After passing through the teleport hall, we were able to reach the principality in an instant, the scenery outside the carriage turned white.
Emily clings to the window, unable to take her eyes off the scenery outside her.
Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a snow.
I haven’t seen a snow since I took possession of this body.
I missed it for some reason.
In my past life, I didn’t have much time.
I barely saved money for my monthly rent and my major books that were so worn out that they can no longer be used.
When I think about it now, these are insignificant things, but why do I miss them?
‘I can’t go back.’
I remembered the end of my life as an ordinary college student with a bitter smile.
I was pushed by someone and fell in the middle of the road.
A large truck rushed towards me without slowing down.
The end was just terrible pain.
“All those white things… Is it a snow?”
Emily’s voice, which contained surprise, pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Yes. You can make a snowman out of that.”
“With that, a snowman….”
Emily muttered in disbelief.
I smiled and stroked Emily’s hair.
Before I knew it, the carriage arrived at the destination.
Subsequently, the tightly closed door opened.
“Welcome to the Principality.”
A picture-like smile hung on the Grand Duke’s lips.
It was a smile that could attract attention from anyone regardless of gender or age.
It was the same for me too.
Distracted by the Grand Duke’s smile for a moment, I coughed in vain and grabbed his outstretched hand.
“Thank you.”
***
The Grand Duke’s Castle had a similar atmosphere to that of blue flames mansion in the capital.
What sets it apart from the mansion in the capital is that it is enormous.
It seems that three days is not enough to look around this castle.
The Hamilton family’s servants welcomed us from the moment we entered the castle, as if they were waiting for us to come.
I experienced this before.
It was definitely like this when I first stepped into blue flames mansion.
As I stared blankly at the servants, Emily dug into the width of my skirt.
I belatedly realized that Emily was nervous from the unfamiliar environment.
It is a natural reaction because it is her first time at such a splendid castle.
And for her, who lived her entire life in the countryside, there was no opportunity to encounter aristocrats.
She must be scared.
I swallowed a sigh inside and comforted Emily’s back.
“Emily. It’s okay.”
“B, but…”
Emily didn’t get out of my skirt easily.
Then an old man approached with a kind smile.
Without hesitation, he bent one of his knees and looked at Emily’s eye level.
“Your Highness has brought two beautiful ladies.”
“Stop talking nonsense and guide the two.”
The gentle voice of the Grand Duke he had shown to Emily was gone nowhere, and his cold voice was directed at the man.
The man just ignored the Grand Duke’s reaction and just smiled.
“You don’t have to be so afraid. Do you like candy?”
“Candy…?”
When Emily showed interest, the man took a pink handkerchief out of his pocket as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Why are you taking your handkerchief out when you’re talking about candy?
Not only Emily, but I also focused on man’s action.
“Okay. Look carefully.”
The man gently moved his hand to make a crane out of a pink handkerchief. I carefully observed what the man was doing.
Now, will the candy come out of there?
Similar to my expectation, the man unfolded the handkerchief at once. Then a colorful candy jar popped out of it.
“Wow…”
“This is my small gift.”
“T, thank you…Grandpa…”
“My my. I think it’d be better if you call me uncle.”
The Grand Duke called him with a sigh in the sly attitude of the man.
“Liam.”
“I’ll stop playing around. The introduction is late. My name is Liam Heindel, the chief in charge of the overall management of this castle.”
The man, who introduced himself as Liam Heindel, got up and bowed in a neat posture.
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
The friendly figure like the head of a small town has disappeared, and only the chief of the Grand Duchy Hamilton remains.
“I will show you where to stay. Follow me.”
I grabbed Emily’s hand and followed Liam.
He guided us to the second floor of the castle.
It’s the castle. I thought he’d guide us to a separate house.
Liam, who guided us, turned around and said.
“The room on the left is for the little girl, and the room on the right is for Adelia-nim. It is neatly organized, so please use it comfortably.”
I was about to nod my head at Liam’s explanation, but I stopped for a moment.
Emily has not been able to sleep alone since that day due to nightmares that she suffered every night.
I stayed by Emily’s side every night.
We still have not forgotten Rohen’s despair.
“I think one room would suffice.”
Liam looked at me and Emily, surprised by my words.
Then Emily said, letting go of my hand.
“I… I’m fine now.”
“Emily.”
I quietly called Emily’s name.
Then, words of stubbornness appeared clearly in Emily’s eyes.
“I’m really fine. I’m serious. I can sleep alone now. I’m all grown up.”
“Emily. thirteen is still a child.”
“B, but… Because I can’t keep bothering you…!”
Hearing Emily’s words, I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
You seem to think that relying on me is a nuisance.
You’re so mature that it’s poisonous at times like this.
It’d be nice if you lean on me without thinking about anything.
I clicked my tongue briefly.
Once Emily was stubborn, I had no way of beating that stubbornness.
Liam, who was quietly watching the conversation between me and Emily, opened his mouth with a smile.
“A child will one day be able to stand alone. for whatever reason it is. So, how about listening to the little girl this time?”
I couldn’t refute Liam’s words.
As he said, I will not be able to protect Emily forever.
Thinking deeply, I looked at Emily’s face.
She was being brave.
Yes. It wasn’t stubbornness, it was courage.
She has the courage to somehow overcome the situation she finds herself in.
If that’s the case then,
“I can’t help it.”
I have no choice but to believe in Emily.
“That’s a wise choice.”
Emily’s face brightened up by my declaration of giving up.
The moment I saw that face, I thought.
Maybe it was me, not Emily, who couldn’t stand alone.
“Can I go look around the room?”
Emily asked me for permission.
I smiled slightly and nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
I glanced at Emily, who slowly made her way to her own room.
Liam made a proposal to me with a warm smile.
“Adelia-nim should look around your room as well.”
“Ah…. That’s right. It’s a room that you prepared with great effort.”
“If you need anything, feel free to let me know.”
I slowly turned the doorknob and entered the room.
As expected, the room was very luxurious.
Compared to Sorne’s mansion in the capital, it was similar to the Marquis’ room.
‘It’s wrong to compare Sorne and Hamilton in the first place.’
I took off my coat, staring at the comfy bed.
Thinking of the Sorne mansion reminded me of the time at the bank.
I didn’t think you’d turn a living person into a dead person without hesitation.
It seems that my escape provoked him more than I thought.
It was refreshing to make him angry, but it was not good for him to disturb me.
First, I have to tie the marquis’ feet.
I have a good card.
The problem is, I need the Grand Duke to use this card.
My name alone is not enough to prove the credibility of the marquis’ smuggling ledgers and tax evasion ledgers.
Ivan Hamilton’s name is necessary.
Anyway, I have to bring the Grand Duke to my side.
As my worries deepened, the Grand Duke’s voice came through the door.
“Can I come in?”
I said raising the corners of my lips.
“Of course.”
***
The Grand Duke looked around the room.
“Do you like it?”
“If you’re talking about this room, I’d say it’s too much.”
“That’s a relief.”
The Grand Duke’s lips bent softly.
I stared at the face of the Grand Duke.
First of all, I know he’s showing me a favor, but I can’t figure out how far it will go.
There is no unpaid favor in the world.
Whether it’s for trivial reasons or he’s asking for a big price.
It would be nice to know the reason.
I slowly lifted the teacup and observed the Grand Duke more.
What should I say first?
Saying that Hestine was a fake would be the worst move.
“What will you do in the future?”
I narrowed my eyes at the Grand Duke’s question.
I wonder why he is asking me this question.
“I do not know. For now, I want to monitor Emily’s condition.”
“I see.”
The Grand Duke closed his mouth firmly with an expression of agonizing over something.
Soon his lips moved slowly.
“There is one thing I want to ask you.”
I had a hunch for a moment.
That what the Grand Duke wants to ask is related to the favor he gave to me.
The flow has changed. Now is the right time to attract the Grand Duke to my side.
After organizing my thoughts for a while, I slowly opened my mouth.
(3/3)
