Chapter 87

* * *

I checked my pocket watch.

There was still time to explain the party to Alexis.

‘Since I brought him to the capital all of a sudden, he must be confused.’

"Alexis. I brought you to the capital because…"

"To show that I’m still alive, right?"

"Well, yeah…"

Just saying that one line and bringing him here, wouldn’t he be more curious?

Alexis is no longer a little kid. Having grown up, he would have many questions.

It’s not like I can lock him in a place that looks like a prison and say, "It’s for your own good! That’s how it happened!"

"I didn’t say anything and brought you here. Aren’t you curious about anything?"

Alexis glanced at me.

"Yeah."

"…Why?"

"Because you wouldn’t do anything to harm me."

After saying that, Alexis started walking briskly.

"…"

It was a strange feeling.

‘What kind of emotion is this?’

I’ve never felt anything like this before.

My family tries to protect me. If I were to ride a monster, they’d think the sky was falling.

They judge everything in the world as dangerous for my sake and build a fence around me.

Don’t go beyond this point.

This is where it’s safe.

So they ask me everything and only nod after they’re convinced.

Yes, if that’s the case, then you’re safe. It’s fine to do it.

—And then.

But the way Alexis treats me is….

‘Unconditional trust?’

It felt strangely satisfying.

I ran up to Alexis and said,

"Right~!"

"…"

"I won’t do anything to harm you!"

Then I patted his back, and Alexis frowned.

"Your hand, is it spicy?"

I chuckled and said,

"Still, it’s good to know a few things. Memorize them well."

"…"

"This is the Lilac Garden, a party for noble children. I need a partner, and I’m going to bring you in as my partner."

"…Partner?"

"Yeah."

I nodded.

Alexis narrowed his eyes.

"Can you choose a partner who isn’t a noble?"

"There are no specific rules."

"None?"

I shrugged and crossed my arms.

"Who would have thought you’d bring a non-noble as a partner?"

"If someone asks, what should I say?"

"Don’t say anything."

"What?"

"Don’t say anything at all."

I smiled.

"The less information, the more it burns."

Recently, I’ve been the center of attention in the capital.

And I, who brought this mysterious young man.

People will definitely dig into Alexis’s background.

‘If there were real-time search rankings, he’d definitely be at the top.’

1. Lilac Garden Black-haired Handsome Boy

2. Eryllot Black-haired Boy

3. Identity of Black-haired Boy

4. Eryllot Astra

...

10. Black-haired Boy’s Jacket

Something like that.

I grinned.

I thought it was the perfect setup for Alexis’s first appearance.

…Until then.

When Alexis and I arrived at the entrance of the Lilac Garden, I froze.

Seeing the three men at the center of the murmurs.

"Is Eryllot coming? He’s not too late, is he?"

"Indeed."

"Nothing must have happened, right?"

Balzak, Joshua, and Richmond.

Alexis glanced at me.

"Are those your older brothers?"

"…Yeah."

"You said you’d bring me as your partner?"

"…That’s right."

"Then why are they here?"

…I don’t know.

I gritted my teeth.

* * *

Balzak, with his arms crossed, stood askew, waiting for Eryllot.

"Why isn’t he here?"

We should start looking for him soon.

Looking at his brothers with that expression, their faces also hardened.

Eryllot obtained great power through Ragon.

But that made the situation even more dangerous.

Ragon is far away, and his monster can’t enter the Lilac Garden.

‘Now is the time to target Eryllot.’

If they kidnapped Eryllot, they could possess that incredible dragon.

If a noble were blinded by that power, they would surely seize this opportunity.

That’s why they were here, despite knowing Eryllot would be furious.

No one could protect Eryllot better than they could.

Balzak frowned.

"We should start searching soon."

Joshua’s expression wasn’t good, but he said hesitantly,

"What if nothing happens? Eryllot’s first party in the capital will be a mess."

Rishmond, who had been pondering, said,

"Let’s try communicating."

Now, it’s not just about being furious.

Joshua picked up the communication stone.

Then,

"Why are you here?"

A chilling voice came from behind.

The three boys stiffened.

Swallowing hard, they turned their heads like mechanical dolls.

What they saw was…

The only person who could make the top boys of Astra tremble.

"E, Eryllot…"

"Eryllot."

"Eryllot…"

Eryllot scanned the three men with a blank face.

"I told you to change your clothes, but you didn’t."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"I told you I’d be angry if you followed, but you did."

"I didn’t follow, I came first—!"

"Shut up, you clueless guy."

"Shut up."

Balzak, whose face brightened, tried to explain but was silenced from both sides.

Eryllot glared at the three men with a terrifying look.

"Go back and wait."

"B, but!"

Balzak, who had let go of Joshua and Rishmond’s hands, quickly tried to explain.

"The capital is dangerous, and it’s even more dangerous for you to be alone at the party—"

"Oh, right. It’s dangerous, so you should go with your older brothers. …But for how long?"

"What?"

"Is there a guarantee that it won’t be dangerous tomorrow?"

"…"

"What are you worried about? It’s because of my dragon, right? But will I not have a dragon a year from now?"

"…"

"Ten years from now?"

"…"

"Should I go with my older brothers for the rest of my life? Because it’s dangerous."

This is bad.

He’s really angry.

Eryllot usually gives in during normal conversations.

If he sees his family looking down, he usually says, "Okay."

Joshua and Rishmond exchanged glances, and Balzak looked down.

"You’re right…"

Eryllot extended her index finger and pointed to the entrance.

"Go home."

"Okay…"

"Got it…"

"Alright…"

People who had been watching the three handsome boys with awe opened their mouths wide.

Before she appeared, a few people had been enchanted by the beauty of the three boys and approached them.

"Hello? I’m Shiora of the Antua Marquis family. I don’t think I’ve met you before… Can I ask who you are?"

"Are you the young lords of the Astra Count family? Oh! You are. I’m Lilirose Longtre!"

"I’m Chloe Meriata. Can I ask your names?"

Each time, the boys looked at them with a gaze as cold as the frost of the north.

It’s annoying.

Don’t talk to me.

Go away.

A chilling sense of intimidation could be felt from their eyes.

But now…

‘Oh, they look like cowed puppies.’

‘So cute…’

‘What, too cute!’

The girls saw the image of the three men with drooping tails.

Balzak, who was walking in a line toward the entrance, glanced at Eryllot.

"Can’t you just wait at the front?"

"No."

"This feels weird…"

"Go faster!"

When Eryllot shouted, Balzak said, "Okay…" and looked down again.

The three handsome boys left the entrance with their heads hung low.

Joshua said to Balzak with a biting tone,

"That’s why I said not to come."

Rishmond’s expression wasn’t good either.

"Tell them not to follow and say you’ll go first."

Balzak felt wronged.

We all did it for the best!

‘It felt wrong.’

A strange feeling that a thief might approach Eryllot.

Just as the three handsome boys sighed and stepped outside, a boy with black hair and clear eyes, as beautiful as they were, passed by.

‘Huh?’

‘What?’

‘What is it?’

The black-haired boy passed by, and it felt strangely uncomfortable.

The black-haired boy glanced at them.

The gazes of the Astra Count’s three brothers and the black-haired boy met in the air.

Then the black-haired boy went inside, and the three brothers frowned.

"He gives off a strange vibe."

"There’s something…"

"Yeah."

It felt like a lifelong grudge.

* * *

After confirming that my older brothers had left, I let out a sigh of relief.

‘I did well pretending to be angry.’

It would have taken hours to persuade them.

‘And there’s nothing to persuade them with anyway.’

The three brothers often become foolish when it comes to matters involving me.

A ten-year-old with such great power should naturally be cautious about going out!

At least until the idea that ‘targeting Eryllot Astra means death’ is ingrained in the minds of the capital’s people, it’s right to be careful.

‘But from my perspective, I can’t not go out.’

I have too much to do.

I watched my older brothers leave with a sad expression and thought,

‘Sorry, older brothers.’

…Today, I had to save Alexis.

"Miss…?"

Just then, Heidi returned with the entry pass.

"Can I come with you?"

"Huh?"

Heidi said with a teary expression,

"You seem very angry…"

It seems that people who become foolish over matters involving me aren’t just my father or the three brothers.

Heidi and the coachman couldn’t come close, looking anxious, thinking, ‘Our young lady is angry!’

"Sure, give me the entry pass. And… Alexis."

When I called, Alexis, who had been observing the situation, came to me.

"Can you take care of this boy?"

"That person…"

I smiled and looked around.

"He’s my partner."

"Oh my…!"

People started murmuring.

‘My older brothers drew attention, so the interest is quickly focused on me.’

Alexis has no verifiable status.

Heidi can’t get an entry pass just with a status badge like I did.

"I’ll get the entry pass, so take good care of him. Please?"

"Yes, Miss!"

Heidi has a raven brooch on her chest, indicating she’s an Astra employee.

If I leave him with Heidi, other nobles won’t easily approach him.

I met Alexis’s gaze and nodded.

Then I entered the party.

Showing the entry pass, the guard announced loudly,

"Count Eryllot Astra has arrived!"

The massive doors opened, revealing a magnificent hall.

The Lilac Garden party had begun.

* * *

People’s gazes focused on me.

I walked into the hall, and those who were chatting with juice glasses in hand began to approach me cautiously.

"Hello, Miss Astra?"

"Pleased to meet you. I’m Melody of the Creysol family."

"You’re even more beautiful than I’ve heard."

The children who approached me with a smile had piercing gazes.

They were full of curiosity.

‘Oh…’

The thrilling gaze of the social circle, which I’ve never experienced in Astra.

In Astra, since we are all blood relatives, we already know each other well, so such curiosity isn’t necessary.

I smiled widely.

"Hello, everyone. It’s an honor to meet you."

Then, from the group of children on the opposite side, a girl with red hair appeared.

"What a compliment. It’s an honor for us to meet the owner of the dragon, Miss Astra."

"That’s…"

"I’m Lumelisa Faunte. I’m the host of this Lilac Garden party."

The Lilac Garden party is hosted by the children in turns.

The location is limited to the Lilac Garden.

‘Lumelisa Faunte… Ah, right.’

She’s the niece of the Empress Dowager’s family.

The daughter of the Faunte Marquise, who dominates the social circle, she’s like a princess in the children’s social circle.

Other children smiled and joined the conversation.

"This party is truly excellent."

"Of course, with Miss Faunte’s touch."

"The invited adults are also impressive, right?"

Lumelisa gave me a haughty smile and a challenging look.

Then she chuckled and said,

"Yes, we invited the royal family."

"The royal family? Oh my…!"

As the children blinked in surprise, Lumelisa said,

"Ah, Miss Astra probably doesn’t know the royal family well? Don’t worry. I’ll introduce you soon."

At that moment,

A loud voice came from outside the door.

"Princess Anatoly has arrived!"

‘Finally.’

I knew she would come.

This is another reason I sent my older brothers back early.

Princess Anatoly entered through the door.

And when our gazes met…