Chapter 33

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: Leblain Risette Duvered

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Shh, shh. After glancing down the corridor, I darted into the greenhouse with quick pattering footsteps the moment it was clear.

I dug up the soil beneath the newly planted aromatic sapling.

Once I'd dug down pretty deep, a damp cloth peeked out from the dirt.

I rubbed it with my fingertips and felt something lumpy inside.

"Good, good."

This was the bounty money pouch I'd gotten from Celia.

A friend of hers, disguised as one of the workers planting saplings, had buried it here.

Squatting there, I broke into a satisfied smile.

'With this, I can not only forge an identity but also book passage on a top-notch ship to cross the continent.'

But that wasn't my only goal.

'Time to invest.'

Money draws more money, after all.

I'd roll this seed money and watch it snowball into a fortune.

'Then I'll flee into exile and live in luxury...!'

My cheeks flushed pink at the happy thought, and I let out a giggle.

'Now all that's left is for Celia to return safely.'

I had a ton of instructions for her.

Of course, I'd have to help her track down that "guest" too, but that wouldn't be hard.

The duke was already combing through Jacob's inner circle all the way to the dead nobles.

All I had to do was discreetly pass the duke's intel along to Celia.

I carefully covered the soil back up and left the greenhouse whistling a little tune.

As I walked the corridor toward my room, a voice called out from the other end. "Little One!"

"There you are. We've been looking everywhere."

It was the maids. They carried shoes and dresses in their hands.

"You have to attend the grand council."

The grand council was Duvered's largest assembly, gathering even the vassals who governed territories.

'Why would I have to go there?'

I tilted my head, and the maids exchanged glances before chuckling softly.

"Today's the day you're being introduced to the vassals."

Aha.

That explained why Lea had been fussing over outfits and accessories nonstop yesterday.

The maids escorted me back to my room, where they helped Lea dress me up.

They put me in fancier clothes than usual, neatly combed my hair, and tied a ribbon at the crown of my head.

Now a pretty cute little lady, I followed Lea out of the room.

When we reached the council chamber, the soldiers opened the doors.

I scanned the vassals and swallowed hard.

A few familiar faces were there, but most were strangers.

'Wow.'

Even if their numbers weren't huge in the capital, every single vassal radiated an overwhelming presence.

These were the powerhouses exercising influence at the heart of one of the empire's top families.

But the one who stood out above them all was, of course, Duke Duvered.

'Whoa...'

This was the first time I'd seen him in full regalia.

A shirt with delicate gold embroidery, a lavish jacket adorned with merit badges.

Draped over it, a robe emblazoned with the black lion emblem symbolizing the head of House Duvered.

'His looks really are in a league of their own.'

Not even those flashy clothes could fully hide his chiseled chest and broad shoulders.

And then there was the quiet yet chilling, outright menacing aura emanating from his entire body.

No wonder he drew every lady's gaze despite that terrifying personality.

Flanking the duke were Henri and Ishak.

Henri with his flashy, sweet looks, and Ishak with his slightly feral vibe.

Even they exuded a pressure far beyond their years as children.

"Leblain."

At the duke's voice, every eye turned to me.

I walked carefully so I wouldn't trip and approached him. He scooped me up and plopped me on his knee.

"Gasp!"

"Huh."

"Right on His Grace's knee..."

The nobles seeing me for the first time looked ready to faint.

"Leblain Risette Duvered."

Risette?

It made sense I'd take Duvered now that I was adopted, but a middle name too?

As I blinked in surprise, the vassals erupted in a huge uproar.

"What...!"

"Risette, Your Grace?!"

"Isn't that the name of the late duchess?!"

I startled and stared at the duke.

'Has the duke lost his mind?!'

Middle names usually honored parents, grandparents, or esteemed ancestors.

But that was reserved for legitimate heirs!

It was such a tradition that even when handing the family to a son-in-law, the phrase was, "Feel free to add my name to your middle name."

This was a declaration that I held rights equal to his own flesh and blood.

Rights to access all intelligence... and to command the Duvered lands in his absence.

Even the pro-duke vassals I'd gotten close to went stiff-faced.

The vassals raised their voices.

"Please reconsider!"

"Duvered blood rights to a child from the temple?!"

"Your Grace!"

It was total chaos.

I was beyond flustered.

'No, I just want to mooch some meals and live quietly?'

Sure, I needed enough power so the temple couldn't touch me when I fled, but this was way overkill.

'All eyes will be on me now!'

"Go-Gong... zanmi..."

I called out to him hoping he'd take it back, but my voice came out trembling from the shock.

The duke's eyes turned vicious.

"Who dares frighten my daughter."

Pardon?

"Point out whoever scared you. I'll twist their limbs off."

At that, Henri and Ishak rose from their seats and bowed deeply.

"If you command it, I'll take their head."

"Leave it to me."

Why are these kids like this!

The vassals flinched and fell silent. One who'd been practically shouting went pale as a ghost.

'Oh, heavens.'

Only then did I finally realize.

What have I done.

I must've teased him way too much.

After the council adjourned, I returned to my room and flopped onto the sofa with a blank expression.

Why did things turn out like this?

"Ruined. Totally ruined."

As I roughly rubbed my dry face, the door opened.

It was the high-ranking servants from the main keep.

People way above Lea, in other words.

"Are you tired, Little One?"

"We brought some sweet milk."

"Oh dear, this carpet's all worn out. What has Lea been doing, not reporting this?"

Lea and my maids, who had followed them in, looked utterly dumbfounded.

Lea had reported the carpet was worn, but that very headmaid had said it was still usable and to leave it.

I usually got plenty of affection from the servants.

Partly thanks to currying favor with the pro-duke nobles.

But that was from the staff around the guest annex—not high-ranking ones coming to fawn over me like this.

The highest who'd ever been nice was the east annex butler.

This was the fallout from my middle name becoming "Risette."

"You'll have outside engagements now, so we should stock up on clothes and jewels."

"Let us take your measurements."

"What foods do you like best?"

The high-ranking servants crowded in uncomfortably close.

I was at my wit's end.

Of course, being loved by your father was a good thing.

But when that father was Duke Duvered, it was a different story.

The eyes of the entire empire were sure to turn my way.

'No, they don't know yet.'

I tried to steady myself.

One tactic monarchs used to maintain ironclad power was pitting their heirs against each other.

The predecessor had done just that to seize control alone.

'Maybe something like that! ...I hope.'

But the odds were low.

The deed to the biggest toy shop in the shopping district he'd dangled had snuffed out that hope.

"All the furniture's been delivered to your room in the west annex now. If you head there, we'll attend you."

My current maids flinched.

"Serving the Little One is our job!"

The most hot-tempered of them, Dalia, shouted, and the west annex maids scowled.

"Your duty is hosting guests in the east annex."

"The Little One isn't a guest anymore—she's Duvered blood. It's only natural we serve her."

My maids pushed back.

"But we've been serving her all this time."

"His Grace never said anything about changing her maids."

"Right. A sudden switch would just confuse the Little One...!"

The west annex maid crossed her arms with a look of disbelief.

"Raising your voice in front of the Little One. Where'd you learn manners like that?"

I stared hollow-eyed at the bickering maids.

'Can't you all just leave me alone?'

I clutched my head with both hands and groaned.

The duke's office.

Viscount Dubos, who had followed the duke inside, spoke with a grim expression.

"Wasn't today's action too hasty? Every faction's eyes will be on the Little One now."

The duke handed his jacket to the butler and replied calmly.

"That's why I acted hasty."

"Pardon?"

The Duke of Duvered sat in his chair, crossed his legs, and eyed the viscount.

"We still don't know if this 'guest' is from inside or an outsider."

"That's true."

"If it's an outsider, they'll lay low once eyes turn to Leblain."

"But if it's internal, this will provoke a bigger reaction. Wouldn't it be better to station the Iri knights as guards...?"

"What killed Risette?"

The viscount flinched at the words.

Duchess Risette had been a nameless noble with no parents or relatives.

The duke had hidden her away meticulously to protect her.

She'd rarely shown her face even in the territory, let alone at capital social parties.

Her guard had been airtight. He'd assigned the current Iri captain—the strongest mage-knight after himself at the time—for flawless protection.

But she had died.

Her death, known to all as from childbirth, had actually been murder.

'Naming the Little One after Lady Risette—a vow it won't happen twice.'

No, that wasn't all.

There was no corner of Duvered beyond the duke's gaze.

Even on the day the wanted fugitive Celia escaped the castle, he'd known Leblain had sneaked into the underground dungeon.

Theodor Duvered despised any part of his domain slipping from his control.

Yet there'd been no punishment for Leblain, suspected of secretly releasing the prisoner.

Far from it—

[For a child to sneak into the dungeon undetected... Truly athletic nerves befitting my daughter.]

—he'd all but demanded praise for it.

He was already smitten beyond saving.

'Is this a boon or a curse for Duvered?'

Of course, the Little One was adorable, lovable, athletically gifted, decisive, compassionate, generous, and wise beyond her years.

Thinking of yet another doting dad moment, he grinned and decided to go visit her.