CH 55

[Estiya’s POV]

“You’re taking classes with Gilter?”

As soon as I got back to the room, I called Eyla, Ether, and Kaylan. My older sisters and older brother ran to my room, putting aside their hard work for my call. Seeing them breathe heavily, they seemed to have run. With gratitude, I personally served the tea and told the story I heard from Hela.

“Eung, sister.”

“I can’t do this. I’m going to tell father what happened last time right now!”

Ether and Eyla barely stopped Kaylan from running away.

“Why? The victory ceremony is over now.”

“It may have something to do with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Eyla said. Kaylan nodded.

“But the swordsmanship teacher died.”

Oh man, I guess he died because he couldn’t stand the torture. Kaylan bowed his head as if admitting to his mistake. Ether and Eyla accused him of being pathetic.

“Stop it, sister.”

I sided with Kaylan. It’s something he didn’t kill right away. I know Kaylan put up with it a lot.

“Do you guys have any countermeasures? Gilter, that dangerous guy looks like he’s going to be with Estiya for more than half a day! It’s twice a week if you take swordsmanship and poison classes. Twice!”

Kaylan shouted as if he couldn’t tolerate it. Red veins rose from his eyes. I grabbed the hem of Kaylan’s clothes before he exploded.

I hoped Kaylan would feel my feeble touch and calm down. And my wish came true. Kaylan noisily sat down in the metal chair.

“Should I return my promotion badge?”

Ether said. Eyla and Kaylan’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about, sister?”

I immediately expressed my opposition. If you don’t get a promotion in even one subject, you won’t receive a mission as a Cartina. Unlike me, Ether, Eyla, and Kaylan faithfully fulfilled their duties as Cartina, and the pleasure and joy they gained from doing so was the joy of life. I couldn’t make them give it up because of me.

Even if it’s evil.

“What can I do?”

Ether, Eyla, and Kaylan put their foreheads together and fell into agony. I didn’t talk to them hoping for a solution. I said this because I was worried that they would find out later and cause a bigger accident, but I guess I shouldn’t have said it. Looking at their darkened faces made me feel sorry.

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“What are you talking about?”

It was then. Rodrigo’s voice was heard. For some reason, Rodrigo’s hard voice showed deep fatigue. He jumped from the window sill.

“Rodrigo?”

“Yes, Estiya. It’s me.”

He came straight up to me without a hitch and kissed my hair. Kaylan, Ether, and Eyla raised their heads and showed off their displeasure, but Rodrigo didn’t care.

“You said you were taking classes with Gilter, Estiya?”

Rodrigo asked.

“Where did you hear that from?”

“From the moment Kaylan jumped up and tried to run out.”

Then you heard it all. And then why are you asking.

“Yes, it just happened.”

“Is there any way to turn it back?”

Rodrigo asked Kaylan. Kaylan shook his head. This is what Stefan decided. It cannot be overturned unless Stefan overturns it.

“I’ll meet the Count.”

“What are you going to say?”

Kaylan was delighted. They seemed to think I couldn’t stop Rodrigo.

“I will speak honestly. About what happened in swordsmanship class that day.”

“Wow, Sir Erhardt. It’s hot.”

Kaylan lavished fierce praise for Rodrigo’s method.

“No, Rodrigo. Are you saying we should go to war in the capital?”

I had no choice but to intervene in their conversation.

“War?”

“Do you think my dad would stay still? He’s going to go to war against Schubert.”

“Is Schubert such a strong opponent?”

Rodrigo had an elusive face. The question is whether it will become a war itself. I was grateful that he treated our Cartina family highly. However, there is one thing he overlooks, and that is that Schubert is also Cartina. Although he did not inherit the title of count, Schwer also accumulated considerable wealth by making use of the skills he received in Cartina. That’s how strong his power is.

If they collided head-on, it would of course be Stefan’s victory. However, if you ask if there is any damage to our family, we have no choice but to shake our heads.

“Don’t forget that Schubert is also a Cartina.”

I answered very simply. Rodrigo immediately understood what I was saying. As expected, you’re smart.

“I’ll do exactly what you want.”

Rodrigo said, sitting next to me. Jane brought out a new cup and I poured tea into his cup.

“What do I want?”

Rodrigo nodded.

“You don’t want a war with Schubert, do you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Loa and Billion? You don’t want them to get hurt.”

“Absolutely.”

“Fighting with Gilter…… This is a bit difficult.”

Rodrigo fiddled with the tip of his chin. Rodrigo knows he is not the type to refuse a fight. I coughed in vain.

“What do you mean, Estiya fighting Gilter? Our Estiya is a delicate child who can’t even kill a single mosquito.”

Kaylan clicked his tongue in response. Rodrigo stretched the corners of his mouth in a grin.

“Is that so?”

Then he looked at me. I dodged Rodrigo’s gaze.

“All right, you can’t fight Gilter. Then there’s one way left.”

Rodrigo raised his finger very clearly.

“What’s that?”

People stared at him. Kaylan frowned and asked. Rodrigo grinned.

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“I’m taking the class with you.”

The sound of the balloon’s deflating breath sounded like a whirlwind song. I don’t want to laugh at all, but his suggestion was ridiculous.

“Can’t I?”

He tilted his head as if he didn’t understand our reaction.

“You mean that, Sir Rodrigo?”

Kaylan muttered, “Pathetic species.”

“Brother.”

I called Kaylan as I warned. Kalyan was about to cross the line. When I glared at him, Kaylan flinched and raised his hand.

“That was rude.”

“It’s okay. Because he is Estiya’s precious older brother. If not… …”

Rodrigo raised the corners of his mouth. It was a beautiful but creepy smile.

“I need an explanation why not, Estiya.”

Rodrigo turned to me. I smelt a familiar scent as he approached.

“Cartina’s classes are strictly confidential. Because it also teaches family secrets. You’re from another family, and teaching secret techniques doesn’t help our family at all. Rather, it would have been to put pressure on our family.”

“Even though I won’t be a stranger anymore?”

Rodrigo reached out and pulled my waist.

This person!

I slapped Rodrigo’s hand, but he smiled and didn’t let go. Rodrigo would use skinship with people, as if to show that we were really, really in love. When you look at me with a sweet smile, a friendly way of speaking, and a look that really seems to be in love, I can’t help but feel my heart skip a beat.

Well, Rodrigo did say he liked me.

“Put that hand away.”

“I’m sorry.”

At Ether’s disapproving remark, Rodrigo quickly removed his hand and raised both hands as if surrendering.

“What does it mean to be no one else?”

“Before going to war, Count Stefan promised me. He’ll let you go when I come back. And I proposed to Miss Estiya, and I plan to do so.”

“What are you going to do?”

Eyla asked.

“I just put a ring on her hand.”

What?

I raised my hand in surprise. As Rodrigo said, a pink diamond ring was shining on my left ring finger.

“And I’m going to propose to her on her birthday again. Will you hold a banquet?”

Kaylan, Ether, and Eyla all gasped at the same time. I want to say something, but I didn’t say anything because I knew the value of the diamond he put on my hand.

“Now, it’s clear that I’m going to be a member of this family, so can I take a class with you?”

“That’s…”

Kaylan was troubled.

“It might be possible if you get permission from my mother.”

Eyla said. Rodrigo got up straight and knocked on Hela’s office door. And he returned triumphantly.

“Estiya, let’s go to class.”

No one knows how he persuaded Hela. No matter how much I asked, Rodrigo wouldn’t tell me.

***

“You may have a hard time because you are not resistant to poison.”

I said as we moved to a separate building in the west for class. Rodrigo smiled broadly and lowered his head. His scent first tickled the tip of my nose and his breath tickled my ears. Rodrigo gave a small smile and said, I raised my shoulders and trembled.

“Magic is useful.”

“Are you saying that you can decipher poison with magic?”

I asked in surprise. Rodrigo grinned silently. I realized the greatness of magic again. At the same time, it reminded me of the poison tolerance training process I had done since I was a child, and I felt unfair.

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Some people are born with magical talents and detoxify poison overnight, while others have to develop tolerance by poisoning food from childhood. Oh, this is unfair, it’s unfair.

“It’s not going well yet, but will I really consume it to the point of death?”

“I’m going to feed you to death.”

Rodrigo smoothed his chin with a very serious face.

“This is a big deal. I can’t believe I’m going to die without you. I can’t even die because of injustice.”

I can’t live!

I lightly tapped Rodrigo’s stomach.

“Ugh!”

He bent down.

I hit it lightly, but did I put too much strength into it?

“Is Rodrigo okay?”

“Br, I can’t breathe.”

“Really? What should I do? With magic, how can you do it with magic?”

What should I do when he can’t breathe because he’s hit in the stomach?

None of the first aid skills learned while dealing with Cartina’s accidents came to mind. My mind has become a blank slate.

“Rodrigo, Rodrigo.”

I just called his name over and over again.

“Can you walk? I’ll help you.”

I tucked myself under Rodrigo’s bent waist and dug under his shoulder.

It was then. Rodrigo got up and pulled me into his arms.

“……Rodrigo?”

His breath was calm. His face, when I looked up, had a healthy complexion.

“Did you make fun of me?”

“You must be worried about me.”

“I beg your pardon? You say that, now?”

I raised my voice.

“Let go of this right now!”

I twisted myself in Rodrigo’s arms. I clenched my fist and hit him in the ribs, but he didn’t budge. It’s my fault that I didn’t put any strength in my mind just in case because of the prank earlier. Rodrigo gave more strength to his strong arms.

“You didn’t tell the Count either.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I thought it was strange. When that bastard, no Gilter, said he was going to take classes with you. What are you thinking?”

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I realized that Rodrigo was now angry with me.

“My victory ceremony is over, and I have received appropriate congratulations from the emperor. You said you didn’t want a war, but I’m confused whether it’s because you really don’t want a war or because of me.”

I let out a sigh. Then, as much as I was surprised, I realized that Rodrigo must have been surprised when confronting Gilter. As much as I worried about him, no more than that, he worried about me. The heart throbbed with the pit of the stomach.

“Gilter has ties to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Emperor?”

Rodrigo relaxed his arm.  A small gap appeared. I looked up and saw him. He looked down at me too. Red eyes that were filled with me.

“Yes.”

“Evidence?”

“No. the witness is dead.”

Rodrigo’s complexion darkened.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find out.”

“Are you worried about that?” (E)

“Don’t worry about me.” (E)

I took advantage of Rodrigo’s carelessness and slipped out of his arms. He smiled dejectedly at the empty space in his arms and shook his head.

“How can I not worry?” (R)

“Don’t you trust me?” (E)

“I do. I do. It’s just…” (R)

“Just?”

“The emperor is not easy.”

“Oh? Do you think the emperor is working with Gilter to target me without any evidence? It’s too hasty.”

“Because it was strange.”

What’s this sound?

When I opened my eyes, Rodrigo came next to me. It’s like no one can hear it.

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“Didn’t I tell you earlier? The emperor praised me for my hard work.”

“He did what he had to do.”

“He didn’t do that until now.”

They say that the emperor has changed. Unfortunately, that period coincided with the incident in which Gilter openly harassed me.

“You shouldn’t miss even the smallest things, Estiya.”

Rodrigo said.

“Is that advice?”

“I’m sharing the truth that comes out of life.”

Suddenly his bitter past passed by like a snapshot. Seeing my expression darken, Rodrigo covered my cheek.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll protect you no matter what.”

My eyes widened.

“How many times do you say the opposite, Rodrigo? Don’t worry about me. I’ll protect you.”

“Oh, that’s trustworthy.”

Rodrigo and I looked at each other and laughed for a while.

“We’re going to be late at this rate.”

I grabbed Rodrigo’s hand. Rodrigo’s hands were hot and my hands were cold.  When we held each other, it became just the right temperature.

TL/N: Honestly I’m a little unsure with who’s speaking at the parts where I marked out E and R, but I kept rereading and I think what i marked out makes sense? Correct me if I’m wrong!