Chapter 15
Chirp-chirp had returned.
Listening to all the stories he rattled off while perched on my palm was astonishing.
“…So, according to the Divine Beast, you’re saying Aaron Taylor seems like a spy for the Empress?”
[Yes. It’s not certain, but judging from the conversations and circumstances, that’s how it seems.]
The Divine Beast flitted over and bit into a cookie placed on the table.
[But tell me this—why would the Empress want to meddle in the affairs of the Grand Duke’s family?]
The Empress had a good reputation, both among the nobility and the citizens of the empire.
Why, then, would she have any reason to interfere with the Grand Duke’s household?
I brushed the cookie crumbs from near his beak and answered.
“She has no children.”
[Ah. And now that the Grand Duke is gone, you’re the most likely heir to the empire.]
Only now did the little chirper nod, finally grasping the political situation.
“That’s right. Which makes me even more suspicious. My parents’ deaths were also suspicious—what if it was actually the Empress’s doing?”
I had heard that when my parents passed, only fragments of a broken carriage remained at the scene.
It had been ruled an accident, but ironically, the path was one of the safest for travel.
The surroundings were clear, the road well-maintained, and completely smooth.
It was only slightly remote, but otherwise there was no reason for an accident.
And nothing connected to the incident had been found.
That’s why my suspicion of the Empress only deepened.
And the news Chirp-chirp brought today only reinforced it.
“So Aaron Taylor really is a spy?”
[Yes. So what do you plan to do now?]
I curled the corners of my mouth into the most wicked smile I could.
Chirp-chirp shivered at the sight.
[Wh-what is that! Such a malicious smile! Not fitting for someone with divine power!]
“Just because someone has divine power doesn’t mean they’re all angels, right?”
Chirp-chirp blinked rapidly, probably surprised at my shameless reply.
“Cost-effective tutor? To dare mock me while flaunting that cost-effectiveness… I’ll show you what real cost-effectiveness means.”
[…Look at his eyes. He’s gone mad!]
“You just realized that? I don’t forgive anyone who touches my people.”
[Heavens!]
“Aaron Taylor. We’ll see about you.”
“Chirp!!”
Watching Chirp-chirp fly off into the distance, I gave a meaningful smile.
“Aaron! Clean this up!”
“Aaron, Aaron! Teach Ailey later and try cooking!”
“Aaaah! Why won’t these horses listen? Teach the horses properly!”
Aaron was dragged to the stable by my shouts, sitting down with a bewildered expression.
Sweat dotted his forehead, but there was no mercy.
He had dared to mock the Grand Duke’s household, and this was just the beginning.
“Oh my, why are you suddenly sitting down? Hurry and manage the horses. I have no idea how to handle them.”
He closed his eyes tightly, muttering as if terrified.
“W-why are you doing this to me…?”
Why indeed.
He claimed to be the Empress’s spy!
My plan was to exhaust him while getting no information in return.
I thought I’d keep pushing him until he collapsed, but Aaron was enduring better than expected.
“You called yourself a cost-effective tutor, so this much should be possible, right?”
“Ugh…”
Aaron staggered to his feet and entered the stable.
‘Wow, he’s stubborn.’
I had expected him to collapse quickly, but perhaps being a spy made him resilient.
‘Hmph. Let’s see how far he can go.’
If he’s going to act defiantly, I wouldn’t be weak either.
If I showed any softness, I wouldn’t survive in this empire, where everyone was ready to devour the Grand Duke’s household.
I fixed a cold gaze on the direction Aaron had gone.
‘First, I need to find out the Empress and Aaron Taylor’s purpose.’
In any case, I wouldn’t let Aaron continue Ailey’s education.
I had been using him while testing him in various ways, but now that I knew he was a spy, he couldn’t stay near my little sister.
I peeked into the stable, then turned away.
Chirp-chirp, startled by the mention of the stable, had followed quietly.
[What do you really plan to do?]
“Well… I think I can still make use of him, so I’m debating.”
[You didn’t tell him, right?]
I hadn’t told Layton.
Of course, I wouldn’t hide it forever, but I didn’t want to complicate things for him now.
“The full moon is coming soon.”
[Ah. The demon’s curse will manifest then.]
“Yes. I don’t want to add to his fear before the pain arrives.”
[Fear my foot. He’s not the weakling you think he is.]
“Yes, yes.”
[You should be afraid of him! Ugh, never mind. You need to strengthen your ability to handle divine power. You need to protect yourself!]
“I’ve been practicing a bit lately, haven’t I?”
He seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
[True. You can now grow seeds with divine power without much trouble.]
Though I didn’t have much free time, occasional practice had begun showing results.
If my ability continued improving steadily, that would be good.
[Still, unrefined divine power overflows within you. Keep practicing. If you do, one day…]
“One day?”
I glanced at him, but he left the sentence unfinished.
As I entered my room, I saw the pamphlet Daisy had brought on the table.
‘Crown Academy.’
It was where the most intelligent and talented students of the Holy Empire gathered.
I had thought of sending Ailey there someday, but I hadn’t expected it to be now.
‘Since Aaron Taylor can’t teach her anyway, sending her to the academy isn’t a bad idea.’
Students usually graduated at sixteen, which wouldn’t conflict with the original story’s timeline.
As I was about to examine the pamphlet Daisy brought, there was a knock at the door.
“Miss! It’s me, Daisy!”
“Come in.”
She burst in, holding a letter.
A letter?
I blinked at the sight of one, having rarely seen them since my parents passed.
The steady flow of letters had stopped once Layton began staying at the Grand Duke’s residence.
Anyone trying to reach me dared not send letters, fearing the consequences with Layton, the “demon” Marquis.
So I was curious about the letter Daisy held.
Who dared to send a letter now?
“Miss! This is a letter for you!”
Daisy’s face was bright, as if the sender had made her happy.
“Who’s it from?”
As if waiting for my question, Daisy clasped her hands and exclaimed,
“Prince Deon Rihardt!”
…Who?
I rubbed my ears in disbelief.
But apparently, I had heard correctly.
“Prince Deon Rihardt! The silver-haired angel!”
“…Why him?”
“Eh?”
Daisy seemed confused by my reaction.
I watched her wide-eyed expression and shook my head.
“No.”
I couldn’t understand it.
I recalled seeing Deon at the imperial banquet a few weeks ago.
Even then, he said something incomprehensible.
He confessed he was captivated by me kicking my shin at the time.
‘…Odd tastes, perhaps?’
If that were the case, it was unfortunate.
If someone so angelically beautiful had odd tastes, it would bring many young ladies in the empire to tears.
I tore open the envelope indifferently. A fragrant piece of stationery was revealed.
To the beautiful Grand Duchess Selena Bennett,
Greetings. I am Deon Rihardt of the Rihardt Ducal family.
We met briefly at the recent banquet; I wonder if you remember me.
At that time, I was rather abrupt and impolite.
I would like to make amends by speaking with you.
If you are willing, would you care to watch a musical at the newly renovated Rihardt family theater?
I look forward to your reply.
Awaiting Grand Duchess Selena Bennett,
Deon Rihardt
Daisy, standing nearby with sparkling eyes, said,
“Miss! It’s really you! Prince Deon Rihardt, the silver-haired angel, sent you a letter!”
Daisy must be a fan.
I smiled wryly and set the letter down.
“What’s he saying? That he likes you?”
“No, he wants to watch a musical with me.”
“Good heavens!”
Daisy’s excitement was even greater than mine.
She seemed to think a bright moment had finally arrived amidst the recent grim atmosphere of the Grand Duke’s household.
She used this opportunity to praise me vigorously.
“You truly are the Miss! The most beautiful in the Empire!”
“Well, I’m not really interested in meeting him.”
“Why, why not?”
Daisy’s jaw dropped as if struck hard. I pondered carefully while watching her flail in shock.
Is Deon really that impressive?
I honestly wasn’t sure.
He was handsome, but in terms of looks, he wouldn’t surpass Layton.
“I’m not interested. Besides, I’m very busy. You know, I’m the head of the Bennett Grand Duke’s household. The hamster teahouse outing last time is enough leisure for me.”
Aaron Taylor’s disposition, Ailey’s academy admission, and divine power.
My days were filled; a date would be a luxury.
Of course, young ladies my age were usually engaged by now.
I postponed it, thinking it would happen someday.
“Daisy, could you get me some stationery?”
“Yes, yes!”
Daisy finally regained composure and retrieved stationery from a drawer.
I opened the fine paper and scribbled a reply roughly.
In less than a minute, I finished the letter and handed it to Daisy.
“Send this to the Rihardt Ducal family.”
Naturally, I intended to reject him.
If only the reply a few days later hadn’t arrived…
