Chapter 09
Gerry usually visited the country mansion once every few weeks.
When he did visit, he stayed for a long time, but since he was busy, he didn’t come often. However, ever since Neya arrived, Gerry’s visits had become much more frequent—almost daily.
Seeing Gerry come during the daytime, Shane muttered as if annoyed:
“Now you’re drinking in the daytime?”
“I didn’t come here to drink,” Gerry replied, sounding aggrieved.
In fact, Shane’s suspicion was reasonable. Gerry had rarely come here except when he needed a drinking companion.
Under Shane’s suspicious gaze, Gerry ruffled his hair.
“…I came because I’m worried about Neya. Who knows what Azure might do to her?”
“Why worry when I’m here?”
Of course, Gerry knew Shane would manage things properly. No matter how reckless Azure was, she would obey Shane. As long as Shane was by Neya’s side, there was little real danger.
“…”
Spotting a flaw in his own reasoning, Gerry crossed his arms and thought for a moment before speaking.
“You know…”
“Huh?”
“Ever since the day she stayed over, Neya keeps popping into my mind.”
“…”
“I thought I didn’t like kids… guess I was wrong.”
“Uh-huh…”
Basically, he had completely fallen for Neya. His affection developed surprisingly fast.
While they were talking, Neya came down the stairs and spotted Gerry, her face lighting up.
“It’s Master of the Magic Tower!”
“Neya!”
Gerry’s expression brightened at Neya’s cheerful greeting as well. He pulled out a toy he had brought and smiled widely.
“Look! Uncle made this toy for you.”
“Wow!”
Neya jumped in place with excitement. Shane chuckled at the sight.
‘The atmosphere has definitely improved.’
Compared to before, the house now felt full of life. The maids adored Neya as well. Previously, they had worked silently, tiptoeing around Azure, leaving as soon as their work was done. Now, they even delayed leaving just to play with Neya.
But there was one person who could dampen the mood in this otherwise harmonious household.
“Ah!”
A sharp, irritated scream came from inside. Azure had stepped on a scattered block. Frustrated, she kicked the block. The toy’s owner, Neya, stopped laughing and glanced nervously at Azure.
Azure glared at Neya.
“Hey, take all your toys and go play upstairs.”
“….”
Neya hurriedly gathered the toys and ran upstairs. The previously warm atmosphere instantly turned cold, returning the house to how it had been before Neya arrived.
Gerry shot Azure a sharp glare.
“Why are you like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind…”
Gerry went straight up the stairs. Azure called after him.
“Where are you going?”
“Mind your own business. I didn’t come to see you anyway.”
With that, Gerry headed straight to Neya’s room. After knocking a few times, he carefully opened the door.
“Neya…”
He had worried she might be intimidated, but Neya was simply focused, examining the toy he had given her.
“Master of the Magic Tower!”
Seeing Gerry, Neya got off the bed and approached him.
“This toy… how do I make it move like before?”
“Hmm? Ah… here, give it to me. I’ll show you.”
Gerry took the toy and worked on it, all the while glancing at Neya. She, undeterred, stared at the toy with curious eyes.
‘She doesn’t seem bothered at all.’
Had she grown used to Azure’s scolding? Neya acted as if nothing had happened.
“There, done.”
“Wow!”
Neya beamed with joy as the toy activated with magic.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it! I’ll play with it every day!”
Her smile was so radiant that anyone watching would naturally smile along. Gerry smiled and stroked her hair.
“Neya, forget that cruel mom. How about living with me at the Magic Tower? I could make your life way more fun.”
Though he said it jokingly, he meant it sincerely.
But Neya refused firmly.
“No!”
Her instant reply made Gerry clutch his chest and step back, feeling more hurt than expected.
“Don’t you trust me…?”
“No, Master of the Magic Tower is the best!”
Neya hurriedly tried to ease the situation.
“But I’m my mom’s daughter. Of course, I should live with her.”
Thinking back, Neya had always followed Azure unquestioningly. Her trust wasn’t just because she liked her—her loyalty was almost blind.
‘Is it like an imprinting effect?’
Like a chick, once she thought of someone as her mother, she followed them endlessly.
It was all the more pitiful. If Neya had seen someone a little more decent as her mom, she would have been much happier. It was sad that she considered such a stubborn woman her mother.
Mentioning Azure again, Neya’s expression turned sullen.
“My mom doesn’t like me…”
Recalling earlier events, her voice grew melancholy.
“I really like my mom, but I haven’t really had many conversations with her. I want to be close to her, but she doesn’t seem to want that.”
Gerry felt his chest tighten. A child so young already looked so sad. No matter how bright she acted, Azure’s harshness could not leave her unaffected. Yet, there was nothing he could do—Azure was not the kind to show affection to a child.
“Ah, you’ve been here together after all.”
Meanwhile, Shane entered the room through the open door.
“Gerry, since you’re here, can you check the magic again?”
“Ah, it’s about time.”
Gerry nodded. Checking the mansion’s magic was something he did regularly.
Neya tilted her head in curiosity.
“Magic check?”
“It’s to prevent bad people from coming near this house. We put a magical barrier around it.”
Gerry simplified the explanation so Neya could understand.
As a notorious villain, Azure had many enemies. That was why they stayed in a remote country mansion—but even that wasn’t completely safe, so magic was used as protection.
“…!”
Neya’s eyes sparkled.
“So, Master of the Magic Tower is protecting this house!”
“Maybe! Haha, perhaps!”
“Don’t make it sound like you’re doing it as a favor when you’re getting paid by the duke,” Shane scolded.
Gerry shot Shane a glare, then suddenly remembered and spoke to Neya.
“By the way, Neya, don’t tell Azure that we get paid by the duke.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a promise with the duke. We’ll just say I’m doing it out of goodwill.”
“Ah-ha!”
Neya nodded.
“Promises must be kept!”
“Haha, smart girl.”
Gerry smiled at Neya’s cuteness.
“….”
Then Neya suddenly looked thoughtful and raised her head.
“I want to do it too!”
“Huh? Do what?”
“Protect her!”
Her voice was full of excitement, as if she thought it was a great idea.
“Since you and Shane protect mom, she likes you both. If I protect her too, won’t she like me as well?”
“….”
Shane and Gerry exchanged uneasy glances.
Finally, Gerry calmly spoke.
“I think you’re misunderstanding, Neya. Azure doesn’t like either me or Shane.”
“Hmph.”
Of course, Neya didn’t believe him. She thought Gerry was just being shy, so she scoffed.
To Neya, Gerry, Shane, and Azure all seemed very close. She also wanted to be close to Azure—closer than anyone else. That’s why she wanted to protect her, too.
With determination in her voice, Neya asked,
“What can I do to protect mom?”
“Well…”
Gerry gave an awkward smile. Neya was still a child who needed protection, yet here she was worrying about protecting someone else. He didn’t know how to answer.
“….”
Unlike Gerry, Shane was deep in thought.
“Maybe… there might be something she can do.”
Both of their eyes turned toward Shane.
