IFLDMHF | Chapter 108

Episode 108

10. The Way to Get Rich, It’s So Easy, Right?

“That’s a relief.”

Muttering softly, I folded the letter I had received from Melissa.

I recalled the episode from the original novel where Melissa encountered a man presumed to be Richard.

Since Richard had followed me to the Duchy of Rudion, I worried that Melissa might be in danger.

Even though I knew it was already too late, I sent an urgent message. Fortunately, she replied that while she had a close call on her way back from the temple, she was safe thanks to the escorts who had accompanied her.

‘So did this part proceed as in the original?’

Just without Richard’s role?

However, there was one more thing that kept me from simply moving on.

Out of nowhere, Damien had requested to visit the temple in the Duchy of Rudion for volunteer work.

Upon investigating, I found that the temple, like the imperial family, had no prior exchanges with the North. I had no idea what suddenly changed.

And to make things even more interesting, he decided to travel north just when the capital was boiling with rumors about the emperor’s discrimination against the North.

‘Anyone can see this as an act of defiance against the emperor.’

Of course, I liked it because it fanned the flames of rumors and created public opinion that even the temple was siding with the North against the imperial family.

I just couldn’t understand why.

‘In the original, he volunteered near the capital, and Melissa, who followed him, confessed to him there…’

Was this because of the rumors I spread?

I never expected Damisn to be this politically driven.

In any case, after realizing that Melissa hadn’t deliberately omitted details about the volunteer work or the confession in her letter, I felt embarrassed for being upset over nothing.

‘At the same time, I’m relieved that Melissa didn’t get hurt.’

Even I, who prided myself on having a strong mentality, sometimes felt drained by Euclid’s gentle yet unyielding demeanor.

I couldn’t even imagine how much shock and disappointment the timid and delicate Melissa would have felt if Damien had coldly rejected her.

It seemed better that nothing had happened. After all, it was an impulsive confession, and Melissa had regretted it for a while afterward.

“Madam, all preparations for your outing are complete.”

At Anne’s report, I immediately rose from my seat.

The weather in the North had been getting warmer by the day, and now, it was mild enough that I no longer needed to wear a coat.

With a lighter outfit and an equally light step, I walked to the front of the estate and carefully scanned the waiting knights.

It had already been quite some time since the mercenary group ‘Black’ officially joined the Rudion ducal knights.

I had been too busy with various matters to check in on them, so this was my first time facing them after their enlistment.

‘Hmm… They look better than I expected.’

Dressed in their newly tailored knightly uniforms, standing in perfect formation, they looked quite impressive.

“Madam, you have arrived!”

…Though they still looked at me with an overwhelming amount of admiration, at least they weren’t acting as frivolously as before, which was a relief.

I was particularly pleased to see them treating Gressel with respect, even though he had just been giving orders moments ago.

Since they had been mercenaries for a long time, I worried that they might resist having Gressel—a virtual newcomer—serve as their commander.

Although Gressel had previously assured me that there were no issues, seeing it with my own eyes put my mind at ease.

Moreover, Richard’s expression seemed strangely brighter than before, which was intriguing.

‘In the original, he was a brooding, obsessive man with an inscrutable aura.’

Could it be because he got to keep his precious eyes?

He had asked me whether I needed them, but I was certain his true feelings were different.

Just as I reached that conclusion and was about to smirk in satisfaction—

“Pretty brother!”

A cute voice rang out from behind, and Dior shot forward like a bullet, running straight toward Richard.

That alone was surprising enough.

“You’ll hurt yourself if you run like that.”

But then Richard swiftly bent down and caught Dior in his arms.

Beaming, Dior asked,

“Pretty brother, are you coming with us today?”

“Yes. However… you shouldn’t call me that.”

“Why not?”

“…Pretty bro… brother, I mean.”

Richard stammered slightly, as if the honorific was harder to accept than the word ‘pretty’ itself.

“You’re a pretty brother, so I call you pretty brother. What else should I call you?”

“Please call me by my name.”

“Okay! Pretty Richard brother!”

“…”

At Dior’s cheerful response, Richard was at a loss for words, looking at him in bewilderment.

“How did those two…?”

“They must have gotten close in the training grounds,” Marianne said, stepping beside me.

“The training grounds?”

Now that I thought about it, I had avoided the training grounds entirely because of my phobia of sharp objects.

However, Dior had been interested in them even on the day of the entrance exam, and it seemed he had visited frequently since then.

‘Still, this is an unexpected combination.’

Just then, Dior grabbed Richard’s hand and ran toward us.

“Auntie, this is pretty Richard brother! He’s super fast and moves like the wind! He’s also amazing with a sword!”

“Really?”

“Yes! And he said he’d teach me too!”

Did Dior want to learn swordsmanship?

Surprised by the unexpected revelation, I turned wide eyes to Richard.

“When you grow a little older, young master. Otherwise, you might get injured. More importantly… you need permission first.”

Richard, unable to completely hide his awkward expression, sincerely answered Dior while glancing at me.

As if my permission was far more important than that of Duke Euclid or Knight Commander Gressel.

I pondered for a moment, then looked at Gressel.

Understanding my concern precisely, Gressel immediately responded.

“He has already mastered the basics of swordsmanship through recent training. Sir Richard’s skills are acknowledged by all the knights, so he is more than qualified as the young master’s instructor.”

I had read the original novel, so I knew just how strong Richard was.

Even though he had received help from the assassin guild, he had infiltrated the deepest part of the imperial palace alone and beheaded the emperor.

Since he was raised as a battle slave in the underworld, I worried that he hadn’t learned swordsmanship through proper means—but it seemed my concerns were unfounded.

Thinking that this worked out well, I nodded, and Dior swiftly grabbed Richard’s hand.

“This is great! Right, pretty Richard brother?”

“Th… that title is a bit…”

Although he didn’t pull his hand away, Richard still seemed uncomfortable with the nickname and tried to correct it again.

“What’s the big deal? Even if you become master and student later, it’s fine to be like brothers now.”

Richard’s pupils trembled slightly.

But then, a faint glimmer of joy passed through his eyes.

Watching him, I realized why Richard had changed from the original.

‘Right, animals and children are the ultimate healers.’

There’s even a saying that cuteness rules the world, so it was no surprise that Richard had been affected by Dior’s purity and charm.

“Richard, should I entrust the young master and young lady’s protection to you? You two seem close already.”

“W-we’re not that close…”

“Brother, are we not close? You don’t want to protect me?”

Hearing Richard’s words, Dior immediately looked dejected.

Richard froze, flustered by Dior’s teary eyes.

It was as if the situation had flipped—he was now the one unable to refuse.

‘How’s that? You can’t say no now, can you?’

Feeling satisfied that Dior had avenged my past troubles, I chuckled.

Richard, noticing my amusement, shot me a slightly resentful look.

“Master… Madam.”

“Pfft!”

Remembering my instruction to call me ‘Madam’ instead of ‘Master,’ Richard hastily corrected himself.

But ‘Master Madam’ was just too funny.

Just as I burst into laughter—

“…..!”

A chilling sensation ran down my spine.

I turned instinctively, still smiling—only to find Euclid standing in the lobby, watching me with a strange expression.