Chapter 82

"Ruya."

"…Yes?"

"Ruga is up to something. Otherwise, the Selenye family wouldn't have a reason to take us based on the fabricated title of a baroness."

"Do you mean that Lord Ruya is the Baron Selenye?"

The possibility seems unlikely, doesn't it? Ruya is not a baron but a Calapha.

'If you're a Calapha, you can easily control the high nobility of a country in the Northern Continent, right?'

As long as we can reach our final destination, a slight detour doesn't matter.

The first goal is to meet the high-ranking official connected to Rogui.

The Baron Selenye is a noble, so if we use him well, we can manage somehow.

"It takes about 30 minutes to reach Selenye Castle. I hope you have a pleasant journey."

We split into two carriages and headed for Selenye.

The cityscape that quickly passed by was both exotic and familiar.

The structures we occasionally saw were similar to the temple where Mephisto's army had hidden, but they were much cleaner and better maintained.

'This is what it feels like to travel to a foreign country.'

I glanced back and saw Jin and Andert also captivated by the view outside the window.

The tranquil scenery made the moment feel dreamlike.

The return of my brother, whom I thought was dead, and the appearance of a disciple obsessed with swords… these were scenes I couldn't have imagined during the Magic War era.

But this is reality, not a dream.

Perhaps it's a reality that's a bit too much for me.

"We have arrived."

The carriage stopped smoothly.

Stepping down and touching the ground, I let out a pure exclamation.

'Why is it so vast?'

I had only seen such a vast and perfectly maintained castle in the royal capital.

The dome-shaped roofs characteristic of the Northern Continent added an exotic and traditional charm, and the ivory color of the exterior made it look so ancient that it was almost blinding.

"The servants will take care of your luggage. Please follow me; the Baron wishes to meet you."

Jegers, who was crossing the canal with an interested look, asked Mon.

"Mr. Mon. What kind of person is Baron Selenye? I've heard that the Selenye family is a historically significant noble family in Astrosa."

Mon turned his head in the direction he was walking, but the answer came from another direction.

"Handsome."

Everyone's gaze turned to one place.

On the grand canal connecting the main castle of Selenye to the garden, a small wooden boat was floating.

"And capable."

Under the golden canopy shimmering in the sunlight, a gentleman with fair skin was smiling at us.

A handsome young man, who looked to be in his mid-thirties, introduced himself with a neat smile.

"Welcome to Selenye, young friends. I am Baron Selenye and the most handsome man in the north, Alphen Selenye. There are more of you than I expected."

Looking into the man's brilliant golden eyes, a seed of distrust sprouted in my mind.

This man. Could he be Ruya himself?

Despite his strong first impression, Baron Selenye disappeared like the wind, promising to meet us later.

'From the first glance, I can tell he has a whimsical personality.'

This won't be easy.

Stepping into the magnificent main castle, we had to climb the stairs immediately.

"I will show you to your bedrooms first. Please follow the servant in front of you."

An event that made my distrust grow even more occurred here.

"Only me on the first floor?"

While everyone else was led to the second-floor corner bedrooms on the east side, I was led to the first floor.

The first floor usually only has the master bedroom. It shouldn't be different in Astrosa.

"Only me on the first floor?"

I planted my question in Mon's ear, who pretended not to hear, and he answered with an awkward smile.

"It was the Baron's order. There are also excellent rooms on the first floor, so please rest assured."

"Then give me the room farthest from the Baron."

"I'm sorry. The first floor only has the Baron's bedroom and an extra bedroom across from it."

"I don't want to face the Baron."

"I'm sorry."

I ended up being trapped in the room opposite the Baron's bedroom. It was absurd.

'Why? Could the Baron have received an order from Ruya to keep an eye on me?'

And as soon as I was trapped, I was forcibly moved to the parlor by my team members.

The parlor table was filled with excellent pastries that looked sweet at first glance.

"The Baron seemed very young. I was really surprised when I met him in the garden."

As Jegers chatted comfortably, Baron Selenye walked into the parlor where we were gathered.

"Surprised that much?"

Jegers, startled, laughed awkwardly.

"…Ha ha, Baron."

"I lost my parents at the age of twelve. It was a tragic accident. It's been so long that I can't even remember their faces anymore."

"That's quite a story. To take over the family at such a young age, you must be truly remarkable."

Jegers, wiping his cold sweat skillfully, glanced at me and changed the subject.

"Then, is the Baroness Weatherwood related to you as siblings? Considering her age, it seems more likely."

Don't say that.

"Baroness Weatherwood?"

Baron Selenye, who had been scanning us, stopped his gaze on me and answered in a newly surprised tone.

"Oh, that woman is my daughter."

I was a bit surprised.

That woman. Isn't that a very cold expression?

"…Your daughter?"

"I had a child early. I'm about thirty-five this year, so she must have been born when I was fifteen. Ah! Don't worry, Jegers. My wife at the time was over twenty, so there were no issues with the birth."

"Then, Baron, be happy. Here, Daisy, the maid of Baroness Weatherwood, has a letter from your daughter. Go on, deliver it, Daisy."

I told you not to say that.

Unable to react, I just stood there, and Jegers' eyes filled with confusion.

He leaned in and whispered to me.

"Daisy? The letter…"

Does it exist?

Feeling uncomfortable with everyone's gaze, I found an excuse to refuse.

"Deliver it later."

Baron Selenye, who had been staring at me, swept his short silver hair back and smiled.

"Daisy, you should speak more formally to your superiors."

Though not directed at me, I obediently followed the request.

"I'll deliver it later."

"Good, I'll look forward to it."

He laughed heartily and said, looking around us.

"It's really nice to meet you, but our friends need time to rest. I won't bother you today, so please rest. If you want to explore the city or the castle, feel free to do so. Just don't get lost."

After Baron Selenye left, we each decided to enjoy our own rest.

Jegers, Jin, and Dshero decided to explore the castle, Andert was doing something unknown, and I returned to my bedroom to devise a new plan.

How should I act in front of Baron Selenye?

'Should I write a fake letter now?'

But I'm just a maid.

Whether Morian Selenye is fake or real, what do I know?

'I'm a maid who came to this distant foreign country at my master's command. If something goes wrong, I can pretend to be a victim, right?'

While imagining this, I received paper and a pen from Mon and sat at the desk.

But I soon realized that forging a letter on Selenye family paper was a foolish act and fell asleep.

When I opened my eyes again, it was late at night, and light rain was falling outside the window.

When I glanced at the clock, the hour hand had just passed 9.

A simple meal was neatly prepared on the table, though I didn't know when it was set.

'When did I sleep? I must have slept deeply because of the long journey.'

While drinking fruit juice in a daze, I noticed a small note under the silverware.

'…What is it?'

Just tell me to search the entire castle.

I gave up on writing the letter, stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth, and started exploring the castle.

Drip, drip.

The rain-soaked Selenye Castle had a charm of its own.

I searched tirelessly from the Baron's bedroom to the study and even ventured into the garden.

The man was there, in the inner courtyard.

Under the hexagonal roof, he was sitting and staring quietly at the water below, so still that it seemed he might be dead.

'…Hmm.'

The weather was gloomy, and the view was dark, making the scene of him sitting there even more eerie.

I approached quietly, not wanting to wake a ghost.

Just before entering the inner courtyard,

"Our Miss Daisy seems to be very skilled at concealing her presence."

The man laughed without turning his head.

He was indeed a human, not a ghost. I felt relieved.

'I didn't expect him to notice my presence.'

This man is no ordinary person.

Baron Selenye, with his arms crossed behind him, gestured to the seat next to him.

"What do you think of Astrosa?"

It was a simple question, and I answered simply.

"It seems like a wonderful country."

"Is that so? I thought you slept for seven hours after arriving at my castle. It seems you have a good impression from your dreams."

Is he mocking me?

"Come, now give me my daughter's letter. I'm curious to see what lovely Morian has written."

I stared at the large hand extended toward me.

It's such a beautiful hand. It's rare for a man to have such a hand.

There is only one man I know who has such a beautiful hand.

Baron Selenye laughed as if finding it amusing.

"Do you like my hands so much? Take your time looking."