Chapter 37 - Blood Of The Extinct Fami

Chapter 37. Blood Of The Extinct Family

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‘I don’t think she’s a bad person.”

But I don’t think she’s a good person.

Leticia had arrived at the Achilles’ mansion, and flattened her lips thinking of Keena. If there was one thing she was certain of, it was that she was a very suspicious person.

‘I’d better be careful.’

Keena’s strange way of knowing so much about Leticia still bothered her.

[What kind of reward do you want?]

She wanted to pay her back immediately, so she could get rid of any reason to meet again.

A big grin spread across Keena’s face as she realized Leticia’s intention.

[We’ll meet again anyways, so I’ll tell you later.]

At the end of that remark, Keena turned around saying she had something to do first.

Thanks to her, Leticia was able to arrive at the Achilles’ mansion earlier than expected, but a part of her mind was still confused.

‘I hope we never see each other again.’

It wasn’t a very good meeting.

She had an ominous feeling that she would continue to get involved with Keena.

Leticia tried to calm her anxiety and entered the mansion.

“Sister!”

Elle was waiting for Leticia as soon as she opened the door and ran to meet her.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Elle had a serious look on her face, and Leticia’s face turned serious as well. Instead of answering, Elle grabbed Leticia’s hand and dragged her to the drawing room.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

At that, Leticia looked nervously at Elle and picked up her pace. Enoch and Ian were already waiting for them in the drawing room.

Worried about how serious it must be, Elle urged her along without giving her a chance to look at the other two.

“Come quickly and look at this.”

“This is….”

“Finally, a pink diamond came out!”

Elle pointed to the small box with a very excited face.

The size was so small that it was only seen when it was right in front of your eye, but the color was clear and brilliant.

‘This is a pink diamond.’

Leticia blinked several times and stared at the tiny form of the pink diamond. It was like looking at a little flower seed.

Leticia was enchanted by it and murmured subconsciously.

“Pretty…”

“Right! It would have been much better if this kernel was a little bigger.”

Elle jumped up and down as if she couldn’t hide her joy while speaking. It was only after Ian told her to calm down that Elle stopped hopping around.

Leticia was watching the scene with a smile.

“If you look at it like this, you’ll find a prettier and bigger jewel next time.”

“I know! Whew, if you sold the mine you would have never found this little gem.”

The mere thought of it was appalling. Elle was energized and glued herself to Enoch’s side.

“Aren’t we going to be rich, Brother?

“Don’t make a fuss.”

Unlike his rebuking tone, he patted Elle’s head gently.

As Leticia watched the scene happile, her eyes met Enoch’s. As soon as their eyes met, Enoch smiled brightly at her. Feeling shy, Leticia turned her head slightly.

Seeing the two, Elle and Ian smiled conspiratorially and decided to slip away.

“I’m off because I suddenly remembered I have something to do.”

“I have an Imperial Civil Service exam soon, so I’ll go study now.”

They were already out of the drawing room before Leticia had time to stop them.

Leticia watched the two leave, powerless to stop them. She slowly lifted her head when she felt a gaze on her. She looked towards Enoch, who was still smiling brightly.

She felt strangely shy and awkward and began to fidget.

“Was the training hard?”

“It was very hard.”

“Really?”

Surprised by his words, Leticia quickly examined Enoch’s body. She was worried he was hurt somewhere, but she heard a small laugh above her head.

“So, could you hug me for a second?”

“What…?”

“To cheer me up.”

Leticia hesitated for a moment before she opened her arms for him. She wasn’t even the one who asked for the hug, so she didn’t know why her face was getting hot. Enoch was smiling nonchalantly so she felt even more embarrassed.

“Oh, no…”

“Why?”

“That’s….”

As she was about to take a step back because she couldn’t speak. She felt a warmth on her hand. When she lowered her head, she saw a large hand wrapped around hers. She was surprised and tried to sneak it away but his long fingers intertwined with hers.

“I’d like you to tell me why not.”

Leticia shook her head to hide her red face, it seems he didn’t plan to let go unless she told him why.

‘How can I say that I’m feeling shy?’

When she closed her mouth because she couldn’t bear to say that, she heard a disappointed voice in her ear.

“You gave me a hug last time.”

“When did I ever?”

It was the kind of words that said, if he asked she would always hug him.  Startled, she looked up and immediately met Enoch’s gaze squarely. Enoch moved Letisha’s hair behind her ear with a warm smile on his face that could melt anyone who saw it.

You’re finally showing your true colors.

“Don’t make fun of me.”

He had a disappointed voice before, but now he has started to sound hesitant again as if he had never tried to make her feel guilty.

Leticia poked his cheek and turned towards the pink diamond. She whispered quietly because she was amazed every time she thought about it.

“It’s the first time I’ve actually seen a pink diamond.”

It was a jewel with the special meaning of ‘Eternal Youth and Beauty’ and ‘Wishes coming true’. Perhaps because of its value, the pink diamond sparkled like a star despite its very small size.

‘Come to think of it….’

[Unexpected luck comes to those closest to you.]

‘That was how the fortune went.’

It might be a coincidence.

An ecstatic smile crossed Leticia’s face briefly, she grabbed Enoch’s hand tightly and said.

“I wish I had another pink diamond, a big one.”

He said one hadn’t come out in almost 10 years, so she sincerely hoped that more would rain down like a waterfall.

Enoch quietly watched her desperate wish, then smiled and nodded.

“I wish for that too.”

“Then it’s bound to happen.”

Leticia grabs hold of Enoch’s uncaught hand.

She wished again that only good things would come to the Achilles family.

***

Before long, the first examination for the Imperial CIvil Service has approached. Leticia followed Ian to the test site, and was trying to suppress her nervousness and clasped Ian’s hand.

“People might think you’re the one here for the exam”

He said it with a harsh laugh.

Leticia looked up in surprise at the remark, Ian smiled calmly and asked.

“Are you alright?”

“That’s what I was going to say, Ian.”

She didn’t know why she was nervous when she wasn’t the one taking the exam.

Letician smiled awkwardly and smoothed her skirt with her hands. Ian lightly shrugged his shoulders.

“As you can see, I’m fine. It’s just unfamiliar.”

“What?”

He was right.

It was the first time someone came with him because they were worried about him and wanted to support him. It was awkward and unfamiliar for him, but he wasn’t in a bad mood about it.

Rather…

‘I think he’s rather delighted.’

Enoch had to enter the Imperial Palace, and Elle had plunged into another business venture, so Ian was alone.

He was capable of going to the test site alone, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed when no one went with him.

Unexpectedly Leticia joined it as if it was normal.

“Ian.”

She quietly called out his name and slowly wrapped her hands around Ian’s cheeks, her blue eyes looked straight into his eyes.

“Do your best.”

“….”

At that, Ian stared at Leticia in stunned silence.

Leticia didn’t tell him to pass, she just asked him to do his best.

It sounded as if she was telling him that it was okay if he messed up.

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Ian squeezed Leticia’s hand to tell her not to worry and tried to enter the exam site. That’s when Leticia felt a gaze behind her, and looked back in curiosity.

“….”

“….”

Emil Leroy.

A sigh almost escaped her mouth as soon as she faced his cold and rigid expression.

***

“You’re looking much better. Business seems to be going well for you lately.”

Marquis El said at their first meeting in a long time. Marquis Leroy’s face was much pastier than the last time he had seen him.

“It’s the same as usual, but people talk nonsense.”

He talked as if it was nothing, but the corners of his mouth were drooping down.

Marquis El was watching him with a strange expression, and spoke softly.

“I heard you’re behind on the wages for your miners.”

“What are you talking about? It’s been a long time since I took care of that properly.”

Marquis Leroy bounced around from place to place with different excuses. Marquis El shook his head as he squinted in suspicion.

‘People are saying he doesn’t have any funds. I’m sure it’s not a big deal.’

He didn’t think they needed to talk about it since it seems like he’d solved it well.

“Yeah, if it’s you, I’m sure you have it all in hand. Actually, that’s not the problem right now.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

Marquis Leroy, who had been busy paying miners and working on mining projects again, asked with a curious look.

Marquis El had been frowning for a while as if he was troubled. He lowered his voice.

“The Erebos family who people said were extinct.”

“Why are you talking about that unlucky family?”

“Because it’s important.”

After checking if there was anyone else in the drawing room, Marquis El whispered quietly.

“I heard that the bloodline of the family is still alive.”

“What….?”

As he listened, he couldn’t believe it. Marquis Leroy put down his teacup loudly. His complexion began to turn pale, but Maquis El didn’t notice and continued.

“That’s what the Imperial Family has been fussing about these days. I’m trying to keep it quiet, but there are a few people who have already noticed.”

“….”

“Anyway, you should be careful. I’m sure they’ll hold a grudge against the Imperialist nobles.”

Unlike Marquis El, who spoke casually while drinking his tea, Marquis Leroy’s legs were trembling.

‘That family’s children are still alive?’

It was indeed unpleasant news to hear that the body you thought was dead and buried, sprang back to life.

Marquis Leroy struggled to keep a straight face and rose from his seat.

“I’d better get going. I’ve been busy lately.”

“Okay, take care of yourself and I’ll see you next time.”

Marquis El nodded without saying a word about his friend who seemed to be quickly evacuating his seat.

As he was about to leave the drawing room, Marquis Leroy stopped walking and looked back.

“So who’s alive? Daughter? Son?”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know. There must have been a couple of kids in that family.”

Nothing was certain yet.

Just the fact that the blood of the family was alive somewhere.

“I’m sure everything will work out fine. Weren’t the people of that family originally physical ability users, unlike our family?”

“Yes… I’m sure you’re right…”

Marquis Leroy was muttering to himself with a peculiar expression, he began to walk again and left the drawing room. As Marquis El quietly watched him walk away, he frowned and stroked his chin.

“Hm…”

It was clear that something bizarre was going on.

****************************************************************************