“The place where I live is comfortable, and there are many people who would be uncomfortable if I went in.”

“Elodie, is it not you who is uncomfortable?”

I just laughed at the pointed question.

Many things had become uncomfortable.

Now that I am preparing for independence, moving to the main mansion would have more losses than gains.

Making the antidote that the Duchess ordered is not easy because of Carlott and Yansi interfering, and if I move to the main mansion, it will be completely impossible.

In the annex, the servants avoid catching my eye, but the main mansion was different.

Obviously, there would be many more watching eyes.

That means I wouldn’t be able to move as freely as before.

“Please listen to what will make you comfortable.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“You really won’t come to the main mansion?”

“Yes. I like the annex because I’m used to it. Except for one thing.”

Saying everything was good might offend Duke Ferdia, who had offered, so I left one condition, and the Duke’s eyes changed.

“What’s that one thing?”

I was surprised he really asked, but the answer was not difficult.

“Meals. The main mansion’s chef’s food suits my taste better. But the annex chef’s food is also delicious, so it’s not a big problem.”

I didn’t forget to defend, in case the annex chef got hit by a spark.

The Duke still seemed dissatisfied, but I resisted his insistence on my going to the main mansion, so he seemed to give up.

“If that’s truly what you wish, Elodie, I understand.”

“Thank you for caring.”

“If you change your mind, just say so.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the Duke and smiled brightly.

‘I have to act like a good daughter until I gain independence.’

.

.

.

And the next day.

As soon as I saw the face of the person who knocked on the annex door at dawn, both my maid and I were suddenly wide awake.

“Oh, starting today, I’m the chef in charge of the annex’s meals. Please take care of me, Miss Elodie.”

“……. ”

The main mansion’s chef has been relegated…….

(This is a time separator.)

My maid came into the bedroom and bowed her head to report the uninvited guest’s visit.

“Miss. He came again today.”

“Yan? Or Ka?”

“Lord Ka.”

“Alright…….”

Carlott seemed to be wandering around the garden again.

“Did you try telling him to leave?”

“He told me to call him Miss, so I got angry and just came in.”

“Go, good job.”

Whether it was Carlott calling my maid Miss stubbornly, or my maid entering just because she was angered by a young master, neither had a simple answer.

“Lord Ka really scolded me today. Isn’t he going to be sick with typhoid?”

“Hardly. It’s Carl
The usual sunlight would be nothing for someone different from ordinary humans.

I knew that, but I was bothered by being out under the scorching sun.

Eventually, when I went outside the outbuilding, Carlo, who had spotted me, came running with a wide smile.

“Sister!”

“Why are you out here in this heat?”

“I was waiting for you, Sister. Aren’t you going out today?”

“I will.”

“Ah, is that so……?”

Carlo seemed noticeably disappointed when I said I was going out.

‘You know I’m going out because of you, you oblivious guy.’

Carlo and Yansi had been alternating visits to the outbuilding, and I had recently made a habit of just leaving the mansion.

Unaware or ignoring my feelings, Carlo presented something precious he had been holding in front of me.

“Sister! This is, what was it, an accessory that’s popular among young ladies these days. How about it?”

Carlo had a jewelry box full of various types of accessories.

‘Did he get a girlfriend or something?’

It was strange for Carlo to suddenly ask such a random question, but I replied casually.

“Really? It’s pretty.”

“Pretty? Then you can have it all, Sister.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“It’s not strange for a younger brother to give a gift to his sister. You’ve given me formal wear before.”

“That and this seem like different things, Carlo. I won’t acc[ept–].”

The moment I was about to say I wouldn’t accept it, Carlo darted… He literally darted.

(This is a time separator.)

After leaving the jewelry box Carlo had forcibly bestowed in my room, I prepared to go out.

A short time later, Reian found me. He seemed fairly comfortable with Ferdia after having escorted me for a few days.

As soon as I got into the carriage, Reian asked,

“You seem to be going out frequently these days.”

“Well, there’s a cat annoyingly following me around at home.”

“Do you dislike cats?”

“I like cats.”

Carlo the cat, however…

I had no choice but to wander outside because the Ferdia brothers were overwhelming. At least I was comfortable when I was with Reian.

I also had to visit various stores to complete the task of spending the allowance that Duke Ferdia had given me.

But the problem was still the antidote.

“I need a place to be alone, but it’s not easy. I have work to do that requires concentration.”

I unconsciously complained, and after a brief silence, Reian offered,

“There are many unused rooms in the Mercenary Headquarters. If needed, I can provide a place for you.”

“……Really?”

It was a very tempting offer, especially since I was racking my brains over the antidote.

If I drank the poison, I’d be bedridden for about half a day due to the effects.

If I went to the mercenaries early in the morning and worked on the antidote, I’d be able to move around by evening, which would be perfect.

“Is it really okay?”

“Yes.”

“No one can come in while I’m there.”

If anyone discovered my secret, it would be a problem.

But Reian was adamant again.

“No one will disobey my command.”

“Then can I ask for your help?”

“Yes.”

We immediately turned the carriage’s destination to the Mercenary Headquarters of the Sky Hawk.

Upon arriving at the Mercenaries, we went straight inside.

It was truly an enormous building, as befits the largest mercenary group.

“It may be messy as it hasn’t been cleaned up yet.”

“I’m just looking around today, so it’s fine.”

While Reian and I were walking down the hallway discussing the place, it happened.

A mercenary who appeared from the opposite side greeted Reian happily.

“Oh? Commander. Are you back already? Weren’t you going to Ferdia?”

I wanted to see the face of the owner of that gruff voice, but I couldn’t as Reian was blocking my view.

The other party also seemed unaware of my presence.

The mercenary was quite talkative, enough to chatter about the Commander’s escort target.

“By the way, Commander, you’re working hard. That woman, the one the Commander is escorting, her temperament is no joke, they say. Ripping out men’s hair? They call her the Ferdia’s crazy one! Ahahaha.”

“Shut that mouth.”

“Eh? Why not ‘shut up’ but ‘shut that mouth’?”

“Shut up.”
Perhaps there was something behind Reina that caused Leyan to issue a cold warning, but I had already heard it all.

Soon after, a mercenary standing behind Leyan opened his eyes wide when he found me.

“Who is this? This beautiful person? A lover? Is it a lover?”

I greeted Leyan’s noisy subordinate with a witty remark.

“Hello, I’m Ferdia’s fool! Nice to meet you.”

“……!”

Then the mercenary’s face turned pale.