Chapter 78

78

In fact, there’s no point in thinking about it now, and even if an answer comes, there’s nothing I can do.

‘Protection magic…’

Given the Clow family’s characteristic distrust of magic, the protective magic surrounding the mansion was probably only set to block external magical intrusions.

However, the problem is that this barrier has been breached.

Because of this, Sharent Clow must be racking his brains, but there’s only one solution.

Magic power must not be used at all within the mansion.

Not only the movement of magic power, but its use itself must be prohibited.

Of course, to do this, a protective magic that prohibits the use of magic power within the mansion, rather than just its movement, needs to be cast, and the existing protective magic must be modified.

The condition when engraving the protective magic is that only those who have permission can use magic power.

And to ensure that the magical tools used within the mansion don’t stop, the restriction must only apply to living beings.

Adding conditions to the protective magic can potentially weaken it, which is quite a headache.

‘I can just subtly change it and mark those who use magic power among the people entering and exiting.’

Since I’m the one who cast the protective magic, I won’t be subject to the restrictions from the beginning, so I don’t need to worry about it.

But why do I have to do such a troublesome thing for the Clow family, which I’ll only be with for another three years?

My dissatisfaction flared up, but thinking about Sharent Clow, who took out his sword to protect me, made me feel strange.

‘No, I have to do this to protect myself…’

Yes, I’m doing this for myself. Since I received help once, I’ll consider it as repaying a debt.

After some self-reflection, I nodded firmly.

A yawn escaped me as sleepiness crept in. As expected, the sun was high in the sky when I looked up.

‘It’s about time for a nap.’

I rubbed my eyes and trudged toward where Vera was.

* * *

"…What is it?"

In response to my friendly call, Sharent Clow looked down at me with a face that suggested he heard something he shouldn’t have.

"Odega?"

"I’m going to the study."

"Me too!"

As soon as Sharent Clow answered, I raised both hands.

‘I want to go too, I want to go too!’

Sharent Clow glanced at me and then scanned my surroundings with a suspicious look.

I could feel that he was doubting me.

‘I don’t want to do this either. What can I do about Deshar Clow being busy today?’

I have to stick around because I don’t know when Dantalian will appear.

It feels awkward, and I don’t want to deal with him twice. His words keep making my heart ache.

"I want to go too!"

"Is something wrong with you?"

Sharent Clow asked suspiciously at my sudden behavior.

This guy is too perceptive.

I opened my eyes as wide as possible, feigning innocence, and tilted my head.

"Umm?"

I pretended to suck on a pacifier, and his lips twitched.

He seemed both displeased and a bit shaken. This act is getting tiring.

Sharent Clow narrowed his eyes at me, then sighed and nodded.

‘Don’t look at me like that, as if you hate it so much.’

Honestly, I don’t like you either. As he was about to move, he saw my outstretched arms and bent down reluctantly.

Sharent Clow slowly walked, holding me in his arms.

"Come to the dining room on time for dinner tonight."

"Or else?"

"…"

"Okay…"

I nodded, avoiding his suddenly harsh gaze.

This guy doesn’t get jokes.

Fortunately, Dantalian didn’t appear this week. I searched the mansion for protective magic whenever I had the chance.

Finding the source of magic power isn’t that difficult.

The protective magic is like an invisible, transparent barrier, and it requires engraving runic symbols at the four corners based on the protected area.

The advantage of using runic symbols is that once infused with magic power, they can be used even after thousands of years.

Of course, various restrictions can be placed on this barrier.

For example, it can prevent evil people from entering, or it can place a weak curse on those with hostile intentions.

Conversely, it can grant minor luck or help minor injuries heal faster for good or friendly people.

The curses are usually minor, like tripping, getting a headache, falling while walking, or losing money.

Of course, there are risks when placing such restrictions.

Even though they are weak, they are close to curses, and strong mages can reflect the curse back.

If the curse is reflected, the mage who set the condition is in danger.

For example, Nara, Nara, Shirena Clow, Hella, and so on.

‘Yeah, me. Damn it.’

Still, identifying such hostile people is good for the Clow family in the long run.

‘I’ll tell them before I leave the house.’

I should also pass on the mark and write down the precautions in advance.

I should write them down in a notebook so I don’t forget.

‘This is more than enough as a favor.’

I wouldn’t have cast magic using runic symbols in the first place.

"You’ll just cause trouble if you move, so stay here and play."

Sharent Clow clicked his tongue in annoyance and gestured.

‘I don’t like you either. Deshar Clow is better.’

I swallowed the words I couldn’t say.

‘The one who is reluctant has to bend.’

The butler, who saw Sharent Clow’s gesture, laid out paper, a pen, a small cup of juice, and a pile of snacks for me.

‘Was it Kant?’

I know he’s the butler who oversees the mansion, but he usually sticks to Deshar Clow. Today, he’s with Sharent Clow.

"If you need anything else, please let me know, Miss."

A faint smile appeared on the usually expressionless Kant’s lips.

The man, whom I thought was mechanical, smiled for the first time. I’ve met him a few times, but this is the first time I’ve seen him smile.

‘I thought they were all made up.’

It seems the people in this house have human qualities too.

Thanks to the preparations, the table in front of the sofa in the study became abundant.

The warm cookies and warm milk, along with the cozy atmosphere, made my lips curl up without me realizing it.

Kant wouldn’t have prepared this on his own without an order. It was probably Sharent Clow’s command.

…It felt strange.

"Ah, and this."

Sharent Clow took something out of the study drawer.

"What do you think of this? Isn’t it better than that dirty thing?"

Sharent Clow looked at the pacifier around my neck with disapproval and then showed me a golden pacifier.

I blinked and then looked down again.

‘Golden pacifier…?’

Sharent Clow placed the pacifier in front of me.

"Throw away that dirty thing. This one is easier to disinfect and won’t get old like that one."

‘He didn’t give me a new one when I was sucking and biting, but now he does.’

I stared at the golden pacifier Sharent Clow offered and picked it up. I put it in my mouth and sucked it.

‘…Hmm.’

Suck, suck, suck.

I closed my eyes to feel it more carefully.

Suck, suck, suck.

I sucked the pacifier hard, trying to taste it, but it didn’t stick to my mouth.

Strangely, it didn’t seem to calm my mind either.

After about a minute of sucking, I put the pacifier down and rolled my eyes.

To compare, I put the pacifier around my neck in my mouth and closed my eyes.

Suck, suck, suck.

It stuck to my mouth.

I could feel my heart, which had been racing, slowly calming down.

I held it with both hands and sucked hard, then looked up at Sharent Clow and pushed the golden pacifier toward him.

‘I’m grateful that you finally took care of it, but it’s not my taste, Sharent Clow.’

When I clearly pushed it away, Sharent Clow’s expression became serious and a bit awkward.

‘Awkward? No way.’

I shook my head and opened my mouth.

"This one is better."

"Is that dirty, smelly, and crusty cockroach-like thing better than this?"

That’s too much.

Hearing his harsh evaluation, I was truly upset.

I thought I had moved past the cockroach stage, but now the thing in my mouth is a cockroach. Isn’t that too much?

"This one is better."

I repeated the same words again.

The reason I suck on the pacifier is when I can’t psychologically handle something or when my mind is too tense and I can’t find an answer.

In other words, I need something to gently calm my mind.

‘But where did this pacifier come from?’

The maid gave it to me as if she was bothered, but why would the maid have a pacifier?

That means she picked it up from around me.

‘But why was such a dirty pacifier around me?’