CH 10

Several days had passed.

During that period, the mithril artisan summoned by Karif arrived at the mansion and successfully repaired the hole. The incident, which had perplexed the artisan, was fated to remain an unsolved mystery for a considerable time.

Karif, with a hint of regret in his eyes as the hole vanished, expressed his desire as the commander of the Ignite Knights to confront the culprit and engage in a sword duel. However, Izeline harbored a genuine wish to reveal the identity of the culprit as a literary device if it was feasible.

Meanwhile, Duke Briosche returned to the capital, and Karif departed for the eastern border of the empire.

Thus, peace returned to Armanty Mansion.

Munch, munch.

Izeline hurriedly put the cookies on the table into her mouth, using both hands to grab them. While her cheeks were puffed up like a squirrel, Robert asked.

“By the way, did father ask you to learn swordsmanship?”

Before leaving for the capital, Duke Briosche called Izeline to his study. He ordered her to learn swordsmanship and promised to assign her a good mentor.

“Mm-hmm.”

Izeline replied briefly and continued to busy herself with the delicacy.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. He said it would be helpful for a lady to have some knowledge, munch.”

To be honest, she was too preoccupied with eating.

Izeline keenly felt that Armanty was not just a prestigious name. The snacks here were an irresistible temptation to resist. The softness that melted in her mouth and the captivating sweetness that captured her tongue were works of art.

She simply couldn’t stop.

Munch, munch.

“Hey, leave some for me.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She didn’t listen.

When he saw her hands moving busily, Robert made a pained expression before pulling the plate towards himself. Seeing tears welling up in Izeline’s eyes as if she had suffered a cruel punishment, he reluctantly spoke up.

“Why would they teach you swordsmanship when there are knights?”

His face showed deep concern, worried about her future. In the meanwhile, reading his concern, Izeline blinked away the pain of having her snacks taken and looked at him.

Robert continued.

“Father doesn’t do anything without a reason.”

…Could it be that he wanted to raise her as a knight and send her to the battlefield?

Robert’s complexion darkened as worry slowly crept in. However, Izeline’s following words brightened his expression.

“It’s not certain that we won’t wander around secretly again. There might be situations where we won’t be able to stay together as we wish.”

“….”

“The world of adults is something I don’t understand, so there might be unexpected situations, as the Duke said. Still, I’ll try to stay next to you.”

“…Yes.”

A faint pink color appeared on Robert’s cheeks. Then, as if a thought had occurred to him, he jumped up from his chair and grabbed her sleeve.

“Let’s go out.”

“Huh? Where are we going?”

“Somewhere.”

He took out a robe from the closet and put it on Izeline before putting one on himself. He did it with such skill as if he had done it many times before.

“Because you’ll be busy learning swordsmanship. Let’s go have some fun.”

Surprised, Izeline blinked her eyes, but he hurriedly pulled her along. Sneaking through the eyes of the maids and moving through less crowded areas, the two arrived at a wall. She wondered what they were doing.

“The wall is too high for us to climb over.”

Ignoring Izeline’s words, Robert crawled through the bushes. Izeline followed him, trying to persuade him.

“Let’s go with the maids.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because everyone hates me.”

“….”

Izeline was at a loss for words. No, she couldn’t breathe.

…Just how deep are the scars this child carries?

Considering he was only four years old, it was heart-wrenching to think about. Nonetheless, how could two young children escape from this mansion? They couldn’t pass through the guards at the gate without the maids, and it was impossible for the two of them to climb over this high and sturdy wall.

Thud…

“….?”

At that moment, Izeline turned her head at the unfamiliar sound she heard. Robert was sitting hunched over with his palm against the wall. No, through a small gap, a strange red light shimmered.

“Robert…?”

Surprised, she stammered out a question, and he paused his movements, looking at her. Izeline’s gaze followed where Robert’s hand had been moments ago. There was now another hole in the mithril wall.

He was the one who made it.

“Oh, oh my…”

Was this some forced plot by the author?

Izeline was so shocked that her words stumbled out. Witnessing this mysterious power right in front of her eyes was a shocking experience. She had no immunity to such phenomena.

Anxious, Robert’s gaze wavered as he asked in a trembling voice.

“Why, why are you so surprised?”

Startled like a goldfish, she couldn’t find her words and took a step back in confusion. How was it possible for a mere four-year-old to use mana?

No, wait a moment…

The first hole was discovered last year, right? That meant he pierced through the mithril wall when he was three years old? How did such a thing possible? Her racing thoughts were interrupted by Robert’s trembling voice, like a tree shaken by the wind.

“Am I a monster?”

Robert trembled all over like a small boat caught in a typhoon. In a choked voice, he continued.

“I’m just a strong person, that’s all…”

“….”

“Tell me, why are you afraid?”

“….”

Izeline felt as if she had been hit on the head with a blunt object. When she came out of her stupor, she realized she had distanced herself several steps away from Robert. What kind of wounds has she inflicted on this child?

Startled, she quickly approached him and sat down, huddled together.

Robert looked at her with a forlorn expression, like a pitiful puppy being drenched by the rain.

“Are you scared of me?”

“No, no. I’m not scared at all.”

She waved her hands vigorously, denying his words.

“It’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Why did you move away, then?”

“Because I was startled. That’s all, Robert.”

“….”

“I moved away because I was surprised by your strength. I’m really sorry, Robert!”

Waving her arms and shouting powerfully, he gazed at her with a mixture of doubt and embarrassment.

“…Really?”

Izeline nodded emphatically as if appealing with sincerity.

“Really, Robert!”

With his moist eyes, he carefully observed her as though trying to determine the veracity of her words. Slowly, the flicker of doubt dissipated, and he compressed his lips, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

“Is it possible for me to be a genius? It feels strange!”

“Well, maybe.”

Wow.

Was he one of those prodigies she often heard about? Izeline marveled and asked.

“Does Duke Armanty know about how strong you are?”

“He doesn’t know.”

“Why?”

If his exceptional talent were to be unveiled, not even Duke Briosche would dare to underestimate Robert! Even if he encountered obstacles and found himself ensnared in a trap, he would inevitably find a way to rise again and…

“Because it’s a secret.”

At that moment, his voice pierced through her ears, causing her mood to sink.

“People will think I’m like a monster.”

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“….”

“Except for you.”

“….”

Izeline couldn’t say anything in response. What kind of sentiment could make someone say such things nonchalantly?

With a nonchalant expression, Robert raised his index finger to his lips and whispered secretly.

“Shh! It’s our secret, alright?”

“…Okay.”

“Here, pwomise me.”

She cast her gaze downward at the small finger extended by Robert. As he gently shook it to encourage her, Izeline hesitantly interlocked her pinky finger with his, silently sealing their agreement.

Relieved by the sight of their entwined fingers, Robert once again reached out towards the wall. Before long, a tiny aperture materialized, just large enough for a single child to slip through.

***

Under the gentle caress of the summer breeze, the fields came alive with a vibrant display.

The verdant grass and leaves swayed in perfect harmony as if choreographed by nature itself. Following a meandering path that cut through the expansive fields, orchards, and scattered residences, one would eventually arrive at the main street that intersected the heart of Souvri.

Continuing along that path, a notable commercial district sprawled across the surrounding territories, welcoming a constant stream of adults who entrusted their children to Julie’s care while they toiled away.

“Try the Souvri peaches! They’re amazing!”

“Lamb meat on sale! Today is the last day!”

“We have delicious sesame bread! Come on in!”

The street teemed with bustling activity, an amalgamation of noise and fervor. Like dwarves amidst giants, Izeline and Robert navigated through the thronging crowd with hurried steps.

“Ouch!”

“Oh dear, be careful.”

How many times did they inadvertently collide with others?

Overwhelmed by the bustling ambiance of the commercial district, Izeline found herself dwarfed by the briskly moving legs of the adults, which seemed like daunting obstacles to her diminutive frame.

“Come this way.”

The inexperienced Robert grabbed the back of her robe and pulled her towards him.

“Oh!”

“Don’t worry, just follow me.”

With a skillful maneuver, he led her to one side of the road, surveying the bustling street with a worried expression. There had been no problems when she came alone, but why was she bumping into everything now?

It was truly an unexpected problem.

“Are there twis many people usually?”

Looking at her, who was continuously wandering around as if fascinated by everything, Robert bluntly replied, “Of course, they came here from various territories.”

“How intewesting.”

“Awe you stupid? You don’t know it.”

“Twen, how do you know?”

“I cwame here a lot.”

“Oh?”

Izeline’s eyes widened in astonishment.

She had assumed that he had merely been exploring the vicinity of the mansion, but it turned out he had ventured much farther than she had anticipated.

It was reckless for a four-year-old to be so fearless.

Taken aback, Izeline pressed her lips together and let out a sigh, recalling the arduous journey he had undertaken, including hitching a ride on the back of a swiftly moving carriage without losing his way. It was evident that this was not a mere one-time or occasional feat for him.

‘Originally, it’s not a distance that two young children can walk alone.’

Izeline said, putting on a stern expression.

“Robert, it’s a bwig deal to do it alone.”

Honestly, she was more worried than anything. The world was too harsh for young children, but Robert responded brusquely to her worried voice.

“It’s not a problem until now.”

“What if you meet a lot of bad pweson?”

“They won’t cawe anyway. They won’t even see me.”

“….”

At that moment, Izeline became aware of Robert’s adeptness at maneuvering through the bustling crowd. It wasn’t a matter of being unseen by potential wrongdoers, but rather his agile movements.

Regardless, amidst the hustle and bustle of the expansive commercial district that had expanded beyond the confines of the noble’s estate, nobody paid him any heed except for a few contemptuous glances. It was evident that the young lord had acquired certain bad habits along the way.

“It’s dwangerous for a child to be alone.”

“I’m not alone. I’m with you.”

“Dwon’t say such things.”

“Why? Isn’t it more fun this way?”

“What’s fun is not important now.”

“….”

Robert’s eyes shook as if he was hurt by those words. Then, he slumped his shoulders and asked gloomily.

“Isn’t it fun when you’re with me?”

“It’s nwot like that…”

“Ywou don’t like me?”

‘Ugh. This s unfair.’

Izeline, who was momentarily swayed by his cuteness, managed to compose herself with a determined expression.

“I really, rweally like you.”

As Robert’s face brightened upon hearing those words, she continued speaking.

“But this is dangerous…”

Growl.

At that moment, a sound cut through the air, and the eyes of the two met. Izeline’s heart thumped.

“Oh…”

“Are you hungry?”

“Oh, no. I’m not… it’s not me?”

She blushed and stammered. Still, Robert, seemingly oblivious to her reply, started looking around. There was a delicious smell coming from somewhere.

“I’ll gwo get some for you.”

“No, I said no!”

“Just wait here.”

“Wait…”

Disregarding her objections, Robert forged ahead through the bustling crowd. Observing his adeptness at navigating through the people and making his way to the other side, Izeline couldn’t help but bite her lip in embarrassment.

That cursed appetite of hers.

It wouldn’t even know the right timing to be well-behaved. She blamed her own lack of foresight and a sense of awkwardness washed over her as she indulged in the enticing aroma.

Honestly, the long journey had left her small body yearning for sustenance. Her stomach had been growling for a while now, demanding nourishment.

With her eyes fixed on Robert, who had arrived at the chicken skewer stall across the street, she couldn’t help but swallow. The savory fragrance and the perfectly grilled meat came alive in her imagination.

Behind him, a tavern seemed to be in full swing, with adults, perhaps slightly tipsy from daytime drinking, coming and going.

“Huh? What…?”

At that moment, Izeline doubted her own eyes.

Did Robert discreetly take a chicken skewer without paying?

‘…That’s stealing, isn’t it?!’

This couldn’t be happening.

Perhaps he hadn’t grasped the concept that one had to pay for things because he was still young? There were many things she needed to educate him on.

Startled, she immediately headed towards the other side.

“Ouch!”

“Oh, dear! Are you okay, child?”

“Ah!”