Time flew like an arrow — already a month had passed.
For the first time in a while, the ducal castle was bustling.
No wonder, since today all the second and third generations of the Astra dukedom had gathered together.
And with each accompanied by their aides and servants, an enormous crowd was inevitable!
There was only one reason why both second and third generations assembled.
Though I was announced first place in the yearly evaluation, the rankings hadn’t been revealed yet.
‘The second gens are tense because it’s the day to announce the third gens’ rankings.’
I relaxed while observing the stiff faces of the second generation.
‘This is the luxury of the winner!’
Though the third gens were still young, Astra was a strict hierarchical society.
The rankings of the third gens naturally influenced the standing of the older second generation.
Not only their direct descendants but even retainers paid close attention.
It was practically the day when an objective indicator would reveal whether one’s master family was a real prize or just a sham.
Above all, the platinum medal awarded to the honored first-place winner was not only a mark of prestige but came with huge rewards.
‘The prize is seriously the best...’
I smiled blissfully as I thought of the prize.
Whoever received the platinum medal could enter anywhere within the Astra manor at will.
Not only that, but the allowance given was incomparably larger than what other third gens got.
‘The allowance the medal recipient receives can no longer be called just an allowance.’
It was said to rival the treasury of a decent domain.
And that magnificent privilege —
‘was hanging right around my neck!’
Clink, clink.
The medal clanged beautifully as it brushed against my clothes.
With every step, the lovely medal swayed over my chest.
I ran my fingers over the delicate patterns engraved on its surface and smiled with satisfaction.
I felt proud.
Of course, not just because of the medal itself, but thanks to the benefits that came attached.
‘Honor doesn’t mean anything.’
What really mattered was money and privileges.
I smirked as I thought,
‘How should I make the most of these medal benefits?’
But there were people fussing even more than me over the medal.
Dionera and Liantin.
“Wow, wow! A platinum medal! Usually only Selene or Blizen have one.”
“I-I want to see it too! Wow, look at that shine. The color is totally different!”
“It’s true. But... I think it looks better on Erilot than on Selene or Blizen.”
The two chattered noisily at my sides, unable to take their eyes off the medal.
“I’ll wear a platinum medal someday too!”
Liantin clenched her fist resolutely.
She looked so earnest that I chuckled.
Knowing how hard Liantin worked, her enthusiasm was adorable.
“Yeah. You’ll get one next time.”
“Of course.”
We walked down the corridor chatting side by side.
Then—
We heard voices ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) different from our chatter.
Someone was quarreling around the corner of the corridor.
“Wait.”
“Hmm?”
“Be quiet.”
At my words, the two fell silent.
Then the voices became clearer.
“Well, I said it’s difficult right now. I told you to wait a bit, and I’d return it soon.”
“Of course we believe you. But please consider our situation. We can’t hold on any longer either...”
“H-how can I give what I don’t have right now? Check everything I own. Do you think I’d keep it if I had it?”
“Do you really intend to give it? You said you’d after half a month, but it’s been six months now.”
Hmm. Sounds like money talk.
As I approached the corner, the quarrel got louder.
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m dodging payment? Are you insulting me?”
The borrower shouted.
But from that, I knew for sure.
They were hit right where it hurt.
They were trying to stiff him.
Usually, the person who gets stung reacts with anger like that.
But the other party shrank back, meek.
“I’m just asking. You keep saying it’s hard, so we’re struggling too...”
“But that’s because our Selene didn’t get the platinum medal this time—!”
A sharp, irritable voice broke in.
It sounded very displeased.
“I know the circumstances...”
“That’s enough! I know how much you despise me!”
We held our breath as a woman huffed and appeared from behind the corner.
Then I saw her face.
‘If that’s Bastina, it’s obvious who it is.’
Bastina was Selene’s mother, who had almost always ranked first in the hierarchy.
Our eyes met.
Bastina glanced at the medal around my neck, then frowned deeply.
“You...!”
The moment she saw me, her face twisted like she had tasted something bitter.
No, even worse.
A face that seemed to want to punch me.
Bastina glared down at me with a domineering attitude.
“Hey! When you see an elder, you should greet them.”
Just me?
What about the others?
Though Dionera and Liantin stood beside me, Bastina stared at me as if she wanted to tear me apart.
“Um...”
“You’re out! Do grown-ups’ words even sound like words to you?”
When Dionera tried to intervene, Bastina shouted fiercely as if about to devour her.
Liantin quickly grabbed Dionera’s wrist and pulled her back.
She knew well how wild Bastina could get if she lost control.
‘Wow, she must be furious that I got the platinum medal, not Selene.’
Well, I can’t blame her.
It seemed like Selene planned to repay debts with that medal.
‘She’s always been mad at me since I threatened her position after turning eight.’
People said it was because I challenged Selene’s rank since I turned eight.
I politely bowed slightly.
“Greetings, Aunt.”
“Aunt.”
“Aunt.”
Liantin and Dionera followed my greeting.
Bastina ignored them both and kept staring only at me.
Her eyes scanned me from head to toe without blinking, as if searching for faults.
‘There’s nothing to fault.’
I was taught manners by Lady Gonalong herself.
That cute little greedy girl was indeed thorough.
“......”
As expected, Bastina found no flaw and bit her lip in frustration.
Then she spun around fiercely and stomped off in the opposite direction.
‘Oh. What a pathetic exit.’
Honestly, I didn’t care much, but that debtor must have felt pitiful.
Being a direct descendant of Astra, they probably couldn’t properly pressure for repayment out of fear of grandfather’s displeasure.
What a pain.
“Bastina! Bastina! Our talk isn’t over yet!”
The man who argued with her followed behind.
‘Oh, that man...’
I recognized him.
‘He’s a retainer of the Astra ducal family?’
Could he really have borrowed money from a retainer?
‘Crazy.’
Even borrowing money from one’s direct subordinate is shameful.
But borrowing from a retainer who serves the family?
‘Grandfather would go crazy if he knew.’
How could a direct descendant of Astra be so short of money?
And Selene was always top three among the third generation.
I shook my head and moved on.
Dionera and Liantin, tense before, relaxed and whispered.
“Ugh, so fierce.”
“Erilot, how can you not even blink under Aunt Bastina’s gaze? She looked like she wanted to tear you apart.”
“I did blink.”
They clicked their tongues at me.
“See? So composed.”
Liantin narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed.
But in the corner of her eyes was a hint of pink affection, and I found that cute.
‘Just like a proud Pomeranian.’
Dionera asked,
“We have class, so we have to go. What about you, Erilot?”
“Hmm...”
My only reason for coming to the factory was one thing.
Allowance!
—not really, to receive the medal.
Now that my pockets were full and my goal achieved, I planned to return to the domain.
“I’m going back now.”
“Okay! Take care!”
“That’s too bad. See you next time.”
After saying goodbye to them,
I headed to our family carriage.
Taking the forest path was faster than the promenade outside, so I turned toward the woods.
‘I should visit Ragon on the way.’
I had left Ragon at the factory recently.
Unable to handle the twins’ pestering, I truly worried Ragon might escape.
He came as a guard monster, but Ragon seemed to like it here more.
Sunlight was blazing.
Leaves shimmered.
Sunbeams filtering through the light green foliage looked more beautiful than jewels.
But what made me happiest was this medal.
The platinum medal flashed like pure gold when sunlight hit it.
I felt amazing!
The forest’s fragrant breeze filled my lungs refreshingly.
“Hmph, hmm—.”
A happy hum escaped me.
While crossing the forest,
I heard rustling nearby.
‘What’s that noise?’
I turned toward the sound.
But there were only trees, nothing else.
‘...Maybe just the wind?’
Just as I was about to walk again—
“Haah...”
This time, a clear sigh.
A slender girl’s voice.
‘Who is that?’
I listened carefully and quietly crept closer.
Peeking past some branches blocking my view—
‘Blizen?’
There sat Blizen, leaning against a tree on the grass.
His eyes closed in the sunlight, looking like a painting.
‘Strange. I heard a girl’s voice.’
Looking around, sure enough, there was a maid in a maid outfit.
So she must have been the one speaking.
‘But the voice was a bit strange...’
The maid had a youthful face still with baby fat.
Not an adult, and seemed about Blizen’s age.
‘Why is a maid here? Blizen doesn’t seem like the type to rest with others.’
I knew well that Blizen wasn’t someone to easily let others close.
“Ah...”
The maid clasped her hands before her chest, gazing at Blizen with an awestruck expression.
She swallowed saliva and plopped down beside him decisively.
Then she slowly crawled closer on her knees.
“Lord Blizen...”
The maid got so close she was almost nose to nose with Blizen, her gaze dreamy.
And then—
‘Huh?’
Their faces got closer and closer.
So close their noses almost touched.
‘Gasp.’
Though taken aback by the unexpected situation, I quickly understood and turned away.
‘So they’re... like that?’
I understood why Blizen and the maid were alone in the forest.
I was about to pretend not to see and pass by—
‘Wait.’
A sudden unease made me hesitate.
‘Blizen looked like he was asleep.’
Turning back, he was indeed asleep.
His tightly shut eyes showed no sign of opening.
‘Then the person asleep now—’
Just as I thought it,
My mouth opened on its own.
“Hey, you.”
Startled by the sudden voice, the maid jumped.
Without checking whose voice it was, she scrambled quickly away from Blizen.
Only after that did she see me and shrink her shoulders.
“Ah, miss.”
“What are you doing?”
I approached them slowly, voice cold.
The maid rolled her eyes nervously but finally spoke.
“Well... um... Lord Blizen had dust on him...”
“Where was the dust?”
“Well, um...”
The maid faltered and lowered her head deeply.
I frowned and stepped closer.
At that moment—
Blizen’s eyelashes fluttered.
His eyelids opened, revealing ruby-red eyes.
He looked at us with a transparent gaze, as if light passed through his eyes.
“What’s going on?”
His low voice echoed like a cavern.
The maid shrank as if the voice cut her sharply.
Before she could defend herself, I said,
“That maid tried to secretly kiss you.”
“N-no, no! It’s just that there was dust...”
“There’s no dust.”
My words left the maid flustered and speechless.
Blizen quietly watched her and then nodded.
“Thanks for brushing it off.”
“I-I’m sorry—yes?”
The maid looked at Blizen bewildered.
Blizen shrugged as if it was nothing.
“Go.”
Her face brightened immediately.
“T-thank you! Thank you!”
Fearing Blizen would change his mind, she ran off quickly like fleeing.
‘What was that? Should I have minded at all?’
Watching her back, I turned to look at Blizen.
His reaction was not that of someone just waking from sleep.
“You were awake?”