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“Your Grace! Your Grace!”

This time, it was the servant of “that one” who burst in. A foreboding sense of dread hardened the Duke of Kreutz’s expression. And, as feared, that sense of dread was not misplaced.

“An intruder has kidnapped the young master! And they left this behind…”

The Duke took the envelope from the servant’s trembling hands. The words on it were clear: *Ivory Tower Invitation Committee*. The writing revealed the identity of the intruder without a doubt.

The paper crumpled in the Duke of Kreutz’s hand.

* * *

Upon hearing of Duke Elpinard’s return, Axel once again visited his study. The Duke appeared as composed and immaculate as ever, not at all like someone who had just stormed into another household and kidnapped a child.

Axel began to wonder if Logan’s talk of kidnapping had been a joke. However, when he noticed the large sack unceremoniously lying on the sofa, he realized that it was no jest.

Axel, in disbelief, quickly untied the sack. Inside, a young child with black hair and a pale face was curled up, deeply asleep.

“Did you really kidnap him?”

Axel stared in shock at the Duke, who tilted his head slightly.

“It wasn’t kidnapping. It was an invitation.”

“How is it an invitation when you brought him here in a sack?”

“I admit, I used somewhat forceful means. But I did leave the invitation behind.”

Duke Elpinard offered no further explanation, narrowing his eyes instead.

“And did you come rushing here just to argue over semantics?”

“No, I’m just surprised. I didn’t know you had this side to you, Your Grace.”

Axel had always believed his father to be upright and unflappable. As a child, he had found his father intimidating and difficult to approach. The distance that had grown between them back then had never really closed, even as he grew older. This strained relationship was evident in how Axel referred to his father as “Your Grace” rather than “Father.”

‘But now…’

The Duke of Elpinard before him seemed different from the man Axel had kept in his memories since childhood. The vast distance between them seemed to have shrunk a little.

Feeling oddly uncomfortable, Axel cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject.

“More importantly… I heard there’s talk of sending Reshia back to the temple. Is that true?”

* * *

Today, I didn’t go to the Ivory Tower.

As soon as I woke up, I was summoned by Duke Elpinard. Lily and the other two maids diligently washed and dressed me with unusually serious expressions.

The trio, who were nicknamed after flowers, seemed to think that something decisive would happen between the Duke and me today.

‘If they’ve already decided to send me back to the temple, I suppose this meeting is just to inform me of that decision.’

Of course, I didn’t share my thoughts with the three of them.

After I finished getting ready, I walked with Lily to the main building. I naturally assumed we were heading to the Duke’s study, but Lily led me to a different location. The unfamiliar path made me glance around curiously, and Lily, noticing my nervousness, gave a slight smile.

“Today, you’ve been summoned to the ancestral hall.”

“The ancestral hall?”

“Yes. It’s where the portraits of Elpinard’s ancestors are kept. It also houses the history of the family.”

As soon as Lily finished her explanation, we arrived at the entrance to the hall.

“Let her in.”

The Duke’s voice came from inside. He had already sensed our arrival, even before Lily had a chance to announce it. Given that he was a Sword Master, it wasn’t surprising that he could detect the presence of a mere maid and a child.

Lily opened the massive door, allowing me to enter alone, as was the custom.

‘Wow.’

Indeed, it was a space dedicated to the portraits of the ancestors. From the entrance, the room was filled with faces. The dim lighting and the portraits that lined the walls, all seemingly watching me, created an imposing atmosphere. My heart began to pound nervously, even though I hadn’t yet come face-to-face with the Duke.

I forced my trembling legs to move forward.

The Duke stood before a large portrait at the far end of the hall, in the center. Unsure of how close I should approach, I hesitated until the Duke, who had been looking at the portrait, turned his head toward me.

“Come here.”

Duke Elpinard gestured with his hand. Understanding that he meant for me to stand beside him, I quickly walked over. He cleared his throat and turned his gaze back to the portrait.

“This is the first Duke of Elpinard.”

Following the Duke’s brief explanation, I looked up at the portrait. Blond hair and blue eyes. Though the features were somewhat different, the overall impression bore a resemblance to both the Duke and Axel. So, this is what people mean when they say that blood can’t be hidden.

“It’s well known that the history of the Elpinard family began with the founding of the Empire. Are you aware of that?”

“Yes.”

“The first Duke assisted the founding emperor in establishing the Empire, becoming one of his most trusted advisors. He was a brilliant scholar, and many of the Empire’s institutions that continue to this day were his creation.”

So, the Elpinard family’s reputation as a house of scholars began with him.

“The prophecy book that the Ivory Tower is painstakingly interpreting also came to Elpinard during the time of the first Duke. It was said that interpreting the prophecy would bring about a golden age for the Empire…”

“But it still hasn’t been interpreted.”

“That’s right. I doubt even the founding emperor and the first Duke anticipated it would take this long.”

The Duke, after calmly recounting the story of the first Duke of Elpinard, walked over to another portrait. I quickly followed and stood beside him.

“This is the second Duke of Elpinard. Like the first, he was an exceptional scholar, particularly knowledgeable in architecture.”

The Duke’s history lesson continued. Without fully understanding why, I listened as he detailed the lineage from the first Duke through to his own father. Was the reason he summoned me just to teach me family history?

I glanced at the Duke’s face, feeling confused, and noticed that he was now looking at me instead of the portraits.

“Do you understand why I’m suddenly reciting the history of our family to you?”

The tone suggested that I should know the answer, but I had no clue. Thinking it better to be honest than to lie, I shook my head slightly.

“No, I don’t.”

“I wanted you to understand how deep the history of Elpinard is, and the weight of its name. Since it’s the name you’ll carry from now on, you should at least be aware of that.”

Amidst his seemingly casual words, the phrase “from now on” slipped in.

‘Wait… what?’

That sounded as if I would continue to be Reshia Elpinard indefinitely.

‘Well, I guess even if I return to the temple, my adoption will still be valid, so I’ll remain an Elpinard.’

Once adopted, that name remains until death unless disowned, so I assumed he was just reminding me not to tarnish the family name even after I leave. He must have wanted to ensure I understood my responsibilities before I departed.

But the Duke’s next words completely shook my assumptions.

“From today, you’ll stay in the Sapphire Room in the main building. The guesthouse is for visitors, after all.”

“W-What? But…”

“But what?”

“I’m going back to the temple soon anyway… so there’s no need to move. I can just stay in the guesthouse until then.”

After all, I’d have to vacate the room soon enough, so why go through the trouble of moving? That’s what I thought. But the Duke narrowed his eyes at my response. His gaze, sharp and intimidating as ever, made me instinctively flinch.