Chapter 06
Things had been a bit difficult, but fortunately everything I had set out to do ended well.
I can’t believe he agreed to abandon the slave trade so easily.
Of course, I had given him a fair price in return.
I told him about a legal, highly profitable mine.
When he asked how I had learned about it, I came up with the most ridiculous excuse imaginable.
I claimed I’d found a hidden mountain range while looking at a map and thought there might be treasure there.
For a child, it wasn’t such a strange thing to say.
But Edgar hadn’t dismissed it so easily.
“Thankfully, I’d also overheard merchants talking about it.”
I never imagined wandering around town would end up helping me this much.
All the random things I’d overheard had turned out to be surprisingly useful.
The mine was hidden deep within those mountains.
The route was so dangerous and so rarely traveled that the land had practically been abandoned.
But beneath it…
There was an enormous vein of valuable minerals waiting to be discovered.
It was a literal gold mine.
The merchants often shared stories that had been passed down among themselves.
They probably thought a child would find those tales entertaining.
Their real goal had been to distract me and convince me to buy their goods.
What they didn’t know…
Was that my eyes had lit up the instant they mentioned that mountain range.
They never imagined the story was actually true.
In the end…
The deal had been a success.
I had asked Edgar for only one thing.
To keep things exactly as they were now.
He had also agreed to continue supporting Rion.
That meant I had obtained everything I wanted.
Ten percent of the mine belonged to me.
From now on…
Money would no longer be something I had to worry about.
Even if I had to flee someday…
I could simply take that money and disappear into another country.
“Roselia? Look.”
“I made this flower crown.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Sipping my tea, I looked at Rion.
As always…
A blue ribbon was tied around my wrist.
Although he couldn’t recognize anyone else…
He always recognized me.
All because of that blue ribbon tied in the same place every single day.
Getting close to him hadn’t been easy.
But after putting in effort every day…
We had slowly become friends.
“This…”
“I made it for you.”
“Really?”
I wasn’t particularly fond of flowers…
But I happily accepted the flower crown he offered me.
“Wow…”
“It’s beautiful.”
“There’s nothing you can’t do, Rion.”
I smiled brightly at him.
His slender fingers lightly brushed against mine before quickly pulling away.
After placing the flower crown on my head…
I looked straight at him.
His shy, blushing face was absolutely adorable.
“How do I look?”
Feeling my gaze fixed on him…
Rion slowly raised his head.
There was no way he could truly judge my appearance…
But asking and showing him anyway was only polite.
“…Pretty.”
“Really?”
The corners of my lips lifted on their own.
His fidgeting fingers hesitated…
Before carefully straightening the slightly crooked flower crown on my head.
“Yeah.”
Ah…
I’m melting.
Completely captivated by Rion’s bright smile…
I found myself staring blankly at him.
Those crimson eyes that only looked at me…
Curved gently as he smiled.
“Even your smile is beautiful, Rion.”
Huh?
It looks like your face is about to explode.
Watching his cheeks turn even redder…
I reached out toward him.
“You look like you’re burning up.”
“Do you have a fever?”
The moment my hand gently touched his forehead…
Rion froze completely.
Tilting my own forehead against his…
I looked him in the eyes.
“Rion.”
“Are you sick?”
“You don’t feel hot.”
“I-I’m not sick!”
He hurriedly jumped away from me, his eyes wide.
After taking a moment to catch his breath…
He awkwardly staggered toward the mansion as fast as he could.
“Wait!”
“Let’s go together!”
“N-No!”
“I’m going to bed!”
…What’s wrong with him?
Tilting my head in confusion…
I watched Rion run away.
At this rate, he’s going to trip.
“Why did you summon me?”
My flat tone caused Father’s brows to furrow.
Wasn’t it easier for both of us if we simply stayed out of each other’s sight?
Quietly…
I moved Rion behind me.
He even called Rion here.
Isn’t that a breach of our contract?
“It seems the two of you have been spending an awful lot of time together lately.”
“Well, we’re family.”
“Families are supposed to stay together.”
“…Family?”
Father’s eyes narrowed even further.
It seemed the enemy wasn’t in a particularly good mood today.
I narrowed my eyes in exactly the same way as I looked back at him.
Edgar de Bellois.
At least his name sounded impressive.
To be fair…
He also possessed the looks and status that most people envied.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate that I was his only child…
I honestly wasn’t sure.
“Roselia?”
“It’s okay.”
“Don’t be scared.”
I quietly reassured Rion when he nervously tugged on my sleeve.
Since he still couldn’t recognize who Edgar was…
He kept asking me.
“You’re better off not knowing who that man is.”
Honestly…
It was better if Rion never recognized him.
There was no reason to introduce them.
“Don’t listen to anything he says.”
Smiling softly at Rion…
I gently brushed the back of his hand.
“But…”
The fear hadn’t left Rion’s eyes.
It had probably been a long time since someone had looked at him with such obvious hostility.
“I’m here.”
“He may look scary…”
“But he won’t kill you.”
…Oops.
Maybe saying that only made him even more frightened.
Still…
I thought he deserved the truth.
Until now…
Edgar had never shown the slightest interest in Rion.
Perhaps…
Keeping things exactly the way they were now was best for everyone.
After watching Father for so many years…
I’d come to one conclusion.
He was beyond redemption.
That was why I had no intention of defending him with comforting lies.
“Hah.”
Seeing Father’s lips curl upward into a crooked smile…
I raised my chin.
What?
Got a problem?
He wouldn’t kill his own daughter…
Would he?
Surely he wasn’t that awful.
…Right?
Now that I’d said it…
I suddenly wasn’t so confident.
After all…
People didn’t always make the right judgment.
Then again…
Considering how he’d glanced at the family sword hanging on the wall last time…
…No.
It’s fine.
He won’t kill me.
Swallowing nervously…
I tried to keep my composure.
Perhaps because of my fearless attitude…
A trace of amusement appeared on Edgar’s face.
“You haven’t convinced yourself that the child you brought here is family…”
“Have you?”
“Compared to a biological family that’s too busy to know what their own daughter is doing…”
“He’s much more like family.”
“I hope you remember who’s responsible for the comfortable life you’re living.”
“My father, of course.”
Though…
I had no idea how many people he’d stepped on to build that fortune.
Because of that…
I didn’t particularly feel grateful.
Yes.
I really was a hypocrite.
“…”
I smiled sweetly at Father.
Judging by the expression twisting his face…
I’d probably teased him enough.
Enough playing around.
Clearing my throat…
I asked,
“I doubt you’re jealous that we’re spending time together.”
“So what exactly did you want?”
“That’s hardly an appropriate way to speak to your father.”
“I learned from the best.”
Watching me blink lazily…
Edgar pressed his thumb against his temple.
Apparently…
I was giving him a headache.
At this point…
I expected him to dismiss us.
Instead…
He shifted his attention toward Rion.
“Your name was Rion, wasn’t it?”
“You and I are not family.”
“So don’t entertain any foolish ideas.”
“Wow!”
“Listen to the things coming out of your mouth!”
I immediately covered Rion’s ears.
If he kept listening to that awful man…
He might actually start holding a grudge.
I’m working so hard to earn his trust!
Is he seriously trying to ruin everything now?
He really was completely useless.
Fortunately…
Rion couldn’t even remember Father’s face.
So there was nothing to worry about.
“Come on, Rion.”
“He’s just being grumpy.”
“You and I are family.”
“Okay?”
“…Okay.”
Rion nodded quickly.
“Please don’t call for us anymore!”
“We’ve never had that kind of relationship in the first place!”
Edgar’s eyes widened.
Without looking back…
I took Rion’s hand and walked out of the study.
