CH 21

Viscount Waieos’s family was like a conglomerate in modern times. Even if they went bankrupt, three generations of them would live well, but did it make sense to be left in this state without anything? That was the family that boasted great wealth?

Most of all… I don’t understand my father. Simon, who was usually willing to help those in need, had poured a huge amount of money into the slums at some point as if he had lost some screws. It was like he had been possessed by something.

When the funds were tight, he borrowed money by mortgaging the building, and when it became difficult, he mortgaged the land. That was the beginning of their downfall. The existing funds were divided into two or three to pay the borrowed money and its interest.

It was a long time before she tried to do something, but the family’s roots were already pulled out, and the butler, who had gone out to deal with it, died in disgrace. The only good thing was that a flower shop had been secured in advance.

Thanks to that, I was able to at least protect this mansion. Otherwise, it would have been sold for a bargain on Simon’s warranty debt. Because of such a funny yet sad story, Elusiana had no choice but to keep the secret that she was the owner of ‘Fragrant Garden.’

Simon’s pushover was still progressing, but it was a little less than before. Still, potential bad news could come like wildfire at any moment.

“Lady, all the good deeds Master does are for you. Don’t forget.”

Elusiana looked at her handsome father, hearing the words of the butler who suddenly came to her mind. She wanted to argue, what kind of crap was that, but she knew that those iron-walled ears won’t hear her. Who could think of the cold-hearted minister in the past who ended up in this state?

“Hmm. It’s very delicious, Lusi.”

Looking at Simon smiling shyly at his empty bowl, Elusiana erased the bitterness in her mind.

“I’ll give you more.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Elusiana, who had half stood up from her seat, sat again at Simon’s words. Just then, she saw something jumping up from the opposite side.

“…?”

Elusiana tilted her head and was still staring at that place. Unless her eyes were strange, something unidentified was sitting on Astein’s lap. What is it? That… a bunch of furs?

She could see that clearly when she narrowed her eyes and focused on it. Soft gray furs the size of a child’s forearm. And the blue eyes hidden in those rich furs. Wait a minute. Eyes…?

Confirming that thing’s true identity once again, Elusiana widened her eyes.

“So-Soda!”

Elusiana jumped with joy from her seat, forgetting that she was eating.

Soda had disappeared when the Waieos family went bankrupt. Around that time, even the butler passed away, so Soda’s disappearance was buried. When she tried to find it again, it was already too late to find it.

You’re alive, Soda. Do you know how worried this sister has been? Elusiana, who quickly wiped away the welling-up tears, abruptly reached out her hand. “Soda, come here.”

“Meooow.”

Soda looked so happy as it raised its paws on the table and let out a meow sound. Its shaking hips seemed like it would come running to her at any moment.

Huh? But why doesn’t Soda move? Seeing the motionless Soda on Astein’s lap, Elusiana urged it.

“What’s wrong, Soda? You should come to this sister soon, right?”

“Meow.”

As if responding to Elusiana’s words, Soda raised its head. At that moment, Astein gently swept Soda’s furs.

“Shh- You have to be quiet.”

“…huh?” Elusiana tilted her head in wonder.

Why did Soda become so obedient? It used to shudder at the touch of As. But her question didn’t last long. Contrary to its calm appearance, Soda’s thick furs were trembling. Yes, of course, it’s like that. I couldn’t stand it anymore!

Elusiana’s cold eyes turned toward Astein. “As.”

“Wait, Lusi.”

She frowned at Astein’s calm tone that flowed low.

“What were you doing?”

“Um… I think I made a big mistake.”

“You know about your mistake, right?”

Astein nodded his head in agreement. Elusiana snorted at his brazen look. But today was a monumental day as she met Soda again.

It would be okay to let it go just this once. Elusiana held out her hand with a softened expression. “Then, can you let go of Soda now?”

“That would be a bit difficult.”

“What?”

Astein, facing Elusiana’s slightly flustered scarlet eyes, looked back at Simon with a smile. “Viscount, I’m thinking of leaving Soda in the living room. Is that okay? As you can see, Soda is not very hygienic because its fur is falling out like this.”

What? Elusiana glanced back at Astein, wondering what nonsense he was talking about.

“You can do that.”

“Father!” Elusiana jumped up and shouted. “You can’t do that. What if Soda disappears again after it is left alone in the living room? I’d rather—”

“They’re already gone.”

“…!” Elusiana hurriedly turned her head. As Simon said, Astein had already left the dining room with Soda.

“Don’t worry too much. Astein will take good care of it.”

“As… will take good care of it?”

Elusiana tilted her head. She saw Simon smiling contentedly.

“He is a thoughtful child. He took Soda to a familiar place because he feared Soda would feel unfamiliar. Even though he doesn’t look like that, he’s very affectionate.”

“What?”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You were so glad that you couldn’t even fathom Soda’s anxiety. It’s not your fault. Soda will also need time to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, so it would be better to wait and see for a while, Lusi.”

“…?”

“Let’s finish eating. The food that you worked hard on is going to get cold.”’

Elusiana blinked her eyes.

What did I just hear? Since As is very considerate, let’s just wait and see for the time being…? Her scarlet eyes trembled as her thoughts reached that point. Father, that’s not it. You’re completely wrong. As just hates Soda!

Elusiana looked at Simon’s smiling side and let out a devastating sigh.

* * *

Astein was sitting with Soda when she came out of the living room after eating. He will take care of Soda from now on. Will that be okay?

Elusiana came up to her room on the second floor with her gaze on Soda, which was tightly attached to Astein’s arms.

Creek. The door opened, and she entered her room. She felt especially tired today. Then she closed the door and took a few steps to lie down on the old bed. The stiff blanket brushed against her skin. But she had already gotten used to this blanket and just put her arm on her forehead and stared at the dimly lit ceiling.

Flash. Flash.

“Is it already time to replace the mana stone?”

A light a little brighter than the dim moonlight. Elusiana smiled bitterly without realizing it at the light that was more dim than ordinary. Still, it will hold out for a few more weeks.

One mana stone was required for each magic lamp. To buy that mana stone, one gold was needed no matter how cheap it was. With two kitchens, three dining rooms, two bathrooms, and two of the 3 side-by-side rooms, at least 13 gold was needed.

Compared to an ordinary house that uses an average of three per year, they have to spend four times more only for mana stones. That was possible because they had moved to the smallest mansion on Waieos territory two years ago.

“In the future… I will have to cut it down more.”

Until now, they had barely survived with the profits from ‘Fragrant Garden.’ However, half a year ago, Simon was completely pushed out of his job and slowly reached his limit.

Elusiana let out a sigh and closed her eyes. In reality, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds for a noble lady to work while pretending to be a commoner. However, she had lived as Han Suyeon before, who had endured a fierce life and got through all kinds of part-time jobs.

Above all, now—

I’m not alone either.

Her father, who was dying, still listened to her words, and Astein, who was cold and indifferent… stayed by her side. Therefore, no matter how hard her life was, it was much more bearable now than when she endured it alone.

…That was what she wanted to say.

“Ah… how can I come back to reality for no reason?”

She couldn’t escape even if she wanted to because it was reality.

Elusiana shuddered nervously, burying her face in the pillow. Why does Simon’s face, like a tiger, suddenly come to my mind?

* * *

At that time, Astein, who left the mansion with Soda, entered a dark alley near the mansion. His smiling eyes disappeared before he knew it, only making an expressionless face.

“Meeooow.”

Soda strode forward, waving its fluffy fur gently. Its waving shape was adorable, but Astein’s gaze was always directed toward the center of the alley.

“Is this the place you saw during the day?”