NOVEL NEXT Ch. 9
A few days later, I met Zeppelin again in front of Alexander’s stable.
Zeppelin looked utterly exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept a wink since I had thrown out the bait.
“Greetings, Lady Belladi.”
“Indeed, Sir Vincent. It’s been a while.”
With those words, I effortlessly mounted Alexander.
“Shall we take a run?”
Zeppelin’s response came a bit delayed, clearly unprepared for my suggestion.
“Yes.”
The stable hand brought a horse for Zeppelin.
Once he mounted, I firmly grasped the reins and commanded.
“Open the gate.”
“Yes, Lady Belladi!”
The stable hand opened the gate that blocked the entrance. With that, Alexander began to gallop toward the vast plains adjacent to the stable.
Neighhhh-!
Alexander neighed vigorously, clearly enjoying himself. Without restraining the excited horse, I skillfully rode further into the plains.
Zeppelin diligently followed behind me.
‘We need to get far away from the stable first.’
The vast plains next to our mansion were one of our estate’s proudest features. It was rare to find such a place for comfortable horseback riding within the crowded capital.
As Alexander galloped briskly, we soon reached the middle of the plains. Once the mansion’s roof was out of sight, I used the reins to calm him down.
At my signal, Alexander’s speed decreased.
Purrung-
The horse soon came to a complete stop. Looking back, I saw Zeppelin also slowing down and stopping behind me.
I surveyed the plains and spoke up.
“How is it? Without the permission of the direct line, no one can enter here. The space is vast, perfect for practicing swordsmanship, isn’t it?”
Zeppelin’s grip tightened noticeably.
He rubbed his eyes, which were shadowed by dark circles, and spoke.
“I’m not sure what you mean….”
“Still not understanding?”
At my pointed question, Zeppelin hesitated.
I tilted my head and stared at him.
“I thought I gave you plenty of time to think. Is it still not enough?”
“… Lady Belladi.”
“Alright. To ease your concerns, I’ll first answer the questions you’re likely wondering about. Starting with the watchers.”
Zeppelin’s eyes widened in surprise. Observing his reaction, I smiled.
“You’re curious about how I knew, right? It wasn’t difficult. A spy network is essential for a power as great as our family.”
I could feel Zeppelin focusing intently on my words.
“So, how did I find out about the organization’s name and your position as the leader….”
His throat moved visibly.
“If I told you I deciphered the notes you exchanged in code, would that satisfy your curiosity?”
At that moment, Zeppelin gasped in shock.
“Th-that…!”
He instinctively tried to retort but quickly closed his mouth to hide his agitation.
Seeing him habitually maintain a poker face, I chuckled.
“You want to know how I found the notes? If I deciphered the code, finding the notes was a given.”
Zeppelin rubbed his eyes again.
“Ha….”
His sigh was accompanied by the warm early summer breeze sweeping across the plains.
Swoosh-
Amidst the rustling of grass, a smile tugged at the corner of Zeppelin’s mouth.
“I concede.”
Zeppelin, for the first time, dropped his rigid poker face and smiled at me.
“How did you decipher the code?”
“I found the pattern and solved it. Is there any other way?”
Zeppelin laughed heartily in admiration.
“Hahaha! My judgment was right. You truly are remarkable, Lady Belladi!”
For the record, I hadn’t actually found the watchers’ notes or deciphered the code.
Even if I had found the notes, I couldn’t have easily deciphered the code meticulously created by top experts.
‘I read it all in the original story.’
But who managed to recall this information?
It was me.
So, discovering the notes and deciphering the code was essentially my ability.
I asked Zeppelin, who was still admiring me.
“So, what’s your answer to my proposal?”
Zeppelin hesitated briefly, then looked at me with a slightly flushed face.
“If I were to teach you, Duke Alton would never allow it.”
“That’s why I created a natural opportunity to spend time together.”
I slowly tilted my head, gazing into Zeppelin’s dark blue eyes.
“To make you mine.”
If I simply wanted a
But I desired Zeppelin’s blind loyalty.
‘And I vowed not to suppress my desires anymore.’
The day I fully buried my mother and regained the memories of my past life.
Zeppelin’s eyes now burned with passion as he looked at me.
Acknowledging his identity to me, he seemed relieved of a heavy burden.
“Is that why you chose me….”
To him, I decided to reveal my true intentions.
“Exactly. I want not just you but also the
“Even if you’ve won me over, it won’t be easy to take the others. The watchers’ master is the head of the Alton family.”
“Sir Vincent.”
At my call, Zeppelin closed his mouth and looked at me.
I spoke firmly to him, who still added unnecessary details.
“Just answer yes or no.”
“… yes.”
“Do you want to teach a direct line of the Alton family?”
Zeppelin softly dismounted from his horse and knelt, lowering himself completely.
“Yes, Lady Belladi…! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream!”
Every word he uttered was filled with uncontainable emotion.
“As a teacher and a subordinate. I will loyally serve you until the day you conquer the world!”
“That’s a given.”
I leisurely extended my hand. Zeppelin promptly stood up and gently took my hand, pressing it to his forehead.
It was a gesture of submission.
“Even if the path I take leads to hell, follow me without hesitation.”
“I will, Lady Belladi.”
In the original story, he was the most reliable and capable subordinate the eldest could trust.
I finally acquired such a person.
‘This is just the beginning.’
I was utterly fed up with living a life of insignificance and neglect.
‘I will elevate my influence in this house by any means necessary.’
Like the eldest in the original story, I would rise to a position where no one could disregard me.
I smiled contentedly as I accepted Zeppelin’s submission.
***
That day, while lightly training Alexander, I coordinated future plans with Zeppelin.
When I expressed my desire to train in swordsmanship, Zeppelin immediately began setting up a training schedule.
“I instantly recognized Lady Belladi’s potential.”
His eyes sparkled with unprecedented intensity.
We decided the training location would be this plain.
With my father busy and Meldor disliking horseback riding, this place was perfect for secret sword training. Moreover, I could wear comfortable clothes under the pretense of training Alexander.
Zeppelin would prepare wooden swords and other training tools. As we discussed the details, the sun began to set, and the sky grew darker.
After telling him I would contact him again, I returned to the mansion. The butler greeted me as I entered the front door.
“Welcome back, Lady Belladi.”
“Yes, where is Father?”
“He went to the palace for a state meeting and has not yet returned.”
“Hmm, and Meldor?”
“The Little Duke just finished dinner and is resting in his room.”
When it was decided that I would train Alexander, Meldor threw a fit but was scolded by Father. Since then, he hadn’t spoken to me.
‘That actually works in my favor.’
As I walked through the corridor, talking with the butler, something caught my eye. It was the
They all wore gloomy and lethargic faces. It wasn’t just the people; the mansion itself exuded a somber atmosphere.
When Mother was alive, the mansion was somewhat lively and bright. Now, it was depressingly somber.
‘It’s just like it was described in the original story.’
Would this mansion remain in this state until Nesia arrived?
That would be the worst.
‘Living in such a house would give birth to depression.’
I recalled Zeppelin’s earlier words.
-Lady Belladi, to increase your influence within the mansion, you must first win over the servants.
‘He’s right.’
“Is there something you need?”
The butler asked, observing my contemplative expression.
I climbed the stairs to the second floor, where I mainly resided, and spoke.
“Bring the head maid to the second-floor drawing room immediately.”
“Understood.”
“And bring the new furniture catalogs.”
“Yes? Why the catalogs…?”
I didn’t answer the butler’s question and simply looked at him. The butler, Rover, hurriedly bowed.
“Understood, Lady Belladi.”
He always had a habit of questioning my orders. I felt displeased.
‘Charles, the previous butler, never did that.’
Shaking my head, I returned to my room to change clothes.
When I headed to the drawing room, the head maid and butler were waiting neatly. The head maid, Emily, bowed politely as she saw me.
“You called for me, Lady Belladi.”
“Yes. The catalogs?”
I said as I plopped down on the sofa.
“Here are the latest ones from the department store.”
Emily handed over a thick catalog book. It was filled with pictures of newly released furniture, curtains, carpets, and ornaments for the current season.
As I flipped through it, I spoke.
“The furniture currently decorating the mansion is from last year, right?”
Emily flinched noticeably at my question and quickly bowed deeply.