Chapter 16
Episode 16
"Yes?"”
Fortunately, Bestia-nim did not seem to have properly heard Master’s words.
Seeing the strange expression on her face, perhaps she couldn’t believe it even after hearing it.
“You’re amazing, Master. I only thought as far as a daughter.”
…Mary doesn’t seem to be in her right mind either.
I should have known from the moment she started writing about her Master.
Despite her first impression, Mary was quite warm towards those around her.
But she never really talked about herself, did she?
When Mary first joined, the Duke himself conducted the interview, they said.
Only Duke Russell would know about her origins or past.
Come to think of it, the Duke has a good eye for people.
Just like with Bestia-nim, and just like with Mary.
They were individuals who received exceptional treatment from Master, who usually kept people at arm’s length.
To pick out suitable people for his own son.
Of course, to Master, Mary is just a fellow enthusiast who likes the same person.
It’s a relationship where a clear hierarchy should exist, yet they’re fangirling over the same person.
What kind of combination is this?
“Aristelle, don’t you have anything to say?”
“Yes?”
Before I knew it, Mary asked me with sparkling eyes.
“What do you think when you see our small, cute, and precious Bestia-nim!”
My palms broke out in a cold sweat at Mary’s crazed gaze.
Of course, the answer was simple.
Bestia-nim, returned to being a child, was cute.
So cute that I wanted to gently pat her small, round head right then and there.
It wasn’t just because she was a child; objectively, she was incredibly cute and lovely.
The problem was that if I gave such an answer, Master would become unmanageable.
“Th-that is……”
Whatever I said was a problem.
I remember when I made a casual compliment about Bestia-nim before, Master was wary of me for several days.
No, actually, I think he’s still wary now.
And if I say Bestia-nim isn’t cute here?
If I showed such a reaction, Mary would surely say,
“This isn’t cute? Are you insane?”
Just thinking about it made my chest feel tight and my heart clench.
If I collapse from stress, the House of Duke Russell will probably cover my hospital bills.
Kind-hearted Bestia-nim might even help.
No. If Bestia-nim helps, I’ll die by Master’s hand.
There’s no good answer either way, so I should change the subject.
“…Bestia-nim, are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“Hmm, other than my vision being lower, no.”
Bestia-nim looked around, checking her condition.
“Beth, your clothes seem a bit big.”
Master knelt on one knee with a faint smile.
For a moment, his gaze, fixed on her face, dripped with honey.
In all my life, I never thought I’d see Master fall in love.
When was it. I had once suggested marriage to Master…
“Master, please look at this for a moment.”
“What is it.”
Master spoke with a sharp tone, displeased that his work was interrupted.
I subtly handed him a thick stack of paper.
『List of Marriage Candidates』
He glanced at the stack of paper and asked in a cold tone,
“Are you telling me to get married?”
“Yes. At your age, it’s strange not to have a fiancée!”
Most nobles in the Empire had their fiancés arranged at a young age.
Yet, he, a Young Duke, didn’t even have a fiancée.
“Strange rumors about you are starting to circulate.”
“Even so, it’s probably that I’m not interested in women, or that I’m living a wild life behind closed doors.”
“Uh… You know that well?”
“It’s obvious.”
He clicked his tongue briefly and rested his chin on his hand, looking bored.
“If you have time for trivial matters, just do your job properly.”
“Master… My job is to assist you.”
He completely ignored my nagging and returned to his work.
“Honestly, I know you’re not interested in the opposite sex…”
“I am.”
“…Really?”
The answer was so unexpected that it caught me off guard.
This person? Really…?
I thought the only things he was interested in were ‘running away from home’ and ‘House of Duke Russell’!
“Then what is your ideal type?”
Honestly, I didn’t expect an answer.
I thought the expected response would be, ‘Stop talking nonsense and leave my office.’
“…White hair and purple eyes.”
White hair and purple eyes. It was a peculiar combination I had never seen before.
“Master, aren’t you just indirectly saying you don’t want to get married?”
“No.”
Master’s words were quite firm.
As if he knew someone like that.
“No, then what are the other characteristics? There must be other appealing aspects.”
“Shorter than me.”
There aren’t many people, even men, who are taller than you.
“Someone beautiful just by breathing.”
…Are you just talking about someone beautiful?
Back then, I thought he was just making things up to avoid my nagging.
I couldn’t adapt to him immediately going after ‘Bestia-nim,’ who fit all those criteria.
But even direct pursuit has its limits.
This isn’t just approaching; it’s like hitting her with a carriage.
Especially since he, who never got up from his desk for half a day once he sat down.
Since Bestia-nim came to the Duke’s Mansion…
“Where is Bestia?”
He would jump up every 30 minutes.
“Master, you have so much work piled up… What are you going to do if you keep leaving your seat?”
“Think about it.”
“Yes?”
He opened his mouth heavily, his expression serious.
“One day, you suddenly have the most precious treasure in the world.”
“……”
What is this Master talking about, who never cared about treasures or anything like that?
“And you’re just leaving that treasure in a house full of thieves.”
No. The House of Duke Russell has such strict security, what thieves…
“Would you be able to stay put if it were you?”
“If you like her that much, why don’t you just live alone with Bestia-nim?”
“If Beth allows it…”
He seemed to be seriously contemplating it, leaving me dumbfounded.
“What about the Duke? Are you never going to see him?”
“He’ll live his life well enough.”
‘He’ll live his life well enough.’ Not ‘He will live well.’ Just ‘live.’
If the marriage falls through because Bestia-nim rejects him, I can’t even imagine what crazy thing he might do.
The recollection was brief.
Master’s hand, which had been folding Bestia-nim’s sleeve, trembled slightly.
“Ah……”
Bestia-nim, perhaps flustered, let out a small sigh and pulled her sleeve back down.
Her arm was covered in numerous small scars.
“This is nothing much…”
She rolled her eyes around, seemingly searching for an excuse to give the Young Duke.
“Is it your adoptive parents?”
Master’s tone was calm and stiff, as usual.
But his persistent gaze did not leave Bestia-nim.
“……”
She gave no answer.
But it seemed to be enough of an answer, as Master nodded.
“I see.”
Even Mary, who would normally have gotten angry beside them, couldn’t easily speak in the heavy atmosphere.
“Um… It’s just my appearance that’s returned to the past, so it doesn’t hurt at all. And…!”
Bestia-nim mumbled a non-excuse, as if awkward about the situation.
“Bestia.”
Master cut her off, unlike his usual self.
Bestia-nim also looked at him with a questioning gaze at his action.
Master offered a faint smile and slightly spread his arms.
To others, it might have looked like an angry expression, but.
To me, Master was wearing the most affectionate expression he could.
Seeing that, Bestia-nim approached him as if entranced.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
It was too short and simple to be considered comfort, but it seemed to be enough for Bestia-nim.
Master gently embraced her small body.
Bestia-nim, realizing Master’s state was unusual, patted his shoulder as she hugged him back.
\ \ \
“Is Bestia-nim sleeping?”
I asked Master, who was quietly closing the door as he came out.
“…Yes.”
Bestia-nim, having returned to being a child, seemed to sleep more, and soon fell asleep.
Perhaps her mind had also regressed to childhood along with her magic, she threw tantrums she wouldn’t normally.
Master’s expression, watching her with delight, was unfamiliar.
“What are your plans?”
He had already been investigating Count Devon and the House of Baron Rayl.
I had planned to wait until all the evidence was perfectly gathered, but…
“I have to kill them.”
He was a Master who never cared about what happened to others.
It was an unfamiliar, yet natural, reaction.
“So that even if I disappear, they won’t harm Bestia.”
\ \ \
“Young Duke.”
“Yes, Bestia.”
“I’m not a child, you know?”
“Of course, Betty is not a child.”
Master replied to Bestia-nim in a firm and polite manner.
However, his hands, which were constantly tidying her hair, did not stop.
It had been an hour already.
Master, under the guise of tidying her hair, kept stroking her head.
Bestia-nim didn’t seem to be unaware of this either.
“Stop it already.”
As Bestia-nim grumbled in a childish voice, he let out a faint laugh.
Yes, seeing them bicker so affectionately…
“You look just like a close father and daughter.”
“Ah, really? Then I can call you Father!”
At Bestia-nim’s words, Master scrunched up his brow.
To be continued in the next chapter ▶
