Chapter 58
“What is This Ugly Thing?”
“Come closer, Nataniel.”
“…Yes.”
At my cue, the Duke of Winston motioned for Nataniel to approach. Nataniel nodded slightly and stepped toward us.
“We found him alone at the scene of the fire and brought him here. His name is Nataniel,” the duke announced.
“Yes…”
Of course, this was all part of my plan.
Last night, after letting Nataniel eat his fill of pound cake, I sent him to the fire scene with the help of the demons. Ensuring that the temple officials wouldn’t notice him, but that he would be discovered by the Winston family, was no easy task.
With three powerful demons assisting, it had worked. Nataniel had caught the duke’s attention and had been brought into the mansion. I had warned him beforehand, so he was desperately avoiding looking at me, determined not to betray our plan.
Even though his acting was clumsy, I still smiled warmly at him.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Dia!”
Nataniel ignored me completely, and a chill seemed to fill the room.
How dare he ignore Dia!
That was exactly what Vincent and Branden’s eyes seemed to say. Veronica smiled, but her gaze was no less intimidating.
“Haha, he’s a bit quiet. Our Dia will understand,” the duke said kindly.
“Yes…” I replied.
Curiously, only the Duke of Winston seemed pleased by Nataniel’s attitude. Why, I wondered.
Regardless, my plan had succeeded. The Duke of Winston was the type to recognize talent regardless of background. He would quickly notice that Nataniel was no ordinary child—and indeed, he didn’t send him to an orphanage but brought him directly into the mansion.
“Is he going to stay with us from now on?” I asked.
“Hmm, it seems so. He seems to have lost his memory from the shock, and he doesn’t have a family,” the duke explained.
“Wow, that’s great!”
“You’re happy about that?”
“Yes! Niel is cute.”
I had always thought Nataniel’s name was a bit long. Since he was recovering his strength while training with the knights, I considered letting Veronica form a contract with Luerus. I wanted to call him by a nickname, just like I did with Dia, and now I had the chance.
Niel… that works. I should have him form a contract with Veronica before Cedric interferes.
“Niel?”
Cedric wasn’t the type to quietly accept a trial. He would surely try to harm me or threaten Veronica in collusion with the empress.
“Yes, Nataniel is Niel for short.”
“Hmm, our Dia giving him a nickname… that’s quite something.”
He might even harm the other Winston family members, so Veronica would need power beforehand.
“Hehe,” I said softly. Tonight, I’ll call him Niel.
The Duke of Winston murmured something as if displeased, but I just smiled and ignored it.
“Anyway, the knights can take care of him,” I decided, and Desmond nodded in agreement.
“Yes, understood.”
After eating and resting, night fell. I still stayed in Veronica’s room, so I had to go elsewhere to call Luerus. Raven, the captain of the knights, took Niel along. As he left, Niel glanced back at me, and I subtly waved.
I had promised I would come see him, so I needed to know where he was staying.
I’ll visit you tonight.
I mouthed the words silently, and Niel seemed to understand, nodding slightly. He followed Raven without complaint.
[Got it.]
[I’ll find him!]
Now that the Duke had officially brought Niel in, he no longer had to stay in that filthy room. That alone was satisfying.
Bibi led the way to find Niel. We headed there quietly.
[Master, who will Luerus form a contract with?]
Hmm… Niel is alone?
[Yes, and he has his own room.]
I hadn’t decided yet who would proxy-contract with Luerus, the last demon.
Good.
It had only been one day, but eating with the family after so long had given me time to think. I had worried that, being a young knight apprentice, he might have been made to share a room with other children—but thankfully, he had his own space. Captain Raven must have realized he was no ordinary child.
[Considering Luerus’ personality, he might be most compatible with your mother.]
What’s Luerus like?
We reached Niel’s room without issue; it wasn’t far from the servant quarters.
[Hmm… a bit… picky in taste, I’d say. He likes anything fancy and flashy.]
Then he’d be a good match for Mother, right?
“Niel.”
“….”
“Niel?”
I asked seriously. If Bibi were around, he would surely flirt with Veronica.
I knocked gently and opened the door. Calling his name, Niel remained seated, still cautious.
Desmond shook his head.
Even demons have compatibility. If a human doesn’t match, the demon can’t show its full power, even in a proxy contract.
Dolens matched well with Dantellion, Ines wasn’t bad for Niel, and Luerus needed careful pairing to fully awaken his strength.
“Can we talk now?”
[Yes. Coincidentally, both have contracted with compatible humans. Luerus must be chosen carefully to unleash his full power.]
“Ah…”
I had told Niel not to acknowledge me to avoid ruining the acting, but now I realized it was necessary even when we were alone. Luerus seemed to love beauty and flashy things, so he probably wouldn’t pair well with serious people like the Duke or Vincent.
Then it has to be Veronica…
“No, you can talk now. Same as outside.”
“Mm.”
Dia could trust and rely on Veronica above anyone else—and I trusted her as a solid ally. Of course, we had to be careful when others were around, but now, they were no longer strangers.
I smiled brightly, and Niel’s expression softened. The tense, rigid face relaxed slightly, showing a glimmer of relief. He still observed me cautiously, his eyes alert.
“Oh, right. I brought a gift today.”
“A gift?”
“Yes! This time, chocolate chiffon cake.”
Having learned that Niel liked chocolate, I had brought a cake made from it. When he saw it, his eyes widened.
“Chocolate! I like it.”
“Great.”
“Dia likes it too.”
“Uh… yes.”
His sudden comment caught me off guard, but it was clear he was happy to eat chocolate.
“Dia, eat with me.”
“Eh? No, I’m fine.”
Normally, I didn’t like sweets much, and I was tired from pretending to enjoy them in front of the family. Niel insisted, though, and I had to refuse a few times.
“Okay, then next time I’ll bring something I like. We’ll eat together.”
“Alright.”
Satisfied with the answer, Niel smiled. He had already learned how to negotiate like this.
I shook my head, then took out the pendant. Watching Niel eat, I asked,
“Can I do something else?”
“Mm.”
“Thanks.”
With Niel’s permission as the room’s master, I looked at the pendant and lightly kissed the red gem.
“Luerus?”
[…]
This time, his response was slow. I didn’t panic, knowing no reaction didn’t mean he wasn’t awake.
Soon, smoke rose from the pendant—red and distinct from the other gems.
“You’re Luerus?”
[…]
What is this ugly thing?
