Episode 100
After Logan left, a heavy silence settled over the study.
“…I’m sorry, Belze,” the Duke finally said, breaking the quiet.
“It seems Logan’s gotten rather insensitive, buried in his work as he is. Don’t take it too personally; it’s not that he dislikes you.”
“I’m okay!”
I quickly smiled in response to his thoughtful words.
The truth is, it’s impossible to be liked by everyone.
‘Though Logan is a bit…’
Suppressing the unease in my chest, I cautiously asked,
“But, Your Grace, what’s the story with Emma and… Svel—um, Sven?”
“Ah.”
The Duke’s face turned slightly troubled as he began to explain.
“The truth is, Logan was the one who recommended them.”
“Lo-Logan’s recommendation?”
“Yes.”
He nodded once, hesitating before continuing.
“To be honest… after the children’s mother passed away, there was a time when I couldn’t manage the household properly.”
‘Ah…’
“While I was drowning myself in drink, Logan hurriedly selected staff to care for the children closely. Unfortunately, it happened to be those two.”
I was stunned.
The two former employees who’d recently caused trouble and were dismissed had been personally chosen for Joshua and Edwin.
The Duke, his expression darkening, murmured,
“They’d been with the family for quite some time, so I accepted them without much thought…”
“…….”
“In the end, it’s all my fault. If I had investigated them more thoroughly, none of this would have happened.”
His voice carried the weight of regret as he spoke.
“I’ve only shown you the worst sides of this family because of my failings, Belze. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not Your Grace’s fault!”
I shook my head fervently at his apology.
“They’re the bad ones! You trusted them, but they dared to do such terrible things to the children!”
‘Why is it that regret and apologies always seem to fall on the victims?’
Emma, who shamelessly schemed to become the next Duchess by manipulating Joshua.
Sven, who took out his resentment and inferiority on Edwin.
Neither of those offenders had ever offered an apology.
The Duke gave a faint, bitter smile at my words.
“Still, I’m glad you came to this family. In the end, it was thanks to you that those matters were brought to light.”
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“…Perhaps it’s because he grew up too fast. Unlike Joshua, Edwin rarely speaks up about anything, even when trouble arises.”
The Duke’s voice carried a note of sorrow, as though this weighed heavily on him.
But I understood Edwin’s reasons well.
One night, he had visited me in secret and confided,
‘I thought it’d be better to handle it myself. Besides, I didn’t want to burden Father, who’s already busy enough.’
‘Especially when he’s been losing sleep over Joshua lately.’
Recalling those words, I clenched my fists slightly.
‘Edwin’s sense of responsibility is both admirable and heartbreaking.’
I decided not to mention that Edwin’s actions stemmed from his consideration for the Duke.
Those were Edwin’s private thoughts, not mine to share.
“…You know, Your Grace,” I began, determined to make another promise to myself: no matter what, I would protect the Duke’s household.
“I won’t hold back.”
“Hm?”
“If anything happens to Edwin or Josh, I’ll run straight to you and tell you everything! And I’ll make sure they get their revenge!”
“…Revenge?”
The Duke finally caught up to my words and let out a small laugh.
“There’s no need for revenge. Just come and tell me. Don’t put yourself in danger like last time.”
“But Grandpa Gordon said my teeth are strong enough to bite a few more times!”
“Still, no.”
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
I smacked my lips in disappointment, but then he called my name in a gentle voice.
“Belze.”
“Yes?”
“You’re already doing more than enough for someone of your position and age.”
“Ah…”
“Honestly, while preparing that checkbook for you, I couldn’t help but wonder if you might be a prodigy. Starting a business at five years old, after all.”
His gaze was steady as he spoke, his tone sincere.
I had anticipated the day when such suspicions might arise, so I calmly reached for the excuse I had prepared.
“Actually, it’s a secret, but… Grandpa Gordon suggested it all!”
“Even so,” the Duke replied, not dismissing my excuse lightly.
“Most children your age would be playing with dolls or toys, not negotiating with noblewomen.”
“…….”
“You handled Madam Cloud skillfully. She even asked about you recently.”
I blinked in surprise.
‘She asked about me? Not the hair mist?’
She couldn’t have used it all so quickly. If she inquired about my well-being, it must be true.
This was great news, as I planned to send her an invitation to my shop opening to reinforce her interest in Fairy Herb.
But at the same time, I felt a pang of worry.
‘What if the Duke doesn’t like me running a business?’
After all, I was officially being sponsored as a Saintess candidate. Acting out of line might cause trouble for him as my patron.
“I’m sorry…” I murmured, lowering my head.
“I’m not reprimanding you,” he said immediately, frowning at my dejection.
“If the child I sponsor shows exceptional talent in many areas, it’s a good thing. But…”
“…”
“Sometimes, when I look at you, I feel like you’re being chased by something.”
“C-chased?”
“Yes.”
The Duke’s golden eyes were filled with concern as they met mine.
“Am I putting too much pressure on you to do well?”
“N-no!”
I shook my head vehemently.
“It’s not like that! I’m doing it because I want to!”
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved…”
He trailed off, but his gaze remained unsettled.
Though I didn’t know why he thought that, his sharp insight made my heart skip a beat.
The truth was, I did feel like I’d been chased ever since I came back to this life.
But it wasn’t the pressure to do well—it was the constant worry about how to protect the Duke’s household.
Earning money through original items from the story, becoming the Crown Prince’s ally—it was all part of that goal.
In that sense, my biggest concern wasn’t myself but him.
“Your Grace… do you dislike me doing things other than healing?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course not.”
His immediate denial caught me off guard.
“Do whatever you want. If you want to buy a building or sell something, go ahead. You don’t need my permission.”
“…….”
“What kind of guardian would I be if I couldn’t support you in that way?”
His voice was warm as he met my eyes.
“What I mean, Belze, is that you don’t have to try so hard. You’re still just a child.”
“Your Grace…”
“I find you remarkable, but at the same time, I hope you won’t grow up too quickly, like Edwin.”
“…”
“Maybe that’s just me being selfish.”
His last words were almost a whisper, as if he were speaking to himself.
But I understood the sentiment.
‘…The Duke must feel a great deal of guilt about everything that’s happened since I came here.’
His wish for me not to grow up too fast wasn’t just for me.
It stemmed from sorrow over his sons—how they must have silently endured the careless behavior of the adults around them.
And now, he wished the same burden wouldn’t fall on me.
‘…But, Your Grace, I’ve already grown up. There’s no more “growing up” left for me.’
Regrettably, I couldn’t grant his wish.
The enemies seeking to harm the Duke’s family were everywhere.
To protect the people I cared about, I could only grow sharper and stronger.
* * *
Click.
Clutching the checkbook tightly to my chest, I closed the study door behind me and stepped into the empty hallway.
I was crossing the silent corridor when, as I turned a corner—
“Lady Belze.”
“Eek!”
Startled by the sudden voice, I let out a loud yelp.
“I couldn’t help but wonder…”
The man, who seemed to have been waiting for me, straightened from where he had been leaning against the wall, blocking my path.
“Would you care to share just a little hint about how you plan to use that checkbook?”
The man looking down at me with a seemingly friendly smile was none other than Logan.
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