Chapter 39
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Eliad's Undead
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Early morning.
In front of the Eliad mansion.
Was it the dazzling sunlight?
Or was it because my body felt as heavy as a thousand catties?
As soon as I stepped down from the carriage, a long yawn escaped me, unlike my usual self.
“Haaaaah…”
While stretching out the yawn lazily, my eyes met the gatekeeper's.
As expected of an Eliad employee.
He had the manners to overlook a guest's unseemly sight.
“You must be quite tired, young master.”
“...Ah, yes. A little.”
Liar.
Exaggerating just a bit,
I gave an awkward smile upon seeing him, who had become more familiar than even our own house's gatekeeper.
As always, I stood in front of the Eliad mansion's main gate.
While waiting for the main gate to open,
today, it wasn't the open gate that greeted me first, but a small act of kindness.
The gatekeeper, who had been about to open the door, handed me something.
I reflexively accepted his kindness, then checked what lay in my palm.
It was a small candy.
“This is…”
“When you're tired, something sweet helps.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Perhaps because I often packed Ruena's desserts
and shared them with the gatekeepers and other employees too.
At some point, Eliad's staff had started returning the favor with small gestures toward me.
Just like now.
The gatekeeper had occasionally given me little gifts before.
Most were in return when I shared desserts.
But handing something over first, without any reason, was rare.
‘What's this about? Did I really look that exhausted...’
It seemed polite to eat it right away, so I popped it into my mouth.
The moment it touched my tongue, a sharp, biting spiciness assaulted it, scrunching up my face involuntarily.
A pungent, intense aroma that stung sharply.
A spicy heat that made my nose twitch.
And amid it all, a deceptive hint of sweetness that tricked the senses.
Noble decorum,
the giver's goodwill.
It was a flavor that made me want to toss all of it aside.
I forced my expression to smooth out before finally asking the gatekeeper.
“Um... what kind of candy is this?”
“Horseradish ginger candy.”
“……”
...Why feed this monstrosity to me?
Had I ever wronged the gatekeeper?
As I chewed and swallowed the candy, I briefly reflected on past days in quiet remorse.
I tried to play it cool, but the gatekeeper noticed and commented slyly.
“Doesn't suit your taste, does it, young master?”
“……Ah, yes.”
It was too spicy to claim otherwise.
A heat that shattered even my thickest skin in an instant.
“Still, your eyes have that spark again. That's a relief.”
“Is that... so. Definitely, the drowsiness is gone.”
“I eat it when sleepiness hits during gate duty. Glad it worked for you too, young master.”
To shake off sleep with something like this.
Every job in the world truly had its own burdens.
Still—
Understanding the goodwill behind offering me this monstrosity made it far less infuriating than before.
I chuckled and thanked the gatekeeper.
“Thank you.”
“If you need more, just say the word. I always carry five or six.”
“Ah, no. That's...”
“Is that right? Miss Ruena asks for it often, so I figured it might suit you too.”
Ruena seeks out this abomination regularly?
As expected, the grand duke's successor role was tougher than imagined.
With a small laugh, the main gate swung open.
I rolled my stiff shoulders and headed toward the mansion.
Lately... I feel like I'm dying of exhaustion.
Is it because academy enrollment is drawing near?
Or because the days of legally lounging around are coming to an end?
Father keeps assigning me all sorts of tasks.
Not as weighty as successor duties,
but still not the sort of work for a mere third son of a count's family.
‘...I thought I'd slack off carefree until adulthood, but here I am, worked to the bone day after day.’
Father's orders and nagging echoed in my mind.
“Help your eldest brother with the paperwork.”
“Attend meetings to build experience.”
“You must join this banquet.”
“Before the academy, at least get your face known.”
Getting my face known? Fine, whatever.
Even in our noble house on the brink of chaos,
a count's family had its reputation and position to uphold.
But.
Why me, exactly?
There are two people above me besides big brother—
why am I the one attending meetings and reviewing paperwork?
...Of course, I had a rough idea why.
Among our five children, the somewhat usable ones were big brother first, then me.
The problem? It brought me zero joy.
Especially when compared to—
our headstrong sister, trash little brother,
and idiot gorilla Trisha with her brute strength.
‘Not because I'm exceptional, but because the rest are hopeless...’
Selected by process of elimination.
For someone like me, dreaming of a laid-back loafer's life, it was nothing but a hassle and fatigue.
‘Should've pulled off more outrageous stunts in life.’
But...
Eccentricity wasn't for just anyone.
Especially not to outdo sister, little brother, and gorilla Trisha.
‘Doomed.’
I let out a long sigh as I stepped deeper into the mansion.
Even I, a mere third son, was this worn out lately—
Ruena, heir to the grand duke's house, must shoulder several times the weight.
Yet she still joined me for lessons. Impressive.
Though... it probably wouldn't last.
Assisting big brother had only solidified that certainty.
Our current relationship was at a crossroads, right before our paths diverged.
Ruena as Eliad's successor,
me as the count family's backup choice via elimination.
‘Isn't the gap a bit too wide?’
A sigh escaped at my own pitiful lot.
Whatever the case,
one thing was clear: our paths were different.
Ruena was born for heights she couldn't avoid,
while I was just a pushed-around spare, but one who'd only grow busier with time.
“Still... I wish we could stay together until academy enrollment...”
The sudden mutter made my eyes widen.
I quickly glanced around sidelong.
Fortunately, not even an ant in sight.
Relieved, I headed up to the second floor.
For now, cherish the present while we could.
Wake Ruena, attend lessons together, share the desserts I'd brought—that daily routine.
But—
Today brought a massive change from the very start.
Her words were so unbelievable that my eyes bulged as I asked again.
“...Pardon? What did you just say...?”
“Miss Ruena has already risen.”
Had I just heard something utterly absurd?
Like the sun rising in the west only to teleport south.
Shock, confusion, astonishment.
And a touch of worry colored my gaze toward the maid.
“You didn't mishear.”
“……”
“She's not ill, either.”
“……Then...”
“She simply stayed up all night.”
Only then did I exhale in relief.
Good—my childhood friend hadn't suddenly gone odd.
But—
a new worry immediately reared its head.
“Ruena pulled an all-nighter?”
“Yes. She was handling paperwork and never left her desk. She's still at it now.”
As expected.
The successor role was one that devoured people.
Even our count's house had big brother the undead,
so the realm's foremost power, Grand Duke Eliad's house, would have even more.
I sighed and spoke to the maid.
“Then... should I wait in the parlor until she's done with paperwork?”
“No need. For you, young master Celen, entering Miss Ruena's office would be fine.”
Normally, I'd refuse,
but since this was unprecedented, I was inwardly worried about Ruena.
I nodded readily, and the maid guided me to the office as if she'd been waiting.
“Right here.”
“Ah, yes.”
Straining my ears, I heard the rustle of paper flipping and the scratch of a fountain pen.
A sound I'd grown used to while helping big brother.
Proof that a house's affairs were being handled—or that one person was dying inside.
‘That sound...’
I knocked cautiously on the door.
Then came the voice of Eliad's undead... no, Ruena's, more limp than usual.
“Yeees...”
“Hey, Ruena. You alive... no, you okay?”
“Ce... leeeen—?!”
Her fatigue-drenched voice snapped back to normal Ruena's the instant she said my name.
A moment later—
crash, bang, thud, rumble.
She seemed to be hurriedly clearing something inside.
Sound of papers falling,
desk items rolling away,
...something shattering.
“Waaah—, spilled it again—!”
Her clumsiness unchanged even amid successor duties—my forehead met my palm on reflex.
‘……What the hell is she doing.’
My worry for her doubled.
The moment I frowned, the door flew wide open.
Ruena faced me with sparkling eyes.
“Celen—!”
“...Ruena.”
But...
Unlike her sparkling eyes, Ruena herself was a total wreck.
Ink-stained dress,
heavy shadows under her eyes,
fatigue radiating from her entire form.
I scanned her up and down before muttering worriedly.
“...At least you're alive.”
“Uuu..., I feel like I'm dying...”
“Yeah, yeah...”
I stroked her head while surveying the office interior.
Anyone seeing it...
would think a storm had swept through.
Papers scattered everywhere,
books piled on floor and desk,
teacups and half-eaten snacks strewn messily atop the desk.
‘...Did she wipe out on the way over?’
I gave a hollow laugh at the pitifully toppled chair and tea table.
But—
the laughter died swiftly.
An ink bottle, seemingly dropped en route,
had left black stains across the floor and papers.
Forget thick skin—I panicked completely and shouted.
“Hey—! You can't just leave it like that?!”
“...Huh? Ah, aaaah?!”
Ruena froze, eyes wide.
Staring at her, I clutched my throbbing forehead.
‘Is this girl... really Eliad's successor...’
It was a moment when I genuinely worried for the kingdom and Grand Duke Eliad's house.