I checked the comments.
Michelan got released, thank goodness. Now the Late Empress can finally rest in peace ㅠ
Still, the Emperor seems to be on Michelan’s side. Guess he hasn’t forgotten how well the Late Empress treated him when he was young.
I hope they do something about that kid who reported him — no matter how much he wanted to get into the palace, how could he betray like that? The Empress Dowager might see this as an opportunity to get rid of him.
The Emperor... even his palace carriage ride sounds like hell. Two hours on the rush hour train...
‘Michelan got released.’
My Gaho was pretty useful.
I could find out things about the main plot from the comments.
And in the past few days, I learned a few things about my Gaho.
For example, the part where I reported Michelan —
But Michelan was reported and sent back to the palace.
The noble child who was close to him made a fake report for Michelan, who wanted to return to the palace.
─It seemed like all the branches were trimmed off this way.
That Michelan was helped by my order was thanks to —
...Duke Astra’s aide, Conrad Marcial.
Conrad Marcial was helping him for some reason.
─It was all summarized vaguely like that.
‘I’m not the villain here.’
I knew Michelan would be safely released.
How could a mere “former steward of the Late Empress’s palace” who fell out of favor with the Empress Dowager still be alive?
There had to be someone higher protecting him.
‘Above the Empress Dowager, there’s only the Emperor.’
While I was thinking that, there was a knock.
I answered, and Betty hurried in, holding a letter.
“It’s a letter from Conrad.”
It seemed to be news about Michelan’s release.
‘Conrad really knows how to handle things.’
I’d gotten Conrad’s help this time.
Conrad, Michelan here. Michelan saved me. I want to say thank you.
Michelan’s wish is to bring something from the palace forest.
The maids say Conrad’s smart. If I ask, he’ll tell me everything.
How can I help Michelan’s wish come true?]
I wrote a carefully crafted letter, each crooked letter written one by one, and Conrad accepted without hesitation.
[If someone helped the lady, then they are a benefactor to me as well.
I think I can help with this.
Conrad was my ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) grandfather’s closest aide.
He also managed Duke Astra’s agents, so I trusted he would handle it well.
‘People are worth having on your side.’
Betty looked at me cautiously.
Betty gently pinched my cheek. She looked very happy, giggling softly.
This was her reward for writing the report.
‘But it’s weird. Why doesn’t Betty ask why I wrote the report?’
“Hehe, yes, Miss, hehehe.”
“You don’t ask why I wrote the report?”
Betty tilted her head.
“If my mistress commands, I do whatever it is, no matter the reason. My mistress is you.”
Betty smiled gently looking at me.
“So you only have to give the orders.”
“I wouldn’t ask why even if you told me to break my own leg.”
“Why would I do that...?”
Betty squatted to meet my gaze.
She hugged her knees and said,
“I originally worked in another jurisdiction. Heidi too.”
That was the place where Liantin, the one I fought with at grandfather’s birthday, was.
“Heidi and I struggled on the streets before we barely got hired by a noble family.”
“We thought having a respectable job would change our lives, but it was different than expected.”
“The previous mistress threw teacups when upset. The former master... touched me roughly...”
When I said that, Betty grinned.
“You always tell me I’m bad .”
“When we were beaten, you stood up for us and told them not to hit.”
“I’m really happy to serve you.”
Heidi said similar things.
“You never shout, even as a joke. That makes me so happy.”
I stared into Betty’s sparkling eyes.
Then I pounded my chest.
“Don’t waste your life on that! People who treat you well are the scariest!”
Betty was startled, but soon laughed clearly.
“I like it when you say that.”
I sighed deeply and hugged Betty.
‘How can someone so kind live in this world.’
If she’s used and wakes up, only bones will remain.
‘Sigh... I have no choice.’
I have to take care of them.
I headed to my father’s study.
Peeking through the slightly open door, Enzo spotted me.
Father nodded at Enzo. Enzo opened the door.
I ran to Father’s desk. He picked me up and set me on his knee.
“Are you eating well?”
“Why aren’t you gaining weight?”
Then Father looked at me with a worried expression.
Every time I looked in the mirror, I worried my cheeks might swell and burst.
I looked at Father’s face — he was seriously staring.
He really thought so...
‘Is this what they call being blinded by love?’
I got a little embarrassed and quickly looked away.
“What brings you to my study?”
“I want to go to the shopping district.”
Enzo’s eyes went wide.
“Not the market, but the shopping district?”
Markets were like local markets in each jurisdiction.
The shopping district was like a representative shopping town of the Astra estate.
“That’s not under our jurisdiction, so it might be dangerous.”
The shopping district limited nobles to no more than three guards each to allow smooth business.
If customers got scared by guards, the business would suffer.
I quickly added, worried Father might say no.
“Yes. The shopping district has toys, pretty clothes, and delicious food. It’s fun!”
“Even kids from the Twelfth Tower go there...”
If the cadet branch kids go, it’s safe.
I meant it that way, but Father and Enzo’s faces stiffened.
Enzo narrowed his eyes at me.
“The Twelfth Tower kids... that’s too much. They’re locked up in the tower even during breaks!”
Enzo exploded, and Father’s gaze turned cold.
It was true I stayed in the tower during breaks.
Not only because there was no one to watch me, but also...
‘I didn’t want to go out.’
There was nothing good to gain by standing out.
But now that I have a guardian, things were different.
“Treat the twins well!”
Enzo’s eyes welled up.
He seemed to think I was defending the Twelfth Tower kids.
He thumped his chest, and looked at Father determinedly.
“I will accompany her.”
Quickly, I said so, worried Enzo might really go.
‘I can’t go with Enzo.’
He would guard me too thoroughly.
He’d make it impossible for me to move.
But this time, I have to move without the guards noticing.
‘I’m going to earn money.’
Now that I have a guardian and the house is under control, only one thing remains.
I can buy everything I need, bribe if needed, and even make more money with it.
And I’ve always liked money.
While I was smirking inside, I heard Enzo’s voice.
He seemed very hurt that I didn’t want to go with him.
I quickly made an excuse.
“Enzo is busy. Don’t bother him.”
“You think so much about me...”
He kept looking sad, so I glanced at Father.
“Remember when we rode the mule at Hadix Mountain last time? You seemed to like it. But Mosco’s a bit slow...”
That’s why he’s good.
He’s simple and won’t understand much of what I do.
Father thought for a moment.
Then with hands folded nicely, he looked at me shiningly and sighed.
“The shopping district is under the factory’s jurisdiction. No one should cause trouble.”
“Yes. Mosco would protect you even if a big fight breaks out.”
I threw my arms up with a ‘Yay!’
After passing the checkpoint, I gasped entering the huge dome-shaped walled area.
The shops inside looked like a European village.
Green trees lined the streets, benches here and there.
Countless beautiful buildings...
All of them were shops.
They said it was the landmark of Astra, and it was indeed amazing.
“Isn’t it beautiful, Miss?”
Heidi and Betty, who came with me, were excited.
Even the three-meter-tall guard, Mosco, was amazed.
“A big estate really is different.”
“Mosco, didn’t you come here before?”
I asked, and Mosco nodded.
“Five years ago, I was a slave of a foreign tribe. The general destroyed the work camp and took me as a soldier.”
“Aren’t you surprised?”
“A slave? Most nobles treat me like trash.”
Mosco seemed surprised that I wasn’t fazed.
“Slaves are people too.”
I said that and walked on ahead.
I felt a steady gaze from behind.
When I turned, Mosco was staring with wide eyes.
I grabbed Mosco’s finger.
His fingers were big like frankfurter sausages because of his big body.
Mosco blinked, then laughed softly.
“Now I know why the general fell head over heels for you.”
“Yes, yes. Let’s go!”
Mosco lifted me up and gave me a mule ride.
‘Sitting high up is so much fun!’
I giggled, and the maids enjoyed seeing me happy.
We all walked around the shopping district.
Father gave me a generous allowance, so I bought toys and a new sketchbook.
‘Now, time to start moving.’
I shouted, and the maids and Mosco looked where I pointed.
“That’s a dessert shop. I heard it’s popular among nobles lately.”
“Yes, Miss. Shall we go?”
The maids led me toward the dessert shop.
Just as we were about to enter, a man rushed out in front of the shop.
He looked like a clerk.
When the maid spoke, he turned pale and looked at Mosco.
“You must leave your guards outside.”
Mosco shouted, and the clerk shrank his shoulders.
“This is a shop exclusive to nobles. If there are threatening people inside, you won’t enjoy it properly.”
“I’m the guard! You want me to leave the lady?”
“B-But everyone comes in without guards...”
The clerk trembled, but Mosco just snorted.
“If something happens to the lady without me, your face and body will be separated forever.”
─He didn’t forget that warning.
I waved to Mosco and entered the shop.
The shop was laid out just like I’d read in .
A showcase in the center displayed desserts, and there were rooms along the walls.
Nobles enjoyed desserts in these private rooms.
But since it wasn’t a noble mansion, voices sometimes drifted between rooms.
“I’ll show you to a room.”
“I like the one at the far end.”
The clerk set the table at my preferred room and left.
The maids couldn’t sit with nobles, so they waited outside.
‘What time is it now?’
I checked my pocket watch — exactly four o’clock.
Then noisy voices came from another room.
“Ah, this isn’t information you can easily get... I, as a special, very special, informant, will tell you.”
“Stop stalling and tell me. What is that information?”
“There is a treasure island left by the Pirate King.”
“Treasure... island?”
“The Pirate King of Mo Kingdom left word about the treasure island before he died. So the age of great piracy opened, and the Leather Hat Pirates — no, anyway. They found the treasure island. Captain Kun.”
‘Talking about treasure islands like it’s nothing.’
That boy spouting nonsense about treasure islands was Han Jihyeok, the only other reincarnator here besides me in .