Chapter 8
A short while later, there was a knock at the office door.
Knock knock.
“Lady Liersha has arrived, Your Grace.”
“Let her in.”
At Archmond’s permission, the office door opened.
He turned his gaze forward, expecting to see his granddaughter—
—but there was no child in sight.
…What?
“Where on earth is she—”
“Hello!!”
A bright, booming voice filled the office.
Archmond’s red eyes slowly lowered toward the source of the sound.
…Nothing.
When he tilted his head even farther down, he finally spotted Liersha standing stiffly.
So tiny.
What kind of creature could be that small?
Her hair was tied in two neat, round buns on either side, making her look almost comically prim.
The adorably dressed little girl’s face was taut with nervousness.
Archmond couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Those who carried the Aracrene blood usually matured at an exceptional rate.
Even at the age of four, they typically appeared around seven years old.
So seeing Liersha—so small that he had to crane his neck down to find her—left Archmond honestly bewildered.
“I am Lierusha Aracrene!”
She grasped her skirt lightly and bent her knees, bowing low to reveal the crown of her round pink head.
Then she wobbled, losing her balance.
Her etiquette was so dreadful he didn’t even know where to begin pointing out the flaws.
A heavy silence fell across the office.
“Uuuh… I pwacticed weally hawd with Sona…”
“……”
Realizing she had botched her greeting, Liersha’s eyes welled up.
Everyone in the room watched her with a mix of pity and restraint as her lips trembled.
How can someone show every emotion on their face like that?
Seymour, one of the aides who had been giving a report to Archmond, nearly dropped the documents in his hands.
Incidentally, Seymour was also the one who had treated Liersha’s wounds while she’d been unconscious.
Since Lord Oberon seems calm… he must’ve already gotten used to her on the way here.
Quick-witted Seymour pieced the situation together.
The only ones flustered in the room were Seymour and Archmond.
Unlike the children raised in the ducal estate, who were all calculation and restraint, Liersha’s transparent emotions left Archmond speechless.
“…Ha, hadabuji.”
The childish, lisping voice sounded wholly out of place in the formal office.
Archmond blinked slowly.
Hadabuji…?
Her big eyes looked up at him so earnestly it was almost pitiful—like a puppy desperate for approval.
His eyebrows shot up high as mountains.
“Can I… gweet you one more time, pwease?”
She held up one tiny finger, pleading for another chance.
It was such a rare plea—none of his grandsons had ever called him so endearingly—that in seventy years, Archmond had never felt quite like this.
Liersha was mortified.
She had ruined the etiquette Sona had drilled into her for days.
And she’d even stuttered.
He must think I’m a pathetic granddaughter who can’t even manage a simple greeting.
Her chest tightened with anxiety.
She fidgeted with her hands clasped above her belly button and kept her gaze on the floor, when—
“Very well. Try again.”
“R-really?”
“Would a duke speak twice with one tongue?”
“No, sir!”
Her loud answer echoed through the office.
Her gloom melted away instantly at his permission.
Her red eyes sparkled with determination.
She pressed her lips together in fierce concentration.
“I am Lierusha Aracrene. Hadabuji!”
This time, her greeting was flawless.
Her legs and skirt were perfectly aligned, every angle sharp and proper.
Just as she lifted her head proudly—
Archmond waved his hand.
“Step back a bit more.”
“Y-yes?”
“You’re too small—I can’t see you properly.”
Liersha gasped and quickly took a few steps back.
Apparently, being so tiny meant that up close, all he could see was the top of her head.
But even that wasn’t enough for Archmond. He shook his head.
“Farther.”
“L-like this much?”
She shuffled two big steps farther away.
Archmond’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Too far!”
“Th-then maybe a wittle closer?”
“What have you been doing all this time, not growing at all!”
The sudden scolding hit her like a slap.
…And it wasn’t even fair.
It’s not like I don’t want to grow!
When she flinched, fear flickering across her face, Archmond’s stiff expression softened slightly—though his imposing demeanor remained.
“I heard Rosinante found you in the forest after your awakening. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
She swallowed hard.
It stung that he had gone straight to the matter without even a greeting or a word of concern.
Maybe Grandpa isn’t happy I awakened at all.
She had dressed up to look her best, but not a single word of praise came.
He really must hate me…
Liersha recalled Sona’s advice before she came.
“You must answer honestly when the Duke asks questions. Even if you’re scared, never lie.”
The problem was—she couldn’t remember anything to answer with.
…But Oberon’s power will tell him if I lie.
Liersha glanced at Oberon, who had not taken his eyes off her since they entered.
His ability was to perceive the essence of others.
“Liersha, what is your ability?”
“I…”
She hesitated, then shook her head.
“…I dunno.”
A loud slam! echoed as Archmond struck his desk.
Liersha flinched violently, her shoulders trembling.
Her tightly shut eyelids quivered in fright.
The Duke’s thunderous voice filled the room.
“How dare you!”
“……!”
“How dare you speak falsehoods before me, Liersha Aracrene!”
She had been scolded many times before, but never had she seen him this angry.
I’m scared.
Her mind went blank.
Normally, one who awakened their Aracrene power would instinctively know their ability.
So Archmond’s fury wasn’t unfounded.
He could easily believe she was deceiving him.
“Speak your power, now!”
“I—I really don’t…”
Her small body trembled.
The thought that he might hate her again filled her with dread.
Tears welled up in her red eyes.
Why is it always me…?
Why couldn’t she awaken properly like the other direct heirs?
The Duke’s piercing red gaze froze her where she stood.
Even Sona’s advice didn’t help.
Archmond’s aura of anger began to fill the entire office.
So scary…!
Liersha gasped for breath, her chest rising and falling in panic.
Her frail body could not withstand his oppressive presence.
He wasn’t even attacking her—just pressing for an answer—but her fear paralyzed her thoughts.
It was even more terrifying than when she had faced the monster in the forest.
His shouting had triggered something deep—an old trauma.
What if I really can’t use any power at all?
If recognizing one’s ability was a normal part of awakening, then she was surely a mutation.
If she lived her whole life without ever discovering her power—
Her family line could be doomed. She could lose everyone she cared about again.
The fear made it hard to breathe.
“Hic… H-hadabuji…”
At that moment—
Magic began to flow around Liersha.
Soft, shimmering bubbles floated up with a pop.
Archmond’s eyes widened in shock as he rose abruptly from his seat.
“This power…!”
