Chapter 26
Despite her awkward-looking steps, inside Chloe’s heart she was dancing a splendid tap dance.
I knew this would happen.
Outwardly, her brows remained lowered, but inwardly she was screaming with joy.
If I pretend to act timid and hesitant like this, someone’s bound to give in!
Chloe knew very well what kind of children adults were weak against.
They always had a soft spot for a pitiful child—one who still tried their best to act bright despite hardships.
And in that, I’m a professional.
Chloe was confident no one could look more pitiable than her.
Because my ability is literally this—the power to look pitiful!
The adults were still watching her with sympathetic eyes.
They probably thought she was acting cautiously, being mindful of them.
But not at all.
The ones actually watching their step were the adults. The ones being moved around were also them.
It was definitely right on the brink of war.
Recalling the conversation she’d overheard outside the office, Chloe pressed her lowered brows even tighter.
If I let my guard down even a little, it’s straight to the death ending. And not just me dying—everyone here dies too.
Get a grip!
Chloe kept steadying herself, walking calmly with firm resolve.
I’ll stop this war no matter what!
And just as she arrived at her destination with that determination, Melissa quickly pulled out the chair beside her.
“Sit here, Chloe.”
Seated between her mother and uncle, Chloe sucked in a breath and looked at Blake.
No matter what, I have to persuade Uncle.
But the moment she turned toward him, all her determination faltered, her mouth forming a little triangle.
“Uncle…”
It was only now, in the light, that she truly saw his face.
His skin was rough as if he hadn’t slept, dark circles sunken beneath his eyes. His cheeks were hollow, as though he hadn’t eaten in days.
Of course, he was still so handsome that it only added a decadent allure to his features.
But as a niece, she couldn’t help but feel her heart ache.
At last, she understood why her uncle and mother had clung to her crying the moment they saw her.
While I was eating well and filling out here, they must have been barely eating, worrying about me.
She had thought sending letters would reassure them.
She had written that she was safe and well, so she assumed they’d be relieved.
But of course not. That had been naïve.
After seeing her kidnapped with their own eyes, how could a single letter put them at ease?
That was why they had prepared for war and even invaded Leander territory.
I knew they would come, but still…
Seeing it in reality was different from imagining it.
Overcome by gratitude and guilt, Chloe carefully reached out her hand.
And just then—while the child was silently offering thanks in her heart—Blake sat beside her, staring at the magic-stone bracelet on her wrist in silence.
Suddenly, Ian Leander’s mocking words came back to him.
A shabby, cheap little magic-stone bracelet…
Painful as it was, he was right.
Compared to that bracelet, what Blake had given his niece was truly inferior.
That bitter truth made Blake lower his hand from the table.
Of course he knew the protective magic-stone bracelet he gave her wasn’t of good quality.
Of course he wanted to give his one and only niece the very best.
If he could, Blake would have sold his own arm just to buy her the finest.
But in his territory, that bracelet had been the best he could manage. Even that had required endless searching, begging his retainers, and calling in every favor.
He could give Chloe everything—except a proper magic stone.
And in this continent, magic stones carried enormous meaning.
As expected of my niece.
Only the most exquisite things suit her.
Blake forced a smile as he admired the glittering bracelet on Chloe’s wrist.
Then—tap. A small, soft hand, like a marshmallow, rested gently on his clenched fist.
“Uncle.”
When he turned, his niece’s face beamed at him.
“Did you miss me a lot?”
Thankfully, her face, so much like his sister’s, was as innocent as ever.
“I missed Uncle so, so much!”
“…Of course.”
Blake answered, feeling as if the glacier in his chest were melting at her smile.
“Of course Uncle missed Chloe terribly.”
“Really?”
Her face brightened even more at that.
“Really really missed me? Did I even appear in your dreams?”
“No, Uncle was so worried about Chloe that I stayed up all night, so I couldn’t dream at all.”
“What?”
And there was one listening intently to their warm exchange.
What is this…
Ian Leander, who had been paying close attention for any signs of abuse.
But the more he listened, the more his brow furrowed in frustration.
Tapping the table with neat fingernails, Ian looked between Blake and Chloe.
“You have to sleep! How could you stay up all night?”
“I tried, but I couldn’t… B-but don’t worry, Chloe! Uncle’s tough! I can go a whole week without food or sleep and still be fine! Hahaha!”
“…And you’re bragging about that?”
“Hahaha… uh… what?”
“Think about it in reverse. How would you feel if I went without food or sleep for days, huh? How would you feel then?”
Blake, being scolded by his niece, looked troubled yet undeniably happy.
It was a softness Ian had never seen in him—so soft it seemed unreal.
“I’m sorry, Chloe.”
Sensing she was genuinely upset, Blake quickly apologized. It was behavior that hardly matched the ruthless man described in reports.
But… hadn’t the reports said he let wild beasts loose to chase a child who could barely walk?
That he was always drunk, beating Chloe until she trembled in fear?
“From now on, I’ll eat properly and sleep properly too! Please, Chloe, don’t cry!”
His pitiful demeanor—begging a niece who barely reached his waist.
His frantic worry that she might cry—
It’s almost like Blake Arus is the one scared of Chloe…
Ian looked away from Blake, who was rubbing his palms nervously, and instead studied Chloe.
Even if Blake were acting, Chloe certainly wasn’t.
Her crossed arms and sharp back turned toward her uncle were genuine.
Her teary eyes—hurt because he hadn’t eaten or slept—were genuine.
Then what were those reports?
Watching Chloe corner her uncle so fiercely, Ian flicked his gaze toward his brother, wanting to ask what he thought.
“…”
But Lucian Leander’s eyes were not on Chloe or Blake.
Tch.
Following his brother’s line of sight, Ian let out a dry laugh of disbelief.
Lucian’s gaze was fixed solely on Melissa Arus.
He didn’t even blink, as though he’d forgotten how to breathe—staring only at the woman who had tormented him so much.
What on earth does he see in her?
Ian sighed inwardly, then glanced at the one his brother was staring at.
Melissa Arus was laughing happily, watching her brother get scolded by Chloe.
Her mischievous smile, teasing Blake along with her daughter, showed none of the shadows of the past.
…It really has been a while since I’ve seen that face.
After all, it had been seven years since Melissa Arus left Leander territory.
Seven years. The sudden memory made Ian’s face harden.
Now was no time for idle chatter.
Kicking his brother’s foot as if to snap him out of it, Ian spoke in a cold, rigid voice.
“If you want to take Chloe, you’ll have to return all the magic stones you’ve received over the past seven years.”
At those words, Blake’s eyes flew wide, just after he’d barely earned Chloe’s forgiveness. Melissa’s smile vanished as well.
“…What?”
“The magic stones. The ones we crafted according to the specifications in your yearly letters, worth five million gallets each. You’ll have to return every last one if you want Chloe back.”
At that, Blake, Melissa—and even Chloe—fell into silence.
All they could do was blink in disbelief at Ian, as though doubting their own ears.
