The Duke opened his arms toward Leon, a rare occasion that happened like once a year. When Leoni was in his arms, the Duke put his son on his lap and stroked his fluffy head.
“She’s four years older than you, so don’t be rude. got it?”
“…What?!”
He thought she was only two years older than him, but she was four years older. Leoni’s eyes darkened when he thought that he would have to treat her like an older sister.
‘Wow, I really hate it.’
“Is that sister and my older brother going to be married? I don’t want to.”
“…Something must have happened.”
The Duke sighed briefly. Leoni thought it was the right time, so he left out the mistake he had made and told him that Luciel had eaten the candies without giving him any, But the Duke knew better than anyone else his son’s mischiefs and temper. He was most likely rude to Luciel.
“…… Did you tell the truth?”
“Yes, it’s true.” “I’ll call Luciel and ask her if you were polite.”
“…Huk!”
“If you tell the truth now, I will forgive you.”
In the end, Leoni’s little lips confessed his mistake. The Duke’s eyebrows furrowed, but he did not push the child further, promising to forgive him.
“I won’t scold you, so promise me you won’t do that in the future.”
“…yes.”
Leoni wiped the tears from his cheeks with the sleeve.
“And next time, just ask her. Big Sister give me one please.”
Leoni didn’t even like just imagining it. Luciel was only one span taller than himself. She doesn’t even look like a big sister. Moreover, Bellstein, which his father had always emphasized, was the strongest family that did not bow down to anyone. Young Leoni’s mind was in a mess.
“……What? Daddy, no, Dad, what did you tell me last time? Bellstein doesn’t bow his head to anyone.”
“Except for another Bellstein like you. Above all, a Lady who will be your brother’s wife, deserves to be respected and protected by Bellstein’s second son.”
To his father, who spoke for granted, Leoni thought, “This isn’t right’ but didn’t say anything more.
Taking the strawberry candy out of the carrot bag, Luciel sat down at a small table next to the library’s most cornered shelf.
At the normal seating tables, the chair was too high so her feet were floating, but this simple table made for placing books was perfect for Luciel’s small and short legs.
Instead, she had to hold up a book to read it, but even that was all right if she stacked the books and turned them into a desk. The happiest thing was that she could read the books to her heart’s content without anyone disturbing her.
Luciel left the carrot bag in her seat and went around to pick up a book.
Come to think of it, I didn’t know much about Bellstein.
“Today, I’m going to read a book about Bellstein.’
She shouted at the Duke she would save Bellstain, but Luciel only knew about Bellstein from what she had heard from others, since very little information was available.
Learning knowledge would have helped both inside and outside, it was never a loss. Luciel ran to the library keeper and said,
“Where are the history books and the geography books?”
Since it was not a long history, she was able to read the history books of Bellstein quickly. When she realized how great the people she had met were, Luciel’s heart swelled even more.
Gillard, the first Head, led the war against monsters to victory over a dozen times. In addition to that, the construction of the Black Wall and the tumultuous life of the northern branch of the Magic tower were his epic tales.
Next, the achievements of the current Duke, Louivid, were too many to count. He was nicknamed the Conquest Monarch because subjugating monsters and expanding his territory was like eating everyday rice.
He was also capable of trade and business, and it was said that his hands accumulated more than half of Bellstein’s fortune as he succeeded in dealing with trade and business.
Moreover, his charisma was surprisingly strong, and it was recorded that he was excellent enough to subdue a huge number of demons at once.
“…….Amazing.”
Luciel shed admiration without realizing it. These two people created the golden age of the family on their own and they were still making it so today.
“Would I be able to help these people?”
“No. I’m the only one who knows the future. Who else would do it if it wasn’t me?’
If you want to protect Bellstein from the Crown Prince in the future, I think it would be good to establish friendly relations with other powerful people in the imperial family…
A person who can empower Bellstein and has a different view from the Crown Prince.
Luciel knew such a person.
It’s the Empress.
The Crown Prince was not the son of the Empress. heard that a Queen who took over the emperor’s favor died earlier of illness after giving birth to him.
Then I would do well to score points on the Empress
‘What would be good?’
With such thoughts in mind, the book that Luciel inadvertently picked up was a book about Bellstein’s culture, village festivals, and traditional industries.
When I opened a large book and looked at it, it was more interesting than I thought, so I watched it without realizing the passage of time.
Turning her head, Luciel found a young man with a familiar back standing around the bookshelf. He was the Duke’s lieutenant, Ellington. He seemed to be looking for a book. Not long after, Ellington also found Luciel and approached her.
“…Miss Luciel, are you here to read?”
“Yes.”
When Luciel answered briefly, Ellington looked around the books the child had piled up. The cute little girl was reading books half the height of her own body, so he couldn’t help stroking her fuzzy hair.
However, Ellington, who was looking through her books, could not help but scream internally.
Bellstein history, geography, and culture. A nine-yearold child was reading knowledge that Vassals would master.
“You were studying about Bellstein. You read all these difficult books, you are very commendable.”
“Because I know nothing.”
“He is the Duke’s deputy, so he must know a lot. Wouldn’t it be nice if we got to know each other too?’
After thinking for a while, Luciel looked through her bag and blinked.
“Does Ellington like candy?”
“What? Oh… You want to give it to me? I sometimes eat sweet things to refresh myself.”
Luciel gently nodded her head.
“I really, really cherish it, but I’ll give it to Ellington.”
“It is an honor, thank you very much.”
Ellington held out his hands and Luciel placed a strawberry-flavored candy in his large palm.
“Work hard.”(Luciel)
She was so cute that he barely answered while holding back his laughter.
“I will eat well. Miss Luciel.”
“Yes, and Ellington.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“It’s a bribe. Let’s become friends.”
“What?”
Hearing those words, Ellington’s eyes widened and a gentle smile filled his lips. For some reason, it seemed to be touching
“If it is such a bribe, I will not hesitate. I could get ten.”
“If I give you ten, I might be charged with bribery.”
“So why are you giving me this sweet bribe? Is there anything you want?
As if Luciel had been waiting, she nodded his head.
“As expected, we can communicate. Ellington is smart and knows a lot. So speaking of which…… Ears, please,
At Luciel’s gesture, Ellington lowered his stature and put his ears next to her.
“Please be on my side.”
He was wondering what she wanted to talk about, but Ellington gladly said.
“That’s right, even if you don’t give me candy, I’ll be happy to do it. I will always be on your side and be your friend Miss Luciel.”
“I like it. Then will you tell me everything I ask?”
“As far as I can answer, yes.”
“What book are you looking for, Ellington?”
“Ah… I was looking for data because there was an unanswered answer.”
“Is there any problem?”
At Luciel’s question, Ellington hesitated for a moment, but then opened his mouth. She had predicted a landslide, and he calculated that it would be fine as long as he told the story.
“Actually… The problem is that the village of lvnak is rapidly dying out. Most of the residents of the village were craftsmen, but since no one is looking for goods anymore, they are being culled.”
“What is the cause?”
“The workshop items are not sold because there are cheaper goods sold in bulk at the merchant guild of Baluk.”
“Hmm…… What kind of item is it?”
“It’s a craft made of glass. There are bowls and ornaments, but now it’s hard to find anything other than at Baluk guild.”
“Glass craft?”
Speaking of glass craft, I suddenly remembered the past.
When I was captured by the Crown Prince, a glass craftsman from Bellstein was brought in to make a glass vault to contain Luciel. It was a terrible memory to go inside that glass vault, but the workmanship of the craftsman was amazing.
A beautiful glass vault decorated with detailed and brilliant patterns and colorful glass.
He looked at Luciel with sad eyes and whispered like
this.
I never thought I’d make things that trap people with the glass craft that I’ve learned all my life…..but if don’t make money, my whole family will starve. I’m so sorry, miss.’
Instead of Luciel, the craftsman sincerely shed tears and mourned. Luciel understood his situation. If he hadn’t faced such a poor reality, he would have produced many high-quality works of art as a great glass craftsman.
Even Luciel, who didn’t know anything about it, looked at his great skill that was wasted away.
Come to think of it, the book I read earlier also had something to do with glass. Luciel opened the book she had covered earlier.
(On the day of the village festival, pretty colorful glass bells are hung from house to house. The children start singing when they hear a clear bell ringing.)
“…Was there a tradition like this at festivals in the past? That’s why Ivnak was so famous?”
“Yes. It is now gone, but about 20 years ago, there were quite a few glass workshops. Now everyone is not making money, so they have turned to other jobs.”
The words of the glass craftsman came to mind once again that he had to earn money for his family. By now, the man must be younger than he was then
“At that time, he was in an even more difficult situation because the craftsman lost his trade.
“So how about trying to revive the festival again?” (Luciel)
“The festival is temporary, so it won’t have much effect.” (Ellington)
Byon, byon, byon, byon.
Luciel paced in agony. At the sound of her slippers, Ellington waited and groaned while holding back a burst of laughter. Luciel again traced her mind slowly Then the faint memories flashed like lightning.