The Grand Duke’s Little Lady

Ariel hesitated to ask Susan or Allen why the relationship between the two members of the La Carte family was bad.

They are both Susan and Allens masters after all.

Ariel took a bite of the soft muffin.

Delicious.

The taste of fragrant and sweet muffins spread through her mouth and her heavy thoughts melted down as well.

Ill just ask Lucian or Sir Mathius later.

After organizing her thoughts, Ariel began to concentrate on stirring the honey in milk with a wooden spoon.

Bruno, who sent out Heath and Ariel, raised his pale face.

He looked at his palm where the red-haired little girl touched.

It must be

She seemed harmless but he felt a tremendous amount of mana through the childs fair hands.

Bruno knew intuitively that Ariel was not an ordinary girl.

It was a gut feeling that only he could feel since he became an archmage.

Is it because its La Carte? Theres no ordinary person in this family.

Come to think of it, if a young girl like her saw a piece of furniture floating around the room, they would have screamed at least.

When he thought of the small face that didnt seem very shaken, he came to his conviction that the girl was a wizard.

She mustve been exposed to magic phenomena a lot, or at least a few times.

Bruno was deeply interested in the new young lady.

Originally, wizards are the type of people who climb the golden tower with a constant desire for exploration.

Thats why he lost his position as a palace archmage and is hiding here.

Bruno conjured up Ariels sweet and bright eyes.

Her eyes were very different from Lucian, the tyrant of this house.

But their manas energy is very similar.

It was a strange thing.

Lucian with Sword Mana and Ariel with Innate Mana cannot have similar mana energy.

Bruno arranged his white robe.

Ill have to visit the Grand Dukes office in a minute.

Ariel sat alone at a long table waiting for the pre-dinner drinks and appetizers.

This evenings dinner had to be eaten by Ariel by herself because Mathius is away.

The appetizers were egg tart and half a cup of cranberry juice small enough for Ariel.

She spoke to Allen with a sullen face, splitting the charred egg tart on the top with a fork.

Isnt Sir Mathius coming back today at all?

Allen, who was wearing a white cloth on one arm and pouring cranberry juice into Ariels glass, answered.

Yes, something happened in the estate, so he has to go to the gate in the afternoon. He will be back the day after tomorrow.

Its not a bad thing, is it? If something dangerous happens

No, milady. It happens three or four times a year, so dont worry.

Yes.

Ariel looked at the long table in front of her.

The table was big and long enough for thirty people to sit on.

But it didnt look this big when I was eating with Sir Mathius.

Ariel drank the acidic cranberry juice and pulled her napkin gently to prevent it from falling off her knees.

Ariel talked to Allen to erase the emptiness shes feeling without Mathius.

Allen, I have a question.

What is it, milady?

Do you know any family that interacts with the La Carte family?

Usually, aristocratic families were closely linked to two or three families because of their political orientation or business relationships.

The Marquis of Lucilion, who was Ariels family before marriage, also had that sort of relationship with Duke Monica and Viscount Beville.

Ariel knew this because the Marquis threatened Ariel to remain silent whenever he invited other families over.

The Marquis went out with his son Jerome every time a guest visited.

So Ariel thought that if there was a family that interacted with the Grand Duke, the wife of Lucian should know.

Allen, who heard Ariels question, answered politely.

Theres no such family, milady.

What?

Theres really none?

Yes, if you want to make it, it will happen in the future, but for now, theres none.

It was difficult for any family to exist alone.

Ariel, who was not familiar with the aristocratic world, knew about that.

Why is there no family close to the Grand Duke?

Allen looked a little perplexed.

He said, dragging his answer slightly.

because we dont need to interact.

Ariel still couldnt understand and blinked.

Allen, who saw it, slowly lowered his eyes.

How should I explain it? The fact that the Grand Duke does not interact with other families is like a lion not feeling the need to be friendly with ants.

Lion and ants?

Yes. He talks to the ant leader sometimes, but theres no other reason to communicate.

Well, I thought Id know a little.

So the Grand Duke is a lion, and the other nobles are ants?

Allen often describes the Grand Dukes house in this way.

Like La Carte is more than just a human being.

I dont think its simply because the emblem of the La Carte Family is a blue lion with a fire flower mane that the Duke is called a lion, but

By the way, is the leader of the ants talking about the Emperor?

Ariel looked faithfully at Allen, who was serving the meal.

Sliced winter smoked ham and thick slices of white cheese were placed on Ariels plate.

Ariel put the tableware down.

Allen, can you tell me why the La Carte is a lion, not an ant, just like any other aristocrat?

Allens hands twitched for a moment.

Ariel could see that she had hit a point.

If the ants leader was the Emperor the secret of La Carte could have been greater than she thought.

Ariel did not intend to dig up the dark secrets of the house of the Grand Duke, but she wanted at least, to know what she needs to know and what she shouldnt.

I dont need to know much about this subject.

Still, I thought I would no longer embarrass people around me if I knew what I should not know.

Ariel changed the question when Allen was silent despite her rudeness.

I heard that the men of the La Carte family can produce some sort of an intimidating aura. Why is that?

This time Allen answered politely.

Yes, Milady. Thats a concept that anyone who has learned a sword can know. Have you heard of the thing called the sword mana?

No, Ive never heard of it.

Mana, by analogy, seemed to be involved in magic.

But Ariel had no knowledge of magic theory.

Because in the past she only learned practical magic and no one taught her theory.

Sword mana is also called sword chi (), and the person who uses it is called the swordmaster.

Ah!

Ariel knew what a swordmaster is as well

Unlike a wizard who is a born mana user, they deal with mana by nature.

So the mana that Swordmaster uses is different from the ordinary mana?

Yes.

So thats what you call Sword mana.

Thats right.

Allen added some explanation.

Swordmasters can attack or defend with their sword mana. They can release mana, which is called momentum.

Is the momentum the one responsible for putting people under pressure?

Thats right.

But

So why is it only apparent to the men of La Carte Family? There must be other Sword Masters besides La Cartes.

That.

Ariel found the answer from Allens hesitating attitude.

Aha.

thats why La Carte was a lion and not an ant.

Allen was amazed.

It was by no means simple for such a young child to make an analogy

You have great insight.

He bowed to Ariel with respect.

Yes, milady. What I can tell you is that the men from the La Carte family are born with Sword mana, even if they dont learn the sword. Its in their blood.

Ariels bright expression was relieved with admiration.

Uwaa, by natureI see. Is it rare?

Yes, no one but La Carte is born with Sword mana.

It was very special.

Ariel was fully convinced.

La Carte had a special bloodline.

They are extremely powerful in every way and have Sword Mana that can intimidate and overwhelm others.

Thats what makes La Carte different from ordinary people, and thats why La Carte seemed to have more strength than any other human being.

Thats why theyre a lion, not an ant.

I dont know the details but.

..

Allen looked at Ariel whos lost in thought.

The young lady, who he thought was bright and lovely, was surprisingly sharp.

He became more fond of serving Ariel.

On the other hand, he was afraid that the young lady would feel bad because he hid some family affairs from her.

Just now, she noticed that he was in trouble and said it was okay not to tell the secret, but he was strictly hiding the familys affairs from the young lady.

As a butler, he felt guilty.

Allen carefully opened his mouth to Ariel.

If you feel uncomfortable with something Im hiding,.

Ariels eyes widened.

No, Im not offended. I understand that Mr. Allen is very loyal to the Grand Duke.

Then Ariel added.

Im rather relieved. That just means that Mr. Allen is going to keep everything about me so thoroughly out there. Youre very trustworthy and Im grateful for you, Mr. Allen.

Ariel grinned.

If I need to know something, Lucian or Sir Mathius will let me know. I dont think I should know it if I dont need to. So its really okay.

.

Allen felt a surge of emotion.

Other ladies were often offended or afraid of knowing that theres something hidden from them.

He had been working for the Grand Duke for a long time, and he had met several ladies of the house before Ariel.

Although there was not a long history of the Ladies in La Carte.

This is not to say that the previous hostesss reaction was bad.

Of course, as a hostess, its not fair that you dont know something.

However, it was also true that Ariel, who showed such a reaction at an early age, looked great.