My mother had been unusually busy these days.
Even after she refused the Baroness's proposal to adopt me, the Baroness still appointed her as an exclusive personal maid. She was even given a small room inside the baron's yard—something most servants could only dream of.
Still, my mother and the Baroness spent most of their time inside the main mansion.
The Baroness treated my mother with genuine kindness.
Perhaps it was because my mother was the only one who never whispered behind her back—never spoke of her infertility, never suggested that the baron should abandon her.
Time passed quietly.
I waited.
I waited for my fragile body to grow stronger.
After two months and twenty days, it finally happened.
I crawled.
The moment my hands pressed against the floor and my knees followed, excitement exploded inside me.
I can move.
I felt ridiculously happy—like the world had suddenly expanded.
Still, I restrained myself.
In my previous world, babies began crawling around four months. I didn't know the standards of this world, but even by my old knowledge, I was already abnormal.
Lay low, I told myself.
---
One afternoon, while the Baroness rested on a chaise, my mother stood beside her, gently fanning her.
Baroness: "Leslie… I never asked."
Leslie: "Yes, my lady?"
Baroness: "What happened to Daniel's father?"
My mother's hand paused for just a moment.
Leslie: "He's no longer with us, my lady."
Leslie: "He died before Daniel was born."
Baroness: "How?"
Leslie: "Bandits attacked him while he was traveling from the capital."
The Baroness sighed softly.
Baroness: "I'm sorry."
Then she looked at my mother again, her gaze lingering.
Baroness: "You're beautiful, Leslie."
Baroness: "Why don't you look for another man? Surely you receive proposals."
Leslie smiled faintly.
Leslie: "No, my lady."
Leslie: "My heart belongs to Daniel's father."
The Baroness smiled warmly.
Baroness: "You're too kind for this world."
---
After a pause, the Baroness's expression grew serious.
Baroness: "Have you heard?"
Leslie: "About what, my lady?"
Baroness: "There's tension between us and our neighboring territory."
Baroness: "Between the Baron and Count Sebastian Arclay."
My attention sharpened instantly.
Baroness: "A cave was discovered."
Baroness: "Filled with mythrill."
Mythrill.
Even I knew the name.
Baroness: "The highest-grade material for weapon crafting."
Baroness: "The Baron wished to mine it, but the cave is massive."
Baroness: "It overlaps with Thornhelm territory."
Leslie: "How much?"
Baroness: "Only fifteen percent."
Baroness: "But the Count is pushing for an equal split."
Leslie: "Fifty–fifty?"
Baroness nodded bitterly.
Baroness: "He's bribing nobles. Pressuring votes."
Leslie: "Are we going to war?"
Baroness shook her head quickly.
Baroness: "No."
Baroness: "We still have loyal nobles because of my lord's reputation."
Baroness: "But I fear… once enough are bought, we'll have no choice."
Baroness: "We can't fight him."
Baroness: "We don't even have an heir."
My chest tightened.
Leslie placed a gentle hand on the Baroness's shoulder.
Leslie: "Come, my lady."
Leslie: "Let me prepare your bath before dinner."
Leslie: "It will ease your worries."
The Baroness smiled weakly.
---
So this is politics.
And my mother…
She had erased my father so easily.
You're strong, I thought.
Stronger than I imagined.
Night came.
I lay quietly near the Baroness's bed, pretending to sleep.
My body still felt frustratingly weak.
This will take time.
Then—
Something changed.
A sensation crawled across my awareness.
Someone's here.
I stilled completely.
The window creaked open.
A man dressed entirely in black slipped inside.
My heartbeat thundered.
He looked at me.
Man in Black: "A baby…?"
Man in Black: "The Baron and Baroness are childless."
Man in Black: "Then who are you?"
His eyes narrowed.
Man in Black: "A secret heir…?"
Panic surged.
If he thinks I'm their son—
He'll kill me.
My mind raced.
God said this world has magic.
But what is magic?
How do I use it?
The man shook his head.
Man in Black: "No."
Man in Black: "Don't complicate things."
Man in Black: "I was hired to kill the Baroness."
My blood ran cold.
Man in Black: "Count Sebastian Arclay."
So it was him.
The assassin moved toward the table.
Man in Black: "According to my information, the Baroness suffers from dry-eye disease."
Man in Black: "She uses eye drops every night."
He pulled out a small vial.
Man in Black: "Weeper's Hex."
Man in Black: "A cursed substance."
Man in Black: "Slow sickness. No trace. A perfect crime."
He tipped several drops into the bottle.
Man in Black: "Let's leave before—"
He paused.
Man in Black: "Why do I feel like I'm being watched…?"
Puff.
He vanished.
My eyes widened.
He disappeared.
Like smoke.
Shadow magic…?
I forced myself to move.
I have to save her.
I crawled.
Every movement felt impossible.
Finally, I reached the bed.
The bottle sat just out of reach.
Think.
I grabbed the bedsheet.
Pulled.
The bottle tipped.
It spilled.
The liquid soaked into the cloth.
Done.
I lay there, exhausted.
The assassin will return.
But for now…
I've bought time.
I closed my eyes.
Count Sebastian Arclay…
I won't forget this.