Now she seemed to understand her real purpose.

‘Could she be doubting my power?’

It would be troublesome if this woman discovered my power before I could do anything.

If necessary, she would have to ask Kiki, who was hiding in her bag, for help.

“Ah, it’s nothing special. I just summon keys.”

When Liria answered with a twitch of her eyebrows, Belita whispered in her ear.

“Yes, keys. I’m curious if that’s really all. If you truly only summon keys, I wonder if that magic is so valuable. Or is there some other power?”

For a moment, Liria’s surprised face froze then relaxed.

“Well, I don’t know. Right now I really only summon keys.”

Belita chuckled.

“Well, if that ability is real, we’ll find out eventually. By the way, Liria? My secretary made a mistake all this time. I’m glad the budget issue was resolved well, right?”

Belita smiled brightly, playfully tapping a rose on top of Liria’s head.

“But you know. People who wag their tongues carelessly tend to lose them. I don’t know who tattled to Emmett, but that incident caused me a bit of trouble. Could you make sure your underlings guard their tongues better…? Even though you’re young and grew up without a mother, you’re still a direct descendant of Roberg, aren’t you?”

This woman was now mocking and threatening her, which wasn’t funny at all.

She certainly had a talent for making people feel disgusted.

Liria tightly clenched her small chestnut-sized fist.

“……”

Belita threw the rose to the floor and turned away wordlessly, suggesting her business was finished.

‘Just endure it for now, Liria.’

This is for revenge in the future.

“Ah, Aunt.”

“…Yes?”

To Belita who turned around reflexively, Liria smiled brightly and said.

“Please introduce me to your boutique in town sometime.”

I need to check it out in advance so I can take it away or damage it, right?

Before rushing to Classid yesterday, she had hidden herself when she saw Belita speaking to Conrad.

Though she couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, Kiki had picked up a business card with Belita’s boutique name from the drawing room floor.

Belita must have her hands in more than just this.

To understand more precisely how Roberg was currently operating, she would have to wait for the family assembly.

The Roberg family assembly is held twice a year, in spring and autumn.

However, this year, even with summer approaching, the family assembly had not been held.

It seemed to have been postponed because Classid hadn’t risen from his sickbed.

Now that Classid was recovering, Grandfather would certainly hold the family assembly.

Of course, even if young Liria attended, she wouldn’t have the right to speak.

Moreover, with her relationship with Classid now distant, it might be difficult for her to attend at all.

The family assembly wasn’t a gathering for promoting friendship as the name might suggest.

Including direct and collateral relatives, the number exceeded hundreds, making it larger in scale than most noble house banquets.

It was a place to discuss major issues of the duchy and the distribution of territories and businesses, who would take charge of which business, and even evaluate how those businesses were doing.

In the future, when Osdel took control of the family and became the head, the first thing he did was to hold a family assembly to monopolize the assets and replace all the key personnel.

‘If I go, I might be able to get various information. Also, I could meet other heirs.’

The family assembly isn’t just a battlefield for adults.

Children also compete by showing off their magical abilities and putting down others to be recognized as promising heirs of the family.

Naturally, the children of those in power tend to stand out.

I’ll be able to gauge the current power players in Roberg too.

Until now, Classid, the youngest son, had been excluded from family businesses for various reasons.

‘But… if left alone, it will collapse.’

The direct line trash who currently holds all of Roberg’s core businesses.

And the lands, businesses, and valuable resources held by the collateral branches who move under their command.

If left alone, they would contribute to Roberg’s path to downfall.

Having read the original story, Liria knew who would ruin what and how, what was right and wrong.

Also, who she needed to ally with.

I can’t miss such an important gathering.

“First, I need to meet Grandfather…”

***

Tap tap tap.

Outside Grandfather’s office, Liria crouched down and waited patiently.

‘He must have gone to Father’s sick room and hasn’t returned yet.’

Several aides came and told her to come in and wait, but Liria insisted on waiting outside.

After a few minutes had passed.

Thump thump footsteps.

Rough, panting breaths could be heard.

Instinctively, she knew.

‘He seems to have arrived.’

Soon a sturdy figure wearing blue shoulder epaulettes and a white shawl appeared.

It was Grandfather.

However, he didn’t see Liria and went straight inside.

“…Ah.”

Startled, Liria stood up and raised her head. Emmett, who was following Grandfather, spotted Liria and approached her.

“Young Lady Liria?”

“I came to see Grandfather.”

As she spoke, fidgeting with her hands, Duke Roberg turned back and approached before Emmett could answer. His blood-red eyes gazed down indifferently.

In the wide corridor, the child standing still next to the statue looked particularly small.

“…How long have you been there? Huh, I didn’t even notice you were there because you’re so small.”

The Duke spoke with an air of being bothered by something trivial.

“G-Grandfather. Hello.”

Liria politely gave a deep bow.

“So, you were the first to see Classid wake up?”

“Y-Yes… that’s right.”

“When exactly was that? Why did you waste time instead of informing me immediately!”

“W-Well, Grandfather.”

As Liria stammered in response to the unfair scolding, she noticed moisture in his eyes.

“Grandfather, are you crying?”

“…Nonsense. Go back unless you have a specific business.”

With that, Vladimir turned his back and entered his office.

‘Right now, Grandfather isn’t really angry, but expressing his sorrow over his son’s incurable disease in this roundabout way.’

Having lived as the Iron Duke for many years, Grandfather was clumsy and rough in his way of expressing emotions.

Liria quickly followed behind Grandfather.

She could see Grandfather’s back standing in front of the study.

His broad back, always imposing, seemed smaller today.

Emmett, who was nearby, had also stepped back a few paces and was waiting silently.

After exchanging glances with Emmett, Liria approached Grandfather from behind.

Sensing Liria’s presence, the Duke asked while still gazing out the window.

“…Why did you follow me?”

Liria’s body flinched at his sideways glance and sharp presence. However, Liria continued speaking without fear, rolling her large eyes.

“You’re angry with me because you’re so worried about Father, right?”

Vladimir, who had been looking at the small, round child, turned his gaze away and cleared his throat.

“…Hmph, how dare you presume to know my feelings.”

It was still a thundering voice, but Liria laughed inwardly at his gaze that had softened compared to earlier.

‘Ah, these two are definitely father and son. Both trying to hide their feelings. Still, I think I understand Grandfather’s heart.’

It was then.

Liria felt something popping inside her heart once again.

Simultaneously, her own voice echoed in her mind.

⟨Still, I think I understand Grandfather’s heart.⟩

‘Oh, this feeling is similar to before. That feeling when the Key of Power gave a hint about a new key.’

I’ll have to check the book later.

For now, I need to deal with Grandfather first.