Chapter 93

“…What?”

The sudden sharp voice made Roro freeze.

The spirits she had almost grabbed scattered in all directions with shrill squeaks.

Roro blinked blankly, then barely managed to open her mouth.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.”

Natalianne shrugged.

“The Temple wants everyone to believe that the Spirit Masters’ bloodline continues only through priests.”

But then she added, her lips curving faintly.

“What if a Spirit Master appeared among commoners?”

Her red lips twisted into a sharper smile.

“And what if that commoner’s gift far surpassed the nobles born in the Temple?”

“…!”

Damn it.

Roro’s face drained of color.

Demius, who had been silent until then, spoke.

“How did you come to know that?”

“Well.”

Natalianne flicked her nail as if brushing the question away.

“There are ways.”

Demius narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.

“I see. Then you can explain it later when Mother is present.”

At the mention of “Mother,” Natalianne’s expression instantly tightened. She pouted and muttered coldly,

“I could tell you now. You’re the heir to this territory after all, and our master deserves to know everything.”

More than that.

Her gaze shifted toward Roro, her smile growing faintly deeper.

“You are a Spirit Master.”

Her red lips moved slowly.

“One that the Temple failed to find.”

A shiver ran down Roro’s spine. Every hair on her body stood upright.

‘I’m dead.’

No. Not yet.

She forced herself to speak, pulling all the courage her street life had built up.

“I-I’m still young! If I go to the Temple now, it’s not too late to train. If I report myself, maybe someone will adopt me after seeing my potential!”

“You’re quite a smart one.”

Natalianne placed a long finger to her lips and whispered softly.

“But did you really think I hadn’t considered that?”

Roro’s pupils trembled.

“T-then… you mean it’s pointless?”

“Maybe if you were still a baby. But you’re already old enough to think for yourself. Why would anyone risk adopting a child who knows too much about the Temple’s secrets and who walked in on her own?”

“…!”

Roro’s face turned white as chalk. She couldn’t even breathe.

Demius spoke then, his calm voice cutting through the silence.

“You seem very familiar with how the Temple operates.”

He glanced at her and asked quietly,

“Does this have something to do with ‘Smile of the Spirits’?”

“Hmm.”

Natalianne’s lips curved at an angle before she waved a hand dismissively.

“That’s enough talk for now. The point is, kid, you got lucky. Don’t even think about going near the Temple.”

“I-I won’t!”

Roro shouted urgently.

“I’ll never go there. And whatever I heard here… no, I didn’t hear anything at all!”

“Bright girl,” Natalianne said with satisfaction, her lips curling upward.

“Um.”

Melissa, who had been quietly watching them all, raised her hand hesitantly.

“So… what you’re saying is this child is in danger?”

“As expected of our master.”

Natalianne’s face lit up as she clung to Melissa’s arm.

“How could you be such a perfect little squirrel of a genius master. Exactly.”

“Then… could this child stay here for a while?”

“…!”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Everyone, including Roro, turned to Melissa in shock.

Melissa fidgeted, speaking timidly.

“Just for a short time is fine. Until this child finds a safe place to stay.”

She lowered her gaze slightly, her expression soft and worried.

“Would that be alright…?”

Demius’s lips parted before he even realized it.

But before he could speak.

Smack

Natalianne’s fist hit the back of his head.

“Master. Isn’t it important to ask the person involved first?”

Say no quickly.

Her eyes darted toward Roro, gleaming sharply.

That icy glare lived up to her title as the Witch of Ice.

But Roro barely noticed.

Because.

Yes. I knew it.
I love her already.
Say yes, hurry.

Those annoying little spirits were buzzing around her head again, squealing in delight.

Ugh.

Roro swatted at the air, but they kept flitting before her eyes.

‘What do I do now?’

What looked like a kind offer was setting off every street instinct she had. Something about this decision would change her entire life.

And those two tall, black-haired people glaring at her looked truly terrifying.

The boss clearly didn’t want her here, and that scary man with the cold eyes looked ready to kill her.

Still.

“C-can I really stay here?”

Roro pressed herself against Melissa’s knee.

This is it.

Her eyes glinted.

This woman’s the top predator here.

Putting on her most pitiful look, Roro whimpered softly.

“I-I don’t have anything, no money or skills. But can I really stay here? Will I be safe?”

“I’ll take care of you,” Melissa said firmly, holding Roro’s hand.

“If it’s not possible here, I’ll find a house in town and we’ll live together until—”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

Demius and Natalianne shouted in unison.

Both of their faces twitched with panic.

Meanwhile, Roro hid a small victorious smirk beneath her lowered head.

“I’ll serve you faithfully for life,” she declared, bowing flat against Melissa’s feet.

Demius stepped forward, eyes flashing.

“Get away.”

His voice was low and hard, like a growl from a deep cave.

“I am Melissa’s footrest.”

“You’re insane.”

Natalianne groaned, appalled.

“You’d let our master step on a lump of muscle like you? She deserves silk and fur at the very least. Master, I can prepare the finest enchanted fabric for you from the Magic Tower’s newest materials.”

“Um.”

Melissa smiled awkwardly, waving both hands.

“I don’t need a footrest. Please, stand up. The floor is cold. And you two.”

The siblings froze.

Their gazes turned toward Melissa at once.

Seeing their hesitant faces, Melissa’s smile brightened.

“You’re both so kind. Thank you for agreeing to help me.”

“Of course.”

“Anything for you, Master.”

Damn it.

Both of them smiled stiffly as their lips twitched in frustration.

‘That brat from the circus and the clingy kid too?’

Demius ground his teeth silently.

At the same moment, Natalianne thought,

‘As if one ugly muscle-brained idiot wasn’t enough, now there’s an annoying little brat who’ll draw the Temple’s eyes here?’

Their glares burned into Roro.

Sensing the danger, she jumped up and clung tightly to Melissa’s dress.

“I’ll do anything you tell me. Just please don’t kick me out.”

“Kicked out? Why would I?”

“You have to protect me, please.”

“Of course. You can stay with me.”

“Heheh.”

Roro’s pitiful act melted into a sly smile.

‘Damn brat,’ thought Demius.

Both siblings glared at her, eyes dark with irritation.

Unlike Shilen, who was timid and easy to read, this kid was sharp and quick as a fox.

‘So annoying.’

Melissa’s attention was being stolen away again.

While the Eisenhart siblings quietly fumed, Roro was dreaming her own dream.

Heheheh.

‘I’ll stick close to this sweet and clueless woman, milk her dry, and vanish when the time’s right.’

Her cheeks swelled with a smug grin.

She had no idea what kind of future was waiting for her.