Chapter 5

"Originally, the magical artifacts here were placed in the cathedral and the palace of the second prince, who serves as the bishop. However, the second prince, despite being a bishop, is extremely timid. He was so scared that he didn't want to keep them, so he asked someone to take care of them for him. The one who agreed to do so was Sir Diluc."

"Of course, Sir Diluc is very kind."

With a pain in her chest that wouldn't go away, a wave of nostalgia welled up in her. Diluc had always been kind. Calm and warm, he always enveloped Yuno like a sunny spot.

When she was blaming herself for not being able to use magic,

'It's fine even if you can't use magic. I like you, Yuno.'

He had said with a smile, and how much that had comforted her.

(It's just like back then...)

Her heart overflowed with warmth. But at the same time, it ached knowing that she would never see that smile again, even though it was only natural.

Keira looked exasperated.

"That's not the case. Sir Diluc charged the bishop an exorbitant fee for keeping the magical artifacts. An amount enough to build a mansion."

"…What?"

"Moreover, it's renewed every six months, and he collects that huge sum each time. Well, it's good for us servants since he shares the money with us. But to be honest, it's pure extortion."

"…What?"

"That's just the kind of person Sir Diluc is. Since you've known him for a long time, you should know that, right?"

I didn't know that. She shook her head from side to side. It was strange. This wasn't the Diluc she knew. But it had been four years, so it wasn't surprising that he might have changed.

Feeling a bit lonely, she took an old doll from a wooden box.

(…Huh?)

The doll's green eyes seemed to glow. But when she looked again in surprise, they were just ordinary doll eyes.

(Maybe it was just my imagination?)

Puzzled, she carefully wiped the dirt off the doll's cheeks and arms with a cloth. It was a doll of a girl with golden curls, quite expensive despite its age. However, the dress was torn at the sleeves and hem, and the curls were tangled and matted, with a large hole in the right cheek.

(She looks so pitiful...)

She gently stroked the right cheek and smoothed the hair. Suddenly, she remembered the doll she had as a child. Her late father had bought it for her, and she had cherished it very much.

But one day, the doll disappeared.

She cried and searched the house, the garden, and the shed.

Then she found it. The doll was stuffed into a trash can in the corner of the garden. She knew it was her sister Cindy's doing. Usually, she would be too afraid to say anything, knowing that Cindy would retaliate even more. But this was a precious memento. She hoped Cindy would understand, and with a glimmer of hope, she gathered her strength and pleaded, holding the doll covered in garbage.

"Mother, my sister is bullying me!"

"But it's something Father bought for me—"

"Yuno! As an older sister, you should share. Cindy works hard at her magic studies every day, unlike you. You're such a bad girl."

Yuno worked just as hard as Cindy, if not more, at her studies. But in this house, those who couldn't produce results had no value.

She knew this all too well, so she could only watch in tears as her mother took the doll and gave it to Cindy.

There was no physical abuse, no being denied food or being hit. It was just a constant reminder through words and actions of how useless and incapable Yuno was.

Mother, under the stress of the prestigious family name, and Cindy, who found it normal and simply enjoyable.

Still, Yuno desperately wanted to be loved by both of them, so she did her best to help her mother, listened to Cindy, endured, and was kind—.

But it was all in vain.

Why can't they understand? Why can't I use magic? Why do I have to watch the doll be given to Cindy? Why can't I do anything?

These unanswered questions swirled in her small body—

(—Stop it.)

She shook her head, hurriedly pushing the unpleasant memories out of her mind. Recalling them only made her sad. It had been four years since she was kicked out of her home. She thought the memories would fade a bit, but they didn't. They still cut into her heart as sharply as they did four years ago.

Was it because she was weak?

At that moment, the doll's eyes glowed. This time, they definitely glowed.

In front of the shocked Yuno, the doll's body floated up on its own. Then, while floating in mid-air, it looked down at her as if it had a will of its own.

"What's happening…?"

"No—! The doll is floating in the air!?"

Keira, who was sweeping the floor, turned around and paled.

Yuno could only stare in disbelief. It was too surreal.

In front of the two of them, the doll twisted its left cheek and grinned.

"Kyaa—!!"

Keira, in a panic, ran towards the open door. A moment later, Yuno, stumbling, tried to run as well, when—

"Marie…."

A small voice was heard, a poignant voice like a young girl calling out.

Yuno, unable to help it, stopped and turned around, meeting the floating doll's eyes.

(Did the doll just speak…?)

"Yuno, what are you doing! Hurry!!"

Keira shouted from the doorway. Yuno looked back and forth between the doll and Keira, confused.

"Um, Keira, didn't that doll just speak…?"

"Huh? Not only did it float and smile, but it can also talk!? Give me a break! —Yuno, it's dangerous!!"

The moment she turned around, something flew towards her with great force. Golden, tangled curls. It was the doll.

The moment she realized it, she felt a tremendous impact on her nose. Sparks flew before her eyes, and Yuno lost consciousness.

When she came to, she was on a bed in the infirmary of the palace. Keira's worried face loomed over her, and behind her, Ruben and—.

"Sir Diluc…?"

Why is he here? She hurriedly sat up, but her nose throbbed. Keira said anxiously,

"You're injured, so don't overdo it."

She gently touched the area, which was bandaged.

Diluc approached and stood by the pillow, smiling.

"Are you okay? I heard the magical doll headbutted you. Do you remember?"

"…Yes, vaguely."

It was just vague.

"Right. For now, Ruben has locked the doll in the magical artifact room, so it's safe. I've sent for the archbishop from the cathedral to get the full story."

That's good. Feeling relieved, Yuno became self-conscious about the bandage on her face in front of Diluc. There were already dirt and stains, and she knew Diluc didn't care, but she still felt embarrassed and covered the bandage with her hand, looking down.

Diluc, seeing this, smiled and said,

"Are you worried about that injury? It's fine. You look the same as always."

Even though she knew it was true, she was still shocked.

In front of the bowed Yuno, Diluc stood up confidently.

"Well, I'll be going then."

Yuno hurriedly bowed her head and wondered. She understood why Keira and Ruben were there, but—

"Um, why is Sir Diluc here?"

She asked hesitantly, and Diluc stopped in his tracks.

There was an awkward silence. The air felt tense.

But Diluc quickly turned around and answered with a smile.

"The blonde maid came running, looking panicked, to call Ruben. She said something big happened in the magical artifact room. Since the artifacts are important items entrusted to me by my second brother, I came to check on the situation. That's all."

"I'm very sorry…"

She could only apologize. All she could do was her job, but she had failed at that. Worse, she had caused trouble.

She didn't want to be a burden or a nuisance any more.

"I'm very sorry."

She bowed deeply, trying to keep her voice from trembling, but her body shook instead.

Seeing Yuno's thin shoulders shaking as she apologized,

"—You don't need to apologize."

Diluc said in a stiff voice, turning his face away.