~Chapter 37~
I should deal with the red prey in front of me and finish it off.
“Denver, why are you hiding?”
“Hiding? No, I was just waiting until your conversation was over.”
At Esther’s call, Denver appeared from around the corner with a smile.
Esther looked at him with a reluctant face.
“I’ve come to escort you.”
“Mm. But can you even enter here?”
“Yes, I said I was the young lady’s exclusive servant.”
It didn’t seem like something that would normally get you inside.
“But since they still wouldn’t open the door, I had a short talk with them.”
There was deep satisfaction in his curved gaze.
I didn’t even need to ask what kind of conversation he had.
‘Come to think of it, he seems more like a demon than a demon.’
Though he probably wasn’t one.
“What about Banshee?”
“I heard from Shiphon that she’s already arrived.”
Well then, shall I take care of this prey first? Esther grinned.
“Mm, let’s go.”
There were mountains of things to deal with, but she thought the Banshee matter might be something she could settle soon.
Esther returned to the annex, met up with Banshee, and was about to leave the mansion as usual when—
“Now that you’ve been officially listed as the Eggbert family’s heir, where do you think you’re going with so few people?”
“Grandfather?”
Esther’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of Ernheart Eggbert.
‘I was wondering why I hadn’t seen him lately, so why is he here?’
Esther tilted her head.
“This old man, for siding with a tiny thing like you, almost got thrown out of the mansion.”
“Why…?”
“Mary may look elegant, noble, gentle, and kind, but she has quite the personality. It’s only because she slept for so long that she’s not like that now.”
Elegant and noble?
Well, that could be true. Thinking of how she stood firm even with shaky legs…
But gentle and kind…?
In Esther’s mind appeared the image of Mary Eggbert yelling like thunder.
“…”
“You look like you have a problem with what I said.”
“Grandfather… aren’t you busy?”
Why was he blocking the doorway?
“If you must know, I’m basically a figurehead. Mary usually handled all the real work. Now that she’s up, I have nothing to do.”
“Aha…”
“And, because I picked the successor without asking, she told me not to show my face outside my room for a while.”
Then why was he outside now?
Looking around, they were neither in his room nor inside the mansion.
“I got fed up, so I escaped for a bit.”
He answered freely, as if reading the question on Esther’s face.
‘That’s… strange logic.’
Unable to follow his train of thought, Esther blinked blankly, then scratched her cheek.
“Mm, well, good luck on your walk, Grandfather!”
Esther tried to end the conversation quickly, but Ernheart Eggbert didn’t move from his spot.
“So, I asked—where are you going?”
Esther’s face crumpled.
‘Annoying.’
She knew he was interested since she’d helped get Mary out of bed, but it was just a transaction.
“Just going out. I’m restless too.”
Ernheart Eggbert looked at her small back with an annoyed expression. Two maids and one man who didn’t look ordinary, but still—only three people? Where could she possibly be going?
“Perfect, I have nothing to do either. Let’s take a walk together.”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
She could vividly imagine a future of torture at the hands of an inquisitor.
Then Esther remembered a book she’d read recently—something Denver had given her called Useful Knowledge for Life. It had a section on how to firmly refuse someone you dislike.
Recalling the safest phrase, Esther spoke.
“No, I don’t want to, please don’t.”
Humans really were so mild.
To think you could reject someone so clearly with just these words.
“…”
“Pfft…”
A laugh burst out from Denver.
She snapped her head toward him, but he wore a blank face like nothing had happened.
‘Yeah right, I heard you.’
“…The book said to say this when you refuse.”
When she explained, Ernheart Eggbert nodded with a reluctant look.
“…Not wrong.”
Even so, his face showed clear discomfort.
What kind of book did Denver give her?
“Anyway… I’m busy! You and I aren’t even family, so I’m going alone.”
Esther forced the words out stiffly.
“Why aren’t we family? Your name is in the Eggbert family register.”
“Not yet, right?”
“It’ll be done as soon as the imperial family approves it.”
“Which hasn’t happened yet.”
“Don’t nitpick an elder’s words.”
Esther pouted.
“Please move, I’m busy.”
She decided to treat him lightly from now on—he didn’t even have an exclamation mark above his head.
But then, as if reading her mind, a [!] suddenly popped up in front of him.
‘…Should I kill Migael Enoch?’
She was sure that man was behind this manipulation.
“Yellow mark…”
She could just ignore it, but could she really let even one slip away?
[The Pure Love of a Rogue Knight II]
Ernheart Eggbert is extremely happy that Mary Eggbert has returned, even if it’s only temporary because of you.
The love between Ernheart and Mary was so passionate that even cheap romance novels used it as material.
However, their relationship is not good right now.
He is thinking of ways to reconcile.
Perhaps the cute charm of a granddaughter could bring them together…
Esther quickly looked away from the parchment.
‘Insane.’
She decided to ignore it and sighed. He didn’t look like he planned to move aside.
“Grandfather.”
“What is it, little one?”
“If you move, I’ll tell you how to make up with Grandmother.”
“…What?”
“I know what’s bothering you. I can solve it.”
His eye twitched as he crossed his arms.
“That’s also—”
He stopped mid-sentence, noticing the servants behind him. With a short sigh, he stepped aside slightly.
“A promise—”
Esther darted past.
“Was a lie!”
Before the words finished leaving her mouth, Denver grabbed her and vanished.
At the same time, Banshee scooped up Shiphon and followed.
Only Ernheart Eggbert remained, looking dumbfounded.
“…Ha, that little thing…”
She had brought up the very thing bothering him, only to run off.
He flicked his fingers lightly.
“Follow without being noticed. If it seems dangerous, you may reveal yourself.”
A leaf dropped from a nearby tree branch.
“She thinks she can play with Ernheart in the palm of her hand.”
He frowned, then laughed in disbelief.
“If it weren’t for Mary, I’d never be like this with that child.”
Smiling bitterly at his own selfishness, he turned away.
At Banshee’s house, Esther couldn’t hide her surprise.
“To keep up with my pace—you’re skilled, Miss Banshee.”
Denver narrowed his eyes while holding Esther in his arms.
Banshee gently set Shiphon down, her voice cautious.
“It’s a skill I learned briefly when I was young.”
“For that, it doesn’t look very safe.”
It was hard to believe she was the same person who had been crying before.
“I swear, I have no intention to harm the young lady. The side you saw before was the real me—and so is this.”
“That footwork is an assassin’s specialty, from the very organization I despise most. You know I have no reason to trust you.”
Banshee pressed her lips shut, looking like she might cry.
Esther blinked in Denver’s tight hold.
He was holding her so protectively that strangers would think she was some rare treasure.
‘Though I know it’s just curiosity.’
Their master-servant bond was actually weaker than the one with Shiphon, but Denver still felt it strongly.
“I truly mean it. I’ll even strip my clothes if you think I’m hiding weapons. Please—just check my father’s condition.”
“That organization is full of excellent actors. They could all become professional performers.”
“Young lady, please believe me.”
Banshee turned to Esther with a pleading gaze. Esther glanced at the house—she didn’t feel any strange energy inside.
But that only meant there was no detectable magic or divine power. If weapons were hidden, she wouldn’t know.
‘Well…’
Human poisons couldn’t kill her anyway.
But her subordinates’ concerns were touching, and there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
“Let’s make a contract.”
After a moment of thought, Esther smiled brightly at Banshee.
