TTM CH 04

Kinemia’s first realization after keeping Aeyan by her side was that being with him meant attracting admiring gazes everywhere they went.

“Good heavens, a Rikasha is serving as the young lady’s escort?”

“That’s right! And this is how it happened…”

According to the rumors circulating in the grand duke’s castle, the tale of how Kinemia “picked up” a Rikasha went like this.

Kinemia Leon (Grand Duchess, age 11), who always seemed to walk around with a halo effect glowing behind her head, one day discovered that the ruthless intruder who had trespassed into her domain was actually a boy her own age.

‘He may be an utterly wicked criminal, but children deserve mercy!’

In this story, Kinemia—portrayed as saintly and magnanimous—personally went down to the underground prison to release the captive.

And there, she supposedly melted the prisoner’s heart with a stern scolding and gentle words…

At which point Aeyan supposedly broke his shackles with his own power and stood up, saying:

‘Young lady, I am moved by your generosity. I salute your broad spirit, and I shall lend you my strength against danger.’

‘Very well, Rikasha. I shall gratefully accept your aid.’

Thus, it was said that Kinemia ended up acquiring a Rikasha as her escort… and a heavily exaggerated rumor began to spread.

“As expected, she’s someone destined for great things. Even from birth, her cries were said to be extraordinarily strong!”

“I know! I’ve known our young lady would be great ever since she was in the womb!”

“Exactly! Despite all those malicious rumors, she remains steadfast and dignified. Her mental strength is on another level.”

Kinemia didn’t know who had spread such baseless rumors…

But under the prickling, admiring gazes, she felt her cheeks grow slightly warm.

‘…This might not be so bad.’

And the second thing she realized while keeping him by her side: even when he acted like a laid-back, large, friendly dog, Aeyan Crotz was absolutely not a good-natured person.

Just like now.

Kinemia stared blankly at Aeyan, who was casually dumping cookies into the trash bin.

“What is that?”

“The maids gave them to me.”

Aeyan replied indifferently.

With his strikingly handsome face—and now the title of Rikasha—he had quickly become extremely popular among the younger maids.

That must be why they had prepared cookies for him in the first place.

“Then why are you throwing them away? You’re not going to eat them?”

Kinemia looked regretfully at the discarded cookies.

Aeyan tilted his head.

“Why should I eat them?”

“…?!”

That answer struck right at the core of the issue.

“Well… because they went through the trouble of making them for you…”

But Aeyan, with an expression that showed he had never once considered other people’s sincerity or goodwill, asked back:

“So what?”

What were the chances that an ordinary person would respond with “so what?” upon hearing that someone had prepared a heartfelt gift for them?

Kinemia immediately thought of sociopaths and antisocial personality traits, and ordered the servants of the grand ducal estate not to give him anything anymore.

Then she pulled out her “Munchkin Notes” and added a remark under Aeyan’s name.

[Aeyan]

Grudge Level: ★?/10
Danger Level: ★10/10
Remark: Antisocial personality disorder

‘As expected, this one is far too dangerous.’

In the grand ducal meeting hall.

The silence among the gathered vassals was broken by Count Brün.

“At this point, shouldn’t preparations begin?”

“What are you referring to?”

Count Denis, who always clashed with Brün, replied curtly. Brün frowned.

“I’m talking about the title! The position of Grand Duke has remained vacant for so long—how long must the young lady remain a mere Grand Duchess? Even His Majesty the Emperor…”

“Watch your words. Don’t spout nonsense that might burden the Grand Duchess.”

“Anyway, His Majesty has been delaying the approval of succession. In that case, shouldn’t we take action ourselves this time?”

“…Just like that?”

From the side, Baron Romeo interjected after listening quietly.

“What do you mean ‘just like that’? Even Baron Romeo must have heard how exceptional our young lady is.”

“Ah…”

Thinking of the rumors, Baron Romeo nodded. Seeing this, Count Brün smiled in satisfaction.

“That small child is already growing into a remarkable adult. As proper adults, shouldn’t we support her?”

“And what does that support entail? Granting her the title?”

“Having an appropriate position is necessary to achieve great things. Even Count Denis should understand that much.”

“Well… that may be true, but… if she receives the title, won’t her responsibilities increase? Not to mention the Empire’s view of House Leon…”

Count Denis trailed off.

Like the others, he loved and cherished Kinemia deeply—but precisely because of that, he wished she could remain safely inside the grand ducal castle, living like a sheltered princess.

The House of Leon was not what it once was.

Rumors about the Grand Duchess had already become widespread in high society, and perhaps she should remain inside the castle, protected by her vassals, living quietly as if half-dead, half-alive.

Even the outspoken Count Brün fell silent, reading Denis’s thoughts.

At that moment, Baron Romeo turned his gaze to the smiling Marquis Eli.

“What do you think, Lord Eli?”

“You are asking me?”

Still smiling gently, Eli replied:

“I believe our Grand Duchess will overcome any situation she faces.”

“Do you truly think so?”

“Lord Eli is particularly fond of the Grand Duchess, after all.”

“That’s true.”

“Wasn’t it Emperor Kite who, at the age of nine, beheaded an enemy commander in Salu? The Grand Duchess has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, never forgetting anything she sees or hears. Now that she is eleven, it would be wrong to dismiss her as merely a child. As for me… I will simply support whatever the Grand Duchess wishes.”

At Eli’s words, the room fell silent for different reasons.

At that moment, a servant opened the door.

“The Grand Duchess has arrived.”

As if the argument had never happened, the vassals rose and turned their attention forward.

There, a young girl with soft golden hair entered the hall.

As she walked in with small, quick steps, her large, round eyes swept over the vassals, and their expressions softened unconsciously.

She was the precious Grand Duchess whom the four noble houses had raised with utmost care, as if she were their own child.

There was not a single person present who did not adore her.

However, the gentle atmosphere shifted again due to the black-haired figure following behind her.

‘So that’s the Rikasha from the rumors.’

‘He looks younger in person… but his aura is strange.’

‘That indifferent gaze in front of us… Even if he’s young, he’s still a Rikasha, I suppose. Impressive.’

The vassals exchanged quiet impressions.

“Vanessa is not with you today,” Baron Romeo said.

At that, Count Denis’s eyes trembled.

Normally, Kinemia’s nanny Vanessa always accompanied her to meetings.

‘Could it be that she brought him instead to demonstrate her achievements before the vassals…?’

To express her growth in such a way—Count Denis clenched his fist in astonishment.

At that moment, Kinemia spoke.

“Everyone is gathered.”

Her tone was dignified.

Normally, she would have smiled brightly and said, “Everyone’s here.”

Sensing the change in her demeanor, the vassals silently admired her.

As expected, there came a time when those bearing great responsibility naturally became aware of their position.

Kinemia walked around the massive table and approached the seat of honor. A thick cushion had been placed on the chair.

But—

“…!”

Kinemia swallowed nervously as she stood before it.

‘What is this. Is it Everest?’

The last person to use this chair had been her father, Troy Leon.

With his handsome face and tall physique, he had ordered a custom chair suited to his long legs after inheriting the title.

A golden, long-legged chair.

Kinemia tilted her head up. The gilded chair was far too high for a child.

Normally, Vanessa would lift her onto it…

Kinemia glanced around. All the vassals were watching.

‘I have to do it myself.’

She had her own intentions in not bringing Vanessa.

There were only four surviving vassals after past turmoil.

They were all deeply loyal and devoted to her…

‘But things have to change now.’

Until now, all decisions had been left to the vassals. From here on, Kinemia herself needed authority.

Remaining just an eleven-year-old would only invite constant interference from adults.

‘I can’t allow that.’

To handle things smoothly, she needed the image of a “dignified master.” She had to build that foundation.

So she decided to use rumors. If it came to that, she would no longer be seen as a trembling child locked in the castle, but as a capable and wise ruler worthy of inheriting the grand duchy.

But if she gave up before even trying to sit and asked for help?

She would remain nothing more than a cute daughter living in the grand ducal castle.

‘Alright. I will climb it…!’

Kinemia placed her hands on the chair.

‘This is nothing!’

She planned to climb by pushing herself up with her hands and then stepping up with her knees.

In her mind, it was perfect. Like a butterfly taking flight and landing like a bee.

But—

“…!”

The moment she placed her knee on the seat, the smooth cushion caused it to slip.

“Ah!”

She tried to grab anything to hold on to, but flailed helplessly and slid down.