IAt5YOSWKV Chapter 27

Calypse carried Aisha out of the infirmary and asked in a cold tone, “Is what Knox and Mai said true?”

Aisha’s big blue eyes blinked for a moment, then she nodded after some hesitation. “Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“You weren’t at the castle,” she answered clearly.

“No, even if I hadn’t left for the monster subjugation, you wouldn’t have told me, would you?”

“…Ugh.”

At his second probing question, Aisha was at a loss for words, her lips forming a small triangle shape. The sound of her big eyes rolling was almost audible, as if her little brain was working hard.

Finally, what came out of her mouth was, “You’re smart, Uncle.”

Thumbs up.

“…”

‘Is she pretending to be innocent, or is she just naturally like this?’

Whichever it was, it was enough to break down Calypse’s defenses. In fact, when Knox had knelt and apologized, Calypse had held back all the words he wanted to say.

Knox had been wary of Aisha, whether Calypse was present or not, and it was somewhat understandable, as Aisha had been a spy. It made sense to be cautious.

But when Mai revealed something Calypse hadn’t known…

“…”

He felt as if something deep within him crumbled to pieces.

‘He pitied you and adopted you, but he doesn’t trust you. After all, you were the one who lied first.’

Pitied her? He adopted her out of pity?

But because she hadn’t found the Princess, he didn’t trust her?

…Him?

“Did you believe what Mai said?”

He couldn’t hold back the rough tone that slipped out.

Once again, Aisha pursed her lips tightly as if unsure of how to respond.

So, she had really believed that?

“Sigh.”

Where do I even start?

Calypse let out a low, helpless laugh, recalling the day he had left for the monster subjugation. The normally cheerful girl had awkwardly smiled and forced herself into his arms.

‘Had it started back then?’

“Kiddo. No, Aisha.”

He gently set her down on the ground. The little girl, who didn’t even come up to his waist, blinked up at him with wide eyes as he spoke clearly into her ear, making sure she heard every word.

“Aisha. I trust you.”

“Pardon?”

No, that didn’t feel right. It didn’t convey the full depth of what he wanted to say.

Frowning, Calypse searched for the right words. “Aisha. If it weren’t for you, I—”

“Huh?”

“…I.”

How could he say this? That he had planned to die? That the day he met her, he was going to end his own life?

Was that really something you could say to a child?

Hundreds of thoughts rained down on him like a storm.

Calypse felt as if he were standing at the edge of a cliff, facing this small five-year-old, overwhelmed by how to express himself without causing harm.

It was then that—

“Uncle.”

Calypse opened his eyes at the playful call.

A tiny thumb playfully poked his cheek.

“I can hear you thinking all the way over here, Uncle.”

“…?”

Only then did he notice the small smirk on her face as she giggled, her lips curling up mischievously.

“Now do you understand how I feel?”

“What?”

She continued, “When I’m thinking hard, it’s because I’m worried. Just like you’re worried about me right now, right?”

This little one was always a step ahead of him—whether in honesty or maturity.

“…Yeah.”

After a brief hesitation, Calypse nodded quietly. For a moment, he almost thought she had grown 10 centimeters taller. The unfamiliar sensation of pride bloomed in his heart.

“Yes, I’m worried. And I care about you a lot.”

Her grin widened at his straightforward answer, her laughter as sweet as petals fluttering in the wind.

Calypse, feeling light-hearted, emphasized again, “I care about you a lot.”

“Heehee.”

“So come here, kiddo.”

“Yay!”

With arms stretched wide, she leapt into his arms, snuggling against him as always. Calypse couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“Uncle, can I go back to Knox and Mai now?”

“What for? Are you going to punish them?”

“There’s no punishment.”

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she wriggled out of his embrace and struck a determined pose.

“To be honest, I felt really, *really* good.”

 

* * *

 

“To be honest, I felt *really* good.”

Uncle’s face showed surprise at my words, but I was being sincere.

It wasn’t a joke, nor was I just saying it.

When Knox and Mai sincerely apologized, I felt a rush of happiness that almost made me giddy.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Uncle quickly returned to his usual skeptical self. He sighed and opened the door, and Knox and Mai, still kneeling, turned to look at him.

“…We’re ready to accept any punishment.”

Knox had even taken off his monocle, as if bracing himself for a blow.

Why do they keep insisting on receiving punishment?

“Heehee.”

I stood in front of Knox and Mai, smiling brightly. Despite the fact that they were both kneeling, we were almost at eye level. Once again, I was reminded of just how small I was.

“Knox, Mai.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“So, does this mean you acknowledge me now?”

Their faces showed confusion at my question.

To be honest, I had been hurt by their mistrust. I had resolved to prove myself and imagined that, when this day came, I would give them a piece of my mind and feel satisfied.

But instead of satisfaction, what I felt was pure joy.

“Does this mean you accept me now?”

Being acknowledged as part of the Kreutz family. It felt like I had finally taken the first step away from being a spy. That fact alone made me so happy and grateful to them for accepting me.

“…Heehee. Come on, say it!”

As my emotions overwhelmed me, my body wriggled in excitement, and Uncle had to steady me with his hands.

Nox, still serious as ever, replied, “It is only natural that the Princess be acknowledged as such. In fact, since His Grace decided to adopt you, I should never have doubted you in the first place, but…”

“I liked that you doubted me, though.”

“…What?”

Knox’s eyes widened, and so did Uncle’s and mine.

“You must have a really good eye for people, Uncle. After all, you made Knox your right-hand man. And Mai too.”

I tried to explain, but Knox still seemed confused.

Hmm.

I tapped my chin and continued, “It’s not easy to go against your master, but you did it because you were worried.”

“…”

“I may only be five years old, but I’ve seen plenty of people who are willing to throw others away to protect their position.”

In Pose Manor, in spy training, even in my faint memories of my previous life.

I had always been competing, always striving to reach the top.

I understood.

There weren’t many people who would sacrifice themselves for others in that kind of environment.

“But Knox and Mai didn’t do that.”

That kind of person is rare.

“That’s why being acknowledged by both of you makes me really happy.”

Heehee.

‘So now you have to treat me well, right?’

Feeling bold, I threw them a playful wink, something I’d seen my spy instructors fall for time and time again.

“Heehee. Wink.”

But Knox and Mai just stared at me like statues.

Jeez, these people have no sense of humor.

“Well then… I’ll just… go…”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I awkwardly shuffled past them.

“…I need to eat cake with Lucas, my big brother!”

And with that, I bolted down the corridor.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, as Aisha scampered away…

“Smile.”

“…What?”

“I said, smile. The kid just gave you a wink, something she’s never done for me.”

“…”

Knox and Mai, who were already at a loss for words, looked even more bewildered, as if they had been hit over the head.

After a brief silence, Knox asked, “Your Grace.”

“What is it, man?”

“What does the Princess like?”

“What?”

Calypse was confused, not understanding the sudden question.

“Oh, a scarf! The Princess needs a scarf!”

Mai suddenly remembered something and leaped to her feet, exclaiming. Then, mumbling incoherently to herself, she quickly ran off somewhere.