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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: A Cliché Story and a Secret
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Any dish she so much as glanced at was moved in front of her.
And any food she didn't want was whisked away as if by magic.
It was as if he wanted Piache to eat just a little bit more.
Of course, it had to be a coincidence.
The Duke would never do such a thing for her.
He’d even made excuses, saying he didn't want to eat something or disliked its smell...
Piache suppressed the excitement that had been bubbling up inside her and finished her meal.
Once again, the maids deftly cleared everything from the dishes to the table.
Watching them, Piache was struck by a belated shock.
‘Oh! I should have eaten more slowly! I'm such an idiot!’
She had eaten too quickly.
Did I look like a glutton? The director used to say that children who showed their love for food weren't well-loved.
Piache looked down at the neatly cleaned carpet with a sullen face.
The Duke’s sharp gaze fell upon the child’s round forehead.
“Piache, I was ill a few days ago. Do you remember?”
“Yes!”
“Do you know who healed me then?”
Piache pictured the Ivrante family doctor.
He was a grandpa with a cool beard, but she couldn't quite remember his name.
“Ah, Alber... um, the, the doctor grandpa.”
“I see.”
The Duke replied as if to himself, his expression lost in thought.
“That aside, have you ever heard of the Academy?”
“No...”
“The Academy is a place where you study with friends. You can meet others your age. Would you like to go?”
Friends? I want to go right away! But...
“You don’t want to?”
“N-No! Th-that’s not it, it’s not...”
“Then?”
“I-If I go there, c-can I not come back here?”
“...”
The Duke watched Piache for a moment before answering.
“What a strange question. You live at the Ivrante estate, not the Academy. Of course you must come back.”
“Th-Then I’ll go! I w-want to, to go.”
“Very well.”
The Duke stood up as he replied. Was he leaving just like that?
As Piache stood up in surprise, a maid handed her a charming little box.
“Lady Piache, please take this. It's a gift to celebrate your recovery.”
“Oh...?”
Cookies!
A wide grin spread across Piache’s face.
Because of the chef who never made desserts, seeing cookies in the estate was a rare occasion.
‘Could the Duke have prepared these for me?’
Just as she looked up with hopeful eyes...
The Duke spun around and left the bedroom without so much as a goodbye.
He didn't even seem to care what the maid had given her.
‘Did the butler give them to me?’
The butler had sent her cookies through a maid once before. Maybe this was the same...
Come to think of it, there was no way the Duke would have prepared cookies for her.
He seemed so kind today, so I must have misunderstood. How foolish.
‘But why did he feel so kind?’
His cold gaze, his thorny words. Everything was the same as the usual Duke...
So why did he feel like a different person?
She racked her brain until her head ached, but she couldn't find the answer.
***
Two more days passed after Piache made a full recovery.
After testing the waters with Piache a few times, I concluded that the child knew nothing about her own power.
She didn't even seem to know what a saintess was.
‘In that case, her awakening must happen after she meets her companions.’
A protagonist who forges deep friendships at the Academy and awakens in response to a world-threatening crisis. She bands together with her friends to save the world.
Something like that, I suppose.
‘Ugh, how cliché.’
I shook my head and stirred my mana.
“Undine.”
Undine’s aura was unsettling.
She stood with her arms crossed, staring at me, looking thoroughly displeased.
“Why are you pouting?”
- What have you been doing that you’re only calling me now?
I was sick in bed. Nearly died. Then Piache got sick, and it was chaotic.
But it was too long and complicated to confess everything, so I just kept my mouth shut.
- You know, I’ve noticed you summon me whenever you feel like it, but the moment you don’t need me, you just abandon me. Why are you so calculating? Is that all I am to you?
You summon a spirit when you need one. Why would I call you when I don't? It's a waste of mana.
...If I said that, this small room would probably flood.
I gently tapped Undine’s puffed-out cheeks with my fingertips.
“I was busy. I was worried you’d be terribly bored if I summoned you when I couldn't even play with you.”
- Who asked you to play with me? I don't care if I'm bored out of my mind, just summon me! I'll find my own ways to have fun, so just call me no matter what! Got it?
“Alright, alright. I’ll do as you say.”
- ...I'm letting it slide just this once! You know how scary I can be when I'm angry!
“I know, you're the strongest water spirit in the world. Thank you for not being angry anymore.”
- W-Well, I wouldn't go that far... Ahem, well, as long as you know.
“On that note, can you stay hidden when other people are around?”
Undine’s expression, which had just begun to soften, instantly turned pale.
- Why... Why would I have to do that? Are you... ashamed of me?
“What are you talking...”
Just as I was about to answer, I heard footsteps.
“My Lady, you must prepare for the Academy class observation.”
“Ah...”
Right, I had arranged to observe a class at the Academy today. I’d completely forgotten.
“Undine, we’ll talk later. For now, go back inside.”
- What? No! Talk to me first! What did you mean by that? Are you really ashamed of me?
“Sorry.”
- Hey!
Undine, who had been clinging to my hair, vanished in an instant.
I had cut off the flow of mana.
“Come in.”
As the maids entered, a directive appeared.
[Step 3: (Standing before the full-length mirror) Tell Piache to get ready to go out as well.]
“Tell Piache to get ready to go out as well.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
After getting ready, I checked my reflection in the mirror.
A golden dress that clung to my figure flowed in an elegant line down to the floor.
The double layer of golden lace on its surface was so intricate and beautiful it was hard to believe.
It must have been horrendously expensive.
My hair was loosely styled in an updo to match the dress.
My ears were adorned with dangling gold earrings, and my somewhat plain hair was decorated with an ornament shaped like a golden tree branch.
I sighed, looking at the eighteen brilliant bracelets dangling from my arm.
Even though the maids had dressed me according to my request to look 'as appropriate for the Academy as possible,' I was so dazzling I could barely look at myself.
Of course, it was truly beautiful. In terms of looks, she was the greatest beauty in this world, after all.
It's just that the person inside was a deranged stalker.
“All of you may leave.”
I waited until the sound of footsteps faded away before summoning Undine again.
“Undine.”
- ...
“Undine!”
- What do you want? Wasn't I the water spirit you were too embarrassed to be seen with? Weren't you ashamed of me?!
“There you go with that nonsense again. How could I ever be ashamed of you?”
- Then why do you keep telling me to hide! It's not like we're having an affair!
“Because the fact that I'm Adela is an absolute secret. What do you think would happen if you showed yourselves in front of Leonhart, Owen, or Luspell? They'd find out immediately. That's why I need you to stay hidden.”
A spirit and their contractor are soul-bound the moment they form a pact.
Unless the spirit perishes or the contractor dies, their bond can never be broken.
So what if, one day, spirits identical to Adela's start following Adrian around?
Others might not notice, but Leonhart, Owen, and Luspell would more than suspect something.
Undine tilted her head.
- But... do you have any idea what a mess those humans were after you died? They drank, they cried, they threatened to follow you in death, they made such a scene. It was a total disaster.
They did that?
To think they were so heartbroken by my death. I felt a surge of emotion, but at the same time, I was perplexed.
Luspell... I can honestly see him causing a scene.
He was moody and never bothered to hide his feelings or care what others thought.
But it was hard to believe that Owen and Leonhart would lose their composure.
- But imagine how happy they'd be if they knew you were alive! Even if we keep it a secret from other humans, let's just tell them. They're so pitiful.
But they're the very reason I need the spirits to hide.
If anyone were to figure out my identity, it would most likely be one of them.
I quickly racked my brain and came up with a lie that was as close to the truth as possible.
“I want to, too. But like I said, no one can know my true identity.”
- The fact that you're Adela is a secret? Whyyy?
“If my identity is discovered... the possession will be broken.”
- What are you talking about? All the spirits already know who you are, and it hasn't been broken.
“It's limited to humans.”
- Is there a restriction like that on soul transmigration? Hmmm, first I've heard of it...
Sensing something suspicious, Undine narrowed her eyes.
- You're hiding something from me, aren't you?
“N-No, I’m not.”
- It won't be pretty if I find out later, so confess while you have the chance.
“What kind of spirit is so suspicious? If you really doubt me, go ahead and reveal my identity to anyone you like. See what happens.”
- ...Are you sure you're not hiding anything? Is it really just because the soul transmigration might be broken?
“That's right. I'm not kidding right now. You need to make sure you tell the other spirits, too.”
As I maintained my brazen expression, she finally let her shoulders slump in defeat.
- Hmph, fine.
“We’re going out now. If you sense anything strange, send me a telepathic message. Pay special attention to anyone who approaches Piache. Got it?”
Undine, who had taken a liking to Piache, perked up and answered enthusiastically.
- Piache? You mean that cute human with the warm aura? Yep, leave it to me
