Chapter 19:
I pursed my lips quietly, and the old duke clicked his tongue in irritation.
Suddenly, his sharp gaze shifted toward the butler standing behind me.
“No, Morris! You said she finished her meal, didn’t you? You should’ve told me she was having snacks! When someone is eating, not even a dog touches them!”
“I… I didn’t think to consider Lady Rubian’s snack schedule.”
I could almost hear droplets of sweat falling from Butler Morris all the way here.
“Why are you just standing there!”
I stretched my hand toward the squeaky fork.
I glanced sideways, but Uncle, who had been fixing his lips, only raised one eyebrow slightly.
‘So he’s not going to help me.’
I was going to get my revenge.
The more I looked at the snack table, the more my face turned into a pout.
“Why the long face?”
I had been arguing so loudly before, but now I was just clenching my lips and staring at the floor, and for the first time, the old duke paused.
“Is… something bothering you…?”
“The table…”
“Hm?”
“It’s all broken…”
Before my eyes was a wooden table split clean down the middle.
“Huh? When did this happen?”
“How can I eat if it’s gone…?”
A little gloom settled over me.
The mug had fallen through the crack. The pale pink liquid soaked the floor.
Honestly, I liked strawberry milk more than cake. Sweet, cold, with bits of fruit…
“…I liked it.”
“Um…”
“I haven’t even had a single drop yet…”
My shoulders sank without me realizing it.
I noticed earlier there were even more fresh strawberries than yesterday… what a waste…
‘Hah.’
Could this be the old duke’s way of testing mental strength?
To not dwell on what’s gone?
Of course, that wasn’t the case.
Ultimately, all the strawberries in the castle had ended up crushed into the milk by the old duke’s booming voice…
‘Who knows…’
I looked at the large jug of strawberry milk and tried to settle my complicated feelings.
“Are you done?”
The old duke asked in a growling voice.
He was sitting right in the middle of the reception room, yet his presence was overwhelming. The room felt completely filled…
“Y-yes… thank you.”
I fiddled with the mug as I answered.
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if it was going in my mouth or my nose.
“Hm.”
Finally, apparently satisfied, his fluffy-looking beard twitched.
I cautiously observed him, then asked carefully:
“But what about Uncle?”
“He went to the northern outpost! Apparently, there were traces of a monster.”
“Gah.”
He left me here with this grumpy old man?
“Are you scared of a monster? Hah, a rabbit-like thing like you would probably be a one-bite snack.”
The old duke seemed convinced that my stiffening was because of the monster.
‘A monster isn’t going to kick me out of this house!’
He didn’t even appear by smashing the door with his fist!
I set down my mug and shouted proudly:
“Yes! I’m a little scared!”
“……”
“So it’s okay for me to stay here, right?”
As desperately as possible. Sparkling eyes.
The old duke, seated with his back to the window, suddenly stiffened.
I couldn’t see his expression clearly, but deep wrinkles framed his eyes.
I remembered Uncle’s voice:
“Just hold on tight. Like you did with me earlier.”
Did that even work?
He’s not going to just blow me off if I make a weak sound, right?
“I-I’ll stay if I’m scared!”
Surprisingly, it worked.
“I’m not the kind of garbage that would kick someone out just because they whine they’re scared!”
Though I hadn’t actually whined.
‘Looks like he’s weak against pretend weakness.’
Uncle seemed to have that side too. Is that a trait of people in this house?
I decided to drive the point home.
I stood abruptly and wedged myself onto the two-seater sofa next to the old duke.
Two seats, way too narrow.
“Y-yes. I’ll just stay here quietly. It’s scary outside…”
Suddenly, there was a jolt beside me, like an earthquake.
“Wriggle, wriggle, this tickles me to death!”
“Ah, if it’s uncomfortable, I’ll—”
“Can’t be helped!”
“Eek!”
I was grabbed by the back of my neck and landed firmly on a rock-hard thigh.
Our eyes met closely.
Thick eyebrows angled differently. Deep wrinkles around his eyes. Cold, sharp purple eyes. Well-groomed beard, with an old scar beneath.
“…Even your face is irritatingly intimidating.”
Just as I had been studying him, he seemed to be scrutinizing me.
One eyebrow arched even higher.
“Are you really a boy? Why are you so different from Void and Liam?”
Uhm… because we’re different?
Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I covered it with a rough smile.
“But what exactly are you wearing? A potato sack?”
“It’s clothes.”
“Tch.”
A voice that sounded like it had seen something unpleasant.
The old duke gestured toward Hazel, who was standing nearby.
“You! Count how many times her sleeves are folded!”
Hazel responded calmly:
“Please calm down, Lord Balrok. Lady Eveline is scheduled to measure her in three days anyway. She’s currently away on an official trip outside the estate.”
“Three days? So this booger has to live in a potato sack for three days?!”
“It’s not that bad. I’m fine!”
I quickly interjected so Hazel wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire, but, of course, she ignored me.
The clothes were long and loose, but not unwearable.
I wasn’t going to be in this house forever, so I didn’t want to cause too much trouble.
The old duke grumbled for a long time.
About his son, and Rose, and all sorts of things.
“I can’t stand it! Morris! When will the new weapons at the forge be finished?”
“You submitted the blueprints quite a while ago… it should be soon.”
“Good. You’ll come with me tomorrow.”
“Huh? Why?”
The old duke folded my sleeve, which had been folded four times, once more and shouted:
“We have to do something about those potato sack clothes!”
“You mean you’ll buy me new clothes?”
“Are there other little ones like her here?”
“First you said you’d kick me out…”
“You will be kicked out!”
“Y-yes? You said it’s okay if I’m scared!”
“Ah, cancel that! I absolutely cannot bear to see it!”
What kind of temper is this?
This fiery old man was enough to drive anyone crazy.
Pretending to be weak? Forget it!
“Why buy clothes if you’re going to kick me out!”
“I’ll dress her nicely! Make her look good before sending her off!”
“Where does that make sense!”
“Here!”
“You capricious, stubborn old man!”
“You figured that out so quickly, you’re sharp and clever too!”
Everyone nearby glanced over with interest.
‘Of course, the son takes after the father!’
I didn’t care. I was already parched from arguing. I got up to grab my mug…
Suddenly, my head felt empty.
When I turned, the thick hand that had been fiddling with the back of my head was hastily moving away.
“……”
Pretending nothing happened, the stubborn lion.
Why on earth…
Then, it happened.
[ ……! ]
A crackling static rang in my head.
“…What’s going on?”
[ ……Rain! ]
“You, booger!”
I seemed to stumble slightly. The old duke sprang up like lightning and grabbed my shoulder.
[ Rubi. Rubi. Are you there? ]
‘Khalid?’
Pressing near my ear, the static cleared.
It was Khalid!
“I-I have a little stomachache…”
“What is it?”
“Just need the bathroom!”
I dashed straight out of the reception room.
I thought I heard someone calling “child!” from behind, but that didn’t matter now.
“Lady Rubian?”
“Just a moment, I want to be alone!”
Bam.
Hazel, who had followed me in surprise, was left behind as I quickly shut the bedroom door.
When I pressed the symbol again, the crackling instantly cleared.
‘Khalid Riork! You blocked me like that—are you trying to kill me?’
[ I told you not to call me with titles… but that’s not the point. Master, you’re in North Zelox right now, yes? ]
‘Don’t change the subject! I’m not telling you.’
[ King Arkan seems to have realized that you’re alive and in the Babylon Empire. ]
‘Huh?’
What did he just say?
I froze in the center of the room like a block of ice.
The Mage King… had found out my whereabouts?
