Rather Than The Son, I’ll Take The Father

I didn’t even feel hungover.

I spent the day as usual after a brief relief by tinkering the corner of my eye where Aedis had kissed for nothing.

Put Paimon on my lap and go to work in the morning. Have a leisurely tea time.

Thanks to Aedis’ separate remarks to the butler and the chief handmaid, I didn’t have to think of excuses.

However, he did not try to leave me alone, and added here and there.

In particular, Sarah was given the chief handmaid’s special order and brought a new dessert every hour, so my stomach never stopped.

Anyway, I was treated with great hospitality all morning, and in the afternoon, as Aedis suggested, I took Charlie and Monica to the hunting grounds behind the castle.

The hunting grounds that the previous Grand Duke built with money decades ago were still well maintained.

Moreover, although not as good as Alisa, the famous horse in the capital, the Grand Duchy’s horse followed my instructions fairly well.

Charlie didn’t need anyone’s help, and Monica managed to ride alone after 30 minutes.

What was unexpected was Procyon.

“What can’t Your Grace do?”

Procyon, holding the reins in an awkward posture, looked at me with eyes full of envy.

Thanks to Monica who had seen Shaula’s wanted list, I chose Vega and Procyon as daily escorts instead of her, but Procyon’s horse was firmly infuriated.

It was really forced and reluctant, as if showing it was going to burn Procyon.

How much did the horse hate Procyon, it ignored the carrots that Procyon offered and chewed only the carrots that Vega offered.

Procyon sniffed.

“I hate to admit it, but I think the animals don’t like me very much.”

“Tsk, if you are hated that much, just admit it.”

Vega clicked his tongue. It was a very sad sight. It would be a shame to be treated coldly by cats, but now he was hated by horses.

Charlie enjoyed the feel of the fluffy fur hat and fur pants and was also curious.

“The horse can’t handle you but your posture isn’t bad, what’s the matter?”

“What were you expecting? At least it doesn’t kick. It will get better someday if you work hard.”

Monica encouraged Procyon by saying it was okay with a cheerful voice.

Today, Monica seemed to be in a very good mood. She was also keen on hunting, and she never bothered Charlie.

I felt strange because the reason was the same as the reason I was depressed.

Aedis’ absence.

That night, I lay in bed with Paimon and couldn’t sleep easily because of Aedis’ thoughts.

“Eve? Can’t you sleep?”

“Yes.”

When Aedis left, I should have asked if he thought of the deadline.

There was no one by my side, so it felt empty even though Paimon continued to take care of me.

The next day, I showed the two people around the estate. Although we did not go far, Charlie, a Southerner, constantly admired the unusual scenery.

Monica, on the other hand, looked at me with squinted eyes the whole time as if she had heard the employees’ chatter. When it was time for tea, she was determined and questioned me.

“Maevia, I heard that you signed a contract with the spirit, is that true?”

“Heh, a spirit?”

Monica ignored Charlie.

“Why didn’t you use it to kill that Gilbert guy? He might be after you later.”

“Hng, he’s so bad that he can’t even take a bite, right?”

The conversation continued as Paimon, who had become invisible, swung his front paws in the air.

Charlie soon calmed down and intervened.

“Oh, come to think of it, the Crown Prince was crying and begging me to tell you this.”

I wasn’t really curious, but Charlie kindly explained.

“I will continue to wish for Eve’s happiness in the future, so I hope that you will leave me as a good memory.”

Monica snorted at her.

“He has grown his head a bit and his face has also thickened. With what qualifications does he wish for Maevia’s happiness?”

Time passed slowly and faithfully like a cloud rising from the sky while the two exchanged stories.

Charlie was accustomed to taking care of children because of her troubled sister and at dinnertime took care of Rezen like a blood-related older sister.

Regen called Charlie by name. However, I was a bit confused with Rezen.

When I announced Aedis’ absence, Regen only said yes.

He didn’t even ask where Aedis had gone, and he turned his back to me so I couldn’t do anything.

Anyway, that day too, I lay in bed with Paimon.

Paimon looked at me anxiously with dangling eyes as he crawled into the blanket.

“Eve, it’s dark under your eyes.”

“It’ll be fine when I wake up.”

“But you didn’t sleep well yesterday either. Are you so worried about that crow?”

“I’m worried about Aedis.”

“Who cares about whom…… Oh no, it could be. The world is wide, so even if there is at least one person like you, it’s okay…… It will be fine.”

The next day, extensive cleaning took place in the morning.

I did my work and other chores as usual, but after work, I didn’t have the energy to leave the office, so I stayed locked up.

My mood was lower than yesterday or the day before yesterday.

Why do I feel so empty? I guess I’ve been too close to Aedis all this time. Besides, before he leaves, what’s the point of being treated so kindly?

“Cheer up, Your Grace. The Grand Duke will be back soon.”

Sera comforted me, who was depressed while fiddling with the ring-shaped magic tool.

I had no intention of using it yet, but my heart had gone to the desert ten times.

“Your Grace, how about having tea time with the Ladies?”

“Or should I go back to my original size and take you on a ride on my back? Flying in the sky might make you feel better.”

Paimon also helped with his sparkling eyes.

Anyone who saw it would think that I completely stopped eating and drinking and just waited for Aedis.

I ate three full meals a day, worked, and looked after Charlie and Monica’s convenience with all sincerity.

Still, Paimon’s suggestion was enticing.

“…… the sky?”

“Yes, the sky! I’ll take you to a very high place!”

I walked to the window, doubting if it would change my mood. I looked out into the courtyard, and there was someone.

“Monica?”

The office was on a relatively low floor, so Monica heard my voice and responded.

“Ah, Maevia.”

“What are you doing there?”

Monica shifted her gaze toward the bush.

“I found a strange bird. It looks sick, but I don’t want to touch it, so I was thinking about whether I should call a handmaid.”

As I pulled my upper body out of the window, a quivering little bird came into my sight. It also seemed difficult for the bird to control itself.

“Raven?!”

It’s hurt? Aedis?

Monica blinked.

“Was it your bird?”

Having said she didn’t want to touch it just before, Monica lightly touched Raven with her fingertips. Raven’s wings fluttered.

“I will go there!”

I quickly ran outside. But when I got to the patio, the little black bird was gone, and Monica stood alone.

“Monica, what about Raven?”

“That is…….”

Monica had opened and closed her mouth with a confused look. Only Raven’s feathers remained in her hands. The feathers were crumbling as if they had been removed from the body.

“It’s gone.”

“Where?”

Monica stuttered.

“I don’t even know how to explain it. As you know it is a bird and it looked cold, so I tried to cover it with a handkerchief, but suddenly in front of me…….”

Monica’s complexion was pale. Her face looked like a ghost. I glanced at Sarah.

“I’ll look for it, so you better go in.”

“Yes, Miss. I will guide you inside.”

I watched Monica for a moment as she was almost dragged away by Sarah and then opened my mouth.

“Paimon, can you see it?”

“Not nearby. The only thing I saw was that little thing.”

I scoured the courtyard. Just in case, I searched the central garden.

I searched for over an hour like that, but Raven’s whereabouts were unknown.

In the end, I left it to the employees and, exhausted, went back to the room.

“Something is strange.”

Raven is gone, and Aedis has no intention of coming back.

It was the moment when I put my hand on the ring as it was a habit.

Suddenly someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

“Maevia, it’s me.”

It was Monica. She sounded nervous and raised her voice a bit.

“Can you give me some time?”

“Come in.”

Monica opened the door on her own without a handmaid.

“Are you alright?”

I was the one who went around looking for Raven, but Monica’s complexion was more pale.

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t overdo it. May I call a doctor?”

But didn’t Sarah come with you?

As if Monica didn’t hear my question, she spoke about the business without changing her expression.

“Maevia, I always wanted to say something to you. I must do it.”

“…….”

Monica swallowed as I glanced softly at her.

“If, if possible, I would like the spirit to leave as well. It will only take a while. At least you know I’m not lying to you, right?”

“I understand.”

I glanced at Paimon.

Paimon flapped its wings.

“Can I go to Sarah?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll ask if there is any sleeping tea and I’ll come back!”

Are you going to feed me tea with sleeping pills ….?

It shouted confidently, and I watched Paimon’s back as it flew away, but Monica called me again.

“Maevia.”