Episode 9
After the small incident with Brian, the meal continued in a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
Brian seemed quite pleased with the situation, while Elliot still looked confused about the sudden addition of training today.
The Grand Duke of Crichton and Mother watched the two of them with smiles before starting a conversation with each other.
Since most of the discussion involved asking Mother about what had happened to her over the years, I quietly continued eating without joining in.
To be honest, I preferred it this way—when all the attention was focused on Mother rather than me.
After all, I had spent nearly ten years working as a mercenary and had grown used to being alone.
The only people who had ever shown interest in me during that time were clients or targets.
Well… not only them.
Sometimes there were pitiful people who approached me thinking I was easy prey because I was a woman. There were also many who looked down on the profession of mercenaries and picked fights with me. Some nobles even asked me to quit being a mercenary and become their daughter’s bodyguard. And there were also people who wanted to recruit me into their mercenary companies. The future Mercenary King, for example…
“Um…”
A thought suddenly came to mind, and I carefully opened my mouth.
At once, everyone in the dining room turned their attention to me.
Even though they had been focused on Mother’s story, it seemed they had caught my small voice immediately.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Go ahead and say anything, niece.”
“Does the food not suit your taste? Shall I have them bring something else?”
Faced with so many eyes fixed on me, I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should have spoken at all.
It was true that I was Mother’s daughter—but was it really okay for me to ask something like this?
They were all kind to me and seemed willing to grant anything I wished, so asking itself probably wouldn’t be a problem.
But I still felt uncomfortable around the people here.
They seemed ready to accept me as their family right away, but I wasn’t the same.
I had spent too many years alone, filled with resentment.
Even now, living in the Grand Duke’s household felt almost unreal.
I still couldn’t believe that the Grand Duke of Crichton and Brian, the duke, were always willing to listen to what I had to say.
Just then, Mother raised her hand and gently stroked my head.
When I looked up at her, she smiled softly.
It seemed she understood how hesitant I felt about speaking up.
“It’s okay. You can say it comfortably.”
Hearing her voice finally reassured me enough to speak.
“Your Grace, the Grand Duke… there’s something I’d like to ask.”
As I began, the Grand Duke of Crichton smiled kindly.
“Yes, tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll grant it.”
He nodded as if he were willing to fulfill any request I might make.
“On my way here, I met a boy. It seems he has a warrant out for his arrest. Could you please help resolve that?”
The person I was referring to was Jeffrey Coleman—the future Mercenary King, though right now he was only a young boy.
As far as I knew, even without my help Jeffrey would eventually manage to overcome his situation on his own.
But just because I knew that future didn’t mean I could pretend not to know him.
I couldn’t forget the sight of him starving, unable to get proper food.
If I hadn’t been riding in that cargo wagon, he would have had no choice but to starve or risk stealing food from the merchant caravan.
If he was lucky, he might get something to eat.
If he was unlucky, he could be caught by the caravan staff, beaten badly, and thrown out along the road.
I knew better than anyone how miserable and painful that kind of life was.
I had lived that way myself until I was old enough to register as a mercenary.
That was why I couldn’t just stand by and watch Jeffrey suffer the same hardships.
At his age, it was already hard enough for him to survive alone—and with a warrant out for him, he wouldn’t be able to find work anywhere for a while, nor could he rely on anyone for shelter.
So I wanted to give him just a little help.
Of course, if the Grand Duke refused my request, there would be nothing I could do.
“What’s the boy’s name? Do you know anything about him?”
“His name is Jeffrey Coleman, from Chern. He’s a boy two years older than me—he has silver hair and blue eyes.”
“My dear, two years older than you means he’s eleven. Why would such a young child be wanted…?”
The Grand Duke tilted his head, clearly unable to understand.
I didn’t bother explaining the reason. Once he investigated to lift the warrant, he would find out anyway.
“Is it not possible?”
“It’s not impossible. I’ll look into what happened, and if there’s no serious problem, I’ll have the warrant lifted.”
“Thank you!”
Fortunately, the Grand Duke seemed to accept my request positively.
That was more than enough.
If Jeffrey hadn’t lied to me, then there would surely be circumstances worth considering in his case.
As I let out a sigh of relief, the Grand Duke narrowed his eyes and smiled. There was such warmth in his gaze that it made my chest feel strangely ticklish.
“No need to thank me. If you ever need anything, just tell me.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After hearing my answer, the Grand Duke smiled contentedly and then turned to Mother.
“By the way, Cornelia. Late last night a letter arrived from His Majesty the Emperor. I’m not sure how he heard that we found you, but he asked that if you returned, you come see him at least once.”
“The Emperor… you mean James?”
“Yes. What do you plan to do?”
Mother pressed her lips together, looking troubled.
Watching her carefully, I cut a piece of ham and put it in my mouth.
The current Emperor had once been Mother’s fiancé.
But Mother had fallen in love with Father instead, which had led to their engagement being suddenly broken.
Since he had been the one harmed by Mother’s decision, it was understandable that she felt uncomfortable meeting him.
Perhaps sensing her feelings, the Grand Duke spoke gently.
“Cornelia, if you don’t want to go, I won’t force you. If you say you won’t meet His Majesty, I’ll make sure that meeting never happens—no matter what.”
“I agree with that, but Cornelia,” Brian said after the Grand Duke finished speaking, offering advice. “Wouldn’t it be better to properly apologize for what happened back then? …For Mirabel’s future as well.”
“When you left, we did provide compensation, but it probably wasn’t enough. And someday Mirabel will enter high society. If you have an awkward relationship with His Majesty the Emperor, that could cause problems. So it would be best if you personally apologized at least once.”
“…You’re right. That’s probably best.”
Mother nodded at Brian’s advice.
“He must have suffered humiliation because of me. It’s only right that I go myself and apologize. Father, I’ll visit His Majesty today.”
“Do you have to rush so much? Wouldn’t it be better to go when you feel more at ease?”
“No. Since His Majesty already knows I’ve returned, it’s better to settle this matter without delay.”
“Very well. I’ll arrange it.”
“Yes. And… Father, I’m truly sorry that you must have gone through so much because of me. And I’m sorry to you too, Brother.”
Mother bowed her head in apology. I could clearly see the painful expression on her face.
“No. As long as you returned safely, that’s all that matters to me. Nothing is more important than you…”
“That’s right. We pressured you without understanding your feelings. If anything, we’re the ones who should apologize.”
“If you need someone to accompany you when you go to meet His Majesty, I’ll go with you.”
“No, thank you, but it’s fine. If you come with me, His Majesty might feel uncomfortable. This is something between him and me.”
At least it was fortunate that Mother soon smiled brightly again.
Feeling relieved, I took a bite of the egg tart served for dessert.
The rich tart shell blended perfectly with the sweet, soft custard cream.
Egg tarts had been one of the desserts I occasionally enjoyed during my mercenary days when I stopped by cafés or hotels.
But the egg tarts here at the Crichton Grand Duke’s residence were far softer and more delicious than any I had eaten before.
“…It’s delicious.”
I took another bite and murmured in admiration.
The fact that it wasn’t overly sweet made it especially appealing.
Well, considering this was the Grand Duke’s household, the people making the food must be highly skilled.
“Is it good?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
When I lifted my head at Mother’s voice, I saw that everyone was looking at me fondly.
Realizing they must have all seen me exclaiming over the dessert made me feel embarrassed.
“Eat this too.”
Mother tried to give me the egg tart from her own plate. Startled, I waved my hands.
“No, it’s okay. I already finished mine. I just said that because it was so good.”
“I’m full, so I don’t need it.”
But Mother seemed to think I was holding back because I wanted more and refused to change her mind.
“There’s no need for that, Cornelia. Eat your portion. I’ll have more egg tarts brought immediately.”
Seeing Mother trying to give me her share, the Grand Duke called a maid and ordered more egg tarts.
Before long, a maid entered the dining room pushing a trolley.
She skillfully approached me with a tray and placed more egg tarts on my plate.
“That’s right, Mirabel. If it’s not enough, eat as much as you like. If there’s anything you want to eat, we’ll get it for you.”
Embarrassed, I kept my head lowered and gave a small nod.
“Go on, eat.”
I wished they would stop paying so much attention to me, but feeling their gazes still fixed on me, I awkwardly reached for the egg tart.
I quickly picked one up and took a bite.
Only then did everyone seem satisfied and begin laughing softly.
Even though I felt embarrassed, the sweetness of the egg tart lingered pleasantly in my mouth.
