Hardel listened to my story and made a funny face.
“So, you like Sir Emel.”
“That’s because he is my first escort. I like teachers too.”
In my answer he smile faintly.
“Thank you for that.”
I sighed. He asked “Is that a problem with my thanks?” and i shook my head as a replied.
“No, it wasn’t—I was talking to my dad yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“Then, he said that people are paying attention to me.”
“That’s right.”
“But he said that I’m Castiello………”
“Thar’s right.”
“So what he mean that i should have to work hard, so i could not break the family reputation right?”
“I think that’s different.”
“Yes?”
“Did the Duke say so? Do not break the family reputation?”
“No. Rather he not paying attention for that. But i’m Castiello. He said it like that. What does that mean?”
“I think you are misunderstanding.”
“Really?”
As he answered, i shook my head and pondered.
Where the misunderstanding is?
“What he meas is like this. ‘You don’t have to pay attention to every single things, because you are Castiello. And you shouldn’t mind the rest just be yourself.’ This is the Duke of Castiello way of thinking.”
I opened my mouth.
Hardel added a comment to my reaction.
“Than in fact. Even you up to the table and kick the teapot—“
“I’m not doing that!”
I shouted without knowing, but Hardel replied without disturbed.
“If it. Even so, people won’t say anything loudly anything to you. The rumors may turn behind the scenes.”
Hardel spoke slowly and continue to speak.
“Rather if you pay attention to what they say, you will gave what they want. People are just want to see of other people weakness. So the Lady doesn’t have to look good in front of them. Do not weakened.”
I inhale and nodded. Hardel smiled and said.
“The young master is actually broke the marquise son’s nose in his first social debut.”
“Really?! Did Carl did that?!”
“Yes.”
In short “I don’t think you’re going to do anything worse than that.” Hardel added.
I just realizing the power of the Castiello family, and asked.
“So after that, what happened?”
“People think it just some quarrel between childrern, and it passed down like that .”
“Than is Carl brother…….got hurt?”
Asked carefully, Hardel lips rose up.
“Got hurt?”
I groaned in his reply “It can’t be right.” If i remembered Carl brother was already can use aura since a kid, so………
‘I wanted to ask more detail.’
I glanced back. Ellen stood, staring at me.
‘It’s not Emel.’
Would it work this time?
I lightened my cough and ordered Ellen.
“Ellen, it’s only for ten minutes. And i have something to talk to my teacher privately.”
Ellen looked puzzled but soon she leaned back.
“I’m understand, Lady.”
It worked!
I was endured to ask until Ellen leave. Ellen quietly opened the door, and soon as the door closed, i quickly turned to Hardel. Hardel has a strange face, which seemed to be joyful and troublesome for the same time.
I asked quickly.
“What did you said about the marquis?”
“Yes. The Marquise Do Ryun was five years older than the young master.”
“Ah.”
I convinced and nodded, then i asked.
“And i have another question.”
“Of course, you can ask me.”
Hardel glanced at the door and saw me again.
“You said something about the mixed people before me, you said both of them were a men right? So what happen to those people?”
Hardel was silent.
“Teacher?”
I called Hardel again. Hardel stared at me. It was to hard to read what he think with that sharp eyes behind the glasses.
“Why do you ask?”
He asked me, “Answering the question with the question is a fatal.” i said back.
“But few people are mixed. I’m just curious. If they get married and have a children, are they children going to be mixed? Or is it become normal?”
Hardel took a short breath and replied.
“There’s no child.”
“They can’t have children?”
“No, both of them did not live long enough to have a children.”
I jumped.
“Is their life is short?”
As i whispered asked the question, Hardel shook his head. He said in a tone that he looked slightly nervous.
“I can’t talk about that in the detail.”
“Its must Dad.”
“Yes, since the first time i got the contract.”
Hardel shrug with a sigh.
“The Duke warning me, there something that i can’t talk to you and you shouldn’t know about that. And i think already said enough now.”
I stared at Hardel after what he said. Unknowingly, my voice become lower.
“Both of them are dead. Quickly. Oh, right. I did noticed it from beginning. Castiello is have a lot of enemies. So that’s why i need an escort. Usually it’s strong. Castiello is strong, but the one who mixed is not strong. It’s a good target for get a revenge. That’s why Dad care so much about the escort.”
Hardel listened to my pouring words. Looking at him as i asked for confirmation, Hardel sighed lightly.
“That’s not all. So please take care.”
“How old they were dead?”
As i asked the question Hardel was silent. I shrugged and said.
“You don’t told me that they are dead, i figure it myself. But you still care if i know about how old they are dead?”
“Why don’t you ask the Duke directly?”
“Ayy, then Dad might fire the teacher right away.”
Hardel laughed, at my words.
“If you curious. You’d better go asking through someone other than me.”
He seemed that he don’t want to talk about it again, and i sighed.
“Alright then. Than i have another question.”
“Your curiosity is endless.”
“Please told me about the Tower of the Wizard.”
It was information that i can’t heard because Emel before.
“It’s a group of wizard.”
“Why they are so worry about them? Is there any bad perception about the wizard?”
“No. The empire tend to interact with the wizards. And magic tools are pretty common too.”
“But Day said they was a bastard.”
Maybe that means a bad person?
“Bas………”
Hardel jumped and sighed as if he had lost something to say.
“You better not use that word.”
“Bastard, bastard. Is that a bad word?”
I think it sounds kinda cute?
“Yes, it’s a swear word. It’s also quite intense. I think that word shouldn’t come from the mouth of a noble men as well as a noble lady.”
“Ah.”
I shut up quickly. Hardel said quietly.
“The wizard is more curious than you.”
“Are they studying?”
“Yes they did some research. Wizards are curious about Castiello.”
Said that, Hardel opened the book in front of my desk.
“Then lets start the class now.”
There is nothing i want to say, so i calmly answered “Yes.” Shortly after class began, Ellen came back. Hardel’s class was still concise and easy to understand, and the education seemed to be getting higher and higher.
Hardel asked after class.
“Don’t you have to take a break from this class?”
“Yes? Oh, you mean preparing for the a hunting meet?”
“No way.”
Hardel frowned and spoke to me.
“You must do it. Normally, people would lie down and complain when they had a class.”
“No way.”
As i said, following Hardel’s tone, Hardel raised her eyebrows.
“Really? Are you okay?”
“Yes, it doesn’t matter. I don’t have anything to prepare. I’m just out with my dad on the hunting ground and attending an evening ball.”
“For three days.”
“For three days?”
“You can meet friends of your peers who are similar to your age.”
What do you mean by that? And i saw Hardel.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Hardel replied as though it wasn’t a big deal, but now that has raised my expectations about the hunting meet five time more than before.
‘A peer friend.’
I have never had it.
Friend.
It always fun to play with my friends even it fading out now, but i could remember it when i was Seo Yeong.
‘I can make friends.’
When i realized that, it quickly became more exciting.
“I wish i could meet a good person.”
“I hope so too.”
Hardel spoke in earnest. I got up from my seat and said.
“I would like to continue the class though. I like your class the most.”
As i grabbed my skirt and bent my knees lightly, Hardel laughed out. It was the first time he laughed, so i saw him in amazement. Hardel stopped laughing and greeted me politely.
“I’m happy to be your favorite teacher. Thank you. Princess.”
I couldn’t tell if it was teasing or not.
“Thank you for the good class.”
So i answered as politely as possible. He smiled and said.
“Then see you next time. Princess.”
I came out of the room. This library was also made for my study room and the furniture was tailored special for me.
“I’m going to library.”
After telling Ellen my schedule, Ellen replied “You’re so eager.” following my step, Ellen glanced at me and said.
“Earlier, i think i said something unnecessary.”
“What do you mean?”
“To Emel—“
Ellen hesitated, and i quickly replied.
“It makes me more curious if you stop taking like that.”
“I said that Lady likes Emel.”
“Of course i like him.”
Ellen laughed as i replied.
“Yes, it is. So i wanted to say if it is okay.”
I like Emel, why do you tell Emel about it? Puzzled, i entered the library opened by Ellen.
Hardel said he had taken out a fairy tale book from the library, it turned out one bookshelf was all fairy tales. Hardel said, all the fairy tale books of the empire will be plugged on here.
My dad collected it for me, so i was happy and reading one book a day. Ellen picked up the book for my homework at the library.
“You read a very difficult book.”
“I search something hardest to ask to Hardel.”
Ellen nodded to me.
‘Well, but there aren’t many books about wizards. And there’s no book about the Castiello family. There are no demons or related books……..’
I sighed.
I didn’t know if there was really no book about it at all here, or if they didn’t put it in, or maybe it was kept separately.
I returning to my room for lunch and studying, Roy came in soon.
“It’s time for shift!”
He said in a cheerful voice. Ellen politely greets me and withdraws. Roy glanced back at my book.
“Lady, that’s great.”
“About what?”
“You read all these books. Ugh, it looks like the letters are so tightly packed together.”
“I’m can see it well.”
I laughed Roy words.
“So, that’s great. What is it? Uh, sincere Castiello.”
I was interested in the words he said and turned to him.
“I think my father and my brother, they both are sincere too.”
That made his face changed. He asked with a trembling and serious face.
“What do you mean?”
“My brother is practicing a full sword, and my dad works late every night.”
“People who do only what they like aren’t sincere. And the work of sir Duke……..”
Roy rubbed his chin with a face like thinking something and smiled.
“Would you like to go secretly next time?”
“Yes?”
“To look the Duke working appearance.”
“Can i do it?”
“Sure. It’s better to see it firsthand.”
Roy have a single smile and told me to go sneak out together to see my dad working. I was wondering how my dad appearance when he work.
“Yes, i got it.”
“But what is it? The Lady feels a little different.”
“Yes?”
“Emel said that Lady is cute, you said something cute. I was curious about that but—“
Roy shrugged.
“I thought that you would be like a street child.”
Street child.
“Because i grew up with a whore?”
In my sharp question, Roy nodded casually.
“I don’t know. I don’t think there’s no such appearance. Everybody says they wear diamonds on their clothes, but i’m already nervous just because i have gold buttons in my clothes.”
I looked at what’s on the clothes i wear right now, it’s all gold if i lose it, i will cry.
As i showed him my sleeves, he blinking, smiled gently and knelt on one knee.
“Roy?”
“Sorry.”
I stared at his face. Roy said, as he scratching his cheek with a nice look.
“I lash out to you before.”
“But what you said it’s true.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“You didn’t get angry or aggressive at me. No, i think i had cross the line at that question.”
“Did i have to be angry?”
As i asked, Roy stared at me and smiled.
“You’re so weird.”
“Jane tells the same story.”
“I know why that bastard who has no Diddem is fell in love with you.”
“A child without Diddem?”
“Emel Astrada.”
“What is Diddem?”
“It’s a basic polite to be equipped as a human being.”
“But Emel is polite.”
What is an impolite about Emel? Roy laughed again.
“Some day you should to go stealthily to see him.”
“And Roy.”
“Yes.”
“I wasn’t angry, but um, i was feeling a little bad. Because you was pointed out that way.”
“I think that’s was already great, for your age.”
Roy said so and whispered to me.
“Well, i’m going to shake of the kitchen now as sense of an apology, would you like to go with me?”
“The kitchen?”
“Yes.”
His blue eyes were full of fun and sparkled.
We turn around to rob the kitchen.
Is there more an attractive offer than this?
“Good.”
I smiled and answered.
I licked my sticky finger and told Roy who sitting side by side with me.
“It doesn’t seems like we robbed the kitchen.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, i think we would sneaked in and brought some food quietly…….”
“It’s just possible at night. In the middle of the day like now is……..”
Roy shrugged.
“When so many people there?”
“Yes, like that. Because it’s feels like we not robbed a kitchen.”
I stared at Roy.
“It was like a hostage play.”
Roy opened his eyes round and said loudly.
“Isn’t a hostage play is a scary word? Did i have a knife in my hand? It was at my waist.”
I laughed listened his words.
There were more people working in the kitchen than i thought. When Roy opens the back door, the man who looks like the chef make an impression and shouted at Roy “What are you doing in this time?!”
Roy said honestly “We want to rob the kitchen?” than he pulled me from behind his back before the chef shouted “With the Lady.” It should not like this, isn’t it?
The chef changed his attitude one hundred and eighty degrees and smiled at me with a basket of cookie in his hand. Everyone in the kitchen suddenly looking at me, they greeted me than laughed, and in the end they offered me more food to give.
Even the man who made a cookie dough invite me and said “Would you like to try the cookie dough?”
“Everyone would have been uncomfortable.”
With a bunch of walnuts in his mouth, Roy said.
“What?”
I wondered how amazing that the crumbs didn’t spurt out in the way.
“I mean about how Duke daughter went to the kitchen so suddenly.”
“Hahahaha.”
Roy laughed loudly at the end and shreds all the crumble around. As Roy laughed “This.” I brushed the crumble off my clothes and shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
“Eat it all first than say what you want.”
Listened to my words Roy swallowed a sweet cake he ate. His hands were trying clean up my clothes. I pushed out his hand and got up and he said.
“They must have been so happy when the Lady stopped by the kitchen. The moment you came and out of the kitchen, they would have talked about Lady. Now you are the star of this mansion!”
I don’t know how to react to Roy words, so i saw his face,
“I beg you pardon?”
“Wow, you didn’t really know it. Why would we throw a duel glove to each other and draw lots as the leader?”
“Yes?”
“Originally, in Castiello—“
Roy dragged the words long and and his face was worried about what to say. I stared at him and waited for the next explanation, and Roy laughed again.
“You can see the Duke and the young Master, they never smiled. Both them are rough and perfect. So the basic atmosphere of the Castiello family is strict, sincere, and solemn.”
“I see.”
“But the Lady is different! People think, what’s with this Castiello?! Cute and lovely! Beside, the Duke and young Master atmosphere become too dim! That’s why everyone is happy and waited so they can talk to the Lady and expect to serve you.”
I was embarrassed i covered my face with both hands, and my mouth become so numb i don’t know what to say. Then i spit out my thought.
“It’s not like all people would like that kind of atmosphere. Because they think it doesn’t match with the Castiello dignity.”
“Really, you are not like Castiello.”
Roy said with a serious tone. My shoulder dropped.
“I want to know how to be a Castiello.”
“Whatever you are, you are still a Castiello.”
As Roy encourage me, i sighed and sat back. Roy pushed the basket of the cookie out towards me. I pick and threw the cookie in my mouth. It was filled with almonds, it so sweet and soft.
“Even you’re not like a Castiello, actually it’s a huge benefit.”
At Roy word, i wondered and asked “Why?” and Roy laughed.
“Diversity is a good thing. At least now the Castiello has the virtue of being prudent.”
As Roy’s end his words, i really wanted to know how my Dad and my brother work in social circle. And i asked him.
“But Roy tested me before, right?”
“That’s right. Oh, and never tell the Duke about that. My throat will fly away in an instant.”
Roy trembled. I laughed out of loud.
“No way.”
“No, really.”
Roy murmured and took the donuts out of the basket. He turned and looked at me.
“Really, the Lady is dangerous.”
“Me?”
“You are so mature, you know i was trying to talking hard to you? After that suddenly i look like a child in front of you.”
“I didn’t ask why before. Why did you ask that question?”
“If you want to see someone’s true self, you have to see when they angry.”
“Are you trying to upset me before?”
“Well, it’s kinda like that.”
“That’s good. Roy.”
I was lost in thought.
This is kind of make me angry.
Roy glanced at me.
“But we are already robbed the kitchen together before.”
“That’s before i knew you were trying to make me upset.”
“Um—“
Roy had a difficult face. I silent for a while and said.
“Then Roy, If you get angry at me someday. How about you remembered this?”
Roy laughed lightly at me.
“That’s good.”
He said that as we made a winning deal.
“Even when you make me angry, it’s my job to tolerate to you anyway,”
“Roy job is an escort. My anger is not your responsibility.”
“Wow, if you cut it like that. Really the Lady is—Jinjiro.”
“Jinjiro?”
I asked at the word he said that i heard it for the first time. He said.
“You look young at the outside but old in the inside.”
Oh, that’s mean old.
“Well, maybe it’s kinda like that.”
I smiled and Roy shook his head. I put my last cookie in my mouth and i get up from my seat.
“Now it’s a time for the next class.”
After the dance class, song class, and harp sessions were finished, the escort were shifted. Hard looking face with dark hair. So—
“Jean Sagan, please.”
I grab my hem and lightly greeted, Jean has been so polite when he greeting me.
Wow—it’s like an example of the real knight. So fresh.
What should i say? Ellen was polite, of course, but the politeness she did was like she treating me like a child.
Of course, i’m still a kid.
Jean is really polite, however, he was treated me like an adult. I politely spread my back unknowingly.
So i also politely said.
“I will go to the training field in the evening.”
“Go to training field?”
“Yes, the knight commander told me to come to see him formally. I decided to go see him this evening.”
“Okay.”
Jean nodded.
I started walking ahead. I didn’t care if he was just silent or quiet.
‘It’s like when i’m with father and brother.’
Dad is the number one, especially about being silent and just silent.
But it’s doesn’t matter because i know now that he was sweet. I can feel that when his big hand stroke my head, i’m happy when he hugged me roughly, but actually i like it more when he hug me gently.
‘Oh, i miss brother too.’
Suddenly i felt like i’m falling out but the promise is a promise, i headed to the training ground. Of course, i did not forget to stop by the kitchen before going to the training ground.
When i went to the kitchen, the chef handed out a large basket to me, and the basket went into Jean’s hand before i could reach it.
“Thank you.”
“No, miss. Next time please come to pick up your sweets.”
I thanked him and the chef shook his hand and laughed. Jean left the kitchen and weighed the basket.
“What is inside the basket?”
“I’m not going with an empty hands…..So i asked the chef to make a meat pie. Because i’m afraid some people don’t like sandwiches and cookie.”
At the end, Jean pushed the lid open and close.
“How is it?”
I asked a question to Jean “Everybody will like anything you brought.” His answer like a textbook.
The training center was full in swing as seen as before. Before i got close, the knight commander Aster noticed me and walked this way.
“Welcome, Lady.”
“Yes, this time i came officially.”
As i grabbed my skirt, he grinned.
“I brought some meat pies. But they are in training, so they can’t eat right now.”
“I’ll tell them to eat when they are done.”
Aster said and lead me to the training ground. The rest of the knights looked back at me, except for the two people who in Dalian. Aster said.
“Would you like to see the training? Or you want me to guide you?”
“Both are good.”
“Then let me guide you first, and then let’s see how they training.”
Aster called his deputy to direct the training for him. I was surprised.
“It’s okay if you are busy. It’s a an important training—“
“No, they are old enough to training by themselves.”
That’s quiet true.
There nothing to say if he said so.
“And called me Aster.”
He pointed out that “Yes Aster.” As i said that he smiled and reaching me out “This way.” He said with politely.
There was a training ground indoors as well as the outdoors. He said it used mainly in the winter or when sharpening male buffing. Wooden swords hanging on the wall were seen.
“That’s small.”
Aster said to me “Oh, that was used by the young master.” I smiled and said.
“I think i can hold that sword. It’s strange that my brother used to be young like me.”
Aster pulled a wooden sword from the wall and raised it to me.
“Would you like to try it?”
“It is okay?”
“Of course. It’s the wooden sword that young master used when he was four or five years old.”
Four or five years old…….
The wooden sword was heavy. My brother used this when he was five years old.
Suddenly i felt a terrible gap, i swung the wooden sword. I just swing it several times, but my arms already hurts.
“This is heavier than it looks.”
As he picked up the sword in my hand, he said.
“I put an iron core inside the sword. Because for young master the wooden sword is too light….. and as soon as he was able to sword, he went straight to the exam.”
“I wish i had half of that talent in me.”
As i said that, Aster laughed out loud.
“You are already good enough now.”
I glanced at Aster’s sword. When he smiled, the elemental stone on his sword laughed with a pleasant voice. This person is definitely a good person.
“Aster is a master too, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Incredible.”
“Thank you.”
He is not said my praise ‘It’s no a big deal.’ he did not have the same humility. That’s show how confident he is.
And being a master is great.
Aster also briefly shared the history of the Knights. I listen to his story and as time passed i didn’t know that the knights training was already finished.
“Oh, i missed to see the training too.”
“You can come next time.”
“Can i come again?”
“I’m very welcome if you want to come again. And the knights are the same too.”
I laughed lightly at the jokes.
When we came out, they were all already washed lightly and were eating the pies.”
“Oh. Lady.”
“Come over here.”
“There is a clean spot here.”
Everyone is sitting on the floor, they prepare the chair for my seat. It was awkward, but i can’t refuse it so i said “Thank you.” Greeted and sat in a chair.
“How’s the escort?”
“Jean, this child. When you pull out, you get pulled out of the draw. Behave shamefully.”
“Right.”
“Lady, Jean said he didn’t want to be your escort.”
“That’s right.”
At that point i looked back in a surprise. Do you do it with force?
“It’s not like that.”
Jean said in a disturbing tone. I could see his tip become red.
“Is not like that?”
“No. Well, everybody wants to be your escort, so i intend to give up—so. I never hate you Lady.”
“Well, yield now!”
“That’s right!”
Some knights fist “Yield, yield.” as they protested, they reach out at Jean and shouted, Jean stared at them. Astor shook his hand.
“Stop it. In front of the Lady.”
At the end “Yes.” In a moment everyone became quiet. I hesitated and said.
“Jean, you can talk if you don’t want to do it. Because i wont feel bad—“
“No it’s not!”
He shouted with a power. I’m surprise and upset, he said “Sorry.” He bowed his head and apologized.
“I’m not good with words—that, i’m not angry. It’s not like that, i’m happy to be your escort—“
I saw a big blunt man make an excuses for fear of hurting me, its strangely cute. Would you excuse me if i say you cute? Excuse me.
Everybody smiles and see at Jean, they like to tease him.
I smiled and said.
“If Jean wants to do it, that’s fine.”
“I want do it.”
“Yes, that’s good.”
I nodded, and Jean look relieved. And lastly, i did not forget to stare at the knights that made fun of him.
So i take a moment with the knights, i woke up from my seat. I think Jean want to go out quickly from here. I greeted Aster, greeted the knights, and received a passionate farewell, and i leave the seat and laughed at that.
“Is everyone always happy like that?”
Jean replied to my question “Are they pleasant?” he asked the question back “I’m not against your opinion.” He added. I shook my head.
“If my opinion wrong, you should oppose it.”
“No, it’s not wrong, but i’ll spit it according to the standard of happy.”
I mean, it’s not like that, i concluded.
‘I mean can i come again. Maybe it’s will messy, so i’d better not go again.’
Even if i do this, i’m still a superior (?) it’s not good for these people if i come and go too often.
After decided that, i headed to my room.
+++
Ichigoisstrawberry 