Chapter 80

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 80

Chapter Title: Soul Pebbles and Maid Troubles

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I stared intently at three small pebbles. They contained the souls of the kin Paimon had left behind.

'Maybe the man with the dictionary that knows no impossibilities really is the best choice.'

In preparation for any possible war.

But a once-in-a-century genius strategist would be a huge help in battle too. And I could borrow his wisdom for everyday matters as well.

'The angel holding the torch would be the most useful right now, though.'

With his medical knowledge, he'd come in handy after we head to the capital.

I let out a groan—"Kkuuung"—and flopped face-first onto the desk.

'I want to make them all my familiars!'

But I could only take six familiars. I couldn't waste the opportunities.

As those thoughts swirled in my head, a knock came at the door.

"Little One."

My personal maids peeked through the door, waving something held in both hands.

"It's bread."

"Fruit."

"Pudding."

"I'm not hungry, though?"

I tilted my head, and they drooped their eyebrows sadly.

"You haven't touched your snacks lately."

"We brought all the tastiest things."

"Mine's especially delicious."

My snack time was usually a casual tea gathering with the family.

They'd always call me over. But lately, everyone had been so busy there was no time for tea together, so I'd been missing snack time left and right.

The maids' thoughtfulness warmed my heart, so I nodded.

"Okay, I'll have some."

"Want to eat in the garden?"

"The spring weather's perfect now—totally thawed out."

"The gardeners planted tons of violets, your favorite."

"Sounds good."

I carefully tucked the soul-filled pebbles into a drawer and followed the maids to the garden.

Sitting in my favorite gazebo with the white roof, munching on snacks, lifted my spirits right away.

The maids regaled me with fun stories they knew I'd enjoy.

"So the pastry chef from the west annex..."

"Ishak, check this out!"

Mireyu's voice rang out from a distance.

I turned to see Ishak striding over with a scowl, Mireyu hot on his heels. She clutched a wooden sword in her hand.

"Mireyu, you're swinging that thing like a pro now. Even Nos said so?"

"I said don't follow me—you're annoying. Can't even swat this flea."

Ishak shoved Mireyu off his waist, and our eyes met.

"Kiddo!"

He flashed a big grin and headed my way.

"Whatcha doing out here?"

"Snack time. Maids brought this stuff. Bread, fruit, peaches."

I showed off my spread, and the maids beamed happily.

Ishak popped a trimmed orange slice into his mouth and propped his chin on my shoulder.

"Now that you mention it, it's been days since we snacked together."

Then he growled, "All because of her," shooting Mireyu a glare.

Ishak's recent busyness was all thanks to Mireyu.

She stuck to him—the most laid-back of my brothers—like glue every single day, driving him to dodge her in frustration.

"I told you not to call me 'her' in front of Mireyu. What about Daddy?"

Mireyu planted her hands on her hips, pretending to scold him sternly. Ishak let out a huge sigh and rubbed his forehead against my shoulder.

"I'm dying here, for real."

Just then, Mireyu swung her wooden sword—whoosh—but it smacked into a gazebo pillar, sending her tumbling down with a thud.

He sighed and hauled her back up.

"Please, just go. Huh? Henri-hyung's in the library—go bug him."

"Henri-oppa said to come ask you to play."

One hand on his waist, he hung his head low. His long, gangly limbs made him look like a cartoon.

'Come to think of it, Ishak's shot up a ton.'

He was about average adult male height now.

He'd grow even more, but feeling how much taller he'd gotten since we first met really hit home.

It was strangely touching, so I smiled softly.

"Why the grin?"

"Ishak's grown so much."

"Oh yeah?"

Grinning like a rascal, he yanked my cheek.

"Aha! (Ow!)"

"A little kid who can't even grip a sword properly."

"I can."

The knights taught me everything.

"Show me. I'll watch."

Mireyu puffed up her cheeks.

"He won't watch mine."

"Lend me that wooden sword, kiddo, and I'll watch yours next."

"Tch..."

Tears welled up in Mireyu's big eyes in an instant. As her lip quivered and she started sniffling, Ishak flinched.

"What now?!"

"Ishak-oppa hates me. You only like sister and never play with Mireyu."

"'Cause you're such a pest."

Waaang!

Mireyu burst into tears. The maids panicked and rushed to soothe her.

But Mireyu wouldn't stop crying easily. That's when I scrambled over to comfort her too.

"Miss!"

Mireyu went limp and collapsed.

Mireyu was rushed to her room for the doctor's examination. After listening to her chest, the doctor straightened up, and Father asked.

"Her condition?"

"No major issues. The change in environment probably stressed her out, even if she didn't show it. Keep a close eye to help her settle."

Right on cue, Mireyu's eyes fluttered open. She looked around, wrinkling her nose like she was about to cry again.

"Miss, no tears."

Lea knelt by the bedside, stroking her cheek. Mireyu clung to Lea, whimpering.

"I wanna see Mommy..."

"Should we send word to the inn?"

"My real mommy..."

The room fell silent, like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over it.

The servants glanced nervously at Father; he and my brothers stared at the fragile, trembling Mireyu.

"If Mommy was here, she'd yell at Ishak-oppa. Tell him to play with Mireyu."

"Miss..."

"Daddy's too busy, and brothers only like sister. Mireyu's all alone. I miss Mommy..."

After that, everyone treated Mireyu like fragile glass.

She'd never known a mother's touch, evoking images of a newborn left to die alone in the mountains.

Ishak and Henri couldn't dodge her, and Father had to visit her room every night when she wailed "Mommy!"

A few days later, after penning a letter to Veronica and tugging the bell cord, I blinked in surprise.

My room's cord linked to the lounge where my personal maids—Dalia, Linda, and Uni—stayed, but no one came.

'Weird.'

Those three were sticklers for detail, always keeping at least one in the lounge. No one responding right away was a first.

After waiting ages with no sign, I stepped out and grabbed a passing servant.

"Seen Dalia, Linda, or Uni?"

"They're in the miss's room."

"All three?"

What for?

I tilted my head and headed to Mireyu's room. I raised my hand to knock, but the door was already half-open, revealing everything inside.

"So, can't you three be Mireyu's maids?"

"But..."

"We attend to Little One..."

"That's right..."

Lea and the maids wore troubled looks before Mireyu.

Mireyu clung to Lea's arm, face crumpling.

"Lea..."

"Miss, those three have been with Little One for years. Taking them outright troubles everyone and disrespects Little One."

"But Mireyu likes these maids! They were so kind when I cried in the garden last time. No one else for Mireyu!"

She started full-on whining, and Lea sighed heavily. She glanced at the trio.

"Just for a bit, please. Once Miss stabilizes, go back to Little One."

Even among Duvered's staff—flexible types with shady pasts—these three had the worst rap sheets.

They'd risen to VIP attendants thanks to Lea's backing. She'd pulled huge strings for their hiring too.

Lea was their benefactor; they couldn't say no to her.

As Uni bit her lip hard between Linda and Dalia and blurted "But...!", that's when it happened.

Tears like chicken droppings finally plopped from Mireyu's eyes.

Lea scooped her up in a rush and bowed her head.

"......"

"......"

"......"

I shoved the door open with a thud.

"Saw it all—the door was open."

Lea and the maids startled.

"Don't take them. Dalia, Linda, and Uni are the ones I asked Father to assign to my support squad."

"Little One, please—"

"No."

Everyone in the room froze at my curt tone.

I eyed Mireyu. She hugged Lea's waist even tighter.

"Want my maids? Ask for them yourself. Don't put Lea in a tough spot."

"......"

"So—"

"Sister hates Mireyu?"

"......"

"Sister's close with all the servants—she can use others. But refusing lonely Mireyu means you hate me."

She hunched her shoulders and glared. Lea yelped "Miss!" in panic, but Mireyu's gaze held firm.

"Sister hates Mireyu. That's why you steal all the oppas. I wanna be friends with sister... be family. Why does sister hate Mireyu?"

"Do you really wanna be family with me?"

"Yeah!"

"Then why think I'm stealing the oppas?"

"......Huh?"

I met her eyes steadily.

"How's me—family—hanging with the oppas 'stealing' them?"

"That's... uh!"

"You thinking I'm stealing them means you hate me."

"No!"

"Then how's me saying no to the maids mean I hate you?"

Mireyu went mum, dumbfounded as a bee in honey. She flailed for words, then "Ugh..." and plopped down.

That's when.

"Baby Bird!"

A familiar voice—and a redheaded woman burst in.

It was Lady Javelin, rushing from the capital after hearing Baby Bird had been found.

Lady Javelin scooped up the slumped Mireyu.

"What happened? Why's Baby Bird like this?"

Lea murmured, flustered.

"She's... sensitive to stress, it seems."

"Who stressed this child out enough to make her collapse?"

Lady Javelin demanded, face hard as stone.