I Am the 5-Year-Old Spy Who Kidnapped the Villain - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 17】

Though Nox, who had been quietly standing by, got caught in the crossfire, he obediently knelt at his master’s command.

“I’ve knelt, but what’s the reason?”

“The kid who was hopping around like a frog suddenly became a dung beetle. How did you break her down?”

“Breaking her down is correct, but I didn’t torment her that much…”

Oh my god.

“Uncle~”

Having grasped the situation, I finally put all my strength into becoming a frog and leaped into his arms.

“By the way, where are you going? Your clothes look incredibly warm?”

When I hastily changed the subject, he looked at me quietly and let out a light sigh.

“Monster subjugation.”

I had already noticed from the wolf fur and armor that were good for enduring the cold.

Around this time, the heads of the Croste Ducal Family would go on monster subjugation missions.

He didn’t look leisurely enough to have a long conversation with me.

“It’ll take about a week. After that, I’ll introduce you at the successor trial, so prepare yourself mentally.”

“…You’ll introduce me? But I don’t have ice abilities?”

I widened my eyes at the incomprehensible words.

Though Pose Duke had told me to focus on the successor trial, I thought it would be impossible from the start.

Because I don’t have the abilities to take the test.

“I mean introduce you as direct lineage, not that I’ll establish you as successor.”

“…Oh.”

Unable to give much of a response, I just nodded.

‘I’m screwed. I was already trying to prepare various things as a princess…’

Like swordsmanship skills befitting Croste direct lineage… or etiquette to make a good impression on the retainers…

But to be introduced at the successor trial so soon, there wasn’t enough time.

Regardless, Uncle stood up while holding me, looking truly busy.

“Nox. Come out for a moment. Before going on subjugation, I’ll hold an urgent small meeting about the Marquis of Frisia issue.”

Nox sighed and looked at me.

“Will you take that brat along too?”

“She’s well-behaved. She won’t cause trouble.”

Ah. Now’s my chance.

“That’s right. I’ll be good!”

Though I didn’t know much about the Marquis of Frisia and his heir, I knew to some extent. That they were quite a problematic father and son.

So I could be helpful. With that thought, I quickly joined the conversation.

“Who knows. She might extract our secrets with that smiling face.”

When Nox narrowed his eyes, Callipus growled lowly.

“…Is that something to say to a child?”

Right. Is that something to say to a child?

How ridiculous.

No matter how much I’m a former spy with no trust, I even showed them all of Pose Duke’s intelligence!

‘Still, it’s reassuring to have Uncle here!’

I absolutely have to stick to Uncle. Then Nox won’t be able to touch me.

Swoosh-

With my palm pressed against his firm chest, I glared at Nox while being held confidently.

“…”

Oops. I made eye contact with Nox.

Nox, who confirmed my gaze, hmm-ed and pushed up his glasses.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“…Your Excellency should fix that habit too.”

“What?”

“Taking a child to work spaces. That’s not emotionally good for young children… I think I heard something like that at some inn.”

“…!”

The arms holding me flinched.

“…Uncle?”

Surely. You’re not believing that gossip you heard at some inn, are you?

I looked at Callipus earnestly with sparkling eyes, but.

“…Aisha. Finish your meal.”

Having succumbed to the gossip, he put me back down on the chair.

“…Uncle?”

And then.

“…I’m sorry.”

Leaving behind a single word of apology, he squeezed his eyes shut and went outside.

“Uncle!”

Nox’s victorious smile and my frustrated scream filled the ducal palace.

But the next day-

“Ah, so you’re the Duke’s child?”

“Yes…?”

The moment I saw the middle-aged nobleman smiling ominously at me, I realized.

The ‘real’ reason why Nox didn’t acknowledge me.

* * *

That day too, Nox was watching me as always.

In the high-ceilinged corridor, the cute sound of a young child walking echoed.

Tap tap tap-

It was the sound of me diligently moving to the garden after filling up on my daily carbohydrates.

“…Is walking around like a baby duck something all children that age do, or is it just that brat?”

To Nox’s question, Head Maid Mai answered bluntly.

“All children that age are like that.”

“Right? But there’s a reason for everything.”

“Yes?”

Nox pushed up his glasses.

“Research has revealed that the reason living beings appear cute when young is their intention to protect themselves. Since they can’t hunt for food yet and need care, they try to win favor through cuteness.”

“…I see?”

“So that brat being cute is, no. I never said she was cute. Anyway, I’m telling you to be careful.”

“I, I see…”

Here we go again.

Crazy Nox’s ‘Aisha’ observation diary.

After Callipus left for monster subjugation, Nox literally monitored me 24 hours a day.

When I woke up, when I ate, when I spaced out waiting for Uncle, when I walked in the garden, etc.

As if he were my surveillance camera, he stayed by my side all day except when I was in my bedroom.

‘I can’t live like this.’

Even now, Nox was whispering something to Mai while glaring at me. I could only sigh.

I need to gain Nox’s recognition as soon as possible.

No, I don’t hope for recognition, but at least I had to make him feel there was no need to monitor me.

‘…How do I do that?’

That’s when it happened.

“Lord Nox!”

A servant who spotted Nox came running frantically.

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, um, that is. The Marquis of Frisia has suddenly visited…”

The Marquis of Frisia?

My ears perked up at the same time Nox’s brow furrowed.

“The regular meeting is still a week away, so why is that fellow here? Tell him to come back later.”

“No! That’s not it…”

“He’s already come in and is asking for just a cup of tea.”

Behind the troubled servant, a slender middle-aged man appeared with a smirk.

That person is probably…

‘The Marquis of Frisia.’

I quietly observed the marquis.

‘Seeing him in person, he really does look greedy.’

Flashy frills you’d see at social parties. Jeweled rings on every finger.

Unlike Callipus, who was more knight than noble, this man seemed like he’d just popped out from the center of high society.

The House of Marquis of Frisia was a branch family derived from the Croste Ducal Family.

The reason this unremarkable branch family could visit the ducal palace without permission was.

‘Because of the ice ability holder.’

I stared at the boy standing with one leg cocked next to the marquis.

‘That kid is the ability holder, Tex.’

Even branch families, if you traced their roots, eventually connected to the Croste Ducal Family.

From the moment an ice ability user—what seemed to be the sole privilege of the direct line—was born in the House of Marquis of Frisia, the marquis had acted as if he were a duke himself.

And he was desperate to push his child as the next heir of the Crosht Ducal Family.

“I was just passing by and wanted to pay my respects to His Grace. Where might he be?”

A brief silence followed the marquis’s question, but Nox reluctantly answered with a sigh.

“…His Grace has gone to subjugate monsters.”

“Ah, I see. I had ab-so-lutely no idea.”

“You didn’t know?”

“Of course I didn’t. I’m not a stalker—how would I know His Grace’s schedule? Anyway, since I’m already here, I’d like to have a cup of tea.”

The more I listened, the more absurd it became, and I couldn’t help but blurt out.

“…Even I know when the northern monster subjugation happens.”

When I poked my face out from between Nox’s legs, everyone’s gaze turned to me.

“If father doesn’t know, then son won’t know either. You’ll need to study hard for the heir examination.”

“…What?”

“Monster subjugation timing is usually mid-month. Even the Royal Court doesn’t send messages to the Croste Duke during this time—”

I hadn’t wanted to butt in.

‘The marquis is really too much. Coming here without knowing the monster subjugation schedule—how can he tell such an obviously false lie?’

Seeing that shameless face, as if he’d laid down not just iron plates but railroad tracks, I couldn’t stand it.

I used Nox’s pants as a shield and muttered with just my head poking out.

“While His Grace is away subjugating monsters, the marquis is here having tea at His Grace’s castle. His Grace would be so pleased to hear that.”

“…?”

At my words, the marquis’s face turned bright red, and the maid sisters who turned their heads shook their shoulders. They seemed to be holding back laughter.

“That’s, what…”

The speechless marquis looked around.

Everyone here must have heard what I just said.

He seemed to think someone would scold me, but when no one said anything to me, he finally exploded.

“Who, who is that brat! How dare he slander me like this—why is no one reprimanding him!”

Then Nox, who had completely hidden me behind him, bowed his head.

“This is the direct lineage princess.”

“…Prin, what?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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