Chapter 32
“Huhhh?”
I was so startled that I instinctively turned around.
At some point, Emil had followed behind me. He gave me a brief, playful smile, then looked around the assembly and continued speaking.
“Although the last successor, Sasha Harloren, is currently away and hasn’t given official approval, since the majority of the three successors have agreed, that should be enough. The issue is one of fairness, isn’t it? But if the parties concerned aren’t bothered, then that clause has no meaning.”
Apparently, even the chairman hadn’t expected this, because he was sweating buckets.
In the end, he sent a desperate SOS glance toward Grandfather.
“This part… has no listed exceptions, so it seems only proper that the head of the main house makes the decision.”
Grandfather, who had been watching quietly, let out a deep, amused chuckle.
“Well, this assembly has turned out quite entertaining today. I don’t mind. Let it be allowed.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
The chairman struck his gavel and declared,
“By the approval of the Grand Duke, Kalmia Harloren is hereby recognized as the official successor of the main house. All rights and privileges shall follow the laws of the domain…”
I slowly looked around the assembly floor.
Quite a few of these delegates had probably been planning to pick a fight with me today, but now they all looked utterly defeated—like their souls had been shaken loose.
Like dogs that had just lost sight of the chicken they were chasing.
And among them, there must surely be some who were connected to the Rotern family’s collusion case.
If they’d managed to infiltrate even a mid-ranking noble house like the Beh family, the scale of it was no small matter.
It would soon be Grandfather’s pest extermination season again.
“Thanks again for digging your own grave, Rotern family!”
Now, the only thing left was to enter the main house with confidence.
Dad was apparently still cooperating with the investigation into the Beh family’s case.
So I decided to return to the guest room in the castle and rest for a bit.
“What about you, Emil?”
“Hmm, I should head back to the main house soon. By now, Mother must have already heard, and if I want to avoid getting nagged to death, it’s best I go back quickly.”
“…I knew it.”
So he really hadn’t gotten permission from Aunt to come here.
“But I can always use the excuse that Uncle Silvan asked me to come, right? And technically, I got dragged into all this by accident! Anyway, since it’s not really my fault, Mother can’t scold me too harshly.”
“…I see.”
Well, what happens to someone else’s back after a scolding isn’t my problem.
Still, it was nice of Emil to step up and help me get approval to return to the main house.
“By the way, when did you contact Ruska? You’ve been so busy—did you even have time to send word?”
“Oh, that?”
Emil winked and lowered his voice.
“When would I have had time to ask my brother? I didn’t contact him.”
“Then did you talk with him beforehand, before coming here?”
“As if. How could I have known things would turn out like this? I just went ahead and used Ruska’s name on my own.”
“…What?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! We’re basically of one heart and mind, you know? When my brother hears what I did, he’ll just sigh and let it slide.”
“…”
I can’t believe he just winged it at a formal assembly—selling snake oil with a straight face, not even a hint of hesitation.
“Is this… the power of a social butterfly?”
No, calling that “charisma” is an insult to social people everywhere.
Emil shrugged, looking smug.
“You’re welcome, you know? Thanks to me, you get to go back to the main house right away. You’re happy, right?”
“…”
“So? Don’t you think that’s worth about… forty gold?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
He was still holding a grudge about not being called “oppa.”
“Well, we’ll see.”
“Man, you drive a hard bargain…”
“What, you wouldn’t take ten gold?”
“Why are you so materialistic? Are you possessed by a money spirit or something?”
Excuse me, but I’m a literal saint certified by the gods themselves—the world’s number one holy maiden.
In a world where saints can use black magic, what’s so wrong about liking money a little?
Anyway, jokes aside—
“Thanks for your help, though. Must be disappointing that your original goal didn’t work out, huh?”
“Huh?”
“You came to see my magic, didn’t you? But since Nergal’s Trial got canceled, you didn’t get to see me use any spells.”
“Uh… r-right… yeah, that’s… true.”
He stumbled over his words, clearly caught off guard.
Quite the contrast from how smooth he’d been while bluffing earlier.
“Well, it’s fine! Once you’re at the main house, you’ll get to see plenty. Not that it matters—I’m obviously stronger, so I’ll have to go easy on you.”
I burst into laughter.
In the original story, Emil was something of an idealized figure.
A person frozen in Ruska’s memories—someone who became both a source of trauma and longing after his death.
But the Emil I met in person was far more vivid.
A little foolish, yes, but ambitious; sly for his age, yet surprisingly clumsy.
And I knew he’d come here because he wanted to get closer to me.
That whole “I wanted to see your magic” excuse was just a cover for that genuine feeling.
“Well, I hope you don’t regret that confidence. I won’t go easy on you, so don’t cry when you lose.”
“Hey!”
“Anyway, you’d better get going before your mom chews you out.”
“…Yeah.”
“It’s a shame we couldn’t eat together. Let’s grab a proper meal next time.”
“Sure… and tell Uncle I said hi.”
“I will.”
Emil turned away, looking reluctant to leave.
“Just like I was happy to meet Mia… I’m sure there are still more good encounters waiting out there.”
“…”
“I hope Mia has those good encounters too…”
Yeah, Dad…
Honestly, I was happy to meet Emil too.
Happy enough to hope that my cousin standing in front of me wouldn’t meet the tragic fate he did in the original story.
I called out to his back as he walked away.
“Take care, okay? …Oppa!”
The moment that last word left my mouth, Emil spun around, eyes wide like he’d seen a ghost.
I burst out laughing, waved goodbye, and ran off before he could say anything.
Just this once. Only once.
If he doesn’t do something worth forty gold again, he’s not hearing that word ever again.
I’d skipped lunch at an awkward time, so I was munching on some heavy snacks when I got a visitor at my guest room.
“Who is it?”
“…It’s Lila Beh. I’d like to pay my respects—may I come in?”
“Oh, sure!”
I hadn’t expected her to come before Dad, who was still being questioned for the investigation.
Lila entered and bowed politely.
“I’ve caused you so much trouble this time. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Oh, not at all! You don’t need to thank me for anything—I didn’t really do much!”
“No, that’s not true. If you hadn’t agreed to accompany me, Lord Silvan would have refused as well. If that had happened, I wouldn’t even be alive right now. How could I not thank you?”
Even though I was just a six-year-old child, she bowed deeply to me.
She was probably the confirmed heir to the Beh family by now, so she really didn’t have to be so formal with someone my age.
“You must have a lot to investigate, yet you came before my dad?”
“Ah, yes. Since I’m directly involved, I’ll be going to the main headquarters with the Black Moon Unit right away. Even though I was the one who reported it, I’m still a member of the Beh family, so suspicions of collusion remain. The investigation won’t be something that ends in a day or two.”
“I see…”
“So I just wanted to come say goodbye before leaving. I probably won’t have another chance to express my gratitude later.”
She smiled softly, reassuring me.
“Lord Silvan is just a witness. He’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
“Okay!”
When he gets back, I’ll make sure he eats a proper meal.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I’ll properly greet you both again once things settle.”
“You don’t need to go that far—but sure, let’s meet again later!”
“Yes.”
Lila gave a precise, formal bow, then looked at me thoughtfully.
“…Is there something you’d like to say?”
“Well…”
After a brief hesitation, she finally spoke.
“I may be out of line saying this, but…”
“…?”
“Was it perhaps you, Lady Kalmia, who sent me that letter?”
