Chapter 6

Translator: Muffles

Editor: Pierce

●・○・●・○・●

Elena quietly petted the rabbit for a moment until her startled mind has calmed down to some extent.

“Who are you?”

In Elena’s question, the rabbit smiled and answered.

[I’m Lani!]

“What a cute name. I’m Elena.”

Elena’s lips rose to a smile.

‘Although what I asked for wasn’t its name exactly.’

She laughed softly at the rabbit’s adorable reply.

“I don’t think you’re just a normal rabbit…”

[Ah! I’m an earth spirit!]

“Earth spirit?”

[Yeah! I’m losing my energy these days. But thanks to master, I survived! Because the power of master has entered me.]

The rabbit laughed, but Elena was speechless.

‘I didn’t see a spirit coming out in the original work…’

And her power even saved the spirit.

Elena felt both happy and sad at her unexpected talent.

‘A person with such incredible power was only introduced as a pathetic mistress.’

Thinking of Elena in the original novel made her feel strange.

Her expression hardened as Lani, the rabbit, stared at her.

[Master! What worries do you have?]

“Ah, it’s nothing. But Lani…”

[Yeah!]

“Why do you call me master?”

From the moment she first touched Lani, it has always referred to Elena as its master.

It wasn’t a normal rabbit. But rather, an earth spirit that had just called her master.

[Yes, because master is my master!]

“Yes? What is that…”

[I know! That you are my master!]

Lani’s words were completely incomprehensible.

‘Are all spirits like you?’

Elena grinned as she stroked Lani’s fur.

She had many more questions to ask, but it was time to go inside.

“I’ll be on my way, Lani.”

[Oh!]

When she bid her goodbye, Lani’s eyes became moist.

Although the little rabbit didn’t dare to tell her not to go, it was obvious from its saddened eyes.

“Then see you next time.”

Soon, the female protagonist would arrive, so she strode back into the mansion.

As soon as Elena entered the hall, she straightaway saw two men.

It was no other than Killian and Lexion.

“You! I told you not to come out.”

Unlike his usual demeanor, Killian – who was wearing a full suit – reprimanded lowly as if growling.

Tears welled up in Lexion’s eyes, who were squatting in front of Killian.

“I told you not to make those eyes before me!”

Killian’s hand went up again, same as yesterday, but Elena quickly moved and held his wrist before it could land on Lexion.

Killian’s strength was stronger than she had expected. But luckily, she was able to stop his movement.

“What?!”

Killian shouted nervously and turned around.

“Young Master.”

Elena called out to him softly.

When Killian’s eyes – which had been cold for a moment – confirmed that it was her, it immediately softened.

“…Elena.”

She thought that he would run amok, but he was quieter than expected.

‘I was expecting him to be furious about what I said yesterday.’

While Elena was left speechless – with a strange sense of alienation – Killian turned to her with his hand on his stomach.

“Oh, this is a misunderstanding.”

He said with a smirk.

What misunderstanding?!

“I didn’t mean it. I was just actually trying to scare him.”

Killian, who was tactfully explaining, avoided looking at Elena. It was as if he was embarrassed to make eye contact with her. And at the same time, because he just made an excuse.

‘Why is he reacting like this? Did the words I said yesterday managed to get through him? Or maybe he already fell for me…?’

Elena was a little embarrassed because she couldn’t understand Killian’s sudden change. Regardless of her embarrassment – however – Elena still had to voice out what she wanted to convey.

“Intimidating others is also a type of violence.”

Elena firmly spoke and passed by Killian. She could hear him muttering ‘Oh, for that bastard’, from behind her, but she ignored it.

“Young Master Lexion, are you all right?”

Lexion was looking up at Elena with his body curled up. The boy’s red eyes were wet with tears.

Come to think of it, this was the first time that she had a glimpse of Lexion’s eyes.

A ruby color brighter than her hair. It was as if looking at a brilliant jewel.

‘He’s like a doll.’

Pure white skin, clear eyes, red lips, and bright gold hair. If it wasn’t for Killian, he would have grown up just like his peers.

Elena looked at Lexion for a moment. She then bent her back and held out her hand.

Lexion looked down at her petite hand; eyes that were indecisive on whether or not to hold it.

‘What he fears isn’t me. But rather, it was Killian who’s standing behind me.’

Perhaps the child was worried that there might be some detrimental effect for Elena helping him.

‘He’s even more worried about other people than his own body…’

Lexion was a remarkably kind child.

“You don’t have to worry.”

Elena spoke kindly to the child and smiled. She wanted to ease the child’s worries even just a little.

‘Because Lexion didn’t need to worry about me.’

Looking at Killian’s attitude today, she doesn’t know the exact reason for the scolding. Nonetheless, even if Elena helped Lexion, it didn’t seem like Killian would harm her.

‘Besides, Duke Halos’ work will be finished in a few days.’

Elena heard from Sophie that Killian only bullied Lexion on days when he wasn’t in class or was training. Besides, Killian’s class was crammed full until the Duke of Halos’ work was over. In other words, Lexion would no longer be harmed by Killian.

It had been a while since the child held Elena’s hand.

During this time, Elena didn’t leave Lexion’s side and just quietly waited with him. She was hoping that Lexion – who was holding her hand – would at least trust her a little…

The child’s hand that grasped her was small. She felt it yesterday too. But his hands were smaller for his age.

Such a small child…

“Can you get up?”

Lexion held Elena’s hand, but didn’t meet her gaze.

“….Yeah.”

A small voice came from the child, Elena couldn’t help but smile.

‘Cute.’

Elena took Lexion’s hand and lifted him. The child who was suddenly raised quietly looked into her eyes for some reason.

The subject of his gaze was, namely, Elena’s right ear.

‘Ah…’

She later found out what he was doing.

‘He’s really cute.’

Elena slightly grinned and lowered her head. She then whispered to Lexion.

“Thank you for the flower.”

Hearing her answer, the child raised his face. Lexion’s eyes, which were welling with tears, opened wide. His white cheeks were dyed red.

She had no idea if he was crying or smiling, but it was clear that he was happy.

He was particularly jubilant just because he heard her say “thank you.”

‘It makes me feel better too.’

“The Young Lady Oswald has arrived.”

It was then that the butler’s voice was heard.

Elena turned her body and looked at the main entrance of the mansion. Several maids lined up in front of the entryway. While Elena, Lexion, and Killian were standing inside.

After looking at the entrance for a while, a girl came in, guided by the butler.

Elena couldn’t take her eyes off the girl.

Her two hands gathered in one place – as if she was nervous – while showing her upright posture. She had light brown hair, tied in half, and obsidian black eyes.

A girl who looks excellent in a light yellow lacey dress…

…was the heroine of this world.

“Hello. My name is Jane Oswald.”

Her appearance while she greeted them with a bright smile was like a single freesia.

“Jane! You look pretty today.”

Killian went straight up to Jane and showed off his couthy behavior. On the other hand, Jane blushed in embarrassment as he came to grab her hand.

‘No, sister. That bastard is a trash.’

But she couldn’t openly disturb the engaged couple.

‘Still, I have to tear them off somehow…’

Elena was deep in thought.

***

A few days have passed since Jane Oswald stayed in the Duchy of Halos. In the meantime, Jane has warmed up to the Duke’s family. She had Killian by her side like a leech. But still, Killian hadn’t misbehaved, so it seemed like Jane didn’t disapprove of his approach.

‘How can I break the two of them apart?’

Elena, who was thinking like that, suddenly felt like she was a villain. But Killian was the greatest shit of this world. There was nothing she could do about it.

For days, she spent some time contemplating how to separate the two. However – even though she pondered over and over again – she couldn’t come up with a feasible plan.

‘Then…’

Should Elena wait until Killian self-destructs?

Although she had only been in the Duchy for about a month, Elena had already noticed Killian’s ignorance several times.

Eventually, there would come a day when he would do that in front of Jane.

If she aimed for that appropriate time…

“Elena, doesn’t it suit your taste?”

As Elena was immersed in her thoughts while she spooned the soup, she heard a low, heavy voice.

‘Ah! I must have been thinking too deeply.’

“No, I was thinking about something else…”

Elena replied with a smile. Currently, she was having dinner with the Duke, his two sons, as well as Jane.

Finally, the hectic work of Duke Halos had been sorted out. When he could afford it, he brought his children together. Moreover – before the meal began – he apologized for leaving them unattended.

While he sincerely apologizes, Elena was busy pulling down the corners of her lips that were about to rise.

Well, she couldn’t help it…

…because Duke Halos was fine-looking.