Chapter 12

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

"So, is this what you wanted, Vestia?" Regardless of my desires, I am certain that this young lad will ascend to the rank of prominent knighthood and be by Caliere's side in the future.

However, Henry—who was meant to assist me—was sitting on the opposite side of my father's room with his legs crossed, seemingly staring at this daughter-father pair that would quarrel, and my father, who had this harsh sound in his throat, was staring at me as if I had made a poor decision.

With a sigh, I comprehend what Father intended to say; who wouldn't have understood when a particular six-year-old girl brought to her home a young boy who was filthy and had been battered to the street, and for what purpose? For him to be placed as a knight's apprentice immediately?

Who would consider that to be sane? These two individuals believed I was insane for attempting to accomplish that, and Henry even regarded me with scepticism as I described this strategy. It seemed as though he opposed it initially, and then, late at night, my father came up to speak with me, seeming to share his opposition.

"Father, you wouldn't believe me, but I see that young boy's potential!" Henry, on the other side, responded to my cries with a sound.

He made a sarcastic noise and even struck the chair he was seated in as if laughing wasn't enough. I glared at him when I turned around, despite the fact that he was on the verge of wiping away his tears of mirth.

"What's funny, Henry?" As I narrowed my eyes, I inquired.

"If you asked me, Duke, it would be best if you allowed the child to recuperate for a few days before approaching him about the possibility of working as a household servant once more." Henry told my father, "However, first things first," but his final remarks were aimed at me.

Already staring at me, it was obvious that he would shake his head in response. As soon as I became aware of it, he would ridicule me. Attempting to avert my gaze, the words engrossed me, capturing his attention.

"How could a six-year-old intervene and rescue a child who was being beaten by an elderly noble, Vestia? Your tutor should have taught you that a child could never prevail against elderly nobles." Upon Henry uttering those words, I could tell his tone had taken on a more solemn manner.

His expression had turned unkind, as though he were gazing angrily at something he had just observed. His gaze shifted to the Duke, and when I turned to Father, I noticed that his eyes dilated and then momentarily closed before he nodded.

"Vestia, I suppose Henry was correct; for the time being, it would be prudent to abstain from venturing outdoors. Aside from that, assisting a person in need was not immoral, but having that poor lad in our home would have been improper. We will have a discussion about this tomorrow." As he stroked my head, my father knelt and bowed to align his height with mine.

He appeared to have more to say, but subsequently closed his mouth and exhaled. His voice was indeed kind, resembling the approach of spring, but the manner in which he spoke those words made me feel as though I had done him any wrong.

A sulk and a headshake ensued. Father smiled and glanced at me as he patted my head once more.

"But I wouldn't say that I'm not proud of my daughter since she just saved a poor young boy, right, Henry?" My eyes briefly lit up at that moment, and then Henry departed and extinguished those minuscule lights.

"Yes, Duke but I would want to remind you that Vestia is still young and she needs to learn enough to know the ways of the world, especially how cruel the noble society is," As soon as he uttered those words, my pupils dilated. Although I grasped his meaning, hearing a ten-year-old child say those words brought back memories of my own youth.

Even though I revisited the past, I believe that my subsequent understanding was insufficient; Henry's words were all that were required to convince me of the merciless nature of the world.

As soon as I caught sight of Father sighing, I returned my attention to him, this time without a smile but with my eyes fixed on him.

"Vestia, I believe it would be optimal if we spoke tomorrow. I will contact Anna in the meantime. However, Henry, I suppose we ought to converse." As soon as Father uttered those final words, he turned to Henry with a solemn countenance, and his tone descended to that of an authoritative command, from soft to profound and low.

As I turned to Henry, he bowed in esteem.

Immediately after Anna retrieved me from the Duke's office and stated, "As you said, Duke," I noticed Henry's eyes following my every move before he averted them to face the Duke.

Then, once the door shut, I was unable to discern any of the terms they were discussing. It is as if they were concealing something from me, and it is my responsibility to discover it.

Even if Henry were to treat me like a young lady, he is unaware, and neither is anyone else, that I possess the intellect of an adult.

"Anna, I did the right thing, right?" I desired confirmation so that I would not back out at this time. In order to actualize that aspiration that I had previously been unable to realize, I intend to transform that young lad into my knight.

Upon my attention being directed towards Anna, she ceased her motion and prostrated before me. She was, in fact, grinning, but she could not resist stroking my head.

"Helping others is not inherently immoral, Milady; however, inviting strangers into the home was inappropriate. A second occurrence would constitute a violation of the Duke's regulations, Milady," Anna stated, and her gravity was evident in her tone of voice. I sighed and vowed to never do that again. At this moment...

"I just thought helping that young boy would make him turn into a prominent young knight in the future, Anna."

"Indeed, Milady, I am aware. Your insight and benevolence are undeniable." Anna continued to stroke my head as she led me to my bedroom. Even as she sang me a lullaby, she forced me to slumber, since Mother had already dozed off.

I knew that night that I had done something that my loved one would not approve of, but I also knew that this would be the second change I would like to see take place because, should that little child turn into my knight, he would stop at nothing to keep this duchy from collapsing.

I have faith in my intuition; there is no doubt that something inevitable is transpiring at this moment.

I had no recollection of that nightmare when darkness descended upon my being. Was it because I felt such intense warmth emanating from my palms, or because I felt it enveloping me from my sleep?

Regardless of the cause, I'm just happy to be in this tenderness right now.

Upon awakening in the morning, I could not help but notice the individual lying beside me: Henry, who was in fact sound asleep on my side with our hands intertwined.

I couldn't help but laugh when I caught sight of his face; although he was completely asleep, his soft snores could still be heard emanating from my pillows. As soon as I briefly moved a portion of his fringe to his other ears while touching his hair, I realized he was, in fact, running.

It was even possible that as this young child matured, women would become madly infatuated with him. However, the mere notion of that would induce fear within me. The future is indeterminate, and the information I retained upon my return would merely serve as a factor in determining the most appropriate course of action.

But that does not imply that everything will proceed according to plan. Numerous modifications remain to be implemented, as I have already initiated the initial change.

I am determined to win this time around; I could not allow anyone to violate my household once more, even if it meant avoiding romantic involvement with another person.

In the present moment, I am merely content with the way that things are proceeding.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I failed to notice Henry had awoken; he was already grasping my hand, which I had just been using to caress his hair.

"I am perplexed as to why I enjoy the sensation of being touched when I was unaware, Vestia, that it was you who was performing the action. Good morning," he said in the most subdued manner I have ever heard. I could not help but laugh.

Undoubtedly, this individual's maturity would shatter many hearts.

"Good morning, my dearest friend!" My remark and the resulting tangle in his hair prompted him to cease laughing before he could continue.

"Aside from that, you're forbidden to go outside now, right?" Subsequently, he ridiculed me for tampering with his tresses. As I pouted, he started to chuckle at that moment.

However, upon the doorbell's opening sound, Father and Mother entered the room, and the two appeared delighted, as if they were about to express their affection.

"My precious, I guess making the young boy your knight wouldn't be a bad idea, right, darling?" Mother responded to Father's cheerful conversation with an inclination of the head and a chuckle.

I looked at Henry, but he only narrowed his eyes. His eyes briefly widened when he glanced at what Father was holding in his right hand before returning to me with narrowed eyes.

"Did you perhaps know that----" Father interrupted Henry before he could complete his sentence and promptly removed him from my bed.

Since we were young children, they had allowed him to sleep with me; however, Henry and my father simply left as if they had something vital to say, while my mother remained to hold my hands.

"Vestia, if you desire to speak with him at this time, he is already awake. Additionally, may I inquire whether you have a specific name in mind?

***

Author-nim note: edited ^-^ Please forgive my grammar; English is not my first language. ^-^