"I'm fine, ma'am," I said, smiling reassuringly to show I really was okay.

The fact that Marchioness Rearwin was angrily cursing on my behalf made me feel, for a moment, like I had a real mother.

"I’m not hurt at all. Besides, I was with no one other than Cardinal Reuben himself."

"Oh, yes, that’s true. At least there’s that. But I hear even my father-in-law benefited greatly from your help. Ah, what am I saying? Let’s not stand around here—come inside. I’ve prepared so much for you."

"Alright," I replied lightly and followed Rearwin into the mansion.

Once we reached my room, a physician promptly entered.

Though I’d already had a thorough examination at the Holy Palace, it seemed Rearwin wouldn’t feel at ease until this one was done as well.

"Examine her carefully. This is a child who’s been to the Demon Realm twice in half a year! Those wretched demons abducting such a young, sweet girl twice—truly despicable! If that doesn’t scream ‘demon,’ I don’t know what does!"

“….”

She was really angry.

Under her watchful eye, even the physician grew riled up, asking me numerous questions. I answered them all patiently.

After the examination, I was ushered into a bathtub filled with various herbs for a luxurious bath. The attendants massaged my body with soft, careful hands and applied a facial pack.

They even oiled every strand of my hair individually.

‘This feels like a full-on noblewoman’s experience….’

Coming to the estate on weekends always meant receiving special treatment, but today, they were being three times as attentive. It was likely because I had returned from the Demon Realm again.

Even after all this, Rearwin didn’t seem entirely satisfied and gave the attendants more instructions.

"Make sure to erase every trace of the Demon Realm so those accursed demons can’t latch onto her again. This isn’t just a bath; consider it a sacred ritual and pour your hearts into it. Don’t forget, this is a body imbued with divine power—treat her with the utmost care and reverence!"

"Yes, ma’am! We will do our best!"

After Rearwin left, the attendants redoubled their efforts.

I thought it was a bit over the top, but as they worked, a warm drowsiness began to take over me.

‘Wow. Training hard on weekdays and living like a noblewoman on weekends—this is the ultimate healing.’

The exhaustion from the Demon Realm and the Holy Palace finally started to melt away, replaced by a sense of vitality and peace.

Before coming to the estate, I hadn’t realized just how worn out I’d been.

Once the bath was over, I climbed into bed and drifted into a blissful nap.

The bed was soft, the blankets and pillows were silky, and the freshly laundered pajamas felt divine against my skin. The faint, comforting fragrance in the room added to the coziness.

‘Ah, this is happiness.’

Why is the Pluto Ducal Estate so wonderful?

A million times better than struggling in the Demon Realm, that’s for sure.

With such silly thoughts floating through my mind, I gently fell into a deep sleep.

***

It wasn’t until the time before dinner that I woke up.

Stretching my arms high above my head, I let out a satisfied yawn.

“Ahhh, that was a great nap!”

After sleeping so soundly, hunger quickly set in.

I called for the attendants, who helped me freshen up and prepare, then headed to the dining room right on time.

Inside, everyone was already seated: Reuben, Miles, Rearwin, and Meteor.

“Oh, I’m the last one! Hello, everyone!”

Rearwin was the first to respond warmly to my greeting.

“You’re here, Centi. Judging by your energy, it seems like you’ve recovered well.”

“Yes, I have, thanks to you. I slept so comfortably.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You’ve been through so much at the Holy Palace; you should at least be able to relax on the weekends. Come, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

I quickly moved to my seat and sat down.

I glanced at Meteor, but he didn’t even spare me a look.

‘…Tch.’

Once I was settled, Reuben addressed me directly.

“So, Crescent. Has everything been alright with you?”

“!”

I nearly spit out the water I was drinking.

This was the first time I had seen Reuben since returning from the Demon Realm. We hadn’t crossed paths at the Holy Palace.

And now, for the first time ever, he was speaking to me during a meal.

Previously, he hadn’t so much as looked my way, let alone spoken to me.

I quickly swallowed my water and answered.

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

“You can just call me Duke when we’re at home.”

“Pardon?”

Startled, I repeated his words. Rearwin’s eyes widened in surprise, and even Marquis Miles looked taken aback.

It was unusual for Reuben to speak to me with so little reserve.

I hurried to respond before the moment became too awkward.

“Ah, yes. I understand, Duke. I’ve been doing very well at the Holy Palace, thanks to the restorative potion the Marchioness gave me. It helped a lot.”

“I’m relieved to hear that you’ve been fine even after returning from the Demon Realm. If you need more time to rest, feel free to take a few days off from training. Just inform your knight instructor.”

“…Thank you.”

What was this indifferent yet strangely considerate demeanor?

Was it because of what happened in the Demon Realm?

Reuben’s attitude toward me felt much softer compared to before.

He still carried his usual air of dignity and detachment, but there was no trace of the wariness or rejection I had sensed earlier.

Just then, Rearwin chuckled softly.

“It seems our Centi has won Father’s heart, hasn’t she? Saving you and all.”

“Won my heart? What nonsense is this?”

Reuben protested sharply, reacting as if he had just been gravely wronged.

I, too, was baffled by her words.

Won his heart? Me? How?

Rearwin didn’t stop smiling.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I was completely taken with Centi after she saved me too.”

“That’s not the same.”

“Yes, yes.”

Rearwin gave a brief, nonchalant response to Reuben’s stern denial, though her smile remained fixed.

Reuben continued speaking.

“I’ll say it again: I could have killed Count Ismir myself. It was nearly done. But Crescent saved me. Of course, I could have handled it on my own, but it’s true that she saved me nonetheless.”

“Of course. We all know what you’re capable of, Father,” Rearwin replied smoothly.

I quickly chimed in as well.

“That’s right. I only persuaded the monsters; without Your Eminence—er, Duke—dealing with Ismir, there wouldn’t have been any time for that.”

“Hm. That’s not my point. Anyway, Crescent, you did very well. And because of that, I’d like to give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

A gift? For me?

The idea caught me completely off guard.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised, as Miles quickly followed up.

“A gift? For that child?”

“What kind of gift?” Rearwin asked, her curiosity piqued. She looked genuinely intrigued by what Reuben might have in mind for me.

Reuben raised a hand, signaling to the attendants. Moments later, they entered, carrying something.

The attendants approached me and opened an elegant box.

Inside was a blade that gleamed with a silvery brilliance.

It was slightly larger than my hand, with two sharp blades fused at their ends, curving in opposite directions like a wave.

Transparent gemstones dotted its surface, their shine anything but ordinary.

‘Surely those aren’t diamonds….’

Even without the gemstones, the blade itself exuded an otherworldly luster. Its sharp edges hinted at masterful craftsmanship.

I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

‘…It’s so beautiful.’

“You’re giving that to Crescent?” Miles asked, his tone filled with disbelief. His next words stunned me even further.

“Isn’t that a family heirloom? Giving such a precious item to that child….”

“An heirloom?” I repeated, looking back at the dagger.

This was an heirloom?

And he was giving it to me?

Clap!

Rearwin clapped her hands together in delight.

“This is perfect! Even if it’s an heirloom, it’s a weapon. What good is it just sitting in storage? Now that gorgeous blade has finally found its rightful owner.”

I turned to Reuben with an incredulous expression.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to have this?”

Reuben gave a single, expressionless nod.

“That blade is special—it reacts to divine power. From now on, it’s yours, and it will respond to your strength. I intended to save it for a worthy descendant, but I believe you’ll make the best use of it.”