"… … ."
"… … ."
"… … ."
Despite having been running so hard, Erilotte froze as soon as her eyes met the duke's.
Erilotte hesitated for a long time before picking up the stuffed rabbit.
"My sisters are taking care of me. (My sisters gave it to me.)"
Viscount Debussy laughed.
"Yes, it is a very cute doll."
"Yes!"
A maid trotted up from a distance. Then, when she spotted the duke and viscount, she hurriedly lowered her head.
The Viscount said to Erilotte.
"Looks like you've come to pick up the lady. Come to think of it, it's time for dinner. You have worked hard until late."
The maid silently bowed down to Erilotte.
The maid said, "Shall we go?" Asked, Erilotte nodded her head.
"Habuji, no. (Grandpa, hello.)"
"… … ."
Viscount Debussy laughed as he watched Erilotte leave holding the maid's hand.
He was a really fun kid.
'Is it because I grew up in the twelfth tower, not a castle?'
It was completely different from his direct relatives.
No child carries a stuffed rabbit around in this castle.
What's more, the child boasts of his doll to the Duke of Astra.
Hey grandpa, how are you? I mean
Didn't he treat the Duke of Astra, who even the elderly nobles were nervous about, like an ordinary grandfather?
I had an interesting sighting today.
To see that Duke of Astra not being ignoring, not being able to respond.
'How much is covered.'
You'll soon discover that my grandfather is no ordinary old man.
The child is surprisingly quick to notice.
Contrary to Viscount Debussy's thoughts, however, Erilotte was steady.
When the Duke left the study, Erilotte sat down in front of the door.
A book was in the child's hand.
Since he was smaller than his peers, the book was as big as his body.
"What if you work hard? again. (Reading books. You become smarter.)"
"… … ."
The next day, I was sitting in front of a restaurant.
In his hand was an equally large sketchbook.
"A picture. (I draw a picture.)"
"… … ."
The next day in the bedroom.
There was a milk bottle.
"What about the milk mug? Grow up. (Even if you drink milk. You grow up.)"
"… … ."
Erilotte's every move did not have to be reported.
I knew it and reported it well.
a week like that.
"Let's go and stay. Chika Chika vs. (I'm eating snacks. I need to do Chika Chika.)"
"… … ."
Erilotte, as always, was doing something in front of the office.
The duke glanced at the child and went into the office.
Viscount Debussy and Conrad, who entered together, laughed.
said Conrad.
"You came today too."
"Did the lady come yesterday too?"
"You have been coming lately."
"If I had known it would be like this, I would have had a grandchild too."
When Viscount Debussy laughed haha, the Duke frowned.
The viscount shrugged.
Would that nobleman care that his grandson was chasing after him?
He placed the papers he had brought on the Duke's desk.
"This is the trend of the Marquis of Tolisso. The atmosphere on Tolisso's side is strange because the grain belt was taken away. Even one funding line is blocked... … . dismissal?"
"… … okay."
The answer was subtly delayed.
As if I was thinking of something else.
When Viscount Debussy and Conrad looked at each other with puzzled expressions, the duke waved his hand.
"continue."
I said it casually, but it keeps bothering me.
That yellow back of the head.
* * *
at sunset.
I stood on tiptoe and secretly peeped into the office.
That is, 'Conrad' in the office.
I've been chasing Conrad hard lately.
'Because it's about time to betray.'
It was described as passing by in
That Conrad betrayed him in the 'winter of the 4th year after entering Astra'.
And as I found out, it was the winter of my 4th year.
'I can't leave it alone with my grandfather.'
They may attack if the two of you are alone.
Still, it was unreasonable for her to cling to her grandfather.
Grandpa won't like it, and more than anything... … .
'My life is precious.'
What if I get swept away when attacking my grandfather and I get hurt too?
For that reason, I never entered the room and was always outside the room.
Be prepared to scream when something happens.
'It's uncomfortable because I'm a child.'
If you're going to possess it, I'll do it in the body of an adult.
There is nothing the child can do.
Pointing at the adjutant I was doing well, the three-year-old—
'He's a traitor. There is no evidence, but I saw it in the novel.'
-If you say that, you'll think I'm a crazy kid.
I was thinking like that.
Conrad was coming out of the room.
"You are still here."
When I nodded, he bent one knee and met my gaze.
"Aren't you bored?"
"Let's go. (There are sweets.)"
He held up the snack bag to show that he was okay with waiting while eating.
"You are very calm."
"Yes."
When he answered that, Conrad chuckled.
"If you don't mind, can I touch your body?"
There were other magistrates behind them, and it didn't seem like they were going to do anything dangerous.
I nodded.
Conrad then untied my collar and gave it to me. It was a very kind touch.
"It is still cold."
I could feel the maids passing the hallway glancing at me.
I understood them.
'It's so cool, I can't keep my eyes off it.'
When I lowered my eyes while opening my collar, I thought I was looking at a pictorial.
The sunset permeated the long eyelashes.
clear eyes.
blunt nose.
Lips drawing a friendly arc.
'Above all, Conrad's greatest strength is this gentle feeling.'
"Are you going to stay here?"
"What about Conrad?"
"I am going home now."
It was a pleasant sound to hear.
If Conrad wasn't with his grandfather, there was no reason for him to stay here.
Actually, it was a bit cold, so I kept wanting to go back to my room.
"Well, I'll go too."
"Since the stairs of the castle are still high, my lady, I will take you to your room."
"Yes."
I walked holding Conrad's hand.
He was an adult who matched the steps of the child, so it was comfortable to walk.
In addition, he put words well so as not to be bored.
"You read a history book every morning?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you tired?"
"It's hard. Little by little. (It's not hard. I read little by little.)"
"I'm glad."
It's quite a distance from my grandfather's office to my room, but I didn't feel bored at all.
Conrad took me to the front of the room and greeted me.
"Have a good night."
So he left, and I was like, 'Hmm... … ' he moaned.
It's not like I'm going to attack my grandfather just yet.
A low-occupation night is best for raiding, but Conrad has been coming home early lately.
'But why did Conrad betray his grandfather?'
I was thinking about it when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"miss."
These were the maids who came to make my dinner.
The maids looked at Conrad's back and said.
"Oh, you are Conrad-sama. You always look taller."
"I mean. It was a pleasure to see you once, but it's sad to think that I can't see you anymore."
Hearing the maids' words, I widened my eyes.
"Why can't I change Conrad?"
"They said he was stepping down from the duke's entourage."
"why?"
"It's about moving to a more relaxed place. She has to take care of her little brother."
To that, another maid added.
"I heard that your brother has been very sick since summer? Because of that, he has been coming home early lately."
"It hurts? Audi? (Sick? Where are you going?)"
"It's called sun sickness... … . Oh, is it time for you to sleep, young lady?"
The maids who swallowed the horse looked after the bed.
However, if it's a one-timer, you already know.
When you get sunstroke, it starts with a few spots appearing on your body in the beginning.
The more spots there are, the stronger the pain becomes, and in the end, when spots cover the whole body, it is a disease that leads to death.
But the treatment itself was easy.
Because there is a special medicine called green flower bulb.
'The problem is that getting blue and white bulbs is like picking stars from the sky.'
It was almost safe to say that it was a flower from a legend.
It was so hard to find that the price was astronomical.
For a moment, it felt like a light bulb in my head was turning on.
sick brother.
A very difficult drug to obtain.
and betrayal.
'What, you betrayed your sister because of the medicine!'
The people who ordered the raid had concocted Conrad with a cure.
Conrad must have betrayed Astra for his brother.
'I don't think I've contacted Conrad yet.'
There was no way he would step down from his grandfather's adjutant position if he had contacted him.
Because there's no place more perfect for a raid.
'So you're saying that you won't betray as long as there's a cure?'
It was a problem that could be solved if only the blue flower bulbs were found.
'That's easy!'
next day.
When it was time to read the ancient language, I headed to the study.
There were only my grandfather, Viscount Debussy, and Conrad in the study.
It seems that after the great contents such as 'Dragon Bone, Blessed Land' came out, it seemed that only a few people should know about the contents.
I said pretending to read a history book.
"There is a later theory that Cheha Gu-geun makes the divine protection strong. (There is a theory that the bulbs of blue flowers strengthen the protection.)"
Of course, there is no such word in the history books.
Viscount Debussy's eyes widened slightly.
"Are you talking about green and white bulbs?"
"Yes."
"I can't believe that green and white bulbs had such an effect… … ."
Viscount Debussy turned his head to his grandfather.
"What do you think?"
"If you can only develop the divine protection, it's worth checking out."
"if… … ?"
"Save me."
'good!'
I grinned inwardly.
It was really easy to get blue and white bulbs for me.
Because you can use the Duke of Astra!
No matter how hard it was to pick up the stars in the sky, it wasn't that difficult with Duke Astra's power.
Money that never dries up.
Information sources spread all over the continent.
Astra is truly a family that can win even the stars in the sky.
Grandpa took another bite.
"As soon as you ask, share with my grandchildren. I will have to check the effect."
"yes. It is not a poisonous plant, so it will not be dangerous."
Viscount Debussy looked at Conrad.
"Conrad. Contact the Intelligence Bureau and have them find the blue flower bulbs."
"… … yes."
Conrad's eyes were shaking.
Of course.
Because it's something desperate enough to betray its owner.
Conrad went out with a hard face.
I quickly put the history book down.
"Now go ahead. Can I go? (It's hard now. Can I go?)"
Viscount Debussy looked at his grandfather as if asking permission.
Grandpa nodded.
I greeted him with a smile and quickly ran after Conrad.
He had a half-sexed face.
"Conrad."
"ah. Yes, lady."
I grabbed the end of Conrad's jacket and said in a whisper.
"I am changing the bulbs, Lord Conrad. (I'll give you Conrad when I get the bulbs.)"
"… … yes?"
I raised both hands and said childishly.
"That's right, maids and sisters. Conrad money bird is sick. Heal the old bulbs. (The maids and sisters did it. Conrad's brother is sick. I need blue flower bulbs.)"
"that… … . Why did you give me such a valuable thing?"
"If I'm happy with Conrad, I'll be happy."
"… … ."
Conrad covered his face with one hand.
I caught a glimpse of her eyes quivering between her long pretty fingers.
After calming his trembling breath for a while, he bent one knee.
"I will never forget this grace. never."
A tear flowed in his eyes.
I stroked Conrad's hair.
'good. Really don't forget.'
* * *
and after a few days
I walked down the hallway humming.
'Because Conrad's brother has recovered!'
After all, Astra's intelligence agency.
In a week, I got a bunch of green and yellow bulbs.
As promised, I handed over the blue and white bulbs to Conrad.
'It's good, it's good.'
Now I don't have to worry about grandpa going into a coma.
"miss."
Conrad was seen in the distance.
"It's late at night. Where are you going?"
"Habujihate. (To Grandpa.)"
The surveillance of Conrad was over, but I was still going in and out of the duke.
'It makes me feel good when I see it often.'
The ancient language reading will end someday.
Then I will do all my usefulness.
So, in preparation for that time, I needed to get close to my grandfather.
"What? The Duke just went out. There is an urgent elder nobility meeting."
"So… … ."
"Moreover, you'd better be careful on a day like today."
"why?"
"Because it's the day the red moon rises."
iced coffee.
I nodded.
When the red moon rises, the blessing becomes very weak. The nobles who depended heavily on divine protection had no choice but to become sensitive.
'It's a dangerous day.'
Conrad looked around, made sure no one was there, and said.
"The lady's training schedule has been set."
"education?"
"When my immediate family members return from training, they will receive training together. The content of the class... … ."
Now Conrad started giving me various information.
They seem to think that I am a benefactor because I gave them the blue flower bulbs.
I was thrilled.
'I love this kind of information!'
Originally, everything in high society is information warfare.
After all, it was good that you gave Conrad the blue and white bulbs.
I listened to Conrad's story.
"My lady, the swordsmanship master is a bit strict, so you'd better be nervous."
"If Conrad did it, I would tighten it up."
He's a strong man who succeeded in a surprise attack on that grandfather.
and very nice to me
Conrad laughed awkwardly.
"It's unfortunate, but I'm not into martial arts."
what?
"I never learned swordsmanship. I've never been trained to kill."
… … what is this sound?
Then how did you do the raid?
In that moment, something I had overlooked came to mind.
'There may not be exactly one trio.'
This damn novel!
It was written as if Conrad had attacked alone... … !
'wait for a sec.'
Quickly, I turned my head and looked out the window.
Red Moon.
The day when protection weakens.
An urgent meeting of elders.
'It's a surprise.'
I turned around and ran like crazy.
"miss? miss!"
Grandpa is in danger!
* * *
The Duke of Astra was surrounded by sejaks.
With traces of a battle already fought, the surroundings were all a mess.
scattered corpses.
The ground was stained with blood.
"A monster… … ."
Marquis Tolisso, the chief of this incident, gritted his teeth.
How could he generate such strength on a day when the red moon rises?
A number of soldiers were compressed by Duke Astra and tumbled across the ground.
'If I withdraw from here, it will be the end.'
Originally, it was to be safely resolved by attracting the aide of the Duke of Astra.
After the assassination, it would have been over if the lieutenant was blamed.
If he was an adjutant, he would know the Duke's schedule, so he could hold an emergency meeting without involving him.
But things went wrong.
His younger brother had recovered from what had happened.
'How the hell did an official from an aristocratic family manage to get blue and white bulbs!'
Anyway, I had to kill the Duke of Astra without fail today.
cried the Marquis of Tolisso, stepping away from the duke and soldiers.
"Attack! kill him? Quack!"
Marquis Tolisso screamed.
All eyes turned to the Marquis of Tolisso.
No, not exactly—
To the little child who had fallen from the low cliff the Marquis was standing on.
"Don't bloom with a dog! I'm the only one... … ! (Don't bully Grandpa! You bastard...!)"
The child was sitting on the back of the Marquis of Tolisso, tearing at his fragile hair.
"… … Erilotte?"
The duke called in an amazing voice.
… … why are you here
"Can't you let go of this! Aww!"
The timid Marquis of Tolisso was far behind the soldiers.
Unable to reach, the soldier threw a dagger at Erilotte.
That moment.
visor-!
A knight wearing a robe with Astra's pattern cut off the flying dagger.
"Your Excellency, are you all right!"
A familiar voice came from the cliff. It was Conrad.
Even at this moment, Erilotte, who was pulling Marquis Tolisso's hair at the root, thought.
'Am I stupid? Will you come by yourself?'