Chapter 26
The words slipped out in my fluster, but that only made them more sincere.
When I swore on my father and answered with complete seriousness, Emil blinked as if caught off guard. Then, a shy smile spread across his face. Unlike that perfectly practiced smile from before, this one looked his age—more boyish, more genuine.
“You even swore on your dad. If you’re lying, I’ll be angry.”
“I’m not lying…”
I puffed out my cheeks in protest, and Emil poked them with his finger.
“W–what are you doing?”
“They looked so puffed up I thought they’d burst. Guess not.”
“Do you think people’s cheeks are balloons!?”
I rubbed at the spot he’d poked, glaring. He only mumbled a half-hearted apology.
“Sorry, sorry.”
Then, as if remembering, he straightened.
“Anyway, I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. You already know, but I’m Emil.”
“…Mm. I’m Kalmia.”
Now that we’d exchanged proper introductions, the absurdity of the situation struck me again.
What on earth was he even doing here?
“Say… Emil, why are you here?”
Instead of answering, Emil frowned at me, annoyed.
“…Do you even know how old I am?”
“Of course I do… you’re ten, right?”
“And you?”
“Six.”
“So how much older am I than you?”
“…You’re not testing if I can add, are you?”
“Then why are you calling me by my name?”
I was dumbfounded.
‘Seriously… is he sulking because I didn’t call him oppa?’
On this continent, titles weren’t nearly as rigid. “Oppa” or “unnie” were treated more like nicknames than a mandatory honorific. This wasn’t like those countries where failing to use titles made you seem like an uneducated savage.
So I gave him a deliberately dry response.
“Calling you oppa doesn’t come cheap.”
“….”
“I’ll call you that every time you pay me. Starting at forty gold.”
For context, one gold coin on this continent was worth about a million won.
Emil burst out laughing.
“Wow… how can such a cheeky little girl even exist?”
“People say that often.”
“Unbelievable… What was Uncle Silvan thinking, raising a daughter like this…”
He muttered under his breath, then froze, realizing what he’d said. He must have heard the rumor—that I wasn’t Father’s real daughter.
‘Well… it’s true, so not really a rumor.’
Still, he seemed to regret the slip, because he quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, fine. So if I do something worth forty gold, will you call me oppa?”
“Depends.”
“You’re really picky.”
“Ugh, forget it. More importantly, you haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?”
I was certain Emil had no reason to attend today’s council session.
The regular assembly only allowed specific attendees: the delegates, their households, and the individuals directly involved in the agenda.
Aunt Audrey hadn’t yet established her own branch of the family, so she didn’t qualify as a delegate. Not that she cared, since she already held an important position elsewhere. And I’d checked the agenda myself—nothing today concerned her or Emil.
So why was he here?
Emil answered with the straightest of faces.
“Obviously, I’m your escort!”
“…What?”
“Guardians aren’t allowed to enter the Tower of the Commander, right? So Uncle said he’d meet you at Palmos Shelter instead. In the meantime, he sent me to make sure you’d arrive safely.”
I stared at him. The tower always assigned its own escorts—this was completely unnecessary. That wasn’t the point, though.
“You’re saying… Father asked you to?”
“Yup.”
“My father… asked his nephew for help?”
That didn’t sound like something my socially inept father could possibly do.
When I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, Emil smacked his lips, then explained.
“Well… let’s just say I created the right mood for it.”
He reenacted it dramatically:
“Kalmia’s still so young! Even if it’s only a two-hour trip, wouldn’t it be lonely for her to travel without anyone beside her?”
“My daughter is strong.”
“On the surface, sure, but deep down she’ll miss having company! I know—I felt the same at that age!”
His sales pitch was absurdly convincing.
“Then why didn’t Father tell me?”
Emil grinned sheepishly.
“Because he wanted to get closer to you.”
“…Closer?”
“First impressions are everything! Meeting at the main house would’ve been too formal. He wanted a chance to bond properly.”
“…Bond?”
“You don’t grow close just by sitting across from each other, right? You need an impact. Something memorable!”
“…Keeping it a secret from me was the impact?”
“Exactly! Uncle said, ‘Just trust me, Emil.’”
‘Father…!’
The introverted hermit had fallen victim to the nonsense of a born extrovert.
I buried my face in my hands.
“How… how could he fall for such ridiculous drivel…”
“Yeah, I was worried too. Your dad… doesn’t have any friends, right?”
That was a low blow.
I lashed out, kicking Emil’s shin under the carriage.
“Die.”
“Ow!”
“My dad might be socially incompetent, but don’t say it outright…”
“…Wasn’t what you said worse?”
“Anyway!”
Cutting him off, I tapped the communication stone and instructed the coachman to depart.
I couldn’t exactly throw him out if Father had permitted it. As long as he didn’t cause trouble today, I’d let it slide.
Still, I narrowed my eyes, determined to uncover Emil’s real motives.
At Esadra Castle
The formal council wouldn’t begin until mid-morning, but those who’d arrived the night before were invited to a light breakfast.
Suzanna Veh smoothed her dress and entered quietly. Unlike her usual at-home wear, this gown was reserved and elegant.
“Good morning, Lord.”
“Oh, you are… Veh’s second daughter, aren’t you? It’s been a while.”
“Yes. I trust you’ve been well?”
“Well enough.”
The delegate’s smile was strained. Like the Veh family, he aligned with the Feydel faction, and he was still reeling from the political blow they had recently suffered. Claiming he was “well” was a stretch.
“But what brings you here? Where is your father?”
“He’s unwell, so I’ve come in his stead.”
“And your elder sister?”
“I left ahead of her yesterday. She said she’d stop elsewhere on the way.”
“I see. Still, without the patriarch present, today’s affairs…”
“Please don’t worry.”
Suzanna smiled sweetly.
“In truth, I’ve already been handling this matter on his behalf. I’m the one who managed the preparations.”
“…Is that so? Impressive. Even the second daughter is so capable—your father must be proud.”
“You flatter me. As the soon-to-be heir of our branch, I’ll rely on your support.”
“…Heir?”
The delegate blinked. Everyone assumed her elder sister, Lila, would inherit the position of successor. But Suzanna was saying otherwise.
“Yes. That will be made official today. Which is why…”
Leaning closer, she whispered like a serpent.
“…let us discuss how we might drive Kalmia Hallhoren out of the main house.”
Back in the carriage, Emil suddenly brightened.
“Oh, that reminds me—I brought you a present! Try this on!”
He opened a small box to reveal a delicate hair ornament shaped like flowers and leaves. Before I could protest, he had me wearing it and holding up a mirror.
It was beautiful.
‘Not bad for someone his age…’
Even his own outfit was striking—an elegant suit tailored for children, refined without seeming pretentious. Aunt Audrey was known for her fashion sense, and clearly Emil had inherited it. Not that I’d say so—he hated being compared to her.
“We still have a long ride. Want to play thief-and-catcher?”
I gave him a long, searching look, then asked directly.
“…So, why did you really come find me?”
“Huh?”
“Why me? Aunt Audrey isn’t even attending the council.”
“I told you—your dad asked me—”
“Not that.”
Smoothing down my skirt, I fixed him with a sharp stare.
“What’s your real motive?”
