Cordelia approached it cautiously, calming her startled heart.

“Wh-who are you?”

“Pardon my late introduction. Greetings. I am Baron Langsha.”

It—though still uncertain if it was human—bowed politely in greeting. She spoke with eyes mixed with curiosity and fear.

“Baron Langsha?”

“I am Lord Leonard’s first servant and a symbol of loyalty and unwavering integrity.”

“Leonard? Do you mean Leonard Atilei?”

“That is correct.”

“Leonard Atilei, who only complains about side dishes at every meal and has not a shred of compassion for women and children?”

“…Ahem. That is correct.”

The Baron cleared his throat unnecessarily and averted his gaze. Having confirmed this, Cordelia could finally approach him with a bright smile.

“I see. Then how should I address you?”

“However you feel comfortable.”

“Alright, Baron. The reason you’ve appeared before me is… um. Is the master calling for me?”

“No. Lord Leonard is unaware that I have shown myself to the Countess Abrams. However.”

“Call me Cordelia. Being addressed by that surname doesn’t sit well with me.”

Cordelia frowned as she pointed this out. The Baron immediately lowered himself and changed the form of address as he continued speaking.

“I have taken the liberty of appearing to help Lady Cordelia.”

“Help me?”

“I will help you become Lord Leonard’s disciple.”

He said with a meaningful smile. Moreover, his confidence that she wouldn’t refuse his offer was subtly evident.

“Why?”

However, he paused briefly at Cordelia’s unexpected question.

“Why, you ask? I thought you would ask ‘how’.”

“When someone with no apparent connection to me suddenly offers to help, isn’t it natural to first understand their intentions?”

Though her tone was casual, the content was exceedingly sharp and accurate. The Baron was momentarily dumbfounded before he laughed.

“Now I see why Lord Leonard keeps Lady Cordelia close.”

“Close? The master is keeping me at the farthest distance in the world.”

“You know the master’s identity and yet you’re still alive. That is a most remarkable thing.”

“……”

This time, Cordelia was at a loss for words. It seems that being ‘close’ to Leonard far exceeds the category she had in mind.

“So why does the Baron want to help me? Since you came without the master’s knowledge, I assume you didn’t get permission.”

“As you well know, Lord Leonard is currently in a very dangerous situation. If Maximilian learns he’s alive here, he won’t leave him be. Moreover, Count Abrams, the body’s owner, is in such a precarious position that it wouldn’t be strange if poison were to appear in his food at any time.”

“That’s true.”

“In other words, it means he desperately needs an ally here.”

“I’ve thought so all along. But seeing you by his side, it seems my help isn’t that useful.”

To be honest, Cordelia doubted whether she would be of any help to Leonard at all. In reality, the only favor she had done for him was throwing a letter into the air.

“There are times when I have to leave the master’s side due to certain circumstances. If Lady Cordelia were to poison the master’s food during my absence, I would lose my master twice.”

“…So you don’t need my help, you just want to ensure I don’t harm the master.”

“That expression would be more accurate.”

The Baron spoke politely but firmly. Cordelia pouted.

“That’s too much. Where could you find someone as kind as me?”

“Of course, I am aware of Lady Cordelia’s beautiful character, but since I once lost my master by trusting human goodwill.”

Well, Leonard was betrayed and killed by his own blood relative. It might be natural to distrust humans.

“I suppose helping me become his disciple is an extension of that. If I become his disciple, I won’t try to harm him.”

“With your sharp mind, there’s no need for me to explain my intentions further.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill me?”

“……”

“Silencing me by killing me would be the cleanest solution.”

Saying such terrifying things so casually was somehow reminiscent of Leonard. The Baron licked his lips and spoke honestly.

“While I didn’t rule out that option, I judged it better to have a trustworthy ally within the Count’s household. And I also want to keep things quiet until the master returns to his original position.”

“Then are you going to tell me some of the master’s weaknesses? I thought maybe I could use that to blackmail my way into becoming his disciple.”

Cordelia’s eyes sparkled intensely as she spoke the word ‘blackmail’. The Baron’s voice faltered slightly in surprise.

“Um, rather than weaknesses… I’ll tell you how to stay by the master’s side for a long time.”

He spoke with his chin raised, as if bestowing a great favor. Instead, Cordelia frowned and retorted.

“I don’t really want to stay by that man’s side for long. I just want to learn some minor magic and become a magic appraiser…”

“No!”

Before she could finish speaking, the Baron widened his eyes and snapped.

“A magic appraiser! Are you thinking of having a job? Good heavens, if it becomes known that Lord Leonard’s disciple is a magic appraiser, the master’s reputation will hit rock bottom.”

“Your reaction is exactly the same as someone else’s. Is it really that surprising?”

“When Lady Cordelia formally accepts magical power into her body, you’ll understand what that means.”

The Baron shook his head and let out a shallow sigh.

“I’ll help as much as I can. Besides, since the master seems to think well of Lady Cordelia, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“He thinks well of me? Where did you see that?”

This time, she was truly puzzled. He’s always crabby and tells her to leave whenever she says anything, so on what basis was the Baron saying such things?

“You’ll understand what I mean later. You don’t need to do anything to become his disciple. To be precise, no matter what you do, the master won’t easily accept it.”

“Then what exactly are you asking me to… Never mind, just tell me one of the master’s weaknesses. I won’t tell him I heard it from you.”

“There’s a much simpler method than that.”

“What is it?”

“You know, to undress a traveler, the warm sun is needed more than the wind. Compassion is the only way to melt the master’s hard heart.”

The Baron smiled meaningfully. Cordelia was about to ask inwardly, ‘What compassion could that heartless man have?’

“Young mistress.”

A sudden voice from behind ended their conversation. Cordelia awkwardly turned around.

“Hmm?”

“So this is where you were.”

The stable hand had arrived at some point. Cordelia hid the feed box behind her back and glanced sideways. Fortunately, the Baron had already disappeared without a trace.

“Ah. I was just feeding Lottie.”

“You mean this dog? But.”

The servant frowned as he looked at Lottie. He didn’t seem to like the idea of a stray dog frequenting the Count’s stables.

Cordelia asked with a kind face.

“Your name?”

“It’s Peter, young mistress.”

“I see, Peter. Lottie is the dog I cherish most in this castle. She resembles the hunting dog my father raised when I was young.”

“Is that so?”

Peter looked bewildered by the mistress’s unexpected explanation.

“So if I ever find out that you’ve kicked Lottie or mistreated her when I’m not around, I might have you thrown out of the castle.”

Her tone was gentle and kind, but the warning within was blatant. He immediately bowed and begged for forgiveness. Like the merciful mistress she was, Cordelia readily forgave the servant.

“Alright, Peter. Why did you call for me?”

“Ah, the Madam is looking for you.”

“Of course.”

She had hoped it might be Leonard looking for her, but it was as expected. She left the stable, trudging along without hiding her disappointment.

* * *

Even after meeting with the Baron, Leonard showed no change in attitude. If anything, he pushed her away even more brusquely. However, Cordelia treated him with an even kinder face.

‘Does the food suit your taste today?’
‘Shall I open the window a bit more?’
‘Do you have any more letters to send?’

Just as Leonard was beginning to grow accustomed to her presence, it happened.

“Lily has arrived now?”

“Yes. I hear she’s passing through the outer castle now.”

Cracks appeared on Cordelia’s face, which had been maintaining composure. She thought Lily wouldn’t arrive until next week, but she had arrived so quickly.

“That’s good news.”

“Oh my. The maids are in tears. It seems she’ll be staying for quite a while, and they’re dreading how much they’ll be bossed around.”

As Emily grumbled, Cordelia responded with an ambiguous smile, neither affirming nor denying.

As they walked down the corridor, Helena’s back came into view. Unlike usual, her steps seemed quite joyful. It was understandable, as she was on her way to meet her only daughter. Cordelia quietly followed behind her.

“Mother!”

“Lily. Let me see your face. Oh my. You’ve become half of what you were. You should visit more often. How many months has it been?”

The mother and daughter exchanged affectionate words, catching up. Only after passing through the castle gate did Lily notice Cordelia’s presence beside her.

As their eyes met, Cordelia had no choice but to greet her first.

“Welcome, Lily.”

“Your husband is bedridden, yet you’ve grown so plump.”

“……”

“You seem to have it easy? If Craig had passed away, you could have been kicked out for good this time.”

“……”

“Ah, how unpleasant. I knew we shouldn’t have accepted you into this family.”

It would have been better to deal with Helena.

At least Helena ignored Cordelia as if she didn’t exist, rather than growling every time their eyes met.

Responding at times like this only wears one down mentally and physically. She endured the insult with familiarity.

‘It’s okay, it’s nothing. I’m just bowing down for the future.’