Chapter 23
TL-Mechatronic
That evening, while pretending to be reading the fairy tale book that Rose had brought, Luciel secretly opened a red notebook. Grandpa Gillard gave it so she could draw, but Luciel was secretly making plans in it.
In the event of her marriage failure, she put together a list of things to gain or achieve while living in Bellstein in preparation for when she would become alone.
“I’m learning magic, so I can check it.”
Luciel drew a line on the item that said ‘Learn Magic’.
Naturally, she moved her gaze to the next item.
(Building a strong relationship with the Bellstein family.)
Even if she leaves Bellstein, she has to act well so that the connection doesn’t break.
If possible, the person she should gain more credibility was the Duke, the head of the household. She must earn enough trust and even affection, to receive help if she ever gets into danger.
First of all, I’m glad that I’m building it easily so far.
So, what should I prepare next?
Funds? Reliable escort? An aide?
There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t go unnoticed, Luciel clenched her fist like that, and decided.
“I can do everything, one at a time.”
Of course, her best plan is to get steadily married to Kizef, so that she stays safely in Bellstein until adulthood. However, even in that case, it did not change that she would eventually have to develop the strength to one day become independent on her own.
‘In order not to repeat the same life as before again, have to build up my strength.’
Such words were repeated many times in her heart, Luciel diligently jotted down the next item on her list
For magic class the next day, Luciel diligently headed to Gillard’s study. He was waiting for Luciel in a bright sky-blue suit and cravat. His desk was full of various magic books, boxes of wands, and scrolls of magic spells.
On one side of the small table next to the sofa where Luciel was sitting, were cookies, chocolate, figs, and milk for her who might be hungry in the middle of class.
Luciel also walked in with an excited face wearing a carrot bag.
“Grandpa!”
“Luciel, welcome.”
“Wow, you look great today.”
“Since it’s your first class, I tried to set the mood.”
Gillard smiled brightly and stroked his cravat.
“In the first class, I was thinking about what kind of story to tell.”
Luciel, who had already eaten a cookie while sitting in a small chair that was suited for her height, said with anticipation. “Any story is good.”
It really was. Because it seemed like he would tell her a fun and strange story about possibly anything,
“Do you have any questions?”
At his question, Luciel decided to ask something she had been curious about for a long time.
“How did the Bellstein become so adept at magic?”
There was silence for a while. As his lips didn’t move, Luciel quickly took the book she was reading from her bag.
“Ah, looking at this book, it is said that the properties of elements that can be expressed are different for each person. What attribute am I?….”
As the quick-witted Luciel asked another question, he shook his head and stroked the child’s soft hair.
“There is no need to change the subject. I was thinking about how to start talking.”
“Ah…… I thought it was an uncomfortable question.”
“I thought I’d tell you a long story about Bellstein someday.”
“Luciel, do you know why Bellstein people’s eyes, including mine, are red?”
Come to think of it, all the people of the Bellstein family had blood-red eyes.
There were some scary times at first, but the more looked, the more charming and noble their eyes looked. More than anything else, Luciel thought that they had an overwhelming charisma because they emitted intense power.
Luciel shook her head, and Gillard spoke.
“Red eyes have been a symbol of demons since ancient times.”
Luciel’s eyes widened in surprise as large as a king candy filled with a surprise gift. The rumors surrounding Bellstein were not all false.
“My father was mixed with demon blood. And Demons are inherently better at magic than humans.”
There were also fairies, a race that was just as good at handling magic. But Gillard did not mention it.
“The Duchy of Bellstein used to be where an entrance to the Demon Realm existed. It’s sealed now, but there’s still a gap to that dimension. Much like in the garden where there was the Moonlight Dew Tree we went to last time, there are places that overlap with another dimension, they used to be the domain of the demon realm and are scattered in every corner of the territory.”
“The more you know, the more interesting it is, Bellstein.”
“Isn’t it scary that demon blood is mixed in the family?”
Luciel shook her head.
I thought I was the only one who was a normal human being, but I felt a sense of homogeneity.
‘Even if they are mixed with demon blood, Bellstein is neither scary nor unfamiliar.’
Maybe that’s why I liked it here from the beginning
“Everyone in Bellstein is so warm and cozy, among then, Grandpa who is the kindest is an Elder for such a family.”
Luciel pursed her lips and smiled. Gillard said.
“Then shall we start the class in earnest? Let’s start with the theory first.”
“Yes!”
Luciel’s eyes filled with life again.
After finishing her morning routine, Luciel answered Leoni’s call, who was playing with building blocks in his room.
Then she stood up to a loud squeak and looked out the window.
Outside the window, I saw a carriage arriving. A stranger got out of the carriage. She was a young woman with chestnut brown hair and a well-groomed, white gown.
‘Who is that person?’
“Young Master, Miss. My name is Cicline Renny. I will be responsible for the health of the two of you in the future.”
In her well-groomed attire, she looked at two children and greeted them with a kind smile.
“Hi. I’m….Leoni.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Luciel.”
Cicline Renny was a familiar name.
She later became a pharmacist in the Imperial Palace, and when Luciel suffered severe dehydration, she took Cicline’s medicine and got well at once. Since that incident, I had taken her medication a few more times.
Through that experience, Luciel learned the simplicity of medicinal herbs. Existing medical technology in the world relies on healing magic that requires mana and magical power, but simple wounds and ailments can be treated with medicinal herbs.
She was a good person to keep around, since she could later help with Bellstein’s medical care.
I can’t believe I’m meeting her again like this, let’s stay close to her in this life.’
In addition, the medicine she gave the Crown Prince was a must for Luciel. Cicline also helped the Crown Prince, but it ended in a bad way…
1 have to make sure it doesn’t happen this time.’
Luciel thought so with her twinkling eyes.
Meanwhile, Cicline was surprised.
“Master Leoni is 5 years old, and Miss Luciel……Is nine years old?”
“Yes.”
“No matter how you look at it, she looks like a chick with baby fur still intact….’
“Shall we measure our height first?”
Cicline came in with a large giraffe-shaped wooden doll. Leoni’s eyes brightened at once.
“Wow, giraffe!”
“I’ll start with Master Leoni. Come this way.”
When she called, Leoni began jumping to get on the giraffe doll. With a troubled face, she said.
“This is not a ride. You have to stand right next to me so I can measure your height.”
“I want to ride the giraffe.”
When Leoni’s lips protrude, Luciel said to Cicline as if she couldn’t help it.
“Doctor, can you give me an ear?”
As Luciel said, Cicline bowed her head and stuck out her ear.
“If Leoni measures his height calmly, say you’ll give him the giraffe. Then he’ll listen to you. I’ll make sure to return it later.”
At the child’s words, Cicline was uncertain, but there was no other way. She nodded her head, and Luciel stepped out.
“Leoni, if you measure your height, the Doctor will let you ride the giraffe. Right?”
“Of course. You’re a good kid if you measure your height, so I’ll give you the giraffe as a present.”
“…Really?”
Then, the eyes of Leoni, who was tormenting the giraffe doll, changed. It certainly seemed to have attracted attention. Leoni’s sullen ears pricked up. Luciel came closer to him and while measuring their height with her hand she said something to stimulate Leoni’s desire to win.
“Let’s see, I think I’m a lot bigger.”
“….no way. I am bigger than Sister.”
“Shall we measure who’s taller?”
“Yes!”
As expected, the simple Leoni was easily caught. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Cicline quickly shouted.
“Who will measure your height first?”
“Me, me!”
Leoni raised his hand, scrambled to the side of the giraffe doll and stood upright.
“That’s right, good job.”
Cicline was deeply grateful for Luciel’s help, and quickly marked the child’s height on the scale of the wooden doll.
“It’s 103cm.”
Leoni measured his height calmly.
“Doctor, am I tall?”
“Of course. You are very big. But if you eat well, you will be much taller.”
“Yes….Sister, your turn.”
Leoni’s thick hands dragged Luciel onto the giraffe doll. As the results came out, Luciel was about a span taller than Leoni.
“……Oh? Strange. Sister is so tiny.”
“Because I am the older sister. Still, Leoni is already this big, so you will grow quickly.”
“Hehehe, that’s exciting.”
Luciel touched Leoni’s chubby cheeks.
On the other hand, Cicline seemed to have learned a lesson from Luciel. It was the perfect way to stimulate the interest of a child that doesn’t listen. First induce their action and finish it with praise at the end.
“You worked hard to measure your height today, so as promised, I will give this giraffe doll to Young Master Leoni. And Miss Luciel, please give me your ears.” “What?”
“Thank you for helping me today, Miss. I will give the giraffe doll as a real present to the two of you. And this is a syrup made from coco herbs. It will help you to grow taller, so take a drop before bed. Okay?”
Cicline left the room with a proud face, and Luciel smiled as she looked at the syrup she received