Although Ellendise's tone and outward expression was all smiles and sweetness, she was inwardly wondering who this person was.
The Viscount had many connections in noble society because of his status as the Empire's head captain of the Knight Deployment Unit. Her brother, Nitense, would succeed him because the Viscount would retire early and apply at the academy as an instructor.
His real desire was to be a teacher who could teach students the way of the sword and the academy was the perfect place for it.
She thought of all the people who had connections with him that would fit this man's description but she didn't have many. Because in the novel, the Viscount disliked magic and wasn't very friendly towards mages.
Ellendise could tell that this masked person was a mage because there was a thin almost invisible layer of magic cloaking around him.
For the second time, she was tempted to ruin it and expose his identity just so she could solve this mystery but she restrained herself and remembered the feel of his magic as she discreetly and silently probed it.
Cool, hot yet suffocating.
He was either a fire or ice mage.
"Also.." Ellendise continued, not wanting to give him face.
"If sir really wanted to make amends for his 'incompetence' then I believe it would be more appropriate to give the money to my uncle since he seemed to be the one who had asked sir for his help. But it was unfortunate since sir wasn't able to. It was still the thought that counts, right? I hope sir would consider." Ellendise bowed.
"Uncle, it is quite late. I wanted to remain and see how aunt is faring but I don't want my family to worry and Uncle is no doubt busy. I have to apologize and be on my way." She said with an apologetic expression as if she was truly feeling bad. "I hope cousin would visit me soon but ah! His eleventh birthday is one week from now so it seems we will see each other again soon. "
The Viscount nodded dazely.
"I'll show you out." Valrug offered while nodding at her. He didn't look at his father or the masked man but it was obvious that he felt uncomfortable.
When they were far away, Valrug sighed heavily and whispered to her.
"Are you crazy? That guy was obviously a mage! I overheard Father saying that he was from the Mage Tower. "
Ellendise lazily glanced at him.
"I knew he was a mage but would you prefer it if I had acted the docile little lamb awaiting for my slaughter? You should have seen the way he was smiling at me." Ellendise shivered inwardly to herself. It wasn't like she couldn't defend herself but she was still too young and her knowledge about magic was still too limited.
Although she could have protected herself, Ellendise didn't think it was the time to show her capabilities. In the first place, she wanted to hide it as much as possible and use it only when necessary.
"Don't forget that you're my toymaker from now on. I'll come see you on your birthday. There better be pudding in the buffet table." She reminded before boarding her carriage.
Valrug rolled his eyes at her absurd request and waved goodbye. Although he seemed very much annoyed, there was a small smile on his lips.
Ellendise was silent throughout the ride on the way home. Both Rachel and Jill was quick to catch on her unpleasant mood.
While on her room, Ellendise was reading a random book she had picked up from her own collection but she was not able to focused on the contents because of a nagging feeling in her mind.
That masked person was odd yet dangerous. He gave off a weird vibe by being so thorough at hiding his identity.
But Ellendise was wrong. If only she had stayed longer, she would have know that the masked person was Lord Reinstrom, a very influential figure in the novel.
Ellendise who was not able to realize this spent a few hours thinking of all the possible characters who would have fit his description.
But to no avail, Ellendise was left with a blank.
She even took out her diary and reviewed all the notes she had written throughout the years regarding the contents of the novel.
She knew her memory wasn't perfect and she was bound to forget one or two details so she wrote everything she knew in coded words.
It was so she wouldn't forget and to avoid anyone from finding out about the altered future.
Ellendise's diary was custome made for her. It was a magical diary that only disclosed the contents to the owner and can be opened by using only a drop of magic. Anyone who opened it other than her would only see a fake entry which is why it was handy.
Moreover, the cover altered depending on her wishes.
She also kept it in a secret compartment under her bed to prevent others from finding out about its existence.
But Ellendise wasn't satisfied with these meager protection spells. The knowledge of a timeline that should have exist was very dangerous so she placed three more protective spells on her diary.
The first spell allowed her to be notified when someone else has opened her diary.
The second spell allowed her to track its location.
Lastly, the third spell activates only when all of her diary's protection spell has been bypassed. The diary would end up being burned to ashes, leaving no evidence.
It was a full proof plan for the slightly paranoid Ellendise.
She wasn't afraid of the future that would never come since she has already altered the novel a great deal just by saving Countess Vitronand Viscountess Mierheart.
The mother and aunt of this body.
She was also free from the status of being a genius and was only known as Count Vitron's only daughter who was average in everything.
It sounded easy to hear but Ellendise sometimes struggled in her fake charade. It was because her adult mind differed a lot from what a regular child would do.
Sometimes she would slip and reveal too much of her other side.
Just like earlier when she brazenly talked down to the masked man. The count's family knew her hidden temper but to outsiders who barely know Ellendise, it was certainly shocking to hear such viscious words from a young girl with a lovely and innocent face.
Ellendise couldn't help but sight at her own mistake.
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