The monologue was said by Shuel’s father, Kendrick, the day before his death.
In other words, the day they died was on Shuel’s birthday.
“Shu!”
“Yes?”
When Shuel’s name was called, the child who was previously tracing the windows with his fingers, turned his head around. His eyes gleamed with a pink hue.
I had urged him to use an eye-colour changing potion, but he refused.
“When is your birthday?”
“July 28th!”
The answer came right away. It was in a month and a few more days.
If the date of the Ducal couple’s departure was roughly estimated to be two weeks ago, it would be July 14th.
On July 30th, four days from today, businesses will start delivering local specialties from the Broschte estate to the Capital.
Such timing!
Great, then we would just have to hold on for four more days. After that, Shuel and I can sneak onto the wagons loaded with staples.
Since Shuel and I were both small, the large wagons would hide us well. My parents wouldn’t be able to follow us since all the wagons would have already travelled uphill by the time they knew I was gone.
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They were also reluctant to injure me since a woman with a scar was less valuable in the marriage market.
If I was hit, the mark would be about the size of my cheek or forehead, and I didn’t care too much if my eardrums fell off since I was in the wrong.
Once I brought Shuel back to his parents, I would return with the excuse ‘I wanted to visit the Capital’ and with that, my mission was over.
I could finally feel my messy plan coming together.
“Oh, right. My name is actually Shuel. Shuel Sebrirua!”
My thoughts were interrupted by a clear voice.
I reflexively turned to where the voice had come from and only then did I grasp what Shuel had said to me.
……Hmm?
As I tilted my head and hardly opened my lips, Shuel was taken aback for a moment.
I relaxed my expression at the sight of his mouth quivering.
Yes, I’m sure you didn’t mean to reveal your identity on purpose…
“Really, Sebrirua! Shuel Sebrirua!”
He wouldn’t…
“You know, the Duchy of Sebrirua! That’s my house. Hehe.”
Hey, you little punk.
I sighed. That innocence was very cumbersome.
The name Sebrirua was a great shield, but sometimes it would also become a double-edged sword that would stab you.
For example, if the child who was powerless to protect himself was revealed to be a Sebrirua and if people who found out about it were Viscount Broschte.
As brazen as it sounds, my parents were blinded by money, power and fame.
If I revealed it to them, Shuel would be able to return safely and comfortably to his parents’ side rather than hiding in a wagon, but the problem would come in the aftermath of his return.
My parents would, undoubtedly, demand for a reward in return for saving the child.
They would demand things such as wealth, advancement into the central society circles, and the favour of the Duke of Sebrirua.
Of course, the Ducal Couple would grant them their wishes at first, but if it repeats endlessly, that is where the tone would change.
No matter how generous the Duke and Duchess of Sebrirua were rumored to be, in the end, they were still powerful nobility.
It was obvious they would choose to either silently wipe out the low-ranking aristocrats who endlessly clung onto them, or return back the favour by ruining their reputation.
And in the process, Shuel, who was soft-hearted, will give up his backbone to help save Viscount Broschte’s reputation.
It was bad for both Shuel and I.
Even if it wasn’t a special case like this, Shuel, who was left alone, should never have revealed his name so recklessly like this.
And if he wasn’t, the surname Sebrirua still wasn’t considered a light matter to confess to me, who he barely knew for a day.
This child needed a strong warning regarding this matter.
Since Shuel didn’t understand the weight of his family’s name yet, I had to inflict a very cruel and ruthless punishment to make sure the lesson sticks.
“Stand with your hands up for ten minutes.”
“Eh.”
Shuel squeaked at my firm words, but I didn’t take back what I said.
Instead, I continued calmly.
“There are no parents, family knights, or servants to protect you here. Instead there are plenty of people who would take advantage of you. More than you can count.”
“Yes. I know.”
“But Shuel, I don’t think you take this matter very seriously.”
“But you-”
“Shu. It’s the same here. How can you be sure that no one outside of my room would overhear what you just said?”
Shuel shut his mouth at my words. The sight of him staring at me pouting was very cute, but I ended the conversation mercilessly.
“So raise your hands.”
“Huu….”
Shuel whimpered at the sharp command and raised his arms.
At first I thought he’d be alright, but in less than a minute, he started to twist his body.