When I sighed, Echo jumped like a frightened rabbit.
Feeling regretful, I bent one knee to match her eye level so she wouldn’t be scared.
“Lady Berto.”
“…Yes, Teacher…”
“Why are you suddenly avoiding me?”
“……”
Echo kept her mouth shut tight as if speaking would cause a disaster.
“Do you perhaps dislike seeing me now?”
“N-no!”
Echo raised her head in alarm.
Only then could I see the tears welling up in Echo’s eyes.
“No… absolutely not, Teacher…”
As I gently patted the back of Echo, who looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, she leaned her face against my shoulder and began to sob.
After a while, I carefully separated Echo and asked.
“May I ask what happened during this time?”
Echo didn’t answer as if contemplating whether she should speak, but soon, slowly opened her mouth.
“If you keep me by your side, something bad will happen to you, Teacher…”
“Something bad?”
Echo bowed her head with gloomy eyes.
That reaction allowed me to be more certain of my thoughts.
“Did Marquis Berto threaten you about me?”
“…!”
Echo looked at me with wide eyes as if I had guessed correctly.
“What, did he say he would ruin my business?”
“How did you know even that, Teacher…”
I shrugged toward Echo, who was looking at me as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Well, that man’s thoughts are quite predictable.”
What else could that nasty person do besides threats and lies?
As I was suppressing my anger inwardly because Echo was present, Adriel quietly called to me.
“I’ll leave you for a moment so you can continue your conversation.”
“What?”
I stared blankly at Adriel.
“Right now? Where are you going?”
“I’ll explain later. It won’t take long, so please stay here and don’t go anywhere until then.”
What?
This is the Berto Marquis’s residence, where would I go from here?
Looking at him in bewilderment, I pulled on Adriel’s shoulder.
“I don’t know where you’re going, but Wit is also outside the window, so feel free to go.”
Well, I don’t really understand, but he must have his reasons.
Soon after, his large hand covered the back of mine.
“I’ll be back soon.”
He whispered softly as if telling me not to worry, then went outside through the window.
“Teacher… did the Holy Knight go home?”
As I was worriedly watching his back, I smiled slightly at Echo’s voice.
“He said he’ll leave us alone so we can talk comfortably.”
At my words, Echo blushed shyly and her eyes sparkled.
“The Holy Knight is like a kind and brave knight from a fairy tale…”
“Haha. Is that so?”
“And Teacher is… the queen who received an eternal pledge from that knight…”
Queen? Me?
I was smiling slightly, but tilted my head.
Is that how Echo sees me and Adriel?
Hmm. Not knowing how to respond, I just smiled awkwardly.
“Then our guest must be the cute princess.”
At my casually thrown words, Echo’s eyes widened like a deer’s.
“Teacher…”
The child, who had been looking at me for a moment, conveyed her sincere feelings with a trembling voice.
“I wish you were really my family…”
And that sincerity was also what I wished for.
I held both of Echo’s hands firmly.
“Me too.”
“Teacher… you want to become family with me too?”
Echo stared at me blankly.
I gently stroked Echo’s head and asked.
“Do you know what the condition is for becoming family?”
“To become family… You need a family relationship certificate…”
“That’s right. Family relationship…”
Huh? That’s not it.
I was momentarily taken aback by the child’s very realistic answer, but I composed my expression and shook my head.
“Of course that’s necessary too… but there’s something more important.”
“Something more important?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
And I answered Echo’s questioning gaze about what that might be.
“Trust.”
“Trust…?”
Echo blinked as if she didn’t quite understand.
Having grown up under parents who distanced themselves from her as an illegitimate child, she seemed not to understand the meaning of family.
“I don’t think family is anything that special. If people can truly trust, encourage, and support each other, isn’t that what family is?”
I held Echo’s hands once more.
“So I hope you’ll trust me as much as I trust you, Lady.”
I won’t be defeated by someone like Lucian Berto. And I’m not weak enough to be knocked down by Marquis Berto.
Hoping that my sincere feelings would be conveyed, I looked straight at Echo.
Echo stared at me for a long time without even blinking.
Just as I opened my mouth to continue speaking.
Clap, clap, clap.
In the dark room. Suddenly, the sound of applause came from somewhere.
“How touching.”
The voice sounded familiar.
“That was really impressive, darling.”
“Brother Lucian…?”
Sure enough, Lucian Berto was standing in front of the door.
With the lights off and no sound of the door opening, I hadn’t noticed at all.
I was surprised but responded as calmly as possible.
“I didn’t know such a noble Marquis would have such bad taste. Eavesdropping on others’ conversations.”
“I can’t help it. My ears only respond to your voice.”
Will that cursed mouth only close when he’s dead?
I shuddered at being called “darling” and glanced outside the window.
Wit, who was watching this side, seemed ready to jump in at any moment.
He appeared hesitant to act promptly due to my instruction not to enter under any circumstances to avoid startling Echo.
“Who are you looking for?”
I looked forward again at the voice tinged with amusement.
“Your demon?”
When I didn’t answer, Lucian gently curved his eyes and asked again.
“Or is it that overly loyal dog of yours?”
At that question, my mind froze white.
He knew that Adriel had come with me, too?
“You, what did you do to the Knight?”
“Well.”
What does that mean?
“Stop pretending you know something. I will never believe anything you say.”
I glared at Lucian while biting my lip.
Lucian, who was just smiling while looking at me, suddenly said something out of the blue.
“I received a good item from Taro this time.”
An item received from Taro? What could that be?
As I was wondering, Lucian answered.
“Something called ‘Demon’s Poison.’ They say the king of demons created it to counter Holy Knights.”