Not yet?!

Rodi jumped up in surprise.

Lexiard hadn’t even entered the dining hall yet, but Terik collapsed without any warning.

Strangely, a faint pattern was appearing below Terik’s collarbone, hidden by his clothes.

It was a sign indicating he had consumed poison or the potion Lexiard had mentioned.

Had Lexiard already made his move?

If not, was this another incident?

But Rodi had no choice but to stay still.

The moment Terik collapsed, the staff who had been eating noisily in the dining hall went quiet and stood up as if on cue.

It was a dangerous moment where Rodi could be framed once again.

However, the man who had earlier warned Terik approached, smiled at Rodi and lifted Terik by the neck.

“I told you not to go near our kid.”

He was different from earlier when he had been suspicious and concerned.

“Stop pretending and open your eyes. It’s not a lethal poison.”

Instead, he was being ruthless to Terik.

Then he fiddled with something near his own neck and broke off his necklace.

His hair color and face changed, revealing a familiar person.

“This turned out to be quite useful.”

Rodi’s eyes widened like they might pop out.

“Ekision!”

When Rodi shouted in surprise, Ekision continued while trying to wake Terik.

“Rodi, you’re dead to Lord Eclise now.”

At his playful tone, Rodi blinked.

What in the world was going on?

***

The situation suddenly reversed.

While Ekision was cleaning up the scene, Rodi was immediately summoned by Eclise.

More accurately, she was being taken away.

She was being carried by the waist, dangling as Horas explained the situation while heading up to the third floor.

So there had been another operation team in the dining hall besides Rodi and Lexiard.

In fact, every staff member except Rodi was part of it.

Even the kitchen staff who served the food were involved in the operation.

To stop Rodi and Lexiard and catch the real culprit.

If anything, Rodi had been the late arrival to an already prepared stage.

“I can walk by myself.”

“I was ordered to carry you because you might run away. This is what happens when you put yourself in danger.”

Though Horas spoke sternly, he helped Rodi adjust to a more comfortable position.

“I was on a mission!”

“Kid, that wasn’t a mission, it was reckless. Did you know he was targeting you?”

“I could see the tattoo… ugh.”

“Lord Eclise was very worried. When we get there, apologize.”

“…The boss?”

Rodi didn’t believe it.

How could he trust her without evidence?

Feeling wronged, Rodi kept her cheeks puffed up until they reached Eclise’s room on the third floor.

When the door opened, Lexiard was already there, having been caught before Rodi.

“Lexiard!”

“Rodi.”

Lexiard’s expression softened, though until just now he had shown as much discontent as Rodi.

“Sorry, I got caught by uncle on my way.”

“…I got caught by Ekision.”

“These tiny morsels sure do get around quite a bit.”

Eclise gestured to Horas to put Rodi on the sofa.

Then he rubbed his temples as if he had a headache while openly staring at the two.

“What am I going to do with these two?”

Though Rodi pouted, she kept glancing at Eclise.

Though surprised by the sudden turn of events, she had confirmed the pattern as Lexiard had said.

After debating whether to speak or not, Rodi opened her mouth.

“Boss, I’m not the culprit.”

“I know.”

“Uncle knew from the beginning, Rodi.”

Lexiard added from the side.

Then Eclise rummaged through his pocket and tossed something in front of Rodi.

Rodi’s eyes widened when she saw it.

“Ah…? That man had this here too.”

Rodi pointed to the area below her collarbone.

“Yes. It’s proof he belongs to Hikkerman. Such a tiny thing without any fear.”

If it had been other staff members, they would have handled it themselves, thinking they knew what to do.

After all, if they couldn’t escape from here, they would die, and even if they did escape, they would die.

Even if they dealt with it quickly, it was obvious they would send more, so they just kept watch.

That was until Rodi and Lexiard stepped up to find the culprit.

Of course, Gemvil volunteering to go out to protect Rodi wasn’t in Eclise’s expectations either.

As things kept deviating from expectations, Eclise finally had to take action himself.

He had planned to wait until they approached the target item.

He ended up doing this ridiculous thing to protect these two kids.

It couldn’t have been more undignified.

“Hikkerman…?”

At those words, Rodi whipped her head toward Lexiard.

“That’s Lexiard’s family.”

“Yes. And you were right about that guy, Rodi.”

Lexiard shrugged. Not surprised at all.

“Why? Lexiard is right here?”

Rodi’s curiosity deepened.

They had sent someone to attack rather than protect one of their own family members?

“Grandfather rather dislikes uncle.”

“But Boss is family too. Why keep attacking family?”

“It’s because I’m too handsome, what else?”

When Eclise retorted, Rodi’s brow furrowed.

“That’s a lie.”

“Our family is a bit complicated, Rodi. Just try to understand.”

“Okay…”

I’ll ask Lexiard about it later.

This meant Rodi was now completely cleared of suspicion.

Because the culprit had been caught.

And no one else got hurt.

So… is it over now?

Though relieved, she still felt dazed.

Having finished what he had to say, Eclise stood up.

“Well, if you understand, both of you get out. And no more trouble.”

At those words, Lexiard stood up and reached out to Rodi, saying “Let’s go.”

After all, while others might treat him like a monster, he was quite docile in front of Eclise.

Rodi silently followed Lexiard toward the door.

But when the door opened, instead of following Lexiard out, Rodi stood hesitating.

“What.”

Lexiard had already left, and when Eclise bluntly asked, Rodi shook her head.

“Just… just.”

“Why aren’t you leaving.”

“…Just.”

When she didn’t leave and even closed the door while fidgeting, Eclise sat casually on the desk and gestured for her to speak.

“‘Just’ what. Speak properly so I can understand.”

Pouting, Rodi closed the door, came back, and mumbled something.

“Th…”

“Th- what.”

“Well, I could have done it alone! That’s how it should be in Cheiles. I didn’t want to be incompetent.”

“Who said you’re incompetent? Short-legged, yes.”

At his appraising look that seemed to find her amusing, Rodi flared up.

“That’s! Because I haven’t grown up yet.”

“Of course, of course.”

Ugh, this isn’t it.

She had meant to thank him for catching the culprit instead…

“What, is it about kicking Gemvil out? He’ll come back on his own, so go back and eat.”

I see. Everything’s resolved now.

Because they caught the culprit.

It’s finally completely over.

That’s what Boss was saying.

“Boss, than-…”

As the tension released at hearing Gemvil would return, Rodi couldn’t finish her words and started crying.

It was because all the tension drained away as soon as her thoughts settled.

“Good grief.”

Though flustered, Eclise heavily placed his hand on Rodi’s head.

Eclise smiled slightly.

“See? It wasn’t easy, was it?”

At those words, as if she’d been holding it in, Rodi let out a “Waaah” and burst into tears while clinging to Eclise’s leg.

Actually, she had been scared.

So very scared.

Scared that if they couldn’t catch the culprit, she’d have to leave this place.

She had grown to like it here so much, what if they told her to leave?

When even Gemvil left, she had become frightened.

“Hey, little mouse. Crying from relief is fine, but keep the snot off me.”

“Hic!”

“Ah, really, you troublesome kid.”

Eclise grimaced and gritted his teeth, but with affection in his fingertips, he patted Rodi’s head so vigorously it almost made her head tilt.

He also nagged about how expensive his pants were.

After clinging like a cicada to an old tree and crying for what seemed like forever, Rodi finally finished and looked up.

“You look like a complete mess.”

Eclise, who had been trapped and unable to sit or walk this whole time, looked down at her with an incredulous face.

Rodi stared back with a serious expression.

Though her red, swollen eyes and nose somewhat diminished the effect.

“Sniff. …Boss.”

“What.”

“You can’t tell anyone else that I cried. Absolutely not! Got it?”

“Wipe your face before talking.”

When Rodi wiped her still-running nose on Eclise’s pants again, his face contorted.

“Boss.”

“Hah…. What now.”

“I want to go.”

“Where?”

“To get Gemvil.”