This chapter is updated by wuxiaworld.eu
ā» Please note that these stories were posted for the Light Novelās Volume 1 (from the beginning to around the date with Kuro)
ā» This story is about Lilia, when her love for dragons wasnāt discovered yet.
Duchess Albertās office. The head of her household, Lilia Albert, sat in her chair, staring at the package on the desk in front of her.
As a young Duchess, she is a very serious person, which is probably why she doesnāt have any hobbiesā¦ā¦ Thatās what the people around her say.
However, she actually has a hobby that she keeps secret. That isā¦ā¦
[W- What a great piece of work. This was quite expensive, but this āRed Dragon Modelā has been wonderfully createdā¦ā¦]
With a smile on her face, Lilia opened the package and gazed at the dragon model that revealed itself. She looked ecstatic, which is something you wouldnāt normally imagine from her.
Yes, Lilia had loved dragons since she was a child. Collecting dragon scales, fangs and modelsā¦ā¦ That is her only and greatest hobby.
However, Lilia kept her hobby a secret from the people around her. The reason is simple: she felt embarrassed about it. Thatās why she had bought the model this time under multiple layers of disguises so that her servants wouldnāt notice.
Lilia stared at the model for a while, before she looked around. There was no one in her household that would come in without knocking, and she had already confirmed in advance that there was no presence of anyone in the vicinity.
Even so, itās human nature to keep on double-checking.
After confirming that there really was no one around, Lilia approached a large bookshelf in her office and took out some books from it.
At the back of that bookshelf, there were several magic crystals and Lilia touched them in a certain order. Thereupon, the bookshelf slowly shifted to the side and a door appeared.
This was Liliaās secret collection room. Inside, she had carefully stored her collection of dragon-related items. The moment Lilia thought of putting the Red Dragon Model she had just acquired in there thoughā¦ā¦ She heard a knock on the door.
When Lilia heard the sound, she quickly put the bookshelf back in place and quickly hid the model that was still on her desk underneath it.
Thereupon, trying to remain as calm as possible, she called out to the door.
Hearing a manās voice, since there was only one man in her mansion, she immediately knew who was knocking on her door.
[Is something the matter, Kaito-san?]
[Iām sorry to bother you. Thereās actually something Iād like to consult with youā¦ā¦]
[You need to consult about something? Yes, what is it?]
(O- Of all the time, why are you consulting to me now!?)
She tried to keep her composure. However, even though she had a smile on her face, Lilia was really flustered. If the dragon model were to be discovered by someone, even her long-time friend Lunamaria would find out about this secret hobby of hers.
It would be bad for her dignity as a Duke, and more importantly, that would be embarrassing.
Lilia, who was thinking about this, wanted to end Kaitoās consultation as quickly as possible.
[Ah, yesā¦ā¦ Arehh? Lilia-san. āA book had fallen over thereā, you know?]
Perhaps, when she had hurriedly put the bookshelf back together, a book seemed to have fallen on the floor.
[I guess this would be from that bookshelf over there?]
[P- Please wait! I- Iāll get it back myself!]
(T- That wonāt do! The mechanism behind that bookshelf hasnāt been locked yet. If Kaito-san touches it nowā¦ā¦ the doorā¦ā¦)
Lilia quickly stops Kaito and picks up the book herself.
The mechanism behind the bookshelf is turned on by touching the magic crystals in a specific order, and activated by touching the bookshelf in that state. When she wants to turn it off though, she needs to touch the magic crystals in the opposite order.
Thatās why she couldnāt return the book to its original position right now. If she were to accidentally touch the bookshelf, the door to the secret room will appear.
[ā¦ā¦Arenāt you going to put the book back?]
[I- Iāll just put it back later!]
Kaito curiously tilted his head at Liliaās flustered appearance, but he didnāt pursue the matter deeply.
[S- So, Kaito-san? Youāre consulting aboutā¦ā¦]
[Ahh, yes. Actually, Iām looking for a new pair of shoes, so Iād like to know if there are any good storesā¦ā¦]
[S- Shoes, is itā¦ā¦ In that case, I recommend checking out the store I usually go toā¦ā¦]
Feeling relieved when she managed to get the topic back on track, Lilia quickly wrote down the name and location of the store in a notepad on her desk.
[ā¦ā¦You should try this store. If you tell them you were referred by me, theyāll give you a discount.]
[Thank youā¦ā¦ Errrā¦ā¦]
After receiving the note from Lilia, Kaito checked it and slightly tilted his head.
The location of the store was written on the note along with a map, but still unfamiliar with the geography of the royal capital, the area Lilia was pointing about wasnāt clear to Kaito yet.
[Lilia-san, is this open area the plaza near the fountain?]
[Yes, after turning right from there, itās just a few minutes walk.]
[That meansā¦ā¦ this area would beā¦ā¦]
[Ehh? Ah, yes. W- Whatās the matter? Suddenly shoutingā¦ā¦]
Itās not that Kaito did anything strange. Thinking of confirming the area that Lilia was talking about, he started walking towards the large window in the office.
However, that was a very bad idea for Lilia. She quickly hid the dragon model under her deskā¦ā¦ If heās in the same position as before, Kaito wouldnāt be able to see it because itās in the shadow of her desk.
However, if he were to get close to the window, he would be able to see it.
Therefore, Lilia couldnāt let Kaito get close to the window by any means. Liliaās thoughts were racing as she came up with an excuse to convince Kaito, who was wondering why she had raised her voice.
[T- That place is ācollapsingā!]
But sadlyā¦ā¦ Lilia was fatally bad at lying.
[T- The floor will collapse! Then, the ceiling will fall on you!]
[ā¦ā¦You do know that you live in a house that isnāt that defective, rightā¦ā¦]
Although Kaitoās relentless pointing pierced her heart, all Lilia could think about now wasnāt letting Kaito near the window.
[It would collapse! It would really collapse!]
[ā¦ā¦I- I understand. I- Itās just a guess butā¦ā¦ Lilia-san, are you hiding something under your desk?]
[Wha!? W- W- W- What are you talking about? I- I- I- I have n- n- n- nothing toā¦ā¦]
When the heart of the matter was prodded, Lilia became really shaken. Her reaction was like saying she was hiding something, and there was no way for her to escape.
If Kaito had asked her āWhat are you hiding?ā, the panicking Lilia would have confessed.
However, that didnāt happen. Before Kaito could say anything, a person entered the room.
[ā¦ā¦Excuse me. Milady, whatās with all the ruckusā¦ā¦ Oya? If it isnāt Miyama-sama.]
[Eh? Ahh, hello, Lunamaria-san.]
[You appeared just in timeā¦ā¦ For some reason I do not know, it seems like Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama were looking for you.]
[Eh? Theyāre looking for me?]
[Yes, it seemed like they had something important in mindā¦ā¦]
Hearing the words of Lunamaria who came into the room, Kaito glanced at Lilia once. He was still wondering what Lilia was hiding, but he didnāt intend to force out what Lilia was hiding from him.
[Well then, Iām going to go find themā¦ā¦ Lilia-san, thank you very much.]
[N- No, you can consult with me anytime.]
After thanking Lilia and bowing to Lunamaria, Kaito left the room. After seeing him off, Lilia patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
[ā¦ā¦Milady? You seem rather tired. Should I brew you some tea?]
After Lunamaria left the room, Lilia sat back in her chair with an exhausted expression on her face. And thus, the secret hobby of the Duchyās head was safely kept secretā¦ā¦ Is what she thought.
With a somewhat astounded expression, Lunamaria, who had left the office, muttered to herself.
[ā¦ā¦Thereās no way sheās seriously thinking that no one knows about that, right? Sheās still as cute as ever.]