Chapter 72……………….
Of course, I didn’t think he would be happy about this incident.
But at the very least, I felt relieved that I had prevented him from living a pitiful life as an orphan in some unknown place.
“Then… does that mean the surviving young master will inherit the dukedom?”
“He’s far too young. I’m not sure it’s even possible. A duke’s position isn’t something simple, after all.”
People’s interest was now focused on who would succeed the vacant title of Duke of Hellin.
But it made no sense. The duke’s direct heir, his son, Xeros, was very much alive—so how could anyone else possibly inherit the title?
The dukedom belonged to Xeros. In the original story and even here, that fact was unchanged. He alone could become the next Duke of Hellin. For me, that truth was almost absolute.
‘Otherwise, he won’t be able to connect with our Roellin!’
“If he resembles the late duke’s abilities, then surely he’ll grow into a fine duke one day, won’t he?”
“But he’s still so young… Until his coming-of-age ceremony, he’ll need a guardian. The problem is that everyone’s desperate to become that guardian.”
Whenever Xeros became the subject of gossip, my brow would furrow involuntarily.
They wore the same human faces, but it was as if they were incapable of truly understanding another person’s pain.
Just like how I, when playing the game, had wished for Ellufe Inferna to be executed quickly—they too treated Xeros’s suffering as nothing more than entertainment.
‘If a god exists… is this punishment for me? Because I was the one who once wished for Ellufe Inferna’s death?’
Still, this world was filled with people, so not everyone dismissed Xeros so lightly. Some took interest in the fire itself.
“But what really happened? Last time, the rumor was that the mansion caught fire and even the servants all died. Doesn’t that sound suspicious?”
“Well, it’s the business of high-ranking people. Even if we’re suspicious, what can we do? Maybe assassins broke in. Things like that even happened in the palace.”
At times, vivid memories of that night tormented me.
The acrid stench of burning, stinging my nose. Precious belongings turning to ash and scattering into the night sky.
And with it, a heavy self-reproach—was that truly all I could do at the time? Such thoughts left me sinking into gloom.
Perhaps that was why, lately, I had developed a habit of walking with my head down, step after step.
“Hey, Ellufe.”
Then, a familiar voice called out to me. I lifted my head at the cheerful, welcoming tone, only to see Rekanon waving at me with a bright smile.
“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun.”
Rekanon hated it whenever I addressed him with such formal courtesy, but in public spaces where many eyes were on us, I always treated him with proper respect.
It was important not only for his dignity but also for my own safety.
“I told you, you don’t need to greet me like that.”
As Rekanon’s kind demeanor showed, the attendants quickly slipped away, pretending not to notice.
It was their duty, after all—to turn a blind eye no matter who the prince chose to associate with.
But for me, as Princess Roellin’s official companion, the situation was… troublesome, to say the least.
“Your Highness, I am the princess’s companion. Is it not proper etiquette for me to greet you formally?”
Even after everyone else had withdrawn, I still addressed him with polite speech, my eyes wide. Rekanon’s face flushed red, and he jabbed a finger at me before abruptly turning away.
“Ahem. Enough of that. I didn’t come here to argue with you. But tell me—why were you walking around so gloomily?”
At his question, I hesitated. The truth was, I had been wandering around the palace grounds simply because I felt so suffocated inside.
Walking for hours in this small body across the vast palace left my feet aching, my stomach empty.
But it was the only way I could cover over the dreadful memories of that night.
“…”
When I didn’t answer, he suddenly brought his finger closer and flicked me lightly on the forehead.
“You’re not trying to pull that old trick again, are you? Pretending you’ve lost your memory?”
He was talking about the day I had first transmigrated here. I wondered why he suddenly brought it up—then remembered this was the very spot where I had fought with him, thinking it was all just a dream.
“I just had some free time, so I took a walk. I may have walked too much. I’m not feeling well.”
I hadn’t meant anything by it—just that I was tired and bored, and wanted to go back and rest.
“Don’t tell me… you’re wishing to return to the count’s manor?”
As if. It wasn’t even my real home. Why would I want to go back?
Maybe it was the lifeless tone of my voice, but Rekanon first looked at me with sympathy, then raised his brows mischievously.
“…”
“Ah, I see it now. That expression—you do want to go back.”
With a look of certainty, Rekanon scrutinized me, his lips curling into a wicked little smile, clearly enjoying himself.
How foolish of my past self to ever think of this man as a reliable “big brother” in the game.
“Always trying to act so mature, but in the end you’re still just a child.”
Seeing him tease me, like a kid thrilled to discover a new side to his toy, made my insides boil.
I knew I should smile softly in moments like this, but for some reason today my lips twitched uncontrollably.
“You know what? Forget it! You look like you’ve got nothing better to do anyway. Come with me.”
At his sudden suggestion, I shook my head quickly.
“I do have things to do. I was just taking a short rest.”
“When times are tough, the best way to forget hardships is to stay busy. Let’s go.”
I wished he’d just leave me alone to recharge in peace. But he was acting like a typical extrovert, completely ignoring the needs of an introvert.
In the end, he grabbed my hand and dragged me off.
Rekanon brought me to a place most unfit for a prince.
From the damp smell and mold, anyone could tell it was just a storage room.
“I didn’t know there was such a place in the palace.”
Looking around at the dust-covered space, I spoke, while Rekanon dismissed his guards.
Not that it was completely unsafe—there were still soldiers stationed outside the door.
“No one else is here but us, so you can talk freely.”
He casually placed a hand on top of my head and pressed down hard.
The force bent my knees, and Rekanon burst out laughing, like a child who had just won a game.
“Well, if you’re going to make this big palace feel like home, you’ll need connections. Like someone you can speak comfortably with.”
Amusingly, the first person who came to mind as he spoke… was Kyle.
Kyle always unsettled me, but perhaps that was only because it was Kyle.
“I’m already Her Highness the Princess’s companion. You needn’t worry about me.”
“Come on, don’t be so distant. We were friends once, weren’t we? Besides, I called you here because I need your help.”
When I kept up my stiff attitude, Rekanon resorted to pleading like a spoiled child.
And against such childishness, I couldn’t help but smile. It seemed I really was weak to cute things.
“So, you dragged me here because you need help?”
Dropping my guard, I asked. Rekanon grinned mischievously and leaned in close, his face right before mine.
“Oh. Now you finally look like the Ellufe I know.”
He chuckled, then walked over to pick up a teapot. Even from a distance, I recognized it immediately.
It was the very teapot I had once given to Kyle.
When I realized that, Rekanon glanced at me, hesitating.
“Last time, I noticed you seemed knowledgeable about plants. Could you help me with this case?”
From the serious look on his face, it was clear he’d decided to investigate the incident himself. Which meant—was Kyle also investigating?
“But surely the palace already has excellent botanists.”
“Yet the only one who discovered my allergy was you. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to trust so-called experts.”
The sharp gleam in his eyes left me speechless. I had thought he just wanted to play around with me… but perhaps I hadn’t seen the full extent of who he was.
“If this is the important reason you’ve called me here, then I can no longer speak casually with you, Your Highness.”
No matter the place, it was right to separate public matters from private ones. His words were practically an invitation to investigate alongside him—something I couldn’t take lightly.
“Something’s holding you back, isn’t it?”
