Chapter 10 

“Keep frowning like that and you’ll get wrinkles. Such a handsome face—you should take care of it.”

“There’s no need for you to worry about that.”

“Oh? Not denying the ‘handsome’ part, I see?”

“……”

People say attractive men and women always know they’re attractive.
Looks like he wasn’t any different.

Aylesia stifled a laugh and continued:

“So, we’ll say I’m a mage to everyone else?”

“…For now.”

“No official test or anything?”

“You and the knights have already shown your ability clearly. If absolutely necessary, we can measure your mana with a magic device.”

“Will that be enough?”

“It should be sufficient. The retainers won’t object after that.”

His tone, earlier sharp with emotion, had finally calmed down.

“Alright. Anything else I should know?”

“No.”

“Okay then. I’d better rest and prepare.”

Snap!

A large blanket appeared instantly.
Aylesia immediately pulled one side over Eleanor and wrapped herself inside too.

She had clearly been waiting for him to finish speaking.

“… Going to sleep already?”

Whether he stared or not, she answered mischievously:

“Of course. Sleeping early makes you grow tall.”

“I thought you were the adult here?”

“I meant you, Your Grace. Your growth period still has a long way to go.”

“… Good night.”

For some reason, his voice sounded sulky.
His shoulders even drooped a little.

Is he upset because he doesn’t want to go to sleep yet?

Aylesia tilted her head from where she lay.
Just then, their eyes met—
And like every other time before, Thermion instantly turned his face away with a slight frown.

So picky.

Our duke really had such a strange personality.
A nephew that moody, and an uncle just as complicated—
Maybe that really is what “runs in the family.”

Even with her intense fangirling, she’d need some time to fully adjust.

* * *

Two days later, a massive mansion came into view.
It was the Retis family’s townhouse located in the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

They probably came here because of Ellie.

The northern duchy was already deep into winter.
Soon, bitter storms would roll in.
Not the best place for young Eleanor to stay.

Passing through the main gate and arriving at the front hall, she saw servants and knights lined up neatly in rows.

Quite a sight, honestly.

As the carriage stopped, Thermion—who had been riding beside them—knocked on the door.
A signal for them to step out.

“Hold tight, Ellie.”

“Okay.”

Aylesia held Eleanor in one arm and descended from the carriage, sliding down as if gliding through air—
an acrobatic use of flight magic.

“Wh-whoa?!”

“Your Ladyship…!”

“Who is that woman?”

Servants whispered.
It wasn’t surprising—
A mysterious woman they had never seen before just stepped out of the carriage holding the young lady of the house.

The knights in black uniforms kept their posture stiff, but their eyes twitched.
They all looked like they had a dozen questions they wanted to ask.

“Welcome back, Your Grace! Welcome, Your Ladyship!”

“Welcome!”

At the head of the line, one man called out loudly.
Everyone echoed in unison and bowed.

The knights placed their fists over their hearts, backs straight.

“Welcome home, Your Grace. You must have been through much, Your Ladyship.”

The man who gave the greeting stepped forward.
His neatly tailored suit and early-forties appearance made Aylesia narrow her eyes slightly.

Ah. You.

Baron Beighton—the head butler.

The one responsible for letting Eleanor wander into the forest in the first place.
A traitor to the duchy.

The second “button” she had to tear off.

* * *

The reaction in the retainer meeting was mostly the same.

Baron Beighton kept a calm expression, but many furtive glances were thrown in Aylesia’s direction.

One burly man, arms crossed, stayed expressionless the entire time.

Sir Kubera Dayfold—the Commander of the Tigel Knight Order.

The strongest among the Retis family’s mage-knights.
One of the top five knights in the entire Empire.

Across from him sat an elderly woman, her face stiff and cold.

Ingrid Hermann, the Head Lady-in-Waiting.

If Beighton was a button to be ripped off…
These two were the people she needed firmly on her side.

… Though honestly, even if we never become friends, it’s fine.

If she went all out, there wasn’t a soul in this mansion who could stop her anyway.

“We’ll begin the meeting now.”

The man sitting between Thermion and Lady Hermann spoke up.

Baron Gavin—the chair of the retainers’ council.

Neatly combed brown hair and a smooth, well-practiced noble expression.
A seasoned mediator who always stepped in whenever Thermion clashed with the retainers.

The original novel never gave his exact age, but he looked to be around sixty.

Funny how I know everyone even though it’s my first time seeing them.

Aylesia calmed herself and waited to hear what they’d say.

“We found Lady Eleanor in the Chernil Forest in the western empire.”

“Wha—!”

As soon as Thermion spoke, shocked murmurs erupted around the table.

“The Chernil Forest…?!”

“The legendary forest where the dragon sleeps?!”

“That’s more than 500 kilometers from the capital—how could she end up there?!”

The retainers whispered among themselves, unable to understand.

Eleanor had said she fell asleep somewhere in the estate garden and woke up in the middle of the forest.
Exactly as in the original story.

“Let’s calm down. His Grace hasn’t finished.”

Baron Gavin raised a hand, quieting the room.
Thermion continued:

“Fortunately, Eleanor returned safely with no injuries or illness. All thanks to the lady here.”

He raised his arm and gestured politely toward Aylesia.

“Allow me to formally introduce her. This is Lady Aylesia Milenoff. She saved Eleanor’s life. Treat her with the utmost respect due a distinguished guest.”

“Do you intend to let Lady Milenoff remain in the estate?”

Lady Hermann joined the conversation at once.
Her gaze toward Aylesia was sharper than before, almost hostile.

“Aylesia is a mage of considerable skill. Eleanor trusts her, so I intend to appoint her as Eleanor’s private tutor.”

The room stirred again.

Half looked startled.
Half looked outright displeased.

A “private tutor” to the duchy’s sole heir was essentially the same as being her official mentor.
Someone who couldn’t be treated lightly—and who would naturally gain influence.

No retainer would immediately agree to handing such an important position to an unknown outsider.

“Ahem.”

Baron Beighton cleared his throat, then bowed politely to Thermion.

“May I speak, Your Grace?”

“Go ahead.”

“As you said, Lady Milenoff has done us a great service. We owe her deeply. However… the role of tutor to the young lady is a separate matter.”

“What are you implying?”

Beighton glanced at Aylesia briefly before bowing again.

“Lady Eleanor is currently the sole heir of the Retis family. Even if Lady Milenoff saved her life, we cannot appoint someone whose identity and background are unclear. We are not even certain what her level of skill truly is. For the young lady’s education, many reputable and verified scholars are already available.”

Aylesia snorted under her breath.

Three hundred years passed, and nobles still talk in circles like this.

She hadn’t expected a warm welcome, so she wasn’t offended.

Fine. Go on. Let’s hear everything you have to say.

Her eyes gleamed like a predator waiting for her prey.