Chapter 03
“Oh my god. What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m hungry. Bring a meal, not tea.”
“What? Are you out of your mind?”
“Yes, I’m. Are you the one out of your mind? I starved for three days.”
Luciel spoke calmly without trembling with fear.
‘I will not repeat the terrible past.’
I will not just obey the nanny without knowing anything like I used to.
“Okay… Wait a bit.”
The nanny glared for a while at Luciel’s changed attitude and went back. After a while, the nanny came back holding dry porridge and tea on a tray and laid, them down on the table.
“Go ahead and eat.”
The nanny crossed her arms and stood in front of Luciel to watch her. She seemed to be trying to monitor ether she would drink the tea.
‘The count would have urged you to awaken my powers as soon as possible.’
Luciel said with a voice covered with nausea,
“Ugh. Nanny, I don’t feel well. I feel like I’m going to vomit.”
“Come on, wait a minute. Vomit after I go out. Aww, dirty!”
The nanny quickly left the cellar, looking at Luciel like she was a dirty bug.
Splaash.
As soon as she disappeared, Luciel threw the tea out and ate porridge in a hurry. I felt like I was really hungry, but I couldn’t afford to eat it all.
Then she looked at the tightly closed door.
The basement door was looked from the outside with a hook. Luciel knew how to open that. It was a method that she found out when both the nanny and a maid were sick and lying in bed when she was fifteen.
Although she was caught by another maid who was guarding the warehouse and failed to escape.
All you needed to do was place a thin object through the door gap and turn the hook upwards.
She found a pointed quill in the chest of drawers and opened the door.
Luciel took her hat and went up outside. This basement was also a warehouse for rice bundles and grain on the upper floor, so if you go out here, it immediately leads to a stable around the garden
‘I can go outside.’
Sneakily.
Luciel, who waked out sneakily like a cat, stepped on the still of the window of the warehouse and climbed up.
She peeked her head and looked outside. In front of the warehouse, a maid was yawning while guarding the door. It seemed like she stayed up all night, so it was time to shift with another maid.
Other than that, only a few workers passed by. They were working hard on firewood, so it seemed to be possible to sneak out.
It was then. I heard a voice outside the warehouse,
“Sister. I’ll protect the warehouse, so stop and go to bed now. I don’t think that weak kid will come up.”
“If Mrs. Volladi finds out, I’ll get in trouble. Please do it only until Sally comes.”
Luciel pricked up her ears. It was the voice of Tom, the Count’s errand boy.
Soon after, the door opened and Tom came inside. Surprised, Luciel hid herself behind the crest as if rolling away.
Tom leaned against the crest. While humming, he began to read something while rustling some papers.
“Let’s read what happened today. It’s best to be the first to read the newspapers secretly!”
It was one of Tom’s daily routine to buy the Imperial newspaper for the Count and read it before delivering it every morning.
Luciel pulled her head out from behind him and sneaked through the newspaper Tom was reading,
“Today is March 14, 1028. As the nanny said, it’s been three days since my sister died.’
The most notable news were the Goddess prayer festival, and the auction… … .
(The best auction of the Empire will be held today at the Elantra auction house. Various rare artworks and treasures, including the works of genius painter Marnosa, are expected to make a stand.)
Luciel, who saw the article, thought of something.
In the past, the former Marquis of Cavill, that is, Luciel’s father-in-law, spoke with a very sick looking face.
I missed Marnosa’s last piece to the damn old man of Bellstein. I should have called for a higher price then! Now it has jumped fifty times! So, Luciel, you have to work hard to make up for that.’
A year after the painting was sold at the auction, Marnosa died of lung disease, and it became his last painting, further enhancing its value.
‘If I go to the auction, I can meet people from the Bellstein family.’
Luciel’s heart beat fast.
The Duhcy of Bellstein.
It was a thoroughly veiled family.
Therefore, all rumors related to them were bizarre and somewhat creepy. People die every night because of their devil’s bloodline, they are children of Witches and all kind of similar rumors.
The Duchy was feared by everyone, even the imperial family, feared its power. There were also stories of great prestige and wealth that no other kingdom could match.
With the power of Bellstein, Count Orbia could be easily pushed away.
“I don’t think they’re as bad as the rumors says.
Above all, Luciel felt only guilt and pity for those who where destroyed by the Crown Prince.
Because she herself contributed to it.
When I thought of the man I met before I died, I somehow had such vague beliefs of guilty.
‘In addition, I need a safe place to stay until I become an adult.
I was going to go there and propose a deal for my future. Let’s deceive them as an illegitimate child, because Count Orbia always touched the maids it would not be that strange.
The most natural way for a child of a noble family to be incorporated into another family.
‘Marriage.’
Of course, it’s possible only if they accept Luciel. Above all, the person I met at the moment of death, Kizef von Bellstein.
I thought I wanted to meet him again.
Luciel pressed her gray hat even tighter to hide her jewelry eyes.
After that, she coughed for Tom.
“Lu-Luciel”?
Surprised, Tom looked back to Luciel who stretched her arm and tapped the newspaper.
“Tom, listen to me carefully from now on.”
“Ho-How did you get out from there?” “Hush.”
Luciel took a small finger to her lips.
“If you don’t do me this favor, I’ll tell the owner that you stole the newspaper.”
“Luciel, you’ll be in big trouble if the owner sees you walking around in the basement.”.
He laughed at me quietly. Tom, who mainly works outside the mansion, seemed to know Luciel’s situation. But Luciel knew Tom’s weaknesses. It wasn’t just newspapers that he was stealing. He had a bad habit with his hands and would touch the Count’s things from time to time.
Later, he was found guilty of theft, and his wrist were actually cut off.
“I know you stole other things, too. Should I ask them to investigate your room right away?”
Tom flinched. He hid the Count’s lost watch and pipe under his bed. If caught, forget about being dismissed, he wrists might actually be cut off.
“W-Wh-what’s your favor?”
“Get me a carriage to the temple. I want to pray for my Sister.”
“If I get caught, I’ll be dead with you.”
“Let’s keep it a secret from each other. And you’d better stop stealing. After three years you will get caught and won’t be able to use that hand.”
“…Don’t say nonsense.”
I was a bad premonition for his future, and Tom was dizzy.
“I saw you in my dream.”
Luciel said with an innocent face.
It was funny to hear such threats from a young kid, but Luciel was the Count’s cherished child. Moreover, Luciel was not like the fragile child she used to be. Somehow, she felt older than himself.
Tom had no choice but to move.
When Luciel disappeared, the mansion turned upside down. Count Orbia gathered all the servants and maids and spoke.
“Search thoroughly! If you don’t find Luciel, you will all know how this will end up!”
The Count pointed to Mrs. Vollardi, who had already fallen down on her knees. The Count murmured with flashing eyes as he grinded his teeth.
“How dare you think about running away from me? Damn it!”
Count Orbia’s anger soared the more he thought about it.
Crystal Fairly awakens when they are emotionally shocked. Since her sister died, she would have awakened her abilities if he waited a little longer.
I was going to visit her in a few days and lock her up for good, but I didn’t know she would run away in the meantime.
It was an unimaginable hit in the back of his head. But where could a little child go?
She will be back in my hands soon.
“How hard was to get a bloodline that had the power of Cristal Fairy. I can’t miss it.’
With fierce swaying eyes, Count Orbia clenched his fist. Soon, the butler came and said,
“Master, a wagon is missing.”
The Count’s face was distorted even more.
“The carriage’s gone? Release the soldiers right now! Before it’s too late, find where she is no matter what!”
The Count grabbed the butler by the collar and screamed. His hideous eyes seemed to kill someone out of anger.
It was then.
Tom bowed his head to the Count as he wiggled.
“Lu-Luciel must have gone to the temple! She said, she’d pray for her dead sister…..”
“Is that true?”
Tom said as he gulped down.
“Yes, master. I definitely heard her muttering to herself.”
“I’ll go there myself.”
Hiing!
Count Orbia immediately boarded the horse and started for the temple.
*
*
*
Luciel looked up at the large building that glistened brilliantly.
Elantra auction house.
It was the only auction house in the Empire, which was recently established, but it was a place where expensive and rare goods were traded, and there was quite a good word of mouth among high-ranking, aristocrats.
A caretaker guarded the main gate, so it seemed impossible to get inside easily, as he was checking everyone before letting people inside.
Luciel circled around the building and decided to find another entrance.
“Get out of my way, kid.”
“Oh…”
Luciel was pushed into the corner. A man was seen dragging a cart covered with cloth. It seemed that they were sending inside the goods that would come out of the auction.
At that moment, her eyes sparkled.
‘Yes, this is it.’
Luciel looked right behind him. Several carts were waiting to enter the auction house.
“There’s no law telling me to just lay low and die.’ (TL: give up if things seems difficult to do)
Luciel’s complexion brightened up.
No one here cared about her.
She knew throughout her past life.
Very few people knew that jewelry was evidence of Crystal Fairies. Only the Count of Orbia, the Marquis of Cavill, and the Crown Prince knew that.
“But let’s move carefully.’
Luciel climbed onto the cart secretly, carefully to not make noise.