I was doomed.
Calling the head of a duchy Mr. Gardener was a sure way to get punished for insulting a noble.
Calypse’s eyes flickered slightly, indicating he was just as surprised.
My short legs dangled in the air, trembling.
“…Um, the gardener also held me like this.”
“……”
“The people of the Kreutz duchy are so kind, strong, tall, and cool.”
“……”
“Hehe.”
I was doomed.
My awkward smile was starting to cramp, and sweat was pouring from my forehead.
It would have been better if he got angry.
Was he too stunned to speak?
‘Well, I did call the Duke Mr. Gardener.’
Now he would surely send me to prison.
Or maybe execute me right here?
‘I don’t want to die like this. I just want to live to be an old lady and die naturally!’
Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, I closed my eyes tightly.
“Mr. Gardener? It must have been a slip of the tongue.”
Contrary to my expectations, a heavy sigh came from the other side.
“What?”
“Get a grip and look at this paper.”
I carefully opened my eyes-
Calypse handed me a piece of paper, seemingly out of nowhere.
Then he sat on the sofa across from me.
It was strange.
Normally, a duke would sit at his own desk, but he sat as if treating me as an equal.
“…This is….”
I checked the paper he handed me.
It was the contract I had seen before.
“The contract is still valid, kid.”
“What?”
“So, you don’t need to tremble in fear. Once you bring the direct heir, I’ll have you adopted into a viscount family.”
My eyes widened at his words.
“…But I’m a spy from the Pose family.”
“I know.”
“And yet you’re being so kind to me?”
“Don’t you want to live? You revealed Dorothy’s identity as a spy for that reason.”
“Uh, yeah….”
So, the story about me revealing Dorothy’s identity came from the duke?
“Your Excellency.”
“What?”
I needed to stay calm.
“…You are my savior.”
My mouth moved on its own, contrary to my intention.
The red eyes behind the mask widened slowly.
“…….”
He was silent for a moment.
Perhaps a bit flustered, his gaze wandered before looking down at the paper.
“Stop with the nonsense and get some rest.”
He turned back to his desk, once again the Duke of Calypse.
“Yes!”
I responded energetically and left the office.
He seemed a bit surprised by my words.
Or was it just my imagination?
* * *
That evening.
“Hey, mister, you know, the Duke Calypse isn’t as bad as I thought. I think I misunderstood him.”
My legs dangled cheerfully in the air.
The gardener stared at me as if amused by my excitement.
Since I received that sandwich, I often had meals with him. Visiting the garden during meals had become my routine.
The gardener, who was resting his elbows on the outdoor table, took out a handkerchief.
“Really? What made you think so?”
Wiping the crumbs from my mouth with his handkerchief had also become routine.
I shared the afternoon’s events with him in detail.
“-So, I called him the gardener, and he let it slide. He even trusted me despite my big mistake.”
“A big mistake?”
He listened quietly without interrupting and asked gently.
“What was the big mistake?”
“That’s a secret! It’s a secret between the Duke and me. I can’t tell you, even though you’re my friend.”
I crossed my arms and replied primly.
Of course, revealing I was a spy was forbidden. I wanted to tell the gardener, but it was a big no-no.
“…I see.”
“Yes, secret. A big secret.”
“If it’s a secret with the Duke, then I guess I can’t know.”
Surprisingly, the gardener didn’t press further.
Was it just my imagination?
It seemed like he smiled faintly when I mentioned the ‘secret’ with the Duke.
* * *
After that, things progressed quickly.
When the Pose Duke heard about Dorothy, he denied she was his spy.
Eventually, the Kreutz duchy sent her body and the fabric with the writing, prompting an official apology from the Pose family.
Because of this, Calypse decided to travel to the Duktia Kingdom with fifty knights, claiming he couldn’t trust the Pose family.
It was more of a threat than a request.
The Pose Duke couldn’t say a word against Calypse’s unilateral message.
After Calypse left,
“You must be Aisha? Are you hungry?”
The rumor that I revealed Dorothy’s identity spread, changing the servants’ attitudes toward me.
Especially after they heard I was called personally by the Duke, they became more friendly.
Thanks to that, I sometimes received strawberry tarts from the maids.
“Is the gardener not here today?”
But the problem was.
“No. He’s on leave again.”
“Again?”
“I don’t think he’ll be back soon…. Just stay indoors.”
Since Calypse left, the gardener had also disappeared.
Once again, hearing I couldn’t go to the garden, my shoulders slumped.
‘If he was going on a long leave, he should have told me!’
I came to have lunch together.
The gardener had become a special person to me.
He was the first adult who helped me, and the only friend-like figure since my reincarnation.
‘But he probably doesn’t feel the same. To him, I’m just one of many people passing by.’
I trudged back inside, my eyes downcast.
“…The Lady is lucky. She has a father who searches the world for her. I’ve never had parents like that.”
Not in my past life or this one. I never had such parents or family.
Shivering from the sudden loneliness, I went inside and ate a sandwich alone.
Well, things were going well.
But why did I feel so down?
“Cheer up, cheer up!”
Slapping my forehead to snap out of it, I grabbed a nearby newspaper.
There was no time to be sad about the gardener. Today was an important day.
‘Today is the day I get adopted into the Viscount Freesia family!’
I read the newspapers I had collected with a determined gaze.
The maids had discarded them, but they contained valuable information about the viscount family.
‘This is what a prepared daughter should do, right?’
As the maids braided my hair, I quickly scanned the information about the Freesia family.
And soon-
“Nice to meet you. Your name is Aisha, right? His Excellency mentioned you’re a bright child, and I’ve been eager to meet you. We came to have lunch together.”
As promised, Viscount Freesia and his wife arrived.
“Ah, yes.”
“What a lovely name. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Their kindness didn’t seem fake.
As we sat down, the viscountess’ fingers trembled slightly as she extended her hand for a handshake.
She had calm brown hair and green eyes.
Her gentle smile and soft appearance gave the impression of a kind-hearted couple.
Swish-
Quickly scanning their expressions, I clenched my small fists under the table.
This was a chance to live with wealthy and loving guardians.
I couldn’t let it slip.
“…Hello, Viscount Freesia, Viscountess.”
After shaking hands, I stood up and lifted the hem of my dress.
Of course, I had thoroughly learned noble etiquette during my spy training.
“Have they already taught you noble manners?”
“I didn’t learn formally, but I studied hard in case I met you.”
Speaking with determination, the viscount was impressed.
“His Excellency said you’re very smart. Please, have a seat.”
“Yes.”
Phew. First impressions seemed to be good.
I calmed my pounding heart and sat down.
“How old are you?”
“Five years old.”
“I see. Have you heard about the Freesia family?”
The interview had begun.
“Yes, of course.”
‘I’ve been gathering information about the viscount family for a month.’
I smiled politely, knowing they would like it.
“The Freesia family was the first commoner family to be granted a noble title in the Frozen Kingdom, and His Excellency Calypse personally bestowed land upon them.”
“Oh my.”
“The territory called Frendia is a rich agricultural area along the river, and I know its main export is wheat.”
“…Oh.”
The viscount couple’s eyes widened at my detailed explanation.
Was I passing the interview?
No, I needed to secure it.
I kept smiling.
“If I get adopted, I want to learn swordsmanship in the Freesia family. Originally, my goal was to be a mercenary, but if you permit, I aim to become a knight commander. Of course, I plan to marry for the glory of the Freesia family.”
“……?”
“But these are just personal plans to become the golden wheat of Freesia, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to tell me.”
Sip.
I drank my milk like it was tea and smiled.
“Goals can always change.”
“…….”
The viscount, who had been silent, whispered to his wife while looking at me in amazement.
“…His Excellency must have wanted to raise her himself but felt sorry for us without children.”
“…Indeed.”
Secret compliments are usually true. It seemed I would have a smooth life with the Freesia family.
At that moment.
A knock sounded, and a maid bowed as she entered.
“Viscount, I’m sorry to interrupt, but His Excellency has returned. Would you like to greet him?”
“What? Already?”
“When he went to the Duktia Kingdom, they didn’t allow portal use, so he traveled directly…”
The maid continued, bowing.
“He used a portal to return to the Frozen Kingdom and arrived quickly.”
“I see. Did he bring the Lady with him?”
The viscount stood up. I straightened my back, a bit nervous.
Surprisingly, the maid remained silent instead of answering.
After a moment.
The maid closed her eyes and bowed her head.
“The Lady… was not found.”
…What?
I dropped the fork I was holding.
The original story had gone off track.
Thank you so much