Chapter 39

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: A Super Shy Kid is Searching for Dad 135

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Meanwhile, Selina couldn't hide her shocked expression upon seeing the cart.

"So, you're saying you're going to buy all the teleportation formations with this?"

"Yeah! Because Selina's selling them to me as a friend."

"Even so, I didn't expect you'd buy this many..."

"Gasp, can't I buy a lot...?"

Selina shook her head.

"No, it's fine. Just in case, let me check with my parents. There's a communication orb on the second floor."

"Communication orb?"

Veil cut in.

"You have a communication orb at home?"

Selina nodded.

Veil found himself glancing up at the upstairs railing without thinking.

She'd called herself poor, but Selina's house was plastered with all sorts of luxuries and expensive items.

Even a communication orb, though.

In Talochium, communication orbs were expensive and rare.

They even required special permission to own, making them hard for most people to use.

"How'd they get permission for that? I heard it's nearly impossible without connections to the imperial family."

"I'm not sure. Probably threw some money at it?"

Selina shrugged nonchalantly and continued.

"My parents have plenty of money. Anyway, this way."

As Selina started up to the second floor, Tiye hurried after her.

Lukarion and Ppu Ppu followed right behind, as if they'd been waiting.

Veil took a slower look around the mansion's first floor, watching the kids disappear up the stairs.

The cart parked by the stairs caught his eye.

At the same time, he felt oddly directed gazes on him.

...Well, now. What an odd atmosphere.

A crooked smile tugged at Veil's lips.

Three in the kitchen, two in the basement.

One at the entrance, and presences in the backyard too.

Even without parents around, the mansion had over nine servants.

But to Veil's eyes, not a single one wore a normal expression.

They all had dead fish eyes, looking at their young mistress like she was a nuisance.

He'd already witnessed a spectacle when they arrived.

What a pain, suddenly wanting breakfast! She could've just eaten on her own and left.

Recalling the impudent woman blabbing without a care for eavesdroppers, Veil's face lit up with even more interest.

"This is why kids need their parents around."

He murmured softly as he approached the cart.

Then he casually lifted the bag of gold coins, set it back down, and headed up the stairs.

"Selina, who were those apron people from earlier?"

Tiye asked once they reached the room with the communication orb.

Selina's eyes went wide, and for some reason, she avoided Tiye's gaze.

"Th-they're the servants who work here."

"Servants?"

"People who do the cleaning and cooking. I told you yesterday, right? My parents are always away on business, so I live alone."

Tiye nodded.

Selina's parents ran several massive merchant guilds.

She'd said they were away from home more often than not.

But yesterday, when Tiye had asked how she'd been managing, Selina had answered weakly.

I just stay home.

Alone? Then how do you eat? Kids can't just live on fried eggs and ramen—they need a balanced diet...!

I don't cook, so I'm not sure.

Then?

There are people who do it for me. They clean, make breakfast every morning, and take me to the academy...

But despite her words, Selina's face had been incredibly dark.

She'd been a happy squirrel playing the corn-eating game.

Now she looked like one who'd had all its acorns stolen.

Tiye watched quietly as Selina fiddled with the communication orb, recalling yesterday.

Then Selina turned with a troubled look.

"It's taking a while to activate since it's been so long. We'll have to wait a bit."

Tiye waved her hand reassuringly.

"Okay!"

She turned to Lukarion beside her.

"Blackie, let's wait a little!"

"...As long as it takes."

Selina sidled closer and peeked at Lukarion.

"So, who's this young lord?"

"Young lord?"

Tiye's mouth fell open in an O.

But she quickly had an idea.

Young lady and young lord both started with "young."

That meant young lord was probably like young lady—a title!

Proud of her deduction, Tiye replied.

"Yeah, Blackie's my friend, Young Lord Lukarion! Say hi!"

Selina shyly bobbed her head in greeting, then asked.

"But how come you're with this young lord so early in the morning?"

Tiye grinned.

"Hee hee, we live together!"

"Wow, really?"

Curiosity lit up Selina's face.

Her eyes sparkled with surprise.

"I didn't know. Tiye, you're amazing. You already have a political marriage partner."

"Political...?"

Tiye glanced at Lukarion, tilting her head like what's that?

But Lukarion just scowled uncomfortably, saying nothing.

Selina laughed.

"It's okay! I heard everyone in House Rosewbell does that. Betrothals from babyhood."

"Betrothal...?"

Tiye looked even more confused.

What was a betrothal? Not jelly, that's for sure.

And with Lukarion sighing beside her nonstop, she grew even more curious.

Finally, Tiye spoke up.

"Tiye doesn't know what betrothal is. But the reason we live together isn't betrothal—it's 'cause Tiye's a merc—"

Right then.

Grrroooowwl—

A massive rumble echoed through the room, and Selina's face turned beet red.

"That was..."

Grrroooowwl—

Another similar growl followed.

This time from Tiye's stomach.

Just then, Veil sauntered in from the door.

"Shouldn't you two eat something? Looks like the orb will take a while."

Selina, frozen stiff, nodded quickly.

Down in the dining room, Tiye sat at the table, swinging her legs.

In the open kitchen, the "servants" Selina had mentioned were bustling about.

"Why is this so dirty? Didn't wash it?"

"Ugh, we always wash in the morning! Should've done it last night if we knew. She shows up with all these hangers-on and suddenly wants food..."

Tiye cocked her head.

They were supposed to be the ones looking after Selina.

But their voices didn't sound kind or caring at all.

Meanwhile, Selina sat across from her, head bowed low again.

Then.

"Noble, huh?"

"Nah, commoners from next door."

The faint kitchen voices suddenly sharpened.

Tiye turned to see a transparent tube extending from Lukarion's fingertip toward the kitchen.

Along the tube, the servants' conversation came through crystal clear.

"The young miss plays with trash like that? The baron couple would burst a vein. Sent her to the imperial academy, and..."

"Shh! What if they hear?"

"They're commoners, who cares. And they can't hear anyway."

"True. But did you see that cart? Loaded with cash... Illegit noble spawn or something?"

"Dunno, who cares. Head maid's taking the gold later... Anyway, serve this quick."

The kitchen grew hectic.

Two servants approached Tiye and Selina.

Plates slammed down before the girls.

Tiye's eyes widened at the sight.

This is...

Charred black bacon.

Bread so moldy you could believe it.

And butter slathered with someone else's half-eaten spices.

Veil glared sharply at the servants, but they just smirked.

"Not much, sorry. Weren't expecting company, so no breakfast prep."

In that instant.

A pulse of mana burst from Tiye involuntarily with a pop!

And then.

"She'll eat whatever slop we give her anyway, the dimwit. Too mopey to tattle to the baron couple. What'll she do if she doesn't?"

The servant who'd spilled her guts froze in place.

Then she clapped a hand over her mouth with a gasp.