episode_0028

Meanwhile, Eshutiel, driven by curiosity, wandered around the banquet hall, completely absorbed in her search. Where could the person with such a profound sense of ‘liking’ be? Right now, that was the only thing on Eshutiel’s mind.

The place she roamed around was connected to a spacious garden, perfect for stimulating a child’s sense of adventure.

“Wow, it’s so pretty.”

Surely, the person who had a lot of ‘liking’ must have passed through there. After all, she had already circled the perimeter of the banquet hall twice, so it would have been unnatural if they weren’t there. Eshutiel’s mind was so pure that she didn’t even consider the possibility of taking the wrong path.

And so, she set off into the garden filled with the fragrance of flowers. It truly was a beautiful garden, boasting the grandeur of a palace only mentioned in fairy tales.

That’s when it happened.

Rustle!

She sensed a presence. Eshutiel’s eyes sparkled like a hunting falcon as she spotted her prey.

Could the target be shy and try to escape? Eshutiel worried.

Therefore, she carefully concealed her footsteps and moved forward.

Rustle, crack!

The presence became clearer. The identity of the unknown person was right in front of her. Eshutiel advanced with the intention of greeting them warmly. Of course, she meticulously tracked the presence to gather evidence.

“Ah…”

“Ugh.”

Voices were heard. It was a duet of agony. The groaning voices made Eshutiel sharply aware of the situation.

‘What’s going on? Are they fighting?’

Eshutiel pressed her body against the corner of a square and peeked her head out. That’s when she saw two individuals in the dark garden fiercely hurting each other.

Oh no. This is too much.

‘Ugh…’

Crunch.

The woman bit the man’s neck. It was such a violent act that it left a bright red mark. The man furrowed his brow and groaned in pain.

“Ugh, ah…”

“Haah… Haah…”

The woman looked quite exhausted. Her hurried breathing vividly portrayed her state. Eshutiel watched their conflict with a trembling heart.

“Haah… Ah…”

This time, the man grabbed the woman’s chest forcefully. The way his large hand squeezed her chest seemed extremely painful. In reality, the woman was helpless against the man’s touch.

‘Ugh… Ugh… What should I do, Rihaat oppa…?’

She had to intervene immediately.

But how?

How could a young girl who couldn’t even stand up to a laundry lady interfere between two adults?

‘No, no…!’

Oppa had taught her.

To become an adult who doesn’t turn a blind eye to others’ misfortunes.

Also, she had learned from the afternoon play today.

To cultivate the virtue of courage to become a true noble – that was the lesson.

Eshutiel closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists.

Even if it was a fight between two adults, she vowed to do her best to stop it.

“Hey, stop fighting…!”

“Gasp.”

“Eek?!”

Rustling sounds of gathering up scattered clothes on the grass could be clearly heard. They hadn’t even thought of approaching the corner where Eshutiel was. The social circle was unforgiving, not even tolerating the slightest flaw.

In that sense, Eshutiel was lucky.

The two individuals, taken aback, didn’t even realize that Eshutiel’s shout was that of a child.

Even if they tried to silence her, there was someone present who would shield Eshutiel’s identity.

“Ugh, who are you…”

“…”

In response to the question of who she was, the mysterious figure slowly removed her hand from her lips. She then gently took Esutiel’s hand and calmly led her outside the garden.

Returning to the vicinity of the banquet hall, Esutiel suddenly looked up at her unexpected escort.

With jet-black hair that seemed to melt into the night sky, and blue eyes that shimmered like transparent water.

He resembled Serin unnie a lot. That was Esutiel’s honest impression.

“Excuse me, Eleanor Yeong-ae. I am…”

“Oh, someone who had a lot of ‘likes’!”

In an instant, Esutiel was caught off guard.

The boy’s round silver eyes were filled with curiosity. It was clear in Esutiel’s eyes. It was the countless ‘likes’ emanating from the boy’s features.

“A person with a lot of ‘likes’…?”

“Yeah. By any chance, do you like me, oppa?”

“… Pardon?”

“What’s your name, oppa? I’m Esutiel.”

“Uh… um.”

The boy’s face was filled with confusion. Having grown up in a quiet and peaceful world, he felt like he was facing a mischievous puppy wagging its tail.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t postpone his introduction.

So, the boy composed himself and formally introduced himself.

“My name is Tesser Riterion.”

“Yeah, I’m Esutiel Eleanor.”

“Ah… I see.”

Tesser was the only younger brother of Serin. In other words, he was a prince of the empire, who couldn’t boast about his noble title in front of the fallen noble Eleanor.

Esutiel thought Tesser would be prepared, but he seemed quite flustered.

“Well, isn’t it difficult to have the same surname as the Duke of the North?”

“Wow, I envy the king. I want to have the same surname as Riterion too.”

“Um… that might be difficult.”

“Aw…”

Esutiel openly expressed his disappointment, making Tesser break out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

“Does he aspire to become a noble at such a young age…?”

Surely not. It must have been a statement born out of a simple admiration for the emperor.

However, in the next moment, Tesser found himself even more bewildered.

“Hey, Tesser oppa, do you like me?”

“Huh?”

“You seem to have a lot of ‘likes’ for me.”

“No, that’s…”

Tesser’s face contorted. It wasn’t because he was embarrassed or flushed with heat, but because he was utterly dumbfounded.

He knew Esutiel was only 8 years old now. And I, on the cusp of adulthood, was 14. Would he harbor such foolish thoughts to hear the childish chirping of a bird?

To prevent any misunderstandings, Tesser firmly stated.

“Eleanor Yeong-ae. I’m sorry, but harboring such feelings for you would be a crime…”

“Huh? That’s weird…”

Esutiel frowned in confusion. His innocence was truly adorable. It was understandable why Esutiel felt so confident. It was merely a fleeting admiration.

Then, a faint moonlight reflected in Esutiel’s eyes.

“Oh! Then, do you, um… like Roderick, not me… I mean, like Rihart oppa?”

“If you mean Rihart oppa… are you talking about Lord Rihart?”

“Yes!”

“Well, that’s…”

After hesitating for a moment, Tesser confessed honestly.

“Yes, as Eleanor Yeong-ae said.”

“I see, so it was ‘like’ towards Rihart oppa?”

Interesting.

A typical young lady would usually strive to attract Teser’s attention, but Eshutiel seemed rather pleased to have caught the eye of Lord Riheart.

“Why have such silly thoughts about love…”

It seemed that Eshutiel regarded Lord Riheart as family. If that were the case, one should be happy when family receives kindness. Teser inwardly chastised herself.

“Why do you like Lord Riheart, Teser?”

“Ugh.”

Her words caught in her throat.

It was difficult to speak freely.

No matter how young Eshutiel was, Teser hesitated to reveal her true feelings. If rumors spread, she could dismiss them as baseless gossip, but… it was the fear of the future where Eshutiel, who was practically family to Lord Riheart, would mock her.

“Hmm? That’s suspicious… I should tell Lord Riheart.”

“Wait a moment!”

Just as Eshutiel was about to run off without a care, Teser grabbed her whimsical hand.

Was the mischievous smile on her innocent face due to the situation…?

Teser pushed aside her distractions and forced her trembling lips to speak.

“The reason I like Lord Riheart is…”

“The reason is?”

“That…”

“That…?”

“…”

“…”

Eshutiel’s silver eyes bore into Teser. Despite being just an eight-year-old child, Teser couldn’t help but shout out as if being pushed off a cliff.

“Handsome…”

“Handsome!”

“He’s… handsome…!!! Ugh…”

“Oh dear.”

Teser peeked open her eyes and watched Eshutiel. She was worried that Eshutiel might laugh mockingly. However, Eshutiel’s response was quiet compared to Teser’s excitement.

“Is Lord Riheart handsome?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, I know too.”

“Is that so? He even rescued a lady. Of course, he’s handsome…”

“Oh, Teser, you seem quite interested in Lord Riheart, huh?”

“Yeah. Quite a bit…”

When Teser confessed straightforwardly, Eshutiel proudly puffed out her chest, even patting it with her delicate hands.

“Well then, should I teach you more about Lord Riheart?”

“Really?”

“Yes. Feel free to ask anything.”

“Um, well, when it comes to asking questions, I can’t think of any…”

When Teser was anxiously trying to think of a question, Eshutiel changed the subject.

“No! Before that… why do you think Lord Riheart is handsome?”

“He’s just undeniably handsome.”

Teser had admired Lord Riheart of the Windmill Mercenaries for a long time.

Why is Lord Riheart handsome?

There’s no reason he wouldn’t be.

‘He’s a collection of romance…’

A mysterious figure shrouded in rumors, unknown to anyone but with a solid reputation that easily dismisses gossip. Moreover, as far as abilities go, the leader of the Windmill Mercenaries rivals even the Imperial Knights!

But what truly captivates a boy’s heart is the ultimate factor…

‘The mask that hides his face, it’s so cool…!!!’

He seems like a personification of a master of darkness. A hidden hero building a secret reputation in the shadows. And today, seeing Lord Riheart in person only strengthened that perception.

A mask that never reveals emotions.

Manners that surpass even the nobility of a prestigious family.

From his enchanting bright blonde hair to his deep blue eyes.

He becomes someone to admire.

He’s the master of darkness.

He’s the hidden hero!

“I… want to be like Lord Riheart too…”

Indeed.

At this point, anyone would notice.

Teser secretly harbored a serious illness. A hidden illness that no one had noticed.

It is something that is based on the mind, not the physical body.

Originally, in the world where Serin obtained her first life, they classified Teser’s illness like this.

As ‘late-stage middle school syndrome.’

For Teser, who is 14 years old this year, it was an unavoidable fate.

“Hey, Eleanor.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you happen to know what the head of the Danju looks like?”

“Of course. Rihart oppa is really handsome. He’s the best in the world.”

“As expected!”

With mysterious charm and perfect looks, is it possible to have everything like this? If you have all of this, it’s natural for admiration to escalate.

“Then! Do they use some strange power different from others…”

“Oh, how did you know? Our oppa can even create a black smoke-like thing.”

“Could it be the power of darkness…!”

“Gasp! That really seems like it. It’s a power of darkness.”

“In fact, it’s the power of the Black Flame Dragon…”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, but isn’t it that?”

“Oh my goodness…?!”

Teser’s words were cut off. Internally, his evaluation of Rihart Danju was drawing a vertical line without knowing how high the sky was.

Even Teser, who was somewhat close to the truth.

“Eleanor, can we talk more as we return to the banquet hall?”

“Hehe, ask me anything. There’s no one who knows Rihart oppa as well as I do, right?”

“Thank you, Eleanor. Sincerely…!”

Teser, who knelt down to match eye level, tightly held Esutiel’s hand with the sapphire of Estel.

Esutiel looked closely into Teser’s eyes, which resembled Serin’s.

Clearly, unlike the first time, there were more ‘likes’ with a peculiar color.

Extremely faint and with the new color of ‘like,’ Esutiel was momentarily distracted.

At least until Teser spoke again.

“Eleanor, how strong is Rihart Danju?”

“Rihart oppa is the strongest in the world. Even Lordrick said that none of our people could match him.”

“One Danju is stronger than the entire Windmill Mercenary Corps…?”

“Yeah.”

Perhaps it might not even reach the Empress’s palace, let alone the Queen Mother.

Despite knowing it was a disrespectful fantasy, Teser’s romance was only growing.

“He’s so cool…”

As Serin’s inherited vulgar habit of speech emerged, Teser’s heart was pounding.

And then, Esutiel absorbed the unfamiliar expression straightforwardly and entered the banquet hall side by side.

“Yeah, our oppa is so cool!”

“Hehe!”

“Hehe.”

And so, only Lordrick’s worries were steadily increasing.