Chapter 4

"......"

"......"

"......"

Despite running so hard, when Elliot's eyes met the Duke's, he froze on the spot.

After a while of fumbling, Elliot held up the rabbit doll.

"Onee-sama-tachi ga kureta. (Onee-sama-tachi ga kureta.)"

Debussy Viscount chuckled.

"Yes, it's a very cute doll."

"Un!"

A maid approached from a distance, then hurriedly bowed upon noticing the Duke and the Viscount.

The Viscount spoke to Elliot.

"It seems they've come to fetch you. Come to think of it, it's time for dinner. You've worked hard until late."

The maid bowed and then bent her waist towards Elliot.

When the maid asked, "Shall we go?" Elliot nodded.

"Ojii-sama, sayonara. (Ojii-sama, sayonara.)"

"......"

Debussy Viscount chuckled as he watched Elliot leave with the maid's hand.

What a funny child.

'Did she grow up in the twelfth tower, not in the castle?'

She was completely different from the direct descendants.

There was no child in this castle who carried a rabbit doll.

Especially not a child who would show off a doll to the Duke of Astra.

And "Grandpa, goodbye?"

Even the old nobles who were tense around the Duke of Astra, she treated him like a regular grandpa.

Today was quite an entertaining sight.

To see the Duke of Astra not just ignore but be unable to respond.

'How long will it last?'

Soon, she will realize that her grandpa is not an ordinary old man.

She's surprisingly perceptive.

But contrary to what Debussy Viscount thought, Elliot was consistent.

Whenever the Duke left his study, Elliot was sitting in front of the door.

In her hand was a book.

"Chae ilgeumyeoneunyo. Tottotkejyeo. (Chae ilgeumyeoneunyo. Ddokddokhaejyeo.)"

"......"

The next day, she was sitting in front of the dining room.

In her hand was a sketchbook as big as her body.

"Haegi haeyo. (Haegi haeyo.)"

"......"

The next day, in the bedroom.

She was holding a milk bottle.

"Uyu meogeumyeoneunyo. Ssususu jara. (Uyu meogeumyeoneunyo. Ssususu jara.)"

"......"

There was no need to report on Elliot's every move.

She did a good job of reporting herself.

A week passed.

"Kaja meogeryo. Chikachika haeya da. (Kaja meogeryo. Chikachika haeya da.)"

"......"

As usual, Elliot was doing something in front of the study.

The Duke glanced at her and entered the study.

Debussy Viscount and Conrad, who entered with him, chuckled.

Conrad said,

"You're here again today."

"Did the young lady come yesterday too?"

"She's been coming regularly recently."

"I wish I had a grandchild to see."

Debussy Viscount laughed, and the Duke frowned.

The Viscount shrugged.

Would that gentleman even care if his grandchild followed him around?

He placed the documents he brought on the Duke's desk.

"It's the movements of the Torello Marquis family. The atmosphere on the Torello side is strange due to the loss of the granary. With their only source of funds cut off... Your Excellency?"

"......Yes."

His response was slightly delayed.

As if he was thinking about something else.

When Debussy Viscount and Conrad looked at him with puzzled expressions, the Duke waved his hand.

"Continue."

Though he said it casually, it kept bothering him.

That yellow back of his.

* * *

At dusk.

I stood on tiptoe and peeked into the study.

I mean, the 'Conrad' in the study.

I've been following Conrad closely recently.

'Soon, it will be time to betray.'

It was mentioned in passing in <Ice.Black.Hand>, but I clearly saw it.

Conrad betrayed in the fourth winter after entering the Astra family.

And it turns out, it's the fourth winter now.

'I can't be alone with Grandpa.'

If I'm alone, he might attack.

But sticking to Grandpa all the time is also unrealistic.

He wouldn't like it, and most importantly...

'My life is precious.'

If I get caught in the attack on Grandpa, what will I do?

For that reason, I never enter the room and always stay outside.

I'm ready to scream if anything happens.

'Being a child is inconvenient.'

If they were going to possess me, they should have given me an adult's body.

A child can't do anything.

If I pointed to a well-performing adjutant and said—

'He's a traitor. I saw it in the novel, but there's no evidence.'

—everyone would think I was crazy.

I was thinking about this when Conrad came out of the room.

"You're still here."

I nodded, and he bent one knee to meet my eye level.

"Aren't you bored?"

"Kaja issyeo. (Kaja issyeo.)"

I showed him a bag of cookies, meaning it was fine to wait while eating.

"You're very well-behaved."

"Un."

Conrad chuckled at my response.

"If it's okay, can I touch your cheek?"

There were other administrators behind, and it didn't seem like he was trying to do anything dangerous.

I nodded.

Conrad then adjusted my collar. It was a very gentle touch.

"It's still cold, isn't it?"

I could feel the maids passing by in the corridor glancing at us.

I understood them.

'He's so handsome, it's impossible not to look.'

When he lowered his eyes to adjust my collar, it felt like looking at a magazine.

The sunset seeping into his long eyelashes.

His clear eyes.

His straight nose.

His lips drawing a gentle curve.

'But the biggest advantage of Conrad is this gentle feeling.'

"Will you stay here?"

"Conrad?"

"I'm going home now."

It was a welcome sound.

If Conrad wasn't with Grandpa, there was no reason to guard here.

Actually, I was a bit cold and wanted to go back to my room.

"Then I'll go too."

"The castle stairs might be too high for you. I'll take you to your room."

"Un."

I held Conrad's hand and walked.

He was an adult who matched my pace, making it easy to walk.

Plus, he was good at making conversation to keep me from getting bored.

"Does he read history books to you every morning?"

"Un."

"Isn't it tiring?"

"An himdeureo. Jjoggeumseuk ilgeo. (An himdeureo. Jjoggeumseuk ilgeo.)"

"That's a relief."

The distance from Grandpa's study to my room was quite far, but I wasn't bored at all.

Conrad took me to my room and said goodbye.

"Have a good night."

He left, and I inwardly sighed, 'Hmm...'

He doesn't seem ready to attack Grandpa yet.

The best time to attack would be at night when there are fewer people, but Conrad has been going home early recently.

'But why did Conrad betray Grandpa?'

While thinking about this, I heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Young lady."

It was the maids who came to take care of my dinner.

The maids said, looking at Conrad's back,

"Oh, it's Conrad-sama. He's always so handsome."

"I know. I used to look forward to seeing him, but now I'm sad I won't see him anymore."

I opened my eyes wide at the maids' words.

"Why can't you see Conrad anymore?"

"He's stepping down from the Duke's inner circle."

"Why?"

"He's moving to a more relaxed position. He has to take care of his younger brother."

Another maid added,

"His younger brother has been sick since summer. That's why he's been going home early recently."

"Apheo? Odi-ga? (Apheodo? Odi-ga?)"

"It's called Ilimo disease... Ah, it's time for you to sleep, young lady?"

The maids, who realized what they said, prepared my bed.

But I already knew about Ilimo disease.

It starts with a few spots on the body in the early stages.

The more spots, the more pain, and when the spots cover the entire body, the person dies.

But the treatment is simple.

There's a special medicine called Bluebell Root.

'The problem is that getting Bluebell Root is like picking stars from the sky.'

It's almost a legendary flower.

Since it's so hard to find, the price is astronomical.

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head.

Sick brother.

Extremely hard to get medicine.

And betrayal.

'So, he betrayed for his brother's medicine!'

The people who ordered the attack must have lured Conrad with the medicine.

Conrad must have betrayed Astra for his brother.

'It doesn't seem like they've contacted Conrad yet.'

If they had, he wouldn't have stepped down from Grandpa's adjutant position.

There's no better position for an attack.

'So, if he has the medicine, he won't betray?'

If I can get the Bluebell Root, the problem is solved.

'That's easy!'

The next day.

It was time to read ancient language, so I headed to the library.

In the library were only Grandpa, Debussy Viscount, and Conrad.

After the mention of "dragon bones" and "blessed land," it seems they thought only a few should know the content.

I pretended to read the history book and said,

"Cheonghwa root is said to strengthen blessings."

Of course, there was no such thing in the history book.

Debussy Viscount's eyes widened slightly.

"Are you talking about Bluebell Root?"

"Un."

"The Bluebell Root has such an effect..."

Debussy Viscount turned to Grandpa.

"What do you think?"

"If we can develop the blessing, it's worth checking."

"Then...?"

"Find it."

'Yes!'

I inwardly grinned.

Getting Bluebell Root for me was really easy.

Because I could use the Duke of Astra's resources!

No matter how hard it is to get Bluebell Root, with the Duke of Astra's power, it wouldn't be that difficult.

Endless funds.

Informants spread across the continent.

The Astra family can really pick stars from the sky.

Grandpa went even further.

"Once we get it, distribute it to my grandchildren. We need to confirm the effects."

"Yes. It's not a poisonous plant, so it should be safe."

Debussy Viscount looked at Conrad.

"Conrad, contact the intelligence bureau and have them find the Bluebell Root."

"......Yes."

Conrad's eyes were trembling.

Of course.

It's a thing he would betray for.

Conrad left with a stiff face.

I quickly put down the history book.

"Ije heunduryo. Kado daeyo? (Ije heunduryo. Kado daeyo?)"

Debussy Viscount looked at Grandpa for permission.

Grandpa nodded.

I bowed and quickly chased after Conrad.

He had a half-dazed look on his face.

"Conrad."

"Ah. Yes, young lady."

I grabbed the end of Conrad's jacket and whispered,

"Negeun cheonghwa root badeumyeon Conrad-ju-ge. (I'll give you the Bluebell Root when I get it.)"

"......Yes?"

I raised both hands and said in a childish voice,

"Haenyoni gyeosseo. Conrad donsa apeo. Cheonghwa root pilryo. (The maids said. Conrad's brother is sick. Bluebell Root is needed.)"

"Such... Why would you give me such a precious thing?"

"Na Conrad giphada myeon joa."

"......"

Conrad covered his face with one hand.

I could see his eyes trembling through his long, beautiful fingers.

After a while, he calmed his trembling breath and knelt.

"I will never forget this kindness. Never."

His eyes were filled with determination.

I patted Conrad's head.

'Good. Don't forget it.'

* * *

A few days later.

I hummed a tune as I walked down the corridor.

'Conrad's brother has recovered!'

Sure enough, the Astra family's intelligence bureau.

They found the Bluebell Root in just a week.

I gave the Bluebell Root to Conrad as promised.

'Good, good.'

Now I don't have to worry about Grandpa falling into a coma.

"Young lady."

I saw Conrad from a distance.

"It's late. Where are you going?"

"Ojii-sama-hante. (To Grandpa.)"

Even though I finished monitoring Conrad, I still visited the Duke frequently.

'You need to get close to see the affection.'

Reading ancient language will eventually end.

Then my usefulness will be over.

So I need to get close to Grandpa in preparation.

"What should I do? The Duke has just gone out. There's an urgent meeting of the senior nobles."

"Then...?"

"Especially on a day like today, you should be careful."

"Why?"

"Because it's the day of the red moon."

Ah.

I nodded.

When the red moon rises, the blessing becomes very weak. Nobles who rely heavily on the blessing can't help but be sensitive.

'It's a dangerous day.'

Conrad looked around and, confirming no one was around, said,

"Young lady, your education schedule has been set."

"Education?"

"When the direct descendants return from training, you will receive education together. The content of the lessons is..."

Now Conrad started giving me various information.

He seems to think of me as a benefactor for giving him the Bluebell Root.

I was thrilled.

'Such information is great!'

The upper class is all about information.

I'm glad I gave the Bluebell Root to Conrad.

I listened carefully to what Conrad was saying.

"Young lady, your swordsmanship teacher is a bit strict, so you should be prepared."

"If Conrad taught, it would be good."

He's the one who successfully ambushed that old man.

And he's very kind to me.

Conrad laughed awkwardly.

"Unfortunately, I'm not in the martial arts field."

What?

"I've never learned swordsmanship. I've never received combat training."

...What does that mean?

Then how did he ambush?

At that moment, something I had overlooked came to mind.

'There might not be just one assassin.'

This damn novel!

It made it seem like Conrad did it alone...

'Wait a minute.'

I suddenly turned and looked out the window.

Red moon.

A day when the blessing is weak.

An urgent meeting of the elders.

'It's an ambush.'

I turned around and ran like crazy.

"Young lady? Young lady!"

Grandpa is in danger!

* * *

The Duke of Astra was surrounded by assassins.

The surroundings were in chaos, evidence of a battle already fought.

Scattered bodies.

The ground was stained with blood.

"Monster..."

Torello Marquis, the mastermind, gritted his teeth.

How could he have such strength on a day of the red moon?

Several soldiers were crushed by the Duke of Astra and rolled on the ground.

'If we retreat now, it's over.'

Originally, it was supposed to be a safe operation by involving the Duke's adjutant.

After the assassination, the adjutant would take the blame.

The adjutant would know the Duke's schedule, so there was no need to involve him in an urgent meeting.

But things went wrong.

For some reason, his brother recovered.

'How could a mere noble family's manager get the Bluebell Root?'

In any case, he had to kill the Duke of Astra today.

Torello Marquis stepped back from the Duke and the soldiers and shouted.

"Attack! Kill the bastard! Gwaak!"

Torello Marquis screamed.

Everyone's eyes turned to him.

Or rather, to the small child who had fallen from a low cliff behind him.

"Ojii-sama gaeropiji ma! I nabbeun nom...! (Ojii-sama gaeropiji ma! I nabbeun nom...!)"

The child was sitting on Torello Marquis's back, pulling his weak hair.

"......Elliot?"

The Duke called out in a surprised voice.

...Why are you here?

"Can't you let go of this! Ah!"

The cowardly Torello Marquis was far behind the soldiers.

Since his hands couldn't reach, a soldier threw a dagger at Elliot.

At that moment.

Clang!

A knight in a robe with the Astra emblem deflected the flying dagger.

"Your Excellency, are you safe!"

A familiar voice came from the top of the cliff. It was Conrad.

At that moment, Elliot, who was still pulling Torello Marquis's hair, thought.

'Am I a fool? Coming alone?'