Chapter 9

Chapter 09

TL-Mechatronic

The two were very similar when they were surprised As if they were shocked, the two men were at a loss for a moment.

“I don’t think 9-years-old is that young.”

Luciel said while shrugging her shoulders.

No matter how much I looked at it, she looked like a 6 or 7-year-old child, but it was amazing that she talked like an adult sometimes.

“Anyway, you are staying at Bellstein Castle. Welcome, Luciel. And thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to prepare in advance.”

“It’s all thanks to grandfather.”

Gillard looked at her and Luciel smiled back. However, the Duke stepped into the gap.

“It’s too early to be happy. Let me tell you in advance, your fiancée has left for the academy and is not in this castle. We should also ask the opinion of the party you are getting married to. Of course, the marriage contract can be revoked at any time if the he opposes

Luciel dropped her small shoulder slightly as she sat down.

if he refuses.

That was a problem that Luciel couldn’t do anything about. He may not want to get married because he’s still young. Come to think of it, even in her previous life I was told he never married and lived his whole life alone.

Maybe he is celibate.

‘Then I will have to leave Bellstein.’

But I really wanted to meet Kizef once. For him, who lost everything because of me, maybe I can be his strength in this life.

‘When we meet, I have to look good.’

Should I be nice because my face is not pretty? At the end of a short contemplation, Luciel said.

“I will keep that in mind. So, I’ll stay here, right?”

“Yes, let’s finish the contract first and wrap up the landslide case. Until then, stay here as long as you like. I will protect you. Eva, are you out there?”

After a while, the woman who was on standby, came in and bowed her head.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Give that child a room in the East Wing.”

“All right.”

The East Wing was the building where the second Young Master and occasional guests stayed. The Duke looked down at Luciel and said.

“First of all, make her look like a human. She seems like a puppy that rolled around from the field.”

He didn’t show it, but he was distressed by the smell from Luciel.

“Yes. I understand.”

The Duke had mysophobia and was overly obsessed with cleanliness. Just from the fact that he had put Luciel in his study, you could tell how generous he was to the child.

(TL: is a type of phobia that centers on an extreme and irrational fear of germs, dirt, or contamination.)

“Call me as soon as Ellington arrives at the castle.”

“What? Lieutenant Ellington went on vacation to his home for two days……”

Then the Duke said with a sly smile.

“He returned voluntarily.”

“…… Did he?”

Perhaps he made it so, Eva thought in her mind, thinking to herself.

Knock, Knock.

As soon as the words were finished, the person the Duke was waiting for appeared.

“Ellington Stewart has just arrived, Sir.”

“You can come tomorrow.”

You’re saying things like that without a second thought?

Everyone who was watching was stunned at the Duke’s clever lies.

“Luciel, if there is anything you do not know or find difficult, ask me. I look forward to your kind cooperation”

Gillard approached Luciel and asked to shake hands. Luciel took that warm hand.

“Yes, I look forward to that kind cooperation.”

The Duke watched from behind as Luciel’s maple-leaflike hands shook hands with the old Duke, and stood with his arms crossed.

“I’ll be watching you, Luciel.”

“Oh, yes. I will try very hard.”

Luciel said so, putting her hands together. By the Duke’s side, a brown-haired young man saw her and was dying to see who the little lady was.

“Luciel.”

“Yes…..”

“Let me introduce him. This is my Deputy Ellington Stewart.”

“Ellington, this is my temporary daughter-in-law candidate.”

“Heh, isn’t the word “temporary” enough? Besides, there is no one but Luciel, why are you even using candidates in there?”

At Gillard’s question, the Duke frowned. Ellington, who was watching, said quickly.

“Ah, is that so? You are a lovely little girl. My name is Ellington Stewart, and I’m the Lord’s direct aide.”

Ellington took a step closer and knelt down to greet Luciel.

“Oh, I’m Luciel.”

Even before the contract, the Duke liked Luciel’s attitude of not introducing herself with the Orbia’s name.

Soon Ellington’s worrisome words returned.

“But, sir, isn’t she too young to be a daughter-in-law.”

As if he knew what Ellington’s reaction would be, the Duke said a bit bubbly

“Even if she looks like that, Luciel is nine years old.” “What?”

“…Ellington, you’re surprised too, right?”

Ellington’s eyes doubled as well, and Gillard and Eva burst into laughter.

“Yes, a little. Ah! My Lady, Sorry for being so surprised. It’s not that I’m surprised because it’s weird, it’s that you are so small and cute that I didn’t know you were quite grown up.”

I also liked the brown-haired young man who surrounded me with gibberish for excuses.

“…..It happens often. It’s okay.”

Luciel somehow had a good feeling.

To the world, the Duchy of Bellstein is known as a hotbed of crime colluding with demons and a den of evil…..But when I got here, I wasn’t afraid at all. Rather, I felt like something fun was waiting for me,

Guided by Eva, Luciel followed with quick steps. In her mind, she was memorizing the way. This place where the Duke’s study, office, and meeting rooms were located was the Castle’s main building.

Eva turned around. Luciel was following behind with a Squeaky noise from her slippers. It looked like a little duckling. Eva paused for a moment.

“Miss Luciel. Aren’t you a little tired?”

Eva didn’t know if the child was tired because she met many adults at once. In addition, the Duke of Bellstein and the Old Duke are difficult opponents to deal with, even for adults.

Luciel shook her head.

“I think everyone is bright and harmonious.”

Eva only replied with a silent smile, as she had often experienced the bloody atmosphere of the Duke Castle.

Actually, they are people who fight like enemies every day.

But she couldn’t say that.

“I am glad that Miss Luciel is staying in the Castle of Bellstein.”

I don’t know how the Young Master will react when he returns but…..Eva wanted to believe in the soft atmosphere this little lady created.

‘Please let this place be peaceful.’

Luciel raised her small head.

“I think so, too. I’m really happy. But….”

“Yes?”

“Can I eat the leftover parfait I left behind?”

Luciel, who looked up at Eva, asked very seriously,

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you to your room and bring it to

you.”

Her face lit up at Eva’s answer.

“Aren’t you going in?”

“Oh, yes.”

It was a room so large that it was difficult for Luciel to see it all at a glance. The interior was decorated in

ivory and beige tones, cocoa colored furniture and a soft rug was spread under the large central bed.

Just looking at it makes me feel warm, soft and cozy.

“As this is a temporary room, there must be many inconveniences for Miss Luciel to use, but we will do our best to improve it. A dedicated maid for you will be deployed right away…… What’s wrong?”

“Can I really stay here?”

“Of course. Please wait for a moment. It would be better to take a bath first and rest comfortably.”

As Eva left her room, Luciel slowly looked around. Nothing felt real, as it would be the case. She had never had such a nice room nor a freed body,

“This is my room…..”

The lavish rooms of the Count and the Imperial palace were just like a landscape outside the glass vault. It was not something that could be enjoyed directly with Luciel’s hands and her feet.

But, in front of her, it’s not the same place as before,

”I can touch it as much as I want or lie down.’

Luciel walked over to her bed and sat down. A child like Luciel was in a bed that was wide and soft enough to accommodate eight people.

‘I think I will fall asleep just by lying down.’

The quilt, which was soft just by touching it, smelled good, as if it was just washed.

Eva returned with the maids.

“These are the maids who will take care of the Young Lady. I’ll leave the parfait here, so eat it after bathing I also brought castella and warm milk.”

All the maids bowed their heads towards Luciel and smiled.

“Nice to meet you. I am Rose.”

“My name is Bessie.”

“Oh, I’m Luciel.”

“It’s our first time meeting, but we’ll help you take a bath. I promise you it will be really refreshing.”

Rose, who was holding a large towel, smiled and said, sweetly. Bessie guided Luciel in the direction where the bathroom was.

“This way, lady.”

The bathroom had a marble bathtub with hot water.

“……I can do it myself.”

Luciel hated taking a bath.

It also stressful for the maids to see and touch her skinny body. It was also painful to have to seek help from the maids as my legs became uncomfortable later on.

At Luciel’s reaction, Bessie knelt down and carefully asked as she made eye contact.

“Are you shy? Then I’ll wash you in pajamas. Will that be okay?”

Luciel quietly nodded her head. As long as she was wearing clothes, it would be fine.

She was soon surrounded by the maids. Thanks to the care of Rose and Bessie, Luciel was able to finish her bath well. However, the maids who saw Luciel’s small and thin body reflected through her rolled-up sleeves, bit their lips in secret.

They could not have imagined what had happened to such a small and fragile child of a noble family. The two shared unspoken words in their met gazes, that they should be more kind to the little girl.

“Next time, it will be fun to take a bubble bath.”

Luciel felt very refreshed with washing after a long time. Betsy wiped her body with a soft, dry towel. She was cute at first, but after she was washed clean, Luciel had become a completely different child.

With a towel draped over her wet silver hair, her crimson eyes twinkled like that of a baby snow bunny running endlessly through the snowfields.

“My Lady. How do you look so much like a rabbit? So cute.”

The red-haired Rose groaned and covered her mouth. Her eyes fluttered aimlessly. Beth, who had black hair, also shook her head.

“Miss Luciel’s eyes are so shiny and pretty.”

At the compliments of the two, Luciel was shy and just blinked silently.