Chapter 2
As always, when I arrived at the library, its door was slightly ajar.
That was strange.
Hardly anyone ever came here, so it was usually left abandoned under a thick layer of dust.
Huh…?
I’m sure I’d closed it properly a few days ago.
Curious, I stepped inside and immediately spotted an unfamiliar man leisurely browsing the bookshelves.
…Who is that?
He had black hair, which meant he had to be either a direct or collateral member of the Etam family.
I’ve never seen him before.
This detached residence was open to all members of both the main and branch families.
Still, someone from the direct bloodline had no reason to use this place. The library in the main mansion was far superior, and the rooms and facilities weren’t even comparable.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, the man slowly turned his head.
He tilted it ever so slightly, studying me in return.
“Do you happen to know where the books on holy magic are?”
His voice was gentle and pleasant, accompanied by a warm smile.
Even I froze for a moment.
When I failed to answer immediately, he seemed to lose interest and casually turned away again.
Wait!
I should answer him.
“O-over there… Section One. First bookshelf… second shelf.”
I hurriedly snapped out of it and replied.
His eyes returned to me briefly.
But I needed to get back before Myla came looking for me, so I prepared to continue on my way.
That was…
Until a passage from the novel suddenly surfaced in my mind.
Erno Etam possessed strikingly handsome features. His golden eyes shimmered like they were filled with honey, while his beautiful black hair, as though it had absorbed every shadow in the world, flowed so elegantly that one couldn’t help but want to touch it.
He was so beautiful it wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to say that a heavenly god had handcrafted him with the utmost care.
Yet no one dared approach him casually.
“By the way, did you receive everything I sent? You seemed to enjoy having things stabbed into you, so I made sure your entire body was covered. I hope you liked it.”
That gentle smile paired with soft words that blurred the line between politeness and mockery was the trademark of the final heir candidate of House Etam… the troublemaker, Erno Etam.
My eyes flew open.
I stopped walking.
Erno Etam!
The legendary genius of House Etam.
Although he was the youngest son of the family, he was considered the strongest candidate to inherit the duchy.
But there was another reason he was so infamous.
He was an incurable hedonist.
If something failed to interest him, he wouldn’t lift a finger.
If he wanted something, he took it.
If someone showed hostility toward him, he always retaliated.
The only exceptions in his life were his two sons.
Erno Etam’s worst habit was that after playing with what he possessed to his heart’s content, he would destroy it so that no one else could have it.
People often said his cruel whims proved that he had inherited the purest dragon blood.
At first glance, he seemed like the gentlest member of Adoption Misunderstanding.
In reality…
He was the most unpredictable and the cruelest psychopath in the entire novel.
He also suffered from the worst case of the Etam family’s hereditary illness—Berserk.
His condition was so severe that he constantly wore multiple magical accessories to suppress it.
Well… it doesn’t matter to me.
I had no idea why he was here.
But I’d be kicked out tomorrow anyway.
I traced my finger down the list of orphanages, reading each name one by one.
Ah! Found it!
The moment my eyes lit up…
A shadow stretched across the book.
“What are you looking at?”
It was Erno Etam.
Apparently he’d found what he’d wanted as well, because he now carried two books tucked beneath one arm.
I swallowed nervously.
“…A… book.”
I answered hesitantly, forcing a small smile so he wouldn’t mistake me for someone trembling in fear.
Because…
He hated people who quaked before him.
His golden eyes narrowed as if examining prey.
“An orphanage directory?”
Faced with his perfectly reasonable suspicion, I quickly tilted my head innocently.
“W-What’s… an orph’nage…?”
“I’m just practicing reading!”
Since I’d been tracing the words with my finger, hopefully the excuse wasn’t too unbelievable.
“Really?”
“Thanks to you, I found the book I wanted.”
“You seem to know this library quite well.”
“I come here lots.”
“Is that so?”
Fortunately, he didn’t continue pressing the matter.
He must not be interested in me.
If something didn’t interest Erno Etam…
He wouldn’t even save someone dying right in front of him.
“Yeah. I come here lots.”
At my dull reply, he smiled like a porcelain doll before quietly turning away.
Click.
The library door closed.
The instant I was alone, I buried my face in the book.
“Ugh…”
I must’ve been more nervous than I realized.
It felt as though my heart had plummeted into my stomach.
After letting out a long sigh, I carefully tore out the page listing the orphanage’s address, folded it, slipped it into my pocket, and closed the book.
The orphanage’s name was…
Sprout Time Orphanage.
…A name embarrassing enough to make my toes curl.
Seeing the name brought a flood of memories back.
Come to think of it…
Wasn’t the future Master of the Mage Tower raised there…?
And that future Mage Tower Master had actually been the lost child of a noble family.
Whose family was it again…?
Hmm.
No idea.
When there was a good chance I’d lose my head tomorrow, this wasn’t exactly the time to worry about someone else’s circumstances.
After neatly returning the book to its place, I turned to leave the library.
Clink!
Something rolled across the floor.
I looked down.
A simple silver ring had stopped against my foot.
A tiny red gemstone was set into it, and elegant engravings decorated the band.
It was obviously expensive.
This…
The face of Erno Etam, who had just left moments ago, flashed through my mind.
Don’t tell me…
Was this one of the rings that suppressed his Berserk episodes?
I’d heard he wore several magical accessories, including earrings, for exactly that purpose.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
This seems… really dangerous.
Without another thought, I grabbed the ring and hurried after him.
Fortunately, he hadn’t gone far and was already walking back at an unhurried pace.
“Um… this…”
Afraid something terrible might happen if he remained without it, I ran over and quickly held out the ring.
“Ah. I was looking for that.”
“It was under the bookshelf!”
“Really?”
Smiling softly, Erno extended his hand.
Carefully making sure our fingers wouldn’t touch, I dropped the ring into his palm and immediately pulled my hand back.
According to the novel, Erno’s capricious personality was matched only by his severe obsession with cleanliness.
Unless he personally permitted it…
He hated being touched.
He lightly grasped the ring.
Then…
He suddenly froze.
Frowning, he stared intently at it.
W-Was it really that dirty…?
I’d even wiped it carefully with my sleeve to avoid leaving fingerprints…
“W-well then…”
“I have to go now…”
I bowed politely toward the man who remained silent, staring only at the ring, before slowly backing away.
“Haha… how interesting.”
The low chuckle drifting from behind me sounded anything but amused.
The moment I judged I was far enough away…
I had to grit my teeth to stop myself from sprinting down the hallway.
Never run from a wild beast…
Never run from a wild beast…
Never run from a wild beast…
By the time I reached my room, my jaw actually hurt from clenching it so hard.
The next day…
The long-awaited New Year’s Assembly finally arrived.
* * *
I’m so sleepy…
Early that morning, I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, barely awake.
I’d stayed up all night.
Sneaking around the detached residence while avoiding the night maids, I’d searched everywhere for anything valuable enough to sell.
Even though it was only the branch residence…
This was still the Etam family.
Finding a few valuable items hadn’t been particularly difficult.
At least my preparations are complete.
Even if everything unfolded exactly as it had in the novel today…
I’d already simulated every possible outcome.
As I’d mentioned before…
I was a lizard beastkin.
And still a child.
Young beastkin occasionally lost control of their human forms whenever their emotions became too intense.
The novel never explained it in detail since I was only an extra…
But this must be where that transformation happened.
Either way…
I’d already prepared for every scenario.
Plan One: The ideal outcome—my transformation wouldn’t break, and I’d survive.
Plan Two: If I transformed anyway, I’d stay calm, escape immediately through the route I’d already planned, grab my belongings, and flee the estate.
Plan Three: I’d voluntarily ask to leave, requesting just one extra day before departing.
Plan One was obviously best.
But Plans Two and Three weren’t bad either.
“Miss, shall we go?”
“Mhm!”
Together with Myla, I headed toward the enormous conference hall attached to the main mansion.
Once we arrived, she crouched down to meet my eyes.
“Miss, I can’t go in with you from here.”
“Find the seat with your name on it, sit quietly, and only do what you’re told.”
“You remember how to greet everyone, don’t you?”
“Mm.”
“Good.”
“I’ll be waiting right outside.”
“Be careful, okay?”
“See you later, Myla!”
Assuming I get the chance…
Encouraged by her warm smile, I clenched my tiny fists and stepped into the hall.
The instant I entered…
I stopped dead in my tracks.
