The group, who had been grumpy, transformed into something wonderful through several processes.
From head to toe, it was cared for by the people who used this mansion, and just by looking at they're appearance, you could immediately go outside and hear the voices of noblemen.
“Miss, I don’t think I should wear something like this.”
Jane, who had her hair neatly tied into two pigtails, was fiddling with the hem of her dress and looked like she was crying.
Unlike Dorothea, who had a dark complexion, Jane, who had a fair complexion, became a prettier girl than anyone else when she received the right care.
"It's okay. You can have at least one suit.”
“I am just your maid.”
The head maid next to Jane’s words twitched her eyebrows.
This mansion was full of maids.
If there were people lined up who had received proper education and were trained to serve the young lady, they could not bring in a child from outside the company whose origin was unknown.
Dorothea, who saw Jane shrinking under the disapproving gaze, opened her mouth.
"It's okay. Because you have to help me with something special.”
People are wary of unfamiliar things and fear unknown forces.
Dorothea knew that very well.
Even in her previous life, she was an outcast and an object of fear and dislike, so how would she be treated much less in this world?
She knew better than anyone else that she should not show power carelessly.
Dorothea smiled again at Jane.
"Don't worry. Your role is to be by my side at all times.”
The head maid quietly withdrew her disapproving gaze.
The Marquis was treating everything related to Dorothea as an ‘exception’.
It was no exaggeration to say that all the strict rules that were in effect in the mansion were overturned because of her.
Even though she was the head maid in charge of the mansion, she couldn't rashly refute Dorothea's words.
Dorothea's 'family', who had been looking at the people who had retreated somewhat in confusion, froze in place at the unexpected words delivered by the servant.
“The Marquis and his wife have invited you to a dinner party.”
“Um, me too?”
When Wood asked incredulously, the servant replied in a polite tone, 'Yes, that's true.'
Dorothea patted him stiffly with her bony hand.
Although he was rude, he was one of her own.
As the owner, it is natural to take care of the minor creatures below.
She understood what made him anxious and spoke kindly to him.
“No need to worry. I’ve already told him everything.”
“What did you do...?”
Dorothea smiled brightly at the man who could not hide his shaking eyes.
“Everyone knows you are a deserter.”
“...”
Wood, who momentarily glanced around without realizing it, despaired at the sight of the workers around him who were not even slightly agitated, let alone surprised, by the word deserter.
Desertion was a serious crime.
Moreover, if a person held military power, such as a Marquis, summary execution was also possible.
Who would have an issue if they said that they dealt with a deserter who was running away while tracking him down?
'You said you would save my life, but did you plan to bring me here and kill me?'
Wood, who was familiar with the Marquis's resolute nature, looked up at the ceiling.
And Ben froze again, shocked by the fact that the man he had been with all along was a deserter.
Among them, the only one smiling brightly was Dorothea.
***
The hellish mealtime has begun.
The three people sitting awkwardly across from the Marquis, Felix, and Aiden were stiff.
Only Dorothea, who sat at the head of the table - they don't know why she was there - enjoyed the meal leisurely.
The Marquis spoke first in a solemn voice.
“It would have been nice to have Colin, my second child, but he is currently in poor health and is recuperating at his mansion.”
Ben answered hastily.
“Well, when I get the chance, I plan to visit him and thank him for bringing Dorothea safely to me.”
“Please do so.”
The Marquis responded calmly, seemed to pause for a moment, and then turned his gaze towards Wood next to him.
Wood, who had already imagined his end several times in his head, calmly accepted the gaze directed at him with a liberated face.
'Yes, it was a good life because I let go of my sister's resentment.'
His eyes glanced at Dorothea.
It's a shame that it ends with him being fooled by a young girl, but the opponent is the Marquis.
He didn't even have the motivation to struggle.
“I heard about it from Thea. I don’t know what you want, so I haven’t had your military registration (name and status managed by the military) expunged yet.”
“...Yes?"
“If you want to return, we will help you return, and if you don’t want to, we will help you get discharged.”
It was a calm statement, but it was unconventional.
A deserter who ran away from the military is returned safely or discharged from the military.
“If that happens, wouldn’t the Marquis be breaking military law...?”
“I’m old too. You can't act like a brat forever. Even more so after hearing your situation.”
“...”
Wood's face was filled with confusion.
It was only a few months ago that a child soldier who had deserted due to his mother's illness was captured and imprisoned, and the soldier who reported the child soldier was also imprisoned and punished in the same manner on the grounds that he had 'betrayed his righteousness as a soldier.'
Of course, the punishment was mild for desertion...
When the Emperor, who was inferior to him, said a few words, saying that he was too inhumane, the Marquis walked out of the palace, confidently saying, ‘I did not do anything wrong.’ The Marquis...
“Grandpa, please eat this.”
"OK."
With a relaxed expression on his face, he picked up the vegetables that Dorothea had given him and chewed them thoroughly, saying that he would break the military law for her sake.
'What on earth did that child do to the Marquis?'
It is said that he took up the sword to avenge his sister, and while trying to take care of it, Dorothea pierced his nose, but why on earth does the Marquis of this country, who is so proud in front of everyone...
The eldest son, Felix Highclere, who was eating quietly next to him, expressed his opinion.
“Anyway, if you are going to keep this person by Dorothea’s side, it would be better to formally train him and give him a knighthood rather than leave him in the military.”
“Puhup!”
The water in Wood's mouth poured out like a fountain.
Aiden, who was not at all displeased after being hit by the water, chuckled.
“I saw that guy using his body, and he was quite talented. Brother, leave the training to me!”
Ben, who was watching the already entranced Wood from the side, composed himself.
The young daughter was smiling and watching this tragedy as if it were a game.
However, the opponent was a Marquis.
It was unclear whether this was truly hospitality or persecution disguised as hospitality.
"Dad."
Dorothea looked up at her father with a joyful face.
Now she guesses she'll have to ask him to live together.
It was a big problem for her father, who was weak-hearted, and even now he had a face that looked like he was going to pretend.
As she smiled brightly, the Marquis, who had been examining the situation, cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
It was because he felt like he wouldn't have the courage to speak up if she didn't speak up.
“It was decided to enlist this child as a Marquis granddaughter.”
“...”
Ben closed his eyes tightly. He had a face that said what was coming was coming.
“So....”
“Dorothea is my child.”
Before the Marquis could finish speaking, Ben's earnest voice interrupted him.
“I know you are hurt by what happened with Ellen. I know my mistakes more keenly than anyone else. But Dorothea, Thea is my child... !”
“Who said I didn’t know she was your child?”
The Marquis took a sip of water with an embarrassed expression on his face.
Dorothea gently tapped the Marquis' arm with a smile.
“That’s right, I told you not to speak too harshly.”
“What are you saying about me?”
Dorothea once again handed the broccoli she didn't want to eat to the Marquis, who looked at her with an expression of resentment.
The Marquis, who had begun chewing the fresh broccoli that came as a decoration simply because his granddaughter had given it to him, opened his mouth again.
“Thea said where you are in her home.”
Ben looked down at his daughter, who was smiling with shaking eyes.
His lips quivered as he saw the faint smile on her dry face.
Maybe it was because she had had a good few days, but his little daughter seemed much more lively than when she stayed at his mansion.
In reality, it was because Dorothea swallowed the Reaper and took its power.
“I am thinking of reporting to His Majesty to give you a title. Then you can straighten your shoulders and be in this house as Dorothea's father.”
“But I am a wandering merchant and a commoner who has not even become a semi-noble. How could I...”
Aiden, who was next to him, put his hand on Felix's shoulder with a bright smile.
“Look. They look down on my brother so much, but it’s not because he doesn’t do it. If he wants to, it’s not a big deal for him to get a noble title.”
“Get away.”
Felix coldly slapped his brother's hand away.
Then he nodded bluntly but sincerely.
“It may be a bit difficult to become a Count, but after a few attempts, you will be able to become a Viscount through identity laundering.”
“...”
Did the words “identity laundering” come out of Felix Highclere’s mouth just now?
Even a Viscount?
Ben's hand holding the knife trembled.
Dorothea, who was looking at the mesmerized people, soon seemed to have grown tired and pushed the empty plate in front of her away and made a demand.
“I want to eat dessert.”
“Oh, I heard they prepared a fruit tart today.”
Dorothea smiled happily at the Marquis’ kind words.
The Marchioness was watching the scene with satisfaction.
"And..."
Felix, whose expression slightly relaxed, added one more word.
“It’s too late to say this, but... This is the man chosen by my younger sister, Ellen. I believe you will show that level of ability.”
***
When the family settled into the mansion, Dorothea decided to make this her 'home'.
For a magician, ‘ground’ was an important element.
“But I can’t use my power arbitrarily in front of people... It’s annoying, though.”
She has no choice but to move like this during the night.
As soon as Dorothea's feet touched the floor, Phi Phi, who had been playing in the corner, ran up to her and climbed onto her shoulder.
“Was there a fun place? What’s worth seeing?”
The squirrel rubbed his cheek against Dorothea's as if feeling happy at the gentle voice and caressing hand.
“There is no seven stars here, so there will be a lot of troublesome work to see the site.”
Dorothea opened the door with her bony hands.
In front of the door that opened with a squeak, there was a knight who had fallen asleep, and Wood with a confused expression.
The family members, who had not yet completely shaken off their sleep, looked at Dorothea and slowly closed their eyes.
“Why am I here...”
He was muttering in an incomprehensible voice and looked down at the small girl who was slightly raising the corners of her mouth.
“If I’m not crazy, then you are. You called me here in a dream.”
"That's right. I called you.”
The girl behind his back tilted her head to the side as if she was amused.
White-blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders.
After all the hard work of the maids, her hair, which had finally begun to become a little shiny, was shining brightly as if brightening the dark night.
Wood looked at the girl with a blank face, as if he couldn't understand.
“How did you call me...”
“You still haven’t fallen.”
Dorothea slapped the sturdy leg at eye level with her hand until it made a loud sound.
“Let’s go now.”
“Uh, where?”
“To inspect this site.”
They need to check how usable it is and, if necessary, make it sturdy.
The man seemed entranced by Dorothea's words and began walking down the hallway while holding the small girl in his arms.
Strangely, the two people wandering the hallways in the middle of the night never once encountered the numerous guards of the mansion.
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