Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

[Count of Forss slain] [No survivors in the mansion]. 

The Imperial Family tried to keep the unprecedented event of the destruction of a retarded noble family under wraps, but it didn’t last long.

 

Rumors were flying everywhere, and those who knew the count had heard terrible things.

 “The Count has gone mad with black magic and killed everyone.” “Or that a demon he kept in secret had escaped and was chewing off people’s heads.” “There were a lot of dirty people back there. I’m sure he was killed.” 

Any misfortune that wasn’t theirs was good gossip, and they didn’t care what was true.

 

A turbulent empire does not settle down easily, and the next thing on people’s minds was who would be the next Earl.

 

It was under these circumstances that the Marquis of Eldium made his move. Unceremoniously, they now claimed to be Katarina’s real family, and Felix’s direct kin to Forss, and demanded his guardianship.

 “Scum.” 

It was only natural that the Duke’s eyes turned to anger.

 

The Duke had used all the capital in the realm to put pressure on Eldium. If Theresia had been a petty duchess, he could have gotten away with it, but now that he was a duke, he had no qualms.

 

In the end, the Marquis of Eldium was the first to raise his hand and relinquish his guardianship. From their point of view, they weren’t sure why the Duke, who had never gotten along with Katarina, would want to take away her child, but that was none of his business.

 

“Until you come of age, Gaudium will be in charge of the estates and businesses of Forss. When you come of age and receive the title of Count, I will return it to you.”

 

It was a secret known only to Cordelia, who clicked her tongue behind her back, that Eileen, who had watched the scene unfold, marveled at the taste of power.

  

* * *

  “I will be strong.” 

With these words, Felix followed Cordelia and Lucian around the barracks at dawn, sword in hand.

 

His late start prevented him from studying under Walter, but a sturdy knight named Lux took him under his wing.

 

Those who strive are beautiful.

 

Oslo smiled as he watched the children return from their morning training. But Eileen, standing next to him, frowned inwardly.

 “Too inefficient.” 

Felix had been a brilliantly gifted child, one of the youngest to become a master, but he still lacked something. It wasn’t that he couldn’t keep up with the swordsmanship, but he was hardly what you’d call gifted.

 

It’s like trying to squeeze your foot into a shoe that doesn’t fit.

 

Finding a mage teacher, however, was no easy task.

 “Wizards have strange tempers.” 

“Eccentric”

was a common way of describing wizards. Where elementals were often impulsive or overly pure under the influence of spirits, wizards were often characteristically closed-minded.

 

Due to the more scholarly nature of magic, they were obsessed with research and shunned human contact.

 

As a result, it was difficult to meet a wizard outside of their towers. Even if one were out and about, finding one with a temperament delicate enough to teach a child was practically like finding a needle in a haystack.

 

‘If the Duke steps forward, I’m sure he’ll find a teacher somehow…’

 

Unlike Cordelia and Eileen, who witnessed the spirits and were recognized for their abilities, Felix’s gift was unknown to others.

 

She wouldn’t have known that Felix had a magical gift if it weren’t for the original story.

 

Wizards were not the easiest people to take on as tutors just because they wanted to learn; it was mostly curiosity that drove them.

 

Eileen’s eyes narrowed. The mysterious threat surrounding Felix was not the kind of thing that could be ignored.

 “Eileen, have you been waiting for us? Argh!” 

Lucian screamed as he spotted Eileen, jumping up and down excitedly, only to be doused by Cordelia.

 “What are you doing!” “Wash up first, then touch Eileen. You’re sweaty.” 

Just as she said that, Cordelia slapped Lucian gruffly. Naturally ignoring Lucian, who lunged at Cordelia with a yelp and a line of blood on his forehead, Eileen walked over to Felix.

 “How was your day?” “Good, I feel a little bit muscular.” 

Eileen complimented him modestly, then examined him out of the corner of her eye.

 

He looked very lean.

 “Yeah, as long as you like it yourself…” 

Felix had been feeling a little down about his small size lately.

 

Lucian, at his age, had already grown to almost the height of a knight, and even Eileen, a year younger than him, was half a foot taller than Felix.

 

‘I feed him well, but why does he still look like he’s 11 years old…’

 

Eileen was most worried about Felix, who hadn’t been growing much lately. Reaching up to tidy up his unruly hair, she turned to the children.

 “I’m going to the botanical garden outside this weekend.” “This weekend?” “I want to go!” 

Eileen scratched her cheek nervously.

 “Well… I was going to go alone for now, but it might not be fun if we have to talk about the botanical garden business.” 

As she added that, Cordelia grabbed Eileen’s hand.

 “It’s been less than three months since it happened, and I want to go with you because I feel uneasy when you are alone.” 

Sometimes honesty is the best weapon. Unable to find the words to say no, Eileen pursed her lips and nodded.

 “Okay… let’s go together.” 

The kids let out a small cheer. It had been a long time since they’d been out.

  

* * *

  

As it turned out, Cordelia was the only one who went with Eileen.

 “I wanted to come with you.” 

Lucian and Felix saw them off with their mouths agape. When they reported to the Duke about their outing, Lucian and Felix were not granted permission to leave, as expected.

 

For one thing, Felix is currently the center of the Empire’s most high-profile case and the target of an unknown force.

 

In Lucian’s case, it was in retaliation for the statue he had broken while playing a prank not long ago.

 “You’re so mean, Dad,”

Lucian said,

“for a statue that breaks so easily, isn’t this a scam?” 

It was his great-grandfather’s.

 

A chilled Eileen assured the children that she would get them a present and climbed into the carriage first. Cordelia, climbing into the carriage after her, turned around and smirked at Lucian. It was the smile of a clear winner.

 “That—-!” 

Cordelia hurriedly slammed the carriage door before Lucian could get angry. A fed up-looking Eileen spoke up.

 “You guys are so boring.” “Funny.” 

She’s sometimes confused if they have a good personality or a bad one.

 

Eileen shook her head and turned back to the materials she had brought with her. The plan was to open the botanical garden at night.

 

Several mines had been discovered, and there was a large supply of the stuff on the market. If they processed it well and increased the lighting to create a light garden like the one in her previous life, there would be a demand.

 “Then why did you choose a dessert shop for the meeting? Lynn doesn’t even eat a lot of desserts.” “Just because it’s famous these days~” 

It was a vague explanation, but there was really only one reason.

 

‘Because that’s Rosalia’s favorite dessert shop.’

 

Eileen’s gaze drifted out the window. Her gaze deepened, as if she were studying a scene from her memory rather than the scenery outside the carriage.

 

Rosalia Felze.

 

The woman at the center of Eileen’s new memories of Felix, whom she’d seen not long after the greenhouse disturbance.

 

The reason for Felix’s complete depravity was never directly stated, but Eileen had gotten the gist of it from the stories he’d told her in the past to gain Cordelia’s sympathy.

 

Rosalia Felze was a rare wandering wizard who loved freedom and was also one of the few wizards who had a ki

nd heart.

 

Unable to endure the abuse, Felix finally awakened as a mage and slaughtered the Count.

 

Taking pity on the child left alone in the pool of blood, she stopped her wanderings and took him back to her towe

r, giving him a new identity rather than being a convicted criminal. Someone who taught him magic and how to live.

 

“Now that I think about it, you were a bit of a jerk, you saved my life and left me behind. Cordelia, I won’t beg you to stay with me, but I’ll protect you. This time, I’ll protect you.”

 

In a lost future, he held up the grapefruit pie that Rosalia had been so fond of, and promised Cordelia a future. It was a one-sided, twisted oath that Cordelia hadn’t wanted in the least.

 

She’s the kind of stimulant who raises Felix, gets swept up in the

fictional fighting within the tower, and dies, leaving Felix completely black.

 

Giving Rosalia a future with Felix again seemed cruel in a way, given her desire for freedom.

 

‘But I’ll definitely pay for it.’

 

Still, Rosalia was the only person Eileen thought she could trust with the child.

 “They say the grapefruit pie there is delicious.” 

As far as she could tell, the dessert shop she was heading to was the only one in the neighborhood that served grapefruit pie. Luckily, grapefruit doesn’t have a long history as a food ingredient in this world.

 

‘Woo-hoo, I searched every bakery and dessert cafe in town for this.’

 

Of course, it might not be the one she’s looking for, but somehow Eileen didn’t think she could be wrong.

 

‘If I can secure Rosalia while discussing business, I can kill two birds with one stone.’

 

With that thought, Eileen stepped lightly out of the carriage.

 “For your safety, the Duke has guarded this shop and all of the surrounding neighborhoods.” “What?!!” 

But surprises always come from unexpected places.

 “Of course, I’ve withheld the Duke’s name, so please don’t worry about security and feel free to chat. Oh, and there are Templars lurking around, so if you need any help, you can give this carrot handkerchief to…” 

The Templar who had been patrolling the area beforehand squared his shoulders proudly. His sunshiny smile was so rewarding.

 

But the more he spoke, the more Eileen’s shoulders sagged. Tight security, even for a member of the imperial family. There was a reason the Duke had allowed them to go out.

 

‘The security is tight… So much so that Rosalia can’t even get in.’

 

It was only natural that the escort would be beefed up after what had happened, but she’d expe

cted a few more people at a festival, not this much overprotection.

 “I like it. Eileen, this is a relief.” 

Cordelia smiled contentedly, unlike Eileen, who was stiff with resentment.

 “Now, Viscount Forum says he’s expecting you first, so let’s go in.” 

Eileen stared wistfully at the ant-less streets, let alone the wizard, and shuffled her stubby feet lazily.

 

It had been a tiring day, even though nothing much had happened.

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