# 77
---
“Pretending?”
Elinor raised one eyebrow.
It didn't seem like that at all.
“Anyway, nothing will happen that would cause you to worry, so rest assured.”
“I can't really cut a cake in the street.”
“Okay. But then, what about your birthday...”
“Woof woof!”
While Matthias was speaking, the chained dogs suddenly barked loudly.
Elinor's shoulder trembled from the loud sound, and the child began to cry.
“Hing.”
“It's okay, kid.”
Elinor quickly hugged the baby.
"Oh my God, I'm scared. It's okay. They're just barking."
“Hing, Mama...”
"Yes, the dog barked, didn't it? What were you saying, Your Highness?"
"nothing."
Matthias smiled gently.
'Nothing.'
It seems like this should be done quietly, thought Matthias.
* * *
The next day, right after dinner.
“Hi, Eli.”
“How are you, Agares?”
Elinor met with Agares to fulfill her promise.
A dedicated maid from the Duchy of Hilliard served the tea.
The maid was, for a maid, strong and sturdy.
She seemed like a skilled escort more for the purpose of observation than service.
"Thanks."
Agares thanked the maid and drank the tea without words.
When the maid left the room, Elinor said.
“It seems like something has changed.”
"What?"
“Your actions, Agares. That maid is no ordinary maid, but you didn’t say anything.”
“Hilliard's food is so delicious that I don't want to make a fuss.”
Agares smiled, raising the corner of his eyes.
"Anyway, I had to wait until you got back, Ellie. And since I'm a guest here, I should be quiet, right?"
“If your assistant heard this, he would be very happy.”
“Isn't it?”
“Thank you for watching over the baby during this time.”
Elinor bowed.
“I heard nothing happened, fortunately.”
“The kid was quiet. But he hated me so much.”
Agares twisted his mouth sarcastically.
“And his holy power didn’t seem to be as strong as I thought.”
"…truly?"
"Compared to what was said about him. But, Eli, what about our promises?"
Elinor took out a bag she was carrying.
It was a very primitive tool to carry items tainted with black magic.
When Agares raised an eyebrow, Elinor said softly.
“I couldn't bring a contaminated body.”
"What?"
“I had to use the transportation scroll you gave me for something else.”
“Ellie, this is different from our agreement. I watched the child in exchange for you bringing plants and animals tainted by dark magic.”
"I'm sorry. But I think this would be useful too. Why don't you check it out first?"
Agares frowned indignantly and unwrapped the bag Elinor had offered.
A small bead as black as polluted earth rolled into his palm, but inside it shone golden.
“This...”
“We found it at the deepest point in the polluted valley.”
Specifically, it was something found at the place where the previous Duke had died ten years ago.
“When we cleaned up the pollution, everything returned to its original state, but this stone did not change color. Even the Golden Bird was wary of it.”
“Since the purification succeeded, it is safe to touch now, right? So, this is its original form.”
"I'm sorry I didn't bring what I promised. Can this take its place?"
"Good."
Agares smiled happily and quickly took the stone.
“That's better. Let's close the deal with this.”
"Thanks."
"I'll go back to the Magic Tower to check it right away. Ellie, do you want to come with me?"
Agares extended his hand to Elinor.
Elinor shook her head.
“The Duke said he would continue to search for Charles.”
“If you are talking about your sister, I can help you find her. Since the purification has been completed, is there any need for you to stay here? Hilliard is far from the capital.”
“The child is used to this place after spending a long time here...”
“Is that really the reason?”
"What?"
“Don't you want to just stay here, Ellie?”
Elinor's shoulder trembled.
Agares whispered sarcastically.
"You seem to have bonded a lot. It seems you were more used to Hilliard than the child."
“...Honestly, this place is comfortable.”
Elinor sighed and admitted.
“I never had a place to settle before. The Duke is no longer as scary as he used to be… In fact, I was previously worried that he would take advantage of the child.”
“It doesn't seem like that anymore?”
Elinor nodded slowly.
She had realized her change of heart a while ago, but admitting it in front of someone else made her feel embarrassed.
“I'm thinking of staying here until I find Charlotte.”
“So what after you find her? Will you leave for another place?”
"I don't know. I feel like staying at Hilliard might be good...it seems like a good place to raise a child."
Of course, Charlotte, the baby's mother, has to agree.
But if they all lived together in Hilliard, that would be great.
She wouldn't have to adjust to a new place, and if something happened to the baby, she could easily ask Matthias for help.
“Yes, it looks good.”
Elinor's face lit up with hope as she imagined the future.
A look she never showed Agares.
Agares looked at her and suddenly said:
“Well, will Hilliard still accept the baby?”
"What do you mean?"
Elinor responded sensitively.
Agares shrugged.
“It seems like they want to accept you, but not necessarily the baby.”
“Who told you that?”
"They didn't tell me directly. I heard."
Agares tapped his ears, indicating magic.
"Everyone loves you, Ellie. You're kind, smart, and you solved the border problem. They want you to stay at Hilliard."
“People love the baby too. They treat him with such care that it makes me feel embarrassed.”
“Because the baby is cute.”
Agares responded indifferently.
"But they won't let him stay with you forever. They think the baby should go back to his real mother one day."
“The child and I are family, so why do they think like that?”
“You are now known to be the child’s mother.”
Agares pointed out the rumors spreading.
“If you stay with the child, they will think that your reputation will not recover. If you want to stay at Hilliard, you should make this clear first.”
“Just because of my reputation…?”
“I told you, everyone loves you.”
Agares smiled smoothly and got up.
He carefully put the stone that Elinor had given him into his pocket and said at last:
“If you have nowhere to go, come to the Magic Tower. You and your family are always welcome.”
“I look forward to seeing you soon.”
Agares left the room smiling.
Elinor put her hands together and lowered her head to bid him farewell.
She remained silent for a while, lost in her thoughts.
* * *
Having gotten what he wanted, Agares Hilliard left without delay.
But the spark he left remained in Elinor's heart.
Do people really want the child to leave?
Would they consider bringing the baby back to Charlotte and leaving me here at Hilliard?
“Ma’am, ma’am?”
“Ah, yes.”
“He's here.”
The Grand Duchess's maid opened a heavy, bronze-colored door.
And what appeared behind him was...