The soft glow of a lamp illuminated the dark study.
Crackle... crack...
Only faint embers remained in the fireplace that had burned throughout the night.
"The snowfall has intensified, causing a sharp increase in monster activity. Damage to weapons and armor has become severe, and the blacksmiths are requesting additional manpower. Furthermore, movements among the noble faction have been detected. Several southern merchant guilds appear to be involved..."
The butler of the Grand Ducal household, Anton, was delivering his report.
During Elvadin's absence, many matters had accumulated within the Grand Duchy.
"And this is a report that Maid May just submitted."
"......"
It concerned Lucillea, who had been brought to the Grand Duke's estate after being selected by the Elite Order.
The contents were fairly ordinary.
Lucillea had awakened in the evening, finished bathing, and eaten a late dinner.
However—
Flip.
As Elvadin turned another page, his brow subtly furrowed.
Attached to the report was a detailed description of the scars and injuries covering Lucillea's body.
There was also an additional note from May, filled with vicious curses and explicit condemnation of whoever had abused the child.
The next two pages consisted almost entirely of profanity.
The language was so colorful that even Anton found it difficult to read aloud.
When Elvadin's expression darkened, Anton offered a bitter smile and spoke in May's defense.
"It seems seeing Lucillea reminded May of her own childhood. She's never been the type to overlook things like this."
"......"
Even Elvadin eventually gave up reading and set the documents aside with visible irritation.
"When morning comes, tell Erevan to examine her thoroughly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And inform Camilla to keep an eye on the child for the time being."
When Elvadin went so far as to assign the head maid to Lucillea, Anton spoke cautiously.
"Your Highness, people have already started talking."
"Talking?"
"The child was assigned Maid May the moment she arrived, and then immediately placed on the fifth floor of the western annex."
"And?"
Anton looked troubled.
"Your Highness, no child has ever been placed on the fifth floor immediately after arriving. Nor has anyone ever received your approval this quickly. There is no precedent for it."
The Western Annex of the Grand Duke's estate housed the children selected by the Elite Order.
The building was so large it could practically be considered a small academy within the estate.
The fifth floor, in particular, was reserved for the most exceptional among the chosen children.
As a result, an unofficial hierarchy had formed based on which floor one lived on.
Anton lowered his voice.
"I'm worried the other children may target her before she's had a chance to adjust."
Elvadin's response was cold.
"Target her? Ridiculous."
"......"
"If someone possesses ability, they are placed where their ability belongs. That is the law of House Descartes."
His crimson eyes sharpened.
"If they cannot accept that, tell them they are free to leave."
Anton paused before bowing his head.
"Yes, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn."
After a moment, he carefully continued.
"Still... is the child truly worthy of such treatment?"
It was the heart of the matter.
Did Lucillea genuinely possess enough talent to justify such exceptional treatment?
At Anton's question, Elvadin turned his gaze toward the window.
The deep pre-dawn darkness stretched outside.
Gray clouds drifted across a half-hidden moon.
"The child is under a spell."
"What?"
Anton blinked in surprise.
Elvadin continued in a calm but serious tone.
"It doesn't appear to be dangerous, but it would be wise to keep observing her."
"Ah... so that's why you assigned May."
Elvadin nodded once.
"I've already contacted the Magic Tower. Keep it secret for now. There's no need to create unnecessary unrest."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Shifting his gaze back to Anton, Elvadin asked,
"And Serdian?"
Anton immediately answered.
"The monsters that breached the northern border have all been exterminated. The Young Lord is currently returning after overseeing the cleanup. We expect him to arrive around sunrise."
The final report concerned Serdian, heir to House Descartes.
Returning his attention to the documents, Elvadin spoke again.
"Any injuries?"
The question referred to Serdian.
Anton smiled faintly.
"The Young Lord is completely unharmed. He is the heir of House Descartes, after all. Mere monsters are hardly capable of harming him."
Elvadin's response was blunt.
"He is still only thirteen."
"......"
"No matter how talented he may be."
"Yes, Your Highness."
For a moment, Elvadin looked up.
"Anton."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I know I've been away for a long time. I know the affairs of the duchy are just as important as finding my child."
His voice grew quieter.
"Eight years is long enough."
"Your Highness..."
"But, Anton."
The temperature in his voice dropped noticeably.
"The fact that I spend little time at the estate does not mean I am no longer its master."
"......"
"The fact that my sister has helped manage affairs in my absence does not make her the head of this house."
"Of course not, Your Highness."
"Especially regarding Serdian."
His gaze hardened.
"I suspected my sister had a hand in this."
Elvadin was reprimanding them for sending Serdian into actual combat without his approval.
Anton lowered his head.
"My deepest apologies, Your Highness."
Elvadin returned his attention to the paperwork.
"You are the chief butler of House Descartes."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"My sister is no longer a daughter of this house."
The meaning was clear.
Anasis had married and become the Marchioness of Belgar.
She no longer possessed authority over House Descartes.
"Do not allow yourself to be swayed by her interference again."
"I will remember that, Your Highness."
Elvadin did not hold Anton personally responsible.
Anton had watched both Elvadin and his older sister Anasis grow up.
In many ways, he had spent more time with them than their late parents had.
If Anasis had truly insisted, Anton would have found it difficult to refuse.
Elvadin understood that.
But understanding did not mean tolerating it.
"Anton."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"As soon as morning arrives, send a message to Marchioness Anasis Belgar."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Tell her to visit not as a daughter of House Descartes."
His crimson eyes grew colder.
"But as the Marchioness of Belgar."
"I shall carry out your orders."
"Lady Lucilleeeea~"
"I've arrived~ It's May~"
"......"
[Lucy! Lucy! Intruder!!]
"Lady Lucilleeeeaa~ The sun rose this morning specifically for our adorable Lady Lucillea~ If you don't greet it properly, it'll be very sad~"
[Lucy! Open your eyes! Some suspicious woman came in while you were sleeping!!]
Squawk! Squawk! SQUAWK!
Cookie flew around the room while shrieking at the top of his lungs.
"Cookie, you're too loud..."
My head hurts.
Still half-asleep, Lucillea grabbed the parrot as he flew past.
"I told you to be quiet."
[But Lucy! Some strange woman is acting all friendly with you!]
[You're mine! I'm the one you like best!]
As Lucillea bickered with the jealous bird, May approached with sparkling eyes.
"Oh my goodness, Lady Lucillea! That's the parrot who was sleeping in the cage last night, isn't it?"
Who's acting friendly with who?!
Lucillea pinched Cookie's tiny beak and nodded.
"Yes. His name is Cookie. He's a friend from my old village. His Highness allowed him to come with me."
She looked down at the bird.
"Cookie, say hello."
[...]
The moment Lucillea released his beak, Cookie simply glared at May.
His beak remained tightly shut.
After several firm pokes to his yellow head, Cookie reluctantly bobbed his head.
His naturally protruding beak somehow looked even more pouty than usual.
Clearly, he did not approve of May.
At that moment, May reached into her pocket and pulled something out.
"I wasn't sure, but I brought this just in case. Do parrots eat these?"
[Huh?!]
"Oh?"
Cookie's eyes became perfectly round.
They sparkled as if stars had been stuffed inside them.
[What's that?! It smells amazing! Lucy! Tell her to give it to me! Hurry!]
The object was a small red fruit.
"It's called a Lache berry."
May smiled.
"It only grows in the North. Food is scarce here, so birds absolutely go crazy for it."
[I wanna try it!]
[Let me go crazy too! Give it here!]
Cookie flapped excitedly and opened his tiny yellow beak in what he apparently considered a threatening manner.
Chuckling softly, May placed the berry into his beak.
Cookie immediately grabbed it with one foot and began devouring it with astonishing enthusiasm.
[Whoa! Wow! So tasty! Chomp chomp chomp! What is this?! Is this the taste of turning your life around?!]
"......"
His yellow beak quickly became stained bright red.
Birds go crazy for it?
Lucillea watched Cookie's behavior.
Yeah... that seems accurate.
Then May leaned close and whispered into Lucillea's ear.
"Lady Lucillea, come with me for a moment."
"Hm?"
While Cookie remained completely distracted by the berry, May gently took Lucillea's hand and led her away.