Chapter 22 (2/2)

It was such a third-rate book that it did not seem to be designated as a taboo. Conspiracy theories about the Cabezos and Leschines were also likely to be less credible. Still, it was worth reading. It’s better to know than not to know.

‘It’s the most detailed book I’ve ever read in the study.’

From the beginning, Elisabeth was allowed to enter the study to learn about the two families, Leschine and Cabezo.

Elisabeth only knew that Leschine was a family that collapsed after plotting treason. But the Daughtry’s thought Leschine was framed by Cabezo.

Elisabeth read the rest of the parts that she had read until yesterday.

<The Duke of Cabezo and the Duke of Leschine have been ill-fated since the birth of the Empire.

In the early days of the empire, the three families fought for Imperial power. They were the Friedrichs, the Cabezos, and the Leschines.

The great nobles tried to gain control of the Empire by using the [Heart of Olga], a source of magic power left by the Great Magician Olga. In particular, the battle between the Duke of Cabezo and the Duke of Leschine was fierce. But it was the Friedrich family that took the opportunity to ascend the throne.

The House of Friedrich feared the [Heart of Olga]. So they divided the [Heart of Olga] in half and sealed its power, but Cabezo and Leschine found a way to bring the [Heart of Olga] back together. When the ‘selected’ blood of the two families are gathered, the [Heart of Olga] could become one.>

Elisabeth turned over the pages.

< In the 601st year of Imperial rule, the Leschine family was destroyed by the discovery of a letter asking a Titan Dukedom to serve as a rebel. However, there is a rumor that the letter was forged by the Duke of Cabezo. It was to take over the [Heart of Olga]. However, with the fall of the Duke of Leschine, the [Trium] has disappeared. The most likely theory is that Emperor Friedrich, who feared that the Duke of Cabezo would get the [Heart of Olga], stole the [Trium], but nothing has been officially revealed. >

The fall of the Leschine was in Elisabeth’s grandfather’s time. At that time, Victoire would have been a young boy like herself.

‘Any book is all about gossip. I want to know something more accurate. I thought there’d be evidence of that in Victoire’s study.’

Elisabeth looked round the high and wide study.

Knock, Knock

Then someone knocked on the door of the study.

“Who is it?”

Elisabeth asked. The door opened slightly and Marian stuck out her head.

“Miss, how long are you going to keep reading? Come out and have a snack.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“In the middle of growing up, you have to feed even if you’re not hungry.”

Marian came into the study and held Elisabeth in her arms.

“Ah! Mrs. Marian! Let me down, I’m 12 years old! It’s heavy for Mrs. Marian.”

“That’s… a little true.”

Marian smiled embarrassedly and put Elisabeth down.

“I wanted to hug you too, because His Grace and the young masters hug you so brightly.”

“You don’t have to. I’m really good at walking.”

“If you had come when you were a little younger, I would have carried you around every day. I’m sorry I couldn’t.”

Elisabeth smiled and took Marian’s hand.

“Let’s go get some snacks!”

“I prepared a delicious peach tart and chocolate cake. Look forward to it.”

Elisabeth walked down the hall with light steps, holding Marian’s hand.

“The Miss looks happy. Is something going on?”

A passing employee asked Marian.

“I’m going to eat peach tart and chocolate cake!”

Elisabeth replied instead. He could not hide his smile as his employer was cute with her boastful way of speaking. Employees would always gaze at Elisabeth with a warm look as they walked around the mansion.

Elisabeth was like a cute little squirrel that appeared in a dreary, dark mansion. The expression of those who had been rigid with her existence began to unravel. It was the same for Elisabeth that this mansion brightened up.

‘I like it here.’

People were kind to Elisabeth. Elisabeth always smiled at everyone. She generously shared her heart with those who gave her affection.

When she was Emilie Cabezo, no matter how hard she tried, everyone was cold. Her father disapproved of everything Emilie did. Emilie sent desserts for the employees who finished an event, but Polia put the medicine in the middle, causing all the employees to have stomach aches and become her public enemies.

That’s why Elisabeth’s small smile on her face was so precious.

‘People here may have other plans, but I just want to like them now. Let’s enjoy this moment until we’re all grown up.’

Elisabeth’s mind was also relieved because of Dylan’s work not long ago.

‘It’s funny that oppa was protecting me.’  (i’ll be using oppa[older brother] and orabeoni[elder brother] from now on.)

When Elisabeth thought of that time, she laughed. Sixteen year-old Dylan spoke quite maturely. Since then, he has not even said get out.

‘I don’t know how lucky that is.’

I couldn’t say anything, but every time I was told to go out, the inner wound was no joke.

“Elisabeth!”

A familiar voice was heard from outside. Elisabeth held her head out of the window.

“How are you? Long time no see!”

Jeremy Dalton smiled brightly and waved.

“I saw you yesterday. How has it been a while?”

“Of course. I missed you so much I thought I was dying! A day seemed like a year.”

Jeremy was a friend of Dylan’s, but he had a different personality from Dylan. Everyone was friendly and active. There was so much playfulness that Elisabeth would burst out laughing once a minute when she talked to him.

“Come down. Let’s play!”

Jeremy was a sixteen-year-old boy and liked to hang out with Elisabeth, a twelve-year-old girl. Elisabeth went down to the garden where Jeremy was often waiting.

“I’m playing with you instead because Dylan won’t play.”

“You come here so often that Dylan doesn’t play with you.”

“Aing. That’s too much. You know much I love Dylan.”

“R-really?”

Elisabeth asked with her golden eyes wide open. Jeremy laughed at it, holding his stomach.

“Puhahaha. Do you really believe that?”

“What. You shouldn’t play with love.”

“Sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Then what are you going to give me as an apology?”

Elisabeth asked graciously. Jeremy, who had his eyes wide open, soon realized that Elisabeth was playing a prank and bowed his head, pretending to be troubled.

“Hmm, I’ll make you a grass flute as an apology.”

Jeremy tore off a few leaves of grass in the garden and folded them around to create a plausible flute shape.

“Wow. Does this really make a sound?”

“Of course. Listen.”

Jeremy blew the grass flute. It was small and clumsy, but clearly there was a ‘Ppoo-Ppoo-’ sound.

Elisabeth rumbled and laughed. Jeremy looked at Elisabeth, bewildered.

“Is this so funny?”

“Yes. It’s a lot of fun. I want to blow it, too!”

Jeremy gave Elisabeth the grass flute.