Chapter 54

* * *

After the banquet.

I went to report to Grandfather about the Empress Dowager's affairs.

"Ah, Grandfather!"

Just as I was about to speak, Aunt Bastina hurriedly came from behind.

"Father~!"

"What is it?"

"There's good news. Our Selene has been selected as a candidate for the Imperial Flower!"

"Well done."

"Everyone says Selene is amazing. They call her the divine appearance in society and say the position of the Imperial Flower is a sure thing."

"Tell her to keep striving."

At his indifferent attitude, Aunt Bastina made a face as if she had eaten something bitter.

'After knowing so much, is this it?'

"Huh?"

Then she seemed to notice me and frowned.

'What, I've been here all along?'

"What are you doing here again? Aren't you supposed to be studying instead of following Father around?"

'Is she talking about herself?'

Aunt Bastina's words were a perfect description of herself.

Both Aunt Bastina and Uncle had no talent for making money, only for spending it.

They always lacked money and came to Grandfather asking for some, a fact well-known in the Astra household.

Coming to talk about her daughter Selene was clearly an excuse to ask for money.

'While it's fine to rely on someone, it's troublesome if she badmouths me.'

I blinked innocently and said to Aunt Bastina,

"I came to tell Grandfather about the Empress Dowager."

"What?"

At the mention of the Empress Dowager, Aunt Bastina frowned.

"Why the Empress Dowager?"

"I wanted to ask Grandfather what to do since she invited me to the tea salon."

"The Empress Dowager's tea salon?! How did you get an invitation to that place! Not even the Imperial Flower candidates can enter!"

"I gave Her Majesty a painting she liked. She seemed very pleased."

"That's absurd. She has all kinds of precious paintings, why would she like yours...?"

"Her Majesty said I have a similar eye to hers."

That was the highest praise. For a ten-year-old to have the same aesthetic sense as the Empress Dowager of a country.

Aunt Bastina was speechless as she looked at me.

I pretended not to notice.

"The Emperor also often visits the tea salon, right, Grandfather?"

"Hmm."

"Does Grandfather dislike the Emperor? If so, I won't go to the tea salon."

Aunt Bastina shouted in a fit.

"What?! Are you crazy? Why wouldn't you go to such a place!"

"But..."

I went to Grandfather and held the hem of his robe.

"Even the Emperor can't make me go if it makes Grandfather unhappy."

"But... even so, the Emperor..."

Aunt Bastina muttered helplessly, and Grandfather cleared his throat.

Ahem.

Though he pretended it was nothing, the corners of his mouth were twitching.

Grandfather said,

"Bastina, if you have nothing more to say, you may leave."

Then he took me with him to his study.

* * *

When the Duke of Astra came to his study, he immediately said to Erylliot,

"Why does it feel like it's been so long since I last saw you?"

"Huh? I saw you yesterday, didn't I?"

Seeing Erylliot's puzzled expression, the adjutant inwardly screamed.

'Please, Miss!'

"Ahem."

Though the Duke of Astra pretended it was nothing, the adjutant knew.

The Duke of Astra looked forward to the days when Erylliot visited... a lot.

"Why don't the third generation receive boarding education like they used to?"

He used this as an excuse, not really caring about all the third generation.

Though the Duke of Astra thought he was acting the same as usual, it was clearly different.

The difference between the days he saw Erylliot and the days he didn't.

The already picky Duke of Astra would become even more unbearable if he didn't see Erylliot...

Thinking about how he would be driven mad, the adjutant felt the sky turn yellow.

'I can't take it anymore!'

Unable to bear the Duke's torment, the adjutants worked day and night to introduce a boarding system for the advanced education program.

However, they soon faced enormous opposition.

From Erylliot's father, Daemon Astra.

As soon as the news of introducing a boarding system for the advanced education program spread, Daemon came to the adjutants.

"You're not old enough to die yet."

The adjutants wanted to scream.

In front of the Duke, behind Daemon.

What were they supposed to do? Twist and shout.

'Sniff. Should I quit...?'

There was no way out.

* * *

After talking with Grandfather.

I was riding alone in a carriage back home because Father had business at the castle.

The serene landscape unfolded outside the carriage window.

A beautiful night sky, like a desert with an oasis, with countless stars shining as if they were about to pour down.

'I really love the night sky in Astra.'

It was a scene I had loved since I was very young.

While enjoying the scenery alone,

Thump!

The carriage suddenly jolted and stopped.

"What's going on?"

A servant knocked on the window from the front.

"Sorry, Miss. It seems the wheel has gotten stuck in a swamp. Please wait a moment. We'll fix it right away."

He looked very worried about my mood, but I wasn't angry.

It was an unavoidable situation.

However, the maids Heidi and Betty glared fiercely.

"Move quickly!"

"If our Miss catches a cold from the cold wind, what will we do!"

I was startled by the maids' reaction.

'They were so naive and kind when I was three.'

Seven years had passed since I first met them, and now Heidi and Betty were senior servants.

With more experience, they had also become more capable.

As a result, they had considerable influence among the servants. Other servants were afraid of them.

'They're cute to me, though.'

But if people saw them that way, it was fortunate that I wouldn't be taken advantage of.

While Heidi and Betty were grabbing the coachman, I looked out the window.

The carriage had stopped near a lake.

'I might take a walk.'

I got out and told the sweating coachman,

"Take your time. I'll walk around for a bit."

"Wait, Miss. I'll come with you."

"Coat, coat...! It's chilly at night, you know!"

Heidi and Betty quickly came out.

I walked along the lakeside, chatting with them.

Suddenly,

Rustle.

A boy jumped out from the bushes.

"Mom!"

Betty screamed, and Heidi stiffened, shielding me.

But he wasn't a dangerous person like an assassin.

A boy around 15 years old.

His face was familiar.

"Ha ha. What a coincidence, right?"

It was the boy I had seen when I returned Armand's hat.

Foslorne, wasn't it?

He had acted the same way back then.

I narrowed my eyes.

'Could he have made the carriage stop?'

Now that I thought about it, there was no swamp on the way to the castle.

Was he crazy?

With a skewed attitude, I looked at Foslorne, who started talking without being asked.

"I came because I regretted not having time to talk when I saw you before. You look even prettier at night?"

He had stopped my carriage to steal time and was now just babbling.

I narrowed my eyes, and Foslorne laughed.

"I'm not a weirdo. You know my name, right? Foslorne Caledre. Our family is quite wealthy. Rich, you know."

Probably became rich after selling their fief to Grandfather.

"Get to the point."

"Ha ha. Is it because you're from a commoner background? You're a bit prickly. Well, you are of Astra blood, after all."

The boy muttered to himself and continued.

"At first, I didn't believe your background. So pretty and a commoner! You really are beautiful."

It was absurd to praise me while mentioning my commoner background.

"You know, we value nobility the most, right? But my mother would die if I didn't. My father can say what he wants, but my mother is on my side, so it's fine."

Why did I need to know such TMI?

"I can persuade everyone. So, I'll give you a chance to be my girl."

'Wow.'

I was speechless.

Foslorne seemed to be bestowing a favor, as if his interest was an honor.

"Frankly, it's a bit of a waste, but you're half Astra, so I can consider it."

"Ah."

"Insane."

The only reason I could endure this nonsense was because of the interjections from Betty and Heidi.

They were trembling and grinding their teeth as if they would tear a handkerchief to shreds if they had one.

Grinding, grinding.

The sound of their teeth grinding was so clear it made me shiver.

"Miss, who is that... no, that noble? Is he a noble you can't ignore, Miss?"

"Just a noble from the countryside. I don't know much about him."

"What?!"

Betty and Heidi almost fell over, clutching their necks.

Their teeth continued to grind, and I started to worry about their dental health. There were no dentures here.

"It's fine. I'm just watching. It's funny."

As I explained, I sensed someone behind me.

'Oh dear.'

I held out my palm to Foslorne, who was slowly approaching.

"I'll give you a chance to run. Just 5 seconds."

"Run? Why? Oh, 'try to catch me'?"

The lecherous Foslorne still didn't understand the situation.

I warned him seriously.

"Move any closer, and you're in big trouble."

I counted down, folding my fingers one by one.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

As soon as the countdown ended,

Crack!

A loud, clear sound, like a skull breaking, echoed around.

It was the sound of Balzak's flying kick shattering Foslorne's head.

"Ugh!"

Foslorne fell to the ground, clutching his head.

"Get up. It's not over yet."

Smack!

Balzak, with a fierce look, kicked Foslorne in the stomach.

"Ah, ah...!"

Foslorne got up and stumbled backward.

But he didn't get far.

He was blocked by Joshua, who appeared behind him.

Joshua smiled coldly and beautifully.

"If you want to run, jumping into the lake might be better."

We won't let you escape, you know?

It was as if I could hear the unspoken words.

The twins looked at me with incredibly sweet faces.

Their gazes were so sweet, it seemed honey would drip.

Balzak waved his arms and said to me,

"Eryll, count to 10 and wait."

What should I do? Should I save him?

Hmm, after pondering with a groan, I made a decision.

'I gave him a chance to run.'

So, I did my part.

I slowly covered my eyes with my hand.

"One, two, three..."

"Ah! Ahh!"

Smack! Thud!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Squeal!

The sound of a pig being slaughtered echoed in the beautiful lakeside.

* * *

Even after reducing Foslorne to a pulp, Balzak raged.

"How dare the son of Caledre speak to a direct descendant of Astra like that? Is he out of his mind?"

Joshua calmly disagreed with Balzak.

"It's more about fear overcoming desire."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Joshua looked at his inadequate brother with disdain and explained.

"Monsters can be used effectively, making humans no match. In fact, Erylliot is now practically the strongest in offensive abilities. So, he tried to approach her without understanding the situation."

Joshua's eyes glinted eerily.

"Also, while trying to belittle Erylliot."

"Damn..."

While the twins were planning to brutally deal with Foslorne, I was feeling sleepy.

Balzak, who had lost his fierce demeanor, asked affectionately,

"Eryll, are you sleepy?"

"Yeah. I had a lot to do today."

"It's cold if you sleep like that. Cover yourself with my coat."

"No. Eryll will cover herself with my coat."

Seeing Balzak and Joshua bickering, I felt even more tired.

While yawning in Betty's arms, half asleep,

The communication stone flashed.

I checked who it was.

'Oh!'

It was a connection with Alexis.

I felt a sharp gaze. Looking behind me with the communication stone, I saw Balzak staring at me with hawk-like eyes.

Joshua's gaze was no less intense.

"Who is it?"

"...Conrad."

Balzak, who was in a good mood, eyes lit up.

"Why is he contacting you at this hour?"

"Maybe he has something to do..."

My heart raced, but I pretended it was nothing and put the communication stone deep in my pocket.

They knew Conrad found me very cute.

I had told them about saving Conrad when he was about to be crushed during the attack on Grandfather.

Over the past seven years, I had gained many benefits from Conrad's help, so it wasn't unusual for him to contact me.

Balzak still looked displeased but didn't press further.

'Phew. With that animal-like intuition...'

Maybe even more than an animal.

I stuck out my tongue and quietly held the communication stone tightly.

* * *

Avoiding the twins who were annoyingly suggesting eating grapes, I entered my room.

Connecting the communication stone, I heard Alexis's voice.

[Erylliot.]

"Yeah. How have you been?"

[Good. And you?]

"I'm... fine."

I had a lot to do, but I was living comfortably and safely within the protective walls Father had built for me.

Alexis, on the other hand, was in a place far worse than mine.

It felt awkward to complain about being tired from various things, so I changed the subject.

"Why?"

[You said you needed a monster.]

"Yeah."

[I found a Giant Tarantula. I'll send it to you.]

"Wow!"

I always welcomed monsters!

But a Giant Tarantula?