Chapter 17
“Why? Would you like that?”
“N-no, it’s just…”
Eleanora’s cheeks turned red as she fidgeted with her fingers.
“When Uncle and Teacher are together, Ellie just feels really, really happy.”
“…Out of nowhere?”
What is she talking about now? Why would you feel happy because of that? If anything, I should be the one enjoying the view.
“Uncle is handsome, and Teacher is super, super pretty, so then…”
“So you think we look good together?”
“Yes!”
Oh, look at this kid. She already has the instincts of a matchmaker.
“Well… it’s true that visually, they’re unbeatable.”
Thermion was officially recognized by the author as the most handsome man in the world, and Aylesia wasn’t inferior either. To a young girl, her uncle and teacher probably looked like the perfect pair.
“And Teacher said she likes Uncle because he’s cool.”
“I did? When?”
“When Uncle got angry last time.”
“Oh.”
… That wasn’t what I meant at all.
To begin with, “cool” and “like” are completely different things. How did those two words naturally merge? She almost convinced herself for a second.
“Well, it is true that Thermion is handsome and impressive, but…”
Linking her romantically with him based only on looks was way too simple. Their situation was complicated.
Their first meeting had been downright hostile. He constantly teased her by calling her a witch, treated her like a kid instead of a grand mage, and even scolded her openly in front of his retainers.
“Romantic interest? Please. It’s already lucky if he doesn’t dislike me as a person.”
Maybe he was only holding back his irritation because of his love for his niece. And as a Grand Duke, he had appearances to maintain.
There was no way she could explain all of that to Eleanora. For now, it was best to go along gently.
“Maybe Teacher will go on a date with Uncle after we get closer. Right now, we’re still getting to know each other.”
“You can’t date before you’re close?”
“Pfft.”
Aylesia burst out laughing at Eleanora’s innocent question.
Good thing she’s a child—if anyone else heard this, they’d think they were already flirting.
“But you don’t even know how Uncle feels about Teacher. Teacher likes Uncle, though.”
“Really?”
That part was true.
Aylesia could never hate Thermion.
He had been only six years old when he came alone to the Grand Duke’s castle. Even with the Grand Dame’s protection, the way people looked at him couldn’t have been kind.
“He must’ve suffered too… Yet the way he acts is exactly like my aunt.”
From the moment Eleanora was born, he lived only for her, ignoring his own pain. How could anyone hate a man like that?
“Then Ellie will tell Uncle to like Teacher!”
Her cheerful voice shattered her thoughts.
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Teacher is the prettiest, kindest, and smartest person in the world! Uncle has to like Teacher too!”
… Oh. She’s completely fixated now.
Children this age really are scary when they latch onto something.
Eleanora’s sparkling eyes were filled with unshakable determination.
“Teacher is already happy enough just because Ellie likes her.”
“No! Ellie likes Teacher, so Uncle has to like Teacher too!”
Why is she this stubborn about this of all things? Judging by her tightly pressed lips, persuasion was already impossible.
No matter how much Thermion adored his niece, liking someone didn’t magically happen just because she said so. If anything, he might become wary instead.
“Being a fan isn’t easy either…”
Once again, being the protagonist was exhausting.
Aylesia let out a quiet sigh.
* * *
It was late at night, when only the servants on duty were still awake.
Baron Beighton was secretly crossing the garden.
When he reached a warehouse far from the annex and knocked, the door opened just wide enough for one person to slip through.
“Whew…”
Only after entering did he let out a deep breath.
“This is getting unbearable. Isn’t there an easier way?”
“You of all people know how strict the wards here are—almost as bad as the Imperial Palace.”
“Damn it. You managed the kidnapping last time just fine.”
“That was after the young lady had already left the Grand Duke’s territory. We only used magic then.”
“Tch.”
Baron Beighton was nothing more than an ordinary middle-aged man with a bit of weight. Sneaking around such a large estate without being seen was exhausting.
Under the dim lantern light, the man facing him finally spoke.
“We don’t have time. The Grand Duke plans to leave for his territory within five days.”
“So it’s come to that.”
“After the disappearance incident, security around the young lady will only tighten. And worse—there’s another problem.”
“What is it?”
“A very skilled mage has attached herself to the girl. Officially a tutor, but in reality, she’s a nanny and guard.”
“Hm…”
The man scratched his chin, troubled.
Their goal required keeping the Grand Duke tied to the capital.
They planned to interfere with the demon beast subjugation, then worsen the situation and pressure the ducal house further.
“How is the young lady?”
“Perfectly fine. She looks like she just went on a trip.”
“That’s troublesome.”
For someone missing for months, Eleanora was far too healthy—physically and mentally. There was no reason for the Grand Duke to stay behind.
“How strong is the mage?”
“She controls wolves as big as horses. Sir Dayfold said she’s a High Mage.”
“A 7th-tier mage skilled in taming…”
After a moment of thought, the man spoke calmly.
“I’ll report this to our superiors. We should have instructions by tomorrow.”
“Is there no way to kidnap the young lady again?”
“Unless she runs off alone like last time… we can’t just storm her bedroom at night.”
“That wouldn’t work?”
Beighton’s eyes gleamed dangerously, making the man frown.
“Don’t do anything reckless. If you fail, you’ll ruin everything.”
“I know that. We just need to create an opening, don’t we?”
“And that’s exactly what we can’t do.”
The same conversation, over and over. Irritation crept into the man’s voice.
“We’ll have an answer by afternoon at the latest. The more urgent things are, the more careful we must be.”
“I can wait half a day more after waiting this long.”
The man opened the door slightly and gestured.
“Be careful on your way back.”
Beighton nodded once and slipped out.
“One coincidence can be luck. Two never are.”
If they could kidnap the girl again, this time they could truly leash the Grand Duke.
For his niece’s safety, he wouldn’t dare move.
“Heh heh heh.”
Beighton’s lips curled into a grin as he walked away.
***
And someone had watched everything from afar.
“What a pathetic mess.”
Aylesia smiled coldly as she stared into a large mirror.
She was currently on the roof of the main residence—the highest point in the estate.
Ever since Eleanora fell asleep, Aylesia had been sitting there. About two hours now.
“If only we had this recorded sound, it’d be perfect evidence.”
Her silent magic spread across the entire estate, vast enough to cover everything. Any place she wanted appeared in her mirror.
“Thermion should still be in his office.”
There were about thirty minutes left until midnight. Just in case, she checked Eleanora’s room.
“Our baby is sleeping well.”
Two knights at the door, one at each end of the hallway, and two in the terrace garden. Perfect security.
“Time to go.”
Putting the mirror away, Aylesia stood and glided across the roof using flight magic.
Knock, knock.
When she knocked on the terrace door, Thermion jumped in surprise and stood up.
“… Have you ever considered using a normal entrance?”
“I knocked politely. Should I have appeared inside instead? “Peekaboo.”
“Unbelievable.”
With a dry laugh, he let her in. She sat on the sofa, looking around curiously.
“Why is your office so empty? Not even a single plant.”
“It helps me focus.”
“Your sensitivity is completely dried up.”
“Just get to the point.”
Thermion dropped heavily into the opposite seat. Aylesia didn’t waste time.
“Baron Beighton met secretly with an unidentified man. In a warehouse outside the estate.”
“…What?”
Thermion frowned deeply.
“You’re leaving for your territory soon, right? He seems anxious. I think he’s planning something involving Ellie.”
“Ellie? What exactly?”
After hearing what she had overheard, Thermion’s clenched fist trembled.
“Baron Beighton… How dare he…”
