Chapter 46: The Attendant’s Inner Thoughts
Julius was going through an enormous stack of documents.
He was reviewing everything that had happened while he had been away from Albertina’s side.
That absentminded yet strangely imaginative young lady had, once again, created something outrageous the moment his eyes were off her.
The writing instrument she called a fountain pen was far more revolutionary than traditional quills.
Its structure made it somewhat heavy, but its durability and ink performance were on an entirely different level.
Even when comparing black ink, the newly developed version had far superior coloration. It was more water-resistant and less prone to smudging. Moreover, instead of dipping into an inkwell, the ink was preloaded into the pen itself, making it extremely efficient for writing large amounts.
The ink itself was apparently a blend of multiple colors concentrated to appear black, resulting in a richer shade than conventional black ink. A special viscous substance improved its flow, preventing drips, and the addition of a cap ensured that neither the surroundings nor the pen tip would be damaged.
This would undoubtedly become popular among merchants and officials.
And Albertina had put great care into the design specifically for her father, Greil.
The streamlined form fit comfortably in the hand, reducing fatigue even with prolonged use.
With high-quality materials used generously, it did not look out of place even when clipped to formal attire.
Depending on the design and materials, it could easily become a luxury item.
It was something Albertina had created for her beloved father.
Yet Kishtarial had requested one of the remaining prototypes, and Albertina had cheerfully agreed, saying she was already making one for him and asking him to wait a little longer.
Most likely, she also intended to prepare similar items—though of slightly lower quality—for those close to her, including the Domitrius siblings.
As Julius skimmed through the related documents, he found several design sketches drawn by Albertina.
Among them, he spotted a fountain pen with a purple base, and his expression softened.
It was not merely a guess—he was almost certain it was meant for him.
Just like before, when she had made something based on the color of his eyes.
Reaching into the inner pocket of his chest, he pulled out what remained of a purple kusudama, torn apart.
It was something that had been destroyed when he went to personally report to the duke about the academy.
That man had pierced straight through him without even emitting killing intent.
Julius had always known that before Greil, even the most skilled fighters were no more than dust.
Still, the fact that he himself—someone confident in his own ability—had been unable to react at all and was struck down so easily remained vividly etched in his memory.
The pain had been instantaneous, then strangely vanished just as quickly.
Even Julius could only stare blankly at his blood-soaked clothes, with holes clean through his chest and back.
He had been kneeling before Greil, head bowed—meaning the blade had pierced from his back through to his chest.
Greil had merely looked at the faint traces of blood on his magic sword with boredom.
“…Why does Albertina show affection to someone as insolent as you?”
Greil had said it casually, gazing at Julius with cold indifference.
Without caring about Julius’s shock, he slid the blade across Julius’s chest and hooked out the broken kusudama.
He carefully dropped it to the floor without damaging it further.
The magic stone and ornament were already destroyed, the remaining magic almost completely gone.
It had clearly activated.
A disposable amulet.
Albertina’s handmade creation had inherited the nature of her barrier magic, specializing entirely in protection.
“…Your Grace.”
“Yes, I merely wanted to test it. Using my own would have ruined the gift Albertina gave you. Since it turned out to be disposable, testing it on you was the right choice.”
That attack would have killed anyone.
Even someone other than Julius.
But to Greil, Julius was nothing more than an annoying insect harboring improper feelings toward his beloved daughter.
The only reason he tolerated him was because Albertina liked him.
In truth, Greil simply disliked that Julius possessed something made by his daughter, and he had wanted to assess her craftsmanship.
On a mere whim—to test it—Julius had been killed once.
Still, the result had exceeded expectations.
Albertina’s skill in creating magical tools was far higher than anticipated.
Despite her lack of common sense and economic awareness, she had used premium materials without hesitation.
Even as a disposable item, the fact that it could completely block a lethal attack demonstrated extraordinary talent.
Such an item would be coveted by royalty, high nobles, and those with enemies everywhere.
As long as she remained under the protection of Greil and the Latiche house, she would be safe.
Even if she could no longer live as a noble lady, her abilities alone were enough to build immense wealth.
Which only increased the likelihood of her being controlled and exploited.
This was, without a doubt, a new problem.
Fortunately, Albertina herself had not yet realized it.
She undervalued her own abilities.
But in reality, she possessed numerous top-tier talents.
Whatever magical ability Christina had once held was unknown, but Albertina had undoubtedly inherited Greil’s power.
Julius still kept the broken kusudama.
If he simply told her it had broken, she would likely make him another—but that would only result in Greil stabbing him again.
Next time, it might not stop at a simple strike.
Greil might use a far more destructive spell.
Even though Greil had already received a second amulet from Albertina, there was no room for complacency.
His obsession with his daughter was abnormal.
His love for Albertina, who resembled his late wife and possessed a delicate and gentle heart, bordered on madness.
To fall for the daughter of such a man was, by any standard, insanity.
Yet Julius had no intention of abandoning his feelings.
He was not the only one captivated by her.
Two others, close to her, were the same.
Despite knowing Greil’s terrifying nature, they remained hopelessly devoted to their first love.
Julius sighed internally.
Then, through the window, he spotted Albertina walking in the garden.
An elderly gardener had just emerged from the greenhouse.
He could not do much physical work due to his back, but his knowledge kept him employed—more importantly, Albertina was not afraid of him and liked him.
Many servants remained in the household for that very reason.
Greil had always valued competence, but as his affection for Albertina grew, he began to place importance on character as well—above all, whether Albertina felt at ease around them.
Julius himself was one of those people.
The business ventures born from Albertina’s ideas had brought him immense success, even earning him a noble title.
Albertina herself had no idea how many people owed their rise to her.
Merchants had risen from apprentices to owning prime-location shops.
Chefs trained in the Latiche household were widely admired.
Even maids benefited, receiving luxury cosmetic products and improving their prospects for advantageous marriages.
Julius, Anna, and Sebas—all long-time attendants—had received birthday gifts from her.
Julius himself had, more than once, coaxed her into agreeing to commercialize her ideas as his “gift.”
She was intelligent, but terrible at negotiation.
She would always end up agreeing before realizing what had happened, then stare blankly in confusion.
Watching that was rather entertaining.
Of course, if he pushed too far, Anna, Sebas, or even Greil would intervene.
Even so, Albertina was far too easy to deceive.
She could never be sent out into society.
That world was far too dangerous.
(Even if I managed to obtain her… I’d have no choice but to keep her confined.)
Fortunately, Albertina did not mind staying indoors.
In fact, she feared unfamiliar people to an extreme degree.
She accepted even Greil’s intense possessiveness without resistance.
Julius himself was also deeply possessive—especially when it came to her.
He had once revealed those feelings openly, yet she showed no fear.
After his confession, things had been slightly awkward, but with time, everything returned to normal.
Whether she didn’t understand, didn’t notice, or simply chose to ignore it—Julius didn’t care.
As long as she continued to smile at him, that was enough.
He was completely captivated.
It was absurd how much he loved her.
Once, he had despised her enough to want her dead.
After the kidnapping incident, she had changed so drastically that she seemed like a different person.
And yet, Greil would never mistake someone else for his daughter.
Her rare royal eyes and her beauty alone proved her identity.
Her barrier magic further confirmed her lineage.
There was no doubt—she was Albertina.
(…If she had retained even a fraction of her former cunning and arrogance, she would have been much easier to win over.)
Looking down through the window, he saw Albertina happily admiring roses left behind by a dismissed servant.
Even for a girl her age, her innocence was excessive.
For someone like Julius, it was sometimes unbearable.
If she had been more twisted, he wouldn’t have hesitated to taint her.
Albertina noticed him and waved enthusiastically.
He responded with a polite bow, which made her look slightly dissatisfied.
When he waved back instead, she beamed—and promptly nearly fell backward.
Anna and a young gardener caught her instantly.
The young man was likely a guard disguised as a gardener.
Albertina blinked in confusion before realizing what had happened and thanking them.
Even Julius felt his heart skip.
From this distance, he would not have made it in time.
“…You really are someone I can’t take my eyes off, aren’t you?”
His quiet murmur went unheard.
No one noticed the faint sorrow in his violet eyes.
Later, he heard that Raven’s rose had formed buds.
Albertina eagerly headed to the greenhouse.
Though she wanted to forget the academy incident entirely, the rose Raven had given her was precious.
Raven, the small boy with dark skin and jet-black hair, who had served as both attendant and guard.
“Is Raven doing well…?”
“My lady…”
“I do not know how severe servant ‘re-education’ is, but does it take a long time?”
Anna and the young gardener exchanged glances.
They likely knew something—but Albertina chose not to press further.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. Please continue caring for the roses. They’re important to me… I’m looking forward to them blooming.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The elderly gardener smiled.
Later, Albertina realized something.
“…Wait… was that a proposal?”
Julius had once casually said he could arrange for her to become a viscountess.
She had not thought much of it at the time.
But now, it clicked.
“…Should I properly refuse him…?”
“What’s wrong, my lady?”
“J-Julius may have proposed to me! I need to refuse him properly!”
“What!? That sadistic bespectacled man!? If he thinks he can get ahead of himself—this is excellent, but I’m going to smash him right now!”
“Anna!?”
Anna grabbed an axe from the wall and stormed off.
Moments later, she returned, saying she had been stopped by Sebas.
At tea time, Julius appeared wearing a different pair of glasses—and an eyepatch.
“…Sebas is the head butler of the Latiche house. Do you really think he’s just an old man?”
Albertina quickly healed him with magic.
For some reason, Julius looked troubled.