Chapter 34

* * *

I stared at the door with a dumbfounded expression.

‘That voice, it’s Joffrey, right?’

The boy who first called me “dirty blood” in the hall.

I briefly recalled my grandfather’s children.

1st son: Grimmie

2nd son: Diamond

3rd son: Deacons (became 3rd son after Uncle Lysian’s death)

4th son: Valdric

1st daughter: Basil

...

‘Joffrey is the son of Uncle Valdric, the 4th son.’

His actions are just as petty, as if he’s afraid I’m not his father’s son.

‘He’s also pretty stupid.’

I need to find a note in a prestigious place, so why did I enter a storage room filled with cleaning supplies?

“Is it not Master Joffrey?”

A man’s voice came from beside me.

I turned my head and looked up to see Conrad waiting for me.

He frowned and stared at the door.

“Are you being bullied?”

“Yeah.”

From the first meeting where he talked about “dirty blood,” to now locking me in a storage room.

It was perfect bullying.

“Should I tell the Duke?”

I shook my head.

While I do enjoy being assertive, I choose my timing and place carefully.

This is a test to see who can outdo whom; if I cry for help here, I’ll just look weak.

Conrad didn’t ask again, as if he agreed with my thoughts.

He smiled and bent down to meet my eyes.

“It’s been a long time, Miss.”

“Since the Ganghaseok Festival.”

“That was a long time ago too.”

It hasn’t been that long, but I’ve started to notice Conrad’s excessive loyalty, so I let it slide.

“I’m glad you found me. Is there something you need help with?”

I had sent a note to Conrad, who was in the office, asking him to come here.

Delivering the note was easy since I brought Han Jihyuk to write it.

“Our treasure is here.”

“Yes, you’re looking for a note with the rankings, right? The note for 1st place is in the Duke’s office. However...”

Conrad looked troubled.

“I don’t think I can find it for you.”

‘Of course not.’

While Conrad is known for doting on me, he can’t openly help me.

Conrad is one of my grandfather’s people.

If I openly receive help from Conrad, it might be seen as my grandfather’s intention.

‘What if the Duke chooses Elliot as the successor?!’

If that rumor spreads, I’ll become a public enemy among the direct descendants.

It’s better to maintain a relationship where I receive minor help as a favor.

‘Otherwise, it won’t look good to my grandfather either.’

An adjutant who leaks information.

A grandchild who receives that information.

I wouldn’t like that combination either.

“Okay!”

“Then, what kind of help do you need?”

“Can you go to the basement with me?”

“Yes. I have some documents to deliver now.”

“Then, you’ll meet the cousins in front of the room.”

“Yes.”

“Tell them the 1st place note is inside and that the Duke is expecting it.”

“Pardon?”

Conrad tilted his head.

“It’s not difficult... Yes, I understand.”

I smiled widely at his response.

“Then, open the door now.”

I’m only three and don’t have the strength to open it.

Conrad chuckled at my bold request.

* * *

Creak.

Conrad broke the lock and opened the door.

It was possible because it was an old, dilapidated storage room for cleaning supplies.

Elliot ran out, waving his hands.

“Bye!”

“Yes.”

As he watched the child leave, a servant pushing a cleaning cart was startled.

“Hey, the door...!”

“Oh, someone played a trick and I was locked in. Please inform the management to fix it.”

“Ah, yes.”

Conrad handed the lock to the servant and returned to the office.

In the adjutant’s office, several people were causing a commotion.

“Let’s use the communication stone!”

Joffrey, who had locked Elliot in the room, was one of the troublemakers.

“Communication within the castle requires permission. We handle communication strictly to prevent information leaks...”

“But I’m contacting my father! You can watch me!”

“We can’t break the rules...”

The officials were at a loss, not knowing what to do.

There were many other 3-year-olds causing a fuss about communication.

‘Anyway...’

Conrad shook his head lightly.

He knew about the test set by Debusi.

The real challenge was to use all your connections, favors, and abilities to open the door of the fortress.

‘But breaking the Duke’s rules is not allowed.’

Rules are lines that shouldn’t be crossed.

What would be gained by breaking into the Duke’s office and opening the door?

‘It would only make the Duke look unfavorably upon you.’

They are still too young and lack foresight.

In contrast, our Miss...

‘She clearly understood how far she could use me.’

She used me but never crossed the line set by the Duke.

Is that even possible for a 3-year-old?

‘She is clever, wise, and adorable...!’

Conrad grinned, and another adjutant looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Mr. Conrad?”

Conrad cleared his throat.

“Nothing. Please focus on your work.”

After saying that, he collected the documents the Duke had requested and left the office.

When he reached the office, the direct descendants were gathered.

He entered the office, receiving intense gazes from the direct descendants. Some children even swallowed hard, peeking through the door.

The Duke, who was inside, stared at the window with a blank expression.

Voices could be heard from outside.

“Really? Your maternal grandfather contacted Grandfather?”

“Of course! My maternal grandfather loves me so much. He said he would help me find the note.”

“Damn, what is my maternal grandfather doing? When will Mother come? I might lose the note.”

They were whispering, but the window was slightly open, so their voices were clearly heard.

Conrad, who had been watching the Duke, closed the window.

The noise was then blocked out.

The Duke spoke in a flat tone.

“How pitiful.”

Debusi, who had been with the Duke for the past two hours, shrugged.

“They are still young and can only rely on their parents.”

“Reliance, not dependence.”

“Well, I was surprised too.”

I never imagined they would be at this level.

‘They don’t even try to come up with a plan and just ask their parents for help.’

Some even stuck to the office door, unaware that their conversations could be overheard.

“What a mess.”

The Duke asked, and Debusi sighed.

“There weren’t enough competent teachers up until the last quarter.”

“But they were supposed to be outstanding.”

“Their physical abilities are unparalleled. After all, they have the blood of Astra.”

They inherited a series of extraordinary favors.

“Their academic level is not bad either. How else would ancient language be part of their curriculum?”

“My parents were very strict with my education.”

“Yes... It’s superficial. They only memorize without understanding. When I try to teach them, the 2nd generation children chase me away...”

“So, that’s why you were sent to the education room.”

Debusi picked up his teacup with a weary expression.

“Still, the 7th rankers are quite impressive. Master Joshua, Miss Selene, Master Blizen, Master Balzac, Miss Loreina...”

In the Duke’s castle, the top 7 children are called the 7th rankers.

Their names have remained unchanged for the past two years.

‘Perhaps the hope lies with those seven.’

Debusi narrowed his eyes and sipped his tea.

Conrad quietly placed the documents.

“The documents you requested.”

“Thank you.”

He bowed and left the office.

As soon as he stepped out, the direct descendants gathered in front of the door.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Is there a note in the room?”

The direct descendants focused their attention on Conrad.

“The 1st place note is inside. The Duke is expecting it.”

Elliot’s words came to mind.

Conrad slowly spoke.

“There is a note with 1st place written on it.”

“...!”

“...!”

There’s a note!

The children were greatly excited and started chattering.

Hearing it directly was different from just knowing.

Some who had given up and were about to leave for other places turned back.

The rumor spread, and most of the direct descendants gathered in front of the office.

However, Elliot didn’t even stop by.

Time passed, and the sun began to set.

No one had obtained the note from the office.

“What do we do? We might not find any notes.”

“I don’t know. I’ll try to find something else!”

The children, who had gathered in front of the office door, finally started to disperse.

Within 30 minutes, the sand in the hourglass ran out.

It was the start of the evening banquet.

* * *

Once a quarter,

the direct descendants of Astra gather for a banquet.

It usually happens on the first day the children return from their break and enter the education hall.

Two large tables were set up in the banquet hall.

One for the 2nd generation and one for the 3rd generation.

As soon as the children entered, the adults started asking their children questions.

“How did it go? Who got the 1st place note?”

Some children had succeeded in threatening the castle’s employees to communicate with their parents.

So, the rumor spread.

Some parents were actively involved in their children’s test.

The children, with frowns, said:

“I don’t know. I went to look for other notes because it was getting late. But no one had come out with a note before that.”

One child even sent someone from their maternal side, but the Duke didn’t meet them.

Amid the chatter, a tall man strode into the room.

“Brother Diamond...!”

“Is the sun rising in the west today?”

Diamond never attended the bloodline banquet.

Not only did he attend, but he was also dressed formally.

Wearing a robe with Astra’s emblem, he shone brightly among the gathered direct descendants.

He ignored the gazes of others and slowly looked around.

“Abaami!”

Elliot, sitting at the 3rd generation table, jumped off his chair and ran over.

“Is the battle over now?”

“Yes.”

“It was quick.”

Then, Balzac and Joshua, the twin brothers, approached Diamond.

“Didn’t you say it would take a while?”

“It ended sooner than expected.”

“I hurried to finish so I could see you off.”

...See off?

See off?

See─off?!

Diamond’s words were unexpected.

What is this parent-child vibe?

Diamond affectionately patted Elliot’s head.

Elliot, like a happy cat, rubbed his head against Diamond’s hand and smiled.

At that moment,

“His Excellency the Duke is here.”

Everyone returned to their seats and stood up.

The Duke and Debusi entered one after the other.

Only after the Duke sat down did the direct descendants take their seats.

The eldest son, Grimmie, was absent, but all the direct descendants of Astra were gathered.

The Duke, who had glanced around the hall, looked at Diamond.

His eyebrow twitched.

“What brings you to a banquet you never attend?”

“I heard some people were chasing after the children like mad.”

Diamond glanced at a few of his brothers.

Those who met his gaze shuddered.

They were the ones who had done the treasure hunt for their children.

“While their empty heads are understandable, I came to make sure my children weren’t involved.”

The twins looked at Diamond with wide eyes.

‘Children...’

He didn’t just say “child.”

He said “children.”

‘He didn’t just come for Elliot.’

Balzac cleared his throat, and Joshua slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

Debusi laughed and said:

“It’s good to see such a happy family. Since everyone knows about the test, let’s see the results.”

He looked at the Duke, who nodded slightly.

Debusi turned to the 3rd generation and asked:

“Who found the 21st place note?”

“Me!”

Elliot raised his hand.

Thud.

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

“What could he find with just the favor of reading ancient languages?”

No one had any expectations for Elliot.

The favor of reading ancient languages.

A commoner mother.

From the 12th tower.

No one thought he could do anything.

Diamond glanced at the mockers, and those who met his gaze quickly turned away.

“Well, it’s commendable that he found something.”

Debusi continued:

“Who found the 20th place note?”

“Me...”

Dione spoke in a barely audible voice.

Her father, Baron Parmagne, grimaced.

“Who found the 19th place note?”

“It’s me...”

“18th?”

“...”

“Is there no one?”

“17th.”

“Me!”

People were surprised and looked at the child.

It was Elliot again. He raised his arm and smiled at Debusi.

Debusi smiled, finding it cute.

“You found two. Now, 16th.”

“Me!”

Again, Elliot raised his hand.

“Three... Then, 15th?”

“It’s me too!”

“14th.”

“It’s me too!”

“13th.”

“Me!”

“12th.”

“Me!”

Elliot raised his hand each time.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

People stared at the child who answered without pause.

Even Debusi looked at Elliot with a surprised expression.

Elliot opened a small bag he had slung over his shoulder, fumbled with it, and pulled out a stack of papers.

He then scattered them on the table.

Out of 21 notes, he had 14.

Elliot smiled widely and said:

“They’re all mine.”

‘They didn’t just say to find one note, did they?’

He used Conrad to give the children hope.

By telling them the 1st place note was in the Duke’s office.

Knowing the 1st place note was there, the children wouldn’t easily leave.

He focused their attention on the Duke’s office and found the rest of the notes.

Debusi’s mouth dropped open.

‘How did he...!’