Hello, Little One
Gérard and Jenny. At the mansion, they were known as the “Je-Je siblings.” Maybe it was a sibling thing, but they both talked a lot. Thanks to that, Milena could get a pretty good grasp of the atmosphere in the ducal household without even leaving her bedroom.
“Aunt?”
Milena looked away from Jenny and turned her eyes to Ashdel, who was hugging a stuffed rabbit. He had long since closed the book he had been pretending to read.
“Ash, you can go out and play if you want.”
Milena wondered if he was feeling stifled from being cooped up in the bedroom because of her. But Ashdel shook his head, clearly not interested.
“Everyone treats me like a baby.”
Even when he wasn’t with Milena, Ashdel walked through the halls pretending to be an innocent child. It was a strange place he hadn’t figured out yet, so he hid his true nature. Everyone doted on the well-behaved boy, not knowing it was an act. Everyone he passed seemed desperate to give him something. Eventually, it all became a hassle, so he just stayed in the bedroom with Milena.
“It’s because you’re adorable, young master!”
“What?”
Ashdel frowned slightly. He didn’t hide his irritation even in front of Jenny, just like he did with Gérard.
“There aren’t any children in the Silbert family.”
Ashdel was about to retort with a sharp glare—I’m not a baby!—but stayed quiet when he realized the information might be useful.
“As you know, Duke Silbert is in poor health and hasn’t been able to marry or have an heir. Lady Claudia said she wanted to enjoy her newlywed life and planned to have children later. It’s already been five years since she declared that, but they still act like newlyweds. So with no children in this household, when young master Lexion suddenly introduced a son—well, of course everyone thinks you’re adorable!”
Watching Jenny talk passionately, even flaring her nostrils, Ashdel figured out how he should behave in this place. A bit annoying, but I should act cute. I can do that for Aunt.
“But is the Duke very ill?”
“Mm, he hasn’t left his bedroom in a long time. I haven’t seen him myself in a while. Only his personal attendants are allowed in.”
Milena hadn’t yet formally greeted Lexion’s family. Lexion said it was fine, but she still felt uncomfortable. She decided that the first thing she would do once she got permission to be up and about was to visit the Duke.
“Aunt, I’m going to head out for a bit.”
“You will?”
“Yeah.”
Time to score some points while Aunt is resting. Ashdel hugged his stuffed rabbit tightly and clenched his little fist.
“Young master! Shall I escort you?”
“No, I’ll go by myself.”
“Well then, whatever you do, don’t go up to the fourth floor. Got it? You can go anywhere else.”
“I said I got it.”
“Have a good time! Oh, and smiling makes you look even cuter!”
Do you even know what you’re talking about? Without turning around, Ashdel waved his hand dismissively.
“Pfft, the young master is just too adorable.”
Seventeen-year-old Jenny truly looked at Ashdel like a younger sibling. The family seemed to have a relaxed attitude toward interactions between nobles and servants. In a stricter household, a young maid wouldn’t dare to say such a thing about a duke’s heir.
“Oh, right. You said you were bored, ma’am? Would you like me to bring you a newspaper? Or maybe…”
Jenny looked around at the empty surroundings, then lowered her voice and covered her mouth with her hand.
“…a gossip magazine?”
“Gossip magazine?”
“Yes! It’s the famous Madame B’s gossip paper—so popular, it’s impossible to get these days! It’s full of secret stories from the capital, and it’s great for keeping up with what’s happening in the noble circles. It used to be just for maids, but now even the high-ranking folks secretly read it. Noblewomen love it too!”
A gossip magazine, huh? For a countrywoman from the North like Milena, it would be helpful for understanding the capital’s affairs. But one thing was bothering her.
“Jenny?”
“Yes?”
“Has that gossip magazine ever mentioned the Silbert family?”
“Yes! Young master Lexion is always on the front page…”
Jenny, who had been speaking confidently, turned pale.
Milena gave her a faint smile and said gently,
“Then I suppose my name will show up in it soon, too.”
“Oh no. You’re right. What do we do?!”
“Do you know who writes those gossip articles?”
“Well… we only know the name ‘Madame B.’ Nobody really knows who or where she is.”
Seeing Jenny’s worried face, Milena tried to soothe her.
“There’s nothing we can do. Just let me know if you see anything about me in it.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Jenny, clearly determined now, then hesitated again.
“But, ma’am… Even though the lady of the house has ordered everyone to keep quiet, what if rumors spread that you entered the household with a child and that you’re pregnant?”
“…Hmm.”
Good question. What then? Milena had grown numb to malicious rumors after years of being labeled a villainess. She personally didn’t care what was said, but this time the honor of a ducal family was at stake.
Maybe I should talk to someone about this…
At That Moment
Ashdel, under the pretense of exploring the mansion, was wandering around. Whenever he met a servant or aide, he would smile bashfully.
His soft cheeks, big round eyes, and small lips made him look so shy—and the fact that he clutched a stuffed bunny that looked just like him only made him cuter. People clutched at their chests and trembled from the sheer adorableness.
Unaware of his true thoughts, people melted in front of him. Ashdel scoffed inwardly.
Too easy. If I win them all over like this, it’ll help Aunt, right?
Humming to himself, Ashdel suddenly stopped.
Thump—
His heart skipped a beat and a sharp pang followed. As if being pulled by something, he began to walk without knowing why. Unconsciously, he climbed the stairs, not even sure where he was going.
Up and up he went, until he stood before a large door. A strong medicinal scent leaked through the crack.
What should I do? Ashdel blinked his big eyes. He felt he had to check who—or what—was beyond that door.
“Totto, what should I do?”
The stuffed bunny, as always, didn’t reply.
“Should I come back with Uncle?”
He couldn’t just open it at random, and it felt too uncertain to knock.
While he was hesitating,
Creak—
The door opened on its own, without a sound. The room inside was too dark to see clearly from the hallway.
“Come in.”
A kind voice called to him, and Ashdel stepped through the opening as if entranced.
He came to his senses standing before a massive bed. The room was filled with a foggy mist and a strong herbal scent. When the candles suddenly lit themselves, Ashdel could finally see the man sitting on the bed.
The man had long silver hair braided to one side, draped over his left shoulder. His pale skin and calm blue eyes bent gently in a smile.
“Hello, little one.”
Sharpeil Silbert.
He was the head of the Silbert family.
“Uh…”
He was as beautiful as Lexion. Even his sickly appearance didn’t hide his striking features.
A man so pure and beautiful he seemed to glow through the mist. Seeing the silver hair, Ashdel guessed he was a direct descendant.
Ashdel opened his mouth, then snapped back to attention.
“Ah, hello. Um, I didn’t mean to come in. I’m sorry.”
Heh. It was a weak, sickly laugh. Sharpeil smiled at the boy’s unchildlike maturity.
“You were able to come in because I allowed it. No one enters the head’s chamber without permission.”
“Gasp. Is there a spell on this room?”
“Of course. The Silbert family makes good use of magic.”
Lesser nobles or commoners might never experience magic in their lives, but high-ranking nobles used it as part of daily life. They could afford to hire mages or purchase magical artifacts.
“Um…”
Ashdel hesitated, unsure how to address him. Sharpeil kindly introduced himself.
“I’m Sharpeil Silbert. Lexion’s older brother. I’m temporarily acting as the head of this household.”
Ashdel was shocked to learn he was the head of the family, barely noticing the word “temporarily.”
“Gasp. I’m Ashdel Luxen.”
“Luxen. Ah, so you’re Kalion’s son.”
“You know my dad?”
“I remember him, though he may not remember me. It’s been so long.”
“Um… did the Luxen family ever harm the Silbert family?”
A reasonable question. The North always remained wary of other families and wasn’t on good terms with the capital. If Duke Kalion had harmed the Silbert family, Ashdel had reason to be concerned. He didn’t want Milena to be hated because of him.
“…”
Sharpeil only smiled without answering.
That can’t be good.
Ashdel nervously fidgeted with the stuffed bunny in his arms.
