Chapter 52
In the attic located on the top floor of the lordly manor, a portrait depicting the Balian family hung on the wall. Charlotte knew about the curse that Ash carried but knew little about his family. Her father had never spoken of them either, so she might have overlooked it—but the family resemblance was far too strong to ignore.
Charlotte held Aria in her arms and approached the fairly large portrait. The smell of dried paint wafted up. Looking up, the first thing she noticed was young Ash. Unlike his generally cold and icy demeanor now, as a child he seemed a bit gentler, with the fresh image of a young boy. Behind him in the painting stood a man and woman, presumed to be his parents, who looked surprisingly young.
Ash’s father, the former Duke of Balian, had an even sharper, more icy appearance than Ash does now, but his eyes held warmth. Ash’s mother had a very gentle, soft beauty. It seemed that Ash resembled his mother more as a child but grew to take after his father. As Charlotte examined the portrait carefully, she murmured quietly:
“Ash resembles his father more than his mother, after all.”
“Is that so?”
“!”
Turning toward the source of the voice, she found herself meeting Ash’s gaze—he was standing behind them in casual indoor clothes. Aria’s eyes darted back and forth between the young Ash in the painting and the Ash in front of her.
“There are two Dukes!”
Aria reached toward the painting in fascination, but a startled Charlotte stopped her. This was not Steria Castle; it was a manor with a clear owner, and it would be impolite to rummage about.
“Duke!”
Aria, looking up at the painting many times her size, jumped down from Charlotte’s arms and stretched her arms toward Ash. Charlotte gently stroked Aria’s soft hair, and Aria playfully grabbed Ash’s hands and began to mess around.
“I’m sorry for coming in without permission, Duke.”
“It’s fine. I was the one who left the door open.”
“Huh?”
“This room used to be my playroom. It’s no longer in use, so I just keep it cleaned.”
Hearing Ash call it a “playroom” felt strangely unfamiliar to Charlotte. Playrooms weren’t usually provided by noble families. Especially families as influential as the Balians, who taught etiquette from the moment a child could walk. Or perhaps Ash’s parents were so doting on their only son. Seeing the portrait, Charlotte suspected it might be the latter.
“I was wondering if there might be something Aria could play with, since she won’t be able to go outside for a while.”
Aria was very active and loved to play. Charlotte had been worrying about how to keep her entertained indoors. At that moment, Aria tugged Ash’s sleeve and pointed to something with her other hand.
“Duke.”
“Yes?”
“What’s in there?”
“Hmm, shall we see?”
Aria had pointed to an old wooden wardrobe in the corner of the attic. Despite being made long ago for the playroom, it wasn’t too worn. The ceiling was low, so the wardrobe was relatively small. When Ash opened the stiff door, slightly smaller than his shoulders, the space inside was revealed to be empty.
However, atop the wardrobe, in a corner, there was a small chest. Ash tilted his head slightly and picked it up.
“A chest?”
“Yes, but it’s something I’ve never seen before. I wonder why it’s here.”
“Duke, can I open it?”
“Shall we? Aria, do you want to open it?”
The chest in Ash’s hands was small, dusty, and had worn corners, but it was enough to spark Aria’s curiosity. When they opened it, a deep wine-colored velvet cloth was revealed. Aria tilted her head in curiosity, and as she lifted the cloth, her eyes widened at the vivid blue glow inside.
“A Holy Stone!”
“A Holy Stone…?”
Aria and Charlotte both spoke almost simultaneously.
“Why is a Holy Stone here?”
Ash also seemed surprised, likely learning of the stone’s existence for the first time, and carefully lifted it. The light filled the entire attic, sparkling as it caught the illumination. Charlotte watched the floating light, fingers brushing the Holy Stone she had worn around her neck that morning.
‘Wait a moment.’
Her hand froze on the necklace, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
‘How does Aria know about the Holy Stone?’
Aria was only five years old. Even if she knew of the stone, the chance of recognizing it at a glance was extremely low. Charlotte looked down at her, recalling the strange feeling she had when Aria had said her wish was to have a family meal together. Unconsciously, Charlotte’s eyes widened.
Their gazes met, and Aria’s blue eyes shone brightly. Aria smiled widely, tilting the corners of her eyes. The odd feeling Charlotte had subsided as she returned the smile, though her lips remained slightly stiff.
“Aria.”
“Yes!”
“This is for you.”
Charlotte’s eyes, lost in thought, showed surprise. Both she and Aria questioned simultaneously. Aria was delighted to receive the Holy Stone, but Charlotte was taken aback. The manor had been where Ash had lived with his deceased family. Items from here could very well be keepsakes.
Especially since the Holy Stone was a gem imbued with holy power. The chest, though old, was not for daily use—it was meant as a gift. And since it was inside the playroom wardrobe, perhaps Ash’s parents had intended it as a surprise gift for him. Thinking of giving a potential keepsake to Aria, Charlotte immediately shook her head.
“It’s fine. Aria, take it.”
The Holy Stone shimmered like a star in a wave-like glow. Aria, holding it from Ash, repeatedly squeezed and opened her hands, fascinated.
“Duke, you don’t have to do this. The Holy Stone is a very precious gem.”
“The Holy Stone is meant to protect its bearer from dark magic. So it belongs to Aria. Aria…”
Ash’s words trailed off, but it was clear what he meant. Aria had already narrowly escaped attacks from monsters twice. With the Holy Stone, no one could harm her carelessly.
Charlotte had purposely worn the Holy Stone herself that morning, considering Aria, who spent most of her time with her.
‘But maybe it’s better that Aria has it than me…’
Charlotte lowered her gaze silently. The face of the former Duke of Balian in the portrait lingered in her mind. Returning it was the right choice. Stroking Aria’s head, Charlotte slowly spoke to Ash to return the Holy Stone—but Ash spoke first.
“Aria, Pedro went to bring Suu, so it’s about time she comes back.”
“Suu! Where is Suu?”
“She was entrusted to someone else briefly for treatment. Go down to the first floor.”
Aria, hearing she could see Suu again after some time apart, ran out of the attic. Being a small child, she was incredibly fast—Charlotte couldn’t even catch her. Charlotte quietly glanced at Ash, who seemed to be holding back a slight smile. He had deliberately spoken, knowing Charlotte intended to return the Holy Stone.
“I will return the Holy Stone to you.”
“Yes. I’ll attach a silver chain so you can wear it around your neck or arm.”
Charlotte realized that even if she refused, Ash wouldn’t accept it. She surrendered and let out a small sigh, turning toward the round window overlooking the village. Ash was still standing behind her in the reflection.
“Did I upset you by acting on my own?”
“Not at all. I just wondered if it might be a keepsake.”
It was the experience of someone who had lost family. After her father’s funeral, Charlotte had left his study and bedroom untouched—not even cleaning. She worried about damaging his belongings. Ash likely felt the same, which was what concerned him.
“I gave the Holy Stone to Aria because it wasn’t originally my parents’ or mine.”
“Huh?”
“Our family often faced monster attacks, but being in the north, it was hard to get reinforcements. Stationing knights didn’t work—they couldn’t adapt to the environment. The Holy Stone was the solution. Even though it was a precious gem, we were given a fair amount. My parents and I all carried one. Back then, I thought it was just jewelry.”
“!”
“Maybe I left extra here since I often played in this room as a child. Even if not carried, placing the Holy Stone in a location creates a safe zone.”
That was a relief. At any rate, it showed the intention of considering Ash’s well-being. Charlotte nodded in understanding, though her brow remained slightly furrowed, prompting Ash to brush it away.
“Then let’s do this. If it makes you uncomfortable, think of it as repayment.”
“Repayment?”
“When I collapsed at the winter lake, didn’t you help me?”
“Anyone would have done the same.”
“Then I feel guilty about having lied to you, so this is for that…”
“Alright. I’ll accept it.”
Charlotte felt embarrassed thinking of that incident. She hadn’t completely hidden her hurt feelings. Ash laughed lightly when she quickly covered her mouth. …Why did it feel slightly mischievous?
She turned her head back forward. Ash’s face reflected in the glass, full of a smile.
If he keeps smiling, I’ll leave him in the playroom, she thought. Just then, Pedro and Aria appeared outside the window. At the gate, Pedro held Aria in one hand and a cage in the other. Their bright expressions indicated Suu’s treatment had gone well.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door behind them. Charlotte thought it might be a snow-capped mountain scout, but it was someone unexpected—Baron Verbelle.
“You’re here. It’s been a while, Lady Blanche.”
“Yes, have you been well?”
“I have. But why is the Duke here? And what about the piles of documents…?”
“If you’re here to nag, leave. What is it?”
“My business isn’t with the Duke, but with you, Lady.”
Charlotte pointed at herself with a finger.
“My wife asked me to deliver a letter.”
“A letter?”
“Yes.”
Baron Verbelle pulled a letter from his chest and handed it to her.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kenis arrived at dawn yesterday.”
