Chapter 23

A pure white pigeon soared into the sky.

Watching the sight in silence, a dry laugh finally escaped Hardium’s lips.

“First a rat hiding in the manor, and now it seems everyone has been bewitched by a fox.”

Perhaps it was only natural, seeing as the fox was the one who caught the rat. Despite his cynical words, Hardium was appalled by the fact that he didn’t particularly dislike the situation.

‘So this is what they mean by being bewitched by a fox.’

Hardium, who had just finished checking the note sent by Aria, turned his head at the sound of a carriage coming to a halt. A man stepping off the carriage with an expressionless face turned to meet his gaze. For a fleeting moment, a murderous glint flashed in the man’s right eye—which had turned white—before vanishing.

‘A snake-like bastard.’

Normally, Hardium wouldn’t have even spared him a glance, but today he had a specific favor to fulfill.

‘If it weren’t for Aria’s request, I’d have no reason to exchange words with a man like him…’

The man’s brow twitched in apparent confusion at the sight of Hardium approaching him.

“It’s been a long time, Marquis Alpenso.”

“……Haha, I didn’t expect the Grand Duke to be the first to offer a greeting.”

Ilain Alpenso. He was a man who boasted the greatest magical prowess in the Empire, yet always carried a longsword at his waist. While Hardium had no intention of interfering with how the man chose to carry himself, now that he knew exactly where that blade was pointed, he had no intention of letting him run wild any longer.

As if sensing Hardium’s hidden motives, Ilain’s jet-black left eye restlessly scanned Hardium’s face. Hardium ignored Ilain’s wariness and spoke plainly.

“I thought you would be too grief-stricken to attend the meeting.”

At those calm words, the light in Ilain’s eyes shifted instantly. After staring at Hardium for a beat, Ilain forced a thin smile back onto his face.

“Haha, it seems rumors of my failed investment have reached Your Grace’s ears. Honestly, I couldn’t say it aloud, but my heartbreak is quite significant. I thought I had prepared quite carefully.”

“…….”

“But it’s fine. There are many ways to go about things; I simply need to think again, don’t I?”

Ilain smirked, refusing to look away from Hardium’s murderous gaze. He hadn’t expected a plan ten years in the making to fall apart like this, but as he said, there was never just one way.

Hardium watched Ilain with a cryptic smile. “So you’re saying a trifling investment like that means nothing to the Marquis.”

“Of course.”

“Dear me. I was going to send over the things that fell into my hands, but I suppose that’s a pity.”

Hardium spoke with a tone of sincere regret and strode toward Ilain. The sheer pressure radiating from the “War Demon of Idelio,” who had once slaughtered enemies on the battlefield, caused Ilain to flinch instinctively.

“Central Square District 3, Number 526.”

At Hardium’s whispered words, Ilain’s eyes tightened. Hardium let out a mocking scoff at the sight.

“Marquis, I’ve decided not to blame you for taking the rat you hid in my house and killing it.”

“…….”

“However, I wonder if His Majesty will be so forgiving when he learns of what goes on at that address.”

Ilain ground his teeth, his face losing every ounce of its composed leisure. Hardium nonchalantly stroked his chin and continued.

“Of course, if you’re the man I know, you’ve already prepared contingencies. You won’t sink into the mud completely, but I can at least turn you into a kite with its string cut, don’t you think?”

“……What is it you want?”

“I want you to agree to whatever proposal I make at today’s meeting. If you do that, I’ll bury this matter.”

“I wonder what kind of proposal you intend to make…….”

“It won’t be anything too difficult.”

Ilain twisted his lips into a grimace as he looked at Hardium, who was waiting for his answer.

“……I thought the Shield of the Empire was a man of justice.”

“It seems you have a misunderstanding.”

“……?”

“I have never once been the Shield of the Empire.”

“…….”

“It just so happened that the things I wanted to protect were inside this Empire.”

***

“Miss, what do you plan to do today?”

“Hmm, I should probably do what I always do, right?”

“If you mean what you always do…….”

“I’m going to see Esteban!”

“The young master?”

I nodded as I popped a cookie made by Cooker into my mouth. Lani, who handed me a glass of apple and carrot juice, spoke with a worried face.

“Um, but hasn’t the young master been a bit… prickly toward you lately?”

“Lately?”

“I mean, exceptionally so…….”

I burst out laughing at Lani’s quick attempt to correct herself out of guilt.

“Aww, hey! Stop teasing me!”

“Alright, alright.”

I giggled, munching on a cookie while reflecting on the past three days. Specifically, everything that happened since I found out Esteban had asked Lady Aria to send me back to Anif.

“Don’t bother me; move out of the way.”

“I told you I don’t need your help.”

“Don’t touch me, Poblian Fennec.”

“Hmm…… he’s prickly, but isn’t that pretty normal?”

“In what world?”

Lani’s voice went up an octave at my nonchalant reaction. Since her voice was louder than expected, I rubbed my slightly ringing ear and spoke.

“The words sound a bit harsh, but Esteban is going through puberty. Most kids his age are probably in the same boat.”

“……Miss, you are also at the age of puberty.”

‘Well, I am at that age, but…’

“I matured early.”

“Pardon?”

“For the breadwinner of a family, puberty is a luxury.”

As I replied with a chuckle, Cooker came out carrying a large plate.

“Our Lady truly has a lot resting on those tiny shoulders.”

I gave a sharp, sidelong glance at Cooker, who had naturally joined the conversation. Looking embarrassed, he cleared his throat and slid a strawberry tart in front of me.

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just wondering if you realized you’re one of the people sitting on those ‘tiny shoulders,’ Cooker.”

“How could I not know? I’m even offering bribes like this so you’ll never set me down.”

A laugh leaked out at Cooker’s sly response. As I shook my head and stood up to leave, the panicked Cooker cried out.

“Ar-aren’t you going to eat the tart?”

“It’s still morning and I’ve already eaten three slices of tart, Cooker.”

“But you usually eat two slices at lunch, too!”

Th-that’s true, but…

I avoided Cooker’s gaze as he tilted his head in genuine confusion.

‘He’s being so nice to me even though he’s a burden on my shoulders… He isn’t trying to change his tactics and kill me via force-feeding, is he?’

I narrowed my eyes at Cooker for a moment before shaking off the ridiculous thought.

“Ugh, fine. Just bring the strawberry tart up to my room later.”

“Yes, I shall do so! Um… but Miss, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“What kind of cake do you like? Or is there any food you particularly enjoy?”

“……Cooker, are you sick?”

“Me?”

Cooker hadn’t exactly seemed normal before, but he’d been even weirder since his reinstatement. I stared at him with my arms crossed until he looked away awkwardly with a forced smile.

After a moment of deliberation, I shrugged.

‘Telling him won’t make the sky fall down.’

“For cake, I like peach whipped cream cake the most. The cream should be as soft and fluffy as possible.”

“Hmm, peaches, I see.”

“And for food… well, as long as it isn’t raw meat, I think I’ll eat just about anything.”

“M-Miss!”

Seeing Cooker’s face turn pale, my mischievous streak finally faded. I chuckled and waved my hand at him.

“I mean I’m fine with anything that isn’t mice, bugs, or raw meat. Just normal food!”

“Yes! I will make sure to prepare it perfectly this time!”

I tilted my head, thinking that Cooker’s loud response was definitely strange. He seemed way more fired up than usual.

‘Seriously, why is he acting like—‘

“Ah, there you are!”

“Rendel?”

Rendel, who had been looking around the hallway, spotted me leaving the dining room and ran over in a single breath.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes! The birthday gift the Grand Duke prepared for you has just arrived.”

“A birthday gift? What do you mean…?”

I blinked at Rendel’s sudden words and whipped around to look at Lani. Lani struggled to pull down the corners of her twitching mouth.

“Though it’s still three days away.”

“How does everyone know my birthday…? Wait, what? Is that why you were asking about the cake?”

Just as I was glaring at the nodding Lani with a sense of betrayal, a familiar voice drifted from the distance.

‘Wait, could this voice be…’

“Miss?”

My heart hammered against my ribs, hoping I was mistaken. But when I ran toward the sound, a familiar face I hadn’t seen for a long month was there.

“It’s been a while, Poblian.”

Ariel Fennec.

The sister whose irresponsibility led both Winchester and the Fennecs to ruin had finally appeared at Winchester after all.