Chapter 47

47

"I was worried."

I shuddered, my shoulders trembling at the sigh-laden voice of Desar Clowen.

Of course, I would be worried if a dog I raised ran away, but I did leave a letter.

This time, I looked at Desar Clowen with a sullen expression.

'I thought he might have some sentiment.'

Even when I was Hella, Desar Clowen would occasionally give advice, as if throwing it out.

Things like, "Find out more," or "You won't accomplish anything if you just rush in blindly." He also showed concern about black magic.

"Um... "

"Is that a letter?"

Desar Clowen looked flabbergasted.

Of course, it's just a few words, but it's still a letter.

I pouted my lips.

I do feel guilty, specifically for failing to run away and messing things up.

"If you don't like the academy, let's think about it a bit more."

"Rice?"

"Are you saying you want to enter at seven years old?"

No, I want to leave home.

But who would announce a runaway in advance? Since I've already talked to Sharant Clowen, I'll just lie and get by.

I nodded my head.

"Sir, this child says he will leave home when he turns seven."

"Huh."

I gasped.

Sharant Clowen, you little rat! Are you ratting me out like this?

Kaisan, that tattletale, must have come from Sharant Clowen.

I clenched my teeth in rising anger and disbelief.

"Leave home?"

"Ugh..."

I want to go back to being a baby.

Overwhelmed by sudden anxiety, I put the pacifier, which hung like a necklace, in my mouth. It seemed I needed to have a more logical conversation.

Suck, suck.

As I sucked hard, I felt my strength drain from my body.

I could feel my mind calming down in real time, realizing just how tense I had been.

"Like this time?"

Desar Clowen's face grew even more menacing.

I glanced at him and sighed deeply. I'll talk when I've recovered some strength.

Pop.

I took the pacifier out of my mouth.

Of course, it's still black and dirty, but now I have a fondness for it.

I wonder if I'll still wear a pacifier around my neck if I go back to being Hella.

"Vera?"

"I told her to rest for a while because she was shocked by your disappearance. She might be waiting for you now that she's heard the news."

Oh, I feel bad about that. I need to go and apologize.

"Can I go?"

"Did something happen at home?"

Instead of answering me, Desar Clowen hesitated, asking as if he couldn't understand.

Would you enjoy living like a dead person if you were alive?

'If I'm not registered, I'm neither alive nor dead.'

If the upper class ignores me, the lower class can't be clean.

Ultimately, the bullying I faced was created by Desar Clowen and Sharant Clowen.

And the reason Desar Clowen treats me like a pet.

I don't even exist on paper. So everyone ignores me, just like they ignore a pet they find cute.

'Honestly, I want to go to Ranian's place if it weren't for that paladin.'

I heard she got married, but I didn't know it was to a paladin. Ah, how happy it must be to wake up in his arms every morning...

"Grandpa, I'm sleepy."

Instead of answering, I smiled as I always do.

Tomorrow, when I conform to reality and act cute to please him, I'll get the mana stone in my hand.

That's the extent of our relationship.

I use him, and he treats me kindly to ease his guilt, whether it's for his deceased youngest son or for me.

Desar Clowen said nothing as he watched me change the subject.

You need to know I'm being cowardly.

If you want to show affection and trust to your cute granddaughter, you should stop treating her like a pet. Of course, I don't know how sincere I can be.

Since he said nothing, I jumped off the sofa.

The butler, Kant, who was waiting in front, looked at me and then at the duke, as if seeking permission.

'Oh, I don't even have the freedom to leave the room.'

Poor me!

I turned my head, and Desar Clowen, with a stern face, slightly waved his hand. Then Kant opened the door, and I quickly went out.

As I walked back to my room, I suddenly noticed the bracelet was still on my wrist.

'...Sharant Clowen.'

You despicable guy.

* * *

"Did she run away?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll return the advance you gave me last time."

"Director, I don't particularly like lies."

The director of the orphanage began to tremble like a leaf at the cold, chilling voice.

There was no one threatening him, and only one man sat in front of him, yet cold sweat streamed down his face.

Even though the voice was just indifferent, it was terrifying.

His snow-white, silver hair and tanned skin made him look even less human.

Despite the wrinkles around his eyes and forehead, he was quite handsome.

The man, who looked to be in his forties, had pitch-black, lifeless eyes.

They exuded a sense of weariness with life.

The director, sitting in his leather chair, knelt in front of the man with his legs crossed, unable to say a word, cowering.

"Who broke in?"

"I, I don't know. A man came in and took the child."

"What did he look like?"

"He had black hair and silver eyes. He was about the same height as you. From his fine clothing, he was probably a noble..."

The director, gripping his knees tightly, took a deep breath and barely managed to answer.

The man said nothing for a long time.

"Count Sharant Clowen of the Clowen family."

"Excuse me?"

"The only noble with those features is them. I haven't heard that he has a daughter."

Sharant Clowen?

'Why was his daughter abandoned in front of the orphanage in the first place?'

The director frowned in confusion at the thought.

After a long silence in the room, she cautiously spoke.

"Perhaps, an uncle..."

"An uncle?"

"Yes, when Lira first came here, she said her uncle told her she could eat if she came here."

At her words, Asmodeus narrowed his eyes and closed his mouth.

The Clowen family was known for valuing bloodlines.

Desar Clowen had three children, two of whom had left the family, which was evident.

Among them, Sharant Clowen had grown up to be the most ruthless Clowen.

If the child left on her own, her situation must have been dire.

'Not bad.'

If he was raising her anyway, he might as well use her.

He needed a child with magic, as ordinary children died too quickly.

A reusable one was better than a disposable one.

Moreover, if she wasn't recognized by the family, they wouldn't search for her with all their might if she disappeared.

'Maybe he found out she was in the orphanage and came to get her.'

Silver eyes would be distinctive.

If the rumor of a child with silver eyes in the orphanage spread, the Clowen family's reputation would plummet.

If being noticed was a problem, he could make her never be noticed again.

"You..."

As Asmodeus reached out his hand toward the director's neck, his eyebrows twitched.

The director was already shrouded in the aura of death.

More precisely, a brand. Someone was preparing to cast a black magic spell on her.

The black magic wasn't complete yet, but someone was attempting it.

When someone was chosen as the target of black magic, an invisible brand appeared on that person.

Only a black magician or a priest would know about this brand.

'Someone has already claimed her.'

He stared at the director for a long time, then withdrew his hand and stood up.

Stealing someone else's prey didn't suit his temperament.

"I'll take the remaining children today."

"All of them?"

"Yes, you won't see them after today."

You can't make a deal with the dead.

Asmodeus didn't bother to finish his sentence.