Chapter 37
Seeing her reaction, Termion asked in a rather grave voice.
“Is it really okay to just leave it be? What if she makes a mistake with the wrong person?”
“Don’t worry. Sweetheart, what did Teacher tell you before? What should you do if a stranger tries to pick you up?”
At Ailesia’s question, Eleonora shot her hand up as if she’d been waiting and shouted,
“Shout ‘I don’t like it!’ as loud as I can! If that doesn’t work, lie down and cry and throw a tantrum!”
“What if they grab your hand or try to pat your head?”
“Tell Uncle or Teacher right away!”
“What about holding out your arms first and asking an adult to hug you?”
“Only when Uncle or Teacher is watching!”
“And can you touch a stranger’s body without permission?”
“No! Bad hands—smack!”
After finishing the rapid-fire Q&A, Ailesia and Eleonora both straightened their shoulders and looked proudly at Termion.
“See? Isn’t she smart?”
“I’m smart, right, Uncle!”
“…Hah.”
They were textbook-perfect answers. Seeing his niece lift her chin smugly, Termion found himself at a loss for words.
Eleonora shouldn’t be left alone to begin with, but at least it seemed unlikely she’d be harmed without anyone noticing. That realization brought him a fair amount of relief.
When did she teach her all this…?
Etiquette and other headache-inducing things could be learned gradually as she grew older. What Eleonora needed most right now was affection to fill her parents’ absence, basic manners, and the minimum level of caution expected of a grand duchess.
Honestly, I didn’t expect much.
Contrary to his expectations, Ailesia had been fulfilling her role as a private tutor diligently—especially in the areas Termion cared about most.
Looking at her anew, Termion dipped his head slightly.
“Thank you, Ailesia.”
“Huh? For what?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Once he met her eyes, Termion hesitated, unable to finish.
Would saying she did a better job than expected wound her pride?
And saying she’d filled the void left by Eleonora’s parents felt excessive—almost like forcing a godmother’s role onto an unmarried woman. It might only burden her.
“Your food is ready!”
“Oh, it’s stew—Ellie’s favorite.”
“I like stew!”
Perfect timing—the server brought their breakfast. As plates were set on the table one by one, Ailesia’s voice slipped quietly into Termion’s ear.
[Noid Warren. A knight traitor identified by Viscount Gavin. We’ll talk about the rest after we eat.]
Termion nodded and picked up his fork. At some point, his gaze had grown cold.
* * *
“Gate usage is scheduled for 10:15. Everyone is to finish preparations by 9:30 and wait at the inn. Until then, you may tend to your personal matters.”
It was 8 a.m. Cubera stood in front of the inn, briefing the knights.
“What about guarding Her Grace and the teacher?”
“The Grand Duke will be with them, so there’s no need for concern. I’ll be there as well.”
“Understood.”
Tulk and Ronel saluted and headed back to their rooms. As Cubera had said, Ailesia and Eleonora would spend the remaining morning with Termion.
Unlike the knights resting in their rooms, they had slightly different plans. Cubera had granted free time to help them avoid the others’ attention.
“So, can we go now?”
“I hear there’s a market street just a short walk from the inn. It sounds worth seeing.”
“It’d be nice if we could find some snacks for Ellie. She’ll have to spend the afternoon in the carriage.”
“Can’t you just use magic?”
“Desserts taste best when they’re freshly made.”
Ailesia chatted comfortably with Cubera. They had bonded over carriage talk before departure, and Cubera—acknowledging her abilities—had gone beyond trust to show quiet admiration.
“Is Her Grace coming along as well?”
“I’ll have to leave her behind for a bit. It’s not exactly a child-friendly errand.”
Holding Eleonora in her arms, Ailesia approached Termion. After carefully checking his niece’s clothes, he patted her head.
“You can behave while I’m gone, right?”
“Yeah! I’ll play nicely with my friends!”
“And what did Uncle say earlier?”
“Ne—ver go more than a hundred steps away from the log cabin! Always stay together with my friends!”
“Good. Then shall we go?”
The four left the inn and reached the market street after about five minutes. Soon, they turned into a quiet, deserted alley.
“Please take care of it, Ailesia.”
“I’ll be right back. Ellie, close your eyes, okay?”
“Okay!”
No sooner had Eleonora answered than Ailesia spun the staff in her hand. She vanished in a faint glow—and reappeared alone in less than a minute.
“Well, I’ll be…”
A mage who used spatial movement without an incantation or magical deployment. Even witnessing it firsthand, Cubera could only laugh in disbelief.
“Did you take Ellie safely?”
“Yes. Just in case, I left her with dried fruit and juice.”
Ailesia had temporarily entrusted Eleonora to her friends in the Chernil Forest.
They were about to return briefly to the Grand Ducal House in the capital, and there was no need for the servants there to see Eleonora.
“Don’t worry. With Shyla and Jormu there, not even a dragon could touch her.”
“Are they that strong?”
“Even the entire Letis family wouldn’t stand a chance. Especially Shyla.”
It was an answer that might have bruised one’s pride, but Termion merely nodded. Instead, Cubera’s eyes sparkled.
“Shyla? Are those the wolf-like forest spirits?”
“That’s right. She’s practically second-in-command of the forest.”
“Then the first would be…?”
“Obviously me, wouldn’t you say?”
Shrugging, Ailesia glanced around. Still no sign of anyone nearby.
“Move a little closer. About half a step from me.”
“Like this?”
With Termion and Cubera flanking her, Ailesia gripped her staff with both hands and slowly drew up her mana.
“Alright, here we go. Close your eyes for a moment.”
Thud.
As the tip of her staff struck the ground, golden light enveloped the three of them.
“We’ve arrived.”
At Ailesia’s words, Termion slowly opened his eyes. Viscount Gavin, who had been waiting, greeted them with a warm smile.
“Your Grace, welcome. Have you been well?”
“You’ve been busy since early morning, Chairman.”
“Think nothing of it. And did you rest well last night, Teacher?”
“Oh, more or less.”
Ailesia replied with a gentle smile. After bowing slightly to her, Viscount Gavin greeted Cubera as well.
“Sir Dayfold, have you been serving His Highness well?”
“Oh, come on—try sounding a little happier to see me.”
Cubera scowled at the nagging. Viscount Gavin chuckled kindly and patted his shoulder.
“At your age, sulking like that. You know better than anyone how hard you work.”
“Are you trying to act dignified because the teacher’s here? It doesn’t suit you.”
“Hahaha, acting dignified, you say?”
Smack!
Viscount Gavin smacked Cubera on the back of the head. Ignoring his groan, he turned calmly to Termion.
“Please go inside, Your Grace. I’ve cleared the surroundings in advance.”
“…Very well.”
After briefly watching the two retainers’ farce, Termion moved forward with an impassive expression.
* * *
Termion’s face hardened as he looked at the assassin and knight imprisoned in the underground dungeon.
The assassin lay motionless, as if dead. In the cell diagonally across, the knight sat with his head bowed, his face gaunt.
“Noid Warren.”
“Your Grace…”
A hoarse, cracked voice spilled from Noid’s lips. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Termion’s gaze and lowered his head again.
“Seeing Baron Beighton end up like that—didn’t it make you realize anything?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Your apology isn’t enough to let this slide.”
Termion reached through the bars and seized Noid by the collar.
Bang!
His face slammed forward with a loud crash, yet Noid didn’t even let out a groan.
“Speak. Tell me everything you know. If you cooperate, I’ll record your death as an accident during a mission. Your family will receive compensation.”
“…They first approached me around the time I was officially appointed as a knight.”
“That would’ve been almost two years ago.”
“Around the end of my probation period, my younger sister fell ill with a strange disease…”
