Chapter 16

“…?”

Shilen tilted his head but did as Melissa said, scurrying a good distance away on quick little steps.

Good boy.

Once she confirmed he was far enough, Melissa looked back down at the ground.

Judging from the feel of her homi, what lay buried was a wooden box roughly forty centimeters wide, thirty deep, and twenty tall.

She carefully loosened her grip and drew the homi back, moving so slowly that her motion was barely visible.

“Phew…”

When she was sure the blade had completely left the surface, she let out a small breath.

But it wasn’t time to relax just yet.

Melissa crouched low, scanning the soil around the box with sharp and meticulous eyes.

Judging by the color and dampness of the earth, it had been buried for at least ten years.

‘The outer soil is mixed with the inner layer. Looks like it’s been dug up and reburied once before…’

She examined the exposed edges of the box again. The seams were so tightly sealed that not a single gap could be seen.

That meant only one thing.

The box had been made specifically to be buried.

Then maybe…

‘Could it be a bomb?’

Melissa’s heart thumped in her chest.

Mother Lunen used to make things like this for fun and bury them in the ground.

The other parents often scolded her for it, saying things like, “What are you teaching the child?” but she would just shrug and say, “A girl should at least know how to disarm a bomb,” then call Melissa over to show her how it was done.

Mother truly had foresight!

Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she examined the box closely.

Holding her breath, she first listened for any faint ticking, then inspected the surface carefully without touching it, searching for any kind of trigger mechanism.

“Hmm…”

Finally, she gave a small hum and frowned in disappointment.

“So it’s not a bomb after all.”

Letting out a sigh that sounded almost regretful, she brushed the dirt from its surface.

The box that appeared beneath the falling dust was unexpectedly elegant.

Its body was crafted from rare black ebony wood, adorned with brass fittings at each corner and covered in intricate carvings.

“Even the lock is delicate.”

She leaned closer to study the finely crafted lock on the front.

It looked like something she could probably pick open with a pin if she wanted to.

She gave the box a gentle shake.

The sound that came back was solid and dull, as if something sizeable were definitely inside.

Still, just to be sure, she inspected it one last time before waving her hand toward Shilen.

“You can come now!”

The boy, who had been craning his neck to peek from afar, ran over with light, quick steps.

As he approached, Melissa crouched down and showed him the box.

“This was buried in the ground.”

“…!”

Shilen’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

He looked like he was dying to peek inside. Melissa hesitated for a moment.

What should she do?

She could easily open it using the technique Mother Lunen had taught her.

But destroying a lock that someone had carefully sealed didn’t feel right.

‘Maybe…’

Her gaze softened with nostalgia.

When she was little, her parents used to hide little notes all around the village for her.

A treasure hunt.

Since she was the only child in the village, her parents made sure she could still have fun even when they were too busy to play with her.

Following the hints to find each note, one by one, always made her feel like her parents were right there beside her, playing along.

Perhaps this box had been buried for the same reason, a hidden gift for someone bored or lonely in the Grand Duchy.

With that thought, Melissa smiled and looked at Shilen.

“How about we play a treasure hunt?”

“…?”

A big question mark seemed to appear above his head.

Melissa explained what a treasure hunt was and suggested they search for the key together.

“Of course, if we find anything strange or dangerous, you have to tell me right away, alright?”

“!”

Shilen nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling brighter than ever.

Melissa couldn’t help laughing.

He looked just like me when I was his age.

Her heart warmed at the memory of her own first treasure hunt. She reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

Shilen’s feet were already tapping, ready to run off and start looking.

Melissa took his hand, counted together, one, two, three—

“From this moment on…”

She raised her hand high with his.

“The treasure hunt begins!”

* * *

Whoosh!

A blade sliced through the air.

At dawn, where blue darkness mixed faintly with the pale light of morning, a tall man swung a practice sword alone in the wide training yard.

The Eisenhart estate lay in the northern mountains.

Even in midsummer, frost often clung to the ground at daybreak.

The heat rising from the man’s body turned instantly to mist, curling in the cold air.

Step.

A faint sound of footsteps brushed against his senses.

Demius furrowed his brow slightly and halted his sword.

Then a familiar voice cut through the silence.

“Couldn’t sleep again, I see.”

Recognizing the voice, Demius resumed his stance and continued his practice, his expression unreadable.

Whoosh. Whoosh.

Seres watched quietly, observing the motion of his blade.

His balance, speed, and strength were all more refined than before.

So he hadn’t neglected his training, even during the time he was missing.

In a calm tone, Seres spoke.

“Care to cross blades with me?”

Demius froze mid-swing.

He hadn’t answered her first remark, but now he turned slowly, taking position.

A faint smile tugged at Seres’s lips as she picked up one of the practice swords resting nearby.

How long had it been?

‘Since the last time I sparred with him.’

She gave the blade a light swing, recalling the past, and a wry smile formed.

‘At least two years, I’d say.’

After Asellion’s disappearance, her already strained relationship with Demius had only worsened beyond repair.

Seres stepped forward and raised her sword.

His blue eyes, so much like her own, showed no emotion.

No fear, no disgust, not even anger.

‘His focus has improved.’

She was quietly impressed as she spoke again.

“Come.”

The word had barely left her lips when Demius darted forward like lightning, attacking from the side.

Clang!

Seres twisted her blade, deflecting the strike with ease. Demius followed immediately, turning his wrist smoothly to counter.

He’s grown stronger.

Even after one exchange, she could tell he was far more skilled than before.

Seres felt the change in her son’s strength and murmured softly.

“I heard you’re sharing a room with that girl.”

Clang!

Her words seemed to ignite him. His next strike came sharper and heavier.

Childish.

Seres clicked her tongue and deflected his attack again.

If such a small provocation could rattle him, he still had a long way to go.

She retaliated with a swift strike toward his left flank.

But Demius parried calmly, his movements smooth and controlled. He twisted his wrist and countered again.

Clang. Clack!

Their exchange grew faster, their blows heavier.

‘Not bad.’

Seres allowed herself a faint smile as she deflected his sword over and over.

Then, spotting an opening, she aimed for his hand.

But Demius anticipated the move, twisting away and trying to disarm her instead.

“Hmph!”

Seres exhaled sharply and broke free from the clash.

The dull ache that spread through her palm reminded her of her age.

Would it have been different in her younger years?

As she recalled her past strength, she realized that it wouldn’t be long before Demius surpassed her.

But not yet.

“You look tired,” she said quietly.

Clang. Clack!

Deflecting his next swing, Seres pivoted and struck his back with her elbow.

“Ugh!”

Demius grunted, quickly regaining his footing and thrusting forward again.

Seres dodged lightly and spoke with an even voice.

“I heard you were working until dawn again before finally going back to your room.”