CHAPTER 122………………………………………..
I wiped the tears off Gnome’s face, who was crying nonstop.
“Undine, pull yourself together. Sylph, calm down. Salamander, tone down the flames—you’ll burn the bed.”
- “Get ready, everyone. Looks like it’s finally time to steal the Dragon Heart.”
- “Last time we stole the Phoenix feather, the King ignored it because it was a one-time effect. Do you remember that?”
- “Yeah, damn it, I know already! The King knew but pretended not to.”
- “But if we steal something as immense as the Dragon’s Heart, will the King really stay calm?”
- “Well… the contract would be forcibly terminated and sealed somewhere.”
- “In the worst-case scenario, we could even disappear. Are you still going through with it?”
Undine slammed the bed and jumped to her feet.
- “So you want to just watch Rian die? No! I refuse! I won’t do it twice!”
- “Alright. Undine and I will raid the storage. Salamander, you keep watch, and Gnome, lure the King away.”
- “Tch! You talk like you won’t do it… Watching is my specialty. Gnome, you can handle it too, right?”
- (Nods!)
I held back the spirits, who looked ready to dash out at any moment.
“Are you crazy? You could disappear doing this!”
- “It’s fine. As long as we can save you.”
- “Rian, you won’t be able to stop us. We’re prepared to pay any price.”
- “We’re fools who’d give our liver and gall for our contractor. If we have to disappear to save you? Then so be it—we’ll disappear.”
Even in Salamander’s gruff tone, I felt his affection for me.
I gently scratched the flat top of his head.
“If you guys disappear, what am I supposed to do…? The attending physician said he’d find a way, so let’s just wait a little, okay?”
Though reluctant, the spirits eventually agreed to follow my lead.
After a long time, I took a half-bath, read papers, and enjoyed a leisurely moment.
“Master, Miss Piacere has returned from school.”
When did the time pass so quickly?
“Understood.”
“Master Ruspell came with her as well.”
“…Did they have an appointment?”
“No. Should I send him back?”
“No, let him come in.”
Outside, Piacere ran up to me as she got out of the carriage.
“Mom, are you not in pain anymore? Are you fully healed?”
“Yes.”
“Wow! That’s wonderful!”
I placed my hand on the crown of Piacere’s head, who clung to my waist, narrowing my eyes.
Meanwhile, Ruspell, who had also disembarked, stood blankly watching us.
“But Professor Ruspell… what brings him here?”
“He heard you were unwell and came to see if you were okay.”
“Without an appointment?”
“If I had asked first, you’d have refused. So I just came.”
“…I see.”
Yet, why did it feel so unsettling?
It seemed like he knew Leonhart and I weren’t on good terms and came here because of that…
Better send him off quickly.
“Seen enough? Then let’s go.”
“Feed me.”
“…Why me?”
“I haven’t eaten anything since morning.”
“Then go back and have a proper meal.”
“I’m so hungry I might collapse on the way.”
Why is she making such a fuss about food today? She usually goes a whole day without eating and is fine.
There had to be another reason.
“Refuse….”
[Step 3: (sighs) Butler, prepare the meal.]
“…Butler, prepare the meal.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
We moved to the dining room and had an early dinner.
“Oh, little one, you eat spinach too? Impressive.”
“Picky eating is only for babies.”
“Aren’t you a baby then?”
“Godfather, I’m six years old now. I’ve grown up.”
“Ha! True, at six you’ve grown up.”
Contrary to my expectations, Ruspell seemed unaware of anything.
‘Did he really come because he was worried about me?’
Of course, how could he have known that Leonhart and I had fought?
At that moment, a prompt appeared.
[Step 2: (calmly) Is Owen busy?]
“Is Owen busy?”
“The little one has him occupied. Apparently, there’s surprisingly little information on the Saint.”
“…I see.”
The Saint had only been mentioned in prophecy; she had never actually appeared in this world.
Without information, researching the Saint would be difficult.
“But, Duke.”
“Yes?”
“I tried to come with His Highness today, but he dodged me.”
I quickly hid my surprise.
“Really? Perhaps busy with the Central Plaza construction.”
“The plaza’s nearly finished. He wasn’t busy—he just didn’t seem to want to meet you, Duke.”
“….”
“Duke, did you quarrel with His Highness?”
At Ruspell’s words, not just the butler and maids, but Piacere also turned her full attention to me.
I subtly pressured Ruspell with my gaze as I held my glass.
“Professor Ruspell, your appetite seems small. Eat more, will you?”
Please, just shut up!
“Strange, huh? Is it a difficult question to answer?”
That sly fox deliberately brought it up where everyone could hear.
I glared at Ruspell but only smiled faintly.
“No, not at all. My relationship with His Highness is excellent.”
“Oh, I see. I thought the two of you weren’t getting along and that’s why you wouldn’t attend the Academy’s autumn sports day… Glad to hear it’s not true.”
“Sports day? What’s that?”
“Didn’t Piacere tell you?”
When I looked at Piacere, she quickly lowered her head in surprise.
“Piacere, lift your head.”
“Yes…”
“Does the Academy hold a sports day? Do parents attend too?”
Piacere nodded slowly, her pink hair bouncing from the tied pigtails.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Well, Mom’s been sick… it’s okay if she doesn’t come. Many kids don’t bring their parents. Really.”
Nobles would never skip events at the Academy. They would attend for their children, or to maintain alliances with other nobles.
I obviously wanted to go, but Leonhart was the problem.
‘He’ll probably refuse…’
He’d want to pretend we were on good terms in front of others, but he’d refuse just to spite that.
If I attended alone, rumors would spread.
“Little one, it’s your first sports day. Don’t worry, the Duke will attend with you. You’ll be fine.”
“…Really? You’ll come holding hands with Mom and Dad?”
You can’t say no when she asks with those sparkling eyes. I had no choice but to nod. Ruspell grinned broadly.
“See, little one? Told you.”
“Wow! Godfather is the best! Mom is the best too! I got the participation form from Professor! I’ll give it to you later!”
“Good…”
“Duke, did you hear? The little one wants to hold hands with His Highness the whole time.”
Seeing Ruspell’s sly smile, I knew exactly why he had come. He was trying to reconcile me with Leonhart.
‘Since when have you been so meddlesome!’
I resented it, but having promised Piacere, there was no turning back.
“How long until the sports day?”
“Hmm, this much.”
Piacere spread her hands wide—ten days remained.
‘How should I get Leonhart to attend…’
I looked at Ruspell meaningfully and smiled.
‘If you meddle, you must take responsibility.’
After dinner, Piacere returned to the bedroom to do her homework.
Ruspell and I stayed in the sitting room to drink tea.
“Professor Ruspell, make His Highness attend the sports day.”
“…Me?”
“If you meddle, you must see it through.”
“Do you think I did it for fun? His Highness begged me, I had no choice…!”
“His Highness?”
“…Huh? Did I say His Highness?”
“I heard you clearly. What did His Highness say?”
“Ugh, damn it! I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone…”
“His Highness is scary, and I’m not?”
Ruspell sighed deeply as I smiled.
“Do you know how ruthless His Highness has been lately?”
“Ruthless…?”
“They say he’s like a dark lord, spreading shadows and devastating the Royal Knights. Over the past five days, during sparring, over thirty knights were injured.”
Leonhart’s rampage had spread throughout the palace, so the Emperor summoned Ruspell to intervene.
To prevent his son from cutting down the Royal Knights.
Ruspell, carrying the Emperor’s indirect command, met Leonhart—and immediately realized something had happened between us.
“Ah, so that’s why you came without telling me.”
“Um… just incidentally.”
“You deliberately brought up me and His Highness in front of Piacere, to make sure we attend the sports day. Don’t you think that’s a cunning move?”
“Well….”
Ruspell awkwardly scratched his head, then suddenly snapped.
“Why are you two acting like children, causing a scene? Do you know how many people fell ill because of you? I’m running around on the Emperor’s orders, and yet what crime is mine?”
