Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess's Exclusive Attendant (4)
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‘Has the day grown longer before I knew it...’
The Frozenheart Duke gazed out the window, teacup in hand.
Outside, the sun perched on the mountaintops was squeezing out its last rays, dyeing the world in its own colors.
It was truly a beautiful sight, but he couldn’t manage a smile.
Not long ago, the northern barbarians had raided the border.
Miraculously, there were no deaths, but several people had been injured—including 1st Knight Order Captain Chrome—and some might even have to retire.
‘When will this endless nonsense finally end...’
The duke was thinking just that, about to let out a long sigh,
when a knock came at the door, followed by a voice.
“It’s Elena.”
“Come in.”
The duke answered calmly, though inwardly he was taken aback.
Ever since he’d taken a new wife, Elena had never once come to his study.
‘It feels like just yesterday she was toddling in here, asking me to read her a picture book...’
Those happy days had become mere relics of the past.
Worried he might look disheveled, he hurriedly straightened things up,
and quietly, the door opened as Elena entered.
“Yes, my daughter. What brings you here?”
“W-well...”
Elena fidgeted with her fingers, struggling to speak.
What on earth could she want to talk about?
The duke was curious but didn’t press her.
He simply waited for her to tell him in her own time.
And soon enough, Elena opened her mouth.
“I... I want to learn magic...”
“Magic, you say...?”
“Yes... Actually, today I went to the training grounds with Luke...”
“I see. Tell me all about it. No, don’t stand there—sit down and tell me comfortably.”
The duke sat facing Elena and began to listen.
She’d gone to the training grounds and received sword training from the 1st Knight Order Captain.
Swinging a sword had been hard and difficult.
And finally...
“He said that if I become a great mage, I can protect people just like the knights do.”
“Yes, that’s right. If you become a great mage, you can protect many people.”
“So... I want to try learning magic...”
A great mage who could protect people.
It was good that Elena had found a goal, and even better that it was in such a positive direction.
But reality wasn’t something one could live on ideals alone.
Just like the knights on the front lines who dreamed of becoming heroes but ended up dying without achieving it.
‘If only she’d chosen to be a knight instead...’
Talent was often hereditary.
A knight’s child was likely to inherit a knight’s talent, and a mage’s child a mage’s.
So Elena must have been born with considerable knightly talent as well.
He himself had once been a renowned knight, and his late first wife had come from a knightly family.
But what about talent as a mage?
It was a complete unknown.
There was a chance she could become the great mage she dreamed of—or she might have no talent at all.
The path with higher odds of success, or the path her daughter desired.
What was the right choice for a parent?
After a moment’s deliberation, the duke made his decision.
“I’ll find you a magic teacher. Let’s give it a try.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. But you mustn’t give up—you have to work hard at it.”
“I will...!”
Elena broke into a bright smile.
It was the first smile he’d seen from his daughter in about two years, since his first wife passed away.
The duke felt a lump in his throat but held it back and smiled in return.
Ever since Elena had met that little attendant Luke, so many things were changing.
Elena emerged from the study, beaming with a radiant smile.
“Father said he’ll find me a magic teacher...!”
“Congratulations. Now all that’s left is for you to become a great mage.”
“Think I’ll be able to make a fire that big too someday?”
“Yes, I’m certain you will.”
Though she never used magic once in the story, her talent was on par with even the Magic Tower Lord.
She could summon massive fireballs—or even call down meteors if she wanted.
‘But I never expected the duke to allow it so easily...’
The Frozenheart Ducal Family had produced great knights for generations, so I’d assumed he’d oppose her becoming a mage.
Yet things had gone surprisingly smoothly.
Thanks to that, my meticulously planned ‘151 Ways to Convince the Duke’ went straight into the trash.
Not that I minded. Good things were good.
“Alright, let’s head back!”
“Yes, milady.”
Elena strode down the corridor, and I followed behind her.
How much time passed after that?
“Then I’ll be off, milady.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
I bid Elena farewell and left the mansion.
My destination was none other than the dining hall.
This was all for survival, after all—no skipping meals.
Especially now, in my growth spurt.
‘It’s crowded...’
The dining hall I arrived at was bustling with servants in maid uniforms.
Lunchtime hadn’t lined up before, leaving it empty, but this time I’d timed it perfectly.
As I stepped forward, gazes began to turn my way one by one.
Well, how often does a 9-year-old kid show up in the knights’ and servants’ dining hall?
It was only natural they’d be curious.
I ignored their stares as best I could and loaded my plate with bread, salad, and soup from the serving counter.
Now, where to sit...
As I scanned for a spot, a familiar face caught my eye.
It was Sein, the kind servant who’d escorted me to the study.
Her seat next to her was empty, so I headed straight there.
I still remembered that eerie smile of hers, but it beat sitting with strangers.
As I set my plate on the table, Sein’s gaze naturally turned to me.
“Your name was...”
“Luke. Luke Nineheart.”
“The Northern Grand Duchess’s exclusive attendant?”
“That’s right.”
“How old are you?”
“...Nine. But I’d like to eat now. Milady is waiting.”
She was bombarding me with questions, leaving no time to eat.
And I couldn’t very well answer with food in my mouth.
Who could’ve guessed? This was just the beginning.
At least, the bread-munching me had no idea.
“Wow—your cheeks are so squishy.”
“Please don’t touch...”
“Are you imitating an adult with that speech?”
“It’s not imitation. As milady’s exclusive attendant, I must maintain some dignity...”
“Kyaa— so cute~.”
I finished my meal unscathed, but the servants crowding around kept me pinned in place.
Even then, slender fingers kept caressing my cheeks and hands—it was enough to drive me mad.
This was no way for a servant to maintain dignity!
That was when it happened.
“What are you all huddled up doing...! I told you to uphold the dignity of the duke’s household servants...!”
A voice like thunder boomed from the dining hall entrance.
At once, the servants scattered like prey fleeing a predator.
I was grateful to be free, but also puzzled.
Who could command such a reaction from them?
The mystery was solved moments later.
“A new face...?”
A middle-aged woman with streaks of white in her hair tilted her head.
The monocle over one eye and her even more luxurious maid uniform marked her as no ordinary servant.
I didn’t know her exactly, but politeness couldn’t hurt.
“I’m Luke Nineheart, exclusive attendant to the Northern Grand Duchess Elena. Sorry for the disturbance.”
“I’d heard the news, but this is our first meeting. I’m Head Maid Glaya.”
She returned the greeting with equal courtesy, her posture elegant and refined as befitting a head maid.
“The servants were just momentarily curious. Most of them are unmarried despite being of marrying age, so please be understanding.”
“Yes, it’s fine. No real harm done.”
I replied, though still puzzled.
Wasn’t the head maid basically the queen of the servants?
It didn’t make sense for her to apologize so deferentially to a mere servant.
Come to think of it, Yulia and Sein had been pretty deferential to me too...?
‘I thought they were all young, but here they’re already past marriageable age...’
Well, my father and mother were quite young for having several kids.
It was a fresh reminder of this world’s norms.
“It’s not much by way of apology, but please accept this.”
Glaya offered me cookies—golden-brown and looking sweet and crisp.
In my past life, I hadn’t been big on sweets, but now they looked irresistible...
“Th-then thank you...”
I accepted them with a mumble, shrinking like a mouse into its hole.
I’d share them with Elena later. She’d love them, right?
It would be a bit longer before I realized just how prestigious the position of exclusive attendant truly was.
Unlike regular servants, they held an independent status, answerable only to their master.
It was some time later.
During the traditional ducal family breakfast, the duke suddenly spoke up.
“Elena, your magic teacher is coming this afternoon.”
“Yes...! I’ll get ready...!”
The day had finally come for Elena’s talent to bloom.