Translator: Nox

Chapter 8

## Episode 8

The soft foot, wrapped in round Magi Blocking shoes, fiercely kneaded Schultz's vital spot.

Was it because he'd underestimated Iri?

"Guh, guhk!"

Schultz hit the floor with his eyes popped wide open.

After landing her decisive kick, Iri planted her feet firmly on the ground with a perfect *thud*.

Even the landing was flawless!

Iri dusted off her hands and looked down at Schultz.

Schultz barely twisted his body to sit up and muttered.

"What the hell did you just... do to me...!"

Schultz hurriedly assumed a stance and swung his fist.

But...

"Hey! Speak with manners!"

Iri unleashed another fierce kick and a stylish landing.

The subjugation was complete.

Schultz's perfect K.O.

* * *

Peter, the head butler overseeing Ortejo Castle.

Today, as always, he patrolled the castle with a stern expression.

But today's patrol was a bit different from usual.

The maids, who were always dark and stiff-faced, looked surprisingly bright today.

*'One Lady Iri has them all melting like this. The family's discipline has gone seriously lax.'*

If the nobles' close aides went around grinning like fools, everyone would look down on them.

The head butler's brow furrowed briefly.

*'Even after getting done like that, she still trusts people. Amazing.'*

Advanced in years.

The assassin-exclusive tattoo etched on his forearm twitched along with his arm muscles.

He was different from the butlers of other castles.

He had once made a name as an assassin, and in the Ortejo Family—where the family head was often absent—he wielded significant authority.

When such a man met Iri's eyes, what he felt was...

*'Yes, that's definitely the look of someone with ulterior motives.'*

He had foreseen that Iri would cause an incident today.

Of course, he was utterly loyal to all Ortejos with his whole heart.

But with the family head absent, the undisciplined young Ortejos were wrecking the castle...

*'They all cause incidents too big to handle and always try to dodge responsibility. Lady Iri won't be any different.'*

As if proving his conviction, noise erupted from the communication magic tool in his pocket.

[There has been a clash between Lady Iri and Master Schultz. A fight broke out between them, and Lady Iri assaulted Master Schultz.]

*'As expected, right on cue.'*

Head Butler Peter grimaced with a headache and moved his feet.

* * *

Right after receiving the report of the fight between Schultz and Iri, he ordered the children gathered in the reception room for a three-way confrontation.

Currently, with Duke Ortejo and the direct lineage away fighting the war.

Schultz's mother, Viscountess Deira, was lording over Ghost Castle like it was her own.

He intended to grasp the situation accurately before she could cover it up.

As expected, Schultz—whose eyes were swollen like ping-pong balls—threw a massive tantrum.

"Waaah... Head Butler! That little brat kicked my vitals!"

"Understood. Please explain step by step how it happened."

It would be like the usual incident cleanup.

Write up the details, report to superiors, then resolve it.

Head Butler Peter bowed his head and said.

"First, I apologize sincerely for this unfortunate incident."

Of course, indignant retorts would fly in response.

"Yeah! It's all your fault!"

Schultz responded exactly as expected.

But unlike him, Iri spoke calmly.

"Nooo, it's not. Head Butler-nim diw no wong. It's aww that kid's and my fawwt for fighting."

"......Pardon?"

His wavering gaze fixed on Iri at the normal statement unheard of in the North.

How on earth did such a child end up in a brawl?

"Understood. From what I've pieced together, this isn't something we can just dismiss as kids fighting."

Emboldened Schultz raised his fist and said.

"You don't have mom or dad, right? When my mom comes, she'll squash a punk like you in one hit!"

Peter's expression twisted in an instant.

"That won't do. Such insults could lead to major trouble."

"What kind of major trouble?"

"It seems like a matter for Viscountess Deira, your mother, and Duke Your Highness Ortejo, Lady Iri's father, to discuss directly."

Schultz's face drained of color.

"D-Duke Your Highness is c-coming? Th-then who's she?"

Children were thoughtless like that.

He must have jumped to conclusions, seeing the Magi Blocking Suit and assuming she was a weak kid.

"She is Lady Iri Ortejo, the princess."

"Wh-what nonsense! The p-princess is in the South!"

"She was, but she came up recently."

Schultz's face turned ashen.

"You nearly injured a direct blood relative's body. This is a grave matter."

Schultz's eyes shook intensely.

*'Even a delinquent kid is still a kid.'*

Unlike the utterly dejected Schultz, Iri remained composed.

"But weawwy, is Duke Your Highness coming for weaw?"

"Pardon?"

Up to this point, not even the Head Maid or any of the other maids and servants grasped the intent behind Iri's words.

"You said cuz I caused twouble, you'd contact my pawents."

"Ah..."

"So cuz I caused twouble, Duke Your Highness is coming to the castle to see me, wight?"

And the moment they heard Iri's trembling voice.

All the maids' faces twisted with pity and affection.

*'Did she cause trouble on purpose just to meet Duke Your Highness?'*

Peter fell briefly silent.

Now everything clicked into place.

This tiny child had come alone to the North because she missed her father's affection.

Even after causing an incident, her desire to see her father came first—she was starving for love.

Only now did her small body come into focus.

Her trembling frame as well.

* * *

After wrapping up the situation, Peter summoned the servants.

He planned to ask them for an objective account of the incident.

"What happened?"

One maid who had been by Iri's side throughout stepped forward quietly as a witness.

"It wasn't something for me to step into, so I stayed back, but Lady Iri didn't cause any trouble."

Peter's gaze shook as he heard the detailed circumstances.

"She simply couldn't stand by while other children were being bullied?"

"Yes. It's the first time I've seen someone so righteous in the North."

"......I see. Understood. Everyone, you're dismissed."

He had thought it odd how unusually polite the child was.

But he'd assumed she was acting mature out of fear after causing trouble.

He wrote down the incident details and reflected.

*'Did I judge Lady Iri prematurely with my biases?'*

Of course, he still needed to observe what kind of child Iri truly was.

Unlike the maids already full of fondness for her, Peter was more cautious.

Even so, Peter thought of those pure, earnest eyes filled with longing to 'see Daddy.'

*'At the very least, I should help make a family reunion possible.'*

He needed to create a situation where Duke Ortejo had no choice but to meet Iri.

Thanks to his seasoned tenure as head butler?

Peter swiftly penned the report to the Duke.