Chapter 36

36

"Father, it seems that the child used black magic..."

After Sherina's escape, Sharent Clowen, who had been pondering for a week, came to Desar Clowen's office to report his organized thoughts.

Sharent Clowen frowned when he saw Desar Clowen, who was carefully examining a mountain of documents inside.

"Father?"

"Ah, Sharent. You're here?"

Desar Clowen, who had his glasses perched on his nose, closed the documents.

He naturally took off his glasses, but Sharent Clowen approached him, sensing an unusual atmosphere.

As Sharent Clowen approached and touched the documents, Desar Clowen suddenly coughed several times.

Sharent Clowen skimmed through a few documents and let out a deflated laugh, looking both absurd and exasperated.

"Why are you looking at the reports on the magic stone mines, Father?"

The documents were not about anything else but the sales contracts of magic stone mines that were up for sale.

Sharent Clowen had thought Kant had been quite busy for the past week, but he never imagined it was because of this.

There were a few magic stone mines owned by Silphia, and a few owned by the royal family.

Other nobles owned a few as well, but they were not of very good quality.

"Are you planning to buy a magic stone mine?"

"Well, Sherina seems to like magic stones quite a bit. Since she has a natural talent, it would be convenient to have one."

Sharent Clowen narrowed his eyes.

He knew that his father had recently shown increased interest in the child, but he hadn't officially registered her in the family records.

Sharent Clowen flipped through a few more documents before speaking.

"The magic stones from the royal family's mines are of the best quality."

"Hmm."

"..."

"I should go and meet the emperor."

Desar Clowen spoke as if he were going for a casual walk in front of the house. He even clapped his hands, looking quite satisfied.

He suddenly stood up, grabbed his jacket, and then awkwardly sat back down.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"This book."

Sharent Clowen placed the "Picture Book for Beginners of Black Magic ~Curses Edition~" that he had found in Sherina's room on Desar Clowen's desk.

Desar Clowen glanced at the content and frowned.

"It came from Sherina's room, didn't it?"

"Yes, it seems the child used black magic with this."

"Black magic? What black... You can't be serious."

Desar Clowen's expression darkened.

There was only one incident involving black magic that had occurred recently.

The Baroness Sullivan, who had been training Sherina like a dog.

The person who had turned into a black lump of charcoal in a secret room.

"Are you talking about the Baroness Sullivan?"

"Yes, Father."

Desar Clowen rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.

"Is there any evidence left?"

"If it weren't for my speculation, I wouldn't have been able to suspect anyone. If a mage were to trace it, it might be different. But since some time has passed, it's unlikely even then."

The only person who had noticed the black magic was Sharent Clowen.

If Baron Sullivan had immediately noticed something strange and hired a mage, it might have been possible.

"Check again just in case, and if there's any evidence, deal with it cleanly."

"Yes."

"Talk to the child for now."

Desar Clowen's words made Sharent Clowen's brows furrow.

What kind of talk could you have with a one-year-old?

"If she has already used black magic, it's not a good situation."

"Talk to her for now."

"Father?"

"I'll go to the capital."

Desar Clowen put on his jacket as if he were fleeing and quickly left the office.

Sharent Clowen held his aching head. It seemed that nothing had gone smoothly since that person entered the house.

"Sherina."

He sighed, rubbing his lips, and slowly left the office, heading straight for the second floor.

* * *

"Karru."

"Do you like it that much, Miss?"

"U!"

How could she not like the mountain of magic stones in front of her?

They were all B-grade or higher. With these, she could last for a few years without any trouble.

She couldn't stop her lips from curling into a smile.

Bera approached her and offered a spoonful of baby food.

She opened her mouth eagerly.

Moreover, there was another reason for her recent happiness.

The quality of the baby food had improved, and snacks were now served regularly. She wanted to eat more than just one bowl these days.

To be honest, she felt really bad for Bera, but when Bera made the food, she could only eat five spoonfuls before feeling queasy.

But the food made by the chef was incredibly delicious.

Honestly, the first time she ate it, she almost cried from how good it was.

Still, whenever Sharent Clowen or Desar Clowen got involved, her quality of life improved.

'I wish it could stay like this forever.'

Good food, a bed, blankets, and Bera. It felt almost like heaven.

"Our Miss is eating well."

"U! Pena!"

"Yes, Bera is here."

Bera always smiled brightly whenever she was called.

So, she now made it a point to call Bera once a day. It seemed to help with her pronunciation practice too.

Knock knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

She smacked her lips as the baby food with minced beef moved away from her nose.

Who could be here during mealtime?

"Yes."

Bera put down the food for a moment, stood up, and opened the door.

To her surprise, she stepped back with a shocked expression.

Bera's face and movements gave her a good idea of what was happening.

She looked at Sharent Clowen, who had entered her room, with a puzzled expression.

"You were eating."

"Yes, Young Duke."

"Have you eaten, Bera?"

"No, not yet. I'll eat in a bit..."

Sharent Clowen approached her and spoke without looking at Bera.

"Go and eat."

"Yes?"

"Take an hour, and come back after you've eaten."

He frowned, looking frustrated, but added one more word.

Sharent Clowen sat down at the table where she was sitting and stirred the leftover baby food with a spoon.

"I'll feed her the rest."

He gave another warning, as if it were a final ultimatum.

Bera, looking flustered, pursed her lips but couldn't stand the coldness of Sharent Clowen, who didn't even look back. She finally bowed to her.

She was also flustered. Her eyes widened in shock at the sudden command, but she couldn't stop Bera from leaving.

No matter how much she made a wistful face and reached out with her short, chubby hands, Bera didn't return.

'If only I could speak properly...'

She would have thrown a tantrum, demanding to see Bera.

Of course, she didn't know if Sharent Clowen would allow it.

After Bera left, Sharent Clowen watched her for a moment before slowly approaching. He placed the black magic picture book he had taken from her on one side.

She tensed up, watching his every move. Sharent Clowen glanced at the magic stones on her baby table and narrowed his eyes.

When she shuddered, he pushed them aside, stirred the baby food, and offered her a spoonful.

"Ugh..."

Sharent Clowen, you sneaky guy.

Did you put poison in my precious baby food while I wasn't looking?

"Sherina, I'm not so desperate that I would poison a child's food."

Sharent Clowen spoke to her with a slightly curved gaze.

'What, can you read minds too?'

His voice was gentle and sweet, but her heart raced as if he had seen through her thoughts.

Of course, the fact that his words were true made her the most miserable.

Sharent Clowen could kill her whenever he wanted.

She discreetly grabbed two magic stones in each hand.

She was ready to run if necessary.

"Sherina."

She lifted her head slightly at his call.

Sharent Clowen was still smiling innocently.

"If you use magic in front of me again without permission..."

Sharent Clowen lightly took the magic stones from her hands.

She thought he was just reaching out to stroke her hand, but when she came to her senses, her hands were empty.

"I'll confiscate all the magic stones."

Sharent Clowen returned the magic stones he had taken from her to their original place.

He silently offered her the baby food again. This time, there was no choice.

She opened her mouth, and the spoon went in.

Fortunately, the taste hadn't changed, so it seemed he hadn't put poison in it.

As she chewed and swallowed, he eagerly offered the next spoonful. Surprisingly, Sharent Clowen was quite diligent in feeding her.

The initial unease disappeared after a few spoonfuls, and she no longer hesitated.

"You seem quite smart, unlike Balian..."

Sharent Clowen muttered softly.

"I didn't think you would use black magic to this extent."

He spoke with confidence.

She looked at Sharent Clowen with trembling eyes in surprise.

Sharent Clowen chuckled softly and poked her cheek with his long, white fingers.

"U...?"

What is he doing?

When she opened her mouth in confusion, he calmly fed her the rest of the baby food. Of course, it was delicious.

"How much of what I say do you understand?"

All of it, all of it. You jerk!

"Next time, if you want to kill someone, just say it."

Do you realize you're talking to a baby who isn't even a year old?

No matter how brilliant, cute, and lovable I am, you can't nod to that.

"Balian Clowen, even in death, he causes trouble."

The way he said his brother's name was bitterly cold.

After feeding her, he stood up calmly.

His cold fingers brushed her cheek as he smiled.

"As long as you don't do anything foolish, I won't chase you away or kill you. It's best to live quietly, like a mouse."

He whispered affectionately and then disappeared from her room.

He had returned the black magic book.

'What a lousy person.'

Ebebe! Ebebe! Hmph.