CH 6

She hated the darkness. Because it keeps coming back to bite her.

Darkness in a confined space was terrifying. She couldn’t run away no matter how much she wanted to. In a small space, it was like saying that it was inevitable.

I want to go out. I hate this place so much.

She stroked the crack through which the light barely seeped. However, she was too afraid to leave. Never in her life will she be forgiven if she goes out and causes trouble for the Countess.

I’m going to get kicked out.

Ronell held her head tightly, trying not to moan from the pain.

She couldn’t even make a sound. Or else she’ll be kicked out. If I get kicked out… if I get kicked out of here.

Mary told her a lot of things, asking if she knew what would happen to a 7-year-old girl if she went outside recklessly.

I don’t want to live here, but I’m more scared of being eaten by monsters on the streets.

So, so, I can’t be kicked out.

But… until when do I have to live like this?

Would it be better to just get eaten by the monsters in the streets? Then I don’t have to live in pain.

Despite her best efforts, the cries still managed to escape. Ronell put her hands over her lips and gritted her teeth, hoping to calm herself down. I have to put up with it for now.

Slam—!

Ronell, her face a pale blue as she listened, huddled her arms over her head when she heard something outside the closet.

I’ll be beaten, I’ll be beaten up no matter who it is!

She had previously wished the closet door would open so she could leave, but now she was so frightened she prayed it wouldn’t.

Don’t open it. Please—

The feeble light was gradually growing larger. Ronell shielded her face with both hands in anticipation of a kick to the head. Experience had taught her that getting kicked in the hands was better than in the head.

“Baby.”

—don’t open it…

Ronell cautiously raised her head at the unfamiliar voice. Her jet-black hair, which resembled the texture of the night sky, was flowing freely in the midst of the drenching light.

Red eyes with incomprehensible emotions. In an instant, her heart sped up once she caught a glimpse of her dazzling, jewel-like eyes.

MEW—!!

The silent room was suddenly jarred by a single meow. The white animal was the only one to act quickly, racing to its chosen owner. Ruby leaped towards Ronell and landed on her feet.

“C… cathh?”

Ronell asked clumsily, her cheeks swollen. When she fumbled with her pronunciation, Ruby’s huge eyes widened.

I’m sorry I’m late, Butler!

As Ronell stooped roughly to lift Ruby, it froze in place.

Ronell’s hand was stroked by the cat’s paw, and the wounds on her cheeks and face healed completely. Aicila’s eyes widened in shock at the astonishing sight before her.

Ruby purred with jubilation in the child’s arms.

“Her?”

Mew mew. That’s right, this is my next butler!

Ruby showed off its chest. In contrast, the child instinctively tightened her embrace on the cat and bowed her head. Aicila bent one knee to meet her at eye level.

“Baby.”

There was no trace of sarcasm in the crystal-clear voice; rather, the tone was soft and full of affection. Ronell was startled at first, but she eventually came to her senses when she realized the voice was meant for her.

“Can you answer me? Are you okay?”

“M-me?”

“Right, you.”

Her eyes, now a deep garnet color, were focused on her.

“What’s your name?”

“M-my name is Ronell.”

Ronell replied stutteringly and posed a question, attempting to meet her gaze.

“I-I’m sorry, who are you?”

“Aicila Duncan. Um, I mean, the granddaughter of the owner of the cat you’re holding?”

“Ah… yes.”

She knew there would be an owner. Still, knowing that made her feel sad. Regardless of the fact that she was fully aware it didn’t belong here.

She daringly stared at her. Ronell blinked and cast her eyes downward. The cat frantically meowed and rubbed its face against her hands.

Quickly pet me and make me happy! What are you doing!—It seems to be shouting like that.

She held the cat even tighter out of reflex, and the cat immediately began wagging its tail in delight.

“What a cringey act.”

After giving it a light rebuke, her sweet voice continued.

“And I’m here to pick you up.”

“Wh… why? Why me…?”

Am I going to be forced out onto the streets? She thought she didn’t want to live like this until just now, but the thought of being dragged out made her sullen. Ronell blinked hard as she tried not to cry.

Her eyes were watering, so she didn’t notice the Countess, who was about to shout. When Aicila silenced the woman with a single glance, the child stammered while keeping her head lowered.

“I… don’t… want to die. I didn’t mean to steal the cat. I didn’t steal. It’s just, I. I. I never stole anything. It’s true, I never did.”

Lloyd put the blame on me. I never really stole anything.

As she stared at the distraught girl, Aicila managed to rein in her raging emotions.

Let’s be patient. The first priority was to soothe the frightened child.

“Baby.”

“……”

“I didn’t come to take* you, I’m here to pick you up.”

(TL/N: By ‘take’ it meant arresting her.)

Why, she asked herself as she looked questioningly at Aicila, her eyes welling with tears.

“Reinhardt Duncan is the richest man in the Ederka Empire, and the next owner of that cat is supposed to inherit 10% of the property of its current owner, Reinhardt Duncan.”

“……”

“That’s why.”

The Countess drew a deep breath, for she understood the full weight of those words. Ronell, who had been peeking at her almost automatically, hastily averted her gaze.

The woman would sometimes curse at her, complaining about how her green eyes were driving her crazy. As she thought back on the hurtful and cutting remarks, she held the cat even tighter. To find the comfortable warmth that was touching her bare arms.

Its snowy white forepaw tenderly stroked her cheek.

“Raise your head.”

A firm tone that is nonetheless kind. She slowly, somewhat nervously, raised her head, as if she were under some sort of spell.

“That cat says you’re its next owner.”

Ronell glanced down. The cat stared right at her, with its sparkling eyes. Its eyes, which seemed to be smiling slightly, were as blue as ever.

Did I do well? Hurry and tell me I did well, Butler.

As it rubbed vigorously against her, the cat purred blissfully.

“…Yes?!”

The wind allowed Ronell to react a beat later. I’m the cat’s, uh. Huh. As she stammered, the pretty woman in front of her began to applaud gracefully.

“Congratulations, Baby.”

Clap clap clap. As soon as the noise stopped, silence returned. Breaking the hush that seemed almost like terror, Aicila enthusiastically stated.

“You will become one of the richest people in the empire.”

…What? Pardon?

When she blinked in confusion, Aicila bent her eyes beautifully again. She was sincerely congratulating her. She affirmed her with a chirpy tone over and over.

It was at that moment.

“Right.”

The atmosphere was disturbed by a brash voice.

“What’s the point of it, Lady Duncan?”

When Aicila’s demeanor immediately shifted, the observer Mitchell sighed, putting her finger on it.

No, Madam. Can’t you see? Milady is now in the mood to eat your flesh, now I tell you.

“That’s Artes’s illegitimate child anyway. You have no business taking that th— her with you!”

“Shut up.”

The sudden profanity caused the Countess’s complexion to go white. Whatever the case may be, Aicila spewed out angrily.

“The person who needs to keep quiet the most right now is the one raising their voice.”

“……”

“Aren’t you ashamed? Aren’t you sorry? Do you have no conscience? I’d advise keeping your mouth shut and your head down, but what sort of an idiot are you to yell at me?”

What rudeness, Aicila slowly stood up in front of the woman who was about to shout. She resembled a wild animal about to pounce and snap the neck of its prey.

The woman eventually took a step back, stumbling. Her face faded into a ghostly pallor as her scarlet lips paled. Aicila watched the pathetic figure quiver, her hands tightened, and then delivered some sharp words of criticism, like an executioner.

“I understand you don’t like kids. Right, I’m the same. I don’t like them, either.”

“…You.”

“But child abuse is a different matter. There should be a permanent brand on your forehead indicating that you are a garbage person. Why are you abusing this child?”

“She is under the House of Count Artes. Whatever I do doesn’t concern you—”

Maybe I really should brand her.

“—and how dare you attempt kidnapping!”

“Shut up, child abuser.”

Her screaming is giving me a migraine. Aicila stretched and stroked the nape of her neck. An overwhelming murderous intent that was incomparable from before was projected towards the woman.

“I’m here.”

“……”

“I guess I’ll have to start a fire to get you to be quiet.”

Y-you’re crazy. The woman’s throat tightened as little sighs tried to escape, but Aicila didn’t bat an eye.

“Maybe I should cram a bill into your mouth to shut you up. Or beat you up and lock you in the closet just like she’s gone through, and make you cry and beg.”

Her crimson pupils blazed, showing the darkest depths of hell.

“What should I do to shut you up?”

“Y-you’re cr—”

“You think I can’t? You’re an Artes, and I know the disgusting truth. However. So what? Have you forgotten what my last name is?”

“……”

“I’m a Duncan.”

Ah, true. I am. I am indeed. Aicila’s face lit up as a brilliant idea dawned on her.

“Come to think of it, Madam. Doesn’t the wealth of the House of Count Artes come from the southern granary?”

The Countess’s expression contorted as though she had recognized the threat.

“It would be so much fun to block the road. Don’t you think so?”