IFHWPUML Chapter 011

“Master.”

“What is it?”

“Could you spare a moment? I have something to tell you…”

The fact that Rohan, who was able to handle most things on his own, was looking for his master, Chase, meant that something had happened.

Chase had no choice but to look his way.

“Lizelle wins!”

As if waiting for this outcome, Raphel shouted loudly. Lizelle also cheered internally.

Chase’s forehead twitched. Why did Rohan need him now of all times… However, he still spoke calmly, expression completely calm, as if nothing happened.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Although he pretended there was nothing wrong, his insides were boiling.

“Yes, go ahead.”

Wilhazelle showed a victorious smile, face relaxed. The attitude of a winner.

Chase didn’t want to see her like that, so he turned around and followed Rohan out of the room.

The first meeting of Chase and Wilhazelle did not go very smoothly.

“Victory!”

On the other hand, the two who hit it off at their first meeting, looked at each other and laughed.

“Yes, thanks to your support.”

“Hehehe.”

Raphel smiled shyly, his cheeks brightening at the complement. Wilhazelle flopped down onto the sofa. Her mind a mess from the unexpected fight. After rubbing her tired eyes with both hands, she leaned back onto the sofa to rest for a while since she felt tired.

She was preparing for another match that could possibly break out if Chase returned.

She couldn’t lose this time either.

 

***

 

After leaving the room, Chase immediately stopped in the hallway and glared at Rohan.

“What is going on?”

Just by his voice, Rohan could tell how unhappy he was. If Rohan hadn’t called for him, he believed he would have been able to defeat that conceited trickster…

Chase, who had a reputation for being levelheaded, had lost his composure without realizing it and was caught up in a childish fight.

Rohan was taken aback when he saw his master like this for the first time. Until now, he had always been a stern master who avoided troublesome situations and if someone tried to cross him, he would cut them down with his sword.

A person like that is frustrated because he doesn’t want to lose to a weak woman… It was a strange sight.

“Sorry, all the bottles containing the antidote have been broken.”

“What?”

Unlike Rohan, who was speaking calmly, Chase frowned.

“The shelf that was holding them suddenly collapsed earlier. I apologize. They placed an order but were told we wouldn’t be able to receive it for a month because the ingredients are hard to get.”

Chase’s head started to pound like he had been struck by lightning. He ran his fingers through his hair roughly.

“There’s really nothing left?”

“That is correct, sir.”

They needed to use the antidote on the child the woman brought right away. He needed to reveal the woman’s tricks as soon as possible.

But there were no more antidotes left.

He would only be able to prove her guilt if he had the antidote…

Chase sighed. He was unsatisfied with how things were turning out. There was no way he could send them away like this.

The audacity that swindler had to not avoid his gaze and meet it head on was ridiculous. Her shamelessness was too much.  He felt he would only be able to calm down if he saw her green eyes tremble, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to sleep.

However, without the antidote, he would be unable to unmask her lies, unless she confessed voluntarily. Judging from her attitude though, that was not likely to happen. Everyone was bound to become humbler in the face of clear evidence, but for now there was no way to prove her guilt.

“There is nothing we can do about it now.”

Chase decided to let it go. It was very annoying, but he couldn’t change what had already happened and he couldn’t do anything without the antidote.

“I will explain and send the guests back.”

Rohan turned to go back into the room first, fearing his master would start another fight with the woman again. It would be advantageous for the woman and the child to return home quickly. Although they only met briefly, her and Chase were not compatible. They were like water and fire, each possessing a very strong nature, neither of them willing to give in. However, Chase stopped him.

“I will speak to her myself.”

Rohan wanted to ask why he was going to go in person if he disliked her so much, but kept his mouth shut and just quietly followed behind.

 

***

 

“Ugh, why is it taking him so long?”

Wilhazelle, who had been left alone in the room with Raphel, grumbled loudly. It had been quite a while since they left, but there was still no sign of their return.

It was clear the rude knight who was guarding the front of the manor resembled his master.

Lizelle crossed her arms over her chest and glanced around the living room with a dissatisfied look. It was flashy and pretentious, just like the owner.

“Ugh, am I insane?”

How could she have thought such an unlucky duke was handsome?

She resisted the urge to tear out her hair. If she could turn back time, she never would have said that. She would have controlled her mouth. She must have had something in her eye for a moment. She had significantly misjudged him.

“Lizelle… When are we going back home?”

Lizelle turned to look at Raphel when he asked that question. Raphel was kicking his legs on the sofa, pouting his lips in boredom.

“Home?”

“Yeah! Back to our house!”

It seemed Raphel had mistaken her house as being his own.

“I miss grandpa and grandma!”

She didn’t know how to respond and bit her lip.

How would he react if she told him he would have to live here from now on?

She was worried about whether Raphel, who already missed his new grandparents, would be able to accept the situation as it was.

“Excuse me.”

Just then, the door to the living room opened, and Chase immediately walked in front of Wilhazelle with his long legs, just like when they first met.

“Are you done with your business?”

She stood up, clearly displaying her dissatisfaction.

Chase could tell from her attitude that she wanted to finish this quickly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So, what do we do now?”

“The antidote to determine the child’s hair and eye color will be available in a month.”

Chase thought there was no need to beat around the bush and explained the situation.

“Antidote?”

“That’s right.”

“Why would you need that?”

Wilhazelle looked at Chase and asked for an explanation.

An antidote to show true hair and eye color? Was there really such a thing? She had read the first part of the novel so quickly that she didn’t recall it very well.

Even if there was such a thing, what would that prove in confirming they were really blood relatives? Black hair and red eyes were characteristics only the Halos family possessed throughout the entire empire.

“Changing hair and eye color through magic is a common occurrence.”

“Ah…”

Only then did she understand why he asked her if she could ‘prove it’.

‘Wait a moment…’

Was he treating her the same way he had treated everyone else? Is that why he had been glaring at her?

“Do you think I am deceiving you?”

Wilhazelle did not hide her displeasure. She had found the child and instead of thanking her, he treated her as a swindler. She was very upset.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with being careful.”

“We have run out of the antidote. I am sorry, my Lady, but please understand this is a necessary procedure for us.”

Rohan, who was watching, sighed inwardly and added to his master’s words.

“Well, that’s true.”

“Before the Lady came, many people already paid us a visit claiming they found the child, but every single one of them was using magic to change the child’s appearance to collect the reward money.”

Chase looked straight into her eyes, which still clearly displayed her displeasure.

“…”

Lizelle finally seemed to understand slightly, but why was the Duke so wary of her?

Even if you don’t know someone very well, it’s rude to treat them as a swindler the first time you met them.

“Alright, then. Please contact me when the antidote is ready. I will also receive the reward money at that time. Let’s go Raphel.”

Lizelle held out her hand to Raphel.

“Yeah!”

Raphel smiled brightly and took Lizelle’s hand.

He wanted to get out of there quickly and return to where his grandfather and grandmother were.

Chase stopped the two as they were trying to leave.

“You must leave the child behind.”