Chapter 25
“Ugh. They don’t understand. I already passed the talent test!”
Lilia puffed up her cheeks and complained, but it was useless.
“I’m just following the family rules. If you don’t agree, you can go back and get permission from another adult. Maybe Aunt Velita?”
“……”
I came here first to avoid meeting Velita. That woman would definitely be waiting to scold me after finding out about my budget mess.
Juan really isn’t helpful at all.
Lilia let out a long sigh and left his room.
Outside, Marit, who had heard everything Juan said, clenched her fists and shook with anger, asking in a low, dark voice,
“Miss, if you give me permission, I really want to… bury that guy.”
“H-Hey, calm down, Marit.”
Normally, Marit seemed like an angel, but right now, her expression looked like an angel from hell. She really looked like she could bury someone.
Marit lifted Lilia in one hand and said nothing.
Although Lilia had pretended not to notice, Marit’s hand had calluses—proof that she wielded a sword.
She also knew Marit sometimes trained at the practice grounds.
‘I shouldn’t do anything to upset Marit…’
It had been a long time since Lilia had come to the East Wing after moving rooms.
The main building and the East Wing were connected by a cloud bridge, but the two places were very different.
The main building was like the heart of Roberc, including the lord’s office and the government palace.
The East Wing was for young heirs who hadn’t yet shown their magic, their tutors, and some servants.
As Lilia crossed the cloud bridge in Marit’s arms toward the main building, she could feel the air change.
The servants working in the main building all stood straight and dressed neatly.
They seemed proud, even more than usual.
Because of this, some servants glanced at Lilia and Marit as they entered, making them feel a little out of place.
“…Do you think everyone is staring at us?”
“I don’t know, Miss.”
“But everyone’s clothes are so clean and white. Do they wash them every day?”
“We do laundry every day too.”
“That won’t do. Marit needs new clothes too…”
Just then, a very imposing elderly woman approached.
“Ah, Miss, should we hide?”
“Huh? Who is that?”
“…Uh. That’s Lady Anna, the head maid!”
A hooked nose, round bun on her head. She looked very intimidating, almost like a witch from a storybook.
Marit tensed up, and Lilia shrank back as well.
Swishing cinnamon-scented air, the head maid approached and bowed politely.
“Ah.”
“I greet you, Miss Lilia, the youngest direct heir of the third generation.”
“Oh, hello, Head Maid?”
Lilia blinked her green eyes as she greeted, and the head maid smiled, showing her white teeth.
But the smile was scary.
Most children would cry seeing that.
Trying to make a good impression, Lilia smiled back.
“…I see you’ve already heard about me. I am Anna Mirabel, the chief head maid of the main building. Congratulations on being able to enter the main building.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“Not at all. Miss, you have now truly proven your ability as a Roberc heir. To celebrate your arrival, we’ve prepared welcome desserts. Please wait in the small reception room for a moment.”
“Yes!”
Is it really okay to be treated like this? And welcome desserts? Is it like in a hotel lobby?
Swallowing her doubts, Lilia got down from Marit’s arms and entered the reception room with her.
The room was beautiful, with top-quality art and green plants.
“Wow… This is the main building. I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t wait to eat all the desserts… I mean, enjoy them fully, Miss. Hohoho.”
“Actually, me too.”
With Marit’s help, Lilia sat on the soft sofa cushions.
The room was magnificent and luxurious.
The chandelier sparkled like jewels.
As they waited, looking forward to the welcome desserts, a boy arrived with a group of people.
He locked eyes with Lilia at the central table.
Raised eyebrows, crooked lips, a look that clearly showed he didn’t like her.
The icy gaze froze her for a moment.
Lilia stared back without fear.
‘Hmph, I don’t lose at staring contests.’
Black hair covering his neck, thin red eyes, cold as a snake.
He was Conrad, Osdel’s son and the most promising current heir.
He was a spitting image of Osdel.
“Master, we have rare Darjeeling tea ready.”
“Tea time is over.”
A servant followed him, speaking politely.
Even adults bowed to a thirteen-year-old boy because Conrad had the best magic among the heirs.
He had mastered both lightning and fire elements, and his magical skill and power could rival even the royal wizards.
“Then how about sparkling wine from Ruspanya instead? Non-alcoholic, so it’s fine for you, Master.”
Another servant tried to impress him.
Conrad twisted his mouth and pointed at Lilia.
“There’s a ‘foreign object’ here. Better move somewhere else.”
“Huh? Foreign object? Then shall we go to the central reception room?”
‘…Did he just call someone a foreign object?’
Lilia was shocked.
‘Wow, pretty face, terrible personality. Truly Osdel’s child.’
While she was quietly fuming, she felt a cold glare from behind.
Marit, expressionless, ground her teeth and said,
“Miss, if I disappear one day, don’t look for me. Got it?”
“…No. I can’t live without you, Marit!”
Lilia hugged her tightly to calm her down.
Just then, a dessert trolley arrived, like a complete dessert gift set.
“Wow, it’s like they moved the whole dessert shop here!”
Her mouth dropped open.
The friendly chef began explaining each dessert.
“From left: chocolate cake with cherries, strawberry chiffon cake, blueberry tart, lemon madeleines, almond financiers. Drinks: milk tea and hot chocolate. Also custard pudding, and finishing with melon sherbet ice cream.”
The chef smiled warmly and left the room.
Lilia tasted the desserts and felt like she had discovered a whole new world of flavors.
“…Ah, happiness. So delicious! The real magic was here all along.”
Thinking of the legendary chef who could rival otherworldly cuisines, Lilia stuffed her cheeks and collected cookies in her bag.
Head Maid Anna said,
“From now on, if you ever want anything, just ask me.”
“Yes, I’ll come often.”
She could almost come here every day. The earlier bad feeling from Conrad was completely gone.
In a week, the official heir training would begin.
Then she might not have as much free time to come here.
‘Before that, I need to find another way to go to the temple.’
Lilia murmured, still enjoying the cool melon sherbet.
“I need a direct adult relative to help me.”
