Chapter 2

The Turquis family resided in the outer district of Letis, the capital of the Filfar Kingdom.

It was a spacious mansion that could be called a grand residence, located in a quiet residential area.

However, it was completely disproportionate to Shiro's income as a knight of the kingdom, but there were various reasons for this.

In any case, five family members and live-in servants lived in such a large mansion.

"Vheel? Where are you?"

A girl ran through the entrance hall on the first floor with pattering steps.

"Nina-sama?"

Rin, a maid, called out to the girl as they met in the hallway.

Nina was the second daughter of the Turquis family and an active girl.

"Rin, have you seen Vheel?"

Rin's face turned thoughtful as she looked down at Nina.

Wilber, who was three years old, had become an idol within the mansion due to his age and cuteness.

The family and servants loved him so much that he was often taken away by different people.

"No? Is something the matter?"

"I wanted to play with Vheel before Grandpa comes for lunch..."

Nina's face fell at Rin's question.

"Perhaps Master Wil has somewhere he wants to go. If I see him and he seems satisfied, I'll bring him to you."

Rin smiled slightly and advised, and Nina's expression brightened instantly.

"Please do!"

Nina said this and went back to searching for her brother, calling out, "Vheel?"

"Oh, Nina-sama..."

Rin was about to remind her not to run in the mansion, but Nina had already turned the corner.

After the girl was out of sight, Rin sighed softly.

She could have chased after her to remind her, but there was a reason she couldn't, and it was right at her feet.

"Master Wil..."

When Rin called out, her long skirt rustled.

Then, Wil's face appeared from inside.

He popped out and raised his hands dramatically, having hidden there the moment he heard his sister's voice.

Rin deduced that Wil probably had somewhere he wanted to go, given their close relationship.

With emerald green hair inherited from his mother and large, round eyes, the boy looked delicate and charming as he looked up at Rin with a smile.

"Master Wil, it's not right to hide inside a lady's skirt."

When Rin reprimanded Wil, he was shocked.

"Why? Why?"

Wil shook his head and clung to the skirt.

Rin gently stroked his head.

"Master Wil is a boy. If you behave like this, girls will dislike you."

"Mmm..."

"Pouting won't help either."

Wil pulled back his puffed cheeks and tilted his head cutely, looking up at Rin with sparkling eyes.

"Really?"

"Even if you plead, it won't help."

Firmly.

Rin rejected Wil's plea, inwardly sighing at who had taught him such tricks.

Wil, having given up, stepped away from Rin and started walking down the hallway.

(Now, where is Master Wil heading?)

Rin followed Wil, who was not walking particularly fast.

The hallway ahead led to the kitchen and the servants' break room, not the living space of the family.

After walking for a while, Wil stopped at a certain spot.

It was a slightly dim staircase leading to the basement, which was used as a storage room.

"Master Wil, there's nothing down there."

Ignoring Rin's warning, Wil started descending the stairs step by step.

Reluctantly, Rin followed.

At the bottom of the stairs, a door blocked their path, separating them from the storage room.

"Mmm..."

Wil tried to turn the doorknob but couldn't reach it properly due to his height.

After a few attempts, he looked up at Rin, who had been watching him, with a troubled expression.

"There's nothing to be done..."

Rin chuckled at Wil's expression and opened the door.

A slight breeze lifted Wil's hair.

The room was darker than the stairs.

Shelves lined the walls, holding various items.

In the center of the room was a simple table and chairs.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, and both Wil and Rin turned around.

"Father."

There stood Shiro, looking puzzled.

He was surprised to see the two of them in the storage room with no particular reason.

"I just followed where Master Wil wanted to go."

Upon hearing Rin's explanation, Shiro seemed to understand and smiled, patting Wil's head and picking him up.

"I see... Did you find something, Wil?"

Shaking his head at his father's question, Wil's eyes remained fixed on the back of the room.

Having adjusted to the darkness, something was visible at the back.

"Is that it? That's our guardian deity."

"Guardian deity?"

Wil tilted his head, not understanding, and Shiro laughed.

"Yes, that's right. We shouldn't disturb the guardian deity, so let's go back upstairs."

The three of them left the storage room together.

Even as the door closed, Wil's gaze remained fixed on the back of the room.