But Elia couldn’t muster enough strength in her hand and dropped the spoon. A brief silence filled the room.
Razli smiled gently and picked up the fallen spoon.
“Elly, is it okay if I feed you?”
“You, sis?”
“Yeah, is that okay?”
“Okay.”
Meryl quickly brought a new spoon, reading the room.
Razli scooped up some potato soup and gently fed Elia.
Like a mother bird feeding her baby chick, Elia eagerly ate. One bowl wasn’t enough—she ended up eating two.
From then on, Razli often came by to take care of her—within reason, of course.
Felix nagged that Razli needed complete rest, but she continued to visit Elia frequently.
“You two became close pretty quickly,” Alexis commented as he approached Lapis, who had been watching Razli.
“It seems so,” Lapis agreed.
“Since Elly kept her promise, I think it’s time we talked about our contract.”
Lapis smiled.
“The contract was with Lady Elia, so I believe she should be the one to discuss it.”
“That’s fair. We’ll talk once Elia recovers fully. Until then, I expect you’ll stay here.”
“I was planning to ask that favor anyway. Razli still needs time to focus on her recovery.”
“One more thing—don’t develop any unnecessary ambitions toward Elia.”
Alexis gave Lapis a sharp look.
“I’m not such trash that I’d forget a favor. I’m quite clear when it comes to debts and gratitude.”
“You’d do well to keep that in mind.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
“That wasn’t advice. It was a warning.”
“Understood.”
When Lapis bowed his head slightly, Alexis said no more and turned to leave.
But Lapis called out from behind.
“But, Your Grace… aren’t you the one using Lady Elia?”
Alexis stopped and turned back to face him.
“You’re going to such lengths for someone with whom you share no blood. If she weren’t the Guardian of the World Tree, would you have still protected her?”
Alexis slowly turned fully toward Lapis, tilting his head slightly and speaking sharply.
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“…Pardon?”
“Elia is just a little girl. I’m protecting her because I’m an adult. And I’m also the guardian she chose.”
Lapis’s eyes widened in surprise.
He knew the Guardian of the World Tree could choose their protector. And the one chosen would become their partner, receiving the blessings of the World Tree.
Alexis added,
“From now on, be mindful of your words. Think before you speak.”
“If I made things uncomfortable with a careless remark, I apologize.”
“Apology accepted. But remember this—don’t say anything unnecessary in front of Elia. If you hurt her, I won’t forgive it.”
Lapis sensed the deep bond between Alexis and Elia—something beyond what he understood.
Alexis had issued a warning:
If you ever harm Elia, you will not be forgiven.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Duke.”
Alexis gave a small nod and turned away again. At that moment, the door opened and Razli stepped out.
“Oppa, did something happen?”
“Huh?”
“You looked really serious just now.”
“It’s nothing. How’s Lady Elia?”
“She took her medicine and fell asleep. We should probably head back now.”
“Is it okay for you to be walking around without your wheelchair?”
“I need to get used to it. I’m so happy I can walk again.”
Razli grinned as she clung to Lapis’s arm.
It had been a long time since he’d seen his sister smile so brightly—it brought a lump to his throat.
Soon, she wouldn’t just be walking, she’d be running too. Just imagining Razli running around full of life made Lapis feel incredibly happy.
A week passed.
Elia spent it recovering in bed.
Felix had firmly insisted on complete rest, and even Alexis had refused to let her leave the bed.
She lived like a baby bird—being fed, taking her medicine, and lying down.
For a whole week!
“You may move around now.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but no strenuous activity. A short walk should be fine.”
Felix looked at her with concern.
“Milady, please try not to overuse your strength. You’re still very young. If something happens…”
“I won’t. I don’t want to get sick again either.”
“Do you promise?”
“Okay, I promise.”
Unless something major happened, she had no plans to use that much energy again.
“Here’s your medicine.”
“Ugh, this stuff is so bitter. You didn’t make it that way on purpose, did you?”
“Please, I wouldn’t tamper with medicine. Now, take it.”
“Okay…”
Elia swallowed the medicine Felix handed her. Then he popped a candy into her mouth.
It was the same candy Alexis always gave her after medicine. Today, Alexis was busy with work, so Felix had brought it.
“If you move around too much…”
“I won’t, I won’t. Don’t worry.”
Only after silencing Felix’s nagging did Elia finally gain her freedom.
The next day, Elia met with Alexis and Lapis in the duke’s office to discuss the contract.
Her body had recovered, and as long as she didn’t overexert herself, meetings were fine.
She had eaten a hearty breakfast too.
Since heavy food was still off-limits due to her internal injuries, she had mild potato soup and soft bread.
“First, thank you for keeping your promise, Guardian,” said Lapis as he stood and gave a respectful bow to Elia.
“No need to thank me. We did it for mutual benefit. Now, shall we talk business?”
Elia smiled and pulled three potion bottles from her bag—each one filled with a different colored liquid: purple, pink, and yellow.
She had developed them together with Felix.
One was for stamina, one for fertility, and one for joint health. They were labeled with fancy names: Power Plus, Baby Joy, and Joint Care.
“Uncle, appraise these first.”
“These are…”
“They’re the first products I want to trade with you.”
“Understood.”
Lapis took a small hand mirror from his bag. It was a magical tool called the Mirror of Appraisal, used to evaluate the true value of items.
As he poured mana into it, the mirror glowed softly. One by one, he held the potions in front of it to appraise them.
“These are…”
Compared to similar products on the market, the effects were far superior.
“These are top-grade. How in the world did you make them?”
“That’s a trade secret.”
“A shame.”
“For our first transaction, I’d like to put these up for auction on the black market.”
“The black market?”
Elia pointed her finger at Lapis.
“Uncle, you’re the one running it.”
Lapis’s face stiffened for a moment—then relaxed again.
“You’re mistaken. I’m no such person.”
“Oh, come on. I know everything.”
“What do you think you know?”
“Everyone thinks the one in the cat mask runs the black market. But that’s not true. I know you’re the one behind it. The cat mask guy is your right-hand man. Isn’t that right?”
Lapis quickly reached out and covered Elia’s mouth.
“Mmph!”
“Take your hand off her.”
Alexis reached out and slapped Lapis’s hand away.
“You already said it all. What’s the point in stopping her?”
“…Ahem.”
Lapis awkwardly withdrew his hand.
“How on earth did you find out?”
He looked resigned.
After all, this wasn’t information that should be coming from a seven-year-old girl.
“Was it the World Tree again?”
“Bingo. I can find out anything if I want to.”
“Sigh…”
Lapis shrugged.
“Fine. Let’s say I am the operator.”
“Not say—you are.”
“Yes, fine. I admit it. But don’t tell anyone else…”
“I won’t. Promise.”
Elia already knew what Lapis was worried about—so she cut him off before he even needed to ask.
