Chapter 72: You’re Quite Something, Aren’t You?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: You’re Quite Something, Aren’t You?
“Yes, Niel is amazing! And he’s Dia’s friend.”
“Hmm.”
Dantalion, having finished inspecting the neatly healed knights, looked at Nathaniel with intrigued eyes.
‘Nathaniel looks a bit nervous.’
Until now, Nathaniel’s attitude had remained the same regardless of who he met. His indifferent demeanor, showing no interest in anything, often flustered even adults.
Yet, under Dantalion’s gaze, that same Nathaniel was frozen stiff, like a frog before a snake.
I watched Nathaniel, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, with great interest.
‘I don’t think it’s because Dantalion is a Sword Master….’
After all, Nathaniel had already met another Sword Master: Duke Winston.
But Nathaniel had never been this tense in front of the Duke. It made me recall what Desmond had said while making a fuss.
‘Duke Winston was the "Duke Sword Master," Cedric was the "Annoying Sword Master," and Dantalion was the "Scary Sword Master."’
Desmond, too, was uniquely terrified of Dantalion. I thought it was just because he’d almost been caught eavesdropping on him, but perhaps that wasn’t the only reason.
“Since when could you use divine power?”
“That is….”
I spoke up on behalf of the flustered Nathaniel.
“Niel doesn’t remember!”
“He doesn’t remember?”
“Yes, he had a big accident.”
“I see.”
It seemed Dantalion was suspicious of Nathaniel. It would be a serious problem if he were a spy sent by the Temple.
I knew for a fact he wasn't a spy, but I had no way to prove that to Dantalion. Right now, I was just an innocent five-year-old little lady.
“So you don’t know when you started using divine power?”
“……Yes.”
“I didn’t see it with my own eyes, but someone capable of healing this many people at once would be a talent the Temple would covet.”
Normally, anyone who manifested divine power was expected to go to the Temple.
However, there were exceptions. If they caught the eye of a high-ranking noble like Duke Winston and became affiliated with a Great House, even the Temple couldn't take them away easily—provided the individual didn't wish to go.
“Do you not want to go to the Temple?”
“No.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Nathaniel’s swift reply, Dantalion’s lips curled upward as if he were pleased. Then, he let out a short remark.
“You’re quite something, aren’t you?”
“…….”
I wasn't sure exactly what he meant by "quite something," but Dantalion gave a small smirk and patted Nathaniel’s head as if stroking it.
“It seems the welcoming ceremony was rather grand, perhaps because such lucky charms have rolled into the Winston Ducal House.”
“Haha, it seems so.”
“Wouldn't this be a sign that the Ducal House and the Empire will prosper even more in the future, Your Majesty?”
As Dantalion spoke with a smile, the nobles flocked toward him to offer their flatteries. I hopped down from Veronica’s arms and approached Nathaniel.
“Niel, are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
Like he was okay. He was absolutely drenched in cold sweat. Moreover, his complexion was pale, likely from using his divine power.
“Dia, do you want to go back to the mansion if you’re tired?”
“Mhm, with Niel and Abel too.”
“Alright, then go inside together.”
Since it was almost time for my nap anyway, Veronica entrusted me to Sophia. I left the tea party early and headed into the mansion with the boys.
*
[Master, have you forgotten about this great one?]
“Oh, come on. What do you mean, forgotten?”
[How could you do this!]
That night, Desmond briefly slipped out of the Direwolf’s body and came to me to whine.
I continued in a dry tone.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be able to come to me soon. The Duke said he’d give you to me once the inspection shows nothing is wrong.”
[Sniff, it’s so lonely here….]
The Direwolf that Desmond inhabited was currently confined in the mansion’s basement, undergoing various tests.
While it was an undeniable fact that the Direwolf had exploded, they needed to collect precise evidence to punish Rosette.
‘I heard Rosette is already being held in the Imperial Palace Underground Prison.’
The quick-acting Dantalion had apparently seized Rosette and locked her up even before the evidence was fully secured.
Though it happened in Winston, there was enough justification since the incident nearly harmed Veronica, whose marriage had already been announced.
Instead, it was decided that Winston would handle the investigation of the Direwolf, while the Imperial Palace would handle the interrogation of the criminal.
“And I think we’re going to the Imperial Palace soon.”
[What? Already?]
“Yeah, Dantalion seems pretty anxious after this incident.”
Since both Veronica and I had been attacked once, and now an explosion had occurred, he seemed worried beyond measure.
In this era, there was a custom of "bride lessons," and the Imperial Palace was stricter than any other house. Thus, there was plenty of reason to call Veronica to the Palace.
It felt a bit early, but if they framed it as preparing for the wedding while conducting lessons to become the Empress, no one would be able to object.
‘Of course, Veronica is perfect, so she won’t need any lessons!’
Veronica took more pride in her perfect etiquette than anyone. She had already dominated social circles for a long time as the Empire’s only Ducal Lady. Who could be more suited for the role of Empress than her?
She would surely surprise everyone by being better than the people teaching her. I shrugged my shoulders with a confident smile.
[Then Master will become busy as well.]
“What? Why me?”
[Isn't it obvious? Master will soon become a member of the Imperial Family. No matter how young you are, they will surely put you through education.]
“Whaaaat?”
At Desmond’s words, I bolted upright in shock. Nathaniel, who was busy inhaling the dessert I had brought him tonight, blinked his eyes wide in surprise.
“Dia, what’s wrong?”
“Phew, it’s nothing.”
Feeling troubled, I shook my head.
Since I possessed this world, I had done many things, but I hadn't done much officially as a Little Lady.
Playing, eating, sleeping. And acting cute for those in power.
That was all I had been doing. Study? I had never done such a thing.
‘Because Claudia was sickly.’
Claudia, who had been frail since birth, was busy just trying to survive. So, Veronica hadn't given her any of the literacy or etiquette lessons that girls her age usually started receiving.
‘But I’ll probably have to do it once we enter the Imperial Palace.’
To think I have to do that tedious studying all over again just because I ended up in a child’s body.
I let out a deep sigh. Nathaniel, who had been staring at me, reached out his hand.
“I’ll get rid of everything you hate, Dia.”
“Huh?”
“I can do anything for you.”
“…….”
This feels a bit dangerous.
I stared intently at Nathaniel, who was uttering lines a novel’s male lead would say with a straight face.
“It’s okay, Niel. I don’t hate it that much.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Fortunately, Nathaniel quickly accepted my words and nodded. I stroked his head out of habit.
By now, it felt like a ritual to calm his anxiety.
“Let’s go to the Imperial Palace together, Niel.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Hehe.”
We looked at each other and smiled. I gently reached up and wiped a smudge from the corner of Nathaniel’s mouth.
Was it caramel pudding today? It was sweet, but I liked the texture, so I ate it often too.
“Let’s eat the pudding together.”
“Okay.”
And so, we spent the time together, harmoniously sharing the pudding.
*
“Dia, tell me.”
“Yesh.”
“You don’t want to go to the Imperial Palace, do you? Hmm?”
“…….”
“Right?”
Duke Winston held my hands and asked in a desperate tone. I just looked up at him blankly.
“What are you doing, Father? It’s already a settled matter.”
“But! Dia might not want to go!”
At Veronica’s scolding, Duke Winston cried out indignantly. I looked at him with a bored expression.
“Hmm? Dia, you don’t want to go, right? You want to stay with Grandpa, don’t you?”
“…….”
Duke Winston was the type of cold-handsome man who suited a characteristically expressionless face. Since he was a Sword Master, he barely aged and looked young for his years, so hearing him say such things was hard to get used to.
“Stop it, Father. We have to leave now.”
“Diaaaaa….”
The servants were quietly looking away from Duke Winston as he clung to me piteously. I let out a little laugh, as if I had no choice, and spoke.
“See you at the Palace, Grandpa!”
“Ugh.”
Finally giving up, Duke Winston stepped back. I took Veronica’s hand and walked forward leisurely.
Today was finally the day we would enter the Imperial Palace.