Chapter 22
I focused all my attention on every tiny hair in my ear.
“I will give you the key to the basement. But let me warn you in advance, don’t send a maid or servant to do this. You must check everything with your own eyes. If your report and Adrian’s record don’t match later, I will trust Adrian.”
Yosef readily accepted the key.
“If you do well, I’ll make a separate key for you.”
The basement was full of secrets and treasures.
Just seeing items like Raglia treated as antiques and thrown away made me imagine how incredible the things buried below the mansion must be.
Giving the key to Yosef before Boris meant a strong trust.
“……”
Bern Rohia watched his second son with satisfaction, neither looking burdened nor overly happy, possibly due to Boris’ disappointing attitude. Yosef’s seriousness made him proud.
“Father, while I’m here, I think there was a book in your office that I wanted to see. May I go find it? I’ll be quick.”
The mention of books made Bern’s lips lift in a smile, and he nodded approvingly.
“Go ahead, but don’t touch the bookshelf on the far left at the very bottom.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, by the way, did His Majesty say anything when he called you?”
Yosef recalled the Emperor’s mysterious atmosphere.
“He tried to ask something but stopped and didn’t say why he called me.”
Bern asked with a nervous tone.
“Did he ask about… how that child is doing? Ijanna?”
“No, he didn’t mention that at all.”
“Then why was that child there again? It’s such a problem. If His Majesty is concerned, I think it would be better to send her to the Marchioness of High. Why do Yudis insist on this?”
Bern complained with a sigh, and Yosef smiled.
“Mother’s intentions are always hard to understand.”
“Anyway, Boris inherited that stubbornness from her. Look at him now!”
Bern muttered in frustration and disappeared beyond the door.
Yosef, staring at the firmly closed door, slowly leaned back in his chair. He tapped the armrest with his fingers and sighed.
“Ijanna, you surprised me.”
I crawled out from under the desk and awkwardly replied.
“Sorry. I was looking for a bracelet and must have entered the wrong room. I heard you coming, so I hid without thinking.”
Yosef seemed to adapt to my changes faster than anyone in the mansion.
Not long ago, his eyes had looked at me like he was taking care of a lost puppy, but now his gaze was the same as when he looked at Yudis or Bern.
I waved my hand, thinking I should leave.
“Thanks for hiding me. I’ll head back to my room now!”
“Ijanna.”
Yosef stopped me as I turned halfway toward the door.
“If you need anything, come find me. I’ll get it for you without telling Mother.”
“……”
“If you’ve been struggling, let me know. I think I’ve been too neglectful as your brother.”
I looked at his calm face and asked in a daze.
“Really?”
“Of course. I’ll help with anything.”
I raised my hand as if in a trance and showed him my thumb and forefinger.
“Money.”
“Pardon?”
Yosef asked, as if he hadn’t heard me, and I blinked before repeating clearly.
“Brother, I need some pocket money.”
These days, I felt like a beggar, even though I had possessed this body for about a week.
‘Possessor special trait. Getting rich fast.’
I could think of many ways to increase my wealth, but turning 0 into 1 was a different challenge.
I had to rely on Lottie for everything except the clothes on my back, and I couldn’t afford to be picky about my options.
For the future, I urgently needed cash.
Yosef, who had fallen silent for a moment, slowly raised his eyebrows and asked.
“What do you need money for?”
“Jewels, dresses, shoes… There’s plenty to spend it on. And it’s always good to have more money.”
I babbled, hoping he wouldn’t question me further.
Yosef looked a little confused at first but then nodded as if he understood.
“…I see. You probably want those things. How much do you need?”
“I think the more, the better.”
Yosef looked at my little circle and seemed speechless for a moment.
At that time, I quickly grabbed the doorknob and opened it. I gave him a thumbs up.
“You’re the best, brother.”
Yosef seemed to want to say something but closed his mouth again.
“You’re the manliest man. I trust you.”
From my past life experiences, I knew that real brothers liked to hear things like this. So I hoped Yosef would feel the same and shook my thumb.
Having safely returned to my room, I snuggled into the bed, waiting for the night to fall.
I felt like I had forgotten something, but I was too focused on the important task ahead to think deeply about it.
Yosef went down to the basement with the key early this morning, so I had to get there before him.
The lights in the mansion began to go out one by one. I bit my nails in impatience as I prepared to leave.
I decided to use the external passage that seemed the least likely to be noticed by anyone.
Fortunately, my room was on the second floor, and by going down one floor, I could escape through a window I had already checked.