Chapter 60
“Just in case, later…”
Hera paused, lost in thought.
She wondered if it might be better to meet here if Merriot were to look for Blue Rose again.
If she wasn’t near the treasure, she couldn’t disguise herself, so she wanted to leave the treasure under the bridge unsealed.
But soon, she felt embarrassed by her own thoughts.
Thinking about meeting Blue Rose without being able to reveal that she was Emilia Tollin, or that she herself was Hera Wintail…
It was a foolish idea.
“…Slot open.”
[Slot open.]
Hera descended beneath the bridge and opened the prophecy book.
The blue rose petals that emerged from the book transformed into a large hand shape, gripping and holding the Red Bull of Cecy Boniche firmly in place.
Then, it disappeared into the prophecy book.
[Sealing complete.]
With the seal completed, Hera’s disguise was simultaneously undone.
She returned to being Emilia Tollin, the young lady of the Tollin family, who could never be connected to Merriot Lorange.
“My nose feels weird…”
Strangely, the tip of her nose tingled.
The next day, a piece of news reached Julian, captain of the city guard.
“Captain.”
“What is it?”
“We’ve received a report that the obsidian stolen from Duke Antoni in January is currently at the Chalsning family estate. Shall we investigate?”
“…What do you mean? Why would that item be there?”
Julian furrowed his brows at the soldier’s report.
The obsidian had been stolen by Blue Rose.
There was no way such an item would be at the Chalsning estate.
Julian’s face filled with disbelief, as if he were being lied to, and the soldier stammered nervously.
“I-I don’t really know. The report came anonymously.”
“How can we trust an anonymous tip? Put it on hold for now and proceed carefully…”
“Captain Tollin!”
Julian tried to ignore the report and returned his gaze to the documents.
At that moment, Duke Antoni barged into the office.
“Your Grace, Duke Antoni.”
The duke stomped his feet, his face flushed with anger.
“Come with me to the Chalsning estate immediately! Now!”
Duke Antoni’s actions reached Merriot’s ears almost instantly.
Having witnessed how that obstinate old man pressured Julian in the past few days, Merriot smirked with a mocking expression.
“I heard Duke Antoni even went along when they searched the Chalsning estate. The old man’s crazy. That aside, that phantom thief really does things neatly.”
Shane, receiving the report from a spy planted in the city guard, burned a secret note and made a brief compliment about Blue Rose.
“They say there’s no trace of outsiders entering the Chalsning estate. How did they even place the obsidian there?”
“What do you think? Makes you curious, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, your insight is impeccable.”
Merriot shrugged proudly.
“I told you they’d do well. A trustworthy person.”
“Even if they’re a thief.”
“Yes, even if a thief.”
Shane emphasized ‘thief’ as a warning, and Merriot nodded knowingly.
“But isn’t your appearance a bit… too much today?”
“What do you mean by ‘too much’?”
Shane, diverting the topic toward Merriot’s appearance, frowned.
“You’re overdressed. Especially with that, ugh—what a face…”
Shane waved his hands in a vague gesture, making it impossible to tell whether he was praising or insulting.
“Ugh—right.”
Merriot mimicked Shane and put on the gloves the butler handed her.
“It’s your first time going to that house officially, isn’t it?”
“Your Grace, preparations are complete as instructed.”
A servant from the Lorange family bowed as Merriot finished getting ready at the entrance.
Adjusting her outfit one last time, Merriot said:
“Let’s go to Tollinga.”
Outside, the Lorange carriage was packed with far more luggage than usual.
Hendrick, who had followed Merriot late, gaped in surprise.
“Wha—! All this…?”
The carriage was so full of gift boxes that there wasn’t even room to sit.
It looked as if they had emptied the Lorange mansion’s treasure storage entirely.
Merriot snorted at Hendrick, who was inspecting the gifts.
“This isn’t much. The final gift should at least be this big.”
“Huh? Final gift? Aren’t you going to ask the palace ball partner request?”
Merriot entered the carriage without answering.
Today, she was going to ask Emilia Tollin to be her partner for the May palace ball.
For the public, this would be romantic news—but not for Merriot.
The palace ball marked the conclusion for the two of them.
Merriot stared at the gift boxes with a slightly lonely expression.
Soon, the carriage carrying Merriot departed for Tollinga.
It had already been 20 days since Lina had been at Tollinga.
The child’s wounds had healed quickly.
Her mental scars were also gradually healing.
“Hmm. The wounds are almost healed, and recovery is good.”
“That’s a relief…”
The examination results were good.
The doctor concluded she no longer needed medicine.
Hera smiled lightly as she saw the doctor off and returned. Lina tugged gently at her sleeve with her small hand.
“Why, Lina? Do you have something to say?”
“Thank you, Emilia unnie.”
Lina’s cheeks had become plump and adorable compared to when they first met.
Lina had adapted easily, like a native of Tollinga, and now it felt strange when she wasn’t at the mansion.
“Jeff oppa said I must thank you. That makes someone a good person.”
“I’m also grateful, Lina. For becoming healthy.”
Hera and Lina smiled brightly at each other.
Hera wished that this little girl would never leave the mansion.
‘Same for Jeff. I hope he stays by my side.’
Lina and Jeff were Hera’s first friends in the outside world.
They were the ‘first strangers’ she had formed a bond with through her own efforts.
Thus, Hera felt a strong sense of responsibility and a vague possessiveness toward them.
‘Is this a bad thought?’
Hera was still not accustomed to naturally feeling emotions toward others.
She was particularly naive about healthy malice.
She did not yet understand that everyone balances precariously between good and evil in life.
As she walked down the corridor with complex feelings, Hera passed by Julian’s room.
Inside, she saw the back of a much smaller boy instead of Julian.
“There you are?”
Startled, Jeff straightened his back like a cat when Hera spoke.
He seemed to be looking at the weapons Julian had collected.
From elegant rapiers to daggers and longswords—anyone interested in weapons would stop to admire them.
“Oh! Sorry, the door was open.”
Jeff bowed his head like a child caught doing something wrong.
There was no need.
Hera deliberately spoke brightly to ease his guilt.
“These are the weapons Julian oppa collected. They’re all famous swords. Cool, right?”
“Yes!”
Watching Jeff unable to take his eyes off the weapons, Hera laughed inwardly.
‘Jeff is a boy after all. At what age do boys usually start learning swordsmanship? Would it be okay to start now?’
Hera imagined Jeff training in swordsmanship. The rapiers, long and elegant, suited him better than any other weapon.
Should she ask if he wanted to learn swordsmanship?
Hera parted her lips.
This might even be a reason to keep him close.
Summoning courage, Hera spoke:
“Jeff, you know… do you want to learn swordsmanship?”
Still focused on the weapons, Jeff answered as if it were obvious.
“Of course. I want to try every weapon.”
“Really?”
“I was actually thinking of getting a practice sword with the money I earn. Swordsmanship costs a lot, so I wanted to practice on my own first.”
“Well then, once Lina’s situation is settled, why don’t you stay here instead of returning to the Under Bridge? How about working in the city guard? You’re smart—you’d adapt quickly.”
Before Hera could finish speaking, Jeff pursed his lips tightly.
Was her suggestion unwelcome?
Hera examined his profile with worried eyes.
Jeff swallowed hard.
His Adam’s apple moved down and then back up.
“…Why?”
