‘But how?’

The only place where Liria could freely obtain information now was the library.

There might be books related to keys in the library.

“Let’s go to the library first.”

Liria draped an outdoor cloak over her bear-patterned pajamas and slipped into soft indoor slippers.

Just as she was about to tuck the blue book and key into the polar bear bag Marit had crafted for her…

Kiki, having finished munching on the beef jerky, spread its arms in a circular motion.

“…Huh? What’s wrong?”

Kiki scrambled to the top of Liria’s head, then crossed over to her opposite shoulder, where it prodded her left collarbone with its claw.

“Ouch, that hurts!”

For a moment, she felt goosebumps and her heart seemed to squeeze.

At the same time, the mana Liria had released in the room was instantly withdrawn.

Then, the blue book with the keyhole drawn on it and the magic key disappeared.

“Huh?”

As Liria’s eyes widened in surprise, Kiki pointed to her heart area and puffed up its chest as if taking a deep breath.

“How did you do that? Inhale?”

The creature shook its head and looked at Liria with a pitying gaze.

“Ah, I know! If I withdraw my mana, the book and key are unsummoned?”

Conversely, if I release my mana again……

Whoosh!

The book and key are summoned.

Easy, right?

This would have been unimaginable for the Liria of the past with weak magical power, but now it’s different!

As Liria gently withdrew her mana again, the key and book vanished without a trace.

Kiki folded its arms and nodded its head.

“This is so convenient. But teach me in a more peaceful way next time. Anyway, thanks.”

After receiving a pat from Liria, Kiki opened the bag itself and climbed in.

“Alright. I’m ready. Marit, I…… Eek.”

The person she encountered as soon as she opened the door was a young man with honey-colored hair. Startled, Liria closed the door again.

“…Who is it?”

Knock knock knock.

The man across the door asked.

“Miss Liria, are you awake?”

Liria asked cautiously.

“Who are you, mister?”

“Ah, I apologize for my late introduction. If you could open the door for a moment, I’ll formally introduce myself.”

“Marit, my nanny, told me not to open the door to strangers.”

After Liria spoke clearly, there was a moment of silence before the man continued.

“…I’ve been rude. I am Emmett Okims, the Third Assistant to His Grace the Duke.”

A strictly business-like tone of voice.

The Okims Viscount family was a well-known house.

According to history books, the predecessor of Roberg Bank was none other than Okims Bank.

Anyway, she had heard that Okims was a long-standing vassal family of Roberg, responsible for financial accounting.

For over 200 years.

Which means.

Above all, it signifies that the trust between the two families has been very deep and special for a long time.

Well, with the Duke’s deep trust, he must have become the 3rd assistant at such a young age.

They say the Duke’s five capable assistants are called the ‘Black Hand’.

Moreover, she had heard that Emmett, the youngest of the Okims family, graduated top of his class from the Business Department of the Imperial Academy, to the point where the Emperor himself tried to scout him.

Of course, he’s here because he declined that position.

Having confirmed that Emmett Okims was not a suspicious person, Liria quickly opened the door.

Liria raised an eyebrow and focused on the man before her.

A neat suit with sharp angles.

Sharp purple eyes behind glasses.

He was a person as straight as if measured with a ruler.

‘Did Grandfather assign him to watch over me?’

He seems too capable and busy to be assigned to watch over a mere child.

‘Ugh, I hope he hasn’t noticed anything?’

Liria swallowed hard and shook her head.

The fact that she had obtained the power of the key couldn’t be revealed to anyone.

She needed to prove that she had manifested a different attribute instead of the key’s power in the forcibly postponed qualification test…

What would be good?

As Liria was rolling her lime-green eyes, thinking about this and that, Emmett said.

“His Grace ordered to bring you as soon as you wake up…”

“No!”

“Pardon?”

“Please keep it absolutely secret from Grandfather that I’ve woken up.”

Liria pleaded earnestly with her hands clasped together.

So that he absolutely couldn’t pretend not to know.

She even drooped her eyebrows pitifully and quickly moistened her grape-like eyes.

Surely he won’t refuse after all this?

“Please.”

“…That’s not possible, Miss.”

He merely pushed up his glasses coldly.

“……”

Phew, not an easy person.

Abandoning the pitiful act, Liria quickly racked her brain.

‘Well, fine. I’ll have to come up with another method.’

Meanwhile, Emmett’s gaze fell on the small child.

Having often seen children of that age burst into tears or run to their parents when facing the Duke, he could somewhat predict what might happen.

“Are you perhaps afraid of meeting His Grace the Duke?”

“…Sniff.”

Nod nod.

The child lowered her head and nodded, seeming to fight back tears.

“If Miss Liria hasn’t done anything wrong, you won’t be scolded. You don’t need to worry about…”

While Emmett was trying to reassure her on behalf of the Duke, Liria was busy thinking.

‘Grandfather is a sharp and keen person, so if I meet him without any plan, the chances of being found out are high.’

She must not face Grandfather until she gathers more information and prepares countermeasures.

So there’s no choice.

She has to win over this person by any means necessary!

‘Above all, if he’s the financial genius of the Okims family, shouldn’t I try to win him over first?’

The tear strategy from earlier didn’t work.

Even among the branch family children, Emmett was rumored to be the second scariest person after Grandfather.

Usually, he was the epitome of a sharp mind who concealed his inner thoughts with an expressionless face.

In fact, he was uncomfortable around children.

They say he’s never even held his only nephew for fear of dropping him.

Looking closely, he blinked frequently and slightly bit his lower lip while watching Liria’s reactions.

As if he didn’t know what to do if she cried again or did something unexpected.

‘Then if I act like a real child to create a gap in this stiff atmosphere…?’

At that moment, a light bulb went off in Liria’s head.

‘Right, that was there! Why didn’t I think of it sooner?’

Liria looked up at Assistant Emmett as if she had made a big decision.

“Excuse me, Mr. Assistant. I have something to tell you briefly. Would you come into the room?!”

Without fail, an earthquake occurred in his pupils.

“…Then, if you’ll excuse me, Miss.”

Taken aback by the unexpected words, Emmett silently took one more step into the room.

And then he waited.

Because Liria was rustling about, taking something out of her desk drawer.

For a moment he tensed, wondering if she meant for him to play with her, but then the child spoke with drooping eyebrows.

“Mr. Assistant, you know.”

“Yes, Miss. What are you trying to…”

Flustered, he stepped back as Liria approached.

But Liria didn’t give up.

“Do you have pockets in your jacket?”

“Y-Yes, I do, but…”

“Good. Then-“

Pitter-patter.

Liria grabbed a handful of chocolate(that looked like shiny gold coins) from the drawer.

Then she busily transferred more than seven gold coins into Emmett’s jacket pocket.

Once, twice, three times.

Clatter.

Even picking up all those that had fallen to the floor.

Watching the small child moving about with rustling sounds, Emmett eventually asked.

“Umm, Miss?”

Emmett momentarily wore a puzzled expression.