But this magic was necessary for...
'Those who are not qualified.'
Therefore, those who were qualified, such as key figures like Ligrin, the aide, and direct descendants, could enter the office without the above magic.
In other words,
'I am not qualified.'
As an illegitimate child who wasn't even properly recognized as a direct descendant, I could only enter the Duke's office through magic used by outsiders.
Ligrin, who had been silently staring at me, asked abruptly.
"Are you alright?"
It wasn't concern for my feelings about being treated like an outsider.
It was a kind of provocation, asking if I could handle this.
And.
"If I have to, I have to."
That kind of provocation didn't bother me at all.
'What's new?'
What is an outsider?
Considering that I wasn't even treated like a human, being treated like an outsider was almost appreciated.
"How do I do it?"
When I asked with an indifferent face, Ligrin looked at me for a moment and explained.
"Just put your hand on the Lordbel crest engraved on the door."
"Yes."
Simple.
I turned and stood in front of the huge door. I was about to put my hand on the crest when...
'Ah.'
I was faced with a problem. Namely,
'It's too high.'
The location where the crest was engraved was too high for me.
Even if I raised my heels all the way, even if I jumped with all my might, I couldn't even touch the tip of my fingers.
I thought while catching my breath, which had risen from jumping too much.
'Well......'
In a way, it was only natural.
How could any child alone enter the Lordbel Duke's office?
Direct descendants could enter without magic, and other children would always be accompanied by an adult.
I, who wasn't recognized as a direct descendant and had no guardian to take me in, couldn't even put my hand on that crest.
'......Huh.'
I swallowed the rising ridicule.
'It's too much, really.'
The Lordbel crest, which I couldn't reach even when I struggled, was like telling me.
No matter how much you struggle, you can't reach this place......
'Don't make me laugh.'
If my own strength is not enough, I will climb on something.
If that doesn't work, I will borrow someone else's strength to reach it.
'I will never give up.'
I looked around.
Of course, there was no ladder for children.
Then.
Spin.
I turned and looked at Ligrin.
He was standing a step away, watching me without moving.
As if saying that my struggle was completely unrelated to him.
Well, it's not surprising. He was originally that kind of person.
But.
"Can you lift me up, Head Butler?"
I'm going to have to use you again this time.
But he didn't easily let me use him.
"Is there any reason why I should?"
It was a heartless tone with no highs or lows.
Ordinary children would have burst into tears just by hearing that voice.
"Yes. There is."
"......"
"The Duke told you to bring me. You have to follow that order."
Only then did Ligrin's eyes shake very slightly.
I smiled innocently and continued.
"If I can't get in here, you'll be in trouble too."
So stop with the useless power struggle and let me in here, Ligrin Pedlan. After all, this is a fight I can only win.
Silence followed my words.
Ligrin stared at me with his mouth tightly shut, and I smiled unwavering in front of him.
Eventually.
"......You're right."
Ligrin admitted his defeat.
"I will help you."
He strode towards me.
Then, without warning-
Suddenly.
"......!"
He lifted me up to the height of the crest in one go.
Of course, I expected him not to be kind, but I was startled by his unexpected action.
My heart sank for a moment.
'Is this revenge?'
He acted like he was so noble, but I didn't know he would take revenge in such a childish way.
'It's okay.'
No matter what his attitude is, the important thing is that I achieved my goal.
I looked at the Lordbel crest, which was close to my eyes.
As if to represent a family that had reached the pinnacle of technology by combining magic and swordsmanship, a staff with a crescent-shaped magic stone and a flamboyant long sword were crossed in an X shape.
Around it were symbols representing Lordbel.
A crest with an extraordinary beauty and arrogance at a glance. It was truly Lordbel.
"......"
I engraved the crest in my eyes for a moment, then spread out my small, thin palm and placed it on top of it. Then......
-Whirr!
A gust of wind from the crest seemed to wrap around me, and then a purple circle shape was engraved on the back of my hand.
The geometric pattern engraved in the circle remained on the back of my hand like a stamp without disappearing.
'Amazing.'
I knew that magical devices were installed throughout Lordbel, but it was really mysterious to experience it directly.
"The crest will disappear in an hour. It is harmless to the human body."
Ligrin explained, interpreting what I was doing as just staring at the circle on the back of my hand.
'I didn't ask.'
But there was no need to provoke him any further, so I nodded.
"Thank you."
Then I waited for him to put me down......
"......?"
Several minutes had passed, but Ligrin's hand, which had lifted me up, didn't go down.
'What? Why aren't you putting me down?'
At this point, I was starting to get anxious.
Surely he wouldn't just open his hand and drop me, would he?
I glanced down.
'If I fall from here, I'll at least break a bone.'
Of course, I know that Ligrin isn't the kind of person who would do anything unnecessary to injure me.
'But I did provoke him.'
Even if he acts like a cold-blooded person, he's still human, so he'll have some desire for revenge.
Thinking that way, I felt more and more anxious, so I called him slightly.
"Um...... Head Butler?"
"What is it?"
"Um, excuse me, but can you put me down? I'm a little scared."
"Ah."
Ligrin's eyes widened behind his glasses.
Then he said.
"I was so light that I had temporarily forgotten that I was holding you."
With that said, he finally put me down.
"......"
For a moment, I was speechless.
So that's what he's doing now.
'Is he teasing me?'
He said I was so small and skinny that he didn't even know he was holding me.
'He's so annoying.'
I cursed Ligrin for even making personal attacks, and said.
"So can I go in now?"
He checked the crest on the back of my hand for a moment and nodded.
Then he knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
"Lord, I have brought Lucia...... Lady."
"Come in."
A voice that felt heavy just by listening to it was heard from beyond the door.
As soon as I heard that voice, my heart tightened.
'Lucia, I don't know how lucky I am to have you.'
Before falling into the abyss, the sweet words that whispered to me to seduce me were scattered chaotically in my head, but.
'......Get a grip.'
I can't be shaken by just this.
'You're better than anyone at killing emotions.'
I cut off the affection for the existence called father, the desperation to beg for his affection, and the blind emotions that had swallowed me at the time.
Then the fluctuating heart gradually regained stability.
'Yes, it's okay.'
I felt confident that I wouldn't be shaken even if I saw him again.
"You can go in alone."
Ligrin opened the door.
For a moment, bright light filled my vision. It was because of the pouring sunlight.
'Wow......'
I, who had entered the Duke's office, was purely impressed.
'It's amazing.'
First of all, what caught my eye was the huge window that took up the entire front.
Sunlight was pouring dazzlingly through the huge window.
Beyond the window, the beautiful scenery of Lordbel's proud central garden was framed like a painting.
It was early winter, so it had a more desolate and dry feeling than other seasons, but even that was like a masterpiece.
The fireplace fire was burning on the left wall, and the bookshelf on the opposite side was filled with books.
It wasn't very flashy, but the old age and heavy stability that could be felt at a glance seemed to represent the identity of the 'Lordbel Ducal Family'.
And at the center of all those things......
'......Duke Ego Lordbel.'
A man with a much younger appearance than my last memory was skimming through documents in a posture without a trace of disarray.
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