Chapter 6: Demon of the Gem (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Demon of the Gem (1)
*
I scanned the lavish, spacious room.
Claudia’s room was quite large and well-decorated for a child’s quarters, but it couldn't even begin to compare to this place.
It looks like this is Veronica’s room.
I recognized its identity immediately.
The dark wood antique furniture, the red sofa, and the sparkling chandeliers and lamps that looked as if they were made of pure crystal. I couldn't tell if I was in a noble’s ballroom or a bedroom.
“So… we must leave at once…”
“But… Dia’s condition…”
“…”
I could hear the faint, intermittent voices of Veronica and Sophia.
Fortunately, it seemed Sophia hadn't been seriously injured when that bastard Cedric pushed her. It also appeared that Sophia was the one who had somehow managed to convey my situation to Veronica.
I pricked up my ears, pretending not to listen while absorbing every word. I had to know exactly how things were unfolding.
“Then how about waiting until a reply comes from the Ducal Family?”
“Who knows what Cedric might do to Dia before then?”
“Hmm…”
The two seemed to be looking for the right timing to flee the mansion.
The problem was that my body hadn't fully recovered. Also, they had apparently sent a letter to the Ducal Family, but it would take quite some time for a reply to arrive.
On top of that, there was no telling what that jerk Cedric might do if he lost his mind again.
It was good that Veronica had resolved to divorce him, but actually leaving the mansion presented many hurdles.
After a moment of thought, I spoke up.
“Mama.”
“…Yes?”
Veronica, who had been whispering with Sophia, turned her head in surprise.
As soon as she realized I was the one who called her, her face went pale, and she rushed toward me.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
“No, I’m not hurting anymore.”
“Your shoulder…”
“It doesn’t hurt at all. So, we can go.”
“…!”
Veronica’s eyes widened at my words. I stared calmly into her red eyes.
The sooner we left this mansion, the better. There was no benefit in dragging our feet and risking Veronica running into the female lead.
However, Claudia’s frail body was the issue. It was currently the middle of winter in the Empire. In this harsh season, a single mistake could lead to disaster, so it was only natural for Veronica to worry.
But it has to be now.
If we took our time, we might get swept up in the original story. If that happened, all my efforts would be for nothing.
Even if it killed me, Veronica had to get out of this mansion. With firm resolve, I looked at her with a serious expression.
“My sweet child, do you want to go outside and play?”
“…!”
“But you can’t just yet. If you catch the cold wind, you might get an ‘owie’ again.”
“That’s not it…”
Veronica, completely misunderstanding my intent, shook her head playfully.
This wasn't what I meant. Flustered, I tried to speak again.
But it was then.
“M-Madam!”
“…?”
The door burst open suddenly. Both Veronica and I turned our heads toward the sound.
“What is it?”
“That, well… the knights are outside…!”
“What?”
Startled by the maid’s words, Veronica hurried toward the door.
I, too, followed stealthily and peeked outside.
“…What is the meaning of this, Sir Haven?”
“…”
When the door opened, I saw knights standing guard outside.
At the very front stood a menacing man with a large scar on his face. Just by that scar alone, I knew exactly who he was.
Haven Lockwood.
He was the commander of the Deborah Knight Order, led by the male lead.
He had dark brown skin—rare for a citizen of the Empire—and a scar that slashed across the center of his face.
He wasn't a native of the Empire but a former foreign slave whom the male lead had first met on the battlefield.
Haven had been treated as arrow fodder by the enemy nation before being taken prisoner. However, the male lead recognized his exceptional skills, persuaded him to switch sides, and inducted him into the knight order.
Many knights had initially protested due to his background, but they were quickly silenced by his overwhelming prowess as he slaughtered enemy soldiers.
For Haven, following the male lead was surely better than serving a homeland that had used him as a slave and ultimately discarded him.
Moreover, he had continued to rise through the ranks to become the Knight Commander. Becoming the right-hand man of the male lead, who held the Empire’s military power, was a massive success.
Of course, many nobles still whispered about his origins, but neither the male lead nor Haven paid them any mind.
Haven’s dark gray eyes looked down at Veronica indifferently. After a brief silence, he spoke slowly.
“It is His Grace’s command.”
“What kind of command warrants your men surrounding my room?”
“The command is to not allow the Madam to step outside.”
“Ha…!”
Veronica let out a hollow laugh of disbelief. I was equally appalled.
This lunatic—just because she asked for a divorce, he’s locking her in her room? He’s a total psycho.
As much as I was stunned, Veronica was clearly livid, and her tone toward Haven was sharp.
“By what right does that man imprison me?”
“I merely follow His Grace’s orders.”
“Will you not step aside this instant?”
“…”
However, not a single knight followed Veronica’s command. Including Haven, they all remained silent and motionless.
This was hopeless. Unless Cedric rescinded the order, these knights would guard this spot. They would keep us from leaving the mansion indefinitely.
“My Lady, it’s dangerous, so please don’t go near them.”
“…”
Sophia took me further back into the room, so I couldn't watch the standoff between Veronica and the knights any longer.
But since Veronica couldn't possibly defeat the knights of the Deborah Knight Order—men who had made a name for themselves on the battlefield—the outcome was obvious.
At this rate, we’ll be trapped in the mansion.
I thought deeply while hugging the teddy bear Sophia had forced into my arms.
Come to think of it, Veronica said she had sent a letter to the Ducal Family.
But that letter obviously wouldn't have mentioned that knights were preventing us from leaving.
Even if they replied and got no further word, it would take a long time for the people at the Duke’s estate to grow suspicious and investigate…
By then, it’ll be too late.
It would be after the female lead and her child had already arrived at the mansion. I had no desire to witness that soap-opera mess like in the original story.
Therefore, I had to find a way to get out of the mansion somehow. I narrowed my eyes, recalling information from the original work.
And in that moment, I looked at the bracelet Veronica always wore on her wrist and smiled secretly.
*
“Heave-ho.”
Late at night.
I woke up stealthily while everyone else was asleep.
What I had to do next required that I not be caught by anyone.
My child’s body kept demanding deep sleep, but I resisted desperately. I had even made sure to take plenty of naps during the day for this very reason.
“Whew…”
Exhaling softly, I carefully surveyed my surroundings. Since the knights were on guard even at night, I couldn't afford to make a sound.
“Mmm…”
“…!”
Veronica was sleeping soundly beside me. Sophia was asleep on a sofa that was as wide as a bed, though it was a bit further from the main sleeping area.
I moved my body cautiously so as not to wake Veronica. Unlike Claudia’s room, the bed in Veronica’s bedroom was for adults, so the height was different.
“Ngh…”
Only after a long struggle did I manage to climb down from the bed. Sweat was already pouring off me like rain.
Get it together. I’m not done yet.
I moved quickly toward my target. Of course, being in a child’s body, I wasn't actually that fast.
“Hmm…”
After waddling over to Veronica’s dressing table, I looked up at it with a troubled face.
Perhaps because it was for adults, it was higher than I expected. The chair alone was more than half my height.
I can do this!
Clenching my fists, I placed my hands firmly on the chair.
I put all my strength into trying to crawl up onto it. My arms trembled violently.
Okay, I’ve got…!
Just as I thought my body was lifting into the air, the strength vanished from my arms. My frail limbs couldn't support my weight, and I lost my balance.
“Whoa…!”
My body tilted to the side. I instinctively reached out.
“Phew…”
Thanks to grabbing the dressing table, I fortunately didn't fall. However, the table rattled loudly under my weight.
“…”
Surely the knights didn't hear that?
Rattle, rattle.
Fortunately, the wind was blowing hard tonight, causing the windows to rattle continuously. It seemed the noise had masked my blunder.
“Whew…”
Relieved, I turned my head. I intended to try climbing the chair again.
“Huh?”
But when I turned, I saw something sparkling on the floor.
I approached it, my heart fluttering with hope.