Chapter 9

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Since we didn’t really have anywhere else to take this injured boy who refused to see a doctor, we took him to the stationery shop.

Even though Dominic cast a cleaning spell, this place still looks shabby. The child seemed shocked when we went inside and he saw the interior. Fortunately, he seemed to simply accept his surroundings, as if he were a brave knight entering a battlefield.

I took out the first-aid items I had brought with me when I left the duke’s house, disinfected the child’s wound, and bandaged it tightly.

“It’s almost done.”

Dominic quietly extended his hand over the boy’s bandaged legs. He seemed to be casting a healing spell, but the child, who had closed his eyes in an attempt to look dignified, did not witness the magic.

“It d-doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Just what I’d expect from a brave knight like you.”

My gaze, which was resting on the child, was then drawn toward the object in his hand. He had not let go of it for a moment, even while lying alone on the ground or wincing from the pain of the disinfectant.

It was a transparent case containing a small music box. It looked like an antique, and I couldn’t help but marvel at it. Music boxes like that were a rarity these days.

“Hey, do you like music boxes?” I asked.

The child’s face turned red. “Yes. Don’t make fun of me.”

Old-fashioned, antique items generally went unappreciated by most people. The boy’s embarrassment over liking things that didn’t enjoy mainstream popularity was cute.

“I’m not! I like these sorts of antiques, too.”

The child’s eyes widened at my words, and he began to speak excitedly. “I haven’t met anyone else who also likes things like this!”

“Antiques are wonderful. Music boxes like this sound really pretty, too.”

He smiled brightly at my words, but his face soon grew sullen. “I bought it as a birthday present for my older brother. Do you think he’ll like it, too?”

Hmm. I pondered for a moment. The most recent trend among nobles was to get expensive and sophisticated items as birthday gifts.

An expensive, stylish hat, for example. Or luxurious dresses made from fine fabrics imported from across the continent, with an emphasis on the quality of the material rather than decorative elements.

I shrugged and replied, “I’d certainly be happy to receive such a gift. And...”

He looked at me quizzically.

“If your brother likes you, he’ll appreciate any gift you give him.”

On the other hand, if he doesn’t like you, he won’t appreciate anything you give him. There was a time when Meldenique Babelloa made great efforts to please her father. She had always bought the trendiest items at the time to give to him, but she never heard even a single word of gratitude.

I was lucky that my gift didn’t end up in the trash. The child’s eyes widened upon hearing my words. He stared up at me in amazement.

“Th-that’s a great point!”

It seemed like he had started to like me. I grinned and smoothed out his tousled hair. The child, whose name I still didn’t know, relaxed at my touch. He reminded me of a purring cat.

I was about to ask him his name, why he got hurt, whether someone did this to him, and tell him I’d scold them for him, but...

“Is the treatment all done?” I asked.

“Yeah. It’s a bit messy, but...” Dominic said as he nodded, stretching his legs. The image of a hero of legends I had in my head was very different from the long-limbed, slim man in front of me.

Sensing my gaze fixed on him, he casually remarked, “The kid must be tired.”

“I was just about to call for a carriage, but...” The injured boy was starting to doze off, so I gently wrapped an arm around his shoulders to get his attention. “Sweetie, how about you take a short nap upstairs? I’ll wake you up in an hour and call a carriage for you.”

The child nodded, barely able to keep his eyes open. But he then hesitantly tugged at my shirt and asked quietly, “There aren’t any ghosts upstairs, are there?”

“No, there aren’t. And if any do show up, I’ll chase them away for you.”

“You’re very chivalrous,” the boy mumbled. “It’s so brave of you to live in an abandoned house. You’re just like a real knight...” The child’s eyelids drooped closed.

An abandoned house? Really? I mean, it is pretty shabby, I suppose. I wasn’t offended at all by his remark. Not even a little. After Dominic laid the child to sleep on the small sofa upstairs, he plodded back down the steps.

“Now, let’s finish our discussion about remodeling,” I said.

“Right now?” Dominic asked as he gingerly sat down on the rickety chair.

I nodded eagerly. “Yeah, right now.”

I had a plan. I was going to promote my stationery shop to this child, who was almost certainly a student at the academy, as he left in a carriage. But the building was still in such poor condition that I doubted it would leave a good impression. Plus, I couldn’t let a precious young customer leave with bad memories of this place.

“Before it’s time for the boy to leave, I think it would be a good idea to tidy up the garden for him to see.”

“Well... yeah, that makes sense.” Dominic avoided my gaze, seemingly unable to deny that the garden needed work.

Is it really that bad out there? I glanced out the window. I was met with the sight of a sad-looking lawn overgrown with weeds. It really did look like the kind of place you’d find ghosts.

“Let’s hurry and get started.”

An hour later, Dominic had finally stopped complaining about being made to mow the lawn even though he was a mighty sword.

Wow, is there anything Dominic can’t do? He had an incredible talent for yard work. He looked like a god of gardening, especially when expertly clearing overgrown branches.

“Looks good, doesn’t it?” he asked.

“It sure does.” Dominic puffed out his chest and leaned against a tree. “Oh, right. Mel.”

“Yeah?”

“I told you about the spies watching us, right?”

“Yeah.” I grew tense.

“I cast a little brainwashing spell while I was carrying the boy. Their reports to their master should be useless now.”

Dominic raised his long sword and effortlessly slashed at a tree. The sound of branches hitting the ground followed soon after. I remained at a safe distance, pulling weeds.

Dominic continued, “Well... I wouldn’t really count it as protecting your life, so just think of it as a little gift.”

It seemed like he really didn’t like Lennox, given all of his complaints about the man. I smiled and nodded.

“Good job, Dominic!”

“Phew... Using my power after so long tired me out a bit. It’s been a while since I cast a brainwashing spell.”

“You did well. I’ll reward you with some steak for dinner!” I gave him a thumbs up.

Dominic seemed easily affected by praise. He placed his sword on the ground, trying to suppress a smile. He cleared his throat. “Now, let’s clear these dangerous-looking branches.”

I smiled faintly as he looked up at the tree.

He seems really excited. Is it because he got to use his magic after so long? Suddenly, while Dominic had his back turned, something drew my attention. It was a peculiar rustling sound coming from the thicket.

What was that? I scanned our surroundings.

I don’t see anything suspicious... And he did say he brainwashed the spies. Nevertheless, I felt uneasy for some reason. I looked around.

Huh? What’s that on his sword? I lowered my gaze. An ominous gleam began to flicker around the sword Dominic had momentarily put down. I tried to act casual as I walked toward Dominic, who was staring intently at the cherry tree, and grabbed his arm tightly.

“Hey, Dominic?”

“Hmm?”

“That sword over there.”

“Yes? Do you mean the sword of the master pruner, Dominic?” He happily hummed a tune while picking cherries. I pulled on Dominic’s arm, trying to tell him that something strange was happening with his sword, but...

Huh? I can’t speak. Strangely, my lips wouldn’t move. I was unable to warn him about the strange gleam on the blade. A dark energy slithered across the ground toward Dominic’s back.

With a loud noise, the air suddenly grew frigid. I was still unable to speak as I watched a pitch-black mass of smoke slowly emerge from the sword and begin to take a more solid shape.

“Why was the seal broken?” Dominic tensed his jaw, sounding frustrated.

What does he mean? What seal?!