Chapter 14
‘But how?’
Right now, the only place where Lilia could freely get information was the library.
Maybe there is a book about keys in the library.
“First, let’s go to the library.”
Lilia put an outing cloak over her bear-pattern pajamas and wore her soft indoor slippers.
She was about to put the blue book and the key into the white bear bag Marit had made for her.
After finishing the dried meat, Kiki spread his arms wide.
“…Huh? What’s wrong?”
Kiki climbed to the top of Lilia’s head, then moved to the other shoulder. This time, he poked under her left collarbone with his claw.
“Ouch! That hurts!”
Suddenly, goosebumps rose on her skin, and her heart felt tightly squeezed.
At the same time, the mana Lilia had released in the room was pulled back in an instant.
Then the blue book with the keyhole and the magic key disappeared.
“Huh?”
As Lilia’s eyes widened, Kiki pointed at her heart and puffed his chest like he was taking a deep breath.
“How did you do that? Do I breathe in?”
Kiki shook his head and looked at her like she was foolish.
“Ah, I know! If I pull back my mana, the book and key are unsummoned, right?”
And if she released her mana again…
Flaaash!
The book and key appeared.
It’s easy.
In the past, when her magic power was weak, Lilia could never even dream of this. But now it was different!
When she slowly pulled back her mana again, the key and book disappeared perfectly.
Kiki crossed his arms and nodded proudly.
“This is really convenient. But next time, teach me in a more peaceful way. Anyway, thank you.”
After being petted by Lilia, Kiki opened the bag himself and went inside.
“Good. I’m ready. Marit, I— …Eek!”
The moment she opened the door, she saw a young man with wheat-colored hair. Startled, Lilia quickly shut the door again.
“…Who is that?”
Knock knock knock.
The man outside asked,
“Miss Lilia, have you woken up?”
Lilia asked carefully,
“Who are you, mister?”
“Ah, I am late in introducing myself. If you open the door for a moment, I will greet you properly.”
“I was told not to open the door for strangers. My nanny Marit said so.”
Lilia spoke clearly. After a short silence, the man continued.
“…I have been rude. I am Emmet Okims, the Third Aide to His Grace the Duke.”
His voice was very formal.
The Okims Viscount family was well known. According to history books, the former Okims Bank later became the Roberk Bank.
Anyway, the Okims family had served Roberk for over 200 years and handled finance and accounting.
That meant the trust between the two families was very deep and special.
Since he had the Duke’s trust, he must have become the Third Aide at such a young age.
The Duke’s five capable aides were called the “Black Hand.”
Emmet, the youngest of the Okims family, had graduated first in the Department of Business at the Imperial Academy and was even personally scouted by the Emperor.
Of course, he refused that position, which was why he was here.
After confirming he was not suspicious, Lilia quickly opened the door.
She looked carefully at the man before her.
A neat suit with sharp lines.
Sharp purple eyes behind glasses.
He looked perfectly organized.
‘Did Grandfather assign him to watch me?’
He was too capable and busy to watch just a small child.
‘Did he notice something?’
Lilia swallowed nervously and shook her head.
She could not let anyone know she had gained the power of the key.
In the postponed aptitude test, she needed to show another attribute instead of the key’s power…
What would be good?
While Lilia was thinking with her light green eyes moving, Emmet spoke.
“As soon as you woke up, I was ordered to escort you… by His Grace.”
“No!”
“…Pardon?”
“Please keep it a secret from Grandfather that I woke up.”
Lilia put her hands together and begged sincerely.
She lowered her eyebrows pitifully and quickly made her grape-like eyes moist.
After doing this much, surely he would agree?
“Please.”
“…That is not possible, Miss.”
He only pushed up his glasses coldly.
“……”
Hah, he’s not easy.
Lilia stopped acting pitiful and quickly thought.
‘Fine. I need another method.’
Meanwhile, Emmet looked at the small child.
He had often seen children cry or run to their parents when meeting the Duke. So he could guess a little.
“Are you perhaps afraid of meeting His Grace the Duke?”
“…Sniff.”
Nod nod.
The child lowered her head and nodded as if holding back tears.
“If you have done nothing wrong, you will not be scolded. You do not need to worry—”
While Emmet spoke kindly on behalf of the Duke, Lilia was busy thinking.
‘Grandfather is sharp and quick. If I meet him without a plan, there is a high chance I will be found out.’
Until she gathered more information and made a plan, she must not face him.
So she had no choice.
She had to win this man over, by any means!
‘Most of all, if he is the financial genius of the Okims family, shouldn’t I attract him first?’
Her tear strategy did not work.
Among the branch family children, Emmet was known as the second scariest person after Grandfather.
Usually he looked expressionless and smart.
But in truth, he was not good with children.
It was said he never even held his only nephew, afraid he might drop him.
Looking closely, he blinked often and slightly bit his lower lip, watching Lilia carefully.
As if he did not know what to do if she suddenly cried or did something unexpected.
‘Then if I act like a real child and break this stiff atmosphere…?’
At that moment, a lightbulb seemed to shine in Lilia’s mind.
‘Right, that’s it! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?’
As if she made a big decision, Lilia looked up at Aide Emmet.
“Excuse me, Aide. I have something to tell you. Could you come inside the room for a moment?!”
His pupils shook.
“…Then excuse me, Miss.”
At her unexpected words, Emmet quietly stepped into the room.
He waited.
Lilia opened her desk drawer and began taking something out.
For a moment, he became nervous, wondering if she wanted him to play with her. But the child lowered her eyebrows and said,
“Aide, you see.”
“Yes, Miss. What are you trying to—”
As she approached, he stepped back slightly.
But Lilia did not stop.
“Do you have pockets in your jacket?”
“Y-Yes, I do.”
“Good. Then—”
Step step.
Lilia grabbed a handful of shining gold coins (that were actually chocolates) from the drawer.
Then she carefully put more than seven gold coins into Emmet’s jacket pocket.
Once, twice, three times.
Clatter.
She even picked up the ones that fell to the floor and put them in.
Watching the small child move busily with rustling sounds, Emmet finally spoke.
“Um… Miss?”
Emmet looked completely confused.
