CH 14

I slowly gathered my thoughts as I followed the maid, who was waiting at the door, to the room.

Could Brian, like Grand Duke Crichton, be wary of Daniel?

I never thought that Brian would be on Daniel’s side.

Brian was the son of the Grand Duke of Crichton.

If the Grand Duke of Crichton died without incident, the legacy, and status of the Grand Duke of Crichton, and everything else, would be inherited by Brian.

In addition, Brian has a few things on his hands. 

Brian was the son of Grand Duke Crichton, and he was the leading figure that led to victory in a great battle with monsters when he was young.

He was given the title of Duke to Brian by His Majesty the Emperor. Not only that, but he also gave him land to rule as a reward. 

As he traveled between the capital and the border, the estate seemed to be managed separately, but the important thing is that he had no motive to kill Grand Duke Crichton.

Also, the relationship between Grand Duke Crichton and Brian did not appear to be bad.

Rather, it was the opposite.

Although he didn’t show as much affection as he did towards my mother, who returned after 10 years, there seemed to be a deep trust and affection between Grand Duke Crichton and Brian.

Considering the conversations I had with them at breakfast this morning, it was not unreasonable for me to speculate like this.

The conversation seemed casual, natural, and enjoyable.

It is not right to doubt the relationship between Grand Duke Crichton and Brian.

So, did Brian not notice anything until the moment Daniel took control of Crichton duchy?

It may not be a very wrong guess.

Above all, he stayed at the border all the time for more than half of the year.

Daniel took control of the mansion and planned everything without Brian noticing.

Of course, my guess was not 100 percent accurate.

However, combining all the situations I saw, only Daniel Crichton is the enemy of the Grand Duke.

After passing the corridor where the light came in brightly through the window, I turned to the left corner and walked in front, then I saw the entrance to the mansion first.

But strangely, I saw servants and maids lined up. I knew there was a reason they were standing that way. Because it was already a familiar formation.

They were waiting for someone to enter the mansion.

I tried to get through it without getting in their way.

But then, the front door opened, and a man with a face I will never forget came in.

Even at the moment of death, his serpent-like eyes were imprinted in my mind. 

The man who killed me, who killed Grand Duke Crichton, and who thoroughly trampled and crushed my mother’s hopes.

Daniel Crichton.

“You’re here, Daniel,”

The butler standing at the front bowed politely and greeted Daniel.

Daniel took off his hat and handed it over to the butler. Soon a servant came up behind him and helped him take off his coat.

Daniel, who was dressed so lightly, suddenly found me standing in a corner and opened his eyes wide.

“Yes? A child I’ve never seen…”

“It’s the eldest lady’s daughter.”

The butler, who took the hat to the puzzled Daniel, added an explanation.

“Oh, yes. I came to hear that Cornelia had returned, but I never heard that she had such a lovely daughter.”

Daniel, who spoke in a tone of admiration, let out a low laugh.

But I knew he was lying.

There’s no way I wasn’t mentioned in her mother’s letter.

My mother’s letter was about asking for forgiveness, she also asked if they could take care of me if she suddenly dies. 

Daniel, who stole all the letters, didn’t know I existed?

I frowned as I watched Daniel lie, without even putting saliva on his lips, casually making eye contact with me.

Daniel crouched down with a gentle smile, regardless of whether I was wary of him.

He looked as if he was trying to reach my eye level.

“If you were Cornelia’s daughter, then I am your grandfather. Come here, my dear,”

“…”

Looking at Daniel, who was ready to hug me with open arms, I stood as if I had been nailed to the floor.

I knew exactly what he was up to, and I had no desire to be hugged by him like a child.

As I watched Daniel silently, Daniel burst out laughing as if embarrassed.

“You must be a very shy child, aren’t you? I don’t think we can be close today. Isn’t that right, Barden?”

Daniel asked the butler next to him.

“It’s only been a day since the little lady came to the house. She’s probably still unfamiliar with it.”

The butler smiled affectionately and answered. Daniel nodded in agreement.

“Well, I heard you arrived yesterday, so it’s understandable.”

Soon Daniel recovered his hand as if he had given up. But he did not rise from his seat.

He still seemed to want to talk to me.

“Well, my dear, will you tell me your name? I’m your mother, Cornelia’s uncle. No, will she understand if I say it like this? Yes, I’m your grandfather’s brother. My name is Daniel Crichton.”

Daniel’s eyes seemed more benevolent than others when he smiled.

It was still the same today.

His smiling face, as if he were a friendly person, was no different from a benevolent grandfather, whom you would see on the street.

If I hadn’t experienced the future, I’d definitely fall for Daniel’s smile.

Did he cunningly reassure Grand Duke Crichton with such a smile?

He crouched down with such a kind and loving face. Grand Duke Crichton did not even suspect him. 

I wanted to ignore Daniel like that, but I chose to match his rhythm.

“… Grandpa’s younger brother?”

I still looked at Daniel with caution.

At least in order to find Daniel’s limbs in this mansion, it would be easier for Daniel and his limbs to think of me as a child who knows nothing.

“Yes, so you don’t have to be too afraid.”

I glanced up at the maid behind me at Daniel’s words.

The maid looked into my eyes and smiled, nodding her head slightly.

“Yes, he is the younger brother of Grand Duke Crichton.”

Then I sighed with relief and glanced at Daniel.

I felt very frustrated that I was young, but I thought that this body was the perfect fit for me to pretend to be innocent in front of Daniel like I am now.

“I’m a Mirabel,”

I introduced myself in a low voice.

“Mirabel. The name really suits you. Did Cornelia name you?”

“My mom and dad thought about it together.”

“If it’s your father… you mean the knight? Will come here?”

I hesitated at Daniel’s call and began to walk slowly.

As I stood in front of him, Daniel smiled happily and raised his large hand to stroke my hair.

Unconsciously avoiding his touch, I looked up at him in fear.

I tried to match his rhythm moderately, but reflexively, I felt uncomfortable and avoided his touch. However, since I showed a shy side from the beginning, Daniel wouldn’t find it particularly strange.

As if to prove my words, Daniel recovered his hand and nodded.

“Good to see you, Mirabel. We’ll see each other more often.”

“…yes.”

“Well, I’m here to see your grandfather. Do you know where he is?”

I answered Daniel by nodding my head.

“Then will you show me? I think it would be better if I were guided by you.”

Me?

I couldn’t get rid of my doubts and nodded for now.

It wasn’t difficult to guide him since I just came out from meeting with the Grand Duke of Crichton. 

However, I did feel a bit confused and had to ask for directions.

I looked back at the maid again thinking she could guide us, but the maid seemed to mistake it for something else. 

“Daniel seems to want to get along with the little girl.”

“With me?”

“Yes,”

“Yes, Mirabel, that’s why I’m asking you. Can you guide me to my brother?”

Even Daniel agreed with the maid, so I couldn’t think of any particular reason to refuse.

So I nodded, stood in front of him, and started walking.

“I can see Cornelia in you when she was young. But Cornelia wasn’t a very shy kid. Is it because it’s still awkward here?”

“The little lady will soon get used to it.”

“Well, well, it’s only been a day. How surprising it must be to come to such a splendid place after living as a commoner. It will take at least a few months to get rid of the countryside. But you still have a pretty face, so if you take good care of yourself, you’ll grow up and make men cry.”

The butler avoided answering Daniel’s rude comments with an awkward smile.

It was because he did not dare to point out Daniel’s words and deeds, even though he knew his words were rude.

I too felt uncomfortable and ashamed while listening to him, but I held it in.

First, I need to find the traitor who had been ordered to steal the letter by Daniel.

When Grand Duke Crichton and Brian came to trust me more, I will reveal every detail of Daniel’s scheme.