Ch. 20

It was too difficult for an eight-year-old to stand in the same position for too long. I began to resent Charlotte who left me here and disappeared, even more so the maids who whispered among themselves in my presence! 

'Now that I think of it, they didn't even help when I changed into my dress.'

'You guys! Come here and help me with this. What are you doing standing idly?'

It suddenly recalled the moment when Charlotte scolded the maids. At that time, I was curious as to why Charlotte seemed so annoyed with the maids. 

It turned out she was annoyed for a reason! 

Since the Head Maid, Charlotte, was helping me change my clothes, but the maids didn't even move to help. So it must be so infuriating for Charlotte. 

'Hiic...'

I hugged Ex tighter and leaned my cheek on him. 

[What's wrong, brat? You should be confident and tell them to stop whispering about you. Isn't that your specialty?]

'But....'

We were in the Ferdinand residence.

Until two hours ago, I was just an eight-year-old country bumpkin who had no connection to this great ducal family. 

It has only been two hours since I found out that I was Duke Ferdinand's granddaughter. 

But how do you expect me to be brave and say it to their face? 

I felt like I was put in a very awkward position now that everyone knew I was the Duke's granddaughter! 

[If you can't do it, I'll scold those rude maids in your place!]

'Forget it, I'm going home soon anyway.'

[You're going home? Aren't you going to live here from now on?]

'Hm? Why do I live here?'

Ex answered me as if he was so baffled. 

[You are the Guardian's granddaughter. Of course, you're staying here.]

I mulled over his words for a minute before answering him in my head. 

'But I have been living with my dad until now.'

We were a little short of money, but we didn't lack anything else other than that. My dad raised me well even without my mom around. 

I was a child who grew up without any inadequacy.

So when I heard that the great duke was my grandfather....

'I was flustered.'

I was just so flustered when the grandfather that I didn't know existed appeared out of thin air. I was a bit surprised that he was a noble. 

A lot of questions are rushing through my head.  Sᴇaʀᴄh the NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Why did my mom abandon her noble status and elope?

Why did my mom and dad hide the fact that I have a grandfather?

Why didn't my grandfather look for me?

I was curious about these things, but I didn't particularly feel anything.

Of course, I was quite happy with the fact that I have a grandfather. 

I couldn't believe I had another family member other than my dad ...but I wasn't that excited to live in the house of such a great noble family. 

'I don't think this magnificent family suits me at all.'

Moreover....

I recalled my dad looking very anxious when I met Duke Ferdinand for the first time. 

'He looked so anxious and terrified like a man who got caught doing something he didn't want anyone to find out....'

So I didn't have the slightest intention of living in this residence. 

Even more so that I had witnessed the maids deliberately ignoring me with my own eyes!

'The Duke has not yet told me to stay here...'

Leaning my cheek against the cold hilt of the sword, I muttered under my breath.

"I have no intention to live among the people who ignore me."

I wanted to live in a place where people were kind to me and my dad. 

In that case, this place is eliminated! 

"Miss Eve, I'm sorry for being late. I have informed another maid to pick you up, but she must have forgotten."

A brown-haired maid with a bob cut said to me after she ran toward me breathlessly.

She must have run a great distance because sweat was formed on her forehead.

Huh?

'She must be in a great rush.'

Did she rush here after hearing that no one picked me up?

My anger gradually subsided when I saw her continuously bowing to apologize. 

So I got up and shook my head. 

"I'm fine. I didn't wait that long."

[What are you saying? Didn't you wait for so long?!]

"So you don't have to be sorry."

I ignored Ex's complaint and said what I wanted to say. Meanwhile, Ex kept buzzing in my arms as if he didn't like this situation. 

'I know, but I don't want to be mad at this person.'

This person had been running until she ran out of breath upon hearing I was left unattended. 

I shouldn't get angry at this person, rather, I should get angry at the maids who've been watching me and whispering about me over there...

[They're gone.]

"Again?!"

Why did the people in this mansion keep disappearing in a blink of an eye?

Even the maids who had been watching me from afar and whispering about me had disappeared. 

I looked over the window in hope of catching a glimpse of them, and turned my head to the maid who came to pick me up. 

"Miss Eve, are you looking for something?"

"N-No, I'm not."

They actually disappear. 

I was just looking blankly at the place where the maids used to stand before they disappeared. 

I was planning to rat them out to anyone who would come to pick me up. 

'They're all gone, so I can't do that....'

[The people in this mansion are so strange.]

That's what I'm saying.

I recalled the timid female knight whom I met in the reception room earlier. 

I wondered if that person was also secretly watching me and making fun of me like those maids did.

My thoughts began to be filled with doubts. 

"T-That's not true, Miss! H-His Grace didn't order me to do anything...."

But that doubt went away instantly when I recalled the female knight who was on the verge of crying.

'She didn't seem like that kind of person.'

If she were truly watching me with ill intention, she wouldn't have made such an expression when I caught her red-handed. 

Yeah, let's not think negatively already.

That was what I thought, but an uninvited guest broke into my head.

[You are so naive, brat! You're the type of kid who follows a stranger who gave you candy!]

'I'm not that severe!'

[Yes, you are!]

The angry Ex kept vibrating. Meanwhile, the maid seemed to be amazed when she saw the sword vibrating in my arms, and carefully held out her hand to me. 

"I will take you to His Grace now. Would you like me to hold your hand, Miss Eve?"

"Yes, thank you!"

So I took the maid's hand. She began to explain what a great and wonderful place the duke's residence is as we walked side by side.

Thanks to that, I listened to many stories that kept me intrigued while heading to the duke's office. 

Among them, and one that caught my attention the most, was definitely the story of my 'mom'. 

The Ferdinand family was a great family where skilled swordmasters were born for generations. 

And I heard that my mom had the most outstanding ability among Ferdinand's swordsmen. 

A question popped into my head when I heard such a story.

Why did she choose to go to the countryside? Why did she abandon her status and reputation?

Why did she pick my dad, who is far more inferior than her and only a weaponsmith?

"Sweetie!"

A familiar voice could be heard in the distance. 

As I walked in a daze, I turned my head immediately when I heard that familiar voice. 

A voice with a hint of naivety but rife with warmth.

This must be...

"Eve! My princess!"

"Daadd!"

As soon as I saw my dad's face, I smiled brightly and jumped up and down. 

It's really my dad!!

It was a face that I'd seen every day, but for some reason, I was so glad to see him in this mansion!