Chapter 63

# 63

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"Lady Margaret."

Nabia had been pacing around the room with a worried expression ever since Lark suddenly disappeared in a bad state.

The moment the door opened and Margaret entered, she ran up to her.

"Is the Duke alright?"

Since Nabia had seen Lark in person, she had secretly thought that he didn't seem to be sick. After all, he had a robust physique, a good complexion, and looked healthy.

But to suddenly show a pained expression and stagger, something must be seriously wrong, right?

Margaret weakly smiled and comforted Nabia.

"Don't worry, he's fine. You don't need to be too concerned."

However, even her forced smile gradually faded.

Nabia instinctively felt that she was about to hear some bad news from Margaret.

Sure enough.

"And... I'm sorry, but Lord Lark has ordered that Miss Nabia's all activities be temporarily suspended..."

Margaret looked extremely embarrassed as she said this.

She was afraid of the child's disappointment and felt sorry for her.

Even for a child, being suddenly deprived of a mission as a member of a community was a significant loss.

Especially for someone as intelligent and discerning as Nabia, it would be even more so.

Nabia, listening to Minerva's words, felt relieved that the situation wasn't as bad as she had feared.

'Temporary suspension of all activities...'

It probably meant that she should stay low and be as quiet as a mouse.

"I see."

Nabia calmly smiled and replied.

It was a smile meant to reassure the other person, as if she were completely unaffected.

Of course, it would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed at suddenly being unable to do anything.

'I haven't even styled Lady Margaret's and Minerva's hair yet.'

It would have been nice to style just two more people's hair before stopping.

But she couldn't show her disappointment in front of Margaret, who looked even more distressed than she did.

"I'm fine."

Nabia was used to saying she was fine.

More accurately, there was nothing else she could do except say she was fine.

Still, it was fine. She was satisfied that she could say she was fine in this situation.

"Miss Nabia..."

Margaret's heart ached at Nabia's quick resignation and acceptance.

It would have been better if she had been upset or angry, asking why this was happening to her.

That would have been a more normal and typical reaction.

But Nabia, with a look that showed she hadn't even considered such a reaction, said again.

"Really, you don't need to worry. By the way, I hope you didn't get into trouble because of me?"

What had made this child grow up so quickly?

To become an adult so accustomed to enduring...

Margaret tried to calm herself and smiled gently.

"Not at all. Oh, by the way, let's have a nice meal together today. How about it?"

Nabia was about to agree when she laughed awkwardly.

"I'm sorry. The Duke said not to do anything, which probably means not to cause any trouble. So, it's best to stay quiet today."

"…Alright. I'll prepare the food, so please wait a moment."

After Margaret left, Nabia suddenly wondered what kind of trouble she had caused.

Lark didn't seem to be in a bad mood. He was brusque but treated her well.

'What about me upset the Duke?'

Was it the hairstyle? But his reaction didn't suggest that.

Nabia felt he was a truly difficult person to understand.

"…I was hoping we could become friends."

'Silly thoughts. I didn't even know my place.'

Nabia looked down at the gold coin she still held in her hand.

"I need a coat."

The clothes she wore when she came to Esselred were all torn and discarded.

To go out, she needed a coat and a pair of shoes.

'One gold coin should be enough to buy decent clothes and shoes.'

"I should ask Mr. Schleman."

Schleman was going out to the palace today, so she planned to ask him to buy some clothes and shoes.

Nabia had learned from last night's dinner that Schleman usually spent this time in the first-floor study.

So, she needed to go downstairs.

Click—

Nabia, still feeling the throbbing pain in her body, stood in front of the central staircase and looked down at the long, seemingly endless steps.

"Phew."

She took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's go down."

Nabia held the railing and took a step down.

* * *

Schleman and Margaret resided in separate annexes, not in the main building.

They opened their golden wardrobes, the only luxury item in their rooms, to get dressed and headed to the main building.

In the morning, they had a quick meal, dealt with Theorban's tyranny, adjusted the budget, and handled the official duties related to their respective titles.

It was a series of quiet and tedious tasks.

But a change occurred. A visit to Nabia's room was added to their schedule.

This small change transformed their daily routine.

They, who had thought they would never be involved with a child until their death, felt this change was almost a blessing.

The desolate Esselred Duke's residence now had a human touch.

It had been a long time since laughter echoed through these halls.

"Hmm."

Schleman hummed a tune while smoking a pipe in the study.

On the table were several documents outlining the plan for the upcoming fiefdom battle.

"Should I quit smoking now?"

He muttered this as he puffed out smoke.

'Now that the child is at home, smoking might not be good.'

Although smoking was one of his few leisure activities, he didn't feel too disappointed about quitting.

"At least I won't have to listen to Margaret's nagging, which is a plus."

Schleman immediately put down his pipe.

"Should I go prepare the meal?"

Just as he was about to leave the study,

"How can a noble household have no servants at all?"

Turning around, he saw Theorban enter with two maids and a guard.

Theorban, upon seeing Schleman, smirked arrogantly.

"Good morning, Count Jeneger."

Schleman, with a cold expression, glanced at him and the maids before speaking.

"What brings you here so early, Alvin?"

Theorban, who was of the same rank as a count but considered himself superior due to his age and status as a war hero, glared at Schleman.

In truth, Schleman treated him this way more because he found Theorban's character repulsive.

Theorban, stroking his black beard, said in a condescending tone.

"I have a daughter too, so I know that a noble lady can't do anything without maids. But having a girl here with no servants is quite concerning."

Schleman glared at him with a mix of anger and suspicion.

'Ah, just a spy, I see.'

Nabia had told him about Theorban's plan to make his daughter the heir here, so this move was clear.

"It would be problematic to impose servants without the Lord's permission."

Theorban, initially angered by the word "impose," soon wore a sly smile and mocked.

"Ha, what do you mean? Oh, could it be because of money?"

Schleman's anger flared up.

Just as his expression turned icy,

"Are these the maids to help me?"

The clear and gentle voice of the child made Schleman's expression soften instantly.

Turning around, he saw Nabia carefully descending the stairs.

"Oh, Miss Nabia..."

Schleman quickly used his magic to gently lower Nabia to the ground.

Nabia, careful not to let the Black Moon absorb the magic, smiled as she touched the ground.

"Thank you, Mr. Schleman."

Schleman smiled warmly, as if all his irritation had vanished.

Theorban, visibly annoyed, spoke loudly, as if for everyone to hear.

"Tsk, a woman who was abandoned by Duke Agnes is now walking around the house freely."

Schleman called out his name warningly.

"Enough, Theorban Alvin."

Nabia had already approached Schleman.

What to do about the insult aimed at her?

'It's good news for me.'