Episode 6
“Oh, I guess I made a mistake?”
Just as Lydia was about to leap out the window, a blonde young man holding an arrow in one hand climbed through the frame. He looked like he had just reached adulthood; he wore luxurious clothes, but his attitude and gaze were far from refined. With a relaxed expression, he surveyed the room, which was now a complete mess.
“What do you think you’re doing, Carlton?”
Eres stepped in front of Hebe and shouted, but Carlton only gave a derisive snort.
“I saw shadows flickering by the window early this morning and thought a thief had broken in.” “Why would you assume it was a thief? Did it never occur to you it might be someone from the castle?” “I thought everyone was out today since my uncle left. Anyway, did you hide in a woman’s arms because you were scared of an arrow?”
Carlton’s mocking gaze turned toward Hebe.
“I haven’t seen this face before.”
Hebe felt a surge of disgust as Carlton’s eyes traveled up and down her body.
“Don’t be rude to Hebe!” “Did you get a new tutor? Or is she a nanny to help you change your clothes?”
Eres turned deathly pale and bit his lip. Hebe watched his small shoulders tremble. Lydia, who had remained quiet until then, stepped between the three of them.
“Show some respect to both of them, Lord Carlton.” “Why are you interfering? Do you not know your place?” “You were the one who acted threateningly first, Lord Carlton. You are still creating a sense of unease right now.” “Do you think swinging a sword makes you a real man?” “Please maintain the dignity befitting a member of the Gracchus family.”
In Lydia’s low voice, persuasion and threat coexisted. A vein throbbed in Carlton’s forehead, and his eyes twitched.
“What is all this commotion?”
After hearing the sound of a crowd outside, Castri entered. Having returned from his work, he was accompanied by his wife, Fausta, and several attendants. Castri frowned as he saw the shattered window and the arrow lodged in the wall.
“Eres? What on earth…” “Carlton shot an arrow at me and Hebe.”
Eres went to his father and explained the situation. Hebe finally looked at the head of the Gracchus family. Castri was a thin, tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and wrinkles around his eyes.
“He shot an arrow?” “Hebe and I were sitting together when an arrow suddenly flew in. Hebe was very startled.”
After hearing his son’s explanation, Castri glared at Carlton with eyes full of rage.
“Do you think this place is a hunting ground? A man who acts like a hooligan has no right to stay in my house.”
“I thought a thief had broken in.” “You know full well this castle is protected by magic, don’t you? Do not make excuses. You simply wanted to shoot your bow for sport.” “No, that’s not it. Don’t just listen to Eres; listen to my side as well.” “Someone could have been hurt because of your reckless actions!”
Castri called Lydia and an attendant to drag Carlton out. Carlton, held by both arms, thrashed and screamed.
“Do not subject me to such shame! Have you forgotten that I am also a member of this family?” “If you wish to be a member of the Gracchus family, act accordingly. Do not run wild relying solely on the fact that you are my sister’s son.”
Speaking coldly, Castri turned his back on Carlton. While a red-faced Carlton suffered the humiliation of being dragged away, Eres ran to him and kicked him in the shin. Surprised by the sudden attack, Carlton stumbled and glared at Eres.
“You!” “Eres!”
Fausta called out to Eres sharply.
“Attacking someone from behind! How can you do something so cowardly?” “Carlton was the one who did wrong first!”
Fausta stared at her protesting son before speaking to a maid nearby.
“Take that child to his room and do not let him out until he has reflected on his actions.”
Eres bit his lip with a resentful face and pushed away the maid’s outstretched hand.
“I haven’t done anything wrong, so I’m not going.”
Hebe, who had been watching the awkward situation, gently approached Eres and placed a hand on his shoulder. When she promised to visit his room later, Eres finally let go of his stubbornness and followed the maid out.
“What a mess this morning. I’ve shown our guest a shameful sight.”
Once the commotion died down and he could take a breath, Castri turned his attention to Hebe.
“You must have been very startled, child. I apologize on Carlton’s behalf.”
Faced with Castri’s friendly tone, a flustered Hebe shook her head.
“It’s alright. I’m just glad no one was hurt.” “My heart is uneasy having shown such a bad side to a guest who came from so far away.”
Hebe’s eyes briefly met Fausta’s, who was standing beside Castri. Hebe pretended to smooth the pleats of her skirt and clasped her hands together.
“It seems Eres has taken quite a liking to Miss Haenel.” “…Yes. He is a kind son, so I have no trouble staying with him.”
Hebe answered, trying her best to keep her voice from trembling. She had never spoken to someone of such high status as Castri in her entire life.
“Thank you for granting our request. I hope you lack for nothing during your stay here.” “Yes… thank you.” “Is there anything you need right now?”
Hebe thought of the maid who had served her until this morning, the one with the thick dialect. She gathered her courage, looked at Castri, and spoke.
“I would like to change my maid. We have trouble communicating.”
“In that case, it would be faster to resolve it by consulting Fausta. Do as Miss Haenel wishes.”
Hearing Castri’s words, Fausta nodded.
“It seems communication is difficult because Nossi speaks with a dialect. I will send a different maid.”
She was speaking to her husband, Castri, but her gaze was fixed on Hebe. Hebe hid her racing heart and thanked Fausta. She wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible, but Castri invited her to eat with them.
“I’m fine. I ate plenty earlier.” “Then I shall see you at the formal dinner tonight.” “Yes.”
Hebe bowed and left the dining room. Walking aimlessly without looking where she was going, she got lost and ended up in an unfamiliar part of the castle. While wandering through a gallery so wide the end wasn’t in sight, a voice came from behind.
“May I help you, young lady?”
Startled, Hebe turned around and met a man with blue eyes and a gentle smile. Well-groomed black hair fell over his forehead. He was wearing a cloak, so she couldn’t tell exactly what he was wearing, but his demeanor suggested he was someone of high rank. Hebe blushed and spoke.
“I need to go upstairs… but I’ve lost my way.” “This place is entangled like a maze, so it is easy to get lost.”
The man passed Hebe and began to walk ahead. Hebe hesitated but followed him. After bringing Hebe to the stairs leading to the upper floor, the man bowed and vanished. It was a movement so swift she didn’t even have time to express her gratitude. Hebe watched the direction he disappeared and then went up the stairs. She called a passing servant to ask where Eres’s room was, and they answered immediately.
‘I could never be the mistress who manages a great household.’
The thought that she wouldn’t be able to learn the layout even if she lived in such a castle for the rest of her life made Hebe laugh. On the other hand, she found Fausta, who managed this vast castle, to be quite impressive.
Upon entering Eres’s room, she saw a small figure lying face down on the bed. He must have heard Hebe’s presence, but Eres didn’t budge.
“Eres, I’m here.”
Hebe approached Eres and stroked his brown hair. Eres remained motionless until Hebe poked his side to tickle him, at which point he hesitantly lifted his head. His eyes were twitching slightly, a clear sign he was forcing back a laugh.
“Stop it, Hebe.” “Are you still angry?” “Um, a little…” “Why? Carlton was punished, wasn’t he?” “I was embarrassed because I couldn’t do anything in that situation.” “Eres, you’re still young. And neither of us got hurt, and Lydia helped, so it turned out fine.”
Eres frowned and raised his voice.
“But I’m the master of this castle when my father isn’t here…” “You can worry about those things after you’re all grown up. What Eres needs to do right now is grow up healthy.”
Only then will I be able to fulfill my contract and go back.
Eres was much smaller in stature than other children his age. Comparing him to the other children she saw in the castle today—likely children of vassals or servants—she could clearly feel the difference.
“I’ll definitely grow taller than Carlton and become a reliable husband for Hebe.”
“Do you and Carlton usually not get along?”
Hebe thought of Carlton, who had shown blatant hostility toward Eres. Given that he called Castri ‘uncle,’ they must be cousins.
“Carlton always mocks me. He says I’m just a weak brat who was lucky to be born with the right bloodline.” “To say such a thing… he really is a bad person.”
Hebe found Carlton pathetic. Seeing his behavior toward Eres today, she could guess he was the type to struggle with an inferiority complex while coveting power he could never obtain.
“Oh, I found the gift you mentioned, Eres.” “Really?”
Hebe reached out her hand before Eres’s eyes, which were shining with anticipation. Seeing the small puppy figurine in Hebe’s palm, Eres smiled.
“Do you like it?” “Out of everything I received, I like this the most. Are you usually good at carving, Eres?” “Carving is fun. That puppy is made of Ireika stone.” “Isn’t Ireika stone precious?”
The mineral called Ireika, which changes color when exposed to light, was only used for building temples or royal palaces. To use it for any other purpose required special permission, and Hebe wondered how Eres had obtained this mineral.
“The Duke who occasionally visits the castle owns the cave where this stone comes from, so I asked him to get it for me.”
Eres said proudly, claiming he had made a fair trade. The ‘Duke’ was likely a wealthy man who owned an Ireika mine. He probably granted the request because he felt there was nothing to lose by getting on the good side of Eres, the future head of the household.
