Chapter 06
Ronell hated the dark.
It always felt as though the darkness was reaching out to seize her ankles.
The darkness inside cramped spaces was the worst of all. No matter how desperately she wanted to escape, there was nowhere to run.
A confined space meant there was no escape.
I want to get out.
I hate this place.
She rubbed at the thin crack where a faint sliver of light seeped through.
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave.
If she went outside and caused trouble for the Countess…
She would never be forgiven.
I’ll be thrown out.
Clutching her throbbing head tightly, Ronell desperately tried to stop herself from sobbing.
I can’t even make a sound.
If I do, I’ll be thrown out.
And if I’m thrown out…
Mary had once told her countless stories about what happened to little girls who wandered outside alone at the age of seven.
Living here and being beaten was terrifying…
But being devoured by the monsters that roamed the streets sounded even worse.
So I can’t be thrown out.
I can’t…
But…
How much longer do I have to live like this?
Would it be better if one of those monsters simply ate her?
Then she wouldn’t have to keep living in pain.
No matter how hard she tried to hold them back, soft sobs eventually escaped her lips.
She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, hiccupping quietly as she struggled to calm herself.
Just today.
I only have to endure today.
BANG!
The violent crash from outside the closet made Ronell freeze.
She immediately covered her head with both arms.
Someone’s going to get hit…
Whoever it is… they’re going to get hit!
Just moments ago she had been praying for someone to open the closet.
Now she desperately wished the door would stay shut.
Don’t open it…
Please…
The faint strip of light slowly grew brighter.
Preparing herself for another kick, Ronell curled into an even tighter ball, protecting her head with her hands.
Experience had taught her that being kicked in the hands hurt far less than being kicked directly in the head.
“Little one.”
…Don’t open it…
The unfamiliar voice made Ronell slowly raise her head.
Bathed in the flood of light…
Long black hair flowed like silk, as dark as the night sky.
Crimson eyes looked down at her with emotions she couldn’t understand.
The moment she saw those jewel-like eyes shimmering so beautifully…
Her heart began pounding.
“Meow!!”
The tense silence shattered beneath a loud cry.
Only one white blur darted forward.
Ruby bounded eagerly toward the person he had chosen.
The fluffy white cat bounced excitedly around Ronell’s feet.
“K… Kitty?”
Her swollen cheeks made the words come out clumsily.
The moment Ruby heard her voice…
His large blue eyes instantly became watery.
I’m sorry I was late, Butler!
With great difficulty, Ronell bent down to pet him.
The instant Ruby’s paw brushed lightly across her hand…
The bruises and cuts covering her cheeks and face disappeared completely.
Aeshila’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
Ruby purred proudly from Ronell’s arms.
“Is it her?”
“Meow, meow.”
That’s right.
She’s my next butler!
Ruby puffed out his chest proudly.
Meanwhile, Ronell instinctively hugged him even tighter before lowering her head.
Aeshila knelt down on one knee until they were at eye level.
“Little one.”
There wasn’t the slightest trace of mockery in her voice.
It was gentle…
Warm…
Kind.
Ronell had never imagined anyone would speak to her like that.
Only then did she finally snap back to reality.
“Will you answer me?”
“Are you alright?”
“M… Me?”
“Yes.”
“You.”
Eyes as brilliant as polished garnets looked directly into hers.
“What’s your name?”
“R-Ronell.”
She answered timidly before carefully asking,
“Um… excuse me…”
“W-Who are you?”
“I’m Aeshila Duncan.”
“Hmm…”
“In other words…”
“I’m the granddaughter of the owner of the cat you’re holding.”
“…Ah.”
“Yes.”
So he really does have an owner.
She had known that from the beginning.
Even so…
Somehow it still disappointed her.
She knew a cat like him was far beyond someone like herself.
Still…
Some foolish part of her had hoped.
Ronell lowered her gaze and blinked hard.
Ruby immediately rubbed affectionately against her hand while meowing insistently.
Pet me!
Love me already!
What are you waiting for, Butler?!
Without thinking, Ronell hugged him even tighter.
Ruby happily swished his tail.
“What a spoiled cat.”
After lightly teasing him, Aeshila continued gently,
“And…”
“I came here to take you with me.”
“W-Why…?”
“Why me…?”
Am I being thrown into the streets?
Only moments ago she had wished she didn’t have to live like this anymore.
But now that she imagined being dragged outside…
An overwhelming sadness washed over her.
Ronell blinked desperately to stop the tears from falling.
Her vision blurred.
Because of that…
She never noticed the Countess trying to shout.
Nor did she notice Aeshila silencing the woman with nothing more than a single glance.
Head lowered, Ronell stammered,
“I…”
“I don’t want…”
“to die.”
“I wasn’t trying to steal the cat.”
“I didn’t steal anything.”
“I just…”
“I…”
“I’ve never stolen anything.”
“I really haven’t.”
It had always been Lloyd who blamed everything on her.
She had never stolen anything.
Watching the tearful little girl…
Aeshila barely managed to suppress the anger rising inside her.
Calm down.
Comfort the frightened child first.
“Little one.”
“…”
“I’m not here to arrest you.”
“I’m here to invite you.”
Ronell looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
Why?
As if silently asking that question.
“Reinhardt Duncan is the wealthiest man in the Ederka Empire.”
“And that cat…”
“Has already decided that his next owner will inherit ten percent of Reinhardt Duncan’s fortune.”
“…”
“That’s why.”
The Countess sharply inhaled.
Unlike Ronell…
She understood exactly what those words truly meant.
Ronell instinctively glanced toward the Countess before quickly lowering her head again.
Sometimes…
The Countess would cruelly tell her how disgusting those green eyes were.
Remembering those painful words…
Ronell hugged Ruby tighter, seeking comfort from the warmth against her bare arms.
A soft white paw gently patted her cheek.
“Lift your head.”
The voice was both gentle…
And firm.
Though hesitant…
Ronell found herself obeying.
“That little fellow says…”
“You’re going to be his next owner.”
Ronell glanced down.
Ruby stared straight back at her.
Those bright blue eyes curved proudly.
I did well, didn’t I?
Hurry up and praise me, Butler.
He purred happily while rubbing against her again and again.
“…Huh?”
It took Ronell several seconds to process what she’d heard.
I’m… the cat’s…?
Still dazed, she could only stammer.
The beautiful woman before her elegantly began clapping.
“Congratulations, little one.”
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
When the applause ended…
Silence returned.
A silence so overwhelming it almost felt frightening.
Then Aeshila smiled brightly.
“Congratulations.”
“You’re about to become one of the richest people in the Empire.”
“…What?”
“W-What did you just say?”
Ronell could only blink blankly.
Aeshila’s eyes curved warmly.
“I’m serious.”
“Congratulations.”
At that exact moment—
“Excuse me.”
The Countess’s venomous voice shattered the atmosphere.
Aeshila’s expression darkened instantly.
Watching from the side, Mitchell let out a quiet sigh.
Honestly, Countess…
Can’t you see it?
Lady Aeshila looks ready to chew you alive.
“That has nothing to do with you, Lady Duncan!”
“That child is nothing but House Artes’ illegitimate daughter!”
“You have neither the right nor the reason to take her!”
“Shut your mouth.”
The unexpected profanity made the Countess’s face turn deathly pale.
Aeshila didn’t care.
Her voice dripped with irritation.
“Of everyone standing here…”
“You’re the last person who should be raising your voice.”
“…”
“Aren’t you ashamed?”
“Don’t you feel guilty?”
“Do you have no conscience?”
“If I were you, I’d be kneeling with my head down instead of shouting.”
“What kind of shameless person are you?”
The Countess was about to cry out, How rude!
Before she could…
Aeshila slowly stood.
Like a predator preparing to tear out its prey’s throat.
The Countess instinctively stumbled backward.
Her face had gone completely white.
Her lips trembled.
Her clenched fists shook uncontrollably.
Watching her calmly…
Aeshila spoke with the coldness of an executioner’s blade.
“I understand that you dislike the child.”
“I really do.”
“If I were in your position…”
“I probably wouldn’t like her either.”
“…You.”
“But child abuse is an entirely different matter.”
“You ought to brand your forehead with the words human trash.”
“How dare you abuse a child?”
“She’s a member of House Artes!”
“What I do with her is none of your business—”
Maybe I really should brand her forehead.
“And how dare you attempt to kidnap her!”
“I told you to shut up, child abuser.”
The shrill screaming was giving her a headache.
Massaging the back of her neck, Aeshila straightened.
The killing intent radiating from her dwarfed anything she’d shown before.
“I’m standing here…”
“…”
“…wondering if I should simply burn this manor to the ground.”
“M-Mad…”
The Countess’s voice trembled.
Aeshila didn’t even blink.
“Would stuffing your mouth with banknotes finally make you stay quiet?”
“Or…”
“Should I beat you exactly the way you’ve beaten that child…”
“Lock you inside a closet…”
“And leave you crying and begging?”
Her crimson eyes glowed.
For a brief moment…
They looked like a window into hell.
“What exactly would make you shut up?”
“Y-You’re insane—”
“You think I wouldn’t do it?”
“Yes.”
“I know you’re an Artes.”
“I know that pathetic little fact.”
“But so what?”
“Have you forgotten my surname?”
“…”
“I’m a Duncan.”
Suddenly…
A delighted smile spread across Aeshila’s face.
“Oh, Countess.”
“If I remember correctly…”
“House Artes built its fortune on the southern grain region.”
The Countess’s face twitched violently.
She already sensed where this was going.
“It would be rather entertaining…”
“If I blocked every road leading there.”
“Don’t you think?”
