Chapter : 07
Visit to the Hamilton Viscount’s Estate
Calix’s eyes were like a hawk locking onto prey. His sharp gaze made my heart drop.
“Is this really the time to be distracted? Shouldn’t you be watching the Book Finder?”
“Yes! I’ll check it right away!”
I straightened my posture and switched into full professional mode.
“I didn’t know traveling could be this enjoyable.”
Mikael spoke with a dreamy expression.
His round peach-like cheeks were so adorable I had to suppress the urge to pinch them and instead maintained a businesslike smile.
“It seems you don’t get to go out often, young lord.”
“Yes. I’m not very strong, so my brother forbade me from going outside. This is actually my first time traveling this far by carriage.”
“That’s… a bit extreme. Light outings should be fine.”
Mikael glanced cautiously toward his brother outside the carriage before leaning in and whispering softly into my ear. He looked like a tiny bird chirping, which made him even cuter.
“My brother says I might get a fever or start coughing if I go out, and that I could even be attacked by bandits or monsters.”
This isn’t even “Survival Escape 101,” it’s more like worrying I’ll trip, fall backward, and die.
Thanks to Calix’s overprotectiveness, the young lord had grown up like a greenhouse flower—at the perfect age to be running around outside.
Mikael looked dejected, like a puppy with drooping ears.
I almost reached out to pat his soft curly hair, but desperately held myself back.
If I actually touched him, that duke outside would probably commit treason against me or something.
To cheer Mikael up, I took a thick map book from my bag.
“Lord Mikael, could you help me? I need to locate the magic book, but I’m not good with maps.”
Rose had told me Mikael was a genius young lord.
Despite his young age, he had read most of the Royal Library’s books and was well-versed in politics, geography, and humanities.
“I’ll help you, librarian sister! I’ve memorized the entire continent’s geography.”
His eyes sparkled.
“Really? Wow, that’s amazing. How did you memorize all that?”
“My brother taught me that a future head of a ducal house must understand the continent’s geography and politics.”
So Calix forced early education on him? Kids should be playing outside, not reading boring maps.
“The Book Finder is pointing southwest. Are there noble families in that region?”
“Let me see… the closest place is…”
Mikael flipped through the book and suddenly called out toward the window.
“Brother! Please stop the carriage for a moment!”
Calix immediately ordered the carriage to halt.
Dust rose as the carriage stopped on a quiet road. Calix opened the door and looked in.
“What is it?”
“I’m checking the location on the map. The Book Finder is pointing southwest—it looks like it might be the Hamilton Viscount’s estate.”
Mikael showed him the map.
The continent of this world was divided into three countries, and the Kingdom of Ruberia occupied half the continent.
Calix studied the map briefly and nodded.
“You’re correct. It’s about half a day’s travel by carriage.”
“I hope it really is the Hamilton family. If we end up touring noble estates across the kingdom, that would be disastrous.”
Mikael smiled lightly.
I almost doubted my ears.
A simple one-day errand could turn into a royal expedition?
As I broke into a cold sweat, Calix looked at Mikael with concern.
“You should return to the ducal estate by carriage. Even half a day is too much for you.”
Mikael firmly shook his head.
“I want to find the book myself, brother. If I can’t even find a book I want, I would be ashamed of myself.”
I watched their warm sibling conflict like I was watching a drama.
Calix frowned deeply, lost in thought—concern and pride mixing in his expression.
“I had thought of you as too young. Very well, I respect your will.”
“Really? Thank you, brother.”
Mikael’s face lit up like a blooming flower. Calix gently patted his head with affectionate eyes, and Mikael looked up at him with admiration.
What a strong bond. This wasn’t something love could easily interfere with.
I almost felt bad for the heroine, Priscilla. I might need to give her a hint later—she’ll need to score a lot of points through Mikael if she wants Calix.
After the heartfelt brotherly moment, the carriage continued onward.
We passed worn brick houses and outskirts villages before racing across barren fields.
The journey was horribly boring and extremely bumpy.
When we reached gravel and rough roads, the carriage shook like a ship in a storm.
I glanced at Mikael and saw he was pale and sweating, barely able to sit upright.
“Mikael, are you alright? Are you feeling sick?”
“Sister… my head hurts… and my stomach too…”
He whispered weakly and closed his eyes.
I let him lean against my shoulder and shouted out the window.
“Please stop the carriage! The young lord is not well!”
The carriage halted immediately, and Calix rushed in as if breaking the door.
Seeing Mikael collapsed and pale, he grimaced in pain.
“Mikael has always been weak. We must return to the ducal estate immediately.”
“Wait! Turning back now will make things worse. We need a physician first.”
“Do you expect me to trust some quack doctor with my brother?”
Calix snapped angrily.
Honestly, this man doesn’t listen to reason at all. Taking care of Mikael was more important than arguing with him.
“Do you have water?”
The coachman quickly handed me a water pouch. I soaked a handkerchief and gently wiped Mikael’s forehead and neck.
“What are you doing?”
Calix grabbed my wrist with an angry glare. I met his eyes without backing down.
“I’m treating the young lord. Don’t interfere.”
“Treating? And what exactly can you do?”
Ignoring him, I pulled my hand free and helped Mikael lie down, using my lap as a pillow.
Then I began pressing acupuncture points on his small palm.
It was my grandmother’s remedy. Whenever I had stomach aches or headaches, she would press my palm just like this.
It always worked like magic.
After about thirty minutes of carefully massaging and cooling him down, Mikael’s complexion gradually improved.
Eventually, his long eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
He looked between me and Calix and murmured embarrassedly.
“Did I collapse again?”
Calix sighed in relief and carefully held him like glass.
“I’ve troubled you again, brother…”
“It’s fine. As long as you’re safe.”
Calix turned to me and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for treating my brother, Lady Diel.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just glad I could help.”
I checked Mikael again.
“How are you feeling now?”
“It’s strange… my head doesn’t hurt anymore, and my stomach feels fine.”
Mikael nodded while tightly holding the handkerchief I gave him.
“It’s a folk remedy I learned from my grandmother. Can we continue?”
He straightened his posture bravely.
“Yes. I’m fine now. The Hamilton estate is just ahead. I want to find the magic book.”
The carriage resumed and soon stopped in front of a large mansion.
Beyond a well-kept garden stood a four-story noble estate.
A guard approached the ornate gate.
“State your business.”
“I am Duke Reinhardt. We request an audience with the heir of the Hamilton Viscount.”
The coachman replied, and the guard hurried inside.
The Book Finder’s light pointed directly at the entrance.
Mikael whispered to me.
“Sister, it really is the Hamilton estate. Thank goodness—we found it quickly!”
“Really. I almost thought we’d end up on a forced long-term expedition.”
I sighed in relief.
If it had become a long trip, I would’ve run away without looking back.
Calix dismounted and examined the mansion.
“If I recall correctly, the Hamilton Viscount died a month ago.”
Mikael looked surprised.
“Oh, yes. I heard the obituary. He died from a horse-riding accident. Since he had no children, the title passed to his nephew, Lord Milton. It’s awkward to demand the return of a book…”
His calm explanation made him even more impressive.
“How do you know all that?”
“I receive daily reports of national affairs at the ducal estate. I read them when my brother is busy.”
Soon, a tall man in formal clothing rushed out.
“I am Milton Hamilton, the new head of the Hamilton family. Welcome, Your Grace.”
He was a neat-looking man in his early thirties.
Calix nodded briefly.
“I am here on official business. The late Viscount borrowed a magic book from the Royal Library. The due date has passed, and I am here to retrieve it.”
Milton nodded seriously.
“I understand. I will cooperate fully. Please allow me to guide you to my uncle’s study.”
We entered the mansion.
The study was modest compared to the size of the estate.
Only a single mahogany desk and a small, unimpressive bookshelf stood in the room.
I carefully examined the shelves.
A librarian’s saying came to mind: to understand a person, look at their bookshelf.
“If I may ask, who might you be, my lady?”
Milton asked politely. I liked his respectful tone.
“I’m Erika Diel, librarian of the Royal Library. I’m here for book retrieval.”
“Ah…”
He looked genuinely impressed.
“A noble lady serving as an honorary librarian… how wonderful. I would love to visit the Royal Library.”
Not bad—he has good taste in people.
I smiled politely.
“You’re too kind. You’re always welcome at the Royal Library.”
Calix cut in coldly.
“Lady Erika, this is not the time for conversation.”
I ignored him and continued inspecting the bookshelf.
About thirty books in total—knightly tales, etiquette guides, maps.
But the Lion’s Magic Primer was nowhere to be seen.
“Lord Milton, have you seen the book anywhere else in the mansion?”
He shook his head.
“I came here after my uncle passed away and organized his belongings. There was no magic book. These are all the books in the study.”
Mikael suddenly tilted his head.
“That’s strange. Magic books require knowledge of magical language. You need a translation book to read them. But there isn’t one here.”
“Does that mean the Viscount borrowed a book he couldn’t even read?”
