I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 11

Ariel sharply dismissed the unknown boy and immediately returned to her usual demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

Even Edgar felt a sense of dissonance at such a drastic change in her attitude.

That charisma and decisiveness displayed by a mere ten-year-old was simply hard to believe.

‘She’s definitely not just any duke’s daughter.’

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for that boy.

Edgar could easily guess why the boy had approached her, and while he wouldn’t say it was the right thing to do, a small doubt lingered in the back of his mind. Wasn’t it a bit excessive to chase him away like that?

“…Ed!”

“Hmm?”

A sharp voice seemed determined not to let him get lost in thought.

By the time Edgar snapped back to reality, it was already a step too late.

Ariel, cheeks puffed out, was glaring at him with her hands perched on her hips.

“Why don’t you answer when I call? I’ve called you so many times!”

“Sorry, sorry. I got lost in thought for a second.”

“Tch, mean!”

With exaggerated sternness, Ariel crossed her arms and sharply turned her head away.

Normally, he might have teased her a bit more, but given that he had done something wrong, Edgar decided to just bow his head.

“Just let me off this once. I was thinking about how cool you looked when you chased that boy away.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Yeah, it was really cool.”

It wasn’t a lie.

The scene he remembered seemed to perfectly fit the term ‘girl crush.’

Though it wasn’t like he was awestruck with his mouth hanging open, sometimes a little exaggeration is needed when buttering someone up.

And it seemed to work, as Ariel let out a huff and released the air she had been holding in her cheeks.

‘Aha, there it is.’

The foolish young lady had a habit of pouting her lips and flicking her hair behind her ear whenever she wanted to boast or felt proud of herself.

That triumphant smile on her lips and her shoulders lifting a little were just bonuses.

Only Edgar, who had spent over ten years with her, knew about this little quirk.

Surely even Lady Helene wouldn’t know.

“Hmph, if that’s the case, then I can’t help it. By the way, was it really that cool?”

“…Pfft.”

Oh no, he shouldn’t be laughing.

Just barely managing to hold back the laughter bubbling up, Edgar nodded his head.

Then he suddenly assumed a serious expression and unexpectedly began to praise her actions.

“Of course. It was really cool, you know? Like a knight straight out of a fairy tale.”

“Is that so? Hehe.”

She liked being called a knight even more than being referred to as a princess.

It must have a lot to do with her family’s legacy of handling various foreign tribes over generations.

Just look at her father, a legendary warrior who has navigated numerous battlefronts. It would be hard not to feel that kind of admiration.

‘Come to think of it, she once said something like that.’

While reading a fairy tale book together, Ariel had carelessly thrown out her opinion about how she disliked the idea of a princess being stuck in a castle doing nothing.

What a unique perspective that girl has.

As Edgar was chatting away with the now cheerful Ariel, a woman approached them cautiously.

She was a maid with light green hair that reached her shoulders, dressed in maid attire.

None other than Shephy, Helene’s personal maid.

“Miss, Young Master. Lady Helene is calling for you.”

“I don’t wanna! I want to keep playing with Ed!”

‘Um, what about my opinion?’

It was clear that she had called both of them, yet Ariel was the only one voicing her feelings.

Helene wouldn’t have called for no reason; it was likely something urgent.

As if to confirm this, Shephy, wearing a slightly awkward smile in response to Ariel’s tantrum, spoke again.

“It won’t take long. She wants to personally present you with the gift she prepared.”

“Oh, that’s it! Let’s go quickly, Ed!”

“Sure.”

In an instant, Ariel’s face brightened as she grabbed Edgar’s hand and hurried after Shephy.

Eventually, not even getting a chance to voice his thoughts, Edgar found himself dragged along by the rambunctious young lady until they reached Helene.

“I’m sorry for calling you, Ed. But I really wanted to hand this gift over personally.”

“No, milady. I should be the one thanking you.”

One should be grateful for gifts, and it would be rude to question a kind act while being on the receiving end.

Edgar bowed his head slightly, expressing his gratitude.

“Pfft, I wish our daughter could speak as well as you do, right, dear?”

“What, what do you mean!”

While Edgar could deeply empathize, he decided to exercise patience, as displaying any agreement might lead to her plotting some revenge later.

Watching this exchange, Helene gestured to a man standing nearby.

In his hand was a sword, wrapped in cloth so that its shape was unrecognizable.

‘Could she really be planning to give that to the little boy?’

Edgar’s eyes widened in surprise as he quickly glanced around to gauge the reactions of the guests.

Sure enough, many curious eyes had turned towards him as they overheard the conversation.

“Could it be that Lady Helene is giving that boy a sword?”

“No way, I mean come on. Even if he is the young lady’s childhood friend…”

Whispers ignited all around.

Although the relationship between the Robeheim Family and the Billhark Family was public knowledge, this was a different story.

For the lady of the Robeheim family to personally gift a sword to such a young child was a completely different thing.

Especially considering this boy was the one who had been linked to her daughter.

It would be more surprising if rumors didn’t start circulating.

“Is she perhaps considering him as a future match?”

“Are you crazy? If you say that out loud, you could lose your head on the spot!”

“But still…”

Wasn’t the situation almost too telling?

One man, trying to swallow the words he dare not utter, fell silent.

Helene was a perceptive woman. She wouldn’t be oblivious to the atmosphere around her.

If she had decided to hand over the sword in this crowded setting, it must have been to make a statement.

This man was recognized by the lady of the Robeheim family.

To insult him would be to insult the Robeheim family itself.

‘The looks directed at this child are going to change.’

Although Helene’s single action wouldn’t alter everyone’s perception of Edgar overnight, it was merely the first small step needed to do so.

From minor noble families with members counting their coins, for the lady of the Robeheim family to personally present a sword to a child would definitely lead to a shift in how they viewed him.

At that moment, they wouldn’t see him as just a ‘young boy from a lesser noble family,’ but as ‘Edgar.’

Once a mold around a person is broken, changing others’ evaluations of them isn’t that hard.

What Helene aimed for was simply that small turning point.

“Ed, come here.”

“Yes, milady.”

Helene received the sword from the servant and delicately unveiled the cloth.

What was revealed was neither extravagant nor rough. To someone who couldn’t recognize swords, it might just look like an ordinary blade.

Edgar thought so too.

“Doesn’t it look just like a regular sword?”

“To be honest… yes, it does.”

“Ha ha, it may look that way. But I prepared this just for you. If you can, would you try holding it?”

Expecting to receive the sword after some solemn ceremony, Edgar was surprised when it quickly found its way into his grasp.

Indeed, it was a sturdy blade, possibly too heavy for an average ten-year-old to wield.

“!?”

While inspecting the sword with both hands, Edgar’s eyes widened suddenly due to an unexpected sensation coursing through him.

It was as though his entire vascular system was surging with new movement.

What’s this? He almost dropped the sword, shocked by this unfamiliar feeling.

“Ed, are you okay?”

“Leave him be, Ariel. He’ll be fine soon.”

As Edgar began to kneel, trying to sit, Ariel rushed to his side, checking on him.

But Helene, watching from the side, urged her to step back and focused on Edgar.

Thump. Thump.

Edgar’s wildly pounding heart began to calm down.

Could it be due to the sword?

Instinctively, Edgar lifted his gaze to meet Helene’s eyes.

Seeing the question in his gaze, Helene smiled gently and asked Shephy to assist him.

“I apologize for the suddenness, Ed. It’s likely your body is adjusting to the sword.”

“Adjusting? What do you mean by that?”

His formal tone had loosened slightly due to the storm of emotions swirling within him.

But Helene only thought this tone suited a ten-year-old better and didn’t correct him.

“I heard from Katria that you can’t use magic.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

For a moment, Helene frowned at his sudden return to formality, but she decided to postpone that talk and continued.

“That sword is meant to help circulate the magical power within you. It’s a fine sword in its own right, but it allows children like you, who are inherently unable to cast spells, to use magic.”

“I can… use magic?”

He had never once thought about it.

Since he was born with that inability, he always viewed magic as something foreign and didn’t even consider it.

Yet, there was such a solution available.

“Ariel mentioned it as well. She found it quite fascinating seeing you use magic.”

“Yes, that’s true, but…”

“Don’t be jealous, you know using it yourself is the best way. Ariel even said it was sad that she couldn’t talk about magic with you.”

Hearing this for the first time, Edgar blinked in surprise and turned to Ariel, who instantly looked away, embarrassed.

Was that why she was so eager to show him magic?

That way, at least when she demonstrated, they could share the same topic.

“If you keep practicing in this state, one day you’ll be able to use magic even when the sword isn’t with you, so work hard.”

“Thank you very much, milady.”

He never expected to receive such a precious gift.

Honestly, even just a regular sword would have been a great surprise, so what was happening here?

“Oh? Ed is crying!”

Oh gosh, so embarrassing.

At Ariel’s shout, Edgar hurriedly wiped away his tears with his sleeve.

Although he felt happy about being able to use magic, more than that, gratitude for Helene’s thoughtfulness overwhelmed him.

Watching this touching scene, smiles spread across both Katria and Helene’s faces.

Tears from none other than Edgar.

It was a rare sight that few had ever witnessed.

“What’s this? Edgar, is this the first time I see you cry?”

“I’m glad to see you so happy, once again, happy birthday, Ed.”

Tears glistening, Edgar felt as if he’d truly become a child for the first time since arriving in this world.

It was a bit embarrassing, but not an unpleasant feeling.