IWMHWD 59

Chapter 59: Father’s Daughter
2023.12.29.

Baron spoke with a smile on his face.

“An hour left, and we’ll arrive at the mansion in thirty minutes, so there’s plenty of time.”

Leonard replied gruffly, as if no one had asked, but no one actually asked what time it was now.

Baron felt something strange.

It was the first time in his life he had seen Leonard show such attachment to a human rather than magic.

Moreover, Leonard had never shown much interest even in his own parents or siblings.

Yet here he was, taking time out from his busy schedule to stay close by Cordelia’s side, aware that separating her from her father made her lonely.

No matter how he thought about it, it was hard to see this as a normal master-disciple relationship.

‘The problem must be with Lady Cordelia.’

Leonard’s feelings seemed somewhat clear, but whether Cordelia regarded Leonard as more than a mentor was ambiguous.

Honestly, Cordelia showed no sign of seeing Leonard as a romantic interest.

‘Maybe my mistress is silently struggling a bit.’

“What are you smirking at so annoyingly?”

“Hmph. Nothing at all. You know I’m always on your side, Mistress, right?”

“What are you even saying?”

“Master.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you busy these days?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Shouldn’t you be busy? It’s been a while since you came to Yebo Delim. Shouldn’t you be handling your work too? By the way, how did the trial go? Are you preparing for it?”

There was a reason Cordelia earnestly wished for her master’s presence.

It was fine for him to stay by her side for about four days, but as the fifth, seventh, and eighth days passed, it became very frustrating.

Especially, he strongly disapproved even of Cordelia going out to walk in the garden. On the surface, he said, “Do your homework during that time,” but in reality, he prevented her from moving her legs at all.

“Hmph. You didn’t do your homework again.”

“It’s not that I didn’t do it, I couldn’t. I’ve been sleeping only four hours a day recently! The rest of the time, I’m either looking at your face or this paper doing my homework. The doctor said I need plenty of rest for my foot to heal.”

“Four hours of good sleep is enough.”

He just didn’t understand.

Cordelia’s lips trembled. Leonard smiled at the sight and gently pressed her forehead with his index finger.

“I’ll be busy again starting today. I’ll go to the palace this afternoon.”

“Ah, really? Are you very busy?”

Her face brightened. Leonard grinned mischievously at her smile.

“But I’ll still make time every day to check your homework. You’re my only disciple.”

“…I looked it up in a book. They say you have to be self-directed, a proactive learner.”

“Sounds fancy, but isn’t that just an excuse to play?”

“Playing? No, I said I’ll do self-directed study.”

While they bickered as usual, Alex approached.

“Mistress. Lord Melvan and Lord Ingrion have arrived.”

“Ingrion? Ah, Belluche?”

Cordelia jumped up from her seat. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to study, but because she wanted to greet Belluche.

“Master, let’s go. Belluche will be waiting for us.”

“Why should I go? Belluche should come here.”

“Oh, come on. A little walk and some fresh sacred air would be good.”

“Still limping, and what for? You really don’t want to study, do you?”

Though it was a transparent trick, Leonard as usual failed to break Cordelia’s stubbornness.

Cordelia, supported by Leonard, headed toward the main gate. There stood a familiar face she hadn’t seen in nearly a month—and a man she had never met.

“Belluche!”

At first, she didn’t feel much, but upon seeing his face, warmth welled up inside her. She waved at Belluche.

Of course, Belluche didn’t return the greeting kindly. Instead, suspiciously, he narrowed his eyes and stared at Cordelia.

“What’s with that?”

“Long time no see, Belluche. How have you been?”

“Why suddenly acting so friendly?”

“Why are you pretending not to be friendly? Didn’t we agree to hold each other’s funerals if one of us dies?”

“Hmph.”

Belluche snorted and scanned Cordelia up and down. Then noticing her awkward posture, he asked,

“What happened to your foot?”

“I just twisted it while walking in high heels.”

“Figures. You probably ran around recklessly.”

Cordelia didn’t try to defend herself and just smiled slightly. Changing the subject away from her injured foot, she greeted the knight next to Belluche.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Cordelia Abrams.”

“I’m Gasil. Lord Ingrion told me about you.”

Unlike Belluche, who was casually dressed and spoke roughly, Gasil looked like he stepped out of a model knight’s portrait.

His expression never changed—a rather stoic man.

After briefly bowing to Cordelia, he immediately went to Leonard and bowed deeply.

“I have returned, Lord.”

“Well done.”

“I will prepare a report on the instructions you gave me.”

Leonard just gave a slight nod of annoyance.

“Master, didn’t you say you were going to the palace earlier?”

“Why do you keep nagging?”

“When did I nag? I’m just asking. Am I not allowed to ask about your schedule?”

Cordelia shamelessly raised her voice in response. Leonard stared at her for a while before signaling Belluche.

“Watch over this properly while I’m at the palace.”

“Yes, understood, Mistress.”

“Why does Belluche have to watch over me? I’m very well-behaved.”

Of course, Cordelia’s protest was completely ignored. Leonard left for the palace with Gasil. Just before boarding the carriage, he warned Cordelia again to quietly do her homework.

Cordelia told him not to worry and saw him off.

“Gone?”

“What are you doing? Didn’t you hear Mistress? Hurry inside.”

“Master really left, right?”

Cordelia craned her neck repeatedly to check that the carriage was completely gone. Belluche urged her to go inside, but she ignored him.

She ordered a servant to bring another carriage.

“Belluche, you go inside. I have an appointment, so I’m off.”

“Appointment? With whom?”

“Someone I know. You should rest since you look tired.”

Just then the carriage stopped in front of them. Cordelia tried to get on the carriage with the servant’s help, but—

“Hey! Why are you pulling me?”

“Where are you going?”

“I said I have an appointment! Ah, let go of my clothes! They’ll tear, I said!”

“You don’t know anyone in the capital! Mistress told you to behave. Go inside the mansion now.”

“I do know some people! I said let go! I’m counting to three. One, two, two and a half, half of two and a half!”

The servant who tried to help her get on the carriage frowned and stepped back as the two argued.

Cordelia struggled to get on the carriage with her injured foot, while Belluche held on tightly to her clothes. His eyes burned as if filled with flames.

“Go inside quietly before I knock you out and take you there.”

“Try knocking me out. I can summon lots of snakes in Belluche’s room, you know? I’m really good at summoning magic.”

“Is she crazy?”

“I haven’t even shown you what crazy really means yet.”

Any warm feelings from their reunion had long since turned to dust. Cordelia and Belluche glared at each other without backing down an inch.

After a long standoff, Cordelia won. Belluche loosened his grip on her clothes, and she quickly climbed into the carriage.

Belluche got on after her.

“What? Why are you getting on too, Belluche?”

“I need to check who your acquaintance is.”

“Why would Belluche check my acquaintance? Get off. I said get off.”

Belluche sat diagonally across from Cordelia and closed his eyes—an unspoken refusal to get off.

Cordelia was displeased but didn’t argue further for fear of being late for her appointment, so the carriage set off.

Shortly after, the carriage stopped in front of a large park.

“We have arrived. Shall I let you off here?”

“Good work. I’ll take a hired carriage back, so you go in first, ugh.”

Excited, Cordelia got off the carriage quickly but groaned as a sharp pain shot up her right leg. Belluche, following her, openly sneered.

“What are you planning to see with that leg? Tch.”

“Since I dragged myself all this way, lend me your arm at least.”

“Who gave you permission?”

“Hurry up and give me your arm! Arm!”

Cordelia forcibly took Belluche’s arm as if collecting a debt. Belluche grumbled but didn’t push her away.

With her injured leg, Cordelia walked diligently toward her destination. Fortunately, she soon spotted the person she was looking for.

“Lydia!”

“Cordelia. Over here.”

Lydia, who was sitting on a bench reading a book, smiled and welcomed her.

After exchanging letters since the Saracen banquet, Cordelia and Lydia surprisingly got along well and had promised to go to a dessert shop together.

In Vasquez there were no women her age, and in Abrams she had no time to make friends, so talking with a peer woman like this was one of her simple dreams.

Moreover, going to a dessert shop together! It felt like the aristocratic life of a noble lady in the capital she had only heard about, which made her even more excited.