Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Special Treatment
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The faint glow of a lamp illuminated the dark office.
Crack, crackle—. The embers in the fireplace, which had burned all night, flickered faintly.
“The increased snowfall has led to a surge in monsters, causing severe damage to our military equipment. The forge has requested more manpower. We've also detected movement among the aristocrats of the noble faction, with southern merchant guilds involved…”
Anton, the Grand Duke's head butler, was delivering his report.
Quite a few things had happened in the grand duchy while Elbadin was away.
“And this is a report the maid, Mei, just brought.”
“…”
It was a report about Lucillea, who had come to the grand ducal estate after being chosen by the Elite Corps.
It contained ordinary details: Lucillea had woken up late in the evening, quickly bathed, and then had a late dinner.
Flip. As Elbadin turned another page of the report, his brow furrowed slightly.
This was because it included a detailed description of the wounds and scars on Lucillea's body.
Alongside it were Mei's fiercely scribbled curses, declaring the signs of abuse to be clear.
Two more pages followed, filled with profanities too vulgar to repeat.
As Elbadin's expression twisted, Anton defended Mei with a bitter smile.
“It seems seeing the child, Lucillea, reminded Mei of her own childhood. You know she can't just let things like this slide.”
“…”
But Elbadin, unable to read any further, put the papers down as if disgusted.
“When dawn breaks, tell Irevan to examine her thoroughly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And tell Camilla to keep an eye on the child for the time being.”
When Elbadin moved to assign even the head maid to Lucillea's side, Anton spoke in a slightly worried tone.
“Your Highness, it seems talk is already spreading.”
“Talk?”
“As if assigning Mei as her maid upon her arrival wasn't enough, she was immediately assigned to the fifth floor of the west annex.”
“What of it?”
“What of it, Your Highness? No child has ever gone to the fifth floor immediately upon arrival, nor has your approval ever been granted so quickly. It's unprecedented.”
The west annex of the grand ducal estate.
It was the building that housed the children chosen by the Elite Corps.
Its scale was comparable to a small academy within the estate, and the fifth floor, in particular, was reserved for the most exceptional among the chosen children.
Depending on which floor they lived on, another hierarchy existed among them.
Anton said in a cautious voice.
“I'm concerned she'll be singled out by the other children before she's even had a chance to adjust.”
But Elbadin's reply was cold.
“Singled out? Ridiculous. Placing someone in a position befitting their ability—that is the law of this Grand Duchy. Tell them that if they cannot abide by it, they are free to leave at any time.”
Anton, who had hesitated for a moment at Elbadin's words, bowed his head and replied.
“Yes, Your Highness. I misspoke. But… is the child truly that capable?”
“…”
It was a question that cut to the heart of the matter: did Lucillea possess the skill to warrant such treatment?
At Anton's question, Elbadin's gaze drifted to the window.
The dim, deep dawn. Gray clouds drifted over the half-set morning moon.
“There's a spell cast on the child.”
“Pardon?”
Anton's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected answer.
Elbadin continued, his tone calm but not light.
“It doesn't seem to be a threatening spell, but it's best we keep an eye on her.”
“Ah… So that's why you assigned Mei…”
Elbadin nodded once.
“I've already contacted the Magic Tower, so keep this a secret for now. There's no need to cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Elbadin shifted his gaze from the window to Anton and asked.
“And Serdian?”
As if he had been waiting for the question, Anton replied.
“The monsters that invaded the northern border have all been repelled, and the Young Lord is on his way back after wrapping things up. We expect him to arrive by dawn.”
The final part of the report concerned Serdian, the heir to the Grand Duchy of Descartes.
His eyes returning to the documents, Elbadin spoke slowly.
“Is he injured?”
When Elbadin asked about Young Lord Serdian's condition, Anton smiled faintly.
“The Young Lord is unharmed. Is he not the heir to the Grand Duchy? He is beyond the reach of mere monsters.”
But Elbadin replied curtly.
“He is still thirteen. No matter how outstanding his innate abilities are.”
“…That is true, Your Highness.”
Elbadin briefly looked up at Anton.
“Anton.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I've been away for a long time. I know the affairs of the Grand Duchy are as important as the search for my child. …Eight years is long enough.”
“Your Highness…”
“But, Anton.”
Elbadin's tone grew cold.
“Just because I spend little time at the estate does not mean I am not the head of this house. And just because my sister has been helping with the duchy's affairs in my stead does not make her the head either.”
“…Of course, Your Highness.”
“Especially when it comes to Serdian, I expect my sister's influence was involved.”
Elbadin was reprimanding him for allowing Serdian to be sent into actual combat without his permission. Anton lowered his head.
“…My apologies, Your Highness.”
Elbadin looked back down at the papers.
“You are the head butler of this Grand Duchy. My sister is no longer its lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do not be swayed by her interference any longer.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”
Elbadin did not hold Anton accountable.
Anton had watched over Elbadin and his older sister, Anasis, since they were children.
He had spent more time with them, for longer, than even the late Grand Duke and Duchess.
He knew full well that if Anasis had been determined to give an order, it would have been difficult for Anton to refuse.
But that was only Anton's perspective.
Elbadin felt he could no longer overlook Anasis's actions.
“Anton.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“As soon as dawn breaks, contact Marchioness Anasis Belgar. Tell her to visit not as the lady of the Grand Duchy, but as the Marchioness.”
“As you command, Your Highness.”
***
“Lady Lucilleaaaa~.”
I'm here~! It's Mei~.
“…”
[Lucy! Lucy! Intruder!!]
“Lady Lucilleaaaaa~. Today's sun has risen just for the lovely Lady Lucillea~. It will be sad if you don't say good morning~.”
[Lucy! Lucy! Open your eyes! Some strange lady just came in, I tell you?!]
Squawk, squawk, squawk! Caw, caw, caw!
Cookie flew around the room, letting out a tremendous cry as if sounding a warning.
“Cookie, you're so loud…”
Ugh, my head is ringing.
Lucillea, sitting up with disheveled hair, snatched Cookie as he happened to fly past her.
“I told you to be quiet.”
[But Lucy! A strange lady is suddenly acting all chummy with you!]
Lucy's mine! She likes me best!
As she bickered with Cookie, Mei approached, her eyes twinkling.
“My goodness, Lady Lucillea. Is that parrot the same one that was sleeping in the cage last night?”
Who does she think she is, acting so familiar?! While pinching the squawking Cookie's tiny beak between her fingertips, Lucillea nodded and said.
“Yes, that's right. His name is Cookie. He's a friend I've known since my old village. I asked His Highness to let him come with me. Now, Cookie. Say hello, won't you?”
[…]
Lucillea let go of his beak. But Cookie only glared at Mei, keeping his beak shut tight.
When Lucillea poked his yellow head, Cookie reluctantly dipped his head in a little bow.
His beak, which naturally protruded, seemed to stick out even more today.
It seemed he was not pleased with Mei's appearance.
Just then, Mei took something from her pocket and held it out to Cookie.
“I brought this just in case. Do you think he'd eat something like this?”
[Huh?!]
“Oh…”
Cookie's sharp eyes went round. They sparkled as if they were filled with stars.
[That! What is that?! It smells so delicious! Lucy! Tell her to give it to me! Quick!]
What Mei had taken out was a red berry.
“It's a fruit called a rache. It only grows in the north. In the north, where food is scarce, birds go crazy for it.”
[I wanna eat it! Let me try it!]
Let me go crazy for it too! Give it here!
Excited, Cookie opened his small, insignificant yellow beak menacingly.
Mei chuckled and placed the berry in Cookie's beak.
Cookie gripped the berry with one foot and began to tear into it passionately.
[Ooh, wow, so tasty, nom nom nom, my goodness, what is this? Is this the taste of a life turned around?!]
“…”
His yellow beak was quickly stained red.
‘So they really do go crazy for it.’
At least, that's how it looked to Lucillea.
Just then, Mei whispered in Lucillea's ear.
“Lady Lucillea, this way with me.”
“Huh?”
While Cookie was distracted by the berry, Mei took Lucillea's hand and led her away.