After taking care of Kelly’s mess, Roland retrieved the stolen Gems and made her way to her father’s Study.
As soon as she entered the Study, an inexplicable surge of emotion welled up inside her. Memories of being with her father came in waves, mixed with sorrow from the past, and also joy and warmth she could never forget.
In these memories, her father Rod had always been a gentle and upright man. Though he occasionally did foolish things, he was, all in all, an exceedingly kind person.
Whenever his daughter barged into the Study out of loneliness and disturbed his work, Rod not only never minded, but did his best to keep her company, offering the care his departed wife could no longer give.
“Dad…” Roland murmured softly.
She didn’t know whether she truly accepted this father from the bottom of her heart, or if it was merely a reaction from her body’s instincts.
Shaking her head to clear away those useless emotions, Roland stepped into the Study, searching for the things she wanted.
There were indeed quite a few books in the Study, but none were what she needed. Among them were many Fairy Tale Books, both familiar and strange.
“Looks like I’ll have to search elsewhere.”
Roland prepared to place her father’s favorite Gem on the Study’s only desk.
But thinking that there was still a possibility of it being stolen, she decided it was better to keep it in her own room for now. She didn’t understand why her father was so fond of an ordinary blue Gem.
Just as she was about to leave, a book on the Oak Bookshelf fell suddenly with a crisp, loud thud, sending up dust that danced in the shaft of light coming through the blinds.
Roland was startled.
She walked over to pick up the book that had fallen open. The rough texture and dust made her wonder just how long it had been left here.
“Romantic Tales of the Hero”—that was the book’s title.
On the left page, which had fallen open, there was a strikingly realistic and beautiful Violet illustration, while the content on the right page was quite melancholy.
“On the eve of the decisive battle with the Demon King, the Hero Michus once received a flower from his beloved. Iris, fearful of loss, hoped they would stop here and go no further. The Hero refused her and ultimately defeated the Demon King.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
She couldn’t be bothered to think further and simply closed the book, returning it to its place.
Roland’s next plan was simple: she would go to the town’s Convent, adopt a daughter, and also make use of the Convent Library.
That Library was much larger, and as part of the Church, it was sure to have records about the world’s history.
After putting everything in order, she rang the butler bell and told Sabbas, who hurried over, “Prepare the Carriage. I’m going to the town.”
“Mute Mia, Madam Maen is calling you.”
A child in the Convent poked the shoulder of a blonde girl.
The girl wore a ragged shirt and was barefoot, her hair a tangled mess. She looked just like a dirty child pulled straight from the mud.
Hearing someone call her, she turned her head, didn’t speak, only nodded with a little “mm,” looking rather dull.
She didn’t know what Madam Maen wanted her for, but she knew that she had to listen to the adults.
When she reached the Church, the tightly shut doors kept Mia outside. She had to summon all her strength just to push them open a crack—barely enough for her to squeeze through.
As soon as she slipped inside, she heard the noisy chatter of other children. They gathered together like a flock of sparrows, surrounding a woman who looked very wealthy, as if waiting for something.
The scene made Mia uneasy.
Every time this happened, someone would disappear, never to return.
She wanted to ask Madam Maen, but her throat had been frostbitten when she was abandoned in the snow as a child. With no treatment, she still couldn’t speak to this day.
Without speech, no one could know what she was thinking.
Over time, everyone called her Mute Mia.
Hearing noise at the door, an Old Nun with a headscarf looked up, quickly came over, and pulled Mia in, then said to Roland, “This is the last child in the Convent. Her name is Mia. She can’t speak due to an injured throat.”
The Old Nun then pointed to Roland and said to Mia, “This is Miss Roland, daughter of Baron Rod.”
Mia looked uneasy, like a student called to answer a question she couldn’t even understand.
But the very first time Roland saw her, she was nearly blinded by the golden flash of the Panel.
[Mia]
[Key Attribute: Light Affinity 100%]
[Evaluation: A rare Gem waiting to be discovered! She is destined to be the next Saintess of Light! Take her now!]
Jackpot!
What more was there to say, brother? Just take her right away.
Roland crouched down to meet Mia’s eyes, a motherly radiance in her gaze. “Your name is Mia, right? Do you want to come home with me?”
But instead of accepting this attitude, Mia acted as if she’d seen a ghost—darting behind the Old Nun’s skirt and gripping its hem tightly.
Roland began to feel unsure of herself.
Am I really that scary?
The Old Nun scolded, “Mia, don’t be rude to a Noble!”
Mia shivered in fright, shrinking like a lamb cut off from its flock, anxiety written all over her.
“Dean Maen, don’t frighten her. I understand. After all, I’m just a stranger to her,” Roland said in Mia’s defense.
She looked at the timid girl, extended her hand with a gentle smile, and said, “I’m not a bad person, I won’t hurt you. Will you hold my hand?”
Mia didn’t dare.
But when she looked to Madam Maen for help, all she got was a look urging her on.
Noble and commoner were worlds apart. Even though Roland was not yet of age and hadn’t inherited her territory, she still couldn’t be shown the slightest disrespect.
At best, the punishment would be flogging. At worst, execution.
In Maen’s eyes, Mia’s reluctance had already seriously offended Noble dignity. What if Roland got angry and had Mia executed?
Under such pressure, Mia could only slowly and reluctantly reach out her hand and place it in Roland’s palm.
Feeling the warmth in that palm, the girl was momentarily dazed.
Roland stood up, and what was once a peer’s gaze now loomed above. She said, “I’ll take her. I’ll raise her well.”
Though very reluctant, the Old Nun said nothing more, for fear that more words would bring regret.
“I’d also like to borrow the Convent Library. Is that all right?”
“No problem, but you can only read inside, nothing can be taken out.”
“I understand.”
Roland planned to have the butler take Mia to the Carriage while she went to the Library.
But seeing Mia’s face, she felt a little heartless.
Even if she’d chosen Mia for practical reasons, this decision would still change the girl’s entire life.
Was it really all right to treat it so lightly?
Thinking so, Roland decided to bring Mia to the Library with her.
“Sabbas, watch the Carriage. Grimm, you’re coming with me to the Library.”
Grimm was the knight accompanying Roland on this trip—also the castle’s only remaining knight. Clad in silver armor and with a sword at his waist, he accepted the order.
“Yes!”
The Convent Library was built right into the Convent. Normally, only clergy or Nobles could enter. Ordinary commoners or children taken in by the Convent weren’t allowed, as entry would be seen as an affront to divine wisdom.
But with Roland present, and as the Dean and manager, Maen simply turned a blind eye to Roland bringing Mia in.
And so, hand in hand with Mia, Roland headed toward the Library.
As Madam Maen watched with reluctant eyes, the farewells of the other children rang clearly in Mia’s ears.
“Goodbye, Mute!”
“Mia, be happy!”
“Don’t forget us.”
Feeling an unfamiliar warmth in her cold palm, Mia fell into a long daze. The scars at her neck itched faintly, as if hinting that even winter would someday come to an end.
Would her life from now on… truly be better?