The Young Supporter of Darkness

There was a moment of silence at Daphne’s answer.

Even Mariel, who is most familiar with such behavior, was looking at Daphne in surprise.

Why are they all like this?

“Isn’t that obvious? Had Rose been captured, Madeline would have hurt Rose badly.”

It was a very weak thing to hurt badly. She was sure he would let her die using her as his hostage.

Even though she was his daughter.

“If that happens, Rose will get hurt and things will get bigger. It’s right to get caught because it’s getting troublesome.”

If Madeline had really lost his sanity completely, she would have been in danger, but she was not.

In the meantime, isn’t it clear just by looking at Rose, who is the youngest and weakest, leaving the knights alone?

“Madeline is not strong enough to stand the wrath of the grand duchy and the Imperial family at the same time. So of course he can’t hurt me.”

She said it with certainty, but the atmosphere became even more subdued.

Daphne mulled it over again in a strange mood.

However, no matter how much she thought about it, getting caught was the least damaging.

‘I caught a big traitor with only bruises on my arms and neck.’

Had Madeline not been caught, there would have been great damage. When he runs away, he sets a fire before doing so.

She also found out the merchant that took bribes, and if she looked at the list of bribes, she could weed out all the corrupt people.

In addition, Diane and Rose were saved from Madeline’s clutches.

This was really a big gain.

“And children shouldn’t get hurt.”

Daphne said confidently.

Daphne liked children. When she was in the orphanage, she was hungry, but there were only good memories.

That’s why she didn’t want to see Rose get hurt even more.

Were they all not valid reasons?

But why.

Is Kael looking at her with that face?

“Baby.”

Zegman approached Daphne and met her gaze.

Zegman’s face looking at Daphne appeared bitter and distressed.

“You’re young, too.”

A large hand stroked her hair again.

“You also should be protected.”

Zegman carefully embraced Daphne. He patted her on the back and apologized.

“I’m sorry that we, the adults, couldn’t protect you properly.”

No.

She was not really a kid.

She was living her third life, and if she added up the length of her life, it’ll be about the same as Zegman’s age.

She wanted to say that.

But Daphne bit her lip.

She had never heard such warm words even when she was young. No one ever told her when she really wanted to hear it.

And it’s been a while since she has been hugged so warmly.

So now she wanted to be a child.

Daphne shook her head.

“…I’ll be careful next time.”

“Next time won’t happen. I’m going to make it not exist.”

Zegman smiled and glanced back.

“Isn’t that right, Kael?”

Kael did not respond to Zegman’s words. He merely led Daphne to the room.

“Your Grace.”

“Miss Daphne.”

After coming into the office, Kael naturally took off his coat and put it on Daphne’s shoulders.

Only then did Daphne realize that his body was shaking.

“You have heard all the rumors about me. Particularly, the rumor that I am an immoral person.”

Kael inquired, taking a seat next to the candle Madeline had left behind.

Daphne nodded.

“…The rumor is true. My mother died because of me.”

Kael took a deep breath and slowly revealed his pain.

Kael’s thirst arose when the guests had arrived.

If it were usual, he would have suppressed it with will and medicine.

“I didn’t even take any medicine that day. It was my first time doing anything like that.”

It was as if someone had made it so, Kael added.

“My thirst became so severe that I lost my reason.”

It was Ritena, the former Grand Duchess of Bertrand, who stopped Kael from attacking with the intent to kill the guests.

And the one who died was also Ritena alone.

“My mother died because of me. She was sacrificed for me.”

While saying that, Kael held Daphne’s hand tightly.

As if praying, he put his forehead on the back of her hand and said.

“I don’t like it when someone gets hurt because of me.”

He was crying. She could tell that Kael was crying because of the tremor that passed through her hand.

“Please don’t get hurt.”

Kael struggled to speak.

“And I…”

Kael, who was talking, shut his mouth. And then slowly raised his head.

“If, very much if. If this happens again, will you promise me you won’t step forward first?”

The silver eyes bathed in moonlight twinkled like fairies. Daphne looked into his eyes and then nodded.

“Yes, I will. I will do that in the future.”

And even though she knew what Kael had struggled to say, Daphne pretended not to know.

***

“Miss Baby.”

“Where are you going, Miss Baby?”

Damn it.

Daphne laughed and swallowed the curse inwardly. Ever since the Madeline incident happened, she had been hearing the name ‘Miss Baby’ from everywhere.

It was Zegman’s doing.

He thought his baby had forgotten her age, so he did it to make her aware of her lost age.

However, servants and knights could not call her ‘baby.’

So, by adding Miss, the name Miss Baby was born.

“Please bear with me for a week, Milady—no—Miss Baby.”

What about Milady again?

Daphne glared at Leon, but he only grinned, showing his white teeth.

“I don’t think thirteen is a young age.”

“Aye, you are young! It seems to me that Miss Baby was born a day or two ago.”

I think you are.

Daphne strode away, swallowing the words again.

She was going to finish her business quickly and not come out of the room. That way she’ll be able to hear less of this name.

The place Daphne headed for was the garden in front of the castle, where you could ride a carriage.

Today was the day Rose and Diane left.

“Oh my, Grand Duchess. No…”

“Please drop that title.”

Diane laughed as Daphne shook her head in distress.

Rose, who was hiding behind her mother, came out and shouted, “Sister is older than me, but she is called Miss Baby!” and hid again.

A giggle of laughter came from behind.

‘I’ll let it slide since it’s Rose.’

She smiled as she met Rose’s gaze, who only poked out her eyes.

Rose, who looked brighter than when Madeline was there, laughed again.

Then she ran out again and hugged Daphne.

“Rose likes Sister.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Rose smiled gallantly.

“How much do you like me?”

“This much.”

Rose stretched out her arms while saying that. But she couldn’t escape Daphne’s keen eyes.

She bent her elbows a little bit.

“How much more will it be if I give this to you?”

Daphne turned a blind eye and handed Rose a box.

It was full of things Rose would like. A teddy bear with a pink ribbon, sweet snacks, and a fairy tale book.

Daphne prepared it as a farewell gift in her own way.

“Wooow!”

Rose shrieked, cupping her plump cheeks.

“But I’m so sad that Rose only likes me this much.”

Daphne bent her elbows and drew a dim circle, just like Rose did.

Then Rose shook her head.

“No! No!! Rose likes her Sister this much!”

At the same time, she drew a big circle while sticking out her protruding stomach.

“Really? Does Rose like Sister that much?”

Daphne smiled broadly and took out another box hidden behind Leon.

“I like you so much that I have to give this to you too.”

Now that there were two gift boxes, Rose almost fainted.

Her eyes were not merely sparkling, but shining as if they were beams of light.

“Misterrrr!”

She ran to a servant who was carrying the luggage to show off her teddy bear.

“As expected, Rose must like the grand duchess.”

“I was the only child of the same age group in the castle.”

Diane smiled at her daughter.

Then she clasped Daphne’s hand.

“Grand Duchess. Thank you again. Even though I said harsh words at that time, you stayed there for me until the end.”

It was about when she had tea time with Diane.

Of course, when Daphne first spoke up, Madam Davent was furious.

“Are you telling me to believe that now? The absurd thing about my husband abandoning me and Rose and running away alone?

She then denied it immediately.

“No, I don’t think so. That can’t be true. He is not a bad person. Could the grand duchess have mistaken something?”

“Nevertheless, the grand duchess told me the truth until the end.”

Diane slowly closed her eyes and opened them.

“In fact, I thought I would just have to endure it.”

Then the family appears smooth on the surface.

So she endured and endured it.

“But it wasn’t. I shouldn’t have put up with it. I got used to it before I knew it.”

Phew, Diane inhaled and exhaled deeply and laughed. She still looked feeble and smiled weakly as usual, but she will soon be full of life.

Because Diane and Rose are freed from Madeline.

“Do you have a place to go?”

“Yes, I decided to go back to my parents’ house for now. My older brother will accept Rose and I with open arms.”

Actually, wasn’t she scolded for not telling him earlier?

Diane whispered softly and chuckled.

“And unlike my parents, my older brother doesn’t think badly of me learning work. I’m thinking of learning to work at the Roanne Guild.”

“Roanne Guild?”

Daphne blinked.

Wait, if it’s the Roanne Guild. That’s right, there!

“Do you mean the guild of the Granq area?”

“Oh, do you know our guild?”

Daphne nodded.

“Because of the hot spring business that we are starting in the Acmel region, we need plywood. Doesn’t the Roanne Guild have it in stock?”

“There’s probably enough. We always have enough stock in preparation for imperial orders.”

Diane winked, saying so.

“I’ll make sure to especially talk of the grand duchess so that you can get a special discount.”

Hooray! Daphne smiled broadly. She could not believe she got all that expensive, top-quality wood, at a discount price

‘It’s not necessary to save money, but it’s nice to save money anyway.’

Daphne grinned. Meanwhile, Kael and Zegman arrived.

“Aunt.”

Kael, who lightly bowed, held out a pouch.

“I have prepared some travel expenses.”

“Travel expenses?”

Diane received the pouch and checked inside, then shook her head with a pale face.

“No, this is not travel expenses. This is too much, Your Grace. Mister Zegman.”

She checked again in disbelief and shook her head once more.

“It’s not just travel expenses, but I can even buy a boat.”

“Take it. It’s the bribe Madeline has received. Wounds are best treated with money.”

There was a scuffle over not receiving it, but the winners were Zegman and Kael.

Eventually, Diane took the pouch and got into the carriage with Rose.

“Sister, come and play!!”

The carriage moved away with Rose’s cute voice.

For some reason, she couldn’t take her eyes off it, so Daphne watched the carriage until it disappeared on the twisting road.

“Now, shall we go in?”