IBHD 06

Chapter 6

To some extent, that was true.

He really had rushed back on horseback.

Just not because of Ariel.

While he had been inspecting the territory, knights from the Grand Duke’s household had suddenly arrived and urged him to return immediately.

Whenever he asked what had happened, they only repeated things like, “You must return at once,” and “Something terrible has happened.”

From their perspective, they simply couldn’t bring themselves to tell their lord that the young daughter who had only arrived a few days ago had collapsed.

Because of that, the Grand Duke could only assume that something serious had happened, and he hurried back to the Grand Duke’s residence.

Martin, however, had no idea about any of this. Mistaking the Grand Duke’s appearance for an expression of paternal affection, he sniffled.

The person who must have been the most shocked was His Grace himself. How could I possibly resent him for that…?

Feeling guilty, Martin bit down on his lip, while the Grand Duke’s expression grew even more serious.

“Martin, did I not ask what happened?”

“Your Grace, actually, the young lady…”

Instead of finishing his sentence, Martin turned his head.

The Grand Duke followed his gaze, and his eyes widened unusually.

Why is that child…? Is she dead?

With both eyes tightly shut and not moving an inch, Ariel looked almost like a corpse.

Without realizing it, he strode toward her and placed his index finger beneath her nose.

A faint breath brushed against his finger.

Fortunately, she’s not dead.

Only then did the Grand Duke let out a sigh of relief before turning back to Martin.

“She was perfectly fine only a few days ago. Why has she suddenly become like this?”

She had been an exceptionally healthy child.

A brazen little girl who had stared straight into his eyes and given him orders without hesitation.

Yet, in the mere few days that he had been away, she had ended up like this.

For some reason, a chill settled in one corner of his chest.

Everyone held their breath beneath the Grand Duke’s icy gaze.

“What exactly happened—?!”

Just as he was about to bark at them—

“N-No! I absolutely cannot give you my blood!”

Ariel, who had apparently woken at some point, was curled up tightly against the headboard, staring at him with terrified eyes.

Blood?

For a word coming from such a young child, it was disturbingly ominous.

The Grand Duke’s pale green eyes, which had been filled with bewilderment, turned cold once again.

“What does she mean by that? Did someone dare lay a hand on that child while I was away?”

“N-No, Your Grace!”

“Of course not!”

“How could we possibly dare!”

Even if she was an illegitimate child, who would be reckless enough to lay a hand on the daughter the Grand Duke himself had brought home?

The servants hurriedly shook their heads, all wearing deeply aggrieved expressions.

Unable to identify anyone particularly suspicious, the Grand Duke questioned Ariel instead.

“Did someone threaten you?”

There was no answer.

But the sheer terror in her eyes could only be interpreted as a yes.

What bastard dared abuse a child in my own household?

Grinding his teeth, he soon forced himself to calm down. Then, using the gentlest tone he could manage, he tried to soothe Ariel.

“It’s all right. As long as I am here, no one can harm you. So tell me without fear. Who was it?”

Ariel’s expression changed strangely.

Why is he pretending it wasn’t him?

The image of the boy who had threatened to take her blood was still vivid in her mind.

And yet, here he was, putting so much effort into denying it.

Could it be that taking blood was that boy’s idea alone?

While Ariel was pondering this—

“Don’t be afraid. You will never be put in danger.”

The Grand Duke even took her tiny hand firmly, as though trying to reassure her.

His hand was warmer than she had expected.

After hesitating, Ariel asked in a tiny voice,

“…You really aren’t going to take my blood?”

“What would I possibly use your blood for?”

The Grand Duke gave a baffled laugh.

He didn’t particularly sound like he was lying.

Ariel nodded.

Yes. In any case, this human was someone who had shown her kindness.

He had certainly been insolent enough to mock a goddess, but he didn’t seem wicked enough to actually take her blood and share it with others.

Maybe it really was that boy acting on his own.

Since things had come this far, she decided she might as well tell him everything honestly and ask him about it.

Ariel was just about to open her mouth when—

“W-Waaah!”

Her face suddenly went pale, and she began trembling violently.

It was as though she had come face-to-face with the very person who had abused her.

The Grand Duke and the servants hurriedly turned their heads in the direction of Ariel’s gaze.

And there stood—

“Ahin Claudiff.”

Ahin, looking utterly bewildered.

“W-What…? No, that’s not it!”

Naturally, he had never threatened Ariel, so he hurriedly shook his head.

But once suspicion had taken root, it did not easily disappear.

Desperate to find someone who could clear up the misunderstanding, Ahin turned his head—

“The young lady has fainted again.”

Absurdly enough, Ariel had already lost consciousness.

“Follow me.”

In the end, Ahin had no choice but to trudge after his father’s icy command.

Feeling the stunned gazes following him from behind, Ahin thought to himself:

Ever since that little girl arrived, my situation has gotten a little strange.

Ariel, who had fainted and left an innocent victim in her wake, did not regain consciousness until an entire day had passed.

Blink. Blink.

As Ariel slowly cleared her hazy vision, she suddenly sat upright in shock.

Eek! When did I fall asleep?

She had been determined never to let her guard down until she could be certain that her safety was guaranteed.

But it’s already morning!

Ariel hurriedly examined herself.

Fortunately, there were no wounds or needle marks anywhere on her body.

Phew. What a relief.

She let out a deep sigh of relief, but soon tilted her head in confusion.

She couldn’t understand why the people who wanted her blood had simply left her alone while she was completely defenseless.

What? Did I misunderstand everything?

Ariel quietly went over what had happened the previous day.

“…You really aren’t going to take my blood?”

“What would I possibly use your blood for?”

The master of the house had let out a baffled laugh at her question.

And then there was that boy, who had looked visibly flustered when she pointed at him.

Hmm.

After thinking seriously for quite some time, Ariel finally reached a conclusion.

Apparently, she had simply misunderstood what they meant by taking and sharing blood.

Phew…

Only then did Ariel relax, rubbing her rapidly beating chest.

Just then—

“My lady…?”

A faint voice reached her ears.

“Huh…?”

Ariel instinctively turned her head, her eyes widening.

“Oh, you’re awake!”

Jane, whom Ariel hadn’t even realized was there, suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.

And then—

Plop.

Something that had been resting against Ariel’s forehead fell off from the momentum.

“This is…”

It was a wet cloth.

Judging by how cold it still was, it seemed it had only recently been placed there.

Ariel silently stared at the cloth before turning toward Jane.

The smooth, glowing face that had been so radiant only a few days ago had become rough and haggard.

Come to think of it…

Now that she thought about it, Jane’s face had looked like that throughout the several days Ariel had refused both food and drink.

She remembered how anxiously Jane had fretted, insisting that something terrible would happen if Ariel didn’t eat anything.

Things that had been hidden beneath her overwhelming fear were finally beginning to become clear.

How could I have misunderstood such a kind human?

When Ariel gazed at Jane with teary eyes, Jane was startled.

“Why are you looking at me like that, my lady? Are you still feeling unwell?”

“No. I’m fine now.”

Ariel quickly shook her head.

“Oh, thank goodness.”

Jane let out a relieved sigh before picking up the bell on the table and ringing it.

“You called, Lady Jane?”

“The young lady has regained consciousness. Inform His Grace immediately, and go to the kitchen and bring something for her to eat.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Once the maid left, Jane turned back to Ariel.

“This time, no matter how stubborn you are, I’m going to make sure you eat. You ended up collapsing because you wouldn’t eat anything.”

Apparently expecting Ariel to refuse food again, Jane’s eyes trembled anxiously.

But that worry was completely unnecessary.

Ariel had not the slightest intention of skipping another meal.

After losing consciousness and seeing her perfectly healthy body and Jane’s attitude, most of her misunderstandings had been cleared up.

Above all, Ariel could no longer endure her hunger.

She devoured the thin soup brought by the maid as though she hadn’t eaten in ages.

Jane’s eyes widened.

“Oh my, if you can eat this well, why were you being so stubborn all this time?”

“Ah, well, actually…”

Ariel gave an embarrassed smile and was just about to explain why when—

“Y-Your Grace, I’m sorry! Please forgive me just this once!”

A terrified voice came from outside the window.

Curious, Ariel hurried over to the window.

Since Ariel was too short to see outside, Jane quickly picked her up and placed her on a chair.

What’s that?

A man whose face had gone completely white was being dragged away by several knights.

As Ariel tilted her head at the sudden commotion, Jane spoke.

“So that’s how it ended up.”

“Hm? Do you know who that human is?”

“He’s Baron Pyrell. He used to work under His Grace.”

“He used to work for him? Then why is he being thrown out like that?”

“Because he said something he shouldn’t have.”

“Huh? Said something he shouldn’t have?”

“It means he said something ridiculous. What was it again? He claimed that the reason His Grace grows younger instead of older with each passing year is because he consumes the blood and flesh of children.”

“W-What does he consume?”

What kind of cruel thing was that supposed to mean?!

Then did that boy’s claim about taking her blood really have some truth to it?

And had the master of the house been lying when he said, What would I possibly use your blood for?

Seeing Ariel turn pale, Jane burst into laughter.

“My lady, you actually believed that? Of course it’s just a ridiculous rumor.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. It’s complete nonsense. Baron Pyrell was only joking because His Grace never seems to age, but the rumor spread among the people, and that’s how he ended up like this.”

Jane shook her head, calling it utterly absurd, and only then did Ariel breathe a sigh of relief.

You scared me! Why would you spread such a horrible rumor? What a nasty human!

Just as Ariel was glaring at the baron as though he deserved to be expelled, there was a knock at the door.

The Grand Duke entered.

Having just heard something so terrifying, Ariel’s shoulders trembled slightly.

The Grand Duke frowned.

If she’s been lying in bed for an entire day, she should be resting quietly instead of wandering over to the window again.

Mistaking the trembling of her shoulders for shivering from the cold, he hurriedly closed the window and moved Ariel to the sofa.

“Has she eaten anything?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Since she hadn’t eaten for so long, I had her start with some thin soup. We intend to gradually increase the amount she eats.”

“At this rate, how long will it take for her strength to return? Bring out some snacks that children like.”

“But, Your Grace…”