WSMD 09

Chapter – 09

The moment I saw Grandfather, my mind went completely blank.

In my memories, I had never been alone with him. Part of it was because I intentionally avoided him, but it was also because he didn’t think much of me.

A child who won’t accomplish anything big.

That judgment from our first meeting had followed me my entire life.

‘Huh?’

Which meant… I had no idea how I was supposed to act in a situation like this.

I thought my head was about to split open, but instead, he was patting it. Was this like putting saliva on prey before eating it?

“…What are you doing…?”

“…What do you mean what am I doing!”

Grandfather, who had been patting my head a few times, suddenly came back to his senses and spoke firmly.

“I need to hear in detail what you were trying to do in my room. Follow me.”

“Y-Yes….”

The commander’s office was used as a resting room for direct family members, but that was only because Grandfather allowed it. If the owner of the room asked what I was doing there, a powerless child like me had no choice but to follow and explain.

As I gloomily started climbing the stairs, Theon came up beside me and said:

“Let’s go together.”

His expression was stiff. He was clearly just as intimidated by Grandfather’s presence as I was.

But what was that determined look in his eyes?

If he went with me, he looked like the type who would say something like “I was the one trying to steal the candy.”

“I want to talk to Grandfather alone.”

I couldn’t let my future ally fall out of favor with him!

I gave Theon a playful smile and climbed the stairs. Grandfather was already near the top.

Yikes, I’m going to get scolded for being slow.

“Don’t run!”

“Okaay….”

When I slowly reached the top, I saw people gathered along one side of the hallway. The knights must have rushed over after hearing the thunderous shouting earlier.

And among them was a familiar face.

“Miss…?”

It was Anne, the maid spy working for Aunt Marianne.

Her busy eyes seemed less concerned about me and more about analyzing the situation. A private meeting between the head of the house and a direct descendant carried great meaning.

It could mean something very good.

Or it could make the relatives more wary—

—

The noble sacrifice of Reitan Quartz Travel….

—

Suddenly, I remembered the priest giving a memorial speech in front of my father’s coffin.

I hurried forward and followed right behind Grandfather as he approached the commander’s office door.

“G-Grandfather! I’m sorry!”

“For what?”

“Berry tried to steal Grandfather’s candy from the commander’s office!!”

Silence spread among the people.

Uncle Rex in particular froze mid-motion while talking to his subordinate, his hand slightly trembling.

“Quiet! Just come inside!”

See that, Anne? I’m going to get scolded… Make sure you report it…

I could already picture Aunt Marianne clapping with satisfaction. Wow, how wonderful.

With the heart of a mouse walking into a lion’s den, I entered the commander’s office.

Waaah.

*

“My… my fault.”

Looking at the tightly closed office door, Vice Commander Rex’s face turned as gray as his hair.

He couldn’t even imagine what terrible things might be happening inside.

The snacks in the resting room were regularly stocked for direct family members who might visit at any time, but they were still technically the Count’s personal belongings.

Normally, eating a few candies wouldn’t be a problem.

The real problem was that the Count had taken issue with it.

“I-It’s my fault.”

At the trembling female voice, Rex turned and saw a pale maid.

“I told the young lady to sit on the courtyard bench. I never imagined she would wander around the training grounds alone….”

She eventually collapsed to her knees crying.

Rex blinked.

It felt like watching a captured enemy soldier fake tears to lessen punishment.

I’ve never seen her before.

“Who?”

“A maid from the Stone House.”

“Did she come to escort Lady Berry?”

“No. It seems she came here together with her. She said the young lady’s legs hurt, so she was looking for a knight she knew.”

Rex frowned.

But Lady Berry said she came alone.

He didn’t know the full story, but that wasn’t what mattered right now. Not when the Count was angry.

And how could he face Lord Reitan after this?

Rex was also a man of the sword. Much of his pride in serving the Travel family had grown from watching Reitan.

“……”

In despair, Rex covered his eyes.

At that moment, the long-awaited news arrived. The subordinate he had sent to the Stone House had returned.

“Sir, there you are. Young Master Reitan has arrived at the outer gate. I arranged for word to reach him. About Lady Berry… has something happened?”

Yes.

Something very big.

Rex muttered while covering his eyes.

All he could see was his future.

5. Small and Pretty Things

After entering the office, Grandfather sat on the sofa and pointed to the one across from him.

“Sit.”

“Yes….”

I trudged over and placed both hands on the seat.

Hup. The sofa was too high, and I struggled to climb up. Uncle Callet lifted me and placed me on it.

Because he pushed me all the way against the backrest, I couldn’t bend my knees.

As a result, I ended up sitting with both legs stretched straight out on the sofa in a rather disrespectful posture while facing the head of the Travel family.

Ugh… feels like I’m buried not in a sofa, but in heavy air.

“Callet, bring that.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Grandfather’s gesture behind me, Callet placed something next to me.

It was a glass jar full of candy.

“Candy…?”

“How old are you?”

Before I could process it, Grandfather spoke.

I was pretty sure he had muttered earlier that I looked seven.

Was he asking even though he knew?

But a mere mouse like me didn’t have the freedom to say that.

“I-I’m seven….”

“Then why are you so small? Don’t lie about your age.”

“I’m telling the truth!”

He clicked his tongue sharply.

“You must not have eaten well enough to grow.”

“N-No! Dad prepared meals every day with nutrients suited for growing children—”

“What would that know-it-all fool know?”

“…He knows a lot though….”

“Hah, such a tiny thing yet you never back down. Just like your father.”

I didn’t mean to upset him, but I couldn’t stand my father’s efforts being dismissed.

Do you know how hard he worked raising me alone?! If Grandfather saw Dad’s recipe book he wouldn’t call him a fool! So unfair!

“But.”

Grandfather’s gaze locked onto me as I sank into the sofa. His golden eyes naturally created tension in whoever met them.

Gulp.

I swallowed quietly and curled my sweaty hands.

—

They say something I’m looking for is in your grandfather’s safe.

—

A memory echoed in my mind.

A memory of Crown Prince Theon visiting the 24-year-old me after Grandfather’s funeral.

In his hand was a letter delivered to the imperial palace — one Grandfather had arranged to be sent after his death.

—

Given the circumstances, it’s likely decisive evidence that the relative who ordered Reitan Quartz Travel’s death worked with an accomplice.

…Does that mean Grandfather knew Father was murdered?

We’ll have to confirm. I’ll investigate.

No. I’ll do it. The will is being announced this afternoon. No one will care where I am. Everyone will be focused on who becomes the next head.

—

That was how I opened Grandfather’s safe, found the letter… and was stabbed to death by someone I never identified.

Why did Grandfather send that letter to Crown Prince Theon?

It was still a mystery.

It was certain that one of the relatives was the culprit. Theon had found an item bearing the Travel direct family crest.

Why would Grandfather send it to the Crown Prince? That would expose that one of his own children killed my father.

Besides, Grandfather believed Father died in an accident.

He hadn’t listened when I insisted it was suspicious. It hurt, but I thought it couldn’t be helped.

He always called Father a useless troublemaker.

Maybe… Grandfather didn’t hate Father?

I thought he didn’t care because it was the death of a son he hated.

But he had been investigating it too. He had gotten closer to the truth than even Theon and my other self.

Did he ask the Crown Prince to punish the culprit…?

I fell deep into thought.

So even when those golden eyes suddenly came close, I didn’t react. I was too busy wondering how those eyes had looked at my father.

Leaning forward and placing his hand on the table, Grandfather looked straight at me and said:

“This time you’re not crying.”

“…Huh?”

“Are you not afraid of this old man?”