‘When internal strife broke out in Vicheravali, all those who helped Royan were portrayed as being on the princess’s side.’

They all had one thing in common—they had received favors from her. So despite being born and raised in Vicheravali territory, they had no loyalty toward their leader.

‘Ah, so that’s why he looks at me that way.’

He must have heard about Felicity who tormented the princess.

‘I need to be careful around that child too.’

She mentally noted that there was one more person to be cautious of in this household.

A day passed as she began to learn about Royan bit by bit. During that time, Reibella discovered quite a lot.

As befitting the heir to the only ducal family in the Empire, his daily schedule was extremely packed.

After about an hour of sword practice in the morning, following breakfast, he had his studies for the young duke throughout the morning.

His education was divided over the week: 3 days for politics, economics, and history. Another 3 days for mathematics, literature, and world history. The remaining day was dedicated entirely to military studies.

In the afternoon, sword training began every day, continuing until dinner, and after dinner, Royan’s self-practice followed.

In short, Royan’s daily life had not even a speck of free time from the moment he opened his eyes until the moment he fell asleep.

‘This really hits close to home.’

It was a life not much different from Reibella Felicity, who had been ‘Felicity’s heir.’

At least Reibella had memories from her past life, but Royan was just a child.

Moreover, he was in a state of deep anxiety and inferiority due to the gap created by living at his maternal family’s home, feeling that he was behind others.

Though he pretended to be fine following his schedule, it was clear that when he occasionally got stuck on something, he would become frustrated with himself for not doing better.

Yet watching him strive vigorously to overcome even that sense of inferiority, he felt like the protagonist of a dark hero movie.

In the end, Reibella, who had become fully emotionally invested, came to cheer for him with all her heart.

By late afternoon, when Royan was practicing swordsmanship with Jeranov, she had completely taken Royan’s side.

The side effect was tremendous.

“No! Commander! How could you hit our Royan like that!”

Every time Royan took a hit while training with Jeranov, Reibella would curl her body and frown as if she were the one in pain.

‘Our child is hurting!’ she fretted inwardly.

Like a fan of a much-beloved actor.

While Reibella was genuinely angry and worried like this, Jeranov merely smiled as if he had heard something cute.

As for Royan……

Shut up, get lost.

He glared at Reibella with eyes that said “please shut up and get lost” every time she cheered.

Each time, Reibella would clamp her mouth shut like a clam and calm herself down, thinking she shouldn’t do things that would make her hated, but her resolve didn’t last long. Even when she was quietly watching, she would involuntarily shriek whenever Royan got hit.

Thanks to this, Reibella earned tremendous hatred from Royan, and in turn, provided entertainment to the knights who were watching.

“Hot, isn’t it? Eat this while you practice.”

When Royan was given a break, Reibella quickly ran over and handed him water and a towel.

Of course, Royan didn’t accept them. Reibella, undeterred, approached him and chirped like a bird.

“You need to replenish the fluids you’ve lost. That way your metabolism will be active and……”

“You, didn’t I tell you to stop?”

“But you still need to drink water. And wipe off some sweat too. What if you catch a cold?”

“Won’t you go away?”

Royan irritably swatted away the water and towel Reibella offered and walked far away. He glanced back as if to say absolutely do not follow him.

A small boy with brown hair scurried after him. Their eyes met briefly as they passed, and his eyes seemed to say, ‘You’re making our young master angry with your unnecessary actions.’

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

Still, that little kid. So impertinent.

‘Why am I even doing this!’

I’m trying to save a family in crisis!

As Reibella watched them walk away dejectedly, Charlotte subtly approached and asked.

“Shall I eliminate him?”

Hey, Charlotte? Do you know that when you say it, it doesn’t sound like a joke?

“I’ve noticed for a while, that little boy. His gaze towards you is too intense, Miss. What if our cotton candy Miss melts……”

Seeing Charlotte grinding her teeth mid-sentence, it seemed she was serious.

It seemed she would have to keep her irritation buried deep in her heart. No matter how impertinent and unpleasant he was, he was still going to be Royan’s trusted aide.

“Just bring me new water and a towel, Charlotte.”

A moment later, Reibella handed the water bottle and towel she was holding to Charlotte and instructed her to bring new ones.

Royan would come back to train anyway, and there would be plenty of opportunities to get closer by handing him the water bottle and towel while striking up a conversation.

And sure enough, not long after, Royan reappeared.

Something must have happened in that short time, as he looked quite haggard.

“Royan!”

Reibella greeted Royan energetically when she saw him. But he seemed to have firmly made up his mind about something, as he now walked past her without even a glance.

Yet there was something subtly cute about his appearance. The way he tightly sealed his lips and deliberately avoided looking at her was exactly like a child of his age, making Reibella smile unconsciously.

‘Wasn’t this novel’s male protagonist concept supposed to be aloof and chic?’

In the novel, he seemed to be the embodiment of the Silver Wolf.

The boy in front of her now looked just like a pretty puppy that hadn’t been handled by people.

‘He’d get along well with Calyx.’

They were similar in the way they both sharply and sensitively pushed people away before gradually warming up. They seemed like they would make good friends.

Somehow, the image of the two of them appeared before her eyes. Royan grumbling and getting irritated, and Calyx watching indifferently regardless.

‘I must introduce them next time.’

Hoping that day would come soon, Reibella shouted in a voice more lively, energetic, and louder than her usual voice.

“Hang in there, Royan!”

* * *

Until recently, the Vicheravali mansion had always been quiet. This was because their master had gone to the brutal battlefield, and their tiny, lovable young master was staying with another family.

No one made loud noises, and it was depressingly quiet, but lately, the atmosphere had changed completely.

It wasn’t because their master who had gone to war had returned, nor because their tiny young master had come back.

It was because of an unfamiliar young girl.

“Royan!”

“Royan……”

“Royaaan!”

When a cute voice cut through the air at all hours,

“I told you it’s noisy!”

The young master’s voice would always come back.

“Royan, eat this!”

“I said I won’t eat it!”

“Royan, you seem taller today.”

“Go away.”

Their young master, who always acted like an adult, would revert to being a child when he was with the girl. It was truly an unfamiliar sight for the mansion’s staff.

In fact, their young master had been a truly lovable and kind-hearted person in his childhood. He smiled well and had such a warm heart for even the smallest creatures.

Once, he had seen a small bird fall from a tree and worried all day, nursing it with the utmost care throughout the night—that’s how kind he was.

But the young master who returned was quiet, sensitive, and exuded a cold atmosphere.

He still had a kind side, so unlike other nobles, he didn’t treat the staff carelessly, but he didn’t get close to anyone. He often stayed alone, as if avoiding people.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that. Rather, it was the very essence of Vicheravali. But the mansion’s staff couldn’t help but worry about their master. It was because Royan’s appearance seemed very precarious.

But no one could approach him, nor did anyone have the right to do so.

So they could only feel sorry for him from afar.

Then a savior appeared.

The young savior brought smiles to their stoic master and restored childlike qualities to their small master.

Moreover…

“Have you seen Royan by any chance?”

“Young master went that way, Miss.”

“Thank you!”

She was kind even to the lowest-ranking maid. She never lost her smile and treated everyone consistently with kindness.

A doll-like lovely appearance with warm emotions.

How could anyone not love such a perfect young lady?

“I exchanged greetings with Miss today!”

At the young maid’s exclamation, maids who had been doing their respective tasks opened their eyes wide and rushed over.