Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chapter 22. Because I experienced so many things in one day, as soon as I put my head on the pillow, I fainted just like that.

When I opened my eyes, it was late afternoon.

“Bella, why didn't you wake...”

Ah, right. This isn't Valfruga Castle.

Still rubbing the heavy eyelids, I forcibly got up from the bed.

“Uuu...”

I went to the room where Treon and Butcher stay, but there was no one in the room.

“Where did everyone go.”

I yawned until my mouth tore and came down the stairs to head to the room where I met the information merchant yesterday.

The moment I stepped on the last stair, someone suddenly lifted me high into the sky with a whoosh.

“Kyaak!”

“The sleepy miss finally woke up.”

At my scream, he made an awkward expression and re-hugged me.

“Were you surprised? Sorry. Our son is completely indifferent even like this. I thought kids of this age are all like this, uhahaha!”

“That's because the Duke's son is special.”

Treon appeared from behind the man and gave a pinching remark.

At the title Duke, I instantly recognized the man's status.

Huge build, red hair as if burning, skin tanned by the sun.

An impression in the mid-thirties that if only wearing sunglasses, exactly like a wealthy businessman of California.

Exactly the conqueror of the south, the Summerhild Duke.‘The Duke came directly?’ I knew a person from the Summerhild ducal house would come, but I thought at best one of the vassals would come, I never dreamed the person himself would come directly.

I who was still sunk in sleep came to my senses with a start.

“Hello, Duke.”

“Did you sleep well?”

The Summerhild Duke had a face smiling brightly continuously as if something was so fun.

“...

Yes. But Duke, aren't I heavy?”

I was still hugged by him.

He supported me with one arm and lifted me, there was stability as if sitting on a chair.

How strong is the strength? It was the meaning of ‘please put me down now.’ but the Summerhild Duke brought out a completely different answer.

“Not at all? It's light to the point of wondering if it's okay to be this light.”...

If so, that's somewhat fortunate.

“Duke, are you that lacking in sense? Isn't it the meaning to put down.”

Treon gave a pinching remark and stretched his arms to me.

I was hugged by Treon with the meaning to put down, but this time Treon didn't put me down while hugging me.

“Treon?”

Asking with the meaning of what are you doing not putting down, Treon answered.

“There are no shoes.”

“Ah.”

Moving in a half-asleep state, I must have forgotten to put on shoes.

It's been quite a while since possession, but I'm still not used to the life of going around wearing shoes.

The Summerhild Duke who was watching the appearance of Treon re-hugging me muttered.

“Small.”

“Yes?”

“Originally are girls this small? Is it okay to be this small and slender?”

“I'm not small.”

Even in the previous life I was short so it was secretly a complex, and that uncle pinpointed that part.

At my sullen words, the Summerhild Duke laughed largely.

“Haha. Sorry. Receiving the bold proposal to divide and eat the Matek Count house, the appearance is too different from what I expected. I imagined a cunning snake-like woman like Countess Lima, but I never imagined it would be a just twelve-year-old child.”

“T-twelve years old...”

My age is fifteen this year.

At my reaction, the Summerhild Duke asked Treon with a troubled face.

“Did I make a mistake again?”

Treon let out a deep sigh.

“Madam has turned fifteen this year.”

“It was right that I was wrong.”

The Summerhild Duke swallowed a groan and soothed me.

“I was wrong. When our son turned twelve, he grew like a bear so I thought everyone was like that.”

Treon also joined forces and soothed me.

“Originally that family receives a lot of sun so they're famous for being tall. Madam will grow more from now on so don't mind too much.”

It's not even a plant, there's no way a person grows just by receiving a lot of sunlight.

Rather being soothed to this extent, it's embarrassing so I can't lift my face.

Right, my growth plates haven't closed yet.

I smiled at the Summerhild Duke with the meaning that I'm okay now.

Then the Duke loosened sloppily and said to the vassal who was behind.

“Is a daughter originally this lovely? Hey, if I say to the wife that we also give birth to one daughter, how would it be?”

“Well. With Madam's personality, won't she shoot an arrow?”

“Is that so? Still if the wife sees that miss, she might agree with my words.”

Butcher who had brought my shoes at some point supported my feet and put on the shoes.

Only after Butcher even tied the shoelaces could I stand on my own.

My face heated up at the disgrace shown so far, but I stubbornly greeted the Duke with formality.

“Thank you for coming like this. Then shall we start the deal talk formally? Summerhild Duke.”

The Duke's expression changed.

If until now it was a face of just seeing a cute child, now it was a face of seeing an equal deal opponent.

He also greeted with formality the same.

“Anytime. Duchess.”* * *Late afternoon, we returned to the Matek Count house together with the Summerhild Duke.

Despite not conveying the news that the Summerhild Duke would visit, somehow they knew and welcomed us from the entrance.

“My goodness! The Duke visiting directly like this!”

The status of a ducal house in the Empire was special.

In the past, the four heroes who helped the Emperor who defeated the Demon King were exactly the origin of the four great ducal houses.

After that, nearly a thousand years of time flowed, but the title of ‘Duke’ existed only for those four families and enjoyed absolute status and wealth within the Empire.

Except only the Valfruga ducal house we belong to.‘Still, the discriminatory treatment is severe.’ The man who didn't even show his nose when we came was now stuck tightly next to the Duke rubbing his hands like a fly.

The reception room entered following the Count's guidance was three times wider than the room we stayed in yesterday and filled with antique furniture.

Servants with a well-educated air in every action and even high-grade black tea with strong scent.

Moreover, the sofa made of smooth and glossy leather was fluffier than the bed we were assigned yesterday.‘Perhaps they gave a remaining servant room.’“Duke. What matter brings you suddenly to our family? If called, I would go from my side.”

The Matek Count was a man resembling an old goat combined with a sparsely styled mustache.

How restless he was, to the point that the place we came looked not like his house but like the house of the Summerhild Duke leaning comfortably on the sofa.

The Summerhild Duke drank tea and asked with a leisurely attitude.

“Is there a need for a purpose in me visiting the Count's castle?”

The Matek Count immediately waved his hands.

“No, no. How could that be. If the Duke visits, welcome anytime. Just wondering what matter the busy Duke visited even our insignificant territory...”

“The Count's territory is insignificant though.”

Even at the clear insult, the Matek Count just smiled good-naturedly. The power of the Summerhild Duke of the four great ducal houses was also mighty, but also because the Summerhild ducal house is the customer who purchases the most swords of the Matek Count house.

“But this person...?”

The Matek Count's gaze finally turned to me.

“It's the new Duchess Valfruga.”

The Summerhild Duke said while placing his hand on my shoulder.

At the friendly attitude, the Matek Count greeted with a bright face.

“Ah ah! The one who newly came...! It's an honor to meet like this!”

I have no intention of receiving that greeting obediently.

Anyway I came to mess up the Matek Count house, and now there's also the reliable backing of the Summerhild Duke.

I tilted my head and said.

“I came to the castle yesterday? I couldn't see the face because an important guest came to the Matek Count. I'm curious who that important guest is.”

The well-made smile of the Matek Count broke.

However he soon lowered his head with a clear face again.

“I'm sorry. That... the subordinates seem to have made a mistake.”

“One can know the level of the Count treating a Duke.”

So does he look down on me too?

At the inner thoughts hidden in the Summerhild Duke's words, the Matek Count hurriedly waved his hands.

“No! How could that be! I've been busy with work these days so I couldn't pay attention to the servants at all so these guys seem to have lost discipline. I'll scold them thoroughly so this won't happen again. Hey, butler! Immediately go find who did this! If found, such a servant isn't needed in our family so drive out immediately!”

The Matek Count quickly gave instructions as if trying to prove his sincerity.

“Not even properly reporting to the Count. The Count's ability is also terrible.”

Even at the Summerhild Duke's insult, the Matek Count just smiled good-naturedly.

“Haha... How can I compare to the Duke. The Duke ascended to the Duke position at just twenty-two and greatly increased the grain production of the south! I should also learn from such insight of the Duke!”

“Is that so? In my view, rather the Count seems to have believed his own ability too much.”

“Yes? What words...”

“Count. I heard one very fun story.”

The atmosphere surrounding the Summerhild Duke changed in an instant.

From the arrogant and free appearance to the appearance of a beast aiming at prey.

“If it's a story...”

“I heard the Count deceived the material of the swords sold to our family?”

“Y-yes? What...! It doesn't make sense! The swords sent to the Summerhild ducal house, if anything, paid special attention...! Who on earth said such words!”

As expected, the Matek Count jumped up.

“If only permitted, I'll immediately press those guys and reveal the fact! I'm really unfair, Duke!”

At this point, I tilted my head and added words according to the plan set up.

“But a person living in the Count's house said that? Said the Count is secretly deceiving the material.”

“What guy on earth...! It's a false accusation! It must be a spy planted by a competitor!”

The Count's face turned red and trembled.

Then, a noisy sound was heard from outside.

“Let go of this!”

“Young master! No! If you enter now... Kyaak!”

“These bastards dare block in front of whom!”

The character waiting just in time arrived exactly.

The sound of maids trying to stop was heard, but they couldn't stop him full of anger.

With a noisy sound, the door opened.

“Father! Daring those bastards of Valfruga...! You...!”

Ticle Matek covered in dust and messed up pointed at me.

I also smiled brightly and pointed at him.

“Just in time. That person said that. Said the Count deceives the material.”