#015. Family Affection
Artorius stood there, staring blankly at Anastasia’s magic.
Even for someone of Chantrier blood, he had rarely seen anyone wield magic so freely.
In other words…
Right now, following Anastasia’s fingertips, the completely shattered walls and doors were being restored one by one.
“…I didn’t expect someone your age to be able to use restoration spells.”
Anastasia shrugged her shoulders.
“You seem to be mistaken. My current body may be nineteen, but my actual age isn’t.”
After finishing the restoration of the walls and doors, Anastasia wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
Undoing what she had done was no easy task. Still, it was worth it.
“When I visited Aquila Castle, you didn’t seem much different from now. Except for your eyes.”
“My eyes…?”
As Anastasia opened the door and stepped back into the room, Artorius followed her in with a slight bow.
“Yes. Your eyes. When I first saw you, they were clear and bright like gemstones… but—”
“And?”
“When I looked at you again later, they were a deep blue, like the ocean depths.”
Artorius cleared his throat and added the remark, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
“…What? In the end, you just called both beautiful.”
She chuckled and replied, then opened the wardrobe. Only two outfits were hanging inside.
A dress and a riding outfit.
The dress she had worn at the ball was far too elaborate for casual wear.
And uncomfortable.
If it were Jeannice, who clung to the status of being a ducal lady, she might wear a lavish dress even at home—but Anastasia was different.
As the head of the Etranje Ducal House, and beyond that, someone who would change the throne of this nation…
The number of frills on a dress would not determine her dignity.
“Cough… I shall step outside for a moment.”
Artorius muttered, clearly uncomfortable.
But Anastasia shook her head.
“No. Stay right there and turn around. What if something happens to me while you’re outside?”
“…That’s unreasonable.”
“I told you, Artorius. This place is the most dangerous location for me on this land.”
Artorius had no choice but to comply. He turned around and sat down, trying his best to ignore the sounds of her clothes brushing against her skin.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door again.
“This is the butler Enoch, my lady.”
Enoch’s voice came from outside.
“I’m changing, Enoch.”
“…Ah, then I will speak from here. Sir Esteban Hossongel has informed us that the yellow dress you wore previously has been repaired.”
That was the dress that had only been fitted temporarily back then.
“…Ah, thank you. Oh right, Enoch. May I ask you for something?”
“At your command.”
In the end, Anastasia put her riding outfit back on and tied her hair up firmly.
Then she lightly tapped Artorius on the shoulder.
“Are you dressed?”
Artorius asked.
“Yes.”
Anastasia walked toward the door and opened it.
“My lady?”
“Yes. If you’re not too busy… could you go to the Esteban Hossongel shop and buy some everyday clothes for me?”
“Everyday clothes… you say?”
“Yes. Blouses, skirts, coats. Nothing flashy—something modest.”
Enoch paused in thought before adding,
“By when should they be completed?”
Anastasia considered his words for a moment, then shook her head.
“No… I don’t need custom-made clothes. Just pick something decent from what’s available on display.”
But Enoch still seemed slightly troubled.
“What seems to be the issue?”
After a moment of hesitation, Enoch finally spoke.
“The problem is… I do not know your measurements, my lady.”
Ah, so that was it.
Anastasia found it somewhat amusing and covered her lips with a light smile.
Indeed, other noble ladies would never willingly share their body measurements.
“Sir Hossongel will know.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Very well. And I have another piece of news, my lady.”
A warm smile spread across Enoch’s face.
“Sounds like good news?”
“It is indeed an honorable one.”
“…That much?”
“My granddaughter, who was working at Count Gehrant’s household, will be coming here. She will serve as your personal maid.”
“…I see. I heard about it from Ain as well. But… is it really alright to go that far, Enoch?”
“It is my honor to do so, my lady. She may be somewhat lacking, but she is a very diligent girl. It is only two days by carriage from the count’s estate to here. She will arrive tomorrow. I ask for your kind care.”
Enoch bowed deeply.
At that simple gesture, Anastasia felt something inexplicably poignant in her heart.
“…I see.”
A single thought filled her mind.
So this is family affection…
Warmth she had never felt in her entire life. For some reason, in that moment, she found herself envious of Enoch and his granddaughter.
“Her name is Trish. She is younger than you, slightly taller, and has quite a few freckles.”
“Taller than me?”
Anastasia widened her eyes, and Enoch responded with a gentle smile, half-joking:
“If you wish, I can instruct Trish to walk on her knees.”
“No, that’s not what I meant… I just thought it was nice.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. She’ll be able to reach things I can’t.”
Enoch nodded.
“Indeed… though it would be odd to rely on Sir Artorius for everything—just a moment.”
The old butler’s eyes sharpened.
“Sir Artorius.”
“Why call me?”
“Earlier, the lady was changing her clothes.”
“And?”
Enoch’s brows furrowed.
“If I am not mistaken, Sir Artorius did not leave the room despite the lady changing her clothes?”
The atmosphere turned cold in an instant. From anyone’s perspective, the situation could easily be misunderstood.
Artorius alone would not be able to explain his way out of it.
“…Enoch?”
Enoch’s eyes were already filled with quiet anger.
“Explain yourself, Sir Artorius.”
His voice simmered low.
Though aged, Enoch’s presence remained imposing. The title of the Northern Kingdom’s greatest swordsman was no falsehood.
“If I explain, would you believe me?”
Artorius shrugged and sank back into the armchair, deferring the explanation to Anastasia.
“My lady, are you alright?”
Enoch examined her carefully.
Anastasia stared at him for a moment, then reached out and pinched his cheek.
“Ugh…?”
“Enoch. I told him to stay.”
“…Eh?”
Enoch stuttered, losing his composure, still having his cheek pinched. As a butler, how could he brush off the hand of the one he served?
Anastasia let out a small laugh and released his cheek.
“You too, Enoch.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
As she donned her outer cloak over her riding outfit, Anastasia shrugged.
“You know.”
Her deep blue eyes gleamed.
“This house is the most dangerous place for me.”
Enoch fell silent, and no one in the room could object to her decision any further.
At last, it was Artorius’s turn.
It was time to ask what had been on his mind.
“So, Anastasia. Where exactly are you going, dressed in riding clothes and a cloak?”
“I’m bored.”
Anastasia leaned against the wardrobe, glancing at the bow and quiver beside it… but left them untouched.
She didn’t seem to need them.
“Going hunting?”
“That’s right. Artorius, you’re coming too.”
It would still take time before the new maid arrived. Enoch smiled faintly, already understanding that he would have to take on some of the duties in the meantime.
“Then I shall go inform the workers to prepare the horses.”
“Thanks, Enoch. I appreciate it.”
At Anastasia’s smile, Enoch returned a warm one.
Though not related by blood… she had followed Enoch closely since childhood.
Perhaps it was because he had been the only one who stood by her as a friend, but over time, a bond naturally formed.
“Then… I shall see you shortly.”
Enoch bowed and left the room first.
“Anastasia.”
Artorius couldn’t hide his unease.
Hunting…
There was no guarantee that the sharp tip of an arrow would always point at a beast. History proved as much.
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
Anastasia glanced back at him, her hair tied up.
“What is?”
“…Not only beasts are hunted in hunting grounds.”
And now it was autumn.
Hunting season.
There would certainly be others in the private forest of the Etranje Ducal House. Perhaps Aslan himself—or even the Duke—might appear.
“That’s exactly why I’m going.”
Anastasia smiled instead.
After a brief pause, Artorius rose from his seat.
“Indeed… you are more the hunter than the prey.”
He took a pair of low-heeled boots with thick soles from the shoe cabinet. Anastasia, already accustomed to this, sat on the bed and extended her small foot.
“By the way, Artorius. Can you keep up with a horse’s speed?”
Though she had seen him jump from a carriage before, she had never seen him run.
At her question, Artorius chuckled and patted her head.
“No one has ever been able to escape me. Whether on horseback or by carriage.”
…Indeed.
That monstrous body surely concealed terrifying physical strength.
“Reliable.”
His hands were large, yet his movements were delicate. As Anastasia watched him lace up the boots he had put on her, she added casually:
“Then, while I intentionally draw their attacks, I’ll be counting on you.”
“…What did you say?”
Artorius’s voice turned sharp in an instant. Anastasia narrowed her eyes.
“Did you just get angry at me, Artorius?”
