Chapter 1.3

“Excuse me….”

She spoke in a small voice and carefully opened the door.

“……!”

There was no one in the room. Instead, she saw bookshelves filled with books.

With her mouth agape, she stepped lightly into the room.

Judging by the quality materials of the wooden chair and desk, it seemed to be a noble’s room, but instead of thinking she should leave immediately, she felt an urge to sit there.

Perhaps she was still half-asleep, or maybe she was enchanted, but she found herself standing in front of the desk.

On the desk were thick books and papers with problems written on them. The paper contained scribbles of formulas and letters, as if the owner of the room had tried to solve them but gave up because they were too difficult.

“…….”

Though she didn’t know who the owner of the room was, she thought he must be either poor at studying or very young, because these were problems she had solved when she was ten.

Glancing around for a nonexistent owner, she picked up the pen stuck in the ink bottle.

The problems were solved smoothly. Not wanting to waste the expensive paper, she wrote small formulas in tiny letters on a torn corner of the paper as she solved the problems.

She was so absorbed in solving the problems that she didn’t even notice the presence at the door. It was when she had solved about twenty problems.

“…Who are you?”

“……!”

Startled, she turned her head toward the voice and saw a silhouette standing in the darkness. It was a boy who looked about her age.

Even in the darkness, his sharp eyes and vividly colored turquoise eyes shone brightly. His white skin, well-maintained, highlighted his noble demeanor.

His shirt buttons were casually undone, and his faded, pale golden hair was tousled, but he was the most handsome boy she had ever seen.

As she stared blankly at his face, the boy who had approached her half-glaring asked while looking down at the problems she had solved.

“…Did you solve this?”

“Huh? Yes.”

Judging by the luxurious fabric of his clothes and his arrogant attitude, it was clear that this boy was the owner of the room and the Young Master of the mansion.

Having grown up watching her loud and domineering father grovel before the Earl, she knew how nobles treated commoners like her.

Even if she was the niece of an aide, a powerless commoner who displeased the Young Master could face dire consequences.

Feeling his gaze scrutinizing her attire, she bowed her head deeply and awkwardly clasped her hands behind her back. As a commoner, she knew nothing of noble etiquette, so she thought it best to remain silent to avoid any fault.

“Sorry… I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

She stammered, trying to read his mood, and the boy muttered softly.

“What are you saying?”

He really had a lot to say about my stammering, didn’t he? What a twisted fellow. Does he think being handsome is everything?

Her internal assessment of the boy plummeted instantly. She slightly turned her head to hide her distorted expression.

“…….”

Meanwhile, the boy, glancing over the formulas and problems she had solved, looked surprised and scrutinized her attire.

“Hmm, it’s not a servant’s outfit…. Ah, you must be Harold’s niece?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re a commoner.”

“…Yes.”

The boy turned his gaze back to the paper and muttered. Though it was a mutter, it was loud enough to be heard by anyone.

“Wow, amazing. I thought all commoners were stupid.”

I’ve never spoken to a noble before, but are they all so twisted?

She slightly furrowed her eyebrows and opened her mouth.

“Yes, I’m smart.”

“…….”

When she answered like that, the boy looked at her with a curious expression as if she had grown five eyes.

“Do you know how to read? Did you use formulas from the advanced course?”

Instead of answering, she nodded.

Indeed, it was rare for a commoner to be able to read at this level. And she had coincidentally solved that problem from one of the books she read after being barred from attending school.

“Well, anyway. Don’t you have something to say to me?”

The boy crossed his arms and scrutinized her with sharp eyes.

Feeling guilty, she bowed her head deeply and muttered.

“…I’m sorry for entering and touching your belongings without permission.”

“At least you understand.”

The boy scoffed and put down the paper he was holding, staring at her intently.

The turquoise eyes were fascinating since she had never seen them before, but she was more curious about why he was looking at her like that.

With a haughty expression, the boy continued.

“If I tell anyone that you entered my room and touched my belongings without permission, both you and your uncle might be kicked out.”

“……!”

If it were just her being kicked out, she could endure it, but involving her uncle changed the situation.

Swallowing hard, she wriggled her fingers behind her back and mumbled.

“…I’m really sorry.”

“Forget it.”

The boy answered shortly, seeming genuinely unconcerned.

…If he was going to act like that, why did he scare me in the first place?

Anyway, emboldened by his words, she picked up the candlestick from the desk.

“Then may I leave?”

“…Do as you please.”

To her question, the boy muttered as if annoyed, though she couldn’t understand what had irked him.

Nobles were indeed difficult to please.

She wrinkled her nose and turned to leave, but the boy called out from behind her.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

The boy waved the paper with the formulas she had written and smiled crookedly.

“If you don’t want anyone to know about this, come back here tomorrow.”

* * *

Seeing the sunlight streaming between her closed eyes, she knew it was morning.

Her uncle, who had been awake first, drew the curtains and greeted her cheerfully.

“Did you sleep well, Raven?”

Barely managing to open her sleepy eyes and nod, her uncle smiled gently and patted her head. He seemed to be preparing for work, wearing glasses with strings and a crisply ironed shirt.

“You must have been very tired.”

Unlike her, who often heard she seemed sensitive due to her sharp appearance, her uncle had a gentle demeanor that made those around him feel at ease. He had black hair, always neatly arranged, and light green eyes, the same color as hers. Especially the mole on his cheek contributed to his mild atmosphere.

Despite his neat face, the area under his eyes was dark, likely because he had given her his room and worked all night.

Feeling awkward, she looked at her uncle and timidly raised her hand.

“Yes… Uncle.”

“Yes?”

“Is there a Young Master my age here?”

“…What?”

Her uncle’s shoulders suddenly twitched. It was a small movement, but she could clearly notice it. As he hurriedly turned his body while arranging the curtains, the strings of his glasses clinked together.

Her uncle gripped her shoulders tightly and asked in a low voice, an unusual behavior for someone usually so gentle and kind.

“Did you, by any chance, meet Young Master Enoch?”

Enoch. So that boy’s name was Enoch.

Frightened by her uncle’s sudden change in demeanor, she slowly nodded, and her uncle rolled up her sleeve. After confirming there were no injuries on her arm, he asked again with a worried expression.

“You’re not hurt anywhere?”

“Huh? Yes….”

Her uncle asked again as if to confirm, while she stammered in surprise.

“Really, nothing happened, right?”

“Yes, we just passed by each other.”

In truth, it wasn’t just passing by; they exchanged words and she was even somewhat threatened, but she nodded as if it was true to avoid worrying her uncle.

“The Young Master has a rather violent and arrogant nature. Considering his family situation, it’s understandable.”

Her uncle continued, mentioning that the Madam had passed away long ago and the Marquis wasn’t a particularly kind father.

Certainly, such a bad attitude didn’t seem to come out of nowhere. However, the Young Master’s family matters were something her kind uncle might care about, but not her concern. Still, she began to worry about how unpleasant he might act when they met that night.

“You can stay in this room today. Feel free to take a book from the shelf or play with a pen. I’ve asked Miss Jane to take care of your meals, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“If you need a snack, you can eat the candy on the desk.”

Even while busily preparing to leave, her uncle didn’t forget to give her a smiling glance.

She nodded energetically and clasped her hands together.

But candy? Although she liked candy, wasn’t he treating her too much like a child?

Of course, aside from that, her uncle was truly kind. It must have been uncomfortable to have a niece who came without notice staying in his room, yet he didn’t show it at all.

“By the way, you’ll have your own bed soon.”

“…Thank you.”

She smiled back at her uncle and bowed her head in greeting.

“Have a good day, Uncle.”

“Yes, I’ll be back.”

When she bowed in greeting, her uncle gently patted her head and left the room.

Soon, she heard the sound of the door closing, leaving her alone in the room.