Chapter 9
Lisbeth was more concerned about something else than whether Eden was asleep.
“…Did you come alone at this hour?”
“I couldn’t bring anyone else here.”
Elysia raised one eyebrow as if to say, Isn’t that obvious?
Despite the change in Elysia’s expression, Lisbeth still seemed to have a lot she wanted to say.
“If you’ve got something to say, go ahead.”
At Elysia’s permission, Lisbeth didn’t hesitate and asked directly,
“It’s dangerous to walk around alone after dark. You’re still young, my lady.”
“It may be a bit secluded, but this is still the duke’s estate.”
There was nothing particularly dangerous about it.
And as Lisbeth said, Elysia was still young.
She was showing concern, saying it was dangerous for someone her age to walk around alone at night, but it was unnecessary worry.
Elysia, whose mind was that of an adult, wasn’t the type to be scared just because it was dark around her own home.
Still, it was unexpected to receive such concern from someone like Lisbeth.
“Most noble ladies always bring a guard, even within the estate, especially in secluded areas.”
“You know I don’t have a guard.”
And she never felt the need for one.
Elysia shrugged playfully.
The Duke of Partin never assigned guards to Elysia or Ariel.
He practically neglected his children, so it might have never even occurred to him that they should have protection.
Elysia had long since given up expecting the duke to care about her or Ariel’s safety.
Especially when it came to Ariel—who frequently caused trouble and skipped classes—the duke treated her like she wasn’t even his own blood.
As for Elysia, he only sought her out when he needed something, dumping unpleasant tasks on her before disappearing again.
More than a week had passed since they arrived at the mansion, and the duke hadn’t come looking for Elysia or Ariel even once.
To him, his own children were no more than strangers.
Maybe because they were both girls, he was even more indifferent.
They hadn’t inherited Isabella’s mana, and being born female made it ambiguous for them to inherit the family.
The fact that Elysia’s position had risen as much as it had was practically a miracle.
Starting last year, she had even been given political lessons. It seemed the duke’s expectations for her had gone up.
Who would even want to inherit this family anyway.
Though she obediently attended the lessons, Elysia always had cynical thoughts.
All her focus was on surviving and hoping Eden would destroy the family and kill the Duke of Partin.
So the position of family heir held no interest for her.
“It’s not like I even leave the estate, so what would I need a guard for?”
As Elysia reassessed her position internally, she smiled and added,
“You are the daughter of the Duke of Partin. Given your title and age, it’s only proper that you be escorted.”
Lisbeth emphasized both her title and age.
By now, Elysia realized Lisbeth kept bringing up her age.
“……”
That was unexpected.
Almost no one in the mansion treated Elysia like a child.
She had learned through years of experience that pretending to be naive would only get her hurt here.
So Elysia never acted her age.
Because of her behavior, only the butler Edik and the maid Rachel treated her as someone of her actual age.
Yet here was someone unexpected telling her she was still young.
Elysia’s eyes widened involuntarily.
Funny, considering she threatened me using my brother before. Is it because she has a younger brother herself?
Maybe that’s why she’s more sensitive about kids Elysia’s age.
Even when Elysia had snapped at her in frustration, Lisbeth had remained kind.
That kindness is almost a flaw.
Elysia was well aware that she had dragged Lisbeth into this.
And because she knew that, she was willing to understand even if Lisbeth treated her more coldly.
As long as Lisbeth kept their promise.
“The guards aren’t my responsibility.”
“…Couldn’t you ask His Grace…?”
“No thanks. Just open the door.”
It wasn’t as if she had anyone else to ask—and Elysia certainly wasn’t going to ask the Duke of Partin.
Not wanting to lash out at someone who had just shown concern, Elysia forced her frown into submission.
Instead of talking more about the duke, she simply knocked on the door as if to say, Just open this.
Only then did Lisbeth stifle a sigh and open it.
It was much darker inside than it had been during the day. The lack of light made Elysia hesitate to take a step.
Left with no choice, she reached out along the wall beside the door to find the light switch.
Her hand brushed against something.
Thinking it might be the switch, she pressed it.
Click.
Light flooded the room.
“Eden? You’re still awake.”
As Elysia entered, Eden sat up in bed. A clinking sound echoed from the direction of his feet.
The harsh sound of metal caused not only Elysia but also Lisbeth to stiffen.
Then, Elysia pretended not to notice and spoke to Eden.
“You should’ve at least left the light on.”
She walked over to Eden without hesitation.
“I brought you something to eat.”
She held out a basket of fruit she had brought herself.
Eden simply stared at the fruit.
Familiar fruits were all jumbled together inside the basket.
“Do you not like fruit?”
Elysia sat down beside him on the bed. The mattress dipped under her weight, and she placed the basket on her lap.
“You sit too.”
Why was he still standing?
She patted the spot beside her. Without saying a word, Eden sat back down.
Lisbeth didn’t leave the room. She just stood there, staring at them.
“? Aren’t you going?”
Noticing Lisbeth’s gaze, Elysia asked curiously.
With a stern expression, Lisbeth answered,
“I can’t leave a boy and a girl—both minors—alone in a room together at this hour.”
“……”
“And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t sit together on the bed.”
She was saying this to a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old. One of whom wasn’t even mentally sound and had shackles on his feet.
“You just said I’m still a kid.”
“Yes. That’s why you’re a minor.”
“…Ah.”
She was technically a minor.
“And it’s not even 8 o’clock yet.”
“At your age, that is considered late.”
“Pfft.”
Elysia let out a dry laugh in disbelief.
Still, Lisbeth stood her ground.
“Fine. I’m not planning to stay long anyway…. I’ll just wait until he eats, then leave.”
If it had been another servant, Elysia would’ve told them to leave without arguing.
But she didn’t say that to Lisbeth.
Because she knew Lisbeth wasn’t doing this out of disrespect.
Even so, she casually ignored the request not to sit on the bed together.
“Do you really not like fruit? Should I bring something else next time?”
“……”
Eden kept his lips tightly sealed.
His thin lips pressed together without a word.
“Guess I should’ve asked if you liked it first.”
Blaming herself for not thinking about his preferences, Elysia stood up lightly.
Eden looked startled, glancing between her and the fruit.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Feeling guilty for offering food he might not like, she gently patted his head.
His hair, unwashed for a week, was stiff and coarse, but she didn’t find it dirty.
“Uh…”
Surprised by her touch, Eden flinched again.
The warmth disappeared as quickly as it had come.
“Lisbeth, are there toiletries and clean clothes here?”
“Yes.”
Lisbeth answered without hesitation.
Whatever else was lacking, Eden had what he needed to survive.
It was part of Lisbeth’s duties to deliver used towels and clothes to the maids.
“Eden, do you know how to wash yourself?”
She brushed aside his bangs, and he quietly replied, “Yes.”
“Then go ahead and take a nice warm bath tonight.”
Elysia pointed toward a room that looked like a bathroom, and Eden slowly began to move.
His heavy steps clearly showed how much he didn’t want to.
Even so, he didn’t stop walking. He couldn’t disobey the girl who had come to visit him.
He kept glancing back as he walked.
He was afraid Elysia might leave while he was bathing.
Not knowing his thoughts, Elysia just smiled at him.
That gentle smile finally put him at ease, and he stepped into the bathroom.
Because of the shackle on his foot, the door couldn’t close all the way, leaving a small gap.
“You seem to be getting along well.”
Over the sound of water from the bathroom, Lisbeth spoke.
“I’m trying to.”
Elysia replied playfully.
“…Are you pitying him?”
Would she really try to befriend a strange boy for that reason?
Lisbeth didn’t know Eden’s identity, so she asked.
Elysia replied just as flatly,
“How could I not?”
You pity him too, don’t you?
Regardless of whether one knew what was coming, Eden’s situation was enough to stir anyone’s sympathy.
Both Elysia, who knew his future, and Lisbeth, who didn’t, were disturbed by the collar around his neck and the shackle on his ankle.
No more words passed between them.
Only the sound of running water lingered in the air.
