chapter 8
Unaware that she had just deeply wounded the maids, Nivellia headed to the dining room for breakfast.
From early morning, the staff bustled about busily.
As she watched, Deter’s explanation came from above her head.
“We have a guest coming today.”
“A guest?”
“The Duke of Daygladis is visiting.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s the duke who lives across from us. The neighbor you’ve seen before—remember?”
But Nivellia didn’t remember.
Instead, her attention shifted to the servants polishing the mansion more thoroughly than usual.
“Deter, can I repay my debt now?”
“You promised you’d do that after breakfast. Otherwise, you’ll get arrested again for violating child labor laws.”
“Nini knows laws. They’re really hard and annoying and strict…”
Last winter, Nivellia had skipped breakfast to run errands and ended up being detained for violating child labor laws.
And Kaleo, who had assigned her the errand, was detained as well.
Luckily, Muniel and Selettina had witnessed the dreadful overwork scene on their way to the dining room and were able to deliver justice.
“Nini only counted to five and got out, but Dad stayed longer?”
“Master used to be quite dignified in his youth, but ever since you were born, he’s become very entertaining.”
“Dad is really fun! Nini likes him!”
When she arrived, the whole family was already gathered in the dining room.
“Wow!”
Nivellia beamed and quickly took her seat.
There were usually empty seats at breakfast—but today, everyone was present.
Before the meal began, Ardorez, seated at the head, spoke.
“We’ll have a guest arriving this morning.”
“Nini already heard. Deter told me.”
“I see. Then you’ll greet the guest properly, right?”
“Yes!”
Nivellia nodded firmly, as if to say, Leave it to me.
“Nini will be busy today.”
Selettina wiped jam from around her mouth.
“You have to greet the guest and repay your debt.”
“Only three left!”
She spread all five of her small fingers—
“…Oh.”
Then quickly folded two back down.
Thanks to her recent hard work, only three empty spots remained on her debt certificate.
After finishing breakfast, Nivellia immediately started working to repay her debt. The guest had long been forgotten.
She brought the newspaper to her father and delivered the letters sorted by the butler to her grandparents.
After receiving a sticker from Ardorez, she stuck it onto her certificate and smiled brightly.
“Only one left!”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Nini wants more errands!”
“That’s a problem. There aren’t any left.”
Ardorez chuckled.
Panicking at the loss of work, Nivellia quickly tried to come up with something.
“If Grandpa gets sick, Nini will call a doctor! Give me a sticker.”
“…Don’t say such scary things. At my age, getting sick means a one-way carriage to heaven.”
“Nini knows heaven. It’s really nice. When are you going?”
“I’m not going.”
Unable to listen anymore, Ardorez lifted her up.
Instead of being startled, she burst into laughter.
“So energetic in the morning.”
Muniel smiled warmly at the scene.
Standing up, she glanced out the window.
Through it, a familiar carriage was entering the garden.
“…Shall we go out?”
A delighted smile appeared on her face.
“Our guest has arrived.”
***
A massive carriage drawn by six large black horses came to a stop.
The horses stomped the ground after their long journey.
“Wow…”
Nivellia’s mouth fell open.
Beside her, Soles quietly grabbed her hand—just in case she ran off.
Soon, someone stepped out of the carriage.
A very handsome man.
Tall, with a cold and distant demeanor that made him hard to approach.
His perfectly neat attire and tidy hair only emphasized his chilly aura.
But to Nini, he was just a stranger.
She hid behind Soles.
“Nini, it’s okay. It’s the Duke. Don’t you remember?”
“The Duke?”
“Uncle Kalarov. Father’s closest friend. The neighbor across from us.”
“….”
Just as a vague memory began to surface—
Another figure stepped out.
“…Huh?”
The Duke of Daygladis had children around Soles and Nivellia’s age.
So naturally, Soles assumed his sons had come.
But instead, a thin blonde boy stepped down.
The Duke’s sons all had black hair like him.
Who is that?
As Soles tilted his head—
Nivellia suddenly ran forward.
“Nini!”
Startled, Soles shouted.
The adults rushed to stop her, but only brushed the hem of her dress.
Like a cat, she darted ahead and stopped in front of the thin boy.
Catching her breath, she stared at him.
The boy stared back, surprised.
He had clear skin, neat clothes, and well-defined features—someone who would surely grow into a handsome man.
His red eyes were especially striking, like rare winter berries.
But his frail frame made one feel pity before admiration.
“….”
The boy blinked slowly, bewildered.
He had never seen someone so pretty.
Silver hair like fresh snow, blue eyes like the sky, and soft chubby cheeks.
“….”
“….”
Their strange standoff continued for quite some time.
Even the adults held their breath.
Then Nivellia spoke first.
“You’re a wolf.”
“….”
“Is your tummy growling? Are you hungry?”
“…I’m hungry.”
The boy covered his mouth.
Though he came from an orphanage, he could tell this girl was of high status.
Yet he had spoken casually.
Fortunately, no one scolded him.
The Duke, however, was surprised for another reason.
He can speak…
He had personally brought the boy from the orphanage—but the boy had barely spoken the whole way.
“Hehe!”
Nivellia grinned.
“You weren’t eating again, right? That’s bad. You need to eat to have strength!”
“….”
“Let’s go! Nini will give you—”
She suddenly stopped.
Her smile vanished.
Tears welled up instantly and rolled down her cheeks.
Her trembling lips parted—
“…Waaah!”
A loud cry burst out.
“Waaah! Waaah!”
She cried so hard she could barely breathe.
The boy froze like a statue.
His heart pounded with anxiety.
***
The adults hurried to comfort her, but she wouldn’t stop crying.
And she refused to let go of the boy’s loose sleeve.
“I’m sorry about this.”
Kaleo picked the boy up, carrying him along as they took Nivellia to the bedroom.
“Waaah!”
“Why are you crying, Nini?”
Selettina held her, soothing her.
Eventually, Nivellia calmed and fell asleep.
Her forehead was slightly warm.
Only then was the boy finally released.
Stepping outside, he felt dizzy.
Too much had happened too quickly.
Why did she cry when she saw me?
Why did she call me a wolf?
Why did she ask if I was hungry?
He didn’t understand.
But—
Her smile.
The way she held onto his sleeve.
He didn’t dislike that.
“Were you surprised?”
Kaleo apologized again.
An adult apologizing to him—it shocked him.
In his eight years of life, it was the kindest tone he had ever heard.
“The girl is my daughter. She’s a bit unusual, but kind. I hope you won’t hate her.”
“….”
“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself.”
Kaleo lowered himself to the boy’s level.
“My name is Kaleo. What’s your name?”
“….”
The boy said nothing.
Because—
He didn’t have a name to give.
