Chapter 08
TL-Mechatronic
From the standpoint of the Duke of Bellstein, she would not be an attractive marriage partner, but Luciel was not discouraged.
In the Empire, the Bellstein family had the same image of an untouchable villain, and in fact, it was not the best match for parents who wanted their daughters to be happy in the marriage market.
It was because there were even terrible rumors circulating that the bride-to-be would be a sacrifice to the Demon King.
Of course, Luciel knew how absurd the rumors were.
“I’ll get divorced as soon as I become an adult. Under imperial law, you know it’s possible.”
According to the Marriage Law of the Tyra Empire, if it was an arranged marriage done at a young age, a consensual divorce was possible if there was a valid reason in adulthood and there were no children between the couple.
Since such divorces were common in aristocratic societies, a new marriage was possible without damaging each other’s honor.
After hearing the story, Gillard, who had been silently thinking about it, was finally able to figure out why Luciel was looking for the Bellstein family. First of all, he thought that he had to help the child.
“I’m in favor of this marriage. Oh, of course, I wish they could be happy forever without getting divorced.”
“Father.”
“I don’t know the details, but it seems that Luciel is not being protected by the Count. And I think my family can do that for her.”
“……Yes. I need a family to protect me.”
Luciel’s calm attitude was annoying to the Duke. She was saving something outrageous as if it was very natural, the child had no sadness at all.
‘It must be a child who was not loved by her parents.
That much could be easily guessed.
The Count’s Young Lady came to his family and asked to be protected, risking her own life for that.
“Didn’t you say it was a deal with your own mouth? I’ll listen to the conditions first.”
“….. Ah.”
“A transaction is established only when each other exchanges something that’s reasonable.”
In anticipation of the Duke’s question, there was a prepared answer.
“I can give the Duke what he needs.”
The Duke who was listening showed curiosity,
“For example?”
“I can help you get Magic Stones.”
Luciel’s jewel was not just a normal jewel. There was strong magical power inside them. Stones with magical powers, although expensive, were easily accessible items.
However, Luciel’s gem was much stronger than the usual magic stone and contained a large amount of magical power. If you roll it around saying it’s a highgrade magic stone, no one will suspect that it is a gem made by Luciel.
The Bellstein family is a family that is good at magic, so they must use a lot of it, and, needless to say, it was a good deal for the Duke.
The Duke and Gillard listened to Luciel and looked at each other’s faces. Gillard asked.
“How can you get the Magic Stone?”
“My late maternal grandfather told me where the Magic Stone’s were buried.”
Although Luciel was lying, she raised all stakes as if she had already wed in the Duchy.
“In Bellstein, there is a separate place to extract magic stones. So there’s no need for you to save me using that. I don’t need any more of that material. Bellstein’s safes and storages are overflowing with them.”
Luciel was somewhat discouraged by his arrogant expression that there was nothing to be desired.
‘What should I do? Is it not possible this way?’
On the other hand, I also liked the Duke’s refusal to accept material things.
It seemed that the wealthy Duke of Bellstein would not covet my jewels. However, at first, the Crown Prince also approached without making it obvious.
It’s too early to believe that. If he actually sees my jewels, he might covet them. Because everyone did.
Luciel tried hard to make up her heart.
“Is there anything else other than that?”
The Duke glanced at Luciel’s eyes. Ironically, his words were correct. She wasn’t good at working, she wasn’t smart, she wasn’t strong
Come to think of it, I suddenly thought there was nothing I was good at.
But she couldn’t back down here. Luciel decided to be brave.
“I like Bellstein. I don’t have any valuables or talents to give, but if you ask me, I’ll do anything.”
“Hmm… therefore?”
The Duke still looked bored.
Luciel took out her last card.
There was something only Luciel could do. Knowing the future.
Luciel shone her eyes with determination and opened her lips.
“I know how to protect Bellstein.”
The Duke’s eyes changed at those words.
“What?”
Luciel thought of what would happen in the near future. It would have a major impact on Bellstein. Around the time Luciel had just finished awakening and was locked up in a glass vault. I heard the servants gossiping.
“They said there was a landslide on Mount Lafayette.’
Somehow, two days before, a heavy rain started and there was a strange noise from the mountain. Something sounded like the earth was cracking.’
It was a big incident that caused dozens of casualties as the soil collapsed, blocking the carriage pathways, and damaging the farmhouses in the Bellstein estate.
But he won’t believe me if I just tell him this.
Then, at that moment, the rain started pouring out the window, like a lie.
It’s the day after tomorrow. After this heavy rain, there will be a landslide.’
“There will be a big landslide on Mount Lafayette the day after tomorrow. You need to protect the farms in nearby land and evacuate the people.”
At Luciel’s words, the Duke’s forehead narrowed. He had a skeptical face.
“There has never been a landslide. On what basis are you saying that?”
Luciel said, pointing to the window.
“When it rains, the mountains will tell you. Send someone near the mountain later to check for strange noises.”
“A strange noise?”
“Yes, the sound of the soil collapsing. If the ground of the mountain weakens, it cannot hold the rain, and the soil will collapse.”
Gillard nodded at Luciel’s words. It made sense.
“Then we will be able to confirm for sure.”
The Duke was still silent, as if he had not made up his mind. Gillard grabbed the Duke’s arm.
“I’d better take Luciel’s word for it. That child is not a child who will harm us by lying. In addition, even in the dark forest where the sun went down while coming here, thorn bushes opened the way for that child alone.”
“….. Is that true?”
The Duke looked at Luciel’s sparkling jewel-like eyes. Gillard once told him that the owner of the forest was a fairy.
“Yes. It was a mystical experience. I believe that child will lead us on the right path. What if the landslide was real, as she said? We can’t afford to be like this.”
The Duke’s expression wrinkled even more at Gillard’s word.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to believe once in a while and come up with countermeasures.”
The Duke paused for a moment as he tapped his forehead as if to show that he had a headache. Meanwhile, Gillard exchanged glances with Luciel.
As if the Duke had come to a conclusion, he looked at Luciel and opened his lips.
“I will check to see if a landslide occurs as the Young Lady said.”
Luciel confidently nodded his head.
“All right.”
Both hers and Gillard’s faces brightened at the same
time.
The Duke hurriedly took out a round communication tool and gave orders through it.
“Recon group C, D. This is an urgent order. Approach the vicinity of Mount Lafayette right now. Observe the mountain for strange noises.”
Soon, less than thirty minutes later, a report from the reconnaissance team came in.
The Duke ordered his servants to do something and took control of the situation, saying it was an ’emergency’. After he immediately turned off the communication channel, the Duke got up from the sofa, wandered around the room, and looked at Luciel again.
“Young Lady Orbia. I think what you said is true.”
“….. I’m happy you believe it.”
Luciel grabbed the hem of her shabby dress and curtsied him. Her demeanor was shabby, but the manners she had learned from her sister was embedded in her body. She had been told by her sister a long time ago. ‘We were Nobles.’.
The Duke raised an eyebrow.
“I think I need an explanation. How did you know it was a landslide? Come to think of it, you said you were going to protect Bellstein.” “Yes, I can see the future.”
“Foretelling?”
“Actually, it feels like I’m having a prophetic dream.”
……. It’s a dream to see the future. What did you see there that made you come here to protect Bellstein?”
The Duke took a step closer and urged Luciel. Gillard became concerned about her and stood in his way,
“Hold on now, the child will be scared.”
However, Luciel shook her head and looked intently into the Duke’s eyes.
“……. I only remember parts of my dream, but the black barrier collapsed.”
The Duke and Gillard were shocked to hear that the Black Wall had fallen, and their pupils shook.
“……What kind of crazy person dares wage war with Bellstein?”
The Duke’s forehead was terribly wrinkled, but Luciel thought it would be better not to talk about it now.
“I remember the dreams piece by piece, so I can’t exactly tell you right now. But I can promise you. I will help prevent Bellstein from falling.”
The child’s eyes were sincere, but the Duke agonized for a while. It was not easy to believe something from a child who suddenly appeared from nowhere and is having precognitive dreams of Bellstein downfall. However, it was impossible to deny what happened just now, so after worrying for a bit longer, the Duke eventually nodded.
“……Good. About Young Lady Orbia’s proposal, I will, accept it for now. But it is not a perfect contract.”
The Duke crossed his arms and looked over Luciel and said.
“It seems that the Young Lady isn’t even old enough to get married yet.”
“What?”
“In order to get married under imperial law, you must be 10 years old. In addition, it is an age when marriage is possible only with the permission of your parents. There’s still a few years left.”
“Yes, I know that. But in a few months I will be ten.”
The Duke and Gillard looked down at her at the same time.
“You’re nine now?”
A small body and face that looks much younger than a nine-year-old.
“How can you be a 9-year-old with that little body?” (Duke)
“Oh my, this is absurd. Luciel, weren’t you a six-yearold baby?” (Grandpa)