Devon served us tea and snacks.
It wasn’t the kind of fine tea that royalty usually offers.
True to his frugal nature, he had prepared inexpensive tea leaves with good cost performance.
But Blossom was making a big fuss, saying it was delicious.
“The scent is so nice. To be served tea like this, I really am a happy person.”
Then Devon flinched again.
“What did you say?”
“I said I’m really a happy person.”
“......”
“Devon?”
“You sound like... your aunt.”
Blossom laughed sheepishly.
“It must be the bloodline. My mother said the sa thing. She said it feels like her older sister was reincarnated.”
“......”
I was utterly speechless.
‘He said that on purpose.’
I heard from Dad.
Back at the academy, Devon was the student council president, and Dad said he and Beltree had once caused a commotion when they visited.
When tea was served then, Beltree had stared blankly at his teacup.
“Why is he like that?”
“Ah, it’s his first ti having this kind of tea.”
“If you want to drink better tea in the future, you’d better follow the school rules, Beltree.”
“I ca to get scolded but was served good tea, so I’m already a happy person.”
Dad rembers that incident well.
After Beltree died and Bella took his diary as a keepsake, I guess she saw that entry.
So that’s why Blossom was making a fuss over rather poor-quality tea.
At that mont, Blossom linked her arm through mine.
“Ah! And we’ve reconciled, right?”
Devon looked at .
“Is that so.”
Just as I was about to speak, Blossom spoke first.
“I went directly to the Astra Second Viscount’s residence to apologize to Mother. Right, young lady?”
“......”
“You also understood. From my side, I didn’t an anything by it, but... since I caused a misunderstanding, it was my fault.”
“......”
“Thank you for understanding, young lady.”
I looked at Blossom with expressionless eyes.
‘This is really it.’
She conveniently left out her own faults and made it look like I was the narrow-minded one.
I gave Blossom a cold look and said,
“It wasn’t that easy to understand.”
“...Yes?”
Blossom flinched, flustered.
“I was furious to the point of going white-headed when Richmond oppa was adopted and couldn’t inherit the estate, but was still considered a good marriage prospect because he was easy to control.”
“...!”
“That wasn’t sothing I said, but Pinessa said it...!”
“You laughed and enjoyed it together.”
Did she really think I wouldn’t say that here since I didn’t say it at the mansion?
‘I didn’t say it there because Richmond was there.’
I hadn’t told the other young ladies because I worried those filthy words would reach Richmond’s ears.
But Devon was different.
He’s not the kind to say things like that anywhere.
Devon frowned and looked at Blossom.
Blossom didn’t know what to do.
“I, um, no, that’s...!”
“...Beltree—”
Devon quietly spoke.
“He was soone who won favor with everyone regardless of status. He never took others’ pain lightly.”
“......”
Blossom’s face, pretending to be Beltree until now, turned bright red.
Devon sighed.
“I’m glad you reconciled. So, why did the Astra Viscountess co to see ?”
“I just stopped by to greet you while passing through.”
“I see.”
“Well then, I’ll be going back.”
“Alright.”
I put down my teacup and stood up.
Blossom’s face was so red it looked like it would burst, and she was clutching the hem of her pants tightly.
‘Stay awkward by yourself.’
After bowing to Devon, I left the room.
At that mont, the communication stone flickered.
I looked around and headed to the seldom-used backyard.
[It’s .]
It was Han Ji-hyuk’s voice.
“Yeah? Why?”
[It seems I can’t return right away. I have to go to Biferi territory.]
“Why Biferi territory?”
[As you thought, Beltree was adopted, but sothing about the docunts is strange.]
“Docunts?”
[All other docunts bear the signature of the adoption manager at the ti, but Beltree’s docunts have the signature of Grimy’s guardian—or rather, the aide.]
“...What?”
[Since it ca from Biferi territory, I’m planning to search the orphanage.]
“Alright, if you find out anything more, contact .”
The communication ended.
I narrowed my eyes and rolled the communication stone in my hand.
‘What on earth is going on.’
“Why do I feel... uneasy...”
“Feeling strange?”
Startled by the voice behind , I turned around.
It was Sister Sebastia.
“Oh, sister.”
“What’s wrong? Why are you so startled?”
She laughed and asked.
“Because you suddenly appeared behind .”
“I heard talk about Biferi territory and ca quickly. Are you investigating soone?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Then I grabbed her with an “Ah!”
“My servant Han is going to search the Biferi territory orphanage. Could you say sothing for ?”
“Ask to see the docunts?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm, well...”
She squinted her eyes and then smiled brightly.
“Of course. Since it’s from my little sister’s request.”
Then she poked my nose with her index finger.
“Just know it’s a big deal. When your grandfather requested the docunts, my grandfather imdiately refused.”
“Thank you!”
“Now then, could you link arms with , young lady?”
“Of course.”
I linked arms with my sister and we returned to Siseodeok Castle giggling.
“Where are you headed?”
“To the White Knights. To get so funding...”
“Ah, the Western Army lacked funds since last year’s grand training was a failure.”
We chatted like that as we walked.
A few days later, Biferi territory.
Han Ji-hyuk sighed deeply, hood pulled tight.
‘Just the entry procedures take two days.’
It seed more difficult for soone from Astra territory.
Well, it was a bitter family feud anyway.
Finally granted entry, Han Ji-hyuk headed to Colonos Hill.
‘They said Beltree was from the orphanage on this hill...’
He looked around the shabby orphanage on the hill.
“Kyaa!”
A sudden sound behind him made Han Ji-hyuk scream.
“Waaahhh—!”
He covered his face with both arms...
‘Wait, wasn’t that a child’s voice just now?’
Lowering his arms slowly, a kid about knee-high covered their mouth with both hands and giggled.
“Who, who are you?”
At that mont—
“Arasa!”
A woman with gray-streaked hair hugged the child.
“I told you not to go outside on your own when the sun is setting.”
“There are wolves. They go ‘Grrr!’”
“Yes. It’s very dangerous, so you shouldn’t do that... Who are you?”
The woman held the child tightly, glaring suspiciously at Han Ji-hyuk.
He quickly showed his identification.
“Oh, I’m this person. I heard Lady Sebastia Biferi ntioned .”
“Oh yes, I heard about you.”
“That’s a relief.”
Her eyes were terrifying.
Soone unaware might get their head smashed with a hamr.
‘She’s as scary as Jeanne.’
She looked to be in her 50s but had an overwhelming presence.
The woman smiled gently.
“My na is Emma.”
“Ah, I’m Han Ji-hyuk.”
“Co inside. Arasa, let’s go.”
Emma opened the door carrying the child.
Inside was worn but cozy.
There were many children, all with different accents.
As Han Ji-hyuk stared, Emma set the child down and said,
“There are many foreign mixed-blood and foreign children here. The imperial orphanage doesn’t easily accept such children.”
“Oh. But I ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ don’t see any staff...?”
“I manage it alone. The docunt room is this way.”
Entering the docunt room, Han Ji-hyuk sighed.
Not as grand as Astra Castle, but the paperwork was massive here too.
‘Emma must be thorough.’
Emma asked,
“The data for the year you ntioned is here. Would you like so tea?”
“No, thank you.”
Han Ji-hyuk imdiately pulled out docunts and began reading.
‘There were quite a lot of kids.’
It amazed him how such a small orphanage managed so many children.
Most were from Laontra, part of the Eastern Empire.
“Laontra natives...”
Muttering, Emma said,
“They’re refugees from the Laontra civil war.”
“I see.”
Just then—
Crash—!!
Waaaahhh—!
After a sharp explosive sound, the children’s cries were heard.
Emma’s eyes snapped open as she ran out instantly.
“What’s wrong!”
Her voice was so loud it carried into the docunt room.
‘What is that posture...’
He had seen that posture sowhere before.
While Han Ji-hyuk blinked blankly, the child called Arasa peeked inside.
“Did the teacher scold you?”
“What?”
“Hmm, that’s strange. All the n who co here get scolded by Teacher Emma.”
“Scolded?”
“Yes, like this, like this.”
The child twisted arms and legs the wrong way, grunting.
“No, no. You’ll break if you do that.”
“But the n do it like this...”
A woman who looked to be in her 50s could do that?
Han Ji-hyuk gasped and returned to the docunts.
“Almost every child has a na.”
“Nas are precious. That’s why the teacher always, always gives nas to the little ones.”
“I see.”
Han Ji-hyuk chuckled and turned the page.
[Unnad / Age 6 / ■■ Boy]
Found it!
But it was strange.
Next to the boy’s na was a trace as if sothing had been erased.
‘His origin isn’t even written.’
What the hell.
Why did Beltree alone have so many peculiarities?
Just then—
The kid who had been circling Han Ji-hyuk lost interest and began rummaging through a drawer desk.
Seeing the child ss up the drawers, Han Ji-hyuk said,
“That kid’s going to get scolded by the teacher if he keeps that up... Huh?”
Inside the drawer was a familiar item.
‘That’s sothing I used to carry around when I was a con artist.’
A fake pendant ant to pose as Laontra nobility.
Han Ji-hyuk quickly flipped the pendant over.
Twin crossed swords.
This was the pendant of the Imperial Palace Guard.
“...!”
He flinched and looked at the child.
“The teacher said she beat up... scolded the n?”
“Yeah!”
“Did she use a sword then?”
“The teacher always uses two swords! So cool!”
“Yeah... cool indeed...”
After closing the drawer carefully, Han Ji-hyuk left the room with the child.
Emma, who was watching the children, looked at Han Ji-hyuk.
“Did you find the docunts?”
“No, there are too many. I think I’ll have to co back tomorrow. It’s late at night now.”
“I see. Please take care on your way.”
Then Emma went back to watching the children.
Han Ji-hyuk greeted her and left the orphanage.
Far from the orphanage, he took out his communication stone.
After a while, a familiar voice ca through.
[Yes, this is Conrad.]
“Please investigate the Obsidian Society of Laontra.”
[Obsidian Society?]
“A group of female swordsn who protect the empress. They all wield twin swords.”
[Not difficult. Astra helped the empress in the civil war. What’s the matter?]
“If my guess is right... Beltree is an extraordinary person beyond our imagination.”
Han Ji-hyuk’s voice darkened.
That night, Astra Second Viscount’s residence.
I felt chills all over.
Clutching my cardigan tightly, I lay on the bed.
My nanny, Jeanne, looked at with concern.
“Are you alright?”
“Mm, just a cold.”
“Tonight is the Red Moon (a night when blessings can’t be used), so the healers can’t co. What should we do...”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll just take dicine and sleep.”
People with blessings get very sensitive when the Red Moon approaches.
The stronger the blessing, the more sensitive.
Dad and my older brother also went to bed early.
‘But this is strange.’
I wasn’t affected much by the Red Moon.
Jeanne put a pill in my hand.
“This is a fever reducer. Call if you still feel bad after taking it, okay?”
“Okay.”
I swallowed the pill, and she laughed softly, stroking my cheek.
“You take your dicine well.”
“I’m eleven years old.”
“Yes, you’re grown up now.”
Jeanne watched settle in and left the room.
I turned off the bedside lamp and pulled the blanket up to my chest.
‘Ugh, I feel weak.’
Why do I feel so weak?
“I should sleep quickly... huh?”
It was strange.
Letters were sparkling and flying above the lamp.
[Rosmo Manufacturing / Agros Chandelier]
[Glass, Jeanne Masif’s traces]
‘What is this?’
I looked around with a dumbfounded expression.
The letters were flying wildly.
[Ante Grimm ‘Plants and Flowers’]
[Dress Room]
[Brass Mirror]
‘Stop, stop!’
My head was about to explode.
‘I thought the root I received from the Land of Blessings had ended, but so still remained.’
That was why my magic was draining despite the Red Moon.
I staggered to my feet, trying to pull the bell cord.
But I couldn’t make it far and collapsed.
“Jeanne... ugh, oppa... dad...”
My vision narrowed.
And I was pulled deeply into darkness.
“What kind of child are you!”
With a thunderous shout, I jerked upright.
This was the familiar darkness.
The darkness where I always t Sailon.
“Strong power always cos with strong restrictions. Did you think there wouldn’t be such a drawback when you use the power that flows from the Celestial Realm?”
‘Nagging...’
“What?!”
Ah, right.
Sailon can hear my inner thoughts.
I mumbled,
“I’m sorry...”
“There’s no child who makes Suseong suffer as much as you do.”
He looked at with narrow eyes.
“Coming here is never a good thing. It eats away at your life force.”
“Yes...”
“You’re especially blessed with divine affinity, so don’t ever receive the Celestial Realm’s power again. Understood?”
“Understood... wait.”
“What?”
“I saw the past here, right? Then can I see other pasts too?”
Sailon looked at with a stunned expression.
[That’s why smart kids are troubleso.]
“I’m smart?”
Sailon looked even more flustered.
“Damn it, your Celestial Realm power lets you read my mind too.”
I looked up at Sailon with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, since it’s already draining my life force, I might as well get so benefit, right?”
“What exactly do you want to see?”
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