Chapter 20
For a brief moment, the Duke saw the child’s eyes shining like stars.
Within Roberk, the Duke was both respected and feared.
He was used to seeing heirs who bowed their heads or tried to flatter him. Seeing a child boldly demand something from him was new.
Moreover, unlike the other children, Lilia had not even received proper protection from her parents.
To think she had grown up so bright and unbent without her mother’s shadow.
“There is nothing certain. How can I reward you based on mere possibility?” the Duke said.
“What Grandfather says makes sense. That’s why I’d like to propose a deal.”
For such a small, fluffy child, her words were surprisingly composed.
“A deal only works if it benefits me as well. Is this even worth discussing further?”
“Please, just hear me out. I promise that within one month, I’ll achieve a new magical accomplishment and show it to you.”
“One month… Very well. I’ll believe you—for now.”
“And also…”
“There’s more?”
“Yes. Actually, I met my late grandmother in a dream. If you allow me to enter the main estate, I’ll tell you about it little by little.”
“…!”
The Duke’s once-still red eyes rippled violently, like waves caught in a storm.
Just from seeing his gaze tremble, Lilia could tell.
I heard Grandfather loved Grandmother very much while she was alive. So… he must miss her deeply.
After a long silence, the Duke finally spoke.
“You. What do you want?”
Lilia folded her eyes into a sweet, adorable smile and said,
“I want to live in a private palace. And I want to visit the main estate often to see you, Grandfather! Let’s have tea time together.”
At her bold declaration, the Duke’s eyes widened.
“Hah. You little lump of cotton. Soft on the outside, but inside you’re quite the pebble, aren’t you?”
He stroked his beard, thinking for a moment, then spoke.
“Fine. I shall grant you the same treatment as Conrad. A private palace, permission to enter the main estate, a personal carriage, and a special budget. You will hear the details from Emmet.”
“Really, Grandfather? Waaah, I’m so, so happy!”
Lilia jumped in place. As a child, she looked extremely adorable.
“You little fluff. I’ll be watching you.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
As the Duke turned toward his carriage, Lilia hurried after him and gave a deep bow. Then she continued cheerfully flattering him.
“Please keep watching me! I’ll work hard and become the strongest in all of Roberk, Grandfather!”
“If only you spoke less.”
The Duke curled his lips slightly and left. Suleiman, along with the two supervisors, Ilina and Fabian, offered Lilia their congratulations.
“I knew you would succeed, my lady. You are truly wise and admirable.”
“Congratulations, Lady Lilia. I’ll see you in class.”
“I look forward to your future achievements.”
“Hehe, thank you. Director, teachers, please take good care of me.”
Lilia bowed deeply once more. A child who greeted others well was always loved.
After she finished greeting them, Suleiman cleared his throat and searched his pocket. Then he secretly slipped something into Lilia’s hand.
When she looked at it, it was a lollipop.
A bright green candy, fresh like her sparkling eyes.
“Waaah, thank you. I’ll enjoy it!”
She immediately unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth. It was such a large candy that her right cheek puffed out.
It was sour and sweet.
Just like her current mood.
“I have a gift too.”
She handed Suleiman the remaining chocolate she had as a return gift, then walked over to Emmet, her aide, who had been waiting for her.
Scratching her nose lightly, she asked the question she was most curious about.
“Sooo, can I move to the private palace right away?”
“Yes. I’ll guide you there immediately.”
“Wow, I’m excited.”
***
Vladimir glanced sideways at Suleiman, who had followed him, and once inside his office, he immediately cast a Lock spell on the door.
Clank.
The firmly sealed door could no longer be broken or opened by any key.
No one in Roberk.
No—among the living mages of the Empire, there was no one who could break Vladimir von Roberk’s magic.
That was the absolute power of a Grand Mage and the authority that upheld the prestigious magical house of Roberk.
Suleiman stood cautiously across from his lord and spoke in a low voice.
“…Did Your Grace feel it as well?”
Instead of answering, the Duke met his eyes and nodded.
“It was unmistakably mana that cannot be believed to belong to a mere child. Perhaps we may find our answer sooner than expected.”
“Tsk. Don’t speak nonsense. The way you flap your mouth, are you ready to enter the grave?”
“Heh, but isn’t it strange? Of all metals, it had to be a key…”
“Among all studied attributes, metal is the one most filled with riddles and secrets.”
The Duke was right.
For a long time, countless magic scholars across the world, including those of Roberk, had studied it deeply, yet the secrets of the metal attribute remained unsolved.
Suleiman suddenly remembered a fleeting moment from before.
At that time, in the child’s eyes, there had clearly been a keyhole engraved.
It had only been for an instant, so he had dismissed it as a mistake.
“That’s enough. I don’t wish to raise my expectations over something uncertain.”
“Understood, Your Grace. Hehehe. But about your youngest granddaughter—she’s so small, like a chick, yet she speaks so clearly. Isn’t she quite admirable?”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The Duke sat at his desk and turned his attention to his documents.
Suleiman stepped closer, laughing softly, and took out the gold coin chocolate Lilia had given him.
“I brought her a candy, and the way her cheeks puffed out while eating it was so adorable. As a return gift, she gave me this.”
“…If you have nothing useful to say, would you kindly leave?”
Seeing the sharp look directed at him, Suleiman stroked his beard with a bright smile and walked out.
“Don’t regret it later, Your Grace. Spoiling your cute granddaughter freely is one of the joys of old age.”
“Stop meddling in others’ affairs and get out—”
As soon as the Lock spell was lifted with a wave of the Duke’s hand, Suleiman quickly shut the door behind him and left.
***
From that day on, Lilia was assigned her own private palace and moved in.
It was even better than she had imagined.
A lush green lawn garden.
A triangular sky-blue roof and a terrace.
Through the wide arched windows, she could see the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
“It’s like a palace where a princess from a fairy tale lives. It’s so pretty.”
Not only was the exterior beautiful, but the interior was decorated with charming, delicate furniture.
“Gasp! There are two reception rooms and two bathrooms!”
“Wow! There’s even an attic on the second floor! I love it here. I’m going to live here forever.”
While Lilia burst out with excited exclamations, Marit and Yupi smiled warmly as they set down the luggage and carefully inspected the place.
“I really love it too. It finally feels like you’re living somewhere that truly suits you, Lady Lilia. You’re amazing!”
Marit rubbed her cheek against Lilia’s.
“Mhm, I did well, right?”
“Of course. Lady Lilia is a genius.”
While Marit playfully patted her bottom, Yupi returned from checking the backyard and beamed.
“Ahh! There’s even a swing in the back garden. And the best part is the sunlight. It gets much better light than where we used to live, so the laundry will dry nicely.”
Thus, a happy day in the private palace came to an end.
Rolling around on the large, soft bed, Lilia scooped up a spoonful of pudding and smiled sweetly.
“As expected, power is the best!”
