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Chapter 4
“Bringing home something that was thrown away?”
Standing in front of Edgar again after being summoned, I couldn’t hide my displeased expression.
“Thrown away”? Could his mouth be any more insulting?
At least I’m glad Leon isn’t here right now.
“Why are you suddenly so interested in me? Back when you ignored me completely….”
My voice trailed off as I looked away.
“That was when you were quietly staying in your place. But rumors keep reaching my ears. I can’t ignore them.”
Edgar looked at me with a completely indifferent face.
His tone was flat, harsh, without even a trace of curiosity or emotion.
“I don’t need anything! Just let me live like this.”
“You shouldn’t be needing anything in the first place.”
His words sounded cold, and I fell silent.
I wasn’t even sad, but for some reason I felt down.
‘Who said I wanted anything?’
He leaned his chin on his hand, still watching me as if he had more to say.
“Put it back. What if something causes trouble after you picked up something without an owner?”
“It won’t happen!”
“How can you be so sure? You don’t even know that child.”
At his dry smile, I flinched.
He often smiled like that—empty and cold.
Honestly, it would be better if he just didn’t smile at all.
“I’ll just keep him for a while and then send him away later.”
“Who allowed that?”
“My… my decision….”
“This is my house. And you’re living off my money.”
Tch. So petty.
He really saw me as some useless burden living off him.
The more I thought about it, the more annoying it became.
“I’ll pay you back!”
When I grow up! When I gather enough money from my investments!
“Pay me back?”
I saw it—the mockery on Edgar’s face.
That faint smile was clearly ridicule. My blood boiled.
“I said I will!”
Edgar softened his expression slightly at my shout.
Maybe he liked my angry tone. What a strange man.
“How.”
“Uh….”
“With what.”
“W-well….”
“Explain properly.”
He placed his pen down on the desk.
Arms crossed, he clearly intended to get a real answer from me.
‘No choice…’
I decided to use what I knew from the novel.
“The parchment business. You should shut it down.”
“How do you know that?”
He had never shared his business matters with anyone. But I knew everything about him.
Even the disasters that were coming.
“I-I saw it! You’re using parchment right now!”
“This is used by all nobles.”
“It’s not exactly cheap, right? But in our house, it’s everywhere.”
“So you guessed it from that alone?”
I sighed at his sharp questioning.
Parchment was widely used among nobles.
It had a refined feel, and with paper exports blocked, it was the best available option.
But soon, the parchment business would collapse.
Because a disease would spread from the south, killing large numbers of livestock.
Even though leather could still be processed, nobles would find it disgusting. And once trade disputes with paper-exporting countries were resolved, paper would return to the market.
It was cheaper, and easier to write on. People would naturally choose paper again.
“It’s just… I guessed based on your family doing many businesses.”
“How ridiculous.”
Despite his mocking tone, I continued.
“If I stop now, I might be wrong—but if I don’t, I lose my chance.”
“So.”
He tapped his finger, signaling me to continue.
He was interested now. Or maybe he just wanted to see how far I would talk.
“You should secure paper supply cheaply in advance.”
“Why.”
I had to think fast.
If I answered too confidently, he would suspect me. If I was too vague, he would also suspect me.
I needed something just believable enough.
“Because… animals are pitiful!”
“Right. And so is my time listening to you.”
“One more thing! I heard it while going around outside!”
I quickly added.
I noticed Edgar glancing at the sword hanging on the wall.
A chill ran down my back.
“I heard merchants at the market talking about it! It’s true!”
“Speak properly.”
“Animals are getting sick with some unknown disease and dying!”
Edgar turned to the knight standing beside him.
As if asking for confirmation.
“…I think I’ve heard something like that. Even horses in the stables have been dying lately.”
Luckily, the knight confirmed it.
I exhaled quietly.
‘It worked!’
Edgar’s expression softened slightly.
“You have a decent sense.”
“Must take after my father. My family deals in information, you know.”
“Good instincts.”
His blue eyes finally moved away from me.
“Go. I have no interest in that child. Keep him out of sight.”
“Alright! Please, just don’t pay attention to Leon at all. We’ll act like we don’t exist.”
Edgar didn’t answer. He simply waved his hand dismissively.
Whether he would actually abandon the parchment business or not, it didn’t matter.
For me, this was still a good outcome.
Leon could stay here.
I thought handling Edgar would make things easier.
But standing in front of Leon’s tightly shut door, I sighed repeatedly.
Getting close to him would take serious effort.
He was like a wild cat baring its claws to survive.
“Can I come in?”
No answer.
“Really not allowed?”
“…Go away.”
“I want to see your face.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true! I think I’ll feel better if I see your face. I got permission today too!”
After a moment, the door creaked open.
He quickly hid himself, but…
‘Cute.’
I could see his feet squirming under the blanket.
He had rushed so fast he didn’t even fully hide.
“Leon, are you going to stay in your room forever?”
“….”
“I even brought you food.”
“…You brought someone else with you.”
He spoke quietly under the blanket.
I sighed and looked at Dioria standing beside me.
“Should I send her away?”
“…No.”
“Then I’ll send Dioria out too.”
“Really…?”
“Yes. But you have to wash up.”
“….”
No answer.
His toes stopped moving—he was clearly flustered.
I couldn’t let him stay dirty forever.
I rolled up my sleeves.
“If you keep refusing, I’ll just strip you and wash you myself.”
Startled, he tightened the blanket around himself.
In the end, I called the knights.
They lifted him still wrapped in the blanket.
“W-what are you doing!”
“You had your chance. You refused.”
They carried him to the bathroom.
When the blanket was removed, he fell into the prepared bath—still fully clothed.
“…Haah.”
His wet hair stuck to his face, his white clothes clinging to his body.
I blinked at him.
“H-hey, young lady!”
Dioria quickly covered my eyes and pushed me out.
I stood outside blankly and knocked on the door.
“Why am I the only one kicked out?!”
“What are you talking about?! Go to your room!”
“I’ll wash Leon myself!”
“No need! Dioria will help!”
Leon’s panicked voice came from inside.
I trudged back to my room, disappointed.
It looked like Dioria and Leon would get closer now.
“Ahh! I wanted to be the one closer to him!”
I flopped onto the bed, rolling around.
Only Dioria would get to see that scene.
I turned over and stared at the ceiling.
“I really need to get closer soon. He’s too cute.”
Thinking about Leon’s flushed face and how he shrank into himself, I couldn’t help smiling.
If I had a younger sibling… maybe this is what it would feel like.
I really needed a plan.
