For a moment, the Duke saw the child’s eyes shining like stars.

The Duke was both respected and feared within Roberg.

After seeing only successor children who bowed their heads or groveled before him, it was refreshing to see a child boldly demanding something.

Moreover, unlike other children, Liria hadn’t received proper protection from her parents.

To think she grew up so unspoiled without a mother’s shadow.

“There’s nothing certain to give you a reward based on just one possibility.”

“Grandfather, your words make sense. That’s why I want to propose a deal.”

It was quite impressive for words coming from such a small, fluffy child.

“A deal is only made when there’s something in it for me too. Is it worth discussing further?”

“Wait, please listen to me. I promise to achieve and show you a new magical accomplishment within a month.”

“A month… Alright, let’s see if I can trust you.”

“And also.”

“There’s more?”

“Yes, actually, I met my deceased grandmother in a dream. If you let me come and go from the main ducal palace, I’ll tell you about it bit by bit.”

“…!”

The Duke’s calm red eyes suddenly rippled like they had encountered a storm.

Just by seeing his eyes waver, Liria seemed to understand.

‘I heard that Grandfather loved Grandmother very much when she was alive. So, he must miss her deeply.’

The Duke, who had been silent, finally gave Liria the answer she wanted.

“Alright. What do you want?”

Liria, with her eyes cutely curved, said.

“I want to live in a separate palace. And I want to come to the main ducal palace often to see you, Grandfather! Let’s have tea time together, Grandfather.”

The Duke’s eyes widened at this brazen statement.

“Huh, you little… Such a soft cotton ball, yet with quite a solid pebble inside.”

The Duke, glancing at her not unkindly, stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then said.

“Fine. I’ll treat you the same as Conrad. You’ll get a separate palace, permission to come and go from the main castle, a personal carriage, and a special budget too. You’ll hear the details through Emmett.”

“Really, Grandfather? Wow, I’m so, so happy!”

Liria jumped up on the spot. Being a child, it was quite an adorable sight.

“Cotton ball, you. I’ll be watching you.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

Liria followed the Duke as he turned towards his carriage, bowing deeply at the waist. Then, with diligence, she offered a stream of flattering words.

“Please do watch me. I’ll work hard from now on to become the strongest in Roberg, Grandfather!”

“We’ll see about that.”

The Duke left with a slight upward curl of his lips. Suleiman, along with the two supervisors Ilina and Fabian, also congratulated Liria.

“I knew you could do it, young miss. You’re truly intelligent and admirable.”

“Congratulations, Miss Liria. I’ll see you during class time.”

“We look forward to your future achievements.”

“Hehe, thank you. Director, teachers, please take good care of me.”

Liria once again bowed deeply at the waist to them. After all, a child who greets well is bound to be loved.

As she greeted them, Suleiman cleared his throat and rummaged through his pocket.

Then he secretly handed something to Liria.

Upon receiving it, she saw it was a lollipop.

A green grape-colored hard candy, as fresh as Liria’s eyes.

“Wow, I’ll enjoy it.”

As soon as she unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth, it was a large king-sized candy that made her right cheek bulge.

Sour and sweet.

Just like her current mood.

“I have a gift for you too.”

After handing over the remaining chocolate as a return gift to Director Suleiman, Liria approached the aide Emmett who was waiting for her.

While gently scratching her nose, Liria asked the question she was most curious about.

“So, can I move to the separate palace right away?”

“Yes, I’ll guide you there immediately.”

“Wow, I’m so excited.”

***

Vladimir, who had been glancing at Suleiman following behind him, entered his office and immediately cast a Lock spell on the door.

Clank.

The firmly locked door would now neither break nor open with any key.

No one within Roberg.

No, among the existing magicians of the empire, there was no one who could break Vladimir von Roberg’s magic.

That was the absolute power of the Grand Magician and the power that sustained Roberg, the prestigious magic family.

Suleiman carefully stood across from his lord and whispered.

“…Did Your Grace feel it too?”

Instead of answering, the Duke nodded, meeting his eyes.

“It was certainly an unbelievable mana for a young child. Perhaps we might find the answer faster than we expected.”

“Tsk. Unnecessary words. Seeing you babble like that, perhaps it’s time for you to enter the grave too.”

“Huh, but isn’t it strange? Among all the metals, a key…”

“Among all the attributes researched so far, isn’t metal the one with the most mysteries and secrets?”

The Duke’s words were true.

Despite deep research by numerous magical scholars around the world, including Roberg, for a long time, the secrets of the metal attribute remained unsolved.

Suleiman suddenly remembered a scene he had briefly encountered before.

At that time, there was clearly a keyhole engraved in the child’s eyes.

It was such a fleeting moment that he had dismissed it as a mistake.

“Enough. I don’t want to increase expectations for uncertain things.”

“I understand, Your Grace. Hehehe, but speaking of your youngest granddaughter. Isn’t it quite admirable how well-spoken she is, despite being so small and chick-like?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

At Suleiman’s words, the Duke sat at his office desk and turned his attention to some documents.

Then Suleiman, who had come closer, chuckled and took out the gold chocolate he had received from Liria.

“I gave her one candy and the young miss’s cheeks puffed up so adorably as she ate it. She gave me this as a return gift.”

“…If you’re only here to say trivial things, would you please leave?”

As a sharp gaze turned towards him, Suleiman left with a grinning face, stroking his beard.

“Don’t regret it later, Your Grace. Freely doting on your cute granddaughter is also a happiness of old age.”

“I told you to mind your own business and get out…”

Bang, as soon as the Lock magic was released by the Duke’s gesture, Suleiman quickly closed the door and left.

***

From that day on, Liria was assigned a separate palace and moved her residence.

It was much better than she had thought.

A lush green grass garden.

A triangular sky-blue roof and terrace.

Through the arched, open windows, you could see the blue sky and sheep-like clouds.

“It’s just like a princess’s palace from a fairy tale. So pretty.”

Not only was the exterior beautiful but the interior was also furnished with cute-style furniture.

“Gasp, there are two drawing rooms and bathrooms!”

“Wow, there’s even an attic on the second floor! I really love this place. I’m going to live here forever.”

While Liria was continuously bursting with exclamations, Marit and Yuphi also smiled contentedly as they put down the luggage bags and carefully inspected the interior.

“I love it too. It feels like our young miss is finally staying in a place that suits her perfectly. Miss Liria, you’re amazing!”

Marit rubbed her cheek against Liria’s cheek.

“Yes, I did well, didn’t I?”

“Of course. Miss Liria is the greatest genius.”

While Marit was patting Liria’s bottom, Yuphi, who had just returned from checking the backyard, also smiled brightly.

“Kyaa. There’s even a swing in the backyard. The best thing is the lighting. It’s much sunnier than where we used to stay, so the laundry will dry well.”

And so, a happy day ended in the separate palace that everyone was satisfied with.

Liria, rolling around on the large and fluffy bed, took a spoonful of pudding and made a sweet expression.

“Power really is the best!”