Chapter 28

* * *

Jeneer gathered his strength.

At first, he couldn't even drink water, but now he could eat quite well.

"Mani mugeo."

When I moved the feed, Jeneer nuzzled my face and made a soft sound.

I patted Jeneer's face.

"What? I've never seen a KingGodUltraGenerationWildHorse running on the prairie act like this."

According to the Monster Encyclopedia, Snowfield Horses are particularly sensitive to human emotions.

They have a habit of charging at those who feel fear or hostility.

On the other hand, they are very gentle with positive emotions.

"I love Jeneer."

When I said that, Balzak made a sullen face.

But it wasn't a displeased expression.

Well, no one dislikes someone who loves their pet.

"Other cousins ignore him because he's small."

Balzak grumbled.

"KingGodUltraGenerationWildHorses run so well. They're much faster than the thoroughbreds they have."

That's true.

Among horses, or even among monsters, Snowfield Horses are among the fastest.

"Jeneer will grow really big. He's still a baby, that's why."

Balzak's face brightened immediately.

"Right? I knew he would grow big because his hooves are so big!"

'Ponies don't grow that big, though.'

But since Jeneer is a Snowfield Horse, he will grow incredibly.

When they reach adulthood, Snowfield Horses grow to a size that even ordinary horses can't match.

Balzak cleared his throat.

"Before he grows big, I could... give you a ride?"

"Ooh?"

"No, I mean, if he grows big, a small person like you won't be able to ride him."

"But they say it's dangerous for a baby to ride a horse."

I also wanted to ride a horse.

In the 12th Tower, there was no stable, and at the Duke's castle, I had to behave and couldn't get close.

Since coming to the Diamond territory, I thought I might try.

"Oh, oh..."

"He can't even step into the stirrups yet..."

People were so anxious and at a loss that I gave up.

'At three years old, it's too young to ride a horse.'

Even if Jeneer is smaller than other foals, it's still too early.

While I was thinking this, Balzak said,

"KingGodUltraGenerationWildHorses are special. Even a small person like you can ride them."

"How?"

"There's a spell on them. Do you know about magic?"

I do.

In a fantasy world, it's something that can't be missing.

I once dreamed of going to Hogwarts.

Anyway, magic in this world is special.

'It's more like alchemy.'

You can't create something from nothing.

For example, if you want to use fire magic, you need kindling.

Most mages apply complex formulas to amulets that store blessings to activate magic.

'So the blessing is special.'

You can manifest it without anything.

"Jeneer had a protection spell cast on him as soon as he was born so that even a child wouldn't get hurt."

Such a spell must be incredibly difficult to cast, right?

When I blinked, Balzak said excitedly,

"Lord Lysian was going to give it to me as a gift...!"

--Balzak stopped mid-sentence.

His face stiffened, realizing he had said too much.

Well, it's hard to talk about his biological father (Lysian), who tried to poison his stepfather (Diamond).

Especially since we're in the Diamond territory.

'He must have been stressed about such things as a child.'

I understand that feeling well.

When I was Yoo Hye-min, I never mentioned my biological father, even by accident, for fear of upsetting my stepfather.

"Lysian uncle loves Balzak."

"Uh?"

"That's why he cast the spell to protect you. Right?"

"..."

Balzak was quiet.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke.

"Not really. He's known as an eccentric, so he probably just used me as an excuse to experiment with the horse."

"Even so, casting a spell is hard."

"..."

"Still, he did it with all his heart. Balzak didn't want you to get hurt."

"..."

"Don't get hurt, don't get hurt, little one. That's what he did."

When I laughed, Balzak looked at me blankly.

'Why is he looking at me like that?'

Did I say something wrong?

Maybe I shouldn't have said that?

While I was thinking this, Balzak frowned.

Then he scratched his chest and said,

"That's strange."

"Ooh?"

"Why does it feel itchy?"

Balzak and I looked at each other, puzzled.

Did we get fleas from frequent visits to the stable?

"Should we apply some ointment?"

"Sure!"

"Okay!"

We ran off to apply the ointment.

* * *

Balzak and Erylot sat facing each other.

Erylot opened the ointment bottle.

He then dropped a drop of ointment on Balzak's chest.

Balzak rubbed it in with his fingers to absorb it.

"Better?"

"It's still itchy."

It was a strange feeling he had never experienced before.

The itchiness seemed to be getting worse.

Especially when the tiny hand fidgeted with the pea-sized spot.

It also felt a bit itchy when he wobbled while running.

And it was the most itchy when his cheeks swelled up, wondering what was inside.

While he was thinking this, Diamond entered the greenhouse.

He narrowed his eyes when he saw the ointment bottle Erylot was holding and the ointment on Balzak's chest.

"Ah, ah!"

"Are you hurt?"

When Diamond asked, Balzak replied,

"No, just itchy."

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"It's nothing serious. I think I was bitten by a bug."

Balzak looked at Erylot, who was still holding the ointment bottle.

"More ointment."

"Sure."

Erylot applied the ointment again.

While he was dropping the ointment and rubbing it in, Diamond was watching them closely.

Erylot was completely focused, ignoring the surroundings.

Diamond cleared his throat.

"I feel a bit itchy too."

"Just scratch it."

"..."

Applying ointment is for children. Adults can handle it on their own.

Erylot, without looking at Diamond, asked Balzak,

"Feeling better?"

"Um..."

Balzak answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

'He must like me.'

In the Diamond territory, the strongest is the general, but he only applies ointment to me.

"Since I've applied the ointment, you can ride a horse today."

"Horse?"

Diamond raised an eyebrow.

"Riding is still too dangerous for Erylot."

"Black Pony is fine."

"You mean the one with the protection spell?"

"Yes, so it's safe."

"Come to think of it, I have a small horse with a protection spell. I could give you a ride..."

"No, I'll ride my own horse."

"Mine is better."

"Mine is!"

"Mine is!"

Their gazes clashed.

Erylot, sitting between them, looked back and forth between Diamond and Balzak.

Then,

"Miss, new picture books have arrived."

"Wow!"

Erylot jumped up and ran off.

"..."

"..."

Balzak and Diamond watched Erylot's excited back with blank expressions.

* * *

I quickly flipped through the book that Heidi and Betty brought.

'Wow...'

This book is even prettier.

One of the good things about coming to this world is this.

'The books are incredibly beautiful.'

Maybe because they are for noble children.

Some books have illustrations embroidered with gold thread on black paper, and others have 3D illustrations that pop out.

I was eagerly flipping through the pages when the maids asked,

"Are you going to read the book?"

"Sure."

"Where would you like to read? I'll prepare some snacks."

I hummed, thinking.

Usually, I would read in the greenhouse or my room, but...

'Since the weather is nice, I'll read in the garden.'

I love the garden of our castle as much as I love books.

It's full of fresh roses all year round, and the air is filled with their sweet scent.

"Fine!"

"Yes, I'll bring snacks to the gazebo."

Heidi smiled.

I tucked the book under my arm and went to the garden.

The cold snap had passed, so it was warm during the day.

The sky was clear blue, and fluffy white clouds dotted the sky.

A cool breeze blew, tickling my curly hair.

'I feel so good!'

I sat on the bench and placed the book on the table, but something felt off.

Why are there no gardeners?

The temperature difference has been significant lately.

'They must be paying extra attention to the temperature since it's hard to control with just magical tools.'

It wasn't lunchtime yet...

While I was wondering, a gardener ran out of the garden, out of breath.

His face was ashen.

Something must have happened.

"Hey! (Are you there!)"

When I called out, the gardener turned to look at me.

"Oh, Miss..."

"What's wrong?"

"Well, that is... I was called... by someone."

"Who? Abammi? Mikelan?"

"No, no..."

The gardener's tie was red, indicating he was a senior employee.

But if it wasn't Abammi or Mikelan, why was he in such a hurry?

The gardener hesitated and then said,

"It's a call from the evaluation committee."

Evaluation committee?

They were currently staying in the Diamond territory.

But why would they call a gardener?

I jumped off the bench.

"I want to go too."

"Excuse me?!"

"I want to go."

"Ah... Yes."

The gardener reluctantly agreed, looking very troubled.

I followed the gardener.

The place they were called to was very secluded.

I could faintly hear the sound of horses behind a corner.

"Dig up the garden, I said...!"

"Oh, that's not right. Flowers grown with magical tools are delicate and can't be used once they're uprooted..."

"What are you talking back—"

A thud followed.

I was startled and quickly peeked around the corner.

An old gardener was curled up, kicked by the nobleman, Lord Zahav.

"Dig it up, I said, what's the problem—!"

Thud!

A stone hit the head of the evaluation committee member who had the gardener kneeling.

"Ouch!"

Lord Zahav, who screamed, turned his head to where the stone came from.

"Who would do such a thing...! Oh, Miss?"

"Because."

"Excuse me?"

"Who would do such a thing. Without the owner's permission."

Lord Zahav, with a mustache like a swallow's tail, looked at me in surprise.

"Well, this is... It's... not something a young lady should be concerned with. It's by Lord Joshua's order!"

Joshua?

From what I heard, it seemed they were talking about digging up the garden.

Why would Joshua want to dig up the garden?

I looked at Lord Zahav with a suspicious expression.

Then,

"Already acting like the owner?"

A soft voice came from behind me.

I turned my head to see Joshua.

His lips were curled up in a gentle smile, but his eyes were cold.

"That gardener hit me."

"So?"

"What?"

"Beating servants is normal here. Is that a reason to throw a stone at my representative?"

Father has been away on the battlefield for five years, so Balzak and Joshua have guardians among the vassals.

Balzak has Baron Kronets.

Joshua has Lord Zahav.

Now that I think about it, it's strange.

'Balzak came here to treat the horse. Why did Joshua come?'

There's no way Joshua would follow Balzak here.

I could tell from a glance that their relationship wasn't good.

Joshua glanced at Lord Zahav.

"Lord, please leave."

"Ah, yes...!"

Lord Zahav hurried away.

Joshua and I were looking at each other.

Joshua, who had swept his gaze over me, smiled.

"Erylot."

"..."

"If you're the general's biological daughter, you're still a bastard. A child of a commoner, unwanted."

"..."

"This is a request. Please don't be a nuisance. I still want peace."

Joshua smiled at me and then turned and left.

I just stared at him as he walked away.

The gardeners ran to me, out of breath.

"Miss...!"

"Don't listen to such words. You're just a child, saying whatever comes to mind."

Saying whatever comes to mind as a child?

'No.'

Something is off.

Joshua is not the type to openly show hostility.

He's the type who acts kindly in front of people and plots sinister schemes behind their backs.

Would he say such things to me in front of the gardeners?

'It could get back to Father.'

I narrowed my eyes.

I had a feeling there was something more to it.