CHAPTER 14………………………………….
Shevert canceled the afternoon training.
For someone as addicted to the sword as he was—so much so that he had to practice every day—this was highly unusual.
Instead of heading to the training ground, he went to his youngest sibling’s room.
He stayed there for over an hour, pouring out his complaints to Crimu.
“Don’t you think so too? I’m talking about Maryanne—she’s utterly ridiculous. She’s just a tiny thing, only half my size. Ah, ticklish! Anyway, how dare she defy Shevert-sama? That’s an insult to all of us, the Keraice brothers! Right, Crimu?”
Through Crimu’s chubby cheeks, her small lips puckered in focus.
As if not waiting for an answer, Shevert continued his grievances.
“Yeah, you think so too? That’s just like our Keraice bloodline. I’ll let it slide this time, but mark my words, next time… I’ll show you exactly how much I’ve honed my swordsmanship. Ah, ticklish! Crimu, go easy on me.”
At Shevert’s playful whining, Crimu put down the brush she had been holding in her tiny hands.
“All done!”
Crimu’s cheerful shout made Shevert, who was lying down, get up.
The reaction of the maids standing nearby, however, was unusual.
“What’s wrong with all of you?”
When Shevert gave them a sharp look, the maids with odd expressions pressed their lips tightly and turned their gaze elsewhere.
Sensing something was off, Shevert hurried to the mirror.
“Ugh!”
The reflection in the mirror wasn’t Shevert, the first Keraice, the epitome of a handsome man.
Only a ridiculous face smeared with various paints stared back.
His attractive, thick eyebrows were covered in scarlet paint, sticking up like little mountains, and a streak of blue flowed under his nose.
So that’s why they were laughing!
Shevert furrowed his brows sharply and glared at the maids.
The maids were almost on the verge of tears, holding back laughter.
“Hic.”
“Snrk snrk.”
“You little—!”
“Whaaa.”
But Shevert couldn’t get angry.
Seeing Crimu giggling and snuggling into his lap, his anger melted away like snow in the sun.
“Crimu, was it fun?”
“Yeah! So much fun!”
“Pfft.”
Shevert couldn’t help but laugh, gently pressing Crimu’s head.
“You little rascal.”
He lowered himself to meet Crimu at eye level.
He grabbed her soft, plump cheeks and stretched and pinched them playfully.
Playing with Crimu was actually pretty fun.
Forgetting he had planned to go wash up immediately, he lifted her into his arms.
Her small, cozy body felt warm.
“Crimu.”
“Hyung-ah.”
“Yes, I’m your hyung.”
Shevert wrinkled his nose, smeared with scarlet paint, and suddenly remembered Maryanne.
She was the one who had warned him to play with Crimu while she was still being nice.
But Shevert believed he hadn’t done it because of Maryanne’s words—he had wanted to play with Crimu from long ago.
‘Tch. Did you really think I’d listen to you?’
In any case, the important thing was that he felt extremely happy.
His eyes softened as he looked at his younger sibling.
A few days later, the duke said he would leave the mansion.
He had to attend a noble meeting at the royal palace.
I happened to hear this while passing through the corridor.
The steward was selecting the servants who would accompany him.
“Make sure everything is done neatly. If you fail, it will bring great shame upon the Keraice household.”
“Yes, sir.”
I glanced at the well-groomed servants and hurried back to my room.
The royal palace was located in the south.
And that’s where the person I was looking for was.
“Kauts…!”
Once a researcher at the magic school studying magical stones.
Now, however, he was a magician living in secret, hidden away, addicted to gambling.
Six years later, Kauts would finally overcome his addiction just before starving to death.
And at that time, Maryanne, now an adult, would meet Kauts and unleash strong magical abilities.
It all started when she obtained the magic stone she possessed.
“Six years is too late…”
I had to find her immediately.
The duke’s face stiffened slightly.
He had heard me clearly, but I emphasized once again.
“Please allow me to go to the south as well.”
“What nonsense!”
Today, Shevert, the eldest, who was with the duke in the office, shouted.
“What could you even do there?”
He sneered as well.
Once I gained magical abilities, he would be the first on my list.
I set my priorities in my mind and glared at Shevert.
“Why do you need to go?”
“…Well.”
I hesitated, as Shevert and the steward were present.
I subtly gestured, and the duke waved his hand, dismissing them.
Shevert, frustrated, had no choice but to leave the room.
In the quiet, I stared directly at the duke.
At first, I was too intimidated to meet his gaze.
But seeing him every day, I had grown accustomed and could finally face him.
“The magician. The magician I’m looking for is in the south.”
“What is this magician’s name?”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot tell you. Later… I promise.”
“….”
The duke’s sharp eyes narrowed.
I held my breath, tense, as I studied his unreadable expression.
“Then I’ll ask just one thing. How can you be sure this magician is the right person for you?”
“Well, um…”
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
I had only read the original novel, so I knew what would happen in the future.
But if I told him all of this, he would surely think I was crazy.
I racked my brain, searching for a way.
The only way to get out of this was this:
“My… parents!”
“Again with the parents.”
“Hehe, they were my only family.”
The duke’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked at me.
Brushing it off as my imagination, I continued with emphasis.
“When I was little, my parents told me that this magician would be my benefactor.”
“….”
Through the slightly open window, the afternoon breeze drifted in.
The duke’s smooth, blue hair swayed gently.
He relaxed in his chair, letting his previously frowning face soften.
“…Very well.”
“R-really? Thank you so much!”
I bowed and left the office, my heart swelling with excitement.
I ran into Shevert, who was still lingering outside the door.
His face twisted as soon as he saw me, seemingly displeased with my excitement.
Hmph, whatever. I was going south.
I lightly held my skirt in greeting and left.
Time flew by.
Having finished all preparations, I boarded the carriage directly behind the duke’s.
The steward suggested riding with the duke, but I refused outright.
It would take a full day to reach the south.
Being stuck in that tense atmosphere with the perfectionist duke? My back might break.
The duke didn’t seem to mind me taking a separate carriage.
“Ah, how refreshing.”
I was overjoyed to enjoy the spacious, luxurious carriage all to myself.
The winter’s cold wind blew through the open window, and even that was pleasant.
‘Noona…’
Of course, Crimu, left behind at the mansion, lingered in my mind.
I hadn’t told the little one that I was going far away.
I only promised to bring back lots of sweets.
I would finish my business in the south and then go into town.
I planned to buy only rare things not found in the west.
I rummaged through the money pouch I had leftover from previous allowances.
“Wow, still plenty left.”
The sum was huge when I first received it, so I still had plenty.
“I can buy Crimu a present and still have a lot left.”
Suddenly, I felt a bit melancholic.
Once I met the magician and gained magical abilities, I would have to say goodbye to the Keraice household.
Thinking about leaving Crimu behind made me a little sad.
“No, for now, let’s focus on just one thing.”
I pressed down the whirlpool of thoughts in my head and focused on the view outside the window.
The vast forest surrounding the Keraice mansion quickly passed by.
By the time we arrived in the south, I must have fallen asleep.
I vaguely sensed the bustling sounds outside the window.
The carriage, passing through the city, stopped in front of a luxurious hotel.
“Haah.”
I stretched lazily and looked out the window, seeing the duke outside speaking earnestly to his attendants.
What could he be saying so seriously?
When he noticed me, I quickly ducked.
Wait, why did I hide when I hadn’t done anything wrong?
I straightened and stepped out of the carriage.
The duke, having finished speaking to his attendants, approached me.
“Rest. I have to leave early tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, sir.”
“When you leave tomorrow, be back by evening.”
The duke didn’t ask about my destination.
I expected him to be curious, but why wasn’t he?
The answer to that question came the next day.
