CIBLN | Chapter 7

“It was clumsy, but it was definitely the etiquette used by noble families.”

Deon recalled Rosalyn, whom he had just seen in the backyard.

Her straight shoulders and back. Movements of her hands when picking up or putting down the cup.

The way she looked at him while drinking, and so on.

“I almost brushed it off without noticing.”

To Deon, it was a natural etiquette, so he hadn’t felt any sense of strangeness.

But for a moment, a question arose.

Why Rosalyn was so familiar with proper etiquette.

“Maybe she learned it briefly in the past?”

“She said she didn’t.”

“…Hmm.”

“It didn’t seem like she was lying.”

Those innocent, pure eyes were undoubtedly telling the truth.

Which means…

It was only natural to assume she had been unconsciously observing and mimicking such behavior from a very young age.

That is, she must have learned it from the environment she was originally born into, before she came to the orphanage.

“Interesting. The background report on Rosalyn is accurate, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. …There was no record of her being registered anywhere at birth.”

There was no birth registration for the child.

So naturally, they assumed that she was abandoned immediately after birth.

“Rosalyn is only left here for a short while. There’s someone who may come to take her!”

Come to think of it, the director of the orphanage had said something like that before.

That someone was supposed to come and take the child.

“Isn’t it interesting?”

“……What’s interesting about this? I’m taking this very seriously right now.”

The two were making the same assumption, but their expressions were different.

Deon’s lips were curled up, as if intrigued, while Berta had a contemplative look on his face.

“Rosalyn is truly interesting.”

A child who was never registered at birth and grew up in an orphanage, yet can use noble etiquette.

“There are two cases in the Empire where a birth is not registered.”

Deon’s blue eyes gleamed.

One is when the parents abandon the child.

The next possiblity is……

A child born into a noble family.

“Are you suggesting that Miss Rosalyn…… was born into a noble family?”

“At this point, that’s the most likely possibility.”

Deon murmured with interest, tapping the desk.

“There are a few noble families like that in the Empire, right?”

“But… aren’t most great noble families like that!”

Berta shouted with a face that looked like
he was about to cry.

That was true.

Most noble families that were sensitive to power typically didn’t register their children’s births until the child had manifested their abilities.

They also didn’t register the child in the family’s genealogy.

It was because, in case the child failed to manifest abilities and became a burden, it would cause trouble.

In the Empire, the status of a noble family changed depending on how much and how strong their heirs’ abilities manifested…….

“Find out exactly which family Rosalyn came from. When, by whom, and through what means she was entrusted to the orphanage.”

“……I understand. But if Miss Rosalyn is indeed from a noble family, what do you plan to do?”

It was most likely that Rosalyn was abandoned due to the absence of any abilities.

She must have been abandoned at a very young age, likely before she could even remember.

Or perhaps the family, feeling sorry for the child, erased her memories of her prosperous life as a noble.

“No matter what the outcome, it doesn’t make a difference, Berta.”

“…Yes?”

“Rosalyn is legally my daughter now.”

“……Your Highness!”

Berta covered his face, he was so moved as if he was about to cry.

Adopting a child abandoned by a noble family was an unspoken taboo.

“Go find out the etiquette teacher you were supposed to assign to Rosalyn. Someone who can keep their mouth shut.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Berta answered resignedly.

* * *

After returning from her outing, Rosalyn sat down at her desk.

‘Will he really accept my invitation?’

Rosalyn’s heart pounded.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up, she couldn’t help but like the fleeting kindness that Deon showed her.

It might have been nothing to him.

“Miss Rosalyn. Have you thought about what to write?”

Rona peeked over from the side and quietly asked.

“I haven’t thought of anything yet.”

Rosalyn weakly shook her head.

She couldn’t figure out how to start the first sentence.

She had never written a letter to anyone before.

“Normally, letters from noblemen have all sorts of flowery words in the first line. For example… To my dearest and most precious Rona in the world, something like this.”

“That long?”

“Yes! Is it a bit long?”

Rosalyn’s hand, holding the pen, flinched and trembled.

Imagining Deon receiving a letter from her, filled with such flowery words…..

‘That won’t work.’

Rosalyn immediately shook her head.

“I’ll just keep it simple and ask to have a meal.”

“Yes! The Young Duke would probably prefer that too! No, whatever you say, Miss Rosalyn, he’ll like it!”

“…Yes.”

Rosalyn now clearly understood the misunderstanding Rona had.

It seemed that Rona thought they were an affectionate father and daughter, who had seen each other for the first time in years, shyly observing each other and looking for a chance to grow closer.

Rosalyn let out a heavy sigh as she looked down at the blank sheet of paper.

In truth, this was the first letter she had ever tried to write a letter.

‘It’s hard.’

Even the simple act of writing a letter was difficult when no one had ever taught her how.

Rosalyn furrowed her delicate brows.

Then, she carefully began to move the pen.

[To the beloved Duke Arcas.]

Is this too formal?

Rosalyn pondered deeply.

“Miss, this feels a bit too stiff.”

“Then……?”

“How about this?”

Rona’s crimson eyes sparkled.

It was an excited look, as if she was scheming something.

She smiled brightly and said,

“To the father I love more than anyone in the world.”

“……Gasp!”

“Your one and only lovely daughter, Rosalyn. What do you think?”

For a moment, Rosalyn was at a loss for words.

“Sometimes, a bit of boldness is necessary, Miss Rosalyn.”

“…Really?”

“Yes! Just trust me once and give it a try. I’ve served the Young Duke for years.”

Rona was filled with confidence.

Rosalyn hesitated for a moment before gently biting her lip.

Soon, the sound of the pen scratching the paper filled the air.

The paper began to fill with the crooked, childish handwriting.

And that evening.

“Ha.”

Deon’s lips curled up as he received Rosalyn’s sudden letter.

“She’s doing something rather cute.”

It wasn’t such a bad feeling.

“What’s in the letter that has you smiling, Young Duke?”

Berta, curious, leaned over and subtly tried to glance at the letter.

However, Deon, with a dismissive shake of his head, placed the letter in the second drawer of his desk.

Deon paused for a moment, interlocking his fingers as if deep in thought, then asked Berta.

“Do I have any lunch schedule tomorrow?”

“Yes, there is a meal scheduled with Count Avantium.”

“Cancel it.”

Deon slowly stood up from his seat, ready to leave work for the day.

“I’ve just got an important appointment.”

* * *

In the early dawn, as the first light of day began to break.

Kaimon dealt with the last confirmed monster and drew his sword.

The Empire, entering spring, was at a time when monsters were bound to swarm.

Clang-

As the monster collapsed to the side, he lowered his sword.

He couldn’t use his powers in the territory.

That was because there was a possibility that the dark aura of his ability would draw more monsters.

Although it was a bit of a hassle, handling the monsters personally was better.

The ones under his command seemed somewhat displeased, but this was Kaimon’s iron rule.

“Your Grace.”

When Kaimon was sheathing his sword.

Edwin, who had been looking around the rest of the area under his instructions, got off his horse and reported.

“There are no signs of monsters in any of the areas you directed, Your Grace.”

“I see. Good work, Edwin.”

Edwin bowed his head slightly.

It had already been over a week, and he had been pushing himself with little sleep, working relentlessly.

Kaimon’s gaze examined Edwin carefully.

Fatigue was evident on Edwin’s face.

If Edwin was in this state, then the knights who had undergone the high-intensity training must also be mentally and physically exhausted by now.

Kaimon decided it was time to wrap up the inspection.

“This should be enough. Let’s start heading back. It’s not good to leave the Duke’s estate empty for too long.”

“Yes. Should I tell the knights to disperse?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll prepare a carriage to return to the mansion.”

Edwin hurriedly left to carry out the order.

Left alone, Kaimon took a deep breath of the early morning air, then rubbed his eyes.

No matter how strong he was, this schedule had been too much for him.

A moment later, Edwin returned, and seeing the expression on Kaimon’s face, his brows furrowed in concern.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Since the schedule ended earlier than expected, how about resting for a few days once we arrive at the Duke’s estate?”

Kaimon didn’t answer and instead walked toward the direction of the carriage.

Following behind, Edwin quietly sighed and shook his head.

No one could bend his superior’s stubbornness. As soon as they arrived at the Duke’s estate, he would surely dive straight into his schedule.

Because of that, Edwin was on the brink of exhaustion.

‘At least we’re returning two days earlier!’

Edwin’s expression brightened slightly as he got into the carriage.

He had no idea who was waiting for them at the Duke’s residence when they would arrive.