Chapter 94

* * *

I opened my eyes wide at Joshua's words.

"Orphanage opening ceremony?"

"Yeah. It's about delivering the funds collected at the Imperial Charity Ball to the Eclipto Marquisate."

"Then what?"

"The young nobles are going, and this time I'm going from Astra. I thought you might want to come along, Erilott."

"I'll go!"

At that, Joshua smiled.

"Alright. I'll have you get ready to go with me."

"Okay."

With that, Joshua left my room, and I silently cheered.

Mikael, who was in the room with me, laughed.

"You've wanted to go to the Eclipto Marquisate, haven't you? It's a good thing it worked out."

"Yeah, really!"

"I'm glad. It's not an easy place to sneak into, is it?"

The Eclipto Marquisate wasn't a place where many people came and went like Astra.

It was extremely closed off, and entry permits were required.

"Right. Because of that entry control."

"Because there are many commoners who aren't protected."

I remember learning about this in class.

"In the past, human traffickers entered and captured orphans and people with disabilities, right?"

"Yes. That's why the entry control started."

"The Eclipto Marquis gained a good image from the entry control."

"It was also good for the Eclipto family."

"Right. The Eclipto Marquis gained power thanks to the support of the people."

"You know this very well."

"It was on the test. I got a hundred."

Saying this proudly, Mikael laughed, his eyes narrowing.

Anyway, it turned out great.

For someone as unlucky as me to have such good fortune.

'Must be the protagonist's buff.'

Elated, I prepared to go to the Eclipto Marquisate.

Joshua gave me various information, so the preparation was smooth.

Of course, the maids were also helping.

The maids packed the luggage with wide eyes.

"The dress code is blue. Put away the red gloves. The gloves are too noticeable, and the blue dress won't be seen!"

"Candies to give to the orphans? Oh! You prepared these cookies? Heidi—!"

"For heaven's sake. Are you trying to ruin the young lady's reputation? Go to Caliban's bakery right away!"

Heidi and Betty were really scary...

They glared at the staff like tigers.

I looked at them awkwardly and said,

"Heidi, Betty."

"Yes, young lady~"

"What is it, young lady~"

They were still as sweet as honey in front of me.

"A little scary..."

At that, the two of them flinched.

"Oh my, did we go too far?"

"We'll correct it."

"Okay."

Heidi and Betty, who said this, narrowed their eyes and turned to the servants.

"I told you the dress code is blue, so why did you pack a purple dress~? Maybe Cannelo's head is on his feet~? Did I not know~?"

"Will the macarons stay intact in the bag until we get to the Eclipto Marquisate~? If the children receive broken macarons, they'll be happy~? What if I break Mikhail's salary and give it to him~?"

...I need to tell them that even if they smile, it's still scary.

I sighed and left the room.

Mikael, who saw this, chuckled and followed me.

"I understand how Heidi and Betty feel."

"Why?"

"You're unusually kind to the servants. You easily forgive their mistakes."

I stood in the hallway, thinking, "Hmm..." and nodded.

Thinking about it, it seemed to be true.

'I was really scared when I made mistakes as Yoo Hye-min.'

Because I was in the same profession, I understood their feelings very well.

"Yeah, that's true."

"Some people are grateful for their employer's consideration and try not to make mistakes..."

"Hmm?"

"Some people also become less tense. Cannelo and Mikhail are like that."

That's right.

'The employees in Yoo Hye-min's world and the servants in this world are different.'

I nodded.

"Heidi and Betty must be scared because of me."

"That's not what I meant."

Mikael continued with a troubled expression.

"There are parts where a young lady can't set boundaries. Usually, the mistress or the governess should set the boundaries."

"But I am the employer."

Not all kind employers are the best.

Especially if it causes trouble for others.

'I need to set some boundaries.'

Thinking this, I turned to Mikael.

"How is Jeanne?"

"Her sister Roxane started the new medication last week. Since it seems to be working well, it's time to contact her."

"Okay."

Jeanne's presence will make things smoother.

We can go to places Han Ji-hyuk can't with his lack of physical strength.

* * *

A few days later.

The day to leave for the Eclipto Marquisate arrived.

Just as I was about to get into the carriage, a commotion came from the door.

"You didn't get an entry permit, so just stay at the mansion."

"You can get it on the way. On the way!"

Balzac, who had packed his luggage, was arguing with Joshua.

Joshua frowned and said,

"Once we cross the Imperial border, Erilott and I will move using the stone of movement."

"I have a stone of movement too, so I can move with you."

"You don't know the information about the Eclipto Marquisate."

"I'll read the documents on the way!"

"You fall asleep after three lines."

"I won't. I swear."

As Balzac raised his hands lightly to swear,

Joshua kicked the luggage bag and sent it inside the room.

"You—"

"Get lost."

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the two of them.

"Swearing again!"

Balzac and Joshua flinched.

"—Not that, this brother. ...I called you brother, Eril!"

"Go in, brother. Please."

At that moment,

A thud came from behind the carriage.

Startled, I turned around to see Richmond putting down his luggage.

Joshua's expression twisted.

"What are you doing, brother?"

"Let's go. We'll be late. Oh, I got the permit in advance."

Saying this, Richmond got into the carriage.

Then he smiled and patted the seat next to him.

"Sit down, Erilott."

"..."

In the meantime, Balzac quickly brought his luggage and threw it on the ground, then got into the carriage.

"No, sit here, Eril."

Joshua's usually sweet smile was twisted.

'He's in trouble.'

I sighed deeply and gestured to Joshua.

"Let's go."

"..."

The sound of grinding teeth was terrifying.

"Brother Joshua."

"...I'll go."

Amid the commotion, Father came out.

I tried to greet him, but his expression was gloomy. Father glared at Enzo as if he wanted to tear him apart.

"Why are only the children going to the charity event?"

"...That's the thirtieth time you've asked, sir."

Enzo looked almost on the verge of tears.

Thinking about it, there was a reason I had to be kind to the servants.

'If Father and the brothers are like this, and I cause a fuss, they'll all quit.'

I went to Father and said,

"I'll be back soon."

"..."

"Just a week!"

"..."

"Don't skip meals. You tend to skip them when you're busy."

"Yes!"

Father pulled me into a hug and patted my back.

"Have a good trip. I hope you have a lot of fun."

"Okay!"

I rubbed my face against Father's hand like a full cat.

Father put me in the carriage and stood at the door, looking at the brothers.

"Don't skip meals."

"Yes!"

"Okay."

"I'll take care of the younger ones."

Father patted each of the brothers' heads.

They were still awkward, but they didn't look unhappy.

"Have a good trip."

We siblings greeted Father.

The carriage door closed, and the wheels finally started to roll.

The journey to Eclipto began.

* * *

The Imperial border has a strong barrier, so the stone of movement can't be used.

So we used the stone of movement outside the border.

When I opened my eyes,

"Wow...!"

The massive boundary wall of the Eclipto Marquisate was in sight.

My brothers, who followed me, looked around the boundary wall.

Balzac, with his arms crossed, said,

"It's incredibly green. There are many flowers and trees I've never seen before."

Joshua nodded.

"It has to be different from Astra, which is at the western end. The distance is so different."

Richmond looked at me.

"Do you know the characteristics of the eastern region?"

"Yes. The four seasons are distinct, it's perfect for farming, and...?"

"Various veins flow through it. Gold veins, hot spring veins, and so on."

"It's the farthest from the Imperial capital?"

"Right. You're smart."

Richmond patted my head.

Balzac glanced at me.

"Is this Eril's first time in the eastern region?"

"Of course. Erilott has never been on a mission. Brother Richmond, you come here often, right?"

"Yeah."

As my brothers said, it was my first time in the eastern region.

'I never went to the eastern region in my first life either.'

So I'm a bit excited.

The eastern region feels familiar, like the East in Yoo Hye-min's world.

We headed to the entry point.

Joshua said,

"We're from Astra. Erilott, Richmond, Balzac, and Joshua from the Diamond Marquisate."

"We've been informed. Please come in."

With the person from the Eclipto Marquisate who was already there, we headed to the castle.

The hall of the castle was already filled with children.

"Miss Erilott!"

"Oh, Lady Phaunte."

"Call me Lumelisa."

The Phaunte family only has one child, so it seemed Lumelisa was there.

Lumelisa grabbed my hand and smiled.

"I heard you were coming and was looking forward to it... Oh."

Lumelisa's mouth dropped open when she saw my brothers behind me.

She quickly closed her mouth, but I saw her surprise.

"Oh my..."

"Oh dear..."

"Wow..."

Exclamations of admiration burst out among the noble children.

'My brothers have excellent faces, at least.'

Especially Richmond, who looks almost like an adult, was a picture just standing there.

But Lumelisa's eyes couldn't leave Balzac.

'Hmm, it seems Lumelisa likes the Balzac type.'

"Oh, oh, the brothers. I've heard a lot about them..."

She stuttered, which was unusual for the princess of the Imperial social circle, Lumelisa.

"I'll introduce them. This is Brother Richmond, the eldest."

"Oh, yes... I know. You're famous. They say you have two incredible blessings."

"And this is Balzac and Joshua, the twins—"

—At that moment.

"Lady—!! I'm Cleora Sizni! I want to introduce myself too!"

"Me too!!!"

"Me too!!"

"I'm Matilda Robillon!!!"

The loud screams made me flinch and hunch my shoulders.

They were like wild boars, no, bulldozers.

Not just the young ladies.

The young lords also surrounded me, their eyes shining.

"Mr. Balzac! It's such an honor to meet you! I've been looking forward to meeting the youngest aura user..."

"I've heard of Mr. Richmond's presence!"

"Oh, Mr. Joshua..."

The brothers looked very annoyed.

I smiled awkwardly and said,

"Um, nice to meet you all..."

The journey to Eclipto started with a commotion.

.

.

The Eclipto Marquis held a banquet for the children who arrived for the charity event.

"Rest and enjoy your time."

'The marquis has a very kind demeanor, just as I've heard.'

I was thinking this when,

Clang!

Clang—!

Thud!

Clang—!

An enormous number of dishes were placed in front of me.

"Lady, please try this. It's delicious."

"How about some seafood?"

"I heard you like sweet things..."

The children's faces were full of admiration.

'The only way to reach the brothers is through me.'

The three brothers had been looking annoyed since the beginning and hadn't interacted with the children beyond greetings.

'Well, that's partly because of the admiration for the kind Astra bloodline.'

The third generation of Astra is known for being... not well-mannered, but rather having bad tempers.

Many people who approached them for their beautiful appearances ended up being humiliated.

I laughed awkwardly.

"Thank you."

But then,

Thud!

A sound came from behind me.

I and the brothers looked behind me simultaneously.

It was the sound of a fan falling from a young lady.

'Hmm?'

But Richmond's reaction was strange.

He quickly stood up from his seat.

"I'm tired, so I'll go up first—"

Just as Richmond said this,

"Kitten..."

Kitten?

The expressions of me and the twins became strange.

It was a phrase we had heard many times before.

"Mr. Richmond, it's Catherine J!"

'So, it's the girl who sent the letter.'

Catherine was one of the top names among the Imperial noble children.

Because her mother was a royal from another country.

'The king of that country died suddenly, and Catherine's mother is about to ascend the throne, right?'

Since it was a fairly good country, Catherine was surrounded by young ladies.

They seemed to be trying to form alliances.

But a girl behind Catherine burst out laughing at me.

Then,

"Dirty blood..."

The noise was loud, but I could clearly see her mouth.