Chapter 21

At the words imperial decree, the atmosphere grew unsettled.

“They say we are to patrol the eastern border.”

At Calisto’s words, the faces of the new faction hardened at once. The Ruventain territory, located in the north of the Tamne Empire, was a harsh environment, but through the knights’ blood-and-sweat devotion, it had barely regained stability. The same was true of the magical beasts that now rarely appeared.

The east, by contrast, was where the traditionalist nobles held strong influence, and the atmosphere there openly despised the new faction, who had earned their titles through merit. As a result, magical beasts had naturally begun to appear there.

And now, after all this time, they were being asked to go and patrol it.

“His Majesty must deeply trust Your Grace’s martial prowess!”

Whether or not they knew his true feelings, the traditionalists offered their praise obtusely. Baron Molton, too, liked this turn of events.

If their lord left the territory, opportunities to expel the child would arise in abundance.

***

A golden lion roaring with a sword in its mouth on a black field. When the knight order bearing the emblem that symbolized valor even in darkness upon their chests marched out the castle gates, a strange stillness hung over Ruventain Castle. The moment Calisto led the Second and Third Battalions toward the east, the air within the castle split cleanly in two.

“Clinging to that little brat over a mere coincidence—I suppose that shows the level of the new faction.”

Baron Molton sneered as he strolled through the garden. It was because he found it utterly revolting that Baron Kirein and the other new faction knights had been so moved by a single cup of flower tea Ailien gave them that they now treated the child like some kind of saint. To the traditionalists, who could not know the reverence of those healed of war’s wounds, that sight was nothing but a farce blinding their lord’s eyes.

And so they remained, using the need to guard the Grand Ducal Castle as their pretext.

“Father-in-law.”

Viscount Kessen, Molton’s son-in-law, subtly approached.

“It seems His Grace cherishes that child more than I thought.”

“Well, he has only a son, so a girl might seem novel to him.”

“But our Felicia…….”

His granddaughter Felicia—born to his beloved daughter when she married into the Kessen Viscountcy—was his pride. Molton desperately hoped his granddaughter would marry Kaius and become the next Grand Duchess. The fact that Kaius and Felicia were born in the same year seemed almost like fate.

That was precisely why he could not possibly overlook an unknown child like that receiving the Grand Duke’s favor.

“For now, she may seem novel and he keeps her close, but he may grow tired of her soon enough. Tsk, the child has no manners at all and runs wild like a hooligan.”

“Our Felicia was not like that at her age.”

“Is there even a comparison to be made?”

Baron Molton glared at Viscount Kessen with displeasure. Viscount Kessen shrank his shoulders and nodded.

“What are you discussing?”

Viscount Zenno cautiously wedged himself between them. The moment Baron Molton saw his face, he cleared his throat loudly. Though they were both traditionalists, this one was weak and despicable, and he simply did not like him.

He had even heard that the man’s son held feelings for Felicia. Absurd.

“It is nothing.”

“Is it because of the new faction? Or that child?”

But Viscount Zenno was no easy opponent either.

“I said it is nothing!”

While the two were bickering, his eyes met Ailien’s as she came running energetically from afar. Beside her were the flying squirrel and a maid with a pert look in her eyes.

“Oh.”

Ailien’s eyes widened upon seeing someone she knew.

“You are here, completely oblivious as ever.”

“Yes, it has been a while. Have you been well?”

“Truly ill-mannered.”

“You are just as ill-mannered, aren’t you? I greeted you first, after all.”

Isn’t it courtesy to return a greeting when someone offers one? At Ailien’s confident attitude, Baron Molton’s brow twisted.

“Fancy that, keeping even a maid.”

At his mocking tone, Kiki narrowed her eyes and glared at Molton. The upward slant of her eyes was so fierce that Viscount Kessen and Viscount Zenno, standing nearby, unconsciously took a step back.

“Ahem. Anyway, be sensible and leave on your own feet.”

“Is this your house? The sword, who is the owner, said I could stay, so why are you making a fuss?”

At Ailien’s innocent direct hit, Viscount Zenno, who had been quiet, stepped forward and smacked the child on the head.

“Ah?”

Ailien, clutching the top of her head with her short arms, looked up at him blankly. It was the first time in her life she had experienced such senseless physical violence, and the child’s eyes wavered.

“Why did you hurt Lili?”

“When a child does wrong, an adult scolds them!”

“What’s an adult? What did Lili do wrong?”

Even at Viscount Zenno’s shout, Ailien did not shrink back and took another step closer. Perhaps he had not expected the child to react this way, for he grew flustered and raised his hand again.

Then Kiki hid Ailien behind her back and glared at Viscount Zenno. Her gaze, laced with killing intent, chilled the air.

“You—you’re just a servant, how dare you look at someone like that?”

“I was born looking like this.”

“Why you!”

“Stop making a fuss and go back. Shall I call the young master?”

Viscount Zenno thought he had made a mistake, but soon reassured himself that it would be fine. No matter how much the Grand Duke cherished the child, she was merely a stranger who would stay a while and then leave.

“Be gone!”

Watching their retreating figures, Ailien stood blankly for a long while. Kiki silently lifted the child into her arms, and Didi, perched atop her head, blew a soft ‘whoo’ on the sore spot.

Comforted by her friends, Ailien’s lips trembled.

It was because she recalled what Calisto had earnestly told her before leaving the castle.

‘Not everyone in this castle is kind. There are those who dislike you. Remember all of them well and report them to me.’

‘But Lili can handle it?’

‘Yes. You may be able to handle it, but there is such a thing as a contingency.’

Ailien raised her small fist and rubbed roughly at the corners of her eyes. She felt like crying just a little, but she did not want to show tears.

“Lili won’t cry because of them.”

“Yes.”

At her self-directed resolve, Kiki answered indifferently yet reassuringly. From atop her head came a squeak! as well.

Even that small cheer improved Ailien’s mood considerably.

“Actually, Lili didn’t want to live the life of a fool.”

In the little cabin in the forest, there had been no need to tell anyone off. Her peaceful days were spent alone with Marilyn, and that was everything.

‘No.’

Suddenly, violet eyes resembling lavender flickered in her mind. Was that child doing well?

Feeling just a little nostalgic for those days, Ailien burrowed deeper into Kiki’s arms. Kiki smelled of warm sunlight, whether as a cat or as a person.

“Shall we go back to your room?”

Kiki, having adjusted her hold on Ailien, asked quietly. Ailien nodded instead of answering and buried her face in Kiki’s shoulder.

“Chirp.”

In the spot where Ailien and Kiki had left, the small flying squirrel remained. Her air was quite different from her usual cute appearance. Had anyone seen this sight, they would have been shocked at how such an aura could come from that small, adorable creature.

Didi, deep in thought about something, quickly dashed off in the direction opposite Ailien’s room—toward the retainers’ quarters.