TVBUC 08

CHAPTER 08………………………………………………

Startled, I instinctively took half a step back.

Shebert’s red eyes glimmered with hostility.
Then, suddenly, he gave me a crooked smile.

“You’re an orphan, right? No parents, no siblings?”
“…What?”
“Ah, so that’s why you were staring at my father and grandfather’s portrait. You were jealous, weren’t you? Because you’ve never had a family like that, right?”
“…!”

For a moment, I didn’t even understand what he was saying.
Then I realized — Shebert was deliberately stabbing at what he thought was my wound.

After all, Marianne was an orphan sent to live here.

But his words didn’t hurt me in the slightest.
I wasn’t the real Marianne, and I hadn’t looked at that portrait out of sadness anyway.

If anything…

“This guy’s all grown up in body, but not in the head.”

When I first met Shebert, I’d been terrified of him.
But after seeing him a few times, I realized there was no reason to cower.

He was only seventeen.
And if I ever wanted to gain the upper hand over him, now was the perfect time.

I felt courage welling up inside me.

“You’re done for, brat.”

Seeing my irritated expression, Shebert smirked and turned away, clearly pleased with himself.

I quickly glanced around — no one was in sight.

Perfect.
No servants, no attendants.
This was heaven-sent.

“Hey! Lord Shebert!”

I shouted from the bottom of my lungs.

But he didn’t even glance back, just kept walking.

That made me even angrier. I ran with all my might.

“You mouth of destruction! Stop right there!”

And then I shoved him — hard — square in the back.

“Ugh! What the—?!”

Caught completely off guard, Shebert tumbled forward, rolling across the floor and slamming into the wall before he managed to lift his head.

He wasn’t hurt — his body was well-trained, after all —
but he was definitely shocked.

And then… his nose started to throb.

“Is that… blood?”

A bright red line of blood trickled down from his nose.

I stood right in front of him, hands on hips.

“Any person with a head on their shoulders should know how to use their mouth wisely.
From now on, I’d appreciate it if you spoke and behaved a bit more decently.”

“Wh–what? H–head? M–mouth?!”

Watching him splutter in disbelief, I smiled sweetly.

There was no one around anyway, so I might as well let loose.

I raised both hands like hooked claws and loomed closer.

“So if you ever run that mouth of yours carelessly again,
next time it won’t just be a bloody nose —
you’ll bleed from every hole in your body.”

Because I’m a former mage, after all.

Leaving those words hanging in the air, I gave a proud “hmph” and turned away.

Behind me, I thought I heard a hysterical laugh.

Well, I suppose it was humiliating for him.

Hmph. Serves him right.

Meanwhile, behind one of the columns connecting the drawing room to the back garden,
two men had been secretly watching the whole scene.

“Tsk, tsk. What a pathetic fool.”
“Lady Marianne wins.”
“…”

At the Duke’s cold gaze, the butler, Devieu, quickly pressed his lips together.
But when the Duke spoke next, he couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Seems I’ve chosen my daughter-in-law very well.”
“Pff—”

The Duke didn’t notice that his own lips had curved upward too.

Shebert clutched his head in both hands, his blue hair falling over his face.

He was thinking. Hard.

“Head… mouth… bloody nose…!”

The humiliating words kept echoing in his mind.
He couldn’t forget them no matter how hard he tried.

His first-ever nosebleed —
even after years of grueling mountain training and duels with grown knights,
he’d never bled like that before.

But to be beaten by a kid?

He stared down at the blood staining his hands, still unable to believe it.

“Since ancient times, those born with magical power have ruled the world—”

“Ugh! Enough already!”

Startled, the butler Devieu lowered the book he’d been reading and adjusted his monocle.

“It’s true, young master. The Delve family once held that power.
At least, that’s what this book says — though it’s been centuries.”

Shebert instantly regretted asking him to read.

Marianne’s threat replayed in his mind.

‘Next time, you’ll bleed from every hole in your body.’

Every… hole?

Shebert shivered and dropped his hands from his hair, resting his chin on one palm.

“Phew. Devieu.”
“Yes, young master?”
“I want to beat her. You think I can?”
“…”
“Hey! Why aren’t you answering?!”
“…”

Without a word, Devieu simply held up the book about magical bloodlines again.

Seeing that, Shebert ruffled his hair and yelled,

“Why did Father bring that thing here?! What am I to her, huh?!”

Devieu quietly continued reading, unable to say what he was thinking —

“She’s your fiancée, young master.”

After that little skirmish, Shebert didn’t come looking for me again.
I’d expected him to try and get revenge, but thankfully, he didn’t.

Although according to Britta…

“Young master Shebert has gone on a training expedition!”

Apparently, he’d been training even harder than usual —
probably fueled by his anger toward me.

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

Ugh… I really needed to strengthen my magic soon.

Sprawled out on the bed, I thought over everything that had happened.

I’d already thrown the “tutor” issue to the Duke —
all I could do now was wait for the results.

But I still couldn’t remember anything about the second son.

“Hmm…”

And then there was Crimu.

I’d almost told the Duke about him earlier but decided against it —
I didn’t have any solid proof yet.

“But still, why doesn’t the Duke seem to care at all?”

We’d shared a few breakfasts and even spoken privately a couple of times,
but I got the impression he was simply indifferent to his youngest son.

“No wonder Crimu seems so… pitiful.”

Anyone would feel sorry seeing a four-year-old crying like that —
and I’d seen it more than once.

Even if he was a bit of a mischievous brat,
it tugged at my heart.

“It’s not the kid’s fault anyway. It’s always the adults.”

The Duchess had passed away early,
the Duke showed no affection for his children,
and the youngest child had to grow up in such a cold, joyless home.

Once I began thinking of how pitiful Crimu was,
I couldn’t get him out of my head.

To get to the bottom of this, I first had to figure out why he cried every night.

So, with Britta’s help, I learned the nanny’s daily schedule.

“But, my lady… may I ask why you’re curious about that?”

Britta, unexpectedly sharp, tilted her head.

I improvised smoothly.

“Shh!”
“Huh?”
“This is a direct order from the Duke.”
“Ah.”
“So it has to be done secretly, understand?”
“Yes, my lady!”

Britta’s expression shifted from tension to excitement.

…Why was she excited?

Apparently, the words “secret mission” were irresistible to a curious young maid.

But what mattered was getting evidence.
To do that, I had to infiltrate enemy territory myself.

And a few days later, thanks to Britta’s help,
I managed to sneak into Crimu’s room.

“You can count on me, my lady!”

Reliable as ever, Britta distracted the guard outside
and timed everything perfectly for when the nanny and Crimu were out.

I had to admit, I hadn’t expected such talent from her.

“Thank you, Britta.”

Hidden behind a thick curtain, I even had a glass of water ready,
thanks to her quick thinking.

Just before leaving, she gave me a shy grin and wrinkled her nose.

“I’ve always wanted to try something like this, hehe.”

I couldn’t help but smile.
Maybe I’d officially recruit her as my assistant later.

As I was lost in my own satisfied thoughts,
I suddenly heard the door creak open.

Crimu and his nanny had returned from dinner.

I held my breath, clutching my hands tightly.

The little boy’s room was huge —
divided into two sections —
so Britta had said there was no reason for anyone to come to the storage side where I hid.

Still, my heart pounded in my chest.