Neither Katrin nor Marcella had ever learned of the paternity test, but the marquis had carried a heavy sense of guilt from it ever since. It had made him especially soft toward Katrin.

More than ten years had passed since then, but every time he saw her, the guilt reared its head before any joy. After Marcella died from an epidemic, the guilt only grew heavier.

Though they were half-sisters, Katrin had always cared for Estella attentively. One wounded finger tending to another—it was only natural they’d be close.

“I heard Sister did something amazing in the Blue Forest. Did you hear about it too?”

Even now, Katrin was genuinely delighted by Estella’s success, as if it were her own. The marquis nodded slowly, a faint smile on his face.

“I’m so proud of her. Aren’t you, Father?”

He gave no answer, but his smile deepened slightly. Like a lark, Katrin kept chirping on.

“But people are so awful.”

Her cheerful tone suddenly fell flat. The marquis’s gentle gaze sharpened instantly.

“Why are they making such a fuss over her bringing back some Nevrion? I’m sure she had a reason for it.”

The marquis remained silent, only listening.

“But is Nevrion really that worthless? Isn’t there anything it can be used for? At the very least, it’s pretty. Maybe she could make a necklace or a brooch out of it… Oh, wait, it’s too soft for that. I heard she even went back into the Blue Forest with those mercenaries she hired and hauled back an entire cart of it. Honestly, I’m a bit worried. I don’t feel good about her getting close to those drifter mercenaries. Even Sir Dmitry came by several times and left without seeing her. They only met yesterday… Sigh…”

Katrin, who had been chattering nonstop, finally let out a heavy sigh.

Cassian had already heard that Dmitry had been unable to meet Estella and had returned disappointed.

“Why…? Did something happen?”

Sensing the drop in his tone, Katrin hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“She ignored him. She was busy mingling with the knights and barely acknowledged him before sending him off. He really tried to spend time with her… But don’t worry too much. She’s always liked him since childhood. I’m sure it’ll work out.”

“I see.”

He didn’t say much, but Katrin was certain—he was disappointed in Estella again.

“Where is Estella now?”

“Ah… well…”

When Katrin hesitated without giving an answer, the marquis fixed his gaze on her and asked again.

“Katrin. Where is your sister right now?”

“Well… I saw her leaving earlier with the mercenary leader… She must’ve gone out for something important. But I’m really worried, Father. I looked into that mercenary band she hired, and no one seems to know anything about them. What if she’s gotten mixed up with the wrong people?”

Katrin’s eyes welled up with tears, as if her concern were genuine.

The marquis always worried about Katrin—she was far too soft-hearted.

“I’ll look into it. Don’t worry too much. By the way, your birthday’s coming up. If there’s something you want, tell the steward in advance. I’ll make sure you get it.”

“No need. I was just going to invite a few friends over for tea. Things aren’t great in the territory right now—I can’t justify spending money. Birthdays come every year anyway. Once the territory recovers, you can throw me a huge party.”

The marquis looked at his admirable daughter for a moment and smiled.

“Still, you should get a present. Go on, tell me.”

“Then… could you write me a letter?”

“A letter?”

“Yes! So I can read it whenever I’m struggling, and find strength in it.”

Her smile was so bright and childlike that the marquis couldn’t help but smile too. He thought to himself how lucky Estella was to have Katrin by her side.

Estella came to find Ciel just as he was finishing breakfast. Lily, chewing on a chicken leg, widened her eyes and stared at Estella with a gleam that could only be described as madness—but Estella ignored her.

“I need you to come with me.”

At her words, Ciel rose without a word.

His subordinates stared after their leader, who followed Estella like a tame lamb.

“See? The boss likes squirrels.”

“…?”

Haru, not understanding what Lily meant, blinked blankly as he popped one of the mushrooms Kyle had picked into his mouth.

“Lily calls that lady a squirrel,” Airi explained.

Haru nodded and looked back at Lily. Normally indifferent to just about everything, his attention only made Lily even more animated.

“So, here’s what I saw…”

The place Estella brought Ciel to was none other than the blacksmith’s forge.

Ciel, who had been secretly wondering where she was taking him, stood dumbfounded in front of the smithy, where the heat was so intense it spilled outside. He knew she was unpredictable—but a noble lady at a blacksmith’s forge?

She really was fascinating, the more he saw of her.

“Give it here.”

When Estella held out her hand, Ciel passed her the bag he’d been carrying. It was the same one filled with Nevrion they had gathered in the Blue Forest. Though quite heavy, Estella took it easily.

Ciel’s lips curled up slightly.

“Well, well! Miss, you’re here! What is it this time? Got another crazy idea for me?”

Dolan, spotting Estella, set down his hammer and rushed out. Having spent years making the same things day after day, Estella had reignited a creative flame in him that he thought had long died out.

“Open it.”

With a confident expression, Estella handed him the bag. Dolan, smiling in anticipation, opened it—only to frown deeply at the unimpressive pile of glowing Nevrion inside.

Estella just smiled, as if she’d expected his reaction.

“Dolan, I have a very important proposal for you.”

He blinked his large eyes, listening closely. He hadn’t worked with Estella many times, but every project she’d proposed had produced exceptional results. The modified daggers for the Order were among the finest he’d ever made.

“Follow these proportions and melt the Nevrion into the molten steel. I want you to forge a sword.”

“…What? If you mix in something that soft, the blade will be useless.”

“Just make it. Let’s start with this dagger.”

Estella held out the masterpiece dagger Dolan had crafted himself.

Dolan lightly tapped one of the Nevrion stones with his hammer, shattering it instantly like a cookie. It was that soft.

“Tch.”

Dolan sighed with obvious dissatisfaction, but Estella didn’t care. Ciel, who had come up beside her at some point, watched the process with intense interest.

The two stood side by side, eyes gleaming, looking more like mischievous kids than adults.

“What happens if you mix that in?”

Ciel couldn’t hold back his curiosity. He wanted to see more, but Estella shut the door to the smelting room.

“Trade secret. But I promise you something amazing’s about to happen. Get ready to be shocked out of your mind.”

“I already am. Every moment.”

“Huh? Why?”

Estella tilted her head and looked up at him, prompting Ciel to turn his head toward her too. Standing that close, their faces were only inches apart.

Her cheeks, flushed from the forge’s heat, were like ripe peaches. Soft, like cream buns—he found himself wondering what they’d taste like.

Was he… hungry?

Ciel had never compared a person to food before, and the thoughts racing through his head now were so ridiculous, they left him dizzy.

“…What are you doing?”

Only when Estella’s sharp voice cut through the air did he realize his finger was pressing her cheek.

What the hell is wrong with me!?

Embarrassment surged to his face like fire.

“Ah, um… You had something on your face.”

“Really? I could’ve wiped it off myself. Next time, just say something. I don’t like people touching my face.”

Estella slapped his hand away.

“Y-yes, I’m sorry.”

Ciel apologized in a rush. Thank the heavens Lily wasn’t here. If she had witnessed that, he would’ve been teased about it for thirty years.

“So what’s got you so shocked?”

The squirrel-like lady was annoyingly persistent.

Chapter 23

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