Chapter 15
“I need to find a guardian.”
According to imperial law, if a minor inherits a fortune, the closest relative becomes the guardian. However, if a guardianship contract is signed, even someone unrelated by blood can become the guardian. What Lilith needed now was a guardian who wasn’t afraid of her powers, didn’t want her inheritance, and would protect her.
“Isn’t there a good parent out there somewhere?”
Maybe a tyrant who’s actually a sweet dad to his daughter… or cold older brothers who are warm only to their little sister. It’s a novel world, so if I look hard enough, I might find at least one like that.
Mumbling to myself, I walked quickly. Without paying any attention to my surroundings, I headed for the annex. That’s when someone blocked my way.
“…?”
“Who are you?”
It was a boy who looked about the same age as Johann.
“I’ve never seen you before. Who are you?”
He didn’t look like a guest of the Shainon family.
‘Now that I think about it, Gideon Shainon has one son.’
I tried to recall the boy’s name from what I heard on the first day.
“Hey, can’t you hear me?”
“I’m from the annex…”
“Ah, that explains it.”
Crowd Shainon.
Suddenly, the name flashed through my head.
‘Right, that was his name.’
I finally remembered.
As far as I knew, Crowd Shainon was the same age as Johann — fourteen. But now that I saw him in person, he looked much younger than Johann.
‘Well, I guess I’m in no position to talk. Johann doesn’t look his age either.’
It was understandable for me since I had an adult soul inside, but Johann was still technically a minor. Yet he never felt like one.
As I was lost in thought, I silently hoped Crowd would just move out of the way.
“So you’re that trash’s maid, huh?”
“…S-sorry, but I have work to do. I’ll be going now.”
You should never talk too long with a crazy person. Especially if there’s nothing to gain from it. I tried to act timid and just pass by without drawing attention, but Crowd blocked my path again.
“If you get on my good side, I’ll let you serve me instead of that trash. How’s that?”
“…”
I looked at the boy silently. His mischievous face looked even younger than Verdi’s.
“Put this in that trash’s food.”
Crowd laughed and opened his hand, letting dirt fall from his palm. His eyes, the same color as Lilith’s, sparkled with a sly smile as he watched my reaction.
“Well? You’ll do it, right? For that trash—”
“No. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to refuse.”
“Yeah, that’s wha—what?”
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going.”
I really wanted to get away from this brat. If only he hadn’t grabbed my shoulder, I would’ve walked off without another word.
“What did you just say?”
“…I said I’ll keep serving Lady Lilith, young master.”
“That— that trash?”
“Yes.”
“I’m giving you the chance to serve me!”
“…”
I slowly blinked and stared at Crowd. Then I smiled sweetly at him. My smile made him flinch.
“I’m fine, young master.”
I spoke firmly and brushed his hand off my shoulder.
“Now, excuse me.”
Leaving behind the clearly shocked boy, I walked away quickly.
This time, I was determined to get away no matter what.
“What a weird brat…”
I shivered without meaning to.
By the time I came back from the main building, Noel and Johann had already arrived. I thought I came back quickly, but it seemed the study session with Lilith was already over.
Johann was sitting at one side of the garden reading a book, while Noel was walking around with Lilith. It looked like Noel was playing with her.
“Chloe, you’re back?”
Verdi, who was just coming into the garden, met my eyes. I nodded and walked over.
“Why did Lady Ivna call you?”
“Oh, it was nothing important.”
It was better not to talk about it just yet. I shook my head, brushing it off.
“Well, I’m glad it was nothing serious.”
Verdi smiled gently. If Ivna had ordered Verdi instead of me to harm Lilith…
‘Would Verdi have been able to handle it?’
Would she have suffered alone? I felt a little relieved that Ivna had called me instead. Whatever happened, I could accept it more calmly than Verdi.
“Looks like the young lady doesn’t know you’re back yet.”
“Yeah.”
If Lilith had seen me, she would’ve dropped everything and come running. But since it was quiet, she was probably too focused on playing with Noel to notice I’d returned.
“It’s a good thing Noel gets along well with her.”
I smiled softly.
“By the way, Verdi, didn’t you say you worked somewhere else before coming here?”
“Yeah, why?”
I remembered something she had said when we first met.
“Then, do you think we could meet a noble or high-ranking official?”
“If it’s a well-known noble house, maybe…”
But Lilith was different. She rarely even saw members of the Shainon family, let alone other nobles.
“I guess it’s going to be hard, huh.”
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“…There’s just a reason.”
I answered vaguely, not wanting to explain too much.
Just then, Noel suddenly leaned in between us.
“Have you seen Lilith?”
“No, I haven’t, Lady Noel.”
“Where is she hiding? She’s making it hard this time…”
Noel rubbed her chin and thought hard. Verdi shook her head. I did too. Since returning to the annex, I hadn’t run into Lilith at all.
“She’s surprisingly good at hiding. Maybe she’s a natural at it.”
Noel muttered proudly, then turned to look at me.
“But Chloe, are you thinking of finding a new job or something?”
“…What?”
“I heard something about nobles and whatnot earlier.”
“Oh, that was nothing.”
Just like I had done with Verdi, I gave a vague smile and brushed it off. But unlike Verdi, who let it go, Noel narrowed her eyes and stared at me. She quickly got lost in thought.
“Hmm.”
“Lady Noel?”
“I wonder if it’ll be okay with my brother.”
Instead of answering me, Noel called out to Johann, who was reading.
“…What is?”
Johann looked at her, a little worried, and closed his book.
“I mean, inviting Lilith.”
“The Shainon family has enough standing, so it shouldn’t be a problem, but…”
His blue eyes silently asked if it was really okay.
‘This feels just like when they talked about the tutor before.’
They were talking about something I couldn’t understand.
“Nyowel unni!”
Suddenly, Lilith peeked her head out from behind a big tree. She must have gotten tired of waiting for Noel to find her and couldn’t resist anymore. Noel didn’t miss the chance.
“Ah! Found you, Lilith!”
“…!”
Lilith held on to the big tree, her eyes wide open. She looked betrayed.
“Lilith! Come here!”
But when Noel waved at her, Lilith’s curiosity took over, and she ran over. Noel smiled widely, clearly happy to see her running over.
“Do you want to come to my house, Lilith?”
“Nyowel unni’s house?”
Lilith tilted her head to the left.
“Yup, I’m inviting you!”
“Okay!”
“Wait, what do you mean by that?”
I was flustered and tried to join the conversation.
“Chwoe!”
Before I could get answers from Noel, Lilith noticed me and ran over, hugging me tight.
“Well, since the guest of honor accepted the invitation, I guess you have to come too, Chloe?”
“…What?”
In the end, I didn’t get an explanation. Noel just smiled like she was up to something.
“I’ll send an official invitation soon. You’ll see what I mean.”
Hehehe, Noel laughed like a mastermind plotting something.
