Chapter 8
For a moment, everyone went quiet.
It wasn’t Michael’s face but the others’ that looked the most troubled. It seemed that, aside from Michael, no one else knew.
“Is there a way to get close to the Duke?”
I could clearly read Sarina’s thoughts. If there really was a way, she looked like she’d want to try it right away.
Michael was the most famous knight in the Duke’s household. Of course, fame didn’t always mean greatness, but I still looked up at him with pure faith.
“The Duke, you mean,” he said calmly.
Michael’s expression was as solid as my trust in him. The other knights—especially Terra—watched him nervously.
It reminded me of how adults used to look whenever I asked, “How are babies made?”
“Yes,” Michael said. “There is a way.”
I widened my eyes. As expected—Michael knew!
Sarina and the knights stared at him in shock. Their faces said, How do you plan to take responsibility for that statement? But Michael answered serenely,
“You must study hard.”
“Huh?”
“…Study…?”
Chopin, who had been listening intently, almost tripped. Sarina’s expression twisted as if she’d sprained something in her brain.
But I just looked straight into Michael’s unwavering face.
He explained slowly, in a low voice.
“There’s a rose garden in the Ducal Castle. If you study hard there, you’ll surely become close. His Grace likes family members who study diligently.”
“Study… family…”
“Yes. I heard from Ehin that you have quite a lot of homework.”
I nodded quickly—he was right. My cheeks must have turned red.
It was the first time I’d ever learned to read and write, so there was a lot to do.
Michael continued firmly,
“If you work hard on all your homework—and go to bed early if possible—you’ll definitely become close to His Grace.”
“Wow…”
I was filled with bright hope. How exciting!
I could become close to the Duke—my father!
Just imagining it made me so happy that I couldn’t help smiling like a fool.
“I’ll work really hard!”
“Yes, my lady.”
Michael remained calm.
“Uh… um.”
Chopin started to say something but trailed off when Terra grabbed his arm.
Sarina took a step back with a “Of course, that’s how it goes” kind of face.
I felt grateful to Michael.
“Shall I escort you to the rose garden, my lady?”
“…Okay.”
I nodded slowly. Michael, still kneeling, met my eyes.
“But first, I’d like a cup of tea.”
I turned and picked up the teacup Sarina had poured for me.
Everyone watched, but they didn’t interfere. The tea was warm, not hot—just right.
It was a little bitter at first, but as it went down, the taste turned sweet and refreshing.
“…!”
The more I drank, the more amazed I felt.
It must have been because Sarina had brewed it. Holding the cup in both hands, I looked at her.
“It’s Gold Rodmin tea,” she explained. “A specialty of the Bossein Kingdom, famous for its tea. I prepared it myself.”
“Rodmin? That’s a really rare tea!” Chopin exclaimed beside me.
I looked down at the tea, then up at Sarina, and gave a polite nod.
I didn’t really understand, but since they said it was precious—
“Thank you.”
“…I only did what I should.”
Sarina replied a bit primly.
Excited, I held the cup carefully and approached Michael. I didn’t want to spill even a drop.
Michael stood, dusting off his knees.
The other knights quickly stepped aside, afraid I’d bump into them and spill the tea.
“Magic tea!” I thought proudly.
Sarina looked like she had more to say but instead picked up the stack of homework I’d left on the desk.
“I’ll accompany you, my lady.”
“…Allow me to escort you. This way.”
Sarina spoke first, and Michael followed.
Holding my teacup, I trailed behind him. The other knights, flustered, followed after us.
Walking in a line like that felt like playing a game—it was fun.
The rose garden lived up to its name—it was full of roses.
I sat where I could see the blue roses best and began to study.
As Michael had said, he soon disappeared to switch shifts with another guard.
I didn’t mind. I just kept studying.
I’ll work hard.
Ehin’s assignment was to memorize all 52 Imperial letters with their pronunciations.
ADEL
I only knew how to write my own name, so I had 48 more to go.
The curvy letters filled the white paper clumsily. My hands were soon covered in black ink.
“…”
Before I knew it, the sun was setting.
I kept mumbling the pronunciations under my breath while writing diligently. Then, combining the sounds, I tried writing Father’s name.
AIZEN ALKIBIADES
“Did I write it right?”
I looked up at Sarina. She examined the paper, then looked at me, a little surprised.
“Yes, it’s correct.”
“…I’m happy.”
“Amazing. You already managed to combine letters like this? You must be a genius, my lady.”
“Genius?” I blinked, unfamiliar with the word.
Sarina, realizing she’d said too much, quickly looked away.
“Well, it’s really impressive… but just one note: you should capitalize only the first letter of each name.”
At that, I picked up my pen again.
Aizen Alkibiades.
Sarina nodded approvingly as I carefully wrote it out.
“Yes, that’s right. Very good.”
Even if I forgot everything else, I wanted to write Father’s name perfectly.
Just like when I first learned my own, I practiced again and again.
I lost track of time. By the time I’d filled several sheets, my hand hurt.
My throat was dry, but when I looked down, my teacup was empty.
Aizen, Adel.
By coincidence, our names sounded similar.
…It made me feel like we were really family.
But when will Father come?
I looked around the garden, but the Duke was nowhere in sight.
Michael said if I study hard, I’ll get close to him.
Maybe I hadn’t studied enough yet.
…I miss him.
I tilted my head up at the crimson sky.
Of course, becoming close to the Duke couldn’t be that simple—but I believed Michael.
Michael doesn’t lie.
He’d also told me to sleep early.
I was debating whether to study more or rest when Log suddenly began sweating nervously.
“Uh… My lady… About what Michael said…”
Then—
“Ah! Your Grace!”
Chopin jumped to his feet, eyes wide.
I followed his gaze—and there he was, right in front of me.
“The Duke,” someone whispered.
All the attendants dropped to their knees. I just blinked in surprise.
I hadn’t even sensed him coming—he was alone, without attendants.
Wow. It’s really Father.
I thought of him—and he appeared.
Michael had been right.
The impossibly handsome Duke stood with the sunset behind him, his sharp features catching the fading light.
His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the papers on the table—sheets filled with his name.
Unlike that morning, there was no scent of blood—only something fresh.
His black uniform matched his dark hair perfectly. He was overwhelming in presence.
Without a word, he strode closer.
“Hmm.”
The Duke tilted his head, studying me. I stiffened in my seat.
Silence. Not even an ant’s footsteps could be heard.
“Is this my name?” he asked, holding up a sheet. His indifferent voice was directed at me.
“These newly invented letters are quite artistic. Maybe I should have you become a painter someday.”
I bit my lower lip and stared at him. I’d wanted to see him for so long—he could say anything, and I wouldn’t mind.
The paper fluttered back to the table. His gaze dropped to my hands—black with ink, still clutching the quill.
“Adele.”
“Yes?”
“Your face. Ink.”
Startled, I wiped my cheek with my hand. Sure enough, my hand came away black.
When I looked up, I saw Michael approaching from afar. He shrugged toward the other knights, then met my eyes.
“I—I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?”
“For getting black stuff on my face.”
“Kids do that.”
“But I worked really hard studying.”
I looked up at him expectantly. He averted his eyes, scratching the back of his neck.
Michael soon came closer, and I smiled brightly at him in thanks.
The Duke turned toward him with a complicated look, his red eyes narrowing, while Michael stood there calmly.
I beamed.
“I learned how to write the Crown Prince’s name too! And the alphabet! And I learned about the Prophecy Child! And I memorized all the knights’ names!”
“…Mm. Very… commendable.”
His faint praise made me beam even wider.
“I studied so hard without resting! I ate well and tried to go to bed early too!”
The Duke met my shining eyes awkwardly.
“A… fine child indeed. You’re doing a great job fulfilling your duties and rights as a young citizen.”
“Hehe.”
Even though I didn’t understand all the words, the tone was definitely praise.
“…”
He seemed dazed for a moment, then chuckled softly.
A little while ago he’d looked tired, but now his posture was much more relaxed.
“Come to think of it, I studied letters diligently too,” he said.
“You did, Your Grace?”
“When I was about two.”
“Wow.”
Michael’s face stiffened.
The Duke ran a hand over his lips, watching me in amusement. His crimson eyes gleamed like blood, filled with quiet curiosity.
He looked at me the way someone might look at a living toy—detached, yet intrigued.
“When I was little, I wished my father had watched me study too.”
“Your father didn’t?”
“He was always cold. Died young. I became head of the family quite early.”
“I see…”
To me, the Duke seemed like an impossibly distant adult, so hearing he was “young” felt strange.
The air grew quiet again.
His expression cooled; something unpleasant seemed to cross his mind.
But unlike that morning, he didn’t walk away.
He just spoke softly, as though recalling something.
“Adele. There’s one thing you should know.”
“What is it?”
“Noblesse oblige.”
I blinked. I’d never heard the term before.
“It means the morality of those who have.”
