I was woken up by a rustle outside my fortress. Some people were talking, chatting about something… rumors probably; though their voices weren’t that clear.
I also could hear the sound of their footsteps.
There were one… two… three…
Three more people were inside the house and more people were chatting outside. I could feel their vitality in the room.
I closed my eyes as I felt something familiar.
I could feel someone who I was connected with. He’s somewhat near?
Was it Callisto? I remember that I once told him to come to find me if he already found the key to master the saintess’ moves.
But the power was different.
Was it Arnold?
I sighed.
It seemed like my blessing to Arnold worked as I could feel his presence nearby. He was the one from whom I felt the energy. He might be doing something with the people outside.
I got up from my bed and touched my forehead. It had cooled down. My body felt normal again.
My fever really went away overnight.
After I arrived at the house, I immediately went back to my chamber and dozed off.
After that, I couldn’t remember anything, but I felt like there was something important that I must have forgotten. I felt like I was missing out on something important.
I tried jabbing my brain out to remember but I still failed in recalling it.
Knowing that no matter what I do to remember what happened I wouldn’t still be able to recall the incident that happened after I blacked out, I decided to do my morning routine.
Because I fired the maids, I personally get the water at the embankment and heat it using fire from my mana.
I took a bath in the laundry room. There was a big basin kept in the storage room and I used it as a tub. I filled it with water and mixed a bit of floral-scented liquid.
The room was far from the mansion so I was sure that no one would come here. In this secluded area behind the mansion, there's no way they’d come here.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace that I have at the moment.
My plan to stay at the headquarters was hindered by that sudden pain. I even got a fever after that. It’s a good thing that I was able to recover from it. I thought it would at least take two to three days to recover.
As I was busy lying down in the basin, I heard a rustle outside. I immediately get the cloth to cover myself.
“You think you’re great just because you’re the eldest? Do you think that the old man would find candidates if his oldest is great enough?!”
I furrowed my brows. From just hearing his tone and voice, I know that the man who was shouting this early was the second oldest son of the duke, Harris. He was also a son of a princess that was betrothed to the duke after the duchess died, though the duchess’ seat remained empty.
I heard Arnold groan.
Unconsciously, I clenched my fist.
“Just because that mere adopted child of that old hag became your ally does not make you any great, Arnold! Haleya is just a pest. I could kill her….”
“If you cross the line, Harris. I’ll kill you.” Arnold’s voice was frigid and lethal.
I was rather shocked by what Arnold said than Harris's declaration of his assassination plan against me.
The cowardly fool just threatened to kill Harris. Great!
After that, I heard Arnold groan in pain again. I got up and was about to wear my knight’s suit when I accidentally made a loud noise.
The things that were hanging on the ceiling started falling.
I closed my eyes as I felt an immense irritation.
Damn! Was I always this dumb?
And who the hell would hang dresses in a cramped place like here?
“Who’s there?” Harris asked.
I grabbed the nearest silk to cover my entire body. “Just stay the fuck where you are Harris or I’ll turn you into a roasted meat.” I clenched my jaw.
I heard footsteps that were coming toward me.
“Haleya! What a coincidence!” Harris shouted.
I scrunched up my face.
“Harris, let’s go!” It was Arnold.
I heard Harris laugh. “Come on. That's the pest I was talking about!”
“Listen to me just this once!”
I sighed as I started wearing my suit.
What do I expect from someone who had an inferiority complex against his own brother, right? He’s much worse than Kevin. Though if I would compare Harris and Jaeda, Jaeda is the worst of ‘em all.
After I finished wearing a pair of knight's suits and combat shoes, I got out of the cramped place.
I saw Harris grabbing Arnold’s collar. Harris was gritting his teeth while Arnold stayed calm.
Looking at it, Harris was more of an idiot than the oldest.

I looked at the two of them and glared. I pressed my lips. “Perverts.”
I walked toward them and grabbed Arnold’s hand.
“Haleya!”
I glared at Arnold. “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To the headquarter, first young master. I’ll teach you how to kill a man without getting suspected,” I replied. “Isn’t it perfect for a situation like this?”
“What?”
My whole face lit up as I smiled innocently. “I’ll teach you how to kill the second young master.”
Harris grabbed my hand which I was using in grabbing Arnold’s arms. “You dared to talk like you did in front of me?” He grabbed my hand even tighter.
It was bearable. At least.
The idiot Arnold seemed to catch what was going on. I rolled my eyes. It took him some time to act. He grabbed Harris’ arms.
I tilted my head when he just grabbed Harris's arms and did nothing next.
Was that supposed to make Harris let go of my hand? What was this idiot thinking? Is his brain working fine?
I winced.
I immediately let go of Arnold's hand. I clenched my fist and punched Harris on his stomach, hitting his diaphragm. Hitting that part wasn’t intentional though. I was planning on punching his stomach so he'd let go of my hand, but he tried to dodge it. It's his fault for trying to escape without letting go.
After that, he immediately let go of my hand and curled up in pain. He was catching his breath.
I chuckled.
That should be painful, of course.
I’ve been honing my strength ever since I was seven. I’ve been exercising to strengthen my body. I should be stronger than someone who holed up under his mother’s skirt.
I crossed my arms as I looked at Arnold who was staring at me. “What?” I asked.
He tilted his head. “Did you go to a hair salon and dye your hair?”
I furrowed my brows. “What? Why?”
Arnold sighed. “Your hair turned red now.”
I furrowed my brows. “What are you talking about?” I asked. I grabbed a few strands and looked at them. I glowered. “What the bloody hell happened to my hair?”
Arnold sighed and started walking out. I stared at him.
“Where are you going, young master?” I yelled.
“It's obvious," he said. “Haven’t you heard that I am obsessed with red? I might steal you from the duke and make you mine, Haleya.”
Say what? Steal? Make me his?
What is this idiot talking about? People might misunderstand if he put it like that! He seemed like another person while saying those absurd words. What the heck is he thinking?
I heard Harris groan. I looked down at him. He was still lying on the ground. I ignored him and followed Arnold back to the mansion where I was staying.
“Does that mean I don't have to teach you, young master?” I asked triumphantly.
Who wouldn’t be happy? Who was that idiot who would want to be with this ignoramus all day who has a personality disorder? I might go crazy if I stay with him all day long.
Arnold stopped walking. He turned to face me.
“I changed my mind. I’ll go with you. You’ll teach me.”
I tilted my head.
I have no idea he had this kind of issue.
One second he’d say no and only after a few minutes he’d agree.
I’ve never seen him be like this for the years I was seeing him with the princess or the duke. He sure had issues.
“Do you really have to? You can wield a sword perfectly.”
“I already told you that my aptitude would drag the estate down in the competition. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“Is that really it?” I asked.
He looked at me. “Yes! Why are you asking me that? I've already told you….”
I chortled. “I thought you were just screwing me up. You’ve been like this ever since you heard the rumor about me and Callisto.”
He screwed up his face. “So the commoner’s name was Callisto?”