Chapter 7

This 3-year-old is a supporting character. Chapter 7. (7/390)

Chapter 7.

Chirp chirp.

Awoken by the sound of birds, I stirred and sat up.

It seems the sun has already risen; the smell of morning is in the air.

As my drowsy mind began to clear, I was startled.

This wasn't my bedroom.

I hastily looked around.

The familiar desk.

The familiar wallpaper.

And the tapestry with the four-winged crow symbolizing Astra.

‘This is Grandfather’s study…!’

Why am I here?

When I thought about it, yesterday’s events came back to me.

I had cried myself to sleep.

…In Grandfather’s arms.

‘Grandfather must have brought me here.’

I looked around with a pale face.

I was alone in the study.

Grandfather must have gone somewhere.

At least that’s a relief.

As I tried to get up from the sofa, I noticed a round saliva stain where I had been lying.

It seems I had drooled while lying down.

I frantically wiped the stain.

Just then, the door opened.

“Are you awake?”

“Conrad!”

“Was your bed uncomfortable?”

It was fine when I was sleeping. The problem is now.

I said with a gloomy face.

“I like my bed.”

So, if I cry myself to sleep again because of the supporting character penalty, please take me to my room next time…

“I tried to take you to your room, but you seemed uncomfortable even with the slightest touch.”

It seems I whined whenever you tried to move me.

‘I’m doomed, I’m doomed!’

I tried not to be a nuisance, but I ended up being the biggest nuisance.

I asked Conrad with a frightened look.

“What about Grandfather?”

“He’s in the dining room. He told me to wake you up and bring you there.”

“Really?”

“Since you didn’t eat dinner, you must be very hungry.”

That’s a relief.

If Grandfather thought I was a nuisance, he wouldn’t have called me to the dining room.

In this fortunate situation, my expression brightened.

I took Conrad’s hand and headed to the dining room.

Grandfather was dining with Count Debusi.

“Good morning. (Good morning.)”

“…Yes.”

“Good morning, Miss.”

“Yeah!”

I smiled and sat next to Grandfather.

The servants flinched. Count Debusi’s eyes widened.

Then I remembered that no grandchild ever sat next to Grandfather.

When Grandfather sat at the head of the table, everyone sat at the far end.

I glanced at him, worried he might be uncomfortable.

Grandfather said nothing.

‘Then it’s fine.’

As I sat down, the food was served.

Today’s breakfast was French toast, cut into small pieces for easy eating.

I picked up my fork with excitement.

Just as I was about to eat…

‘Huh?’

I noticed that the food on Grandfather’s plate had barely decreased.

His menu was a large steak.

The surface glistened, and the cut cross-section was full of juice, looking very delicious.

Is he not hungry?

But the salad, garnished with various ingredients, was completely empty.

‘Ah, he must find it difficult to eat.’

Perhaps his teeth or jaw are hurting.

I remember seeing Grandfather massage his jaw when he was chasing Conrad.

‘He can’t even show that he’s in pain, how tough it must be for him.’

Especially in a complicated situation, if he shows any sign of weakness, the hyenas will pounce.

The Duke is weakening, so it’s time to plan for the future.

I thought for a moment.

Then I picked up a piece of toast with my fork and offered it to Grandfather.

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

Gasps were heard from all around.

The servants’ eyes widened, and Conrad and Count Debusi looked surprised.

Grandfather paused and looked at me.

“What is it?”

“It’s good. (It’s delicious.)”

“….”

I need Grandfather to be healthy to avoid danger.

From his expression, it seems he has been eating only grass for days.

Given his meticulous nature, he wouldn’t have changed his menu to let people notice his condition.

The atmosphere became as tense as thin ice.

Everyone held their breath, and Count Debusi cleared his throat.

“It’s a sign of Miss’s sincerity.”

“….”

“Or would you like me to eat it? Would you give it to me, Miss?”

“No.”

Grandfather took the toast I offered.

From the way he chewed, it seems the soft French toast was not at all difficult for him to eat.

I offered another piece of toast.

“Again.”

“….”

“Yum.”

“….”

Grandfather took it again.

Count Debusi laughed maniacally, as he did yesterday.

* * *

‘It’s a bit sticky from being so nervous while eating.’

Grandfather ate the toast I offered well.

He must have eaten at least two pieces.

Count Debusi laughed throughout the meal and ended up getting hit by Grandfather.

I took Conrad’s hand and left the kitchen with a pitter-patter.

Conrad asked affectionately.

“What will you do today?”

“I’m going to the library.”

“There are no picture books there. How about the greenhouse?”

“I like the library.”

I have something to do.

I smiled mischievously to myself.

‘It’s almost Grandfather’s birthday, after all.’

Next month’s full moon is Grandfather’s birthday.

A grand banquet will be held, and it is a very important event for the direct descendants.

It’s an opportunity to win Grandfather’s favor with a gift.

Of course, I don’t have the ability to offer relics or legendary treasures like the other direct descendants.

I’m a 3-year-old with no money, after all.

‘But I have the information I saw in <Ice.Black.Hand>.’

I let go of Conrad’s hand and said.

“Bye!”

“Yes, Miss. Have a good day.”

I waved to Conrad and headed straight for the library.

The library was far from the dining room.

I had to pass through the second gate, which was guarded by a monster, so I froze.

It was a beast-type monster with fur as hard and sharp as needles.

It was so big that one swipe of its front paw could send me straight to the other world.

I stuck to the wall and tiptoed.

Just as I was about to pass through the gate.

“Grrr.”

I was startled and froze.

I’m most afraid of this one.

In <Ice.Black.Hand>, the protagonist Dalia almost died because of this monster.

It was because Eryllot released it to block Dalia’s path.

If Dalia’s loving relatives hadn’t rushed to her aid, she might have died.

‘In the end, it bit off a chunk of her shoulder.’

The description was incredibly brutal.

“Grrr…”

“Wait, I’ll just pass through… (Wait, I’ll just go through….)”

“Bark—!!”

“…!”

I quickly turned back.

That dog.

‘I need to go to the library.’

To make the ‘Physical Regeneration Potion’ for Grandfather’s gift, I need to gather information.

Physical Regeneration Potion.

It’s a dream drug for the elderly, worthy of its name.

Especially effective for painful teeth.

‘There are no dentures in this world, so the elderly suffer a lot with their teeth.’

So, an elderly person would be overjoyed.

Of course, Grandfather would like it too.

Just a moment ago, Grandfather couldn’t eat properly because of his teeth.

‘The main ingredient for the Physical Regeneration Potion is green lavender.’

It’s a difficult plant to obtain.

But I know it grows around here.

Because Dalia found it by chance inside the castle.

Thanks to the protagonist’s advantage, it’s a good thing for me.

‘I was planning to go to the library to find the growing conditions…’

If I find a place inside the castle that meets the conditions, there will be green lavender.

I groaned and looked at the monster.

Should I close my eyes and run?

Or should I go with an adult because I’m scared?

Conrad or the maids would go with me.

Just as I was thinking,

“What is it?”

A grumpy voice came from behind.

A girl with her arms crossed and a woman who looked like a high-ranking servant were walking together.

The woman had a large pendant around her neck.

‘It’s the mark of a nurse (nanny for noble children).’

The girl frowned and asked.

“What are you doing loitering at the second gate, which only direct descendants can enter?”

I immediately knew who she was.

She was exactly as described in the novel.

Curly blonde hair.

Green eyes.

Freckles on her cheeks.

‘Liyantin.’

My cousin.

Liyantin frowned.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“Miss, it seems you are allowed to enter the second gate.”

“What?”

Liyantin’s frown deepened at her nanny’s words.

Her lips curled up.

“Oh.”

Liyantin, with her arms crossed, lifted her chin arrogantly.

“Dirty blood. Right?”

“I’m not dirty.”

“You’re just trying to get something to eat, like a beggar.”

“….”

“That’s what’s dirty.”

“….”

“Don’t bring the family’s reputation down. You should know your place—”

The girl, who was lecturing me, paused.

Because she heard footsteps from behind a corner.

“Oh, Misses.”

It was Count Debusi.

Liyantin’s expression changed instantly.

“Count Debusi~”

She called him affectionately and smiled sweetly.

It was completely different from how she treated me.

Count Debusi is Grandfather’s closest confidant.

The most trusted vassal, sometimes even having more authority than the direct descendants.

So even as a direct descendant, Liyantin would want to make a good impression on Count Debusi.

She would also want good things to be said to Grandfather.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes. How have you been?”

“No, the training was too hard…”

Liyantin pouted.

“By the way, what brings you to the castle? I thought you were resting after external training.”

“Grandfather’s birthday is coming up. I’m preparing a gift.”

“I see.”

Count Debusi nodded and looked at me.

“You left it behind.”

He then gave me a pretty stone.

The stone I had picked up in the garden yesterday.

“Thank you.”

As I said this, Count Debusi smiled softly.

“You’re welcome. But what brings you here, Miss?”

“I’m going to the library.”

“Oh, is that so~ Then would you like to go together?”

It was Liyantin speaking.

The face that had just mocked me as dirty blood now looked like an angel.

Liyantin looked at Count Debusi.

“Eryllot has been in the 12th tower for a long time. She probably doesn’t know the castle well, so I’ll help her.”

“It’s nice to see you getting along with your cousin. However, Miss Eryllot has something to do and should go now.”

“…Does she have something to do?”

“It’s time for her to read ancient language.”

I realized I had missed the time to read because I was watching over Grandfather and having breakfast.

I said, “Yeah,” and went to Count Debusi.

“Would you like to be carried?”

“I can walk by myself.”

“You’re brave.”

As Count Debusi smiled, Liyantin said,

“Can I go with you? I want to see Grandfather.”

“Sure.”

Liyantin said, “Yay,” and stuck to Count Debusi’s side.

* * *

“The monster suppression operation from the west has begun.”

“Yes, Miss. That’s enough for today.”

“Yeah.”

I put down the history book I was reading.

“Oh!”

Liyantin picked up the history book with a startled look. After examining it, she put it down very gently.

“Eryllot, this is an original ancient history book.”

“….”

“It’s a book of immense historical value, so handle it carefully.”

She didn’t put it down roughly.

It was a normal level.

Liyantin continued to chatter.

“In fact, such artifacts should belong to the royal palace. So just having this history book shows the power of Astra.”

“You already know that?”

As Count Debusi laughed, Liyantin said excitedly,

“This book was passed down to Grandfather by our great-grandfather, right?”

‘Oh no.’

As soon as she said that, I quickly looked at Grandfather.

He was expressionless as always, but his eyes were dark.

The book was indeed given to Grandfather by the previous Duke.

To be precise, it was the only one of many assets given to him.

The history book was an artifact with only a name, as no one could decipher a single line at the time.

This means,

‘A rag that only has the name Astra.’

In other words, giving him the book was as cruel as telling him to always remember his lowly status.

Everyone mocked Grandfather because of this.

Until he cut down all his brothers and ascended to the position of Duke.

After that, no one ever mentioned it in front of Grandfather.

Count Debusi also observed Grandfather’s mood.

But Liyantin, oblivious, continued to chatter.

“From the fact that he received such a thing, it seems Grandfather was great even when he was young…”

“Bee!”

I quickly changed the subject.

I jumped off the chair and went to catch a butterfly that had flown in through the window.

I tiptoed and quickly cupped my hands around the butterfly.

‘Got it.’

Playing alone in the 12th tower every day, I’m almost a pro at catching winged creatures.

I went to Grandfather and said,

“Here.”

“….”

Count Debusi, glad that the topic had changed, added,

“Butterflies have various meanings. A white-winged butterfly means ‘peace,’ a blue-winged butterfly means ‘miracle’…”

“….”

“A yellow-winged butterfly means ‘gained glory.’”

I released the butterfly into Grandfather’s hand.

The butterfly, with yellow wings, flew up.

“Right, you did gain it.”

“Yeah!”

I answered brightly, and Grandfather smiled.

Liyantin glared at me, biting her lip.

After sulking for a while, she spoke.

“Um, Grandfather.”

“Yes.”

“I’m preparing a birthday gift.”

Count Debusi, who didn’t get a response from Grandfather, replied.

“That’s commendable. Others are also preparing birthday gifts.”

“….”

“How about rewarding the person who gives the best gift? It would be a good addition to the banquet.”

Grandfather was silent for a moment, then glanced at me.

He then nodded.

“Not a bad idea.”

Liyantin looked very happy.

“Yay! I’ll work hard!”

She said she would go prepare the gift, bowed to Grandfather, and left the room.

I also left the room with Count Debusi.

‘I need to prepare a gift too…’

I’m too scared to go to the second gate where the library is.

I whispered to the count,

“I like books.”

“Would you like me to bring you picture books?”

Count Debusi, grateful that I had changed the subject, was very accommodating.

“I want to see the plant guide.”

“A plant guide? Isn’t it a bit difficult for you?”

“It has pretty pictures.”

“Yes, I’ll have someone find it for you.”

I’m so excited!

I was wondering how to get there with the scary monster.

‘How did Eryllot in <Ice.Black.Hand> tame that scary monster?’

To tame it, you have to get close.

And there’s no guarantee it won’t attack after being tamed.

‘Anyway, I need to focus on green lavender.’

The servant Count Debusi sent brought a lot of books.

I piled the books in my room and spent several days buried in them.

But it was strange.

‘What’s going on?’

I searched through the plant guide and books that recorded legendary plants.

But there was no mention of green lavender anywhere.

It’s as if it doesn’t exist.