“Considering the shift, wouldn’t three or four be enough?”
Although I felt a bit overwhelmed, the knights of the dukedom were all professional. As the person who appeared to be the leader knelt down, other knights in full uniform followed him.
“We greet the youngest lady.”
They truly seemed to be well-trained, and an aroma reeking from their bodies. I just waved my short legs and looked at them.
They must have been going crazy because of me since the new year, but wouldn’t it make them feel doubtful to swear allegiance to a baby?
Moreover, the person who they pledged loyalty to can’t even babble properly.
“Anastasia, these knights are all for you. They will be loyal to you in the future.”
“Encourage them, please.”
No, Father. It’s just a 6-month-old baby. I opened my mouth, looking at them with my short legs paddling.
“Uhh, aahh…”
Okay, I’ll do my best.
Even if I tried my best to move my mouth, only cooing came out.
Ha, I feel like I’m getting a reality check.
But they seemed genuinely happy.
“We will do our best, my lady!”
“We entrust ourselves to you in the future!”
They pledged allegiance to me with all their hearts. Father’s sincere look, along with their commitment, was a bonus.
With the knights assigned, as the seventh month approached, a few more people joined the scenery in my room.
“There are two more people outside the room…”
As I grew a bit, reading their movements became easier. I was locked in a my thoughts about the knight assignment.
“The last incident might have been a simple kidnapping for money, but could it be that my family’s comfortable position is not as simple as it seems…?”
That night, my mother and father, showing signs of unease since December 30, went out. Even my father, who rarely left the house, went out with an uncomfortable expression.
“There were no such occasions where both of them left the house at the same time.”
So, I guessed that my family had some influence, especially given the knights assigned to guard me. Otherwise, there was no reason to place so many knights around babies who were barely six months old and almost never left the mansion.
‘Even if an average assassin comes, they’ll be dealt with swiftly.’
Moreover, since it was the end of the year and it was the work of an insider, it was easier to break in – and they were caught before they could even leave the Duke’s residence – but normally, it would not have been easy to enter the Duke’s residence.
‘Should I just use some strength…’ … .’
I hesitated. It was so peaceful that I didn’t move recklessly.
Anyway, using power would complicate things.
There was a possibility of getting a fever for several days, just like this time.
‘If only I could gather information after passing the first birthday.’
I might be able to handle information gathering physically by then.
But now, I couldn’t help but hesitate.
As my fever persisted for several days, my father and even my sister cried.
“Don’t be sick, Shasha. I’ll be the one to get sick! Don’t be sick, my sister, don’t make my father sick.”
“No, Laurenzia. Where do you think you’re going to get sick? Let Dad get sick. Our youngest, why isn’t the fever going down?”
I really didn’t want to worry others.
Moreover, the necessary measures had already been taken by my parents.
‘But still… Is it okay to just receive protection like this?’
I, of all people, had the duty to prevent the world from ending.
Was it okay to stay like this just because I was not fully grown yet?
Moreover…
‘That Mikhail back then is bothering me.’
I don’t know why, but he seemed like a strange boy, and I felt like I had met him somewhere.
Even though it was just a single encounter… it felt like something I longed for.
For several days, I couldn’t decide what to do, concentrating on holding onto the sofa.
By the way, I could now sit up straight.
‘There’s some strength in my back now.’
Maybe I could start walking in a month or so?
I was thinking with such expectations when my older brother Damian’s gentle laughter reached my ears.
“Why is our youngest in such a hurry?”
Instead of approaching me, he sat down in that spot, reaching out his arms towards me.
I, who was struggling to move my hands on the sofa, quietly turned my body towards Damian.
I had progressed to crawling quite fast in the past month and a half.
Observing my own development like this felt strange and fascinating.
“Our Anastasia seems to be growing too fast.”
Damian’s words made the maids around us laugh softly.
‘An infant shouldn’t be saying anything to a baby.’
Looking at me, Damian spoke with a slightly troubled expression.
“Anastasia, it seems so. My friend wants to see you.”
Friend?
I immediately thought of that young duke.
“We met last time, do you remember?”
“Uh!”
I nodded urgently.
Since he was the reason for considering using force for information gathering.
Not only for his magical power but for some other reasons.
While I pondered that, Damian muttered with a somewhat bitter expression.
“Mikhail charmed my sister….”
Even though it was said with a chilly tone that didn’t suit Damian’s face, Mikhail had become associated with that coldness.
“Promises are promises, so I can’t help it…”
Damian mumbled while patting my head.
Promises?
I was puzzled, but I couldn’t ask.
I couldn’t speak.
“In that case, our Anastasia, would you mind meeting my friend once?”
“Uh!”
I responded promptly.
At that, Damian made a strangely hurt expression.
Surely, he was a seven-year-old child now…
‘Why does he have the face of an older brother sending his younger sister off?’
“Finally, I get to see your face, our youngest lady.”
As the young duke entered my room with Damian, he greeted me warmly.
Even though I saw him again, it was an unforgettable face.
Even though he was a child, he had distinct facial features.
A straight nose, sharp eyes hidden behind a smile, and a posture as dignified as Damian’s, creating an atmosphere of youth and sophistication.
“I haven’t introduced myself yet, but greetings, Mikhail.”
“Although not the first time, nice to meet you again. Lady Anastasia.”
Mikhail, while speaking to Damian, instantly transformed his young face into a very polite tone as he addressed me.
“Lady Anastasia, it’s not the first time, but I greet you for the first time formally. I am Mikhail of the Leventis Duchy. Nice to meet you.”
He said that while gently holding my tiny hand and respectfully kissing the back of it.
“Mikhail!”
At his actions, Damian, who was calling him Mikhail with a somewhat harsh tone, called out.
“Why? I must show proper respect to Lady Anastasia.”
Mikhail retorted as if asking what was wrong with showing respect to a lady.
‘Is he that close to Damian…?’
Even though he turned his face into a young boy’s with a snappy expression, he conversed with me with a calm and gentle look.
‘Is it possible that he’s not Damian’s friend…?’
In any case, my brother Damian looked at him with a surprised expression.
“See, didn’t I show proper respect?”
Mikhail looked at Damian as if asking for confirmation.
Damian just sighed.
‘But that’s weird too.’
He wasn’t like a kid, helping someone with kindness.
It was strange to see that attitude from such a young boy.
Damian muttered as if feeling troubled.
“Mikhail charmed my sister…”
In response to Damian’s words, Mikhail, who was smiling brightly while holding my hand, had a playful expression as if saying, ‘What can I do if she fell for me?’
Well, I guess he couldn’t be blamed.
It was just a little weird to see a boy with that kind of charm.
(if you like my post please leave some comments to motivate me Thanks)
