Chapter 04
After finishing his official duties, Grand Duke Elphiers left his office to head to the training grounds.
Albert said that, no matter what, he couldn’t stop thinking about that little child.
“I knew Your Grace would be angry, but I went to look for her afterward. I couldn’t find her anywhere.”
“That’s fine. It must mean she wasn’t completely without a place to go.”
“But if she truly is the daughter of the Sea God… then couldn’t she be a guardian who came to protect the Elphiers family?”
“Albert. A guardian has never come by walking in on their own.”
He wasn’t naïve enough to believe the ramblings of a child who suddenly appeared, claiming to be the Sea God’s daughter or some kind of guardian.
Of course, the land the child had mentioned was interesting. But that could have been nothing more than a lucky coincidence.
“Elphiers family worships the Sea God… and I’m His daughter.”
The child’s eyes had looked a little desperate back then.
Tsk. What pointless thoughts.
Grand Duke Elphiers shook his head and quickened his steps.
He passed through the corridor, went down to the first floor, and was about to head outside when the sound of laughter stopped him.
“…Laughter?”
After his wife passed away, and his only son Tirier shut himself away in his room from shock, laughter had gradually disappeared from the Grand Duke’s residence.
No one had said anything out loud, but it had been a long time since such loud, ringing laughter filled the halls.
Grand Duke Elphiers turned toward the sound. Soon, he stopped in front of the kitchen.
There, in the middle of the crowd, was that little child—smiling brightly and being showered with affection.
“Huh?”
At the same time, strange looks poured toward him.
Seeing those irreverent gazes—as if they were looking at some kind of beast—the Grand Duke’s eyes naturally narrowed.
“Why is that little brat here?”
“Your Grace.”
Kishan stepped forward.
Ariel stood up from her chair, hid behind Philip, and peeked her head out.
“They said Ariel can stay here!”
“Who decided that?”
“Uh, it wasn’t Ariel who decided.”
Not backing down even a little.
When Grand Duke Elphiers looked at Philip, the man shielded Ariel behind him and spoke.
“Your Grace, no matter what, chasing away a child who came looking for her father is too cruel.”
“…What?”
“That’s right. She must have come here because she had nowhere else to go. I didn’t think you were someone who would avoid responsibility.”
Father? Responsibility?
Only then did the Grand Duke understand their looks. They were clearly misunderstanding something.
“You don’t seriously think that little brat is my daughter, do you?”
“…Isn’t she?”
“Do I look like such a shameless lord? Besides, there’s barely any age difference between her and Tirier. There’s no way she could be my daughter.”
“…Ah! So that’s what it was.”
As if realizing something, the little child set down her bread and jumped to her feet. She bowed deeply toward everyone and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I think this misunderstanding happened because I didn’t explain properly. I’m Ariel, the daughter of the Sea God. I came to protect all of you!”
She properly introduced herself to the servants.
Watching this, the Grand Duke let out another hollow laugh.
“Oh? Then what about what you said about being rejected for adoption…?”
“That part is true. The Grand Duke rejected me.”
The child focused her strength again and formed a water droplet in her palm.
It was a little bigger than before.
“My power is weak right now, but I’ll get stronger later! So since it’s come to this, could you please give me one more chance? How about listening to my plan first?”
Ariel clasped her hands together and politely asked the Grand Duke.
Seeing those sparkling golden eyes, he was left speechless for a moment.
They were far too sharp and intelligent for the eyes of a mere four-year-old.
***
Suddenly, I was grabbed by the back of the neck and lifted straight up.
I dangled helplessly in the Grand Duke’s grip.
“Y-Your Grace!”
“Eek! You’ll drop her! You’ll hurt the child!”
Kishan and the others reached out in alarm.
Frowning, Grand Duke Elphiers spoke to Kishan.
“Do you know anything at all about this child?”
“…But she’s only four years old.”
“She could be a guardian—or she could be a spy. There’s nothing certain. And yet a knight of the Grand Duke’s residence lets her wander freely inside?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Silence fell. The Grand Duke ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
I was still dangling from his hand like a piece of luggage.
‘Everyone’s getting scolded because of me…’
Feeling intimidated, I glanced around at everyone’s faces.
“I-It’s my fault. So please don’t scold them. They’re all the Grand Duke’s people….”
“So you do understand.”
Holding me roughly, the Grand Duke left the kitchen. With his long legs, he strode swiftly down the corridor toward somewhere else.
His speed was faster than I expected, and frightened, I clung tightly to his arm.
“G-Grand Duke, l-let’s talk first. Could you please put me down? I’m really scared… If I fall, my butt will be completely smashed.”
My feet couldn’t touch the ground, and I panicked. As I flailed my short arms and legs, the Grand Duke looked down at me with a disdainful gaze.
‘That look is too much…’
I clung to his arm even tighter.
The Grand Duke let out an incredulous laugh, but I didn’t care.
Honestly, I was flustered because this Grand Duke Elphiers felt so different from the one I remembered from my previous life.
“I’m a four-year-old baby, you know! You’re being way too violent!”
“What?”
“…V-Violence is bad. Don’t do it. I don’t like it. Stop.”
The Grand Duke stopped, wearing a dumbfounded expression. Then he set me down on the floor.
Only then did I let out a breath of relief.
“Phew.”
“With those short legs, you actually followed me all the way here.”
Before I knew it, we were in front of his office.
He opened the door and went inside first. Albert, who was already inside, jumped in surprise and looked back and forth between us.
“Y-Your Grace?”
“You said she might be His daughter.”
“Well… ahem. Have you changed your mind?”
The Grand Duke glanced down at me, then plopped into his chair.
“Little one, are you hurt anywhere? We were worried.”
“Yes, as you can see, I’m fine.”
I carefully walked inside and headed toward the chair across from the Grand Duke.
It was quite tall for a child, so I stretched my arms and struggled, climbing up with difficulty.
“I’ll help you.”
“No. Ariel can do it by herself.”
When I raised my hand to stop Albert, he looked flustered and glanced at the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke waved his hand, signaling it was fine.
‘If I can’t even sit on a chair by myself, they might really think I’m a useless child.’
My arms and legs were short, but my determination was stronger than anyone’s.
“Up we go!”
After several minutes of struggle, I finally managed to sit on the chair.
When I looked at the Grand Duke with a proud expression, he swallowed a dry laugh and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“I truly don’t know what to do with you.”
“It’s simple. Grand Duke, you just raise me until I grow up.”
“…Simple?”
The Grand Duke clicked his tongue again.
Maybe, just maybe, his resolve wavered a little.
I fidgeted with my fingers, watching his reaction.
I worked this hard to get here—don’t give up now!
“Grand Duke… are you going to kick me out again?”
“……”
“You already checked the land chosen by the Sea God, right? If you promise not to send me somewhere else, I’ll tell you everything I know.”
First, I had to make him feel that keeping me here was necessary.
‘I need something definite. Think, Ariel. Think of anything.’
I pushed myself hard.
I couldn’t turn back after coming this far. As I forced myself to recall memories I didn’t want to remember, my stomach churned.
I hurriedly sifted through my memories.
I tried to skip over the bad ones and focus only on the information I needed.
Then it hit me.
That important thing—why hadn’t I checked it before?
