Chapter 16

Chapter 16

TL-Mechatronic

When Luciel was in the Imperial Castle, the Imperial maids guarding the glass vault heard whispering conversations about the Empress.

Did you hear that story? The Marquis of Schnitzel offered foreign glass ornaments to Her Majesty.’

Her Majesty looked at it every day, how much she cherishes it.’

‘Now it’s going to be a fad. Anything that the Empress uses will become fashionable.’

Recalling the conversation of the maids, Luciel smiled lightly and organized her thoughts.

“By presenting a beautiful glass craft on Her Majesty’s birthday. I can protect Bellstein and the dying glass trade can be saved.’

It was a lot of profit.

Furthermore, it will help Bellstein’s economy and position in the imperial family. It is to promote a friendly relationship with the Empress in the distant future. Although Bellstein’s military and financial power is strong at present, the cultural influence inside social circles is weak.

“How about presenting a beautiful glass craft as a birthday present for Her Majesty the Empress?”

“A birthday present from Her Majesty the Empress… Why did you think that way?”

“She is a fashion leader in the Tyra Empire. If that happens, requests from other noble families will come in one after another. We may be able to overcome the monopoly problem at the Baluk guild and save the economy of Ivnak.”

Hearing Luciel’s words, Ellington’s complexion brightened. He was suffering from a headache recently because of that, and while he blamed himself for not having thought of this before, he was even prouder of the little girl.

“How did you come up with all that?”

Ellington slowly waited for the child.

“I just remembered a long time ago.”

Ellington sometimes found out that Luciel had an incomprehensible look of sorrow. So he didn’t ask anything.

“For that, there is something that Ellington has to look out for first.”

But soon the child’s eyes filled with life again.

“……What is it?”

“Please find a craftsman that can make the Empress’s birthday present.”

“But the Baluk guild has almost monopolized the craftsmanship, so….”

The Marquis of Baluk was a veiled person from another region, and his merchant guild was large and powerful. It was able to degenerate Bellstein’s glass craft activity and scope and make those types of goods only available at the Baluk guild.

“There is someone I have in mind, so let’s find a glass craftsman together.”

Luciel remembered the face of the craftsman who made her glass vault in the past. If he had a passion for glass crafts, he would definitely not miss this opportunity.

“If this work is pursued with the Duke’s permission, will work with you. First of all, let’s say it’s Ellington’s idea. How about that?”

“But…”

“The vassals will listen to Ellington’s idea, more than an idea from me.”

“All right.”

Luciel held another candy in his hand.

“I’ll give you another bribe.”

He accepted another unexpected bribe. Luciel patted her dress to make it neat and left the library, tying her bag around. Seeing her small back walking away, Ellington was confused. She was like a cute little child, but he can’t keep up with what she’s thinking in her head.

“She’s an unpredictable person.’

Then he ate the strawberry-flavored candy that Luciel gave him. It was astonishingly delicious, he took out the candy again and looked at it.

“This is really delicious.”

Seth Franzel, the chef at the Duke’s Castle, was picking strawberries from the farm one by one. She had to

use the largest and freshest special strawberry as an ingredient.

It was a great pleasure in her life these days. It was thanks to a new lady named ‘Luciel’.

From her first meal until now, the little girl has always left little gifts such as leaves, flowers, and small pebbles with a short memo.

(Thank you for sharing happiness.)

Uf someone wants to dance, I’ll tell them to eat this dish.]

[Meat is faith.)

[I ate this and went on a trip for a while. In Heaven.)

She only received her notes every time, but the last time she had the courage to send the little lady a note.

[I’m going to make candy. What flavor do you like?)

And the answer that came back was

(Strawberry is love.

In response to her cute answer, Seth smiled warmly the next day and made candy with sugar dough and homemade strawberry puree with all her heart.

Seth herself could not have imagined that the candy would have become Luciel’s negotiating tool and treasure.

The dinner hall was a spacious venue on the fifth floor. There was a window with a cool view of the castle and the marble floor was elegant, so Luciel thought it would also be good to dance here.

Will be able to meet other family members today?’

I had such vague thoughts, but in the dining hall, only the Duke and grandfather were sitting. The eyes of the two reached Luciel, who was dressed up.

The child who took careful steps had changed beyond recognition. A sky blue dress that matched her milky skin fluttered just below under the knees. A sky-blue ribbon was hung from her cutely braided hair. Moreover, Luciel’s cheeks were tinged with peach color, showing the excitement of her first supper.

“Oh, Luciel, you have become such an incredibly cute little lady. Isn’t it?”

When Gillard asked the Duke who was holding up a glass of water, he said.

“…Yes, it is worth wearing.”

Louivid was also pleased inside at Luciel’s cute appearance, but he pretended to be nonchalant.

“Ah, as you may have heard, I bought her a clothing store.”

At those words, which sounded like a subtle boast, Gillard smiled inwardly and wondered.

His son pretended to be so cold-hearted towards Luciel, but it didn’t seem like he was like that in his

heart. He’s a man with a gap from his outside appearance and his inside feelings.

But I heard from Bessie that Luciel likes socks more than dresses.

“Good job.”

With that said, Gillard thought he’d have to move quickly before Louivid noticed this information. If it, was Luciel, she would have liked the cute and warm “socks’ much more than burdensome things like a clothing store.

Whether to decorate a sock tree or make a doll with socks, Gillard was in a happy dilemma thinking about a gift to give to his granddaughter-in-law.

Louivid rolled his eyes and said to Luciel, who was looking around.

“Since it’s your first family dinner, the chef must have cared a lot about it. Eat a lot.”

From beefsteak to boiled pork hind legs, to well cooked chicken soup and lamb ribs. For the nutrition of the child, these were specially prepared dishes filled with only meat.

But Luciel sat still, with the food in front of her eyes. The Duke, who was trying to stimulate his appetite, with wine, tilted his head.

“Why don’t you eat?”

Gillard, who had been grabbing and biting pork ribs, also stared at Luciel.

“Luciel, do you have no appetite?”

“No. I heard it was a family dinner, so I waited in case anyone else came.”

Had grasped Luciel’s intentions at once, Gillard said. “I see. We can’t get everyone together now because of circumstances. In addition, not all family members are in the castle right now. Leoni should come soon Didn’t you invite him?”

“…I called, but it seems he’s a little late.”

Just then, Leoni appeared holding Sasha’s hand.

“You are here.”

“Oh, come here, Leoni.”

“…yes.”

“Sit over there, next to Luciel.”

Luciel raised her hand to greet Leoni.

“Hi.”

“You Sister greets you, what’s your answer?”

“…Oh, Hello. Sister.”

‘If it were just the two of them, he would never have called Luciel anything like ‘Sister’, but now, both grandfather and father were looking at him.

Leoni’s face, who had been okay until a while ago, became sullen. With his frizzy hair slightly raised, the little gentleman in a white suit with a pink ribbon, had a stained face as if he would cry at any moment out of resentment.

Luciel doubted her ears. That stubborn child called her “Sister’. He seemed to be very afraid of his father. Leoni’s lips were protruding enough to stand out, as if indignant at that fact.

“Like a duck.

Luciel chuckled and met Leoni’s eyes. The shape of Leoni’s mouth shape was so sullen it seemed like he was saying:

Do you want to fight?’

When Luciel smiled slightly, Leoni avoided her gaze.

”The little kid has a rough mouth. How should I get close to him?’

Luciel felt that if she wanted to do well in Bellstein in the future, she would have to be more proactive in bringing this child over to her side. So she said to the Duke.

“Young Master Leoni is really cute.”

“It’s okay when he’s quiet.”

Gillard also shook his head and looked at his pampered grandson. He was docile in front of people because he was afraid of adults, but Leoni was widely known as a troublemaker among servants.

In particular, Chef Seth, who was in charge of Leoni, made the same dish four times, because of how difficult he was complaining about side dishes.

He was worried that he might make a fuss wanting attention, but because Luciel was there, I thought she would be a good opponent. Gillard saw Luciel, quietly and busily emptying the plate in front of her, and Leoni, chasing and plucking the vegetables from the meat with a fork.

“Right. How about having a meal together with Luciel often, Leoni?”

Luciel, who thought it was a chance to be alone with Leonie, glanced at the child and replied.

“I like it.”

Leoni, on the other hand, did not answer.

“Leoni is a very picky eater, but Luciel eats very well. Besides, she eats any food with gratitude.”

The Duke, who had listened to Gillard’s proposition, also added.

“Picky eating is a bad habit. Leoni, just as Grandfather said, let’s eat with Luciel for the time being.”

“…yes.”

A shadow fell on Leoni’s face, who couldn’t say no and replied mildly, but Luciel was the opposite.

“We should get closer using this opportunity’

I remembered it belatedly.

Although not as much as Kizef, Leoni later became a notorious villain. He was involved in crimes, such as turning his back on his family and joining an illegal organization, and then died in retaliation from an opposing organization.

If he hadn’t been crooked, he would certainly have been a great wizard and led the family with Kizef.

If you know Leoni, he is a delicate and gentle child who easily gets hurt. There’s no one who’s a bad guy from the start. I can help this child grow up brightly.’