Grandma Marshall recognized my genius last year when I was six years old.
After having a high fever, I would often recuperate at Grandma Marshall’s house the following day.
Dad went out to earn money, Grandma Marshall went out to gather herbs, and I was left alone, unable to go outside. My eyes landed on Grandma’s bookshelf, filled with books.
It was the age when my front teeth had fallen out, and my pronunciation was a bit lisped.
“Investing Basics for Miraculous Success.”
Grandma Marshall was a hidden master in the investment world.
Bored, I began pulling out and reading Grandma’s books whenever I was alone.
“Tsk, tsk. This quarter’s performance is awful. They made a big deal about dividends, but maybe I should pull out my investment.”
“Not yet! The report says it’s a climate issue, so we should wait until next year. Instead, invest in the brewery you were debating last week! Now’s the perfect time!”
“…How does my little chick know about such things?”
“Hehe.”
“You’ve been snooping through my mail, haven’t you?”
I thought I’d be praised, like when I read books in the library.
Instead, Grandma Marshall scolded me heavily that day.
That was also the day I learned it was wrong to read someone else’s mail without permission, no matter how neatly it was laid out on the dining table.
She gave me a stern warning: I wasn’t to talk about things like diversified investments or any similar topics until I turned ten.
“Why?”
“Because your dad would worry endlessly—more than when you were sick.”
“Gasp.”
Still, that incident helped me connect with Grandma Marshall.
The deal we made this time also succeeded because Grandma Marshall had recognized my abilities early on.
“Enough about Ezra. Do you like the article?”
“Yes!”
I nodded as I read the exclusive report in the Daily Sunrise.
Grandma takes care of the articles, while I give her lifetime massage rights and a brilliant business idea.
‘The information Calypso tossed at me about reading newspapers came in handy!’
An ornamental plant imported from the Fort Kingdom alongside a pumpkin variety as a promotional item.
Its value would skyrocket in four years when it was revealed to be an ingredient for recovery potions.
Currently, it was worth 5,000 Kona per unit. Later, its rarity and scarcity would drive the price up to one gold coin each.
“But Grandma, isn’t it unfair for me to share the potion recipe?!”
“…Oh? What conditions are you trying to add now, my little chick?”
“Hehe.”
I pushed the newspaper toward Grandma Marshall and said,
“If you secure the exclusive import rights, cultivation can happen in Leaf—”
“…Haha…!”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, I heard a man’s unfamiliar laughter.
Startled, I turned to look beside me.
The sound came from beyond the wall. Though it wasn’t entirely clear through the wall, voices were audible enough to make out some words.
“Huh. Is the soundproofing that bad?”
“Don’t worry. It’s been quiet until now, so they must not have been here long. Sounds like someone with a hearty laugh.”
Grandma Marshall brushed it off casually. Just in case, though—
“Shh.”
I made a zipping motion across my lips, signaling that we could talk later. At that moment, the waiter entered with our food.
***
The restaurant walls were thin.
Lassek couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled up.
‘What a cheeky little thing…!’
While his laughter wrinkled the corners of his eyes, his golden irises gleamed sharply.
About an hour earlier.
Lassek had arrived at the relatively bustling town with Callet.
Just a little farther, and they would reach Leaf Village, but Lassek decided to reconsider their destination.
According to the information Callet had gathered, Leaf Village was a small settlement with only about fifty residents.
Lassek had disguised himself as a low-ranking noble to hide his identity as Count Travel, but his imposing presence made it difficult to remain unnoticed.
If he entered Leaf Village, news of a towering elderly man’s visit would spread across the village in no time.
“Do you think they’ll figure it out?”
“They will.”
Callet spoke decisively.
It wouldn’t be a problem for Lassek to reveal his identity as Count Travel to the villagers.
However, just thinking about his troublesome son’s reaction made Lassek’s feet itch and his fingers fidget nervously, as if they might twist.
Groan.
Lassek let out a frustrated sigh. This was all because the Grand Priest had provoked him by mentioning that his granddaughter called him ‘Grandfather.’
The thought had irritated him to the point where he impulsively decided to come here.
Even he had to admit that age seemed to be catching up with him.
“Let’s head back.”
“You’re not going to see Miss Berry before leaving?”
“Who said I came all this way to see that tiny bean? She’ll come on her own eventually. Let’s at least eat before we go. I’m hungry.”
Here, no one would recognize him in his disguise. Lassek entered a nearby restaurant.
After being shown to a room and finishing his meal, Callet stepped out for some business.
That’s when guests entered the next room. He could even hear the waiter speaking with them.
The soundproofing is terrible.
It was at the moment when Lassek furrowed his brow.
“Show me the newspaper! Grandma!”
A child’s voice, sharp and lively, immediately caught Count Travel’s attention.
That daring and articulate voice…!
It was the voice of his youngest granddaughter.
But who was with her this time? Previously, she had called the Grand Priest ‘Grandpa.’ Now, who was she calling ‘Grandma’?
While displeased by his granddaughter’s excessive sociability, Lassek focused all his attention on the voices coming from the next room.
“Hehe. But Mr. Editor-in-Chief Ezra seemed thrilled! Just look at the title—it’s all about the imperial decree!”
And then, he doubted his ears.
One of Lassek’s morning routines was reading the newspaper.
He meticulously reviewed articles from three major newspapers, one of which was the Daily Sunrise.
So he knew the content of the article with the word ‘imperial decree’ in today’s issue.
But his youngest granddaughter couldn’t read, could she?
Yet the words she just said clearly sounded like someone who had read the newspaper.
Could it be a child with a similar voice?
Lassek decided to remain cautious and listened intently to the conversation.
“Today’s newspaper must have sold like crazy! It’s about racial rights, after all.”
“Don’t talk about things like that in front of your dad… Reytan…”
The conversation—referring to his wayward son by name and the mature level of discourse—made Lassek certain.
His youngest granddaughter had fooled him.
What audacity.
“…Ha…haha!”
Unable to hold back the laughter bubbling up, he finally let it out.
‘To think I, Lassek, was played by a seven-year-old!’
Memories of his unease about Berry not being able to read flashed through his mind.
He didn’t know why she had lied, but it was clear she had deceived everyone with her performance.
How amusing it was that adults, with all their years of wisdom, had been outsmarted by a child.
His heart, once jaded by age, pounded with excitement.
‘She’s a natural!’*
His fists clenched involuntarily as adrenaline coursed through him. It felt as though the vigor of his youth had returned.
Hearing Lassek’s laughter, Callet, who was returning to the room, hurriedly opened the door.
“Coun—”
He couldn’t finish his sentence.
Lassek, now wearing a serious expression, placed a finger to his lips, silently instructing Callet to keep quiet.
Standing up from his seat, Lassek strode out of the room with long, purposeful steps. Callet followed him.
Outside the restaurant, a carriage awaited them.
Lassek finally broke his silence as they boarded.
“Callet.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“What happened with Marquess Ash?”
“The Bureau of Investigation has intervened. Chief Investigator Damian Knox was dispatched, and the Marquess, along with the local lord, has just been summoned to the bureau. As for Leaf Village, we don’t have anyone stationed there yet. Should I send someone—?”
“No need.”
“…Pardon?”
Callet looked bewildered by Lassek’s abrupt decision.
Until they entered the restaurant, the Count had been restless, obsessing over finding out about Miss Berry’s whereabouts.
But now, his attitude had flipped completely, like turning over the palm of a hand. Callet hesitated, speechless at the sudden change in the Count’s demeanor.
As Lassek climbed into the carriage with a nonchalant expression, he spoke to Callet firmly, as though etching his words in stone.
“Whatever happens there, don’t concern yourself. It has nothing to do with the Travel family.”
***
That evening.
In the living room of Baron Voltman log house, a serious conversation was underway among the adults. Gathered in the living room were Baron Voltman, his wife, Dad, Grandma Marshall, and Zikal.
Meanwhile, Theon, Jeffrey, Anne, and I stood behind a door, our ears perked up to catch snippets of the conversation.
“You’re asking us to cultivate this plant in Leaf Village?”
Baron Voltman examined the potted plant in his hand as he spoke.
🍓;
The phrase ‘She’s a natural!’ means that someone has an innate or instinctive ability to do something well, without much effort or training. It suggests that the person is naturally skilled or talented at whatever they’re doing. For example, if someone is good at playing a musical instrument right away, someone might say, ‘She’s a natural!’ to express admiration for her natural talent.
