"What?"
I'm only 12 years old.
Am I deaf already?
I asked Shananet back, while rubbed my ear with my fingers.
"I'll buy you time until you reach adulthood. So grow up and be the Matriarch."
Shananet was sincere.
That's what I could tell right away from those eyes.
"...Auntie, too. What are you saying?..."
It makes me feel guilty.
I tilted my head and said as if I didn't know what the hell she was talking about.
"You're such a smart kid."
But Shananet continued to speak regardless of my efforts.
"That's a story everyone in Lombardy family knows. My father even boasts of you to other nobles and His Majesty Jovanes whenever he has time."
No, and when did Grandpa get there?
"And you have an eye for talent. As the example is Dr. Estira."
There was a slight smile on Shananet's sharp eyes.
"You also know how to make people on your side. Isn't it?"
This time I winced without realizing it.
That true, there's one or two people on my side.
"My side...?"
Obviously, Shananet was paying attention to me to some extent.
However, it is not certain how far she knows, so it's better to figure out how much she knows, first.
"Yes, Gilliu and Mayron, also Larane, and not long ago, Craney. Aren't you getting your cousins on your side one by one?"
"That's it!. It's good to be close to each other."
I thought you were talking about Clerivan and Bate.
I was so surprised.
I secretly took a sip of the milk in front of me, sweeping my chest away.
"And Lord Pellet."
"Cough!"
I almost sprayed milk through my nose.
Shananet smiled gently as he looked at me and gently rubbed my back.
"I guess I was right."
"No, it's not like that... Clerivan, no, Sir Clerivan says so."
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me everything."
How do you know?
As if to answer my question, Shananet said.
"I don't know for sure what secrets you have. But I know you're a very special kid. And Tia, you're a child who loves Lombardy as much as I do."
Shananet stroked my head happily.
"So Tia. You will be the next great Matriarch."
"What about Auntie? Shouldn't the next Matriarch be Aunt Shananet, not me?"
When I asked, Shananet opened her eyes slightly and smiled low.
"Well, I don't know how to put it, it feels like telling me to be a householder is a bit..."
Shananet looked at the twins, who were fighting with wooden swords in the middle of the battle.
"I don't want my children to live the same life as me."
