CH 15

Staring at Julian’s back, Schulva continued.

“I can’t say the count is completely on Lady Rosie’s side… but I think it will at least guarantee a minimum level of safety, or something like that.”

“Hmm.”

Of course, Count Caliburn Noart was not in Julian’s memory. So his response was a grunt without much affection.

“Why isn’t that old man on Rosie’s side?”

“The count is cold-hearted and doesn’t take anyone’s side unconditionally. And…”

Schulva’s eyes darted left and right as he added,

“The count hates the temple. So, won’t he feel repulsed by Lady Rosie, who has divine power?”

“Well, that’s just a guess. You didn’t hear it directly from the old man.”

“But it is a reasonable guess. Even in the past you didn’t dare to put Lady Rosie in front of the count.”

Once more, Schulva sighed as if wishing for the ground to disappear.

“…Anyway, I’m really worried, to the point where I’m desperate for even such a count to show up. Lady Rosie has never been to a meeting before… Everyone will be very eager to eat her.”

“Then you should follow her.”

“I can’t go. Only those with the surname ‘Noart’ can enter the meeting room.”

Julian snorted once more. And once again, step by step, he moved with the crutches.

The tears of Rosie, who had been crying sadly, lingered in his head again.

“Well.”

Julian muttered quietly, secretly.

“Little one, you must miss me very much today.”

´⛧ ⛧ ⛧ ´

A monthly meeting held on the evening of the 1st of each month.

It was something all those with the surname of ‘Noart’ attended.

A place to announce one’s achievements in front of Caliburn, the master of the house, and other family members, and to deal with major issues.

Caliburn always attended the monthly meeting, except for in unavoidable circumstances.

‘But today is different.’

Murloc thought, grinning to himself.

‘Father can’t attend.’

Still no contact. Besides Tepan, he had not been able to reach any of the large cities overland.

‘Rosie, that cheeky apprentice didn’t give the money until the end.’

However, Murloc heard rumors that Julian’s aide, Schulva, was cashing in everything.

Apparently, the kid was going to invest all in one place. It had been days since she had been repeating those words like a parrot.

The three siblings, who were after their nephew’s money, concluded their negotiations before the monthly meeting—If nobody gets the money by today, let’s just split it among the three of us.

Coaxing a child and pressuring her with ‘It’s a family decision’ was nothing.

‘It’s good to share since they’ve even finished cashing in.’

Murloc crossed his arms and grinned.

And his younger siblings with similar expressions entered the meeting room one after another.

Everyone must have the same mind, so it was obvious that the conclusion of this meeting would be simple and enjoyable.

Then, a little girl came in alone.

“Hello.”

The girl with her silver hair down was smiling brightly.

“I am Rosie Noart.”

Murloc frowned.

It was the first time he had seen Rosie up close.

“This is my first meeting, so there may be some shortcomings. Please take good care of me.”

Although the girl was small, her eyes were clear. The atmosphere was so bright that he wondered how she could smile so lovingly.

A moderately fancy, vintage dress and sparkling accessories. Everything seemed natural, even though it was obviously her first time entering the meeting room.

‘Isn’t the atmosphere too scary for a child to endure? I thought you would tremble… You’re calmer than I thought? You’re talking clearly?’

For a moment, a line of doubt flashed through Murloc’s mind.

‘…Did you deliberately waste time by pretending to be stupid? Are you trying to keep us in check so we can’t do anything until the monthly meeting?’

But that doubt quickly dissipated.

It was not a thought that a child who had not yet learned to write, who grew up neglected in a temple, could do.

‘Well, even if that’s the case…’

Murloc lifted his chin, suppressing his anxiety.

‘The results won’t change anyway.’

Murloc smiled generously at Rosie.

‘It doesn’t matter how I treat the lowly apprentice. Father hates temples, so even after he returns, he won’t bother talking about what has ended.’

It was his last laugh to his soon-to-be penniless nephew and niece.

´⛧ ⛧ ⛧ ´

“What can I do?”

Before entering the meeting room.

At the entrance to the meeting room, Schulva whispered restlessly.

“There is still no contact from the communication zone.”

Schulva muttered with a sigh.

“I was hoping the monthly meeting would be postponed…”

“It’s okay.”

I understood Schulva’s intentions, but I spoke resolutely.

“It would be nice if he could come, but we’ve made preparations in case he doesn’t come.”

“Yes…”

Schulva answered sullenly.

“We made 137 billion gold dissolved into the air… Thanks to that, the Magic Tower would have avoided bankruptcy, but instead we went bankrupt…”

“It’s not bankruptcy. The price has dropped a lot, but magic stones are still on sale. Anyway, go see my brother.”

Usually, Schulva was always by Julian’s side. However, worried about the meeting, he followed all the way here after receiving permission from Julian.

Well, other than worrying, it didn’t help much.

“Ha, I’m sure everyone will go crazy when they find out about the magic stone investment. Monthly meetings are scary places. They might put the blame on you and kick you out.”

“Don’t be too anxious, Schulva. Worrying is not good for your health. You should live a long life.”

Of course, there was a basis for my confidence. 

‘If my grandfather received my letter, he will definitely come before this meeting is over.’

So there was nothing scary about this meeting.

I glanced at Schulva who couldn’t take a step until the end and went into the meeting room.

‘…Hmmm.’

The relatives living in the county residence were sitting in groups. Everyone wanted something to go wrong with Julian and I.

Just thinking about it made me angry and terrified.

“Hello.”

Still, I smiled brightly.

“I’m Rosie Noart.”

Prior to the regression, I hadn’t even spoken this name out of my own mouth. It was because I didn’t think I deserved it. 

‘But I can’t do that anymore.’

Contempt, ridicule, and eyes like watching prey poured out.

My rank here was at the bottom because I had a lineage that my grandfather disliked.

“Honestly, I understand that Father made Julian his successor. To be frank, we all have servant blood, we’re butchers, or something like that, but… Father wasn’t originally an aristocrat. He was of a lower class.”

Last time, I overheard this conversation as I was walking down the hallway.

“But Rosie is different. She has divine power. It means that a priest’s lineage is mixed. Father will tolerate the blood of servants more than the blood of the temple!”

I took a deep breath and sat down.

The meeting started right away.

A few things that had nothing to do with me passed quickly. and… 

“Okay, then the last item.”

My first uncle, Murloc, declared leisurely.

“Julian had passed all his property to his sister.”

I swallowed my saliva and discreetly gripped the hem of my skirt.

“It’s Noart’s property, and it’s too much money to entrust to a 12-year-old who doesn’t know anything. I cannot stand by as a member of the family.”

Murloc grinned, showing his teeth.

“First of all, the adults in the family will take care of it…”

As expected, that line!

“…and invest in the right places. We will give it back when Rosie Noart becomes an adult…”

And that’s a line that I should never, ever believe!

I stared at Murloc.

“I’d like the family to offer opinions.”

Murloc concluded triumphantly.

“And the decision will be made by majority vote.”

Whoa, I expected it, but it’s really cheesy!