Chapter 63

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Time flew by, and a month had already passed.

The duke's castle was bustling with activity after a long time.

This was because today, the second and third generations of the Astra ducal family were all gathered.

Moreover, with their respective aides and servants in tow, an enormous number of people had gathered!

The reason for the gathering of the second and third generations was one.

Although I was announced as the top performer in the annual evaluation, the rankings had not yet been announced.

'The announcement of the third generation's rankings has the second generation on edge.'

I looked at the frozen faces of the second generation and savored my ease.

'This is the ease of a winner!'

Although the third generation is still young, Astra is a hierarchical society.

The rankings of the third generation naturally affected the standing of the second generation, their elders.

Not only the direct relatives but even the vassals could not help but be interested.

It was a day when one could objectively gauge whether the house they served was a gem or a shiny but worthless peach.

Most importantly, the platinum medal awarded to the glorious first place was not only an honor but also a tremendous prize.

'The prize is really the best...'

I recalled the prize with a blissful expression.

The recipient of the platinum medal could freely enter any part of the Astra estate.

Moreover, the allowance given was incomparably more than that of other third-generation members.

'The allowance received by the medal recipient is no longer just an allowance.'

It was said to be comparable to the internal funds of a typical fief.

With such significant benefits, the platinum medal...

'It's hanging around my neck!'

Jingle, jingle.

The medal, which collided with the accessories on my clothes, made a clear, ringing sound.

The beautiful medal, swinging from my chest as I walked, made me smile contentedly as I traced the intricately carved patterns on its surface.

I felt proud.

Of course, it was because of the benefits attached to the medal.

'Honor is useless.'

What matters is money and benefits.

I thought with a grin.

'How can I best use the benefits of the medal?'

However, there were people who were even more excited and making a fuss than I was.

Dione and Lian were those people.

"Wow, wow! A platinum medal. It was always just Selene or Blizen who had them."

"I, I want to see it too! Wow, look at that shine. It's different from the others!"

"Really. But... it seems to suit Eryllot better than when Selene or Blizen wore it."

The two chattered noisily on either side of me, unable to take their eyes off the medal.

"I'll wear a platinum medal someday too!"

Lian clenched her fist, determined.

I smiled, finding her adorable because I knew how hard she worked.

Lian's enthusiasm was endearing.

"Sure. You'll get it next time."

"Of course."

We chatted as we walked down the corridor together.

Then, suddenly,

Our chattering was interrupted by another voice.

It was the sound of someone arguing behind the corner of the corridor.

"Hold on."

"Huh?"

"Be quiet."

At my words, the two fell silent.

Then the voices became clearer.

"Well, it's tough right now. He said he would return it soon if you just wait a little longer."

"Of course, I believe you. But please consider our situation. We can't hold on any longer..."

"What can I do? I don't have it right now. Search me. Do you think I would keep it if I had it?"

"Do you really intend to give it? You said you would return it after a fortnight, but it's been half a year."

Hmm. It sounds like a money issue?

As I approached the corner, the arguing voices became clearer.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm a thief? Are you insulting me!"

The borrower shouted.

But thanks to that, I understood clearly.

He hit a nerve.

He was trying to keep it?

People who are hit where it hurts usually react like that.

But the other party cowered.

"I was just asking. You keep saying it's tough, so we're struggling too..."

"That's because our Selene didn't get the platinum medal this time—!"

A high, nervous voice was heard.

It was a voice that sounded very unpleasant.

"I understand the situation, but..."

"Enough! I know how much you despise me!"

Without a breath, a woman appeared from behind the corner, huffing and puffing.

Only then did I see her face.

'If it's Selene, it's obvious who it is.'

It was Aunt Bastina, the mother of my older sister Selene, who almost always ranked first.

At that moment, Bastina and I made eye contact.

Bastina saw the medal around my neck and her face twisted.

"You...!"

Bastina's face turned sour the moment she saw me.

No, it was even worse than that.

A face that looked like she wanted to hit me?

Aunt Bastina pointed at me with a condescending attitude and looked down.

"Hey! You should greet an adult when you see one."

Only me?

What about the others?

Dione and Lian were on either side of me, but Bastina glared at me as if she wanted to kill me.

"Um..."

"You stay out of this! Can't you see I'm talking to an adult?"

When Dione tried to intervene, she shouted as if she wanted to eat her.

Lian grabbed Dione's wrist and pulled her away, knowing how Bastina would act when she lost her temper.

'Wow, she must be really upset that I, not Selene, got the platinum medal.'

I can't blame her.

It seems Selene was planning to use the medal to pay off debts.

'Even before, she always acted like she wanted to eat me whenever she saw me.'

Others said it was because I threatened Selene's position after turning eight.

I bowed slightly, being polite.

"I greet you, Aunt."

"I greet you, Aunt."

"I greet you, Aunt."

Lian and Dione followed my lead and greeted her.

Bastina continued to stare at me, regardless of whether they greeted her or not.

Thump!

She scrutinized me from head to toe, as if looking for any flaw.

'There's no flaw to find.'

It's the etiquette taught by Lady Gonarong.

That cute, greedy girl is good at one thing.

"..."

Sure enough, Bastina, unable to find any fault, bit her lip in frustration.

Then she turned around roughly, as if a cold wind had blown, and walked away in the opposite direction.

'Oh. What a pathetic exit.'

Honestly, I don't care, but I feel sorry for the debtor.

As a direct descendant of Astra, she can't pressure her grandfather to return the money, and she must be in a tight spot.

"Bastina, Bastina! Our conversation isn't over yet!"

The man who had been arguing with her followed her.

'Oh, that man...'

I recognized his face.

'A vassal of the Astra ducal family?'

Could he have borrowed money from a vassal?

'He's crazy.'

Borrowing money from one's direct subordinate is embarrassing.

Let alone borrowing from a vassal who serves the family.

'If Grandfather finds out, there will be trouble.'

How can a direct descendant of Astra be so poor?

Especially since Selene is always in the top three of the third generation.

I shook my head and continued walking.

Dione and Lian, who had been tense, relaxed and sighed.

"Ugh, intense."

"Eryllot, how can you not even blink under Aunt Bastina's glare? She looked like she wanted to tear you apart."

"I did blink, though?"

At my words, the two stuck out their tongues.

"Look at you. So calm."

Lian narrowed her eyes, looking annoyed, but I could see the pink affection in her gaze, making her adorable.

'Just like a proud Pomeranian.'

Dione asked,

"We have to go to class. What about Eryllot?"

"Hmm..."

I had come to the ducal castle for one reason.

To receive the medal, not the allowance.

With my pockets now full, I had achieved my goal and planned to return to my fief.

"I'm going back now."

"Okay! Have a good trip!"

"Too bad. See you next time."

After saying goodbye to the two,

I moved to get into our family carriage.

It was faster to go through the forest than to use the walkway outside the building, so I turned toward the forest path.

'I should see Ragon on my way.'

I had been leaving Ragon at the ducal castle recently.

I was afraid he might escape due to the twins' pressure.

He came in the form of a guard monster, but it seems he likes it here.

The sunlight was bright.

The leaves shimmered.

The sunlight breaking through the green leaves was more beautiful than jewels.

Of course, the medal made my mood the most beautiful.

The sunlight hit the platinum medal, making it shine like pure gold.

I felt incredibly good.

The scent of the forest, carried by the breeze, refreshed my lungs.

"Hmm, hmm—."

I hummed a little tune without thinking.

While I was crossing the forest,

A rustling sound came from somewhere.

'What's that?'

I turned my head in the direction of the sound.

But there was nothing to see, just trees.

'Maybe it was the wind?'

Just as I was about to take another step,

"Haah..."

This time, a clear sigh was heard.

It was a thin, feminine voice.

'Who is it?'

I listened carefully in the direction of the sound and moved cautiously.

When I got closer and pushed aside the branches blocking my view—

'Blizen?'

I saw Blizen sitting on the grass, leaning against a tree.

Blizen, with her eyes closed in the sunlight, looked like a painting.

'Strange? I clearly heard a woman's voice.'

Looking around, sure enough, I saw a maid in a maid's uniform.

It must have been the maid who made the sound.

'But the voice was a bit strange...'

The maid's face, still with baby fat, looked young.

She didn't look like an adult but seemed to be around Blizen's age.

'Why is a maid here? Blizen doesn't seem like the type to rest with others.'

I know Blizen doesn't easily let others get close.

"Ah..."

The maid, with her hands clasped in front of her chest, looked at Blizen with a blissful expression.

The maid swallowed and, as if making a decision, plopped down next to Blizen.

Then she started to crawl closer on her knees.

"Miss Blizen..."

The maid, now close to Blizen's nose, looked at her with a dazed gaze.

And.

'Hmm?'

Her face was getting closer and closer.

Dangerously close, almost touching noses.

'Huh.'

Facing an unexpected situation, I was a bit flustered but quickly understood and turned my head.

'Are they... like that?'

Now I understand why Blizen and the maid are alone in the forest.

I was about to pretend I didn't see and pass by—

'Wait.'

A strange feeling made me hesitate.

'Blizen seemed to be sleeping.'

Turning my head again, I saw that she was indeed asleep, her eyes tightly closed.

'So, is she trying to... kiss a sleeping person?'

Just as I thought that, my mouth opened on its own.

"Hey, you."

The maid, startled by the sudden voice, jumped.

Without even checking whose voice it was, she quickly moved away from Blizen.

Then she saw me and shrank back.

"A, Miss."

"What are you doing?"

I approached the two slowly and asked coldly.

The maid, not knowing what to do, finally managed to speak.

"Well, um... B, Blizen has some dust on her..."

"Where's the dust?"

"W, well..."

The maid, unable to answer properly, bowed her head.

I frowned and moved closer.

Then, Blizen's eyelashes fluttered.

Soon, ruby-red eyes were revealed from under the opened eyelids.

He looked at us with a transparent, almost see-through gaze.

"What's going on?"

His low voice echoed like a cave.

The maid, as if the voice had cut her sharply, shrank back.

Before she could make an excuse, I said,

"The maid was trying to kiss you secretly."

"N, no, no! That's not it, I, I was just cleaning the dust..."

"There's no dust."

At my words, the maid was at a loss.

Blizen, looking at the maid for a moment, nodded.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"S, sorry— what?"

The maid, looking at Blizen in confusion, saw him nod as if nothing had happened.

"Go on."

The maid's face brightened.

"T, thank you! Thank you!"

She quickly left, as if afraid Blizen might change his mind.

'What? Did I interfere unnecessarily?'

I looked at Blizen, who had been awake.

It didn't seem like the reaction of someone who had just woken up.

"Were you awake?"