need for such things!”
Despite her words, Sylvia swiftly accepted the small pouch Belia offered and tucked it into her dress with a charming smile.
Belia gave a faint smile and leaned back deeply into her sofa.
“Because it’s between us.”
After Sylvia left—
“Elin.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Belia gestured toward her personal maid.
Elin stepped closer and bowed her head.
“Who’s staying in the east annex?”
“Lindsay and Arina. And a new girl named Hale joined recently.”
Belia raised her head at the familiar names, and Elin nodded.
“Both were transferred from the main house.”
In other words, both were Belia’s people.
Smiling at Elin’s careful arrangement, Belia folded her arms.
“Tell them to serve her well—and to watch her closely.”
“……”
“While Father is here, make sure she doesn’t have a single stray thought. And never take your eyes off her. Especially—see if there’s any contact from Sharie.”
“Understood, Madam.”
Elin smiled faintly and bowed.
Whatever abilities the girl had, she was still only six years old—with no one to rely on.
We’ll tame her with kindness, Belia thought.
So that no matter what happens, the girl would never be able to let go of her hand.
Leaving the lord’s chamber, Bennet rubbed his forehead.
“Say he’s sick. Gravely ill.”
“And post guards and inspectors throughout the manor—however you see fit.”
He had no idea what his master was thinking.
But for now, his duty was to obey.
“Hah… Phaelen.”
Just as he turned to call his adjutant, he noticed—not Phaelen—but a small head at the end of the hallway.
A little girl with wheat-blond hair, softly swaying past her shoulders.
“Lady Leticia.”
“Bennet!”
Leticia’s bright, innocent face made Bennet smile politely.
“You haven’t gone yet, my lady?”
“Nope! I was waiting for you.”
That smile—there was something of Sharie in it.
The faint curve of the lips, the half-moon eyes that gleamed when he smiled—seeing it reflected in Leticia’s bright face made Bennet’s mouth twitch upward.
“Did you want to ask me something?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“Then please, go ahead.”
“How’s Grandpa?”
“……He’s all right.”
“Hmm.”
Her little brow furrowed—three neat wrinkles forming on her smooth forehead.
It was a strangely endearing expression for a six-year-old.
Bennet felt an almost uncontrollable urge to pat her shiny head but restrained himself.
“The Lord will be fine, my lady.”
“Mm.”
Even so, Leticia tilted her head, one finger under her chin, as if mulling something over.
Her face made it impossible to hide that she had more to say.
Bennet crouched down to meet her eye level.
“Do you wish to tell me something?”
“Yes, Sir. May I borrow your ear?”
Her polite, sweet tone made him chuckle softly. He leaned his ear toward her lips.
Leticia smiled brightly, cupped her little hands around their faces to block any sound, and whispered—
“They’re going to change the banking law soon.”
“…What?”
“The. Bank. Law.”
Enunciating each word clearly, Leticia’s blue eyes glimmered with light—pale as the sky, deepening to sapphire as she spoke.
Bennet involuntarily swallowed hard.
Leticia blinked up at him.
“You understand, right?”
Her insistent gaze made him nod without thinking.
“But… how did you know—?”
“Kids are short. We hear and see a lot of things adults miss.”
Maybe the Imperial investigators had slipped up—talking carelessly with a child nearby.
Could the inspection team have made a mistake?
Normally, Bennet would have laughed it off. But this was different.
They had just confirmed her as possibly being an Awakened One.
Call Olga as her tutor.
Olga was one of the Empire’s most gifted Awakened. Eccentric, yes—but with sharp intuition for identifying magic and abilities.
Still, what held Bennet’s attention wasn’t the content of her words, but the conviction in her eyes.
That gaze—it felt like staring into the Duke himself.
He swallowed again.
“Understood, my lady.”
Relieved, Leticia glanced around, then covered his ear once more and whispered,
“Also, the land the Kendal family’s looking to buy—you can get it if you add about 20 more gold coins. Make sure you buy it.”
“It’ll make a lot of money later.”
Leaving those words behind, she trotted off—hugging a book half her size.
Bennet stared blankly after her until Phaelen approached.
“Deputy?”
“Ah—oh.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Good question.”
What was he doing?
It felt as if he’d been bewitched—like a fox spirit centuries old had taken human form and walked away.
What exactly are you seeing, my lord?
Or rather—if Lady Leticia truly was an Awakened One—then this was a blessing upon the family.
After Sharie, now Leticia too.
“Ha…”
Bennet trembled with excitement at the thought of the family’s glory lasting for millennia.
He turned to Phaelen.
“The inspection corps?”
“They’ve already entered through the front gate and taken positions.”
Just as Phaelen said, when Bennet drew aside the curtain and looked down, the inspectors were moving freely across the estate—like occupying soldiers.
“What should we do?”
“The Lord said to leave them be.”
“I thought as much.”
Phaelen rubbed the back of his stiff neck, dreading the sleepless nights ahead.
“Tell the knights to keep watch on the inspectors, and summon the administrators.”
“Where to, sir?”
“Ah…”
The main house was too exposed.
And he couldn’t leave while Lady Margo was still staying there.
What should I do…
As Bennet pondered, he caught sight of Leticia again outside the window—walking past the investigators, hugging a book larger than her torso, completely unbothered.
He chuckled softly.
“To the east annex.”
“Sir?”
“Quietly. Through the back gate. Take them to the annex.”
Still confused, Phaelen blinked.
Bennet clapped him on the shoulder as he passed—then stopped and turned back.
“Once that’s done, go straight out and meet Lord Memon.”
“Lord Memon… from the Treasury?”
“Find out if the Imperial court is really planning to sideline the Eshear family—or change the banking law. Confirm it.”
If Leticia’s words were true, they had to act fast—before anything could be set in motion.
“They might not give you a clear answer, but at least gauge the atmosphere.”
“Understood.”
“Be quick.”
