TMFC 06

Chapter 6

There were some difficult things, but fortunately everything I set out to do was completed well.

‘He actually gave up the slave business without much resistance.’

I did pay the appropriate price for it, though. I told him about a mine where one could legally make money and gather wealth.

When he asked how I knew the information, I gave him a ridiculous excuse.

I said I discovered a hidden mountain range while looking at a map, and that there might be treasure there.

From a child’s mouth, it didn’t sound too strange. However, Edgar didn’t simply brush it off.

“It’s fortunate. I only heard it from merchants talking.”

I didn’t expect that wandering around would help me like this.

All sorts of things I overheard ended up being useful.

The mine was hidden in that mountain range. The path there was extremely rough and no one visited it, so it was practically abandoned land—but it would surely be rich in minerals.

In other words, a gold mine.

Merchants often passed down rumors among themselves.

They probably thought a child would find such stories interesting.

They likely intended to make people spend money while entertaining them.

But they didn’t know.

That my eyes lit up the moment I heard that mountain story.

‘They never thought it could be real.’

In the end, the deal was successful.

What I wanted from Edgar was just one thing: to maintain things as they were.

Since I also secured support for Leon, I had gotten everything I needed.

I owned 10% of the mine, so I wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.

Even if I had to run away, I could just take that money and hide in another country.

“Elle? Look at this. It’s a flower crown.”

“It’s pretty.”

I drank tea while looking at Leon. A blue ribbon was still tied around my wrist.

Leon was able to recognize only me, even when he couldn’t recognize others.

That was because of the blue ribbon that was always tied in the same place.

Getting close to him wasn’t easy.

But through daily effort, we slowly became closer.

“This… it’s for you.”

“Wow, really?”

I wasn’t especially fond of flowers, but I happily accepted the flower crown he offered.

“It’s pretty. Leon can do everything.”

I smiled brightly at him.

His thin fingers lightly touched mine and then pulled away.

I placed the flower crown on my head and stared at Leon.

His shy, reddened face was adorable.

“How do I look?”

At my gaze, Leon slowly lifted his head.

He probably still couldn’t clearly recognize me, but in moments like this, it was proper etiquette to show it to him.

“…Pretty.”

“Really?”

At his words, the corners of my mouth lifted.

His fidgeting fingers paused, then he carefully fixed the slightly crooked flower crown on my head.

“Yes!”

Ah… I’m melting.

I stared blankly at Leon’s bright smile.

His red eyes, shown only to me, curved gently into a crescent shape.

“Leon looks pretty when he smiles too.”

Wait—my face feels like it’s about to explode.

Seeing his even redder face, I reached out.

“You feel like you’re burning up. Are you sick?”

My hand gently touched his forehead, and his body stiffened completely.

I leaned in slightly, our foreheads almost touching, and met his eyes.

“Leon, are you in pain? You don’t seem to have a fever.”

“I-I’m not sick!”

Leon quickly stepped back, eyes wide.

He seemed to catch his breath, then hurried back toward the mansion with stiff, awkward steps.

“Come with me!”

“N-no! I’m going to sleep!”

What’s wrong with him?

I tilted my head, watching him run away.

He’s going to trip like that.

“What is it that you called me for?”

At my blunt tone, my father frowned.

It would be better if we didn’t have to see each other at all.

I quietly hid Leon behind me.

Calling Leon here too—wasn’t that a breach of contract?

“You two seem to be sticking together too often lately.”

“We’re family, so of course we stay together.”

“…Family?”

His eyes narrowed further. My father, Edgar de Belua, didn’t seem to be in a good mood today.

I squinted back at him.

Those blue eyes calmly looked between me and Leon.

Edgar de Belua. At least his name sounded impressive.

In fact, his appearance and status were also more than enough.

Whether I was lucky to be his only child, I wasn’t sure.

“Elle?”

“It’s okay. Don’t be nervous.”

I whispered to Leon as he tugged my clothes nervously.

He was asking me because he still couldn’t recognize who was in front of him no matter how many times he saw him.

“Don’t pay attention to anything that man says.”

I smiled at Leon and lightly touched the back of his hand.

“But…”

Leon still looked uneasy. It was probably the first time in a while he saw someone openly showing hostility toward him.

“I’m here. Even if he looks scary, he won’t kill you.”

Ah—did that make it worse?

But I had to be honest. Edgar had never paid attention to Leon anyway.

Keeping things like this might be best for both sides.

Based on what I knew of my father, he was beyond redemption.

So I had no intention of defending him with lies.

“Hah?”

Seeing my father’s crooked smile, I lifted my chin.

‘Hey, what, why?!’

I’m his daughter—he’s not going to kill me, right? He’s not that much of a monster.

Now that I’d said it, I suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

I am human too; I don’t always make the right judgment.

Or maybe… thinking about the sword hanging on the wall last time…

No. He won’t kill me.

I swallowed dryly.

Edgar looked at me with growing interest.

“You really think the child you brought is family?”

“Compared to a biological family who doesn’t even know what their child is doing because they’re too busy, this is much more like family.”

“And do you even know who is responsible for you living comfortably like this?”

“My father, of course.”

I smiled casually.

I didn’t really feel grateful for it, considering I had no idea how many people he might be exploiting.

Yes, I was definitely a hypocrite.

“……”

I smiled brightly at him.

Seeing his twisted expression, I thought I should behave a little.

Time to stop joking.

I cleared my throat and asked.

“Are you jealous that we’re close or something? What do you want?”

“That’s not how you speak to your father.”

“I learned it from you.”

Edgar pressed his temple with his thumb, as if a headache was coming.

He looked like he was about to tell me to leave—but instead, he turned to Leon.

“Leon, was it? You and I are not family, so you should avoid unnecessary thoughts.”

“Wow! Listen to that!”

I quickly covered Leon’s ears.

If he kept hearing such cruel words, he might hold a grudge.

‘I worked so hard on this!’

Was he trying to ruin everything?

He was really useless.

Leon probably couldn’t even remember my father’s face anyway, so it was fine.

“Leon, let’s go. He’s just being petty. You and I are family, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Leon nodded quickly.

“Don’t call me! We’re not like this normally!”

Edgar’s eyes widened.

Without looking back, I grabbed Leon’s hand and left the office.