Episode 10
It had happened just a few days ago.
“Ah, I don’t want to!”
Kermanomon was someone who, despite being busier than ever, made time to spend with Garulus, and that day was no exception—it was their weekly meal together.
“Are you really not going to eat anymore? You’ll get hungry later…”
“Nope. I’m not eating. My stomach is already this full!”
Garulus, who was usually quite picky with food, was particularly stubborn that day. Staring at the feast in front of him, he came up with every excuse in the book—this isn’t good, that isn’t good—and eventually, after barely nibbling on a few bites of soup and bread, declared he was full and wanted to end the meal.
“Come on, let’s go. I want to go upstairs and play!”
As Garulus began to throw a tantrum, clearly wanting to return to his room as soon as possible, Melis finally picked up a piece of food and brought it to his mouth.
“Just one more bite. Ahh—”
“Come on, even if you’re not hungry!”
“Ah…”
However, Melis’ fork collided with Garulus’ flailing arm and fell helplessly to the floor. Startled by the clattering sound, Garulus froze, staring at the dropped fork with wide eyes.
“Garulus.”
A deep, resonant voice vibrated in her ears. Kermanomon, unable to tolerate it any longer, set down his utensils with a clatter and spoke.
“What do you think you’re doing? Who acts so disrespectfully toward their caretaker?”
Garulus flinched at the intimidating tone. But after a brief pause, she clenched her fists tightly and shouted defiantly.
“I-I made a mistake. What does Kerman know!”
“A mistake? Do you think I can’t tell the difference between a mistake and a tantrum?”
“Ugh…”
“Besides, seeing you throw a fit over food like this, I guess your stomach really is full.”
“Yeah! I’m full, that’s why!”
Garulus seemed to take those words at face value and nodded vigorously. Melis, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, looked around nervously, gauging both of their reactions.
“Theron.”
Kermanomon, now back to his usual stoic expression, called the chef who had been standing nearby as he scooped up his soup again.
“You heard what Garulus said, right? From now on, Garulus will be forbidden snacks for a week. Also, make sure he doesn’t enter the kitchen at all.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
“What did you say?”
Garulus, shocked by the decree forbidding snacks, jumped from her seat. Once she realized the situation, she pursed her lips and looked at Melis with a wronged expression.
“Melis!”
It was a desperate plea for help, but what could she do against the Grand Duke’s command? She could only shake her head quietly, signifying there was nothing she could do.
Garulus glared at her with all her might, puffed her cheeks, and climbed onto the chair.
“Do whatever you want! You mean, tyrant! I don’t care if I don’t get snacks!”
“Garulus…!”
“I said it was a mistake, but that’s too much. Kerman really is a lying, mean tiger!”
Shouting at Kermanomon like that, Garulus dashed out of the dining room without giving her a chance to stop her.
“Ah…”
The door slammed shut. Trapped in the cold silence, Melis could only clench her lips tightly.
Even now, several days later, recalling it was still dreadful.
“Garulus, are you really not going to apologize to the Grand Duke?”
Garulus had finally come down from the bookshelf only after extracting a promise from her not to make him wear pants.
“What? Why would I apologize? Kerman was the one who took my snacks!”
Shaking her head dismissively, Garulus scribbled roughly on the sketchbook with crayons. Three days had already passed since the snack ban, yet she still puffed her cheeks and avoided him.
“Still, if you keep avoiding him like this, the Grand Duke will be really upset…”
Just yesterday, when Kermanomon visited silently, Garulus had shoved her head under the pillow, pretending he wasn’t there. Of course, she couldn’t hide her whole body, so he ended up hurting him a little.
Compared to the touching reunion she had witnessed on the first day, Garulus’ behavior now was utterly incomprehensible.
“Why should it matter to me if a liar like Kerman is upset! And why do you keep siding with him? He unfairly took my snacks! I’m the one who should be upset!”
“I’m not taking sides…”
“You’re supposed to be my caretaker, Melis! You should be on my side! Ugh! Anyway, it’s all Kerman’s fault!”
By now, Melis’ suspicion had turned into certainty. Garulus was firmly sulking at her brother. This wasn’t just about a few days’ events.
Except for the day she first arrived at the mansion, Garulus always avoided him, acted annoyed, and vented all sorts of complaints. It was no coincidence that he hurriedly left during meals. The snack ban had only amplified those feelings.
Melis sighed quietly at the child’s incomprehensible, capricious heart.
“Alright. I won’t say anything.”
“Finally! Now we understand each other.”
But when Melis glanced at Garulus’ drawing, she couldn’t help but sigh. Surrounding Kermanomon, who had devilish horns and a tail, floated indescribable brown blobs, and around the edges were scribbled in crooked letters: “Kerman is a fool.”
‘Poor Grand Duke…’
Unaware that his face was being defaced with all sorts of filth, Kermanomon continued to entertain their guest for Garulus’ sake.
Right now, in the first-floor reception room, the Marquis Lisia, head of Eisen Academy, was visiting. Eisen Academy was considered the continent’s top academy, an elite institution for children from wealthy, high-status families.
Considering that the usual age for admission was eight, Garulus’ enrollment consultation at six was exceptionally early. For Melis, a poor noble and graduate of a public academy, hearing about the need for early consultation and reservation was jaw-dropping.
‘It should be almost over now.’
Glancing at the clock, Melis licked her lips nervously. The consultation would likely end in about ten minutes. Earlier, she had tried so hard to get him to wear pants, worried that the Marquis and Garulus might meet.
She had heard that the school judged not only family background but also personal ability and conduct strictly; being seen like this would ruin everything.
‘I can’t show him like this… absolutely not…’
Clenching her fists, Melis resolved to hold on a little longer. At that moment, Garulus tilted her head and asked.
“Melis, have you seen my yellow crayon? I’m sure I left it here a moment ago, but now it’s gone.”
“Yellow one?”
Glancing around, Melis spotted the yellow crayon at the foot of the bed. Somehow it had rolled there. As she bent down to pick it up, she noticed something hidden under the bedpost.
“What’s this? A glass jar?”
Melis frowned slightly as she picked it up. It was a jar about the size of two palms pressed together, filled with some unknown black substance. It looked like tiny black seeds densely packed together.
“Garulus, there’s something weird under the bed…”
“Ah, no!”
Just as she lifted the jar, wondering why it had been hidden under the bed—
“Eeeek!”
The black seeds began moving in all directions. Melis screamed, tossing the jar away in shock.
“My ant army! Melis, what are you doing!”
Startled, Garulus rushed over and snatched the jar. Melis shivered from head to toe. She wasn’t afraid of insects, but who wouldn’t be horrified by a jar packed with ants?
“G-Garulus! What is that! Give it here!”
“No! I worked hard collecting them for days!”
And just like that, a chase began between Garulus and Melis. As always, Garulus was as light and agile as a baby monkey, while Melis, unfortunately, had zero athletic ability.
“Come here!”
“Don’t chase me!”
“Noel, help me catch the young master! Quickly!”
So it was absolutely not Melis’ fault when Garulus darted past the guards at the door and rushed to the first floor. Absolutely not.
