Chapter: 17
I lay on the bed, carefully writing down my thoughts on the blank canvas inside my head.
A person like the unreachable night sky.
My precious mother’s friend.
Black hair, just like mine.
“Don’t get sick, don’t get hurt, and if something’s bothering you, you can always come to me. Okay?”
“I hope you’ll always smile like that. Then I’ll see you again next time, Aika.”
…A person who treated me far better than anyone reasonably should.
“Gasp.”
I rolled over on the bed and flopped face-first onto the mattress.
No way.
“Where did Uncle go?”
Unable to contain my curiosity, I left my room.
I wandered through the hallways, searching for him everywhere.
At the end of the corridor, I spotted a familiar man with brown hair and green eyes.
It was Leto, the steward who managed this enormous mansion in my uncle’s place.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Leto was the neatest person in the entire estate.
He was always busy, yet every time I saw him, his clothes were spotless and completely wrinkle-free.
“Leto!”
“Young Miss, is something the matter?”
“Have you seen Uncle?”
“He’s currently in his office.”
Leto kindly gave me exactly the answer I wanted.
“So Uncle’s working right now?”
“Yes, most likely. Is it something urgent?”
“Nah, not really. I just wanted to ask him something.”
Leto seemed to think for a moment before turning toward my uncle’s office.
“I wouldn’t be allowed in, but I’m sure Young Miss will be. Allow me to escort you.”
“Oh! Aren’t you busy?”
“I always make time to escort Young Miss.”
With a graceful smile, Leto held out his white-gloved hand.
“I like you, Leto. You’re kind like Zenda.”
“That’s the first time anyone has complimented me for being kind, Young Miss.”
I took his hand and walked more confidently toward my uncle’s office.
But the moment Leto knocked on the door, I instinctively hid behind him.
“Master, the adorable Young Miss Aika has come to see you.”
“Adorable, my foot.”
Still hiding behind Leto, I heard my uncle grumble.
But he didn’t actually sound annoyed!
Normally he’d have said, ‘Send her away,’ before I even stepped inside.
“You may go in now, Young Miss.”
“Thanks!”
After opening the door for me and even announcing my arrival, Leto wished me a pleasant time before returning to his duties.
I imagined a line across the doorway and hopped over it.
“…”
Good. So far, zero attention. Everything’s fine.
Gathering more courage, I clasped my hands behind my back and tiptoed toward my uncle.
Then I wandered around nearby until he finally reacted.
“What now? If you’ve got something to say, hurry up and say it.”
Without even looking at me, he flipped through his paperwork.
“Uncle, I have a question.”
“What?”
“So… is His Majesty the Emperor married?”
My uncle, who had been signing documents with his pen, finally looked up.
His expression clearly said, I’m drowning in work, and that’s what you came to ask?
“Why are you even curious about whether the Emperor’s married?”
“I-I can be curious! Starting today, His Majesty and I decided to be friends.”
“What a magnificent reason.”
Ignoring the look of disbelief on his face, I pressed on.
“So? Tell me, Uncle. Is he married or not?”
His eyes had already returned to the documents.
Apparently, he had decided it wasn’t a worthwhile question.
“No.”
“He isn’t? Really?”
“That’s right. I answered you, so stop bothering me and get out.”
“Then why isn’t he married?”
At last, my uncle shot me a fierce glare.
“Are you leaving or not?”
I dashed over and hid half my body behind the doorframe, using it like a shield.
“I will if you answer that one!”
“Guess he just never found anyone to marry.”
“Is it because he’s waiting for his destined love? Like in fairy tales?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Ah, Unclleee! Then who is his destined love? Could it beā”
Crack.
“Dear niece. Why exactly would I know anything about the Emperor’s love life?”
My uncle growled through clenched teeth, his eyebrows twitching with irritation.
Apparently, that cracking sound had come from his mouth.
And even though he was smiling, he looked like the Grim Reaper crawling out of hell.
A bright red warning light flashed above my head.
“O-Okay…”
Retreat for now.
Judging by that expression, if I pushed any further, I’d be kicked out to the stables instead of the guest room.
Carefully watching his mood, I backed away.
Actually, I tried sneaking in one more time, but the moment I slid my toes back across the threshold, I heardā
“Tch.”
Mission failed.
“Hmph. Uncle says he’s friends with His Majesty, but he won’t even tell me something like that.”
Dusting off my dress, I stepped back into the hallway.
“…”
No, I’m still too curious.
Keeping both feet firmly on the floor, I quietly inched backward.
But the instant my hand touched the office doorframe…
My eyes met my uncle’s piercing stare.
Another glorious failure.
Well, that’s fine.
I’ll just wait for another opportunity.
It’s definitely not because I’m scared of Uncle.
Absolutely not.
“Uncle, what are you getting ready for?”
“Nothing.”
“But you’re wearing nice clothes. Can I come too?”
Several days passed after that.
I’d looked for plenty of chances to ask Uncle about His Majesty the Emperor, but every attempt ended in rejection.
Just because Uncle wouldn’t tell me didn’t mean there weren’t other ways to find out.
Grandpa was around, after all.
But today was different!
Normally, Uncle stayed home after sunset, yet now he’d changed into elegant clothes as if he were going out.
Where was he going?
It definitely wasn’t to bed.
“How are you planning to follow me when you don’t even know where I’m going?”
“Um… I don’t know! Wherever Uncle’s going!”
I gave him my brightest, most harmless smile.
See? I’m completely innocent!
He responded by lightly poking my forehead with his index finger.
“What nonsense. You’re this tiny, yet you try to follow me everywhere. You’ve already had dinner, so go to bed.”
“Tell me where you’re going.”
I practically sat down and clung stubbornly to the hem of his clothes.
Clinging to people was my specialty.
Besides, yesterday he secretly went somewhere in the middle of the day too!
Thankfully, I hadn’t seen any frightening future where something bad happened to him.
If I had, it would’ve been a disaster.
And besides…
It’s so boring when Uncle goes out.
“I said you don’t need to know.”
He growled again.
Pouting, I finally let go.
He seemed even angrier than usual.
Was he being forced to go somewhere he didn’t want to?
If I insisted on following him any more, I really might get scolded.
In that case…
“Okay, Uncle! Have a safe trip!”
I jumped to my feet.
“…What?”
“Zenda says good children go to bed early. So you should have a safe trip!”
I even waved cheerfully.
My uncle stared at me suspiciously.
He complained when I wanted to come with him.
Now he was suspicious because I wished him a safe trip.
Seriously!
“Stay home and behave.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t cause any trouble.”
“I won’t. Uncle, have you ever actually seen me cause trouble?”
I looked up at him with the most shameless face I could manage.
His eyebrows squirmed like worms.
“Just… behave.”
“Okay.”
Honestly.
I never cause trouble.
The night had grown dark.
With reluctant steps, Kassel climbed into his carriage.
He leaned back carelessly against the seat and rubbed at the crease between his brows, twisted with irritation and exhaustion.
“We’ll depart immediately, my lord.”
When Kassel gave a slight nod, Gerard closed the carriage door.
Maybe I should’ve stopped by her room to check on her…
The thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it just as quickly.
At this hour she’s probably sleeping like the dead. If I wake her up, I’ll just be making more work for myself.
How dangerous could it possibly be inside the house?
It’d be stranger to worry.
Soon, the carriage slowly rolled forward.
Planning to sleep until they arrived, Kassel closed his eyes.
Kassel was not the type to enjoy banquets.
The people constantly trying to stick to him were annoying, and he’d rarely had a pleasant experience at one.
As a result, there were only a few reasons he ever attended a banquet.
If it was held at the Imperial Palace.
If the old man summoned him or hosted it.
If it was necessary for expanding business or observing the movements of the nobility.
And finally…
If there was someone who deserved a thorough beating.
Most banquets fell into the first category, then were filtered by the second or third reasons.
Today’s was the second.
It was the first banquet the Valiert family had hostedāand the first Kassel would attendāsince Seria’s death.
“…”
Suddenly, Kassel’s eyes snapped open, sharp as blades.
“Come out.”
