Chapter 16
Emmet appeared, dressed neatly without a single wrinkle, and asked,
“Good afternoon, young lady, young masters. I am Emmet Okims, a member of the Third Aide Office serving His Grace the Duke. I was passing by and decided to stop in. Is there some kind of problem on this peaceful afternoon at three o’clock?”
He briefly took out his pocket watch, checked the time, and finished speaking.
Shocked, Malcolm and Dmitri hurriedly nodded and ran away first. Only Natasha remained behind, mocking Lilia.
“It’s not a peaceful afternoon at all. As expected, the direct-line young lady can’t do anything on her own, can she? Your smelly pet bit my brother’s ankle. You can’t even use magic—what kind of direct descendant are you? Honestly, it’s ridiculous.”
“…Natasha, watch your mouth.”
When Eugene warned her coldly, Natasha shot back,
“Did I say anything that wasn’t true?”
Lilia, who had kept quiet in front of Emmet, hid behind Eugene and made a tearful face.
“…Sister Natasha insulted my parents first. Lilia hated that so much, so I just…”
Seeing Lilia shrink as if frightened, Natasha scowled and tried to shove her.
“What’s with you? You’re acting right now, aren’t you?”
This time, Emmet stepped in.
“…Ahem. Lady Natasha, causing a disturbance is not appropriate. Please stop.”
Lilia stuck out her tongue in secret.
Serves you right for being so mean! One day I’ll teach you a lesson with magic.
“Tch… So you’re only taking the direct line’s side? How unfair! Just wait and see, Lilia.”
Trembling with anger, Natasha turned sharply and stormed off.
With Emmet’s appearance, the situation was settled in an instant.
After all, the foolish trio had been chased away.
“Then I shall return to where I was headed.”
“Ah, g-goodbye.”
Emmet gave Lilia a polite farewell and turned around stiffly.
The way he walked backward step by step before suddenly disappearing felt rather awkward—almost like a robot.
Now only Lilia and Eugene remained. If he hadn’t shown up, Lilia would have been beaten by Malcolm.
Of course, she wouldn’t have just stood there and taken it.
“Um, Eugene oppa, thank you for helping me earlier.”
“No need to thank me. Those guys… they’ve been bullying you often, haven’t they?”
“Huh? Ah… y-yes. A few times.”
Grinding his teeth, Eugene’s red eyes flashed as he muttered a curse under his breath.
“…bastards.”
Lilia couldn’t hear clearly because Eugene covered her ears.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Nothing.”
Eugene smiled it off and gently patted her.
“If it happens again, tell me.”
“You’ll scold them for me?”
“Yeah. My magic is stronger.”
Eugene stared at Lilia as if he wanted to ask something.
“What?”
“Oh right, Lilia. Did you pass the aptitude test last time?”
“Ah… well…”
She had passed, but how was she supposed to explain it?
Caught off guard by the difficult question, Lilia twisted the hem of her clothes and hesitated.
Just then, someone called Eugene from the other side of the bookshelf.
“Eugene.”
She felt his body stiffen instantly.
“Come here. Quickly.”
It was Benjamin—Grandfather’s second son and Eugene’s father.
He was tall and handsome, and at first glance looked gentle. With neatly combed black hair, a thick book always tucked under his arm, and loose scholar-like robes, he appeared like a man of deep knowledge.
For now, since he hadn’t shown his true nature, he still had a good reputation inside the ducal castle.
But Benjamin was trash all the same. Lilia felt a bit worried for Eugene.
“Let’s go eat. Your mother is waiting.”
His gaze toward Eugene was kind and warm. At least he treated his own son well… right?
“Yes, Father…!”
“…Lilia, you were here too.”
“Good afternoon, Uncle.”
As Benjamin slowly approached, Lilia had no choice but to greet him.
A displeased look shot toward her—clearly unhappy that his son was spending time with her.
Just as she expected.
“Eugene, I told you not to associate with just anyone. Come along.”
He glanced at Lilia, then turned and urged Eugene to follow, speaking casually.
Did he just insult me naturally and walk away?
Lilia clenched her fists and widened her eyes.
Just you wait.
“Li-Lilia, I’ll see you at successor class next time.”
“Mm.”
If you change rooms, you have to tell me!
Eugene mouthed the words before running after his father.
Tap, tap, tap!
“Okay, oppa. Bye.”
Lilia waved her small hand.
For a moment, Eugene had seemed different than usual—more withdrawn.
His expression had darkened slightly.
“…Am I imagining it?”
“Ppiit.”
Watching Eugene disappear down the corridor with Benjamin, Lilia felt uneasy.
“You feel that way too? Should we head back for today?”
She hadn’t gained anything useful at the library anyway.
But more importantly, she needed to fool the examiners and Grandfather about the aptitude test results.
Still worrying, Lilia trudged back toward her room—then quickly hid behind a wall.
In the hallway, Marit was talking with someone.
It was Ilina, one of the aptitude test supervisors.
“We were worried that if the result measurement keeps being delayed, her pass might be canceled, so I came to check.”
“Fortunately, the young lady’s health is fine.”
“That’s good to hear. Then please make sure Lady Lilia comes to the Spirit Tree tomorrow morning for the result measurement.”
“Understood.”
After Ilina left, Lilia quietly walked up behind Marit and hugged her tightly.
“Marit!”
“You’re back, my lady?”
But Marit didn’t seem very surprised.
“Huh? You’re not startled?”
“I have good hearing. I recognize your cute footsteps very well.”
Marit gently stroked Lilia’s head.
“Really?”
“Of course. But where did you go without telling me? I was worried.”
“Oh, I returned some books and did some reading at the library. But about what the supervisor said earlier…”
“Yes, you heard it all, didn’t you?”
Lilia nodded.
“Mm. Don’t worry. I’ll go tomorrow and come back after passing.”
“Very well, my lady. Give me your bag. I’ll tidy it.”
“Huh? Ah, no! Good children can organize their own bags!”
She still hadn’t told Marit that she had ended up raising a ferret…
Even though Lilia said that, Marit approached anyway.
She opened the bag and checked inside.
Lilia squeezed her eyes shut, ready to be caught. Kiki had been yawning and napping on the way back.
But then—
“Oh my, my lady. What a fluffy doll. How cute.”
The moment Marit saw Kiki in the bag, she mistook it for a stuffed toy.
Did Kiki pretend to be dead?
“Mm-hmm. I, I found it on the road. Don’t worry, the bag is clean.”
“Alright.”
As soon as Marit turned away, Kiki slowly blinked her eyes open.
So it really was acting.
But pretending to be a doll could only work so many times.
Kiki had already bitten Dmitri at the library earlier.
Even though she reassured Marit, Lilia was worried the whole time.
About Kiki’s true identity—and about the fact that it possessed the power of the Key.
If everything were discovered, there would be chaos.
Especially if everyone found out she was a Spirit Master.
But she couldn’t just let her pass be canceled either.
Tomorrow, I have to do something!
Fwaaash!
Back in her room, Lilia summoned the Key of Authority and the book once again.
She stared at the key for a long time.
Turning her thoughts over and over, Lilia finally came up with a clever idea.
