Chapter 26

26. Annoying brat (2)

The next morning, Adelaide went to find Samantha early in the morning.

She was hesitant about waking someone who had traveled a long way, but considering the little boy who had been asleep in one place all night, the sooner she confirmed, the better.

“Yes, Your Grace. For breakfast, we served quail instead of chicken, as it was stated that the kingdom’s people do not eat chicken.”

“What about the alcohol?”

“We prepared whiskey and brandy and did not serve wine.”

Samantha’s response matched the information the boy had given. Adelaide asked her third question.

“I heard that purple is the color of the king and no one else is allowed to use it; is that correct?”

“I’m not sure about that. Since the Empire is a larger country than the kingdom, we didn’t pay much attention to following Helenian etiquette regarding colors.”

“I see.”

Adelaide nodded, disappointed that her last question hadn’t been answered.

Nevertheless, since two out of three matched, it didn’t seem like nonsense.

“I’ve heard the kingdom’s etiquette is quite demanding, and you seem to know it well.”

“I know just enough not to be rude.”

“Then he wouldn’t have recommended you.”

Since Samantha was recommended by Sycamore, her skills should be reliable.

Adelaide had full trust in Sycamore.

Even if he had put her name on the revenge list, his ultimate goal was Elkius, so joining forces with Callion was much more promising than acting alone.

For now, she hasn’t considered the possibility of Sycamore’s betrayal. Of course, Adelaide had no reason to doubt Samantha either.

“I trust you.”

Adelaide patted Samantha on the shoulder and left the annex.

The morning was chilly without the sun. She hastened her steps, pulling on her thin robe.

The boy, who had screamed tirelessly late into the night, had been quiet as a mouse since dawn.

Expecting him to have passed out, she went to where he was chained and found him dozing against a post.

Adelaide looked closely at the boy’s dirty face and poked him in the cheek.

[What!]

The startled boy woke up from his sleep and exclaimed.

‘I was going to say ‘good morning,’ but alas, it didn’t look like a good morning.’

[Did you sleep well?]

[I’m tied up here. How could I sleep well?]

[You should wipe your drool first before saying that]

[Whoa, who said I drooled……!]

The boy, red-faced and fumbling with his roped hands, looked up at her as if realizing he had been tricked.

As Margaret said, he’s cute with a mean mouth.

[You’re more innocent than I thought, little kid.]

[Don’t call me a kid, you’re not even a few years older than me!]

[Then what should I call you? You never told me your name.]

[……Zeke, call me Zeke.]

The boy said poutily.

[Okay, Zeke. I just wanted to confirm what you said yesterday.]

[Did you confirm it? Was I right?]

[Yeah.]

[See! I told you, no one knows kingdom etiquette better than me.]

[But everything you said was in the book.]

[I didn’t say anything that wasn’t in the book because I didn’t know!]

“Hmm.”

It was persuasive. Even if one hears advanced information, it’s useless if there’s no way to confirm it.

Normally, there would be no need to pay attention to details that are difficult to grasp from this side, but this time, considering the circumstances, she needed to show as much sincerity as possible.

If this little boy really knows the kingdom’s etiquette well, it would be a great help in pleasing the Second Prince.

The question is, how much can she trust him?

[What, you still don’t trust me?]

[I trust the information you’ve given me, but I don’t trust you. I don’t want to let you go and then have you run away.]

[I won’t run!]

[Can you swear on your family name?]

[….]

As soon as she mentioned ‘family,’ the boy’s ashen eyes shook heavily. Seeing that he couldn’t easily swear on his family’s honor, it was clear that he wasn’t from a noble household of high repute.

After a moment of waiting for an answer, Adelaide stood up.

[Forget it. Let’s just forget about it…]

[Wait! I’ll do it! If you swear, will you untie me?]

[Are you serious?]

[I mean it! I swear on my father’s honor!]

[Okay.]

Adelaide ruffled Zeke’s light brown hair lightly, then turned to walk away.

[Where are you going? You said you’d untie me!]

[It’s not a decision I can make alone. I’ll ask for His Grace and come back.]

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Whoa.”

Adelaide took a deep breath as she paced in front of Callion’s office.

She blushed as she remembered what had happened in the dressing room yesterday.

She hadn’t even kissed him, so what was she being ashamed of?

Calming herself, she realized that Callion had probably forgotten all about it by now, so she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.

“Your Grace, it’s me.”

“……Adele?”

The response came a bit late. The door swung open wide, almost scaring Adelaide.

“Are you busy?”

“Not at all. Come in.”

Callion took her hand and led her to the couch. She tried not to pay attention, but her gaze kept drifting to his lips.

‘Wake up, Adelaide.’

She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them.

“What is it? If it has to do with the banquet, you don’t have to ask me about every little detail.”

“It’s something that requires your consent.”

She cautiously ventured.

Whenever Adelaide asked for something in this manner, big or small events always followed, but Calleon gently replied.

“Go on.”

His eyes softened as he gently lifted his eyes to meet hers. Adelaide forced herself to ignore the pounding in her heart and cut to the chase.

“Can you entrust me with the boy who’s tied up outside?”

“Is he the talkative little kid?”

“Yes. I exchanged a few words with him, and he seems to know the etiquette of Heleneia well. I think he could be helpful.”

“He’ll be hard to control.”

Callion evaded her request.

Despite his age, he was bigger than Adelaide. He could easily subdue her with one hand, but she couldn’t.

Her frail body, bruised from a single tug on her wrist, would be no match for the vile creature.

But Adelaide didn’t seem to think the boy was dangerous at all.

“He doesn’t have any weapons, and he doesn’t seem that bad.”

“Why do you need him?”

“He might be a noble from Heleneia.”

“Did he tell you that?”

“No. It’s just my guess.”

Callion sighed.

It occurred to him that the kid might be high enough in status to understand Imperial language, however clumsily.

He was too young to be sent on errands to the empire, and his behavior was too confident to have committed a crime and run away.

He speculated that maybe he went out for a walk alone and got caught, but he couldn’t confirm it by asking the boy himself.

But still, he’s practically a prisoner now.

After a long silence, Adelaide asked cautiously.

“Would you not permit it?”

If he disagrees, will she listen to me?

A grumpy curiosity crept into his mind.

If he refuses, what reaction will she show?

Will she try to logically explain why she needs to take the boy? Or, surprisingly, she will just accept it and step back.

But then she might never ask him for help again.

He doesn’t want to face that outcome because of his insignificant curiosity. Callion swallowed his curiosity.

“Have I ever opposed something you wanted to do?”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Adelaide smiled shyly at his approval. Her accumulated grumpiness washed away.

“Then, I’ll go now.”

After finishing her business, Adelaide stood up. Callion followed her out of the study.

“Let’s go together.”

He followed her to the front door. Zeke’s face lit up at the sight of Adelaide, then hardened when he spotted Callion.

Callion pulled a dagger from his inside pocket and approached Zeke.

[What’s this about? ]

[Don’t think about doing something stupid just because the rope is loose, kid.]

[Whoa, whoa, whoa!]

[If you act even a little suspicious, I’ll tie you up and put you in a kennel.]

With a snap, the sharp blade sliced through the thick rope with ease. Free from his bonds, Zeke quickly untied the ropes and fled behind Adelaide’s back.

As if he knew he couldn’t be touched from behind Adelaide, the defiant boy raised his voice.

[A big adult is threatening a kid!]

Zeke stuck his tongue out in a low voice.

Now that he was free and Adelaide was on his side, he had nothing to fear.

“We’d better tie his hands.”

“Is that necessary?”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

He didn’t seem that dangerous.

She raised an eyebrow at the idea of tying his wrists again when the rope marks weren’t even gone yet.

As much as she wanted to protest, she couldn’t embarrass Callion in front of Zeke, so Adelaide agreed with him in silence.

Picking up the rope, Callion gestured to Zeke.

[Hold out your hands in front.]

[I don’t want to!]

[Then shall I cut your thing?]

[Just tie! Tying will do!]

Zeke grunted and held out his hand. Callion wrapped the rope around him relentlessly. The tightly bound hands quickly turned white from lack of blood.

“You can take him now.”

“…….”

Adelaide stared at Zeke’s white hands, then shyly looked up at Callion.

‘Why is she looking at me like that? ’

‘Is it because I’ve tied the rope too tight? Or maybe…….’

Callion thought for a moment, then asked, just in case.

“Do you speak Helenian?”

“A little.”

“…….

She must have understood everything he said.

Zeke giggled, his back pressed up against Adelaide’s. His head was pounding.

“I’m sending Lucid to your room. I don’t want you to be alone with him.”

Callion backed away.