Chapter 12
Erchiel’s eyes went blank, his mouth half open. How did she get here? He had kept Elena away so she wouldn’t see this ugly scene—but here she was.
“Elena. Wait—”
He quickly stood and rushed to her. Grabbing her shoulders, he lowered his voice with a worried smile, glancing back at the two nobles.
“How did you get here?”
“That’s not important, Teacher. The point is—you don’t have to give those two men money. You know that too, right?”
“…Yes, I know.”
Of course Erchiel knew.
“But right now, it might be better to bend the rules. Look at the situation.”
“What situation? What’s happening now?”
“Elena…”
“Mother never gave them money. That was her rule. And just because she’s not here, that doesn’t change. I have a duty to protect this castle in her place.”
She pushed Erchiel aside and walked in confidently. The two nobles looked smug, but Elena only smiled at them.
“Hello, Count. This time you even brought someone else with you.”
“Ahem—”
“Greetings, young Lady. I am Moras, aide to Marquis Pavel, Commander of the Defense Department. I came because I had something to say after hearing Count Neibel’s story.”
“Is that so?”
Elena walked over, climbed into a chair, and sat down calmly. Moras sneered inwardly. So this little girl is the one who insulted the Count? Ridiculous. Still, he hid his scorn, picked up his teacup, and smiled politely.
“It’s not polite to jump right into the main issue, but since you already spoke as you came in…”
“Go ahead. Say it comfortably.”
“….”
Moras’s eyebrows rose slowly. She’s only ten, and already this bold?
“Tsk tsk—”
Count Neibel clicked his tongue loudly, gulping down his tea. Whatever her skills, he admitted the girl’s attitude was arrogant.
“First, let me say—your words earlier were wrong. You do need to pay.”
“I was only repeating what the law says.”
“Yes. Even I was surprised when the Count told me you memorized the law. At such a young age, you’re already so clever. But—”
Moras cut off, his smile growing sharp.
“That’s just the law’s text. In reality, judges often follow past rulings instead.”
“Exactly so!” Count Neibel shouted, nodding eagerly.
“Of course, you’re not entirely wrong,” Moras continued. “It’s impressive for a child your age to use the law in this way. But that doesn’t make it correct.”
He pulled out a thick file of papers from his bag and laid it on the table.
“These are recent rulings. As you can see, in every similar case, the families had to pay.”
Erchiel quickly snatched the papers, his face hardening. They were real court documents. But the wording was so old-fashioned and complicated, even most adults wouldn’t understand it. How could a ten-year-old possibly…?
“I’ll review this carefully. So for now—”
“Baron Twarlo, this is a matter between the young Lady and us,” Count Neibel cut him off. “Step aside.”
“But this document—”
“Is there a problem with the documents?” Moras smiled slyly, adjusting his glasses.
Erchiel bit his lip. He had lost both authority and justification. He glanced toward Elena, who was calmly flipping through the heavy file.
…Cecilia.
He thought of his friend who had trusted him with her daughter. He sighed, removed his glasses, and tried again.
“Elena, let’s talk—”
“I’m done reading.”
She lowered the file. All eyes turned to her small figure.
“Do you understand it?”
“Yes, I do.” She nodded calmly, looking right at Moras.
“But even so… I won’t pay.”
Her smile made Moras’s expression twist.
“I won’t give you money.”
Of course, Elena hadn’t understood everything. But that didn’t matter. If they brought such a document, it meant they weren’t trying to convince her—they were trying to threaten her.
So her answer was simple.
“As I said before, I have no intention of paying.”
“Y-you little…!!”
“Calm down, Count. Leave this to me.”
Moras turned back to her, wearing his sly smile again.
“May I ask why you refuse? This is very serious. If sued, your family could face many troubles.”
“Trying to scare me won’t work. I already said no, and honestly, you two don’t even have the right to ask. As I said before, Kalstatt never signed the defense treaty. That’s all there is to it.”
“Be careful, young Lady. Not only you, but also your father and mother could suffer greatly because of this.”
Elena sighed. Really? Now they’re dragging my parents into this because I’m a child?
She reached into her coat.
“…Huh? Where is it?”
Her pocket was empty. Strange. She was sure she had it.
“Young Lady, here it is.”
Suddenly Rigel appeared, handing her a sealed letter. Startled, Elena looked at him. He only smiled, bowed, and quietly stepped back.
“…Who is that boy?”
“My page. Anyway.”
Elena quickly held up the letter.
“This is from my mother. After speaking with Count Neibel last time, I told her everything, and this was her reply.”
“…From Lady Cecilia?”
“Yes. Not giving money isn’t just my stance—it’s also my mother’s. You can argue about interpretations of law all you want, but she understands it better than I do. And she still said not to pay.”
Count Neibel and Moras stared at the letter, then looked back at her.
“But you are the one leading this castle now, not your mother far away. Shouldn’t you be the one to decide?”
“I am only her representative, not her replacement. Besides, earlier you said I was too young to know anything. And now you want me to take full responsibility? Which is it?”
She slid down from the chair. The two men quickly rose in anger. Dusting off her dress, she turned to leave.
“I won’t pay. If you want to sue, go ahead.”
“…..”
“And one more thing.”
She glanced back at Count Neibel, who was fuming red.
“You keep coming in and out of this castle as you please. Please stop. If you visit as a family friend, you’re welcome anytime. But if it’s business, follow proper procedure. That’s more important than your so-called interpretation of law. It’s basic manners.”
“What did you just—?! How dare you—”
“Count! Please, calm down!”
“How can I calm down after—!”
He’s angry again, Elena thought. He really has a bad temper. Father was always calm and gentle… I liked that about him.
“Steward.”
She turned to the butler, who was standing frozen.
“Please see our guests out.”
With that, Elena left the parlor, ignoring the furious voices shouting behind her.
