HSFCWH 17

Chapter 17 

“Seeing you healthy puts my mind at ease.”

Several retainers visited the estate. The uncle, who had acted as if he would kick Evelyn out at any moment, still hadn’t returned to the capital.

“I heard you worked hard to support the family while I was unconscious.”

Evelyn held back a laugh at her brother’s words. All the family members had similar expressions.

She could practically see the heat rise on the retainers’ necks at words that basically meant, “Didn’t you all cut ties with my family while I was unconscious?”

Having heard everything from their parents, her brother was now acting like a man with nothing to fear.

“Haha. What could I have done? I merely hoped for the Earl’s family to stay safe.”

“And thanks to Evelyn, the family is recovering. I’m incredibly grateful.”

Her brother smiled gently, as if he knew nothing. Was my brother always this sly?

Evelyn stared blankly at her brother, who relentlessly pecked away at the retainers.

“Ahem… so when can we expect support to resume?”

The retainers looked awkward for a moment but quickly asked with hopeful faces, seemingly having forgotten their shame.

They clearly hoped to catch some crumbs from the Duke of Graham’s support for the Earl’s household.

“Well, the family is still in quite a fragile state… I’m not sure we can manage that yet. Right, Father?”

“Indeed. We spent so much on medical treatment that it will take time to recover,” replied Earl Barrett, scratching his chin.

These were the same people who had continued to receive support from the family even after the son collapsed, and in the end, they had demanded Evelyn give up on Leonel.

“If Lady Evelyn stays in the north, she’ll likely receive a decent salary—”

“What’s that got to do with you or this family? That money belongs to Evelyn. What has the family ever done for her?”

At the retainer’s remark, the Earl cut in with a cold voice.

The only thing the family had given Evelyn was teaching her the family swordsmanship.

There had been so many things he wanted to do for her, but he had been blocked at every turn by those who interfered.

He knew how much those who opposed spending medical expenses on Leonel had caused his daughter to shrink inward. But he had been powerless.

Even if he apologized and said everything was fine, the wounds wouldn’t disappear so easily.

So this time, Earl Barrett planned to wield his authority properly, to pave the way for his daughter.

“Weren’t you the ones who disapproved of Evelyn learning the family sword?”

“W-When did we ever say such a thing?!”

The retainers quickly shook their heads, glancing at Evelyn. Since they’d never said it outright, they thought they could deny it without being held accountable.

The second child, once thought cursed, was now under the Duke’s patronage. They had assumed they could coax her and benefit from it—but it wasn’t proving easy.

“But wasn’t it thanks to us that the young lady remained in the family?!”

One older member of a collateral branch raised his voice.

“Had Evelyn left the family, she’d be receiving the Duke’s support on her own.”

The Earl’s response made the old man huff.

“If not for the Barrett family’s swordsmanship, how could she have become a Sword Master!?”

They believed her achievements were thanks to the family’s renowned swordsmanship. Therefore, she owed it to the family to repay them however she could.

And they were all members of House Barrett.

Even if she ignored them now due to past grievances, they were sure she couldn’t ignore them forever.

They had come to celebrate the young master’s recovery—and to use that momentum to bring back their influence.

But the way the Earl dismissed his retainers and collateral relatives made them burn with resentment.

“All we’ve done was for the sake of the family!”

“So what exactly do you want—when the family hasn’t even fully recovered yet?”

As the old man loudly protested his unfair treatment, the Earl smirked and replied.

The visitors swallowed hard at the Earl’s words. They had already sensed the changes upon arriving.

Walls and buildings, once neglected, had been restored. Strange magic circles appeared here and there—clearly newly installed.

The cost of requesting magic circle installations from the Tower must’ve been in the hundreds—no, thousands—of gold coins. And yet, they refused to hand out even a few coins to them.

Of course, this was just their view. For the Earl’s family watching them, it was simply absurd.

“Haven’t we also suffered from reduced support from the Earl’s family?”

“Reduced support?”

At the retainer’s words, Leonel tilted his head.

“But the support funds have been going out without a single coin cut…”

Leonel’s eyes curved into a perfect crescent.

Amazing.

Evelyn marveled at how effortlessly her brother had taken control of the retainers.

He really was the only one fit to inherit the family.

At this rate, even if the Duke provided more support, none of it would be siphoned away by retainers or collateral relatives.

“I’m planning to entrust all financial support management to my brother. If anyone objects, I’ll ask the Duke to halt all support to the family.”

“Young lady!!”

Now, no one could touch her brother.

Until the revival of the evil god, they’d receive full support from the Duke’s household. This would firmly cement her brother’s standing.

***

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

The day of the party.

Elliot had come early in the morning to check on Evelyn, who was sitting dazedly.

She was a little tired from pushing herself to prepare for her first party in a long time, but saying so felt a bit embarrassing.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be your partner tonight.”

“Oh no, you’ve already been so kind to me.”

Thanks to Tinya, who had gathered information from the servants, Evelyn knew what her brother went through wasn’t a simple accident.

He had already done more than enough. Asking for anything more would be overstepping.

“If nothing unexpected happens, could we head to the north right after the party?”

“Is there a reason you’re in such a hurry to leave the capital?”

Elliot looked at the Hero, whose eyes sparkled more than usual. Was there something she wanted to do?

“Well, the Duke’s swordsmanship…”

“Ah.”

“I want to learn it as soon as possible.”

Evelyn blushed. Honestly, she’d wanted to ask about training earlier, but had held back to avoid seeming shameless.

Now that the retainers had been crushed, her brother was the uncontested heir to House Barrett.

She might as well pass the position over now and start learning swordsmanship from the Hero.

“A good attitude. I can’t be away from the north for long either, so I plan to return right after the party.”

Elliot’s reply lit up Evelyn’s face.

Perfect!

Though her intentions weren’t entirely pure, she was glad their goals aligned.

“But, aren’t you preparing for the party, Your Grace?”

It was true that men didn’t need as much time as women, but coming to her this early… Evelyn couldn’t help but ask cautiously.

“What kind of preparations?”

“Skincare, trying on your formal attire in advance, things like that?”

Her father and brother had said they’d do light grooming about an hour before leaving. Seeing Elliot not even planning to return to his room, Evelyn wondered if this was alright.

“…?”

Elliot tilted his head.

“You’re supposed to do those things?”

He looked genuinely puzzled. With that kind of face, I guess he really can get away with skipping all that.

“Well, appearance-wise, you do look like a fairy. It makes sense.”

Cough.

Elliot spat out the tea he was drinking.

“A f-fairy? Me?”

“Yes. I bet all the unmarried noble ladies in the capital are head over heels for you.”

Evelyn could wager her Hero’s title on that.

Even the imperial princess, known as the most beautiful in society, was said to harbor feelings for the Duke.

‘I won’t be assassinated just because he’s backing me, right?’

She belatedly worried about the princess’s jealousy.

“Please, don’t act too familiar with me. We’re in a purely sponsor-recipient relationship—no personal motives involved.”

Though it was true she had no ulterior motives, Elliot chuckled at Evelyn’s cautious tone.

He’d thought she was completely clueless about high society, but apparently not.

He felt a small pang of mischief rise at the thought of the Hero running off without her companions.

“Isn’t it natural for comrades facing great trials to be close?”

“That may be true, but I’d prefer not to do anything that might be misunderstood by others.”

At Evelyn’s sincere voice, Elliot shrugged.

“I won’t do anything that puts you in a difficult spot.”

He had no intention of creating drama either. If he appeared too close to Evelyn in front of the princess, it would be obvious how the princess might react.