“What is all this?!”

Meidi began taking care of the young dragon around the time she had grown accustomed to her life as a maid, starting from her rookie days.

Familiarity bred boredom, and gradually, her maid’s salary no longer satisfied her.

That was when the young monster caught her eye.

If handled well, wouldn’t it be possible to earn more than what she could make working in the castle?

Having won Dante’s trust, she managed the insignificant creature and, as expected, gained a fairly substantial income.

For example, she would use expensive accessories or consumables meant for the young master as if they were her own, or if that proved difficult, simply sell them off.

The wealth she accumulated over four years became quite considerable.

For the first year, they somehow shared a room, but during the winter, which she particularly disliked, she made every excuse to send Dante down to the basement.

It was a place perfectly suited for a young monster.

Yet whenever there was a risk of being discovered, she would bring Dante back up and pretend they were living together.

With just that much effort, she could deceive most people.

Truthfully, she didn’t care about others. As long as she pleased the Duke, that was all that mattered.

Meidi went to great lengths to drive a wedge between Dante and the Duke.

Worsening the already poor relationship between the two was not a difficult task.

Starting from the Duke’s funeral rites, Meidi orchestrated various accidents and disguised them as Dante’s doing.

Eventually, the Duke had no choice but to entrust everything regarding Dante to Meidi.

Thus, wielding authority as a nursemaid, Meidi claimed everything that came to Dante as her own.

At first, she was satisfied.

But over time, this too ceased to satisfy her, just like being a maid.

A monster’s nursemaid could barely make ends meet—there was nothing grand enough about it to change her status.

Then a new Duchess arrived.

Meidi, racking her brain, decided to become the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting.

“I’ll be able to get much more.”

She believed that if she secured the position, she could leverage Dante to gain even greater benefits.

“No matter how much of a nephew he is, living under the Duke’s roof must be quite an irritation to the Duchess.”

And since he wasn’t even a proper human, but a monster, such a thorn in her eye deserved to be removed.

Of course, the noble Duchess’s hands must not be sullied in the process—so Meidi would take it upon herself to handle it specially.

If she could negotiate with the Duchess, perhaps she could eliminate Dante and receive a large sum of money.

If that happened, she could quit this wretched maid’s job and return to her hometown to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Of course, she must never commit a crime that would tarnish her honor.

Therefore, everything would be disguised as an accident.

Even if the Duchess didn’t want Dante removed, there was still much to gain—provided Meidi became her lady-in-waiting.

But all of that had now turned to dust.

“What on earth is that woman thinking?!”

If I were the Duchess, I would’ve thrown that nephew of the Duke out of the castle long ago!

“She really doesn’t dislike Dante at all?”

That was simply unbelievable.

What wife would welcome such a young monster attached to her husband?

Meidi stepped onto the basement floor after descending the stairs. From the nearby darkness, she saw a black figure rushing toward her, speaking with a boy’s voice echoing in her mind.

[Meidi!]

That young monster, speaking human language despite not being human, was the root of all her problems.

[I waited here nicely… Meidi? What’s wrong?]

Meidi clenched her teeth. Looking up at her strangely, Dante suddenly grabbed her by the nape.

[It hurts-!]

Meidi shook Dante violently in front of her face, sneering.

“Master, what did you do to offend Her Highness that she reacted that way?”

[Wh-what are you talking about?]

Dante didn’t understand half of what Meidi was saying. She knew that perfectly well, but it wasn’t important.

“You’re blocking my future, Master. I’m asking you to realize that and show some remorse!”

Dante flinched, startled by her sudden shout.

Regardless of what stood before her, Meidi needed someone to vent her anger on.

She shoved Dante roughly. Tossing in midair, Dante crashed to the floor, rolled several times, and slammed into the wall.

[It hurts…]

Yet Dante didn’t even dream of resisting. Naturally so—Meidi had carefully educated him never to dare raise his claws against her.

Rolling up her sleeve, she placed a hand on her waist. She took a deep breath in and out, and her agitated emotions seemed to settle slightly.

‘All this brat is good for is taking a beating.’

Even in anger, she needed to control her strength.

If she lost her nursemaid position, the life she’d built through Dante would vanish in an instant.

At the very least, she couldn’t afford to lose what she already had.

[Meidi? What’s wrong? I didn’t even leave here today…]

“Ah, shut up. Beasts shouldn’t speak human words.”

Meidi knew better than anyone what words would hurt Dante the most.

‘Still, it’s such a waste. The benefits of becoming the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting wouldn’t have been insignificant.’

Since the lady-in-waiting had already been chosen in front of everyone, Meidi’s chances of getting the position were practically zero.

Therefore, she had no choice but to hold tightly to what she still possessed.

‘But I should at least find out the reason.’

Why she hadn’t been chosen.

Now, she would slowly uncover exactly what words this young monster had used to charm the Duchess.

“Master Dante? It’s been a while since you’ve received some discipline.”

The young dragon was already cowering in fear.

Had the child at least resembled a human, she might have felt a faint twinge of guilt.

But this was a monster, closer to a beast—such emotions were entirely unnecessary.

The black shadow lunged at the young dragon.

Dante merely held his breath, frozen in silence—until Raymond’s voice echoed through the basement.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“…Your Grace?”

A voice so furious it surpassed mere shock now dominated the room.

Meidi was so startled she couldn’t even lower the hand she had raised. Before her, Dante opened his eyes and trembled uncontrollably.

“I asked you what you’re doing. Meidi Lowen.”

An immeasurable wrath pierced Meidi.

“It’s just… something was on the young master’s face.”

In a situation where she couldn’t even properly make an excuse, Meidi’s mouth flapped uselessly.

Raymond, witnessing her brazen demeanor with his own eyes, felt something lodge tightly in his throat.

“You brought this child down to the basement late at night just for this? And….”

Raymond couldn’t bring himself to finish. He examined Dante.

The boy’s body, which he hadn’t seen in a long time, was covered in bruises and scrapes.

These weren’t from accidental scrapes or falls—they were clearly marks of deliberate harm.

Raymond gritted his teeth. Dante, witnessing his fury up close, felt only confusion.

‘Why is he angry?’

Being scolded and beaten was only natural.

Unable to understand why Raymond was angry at Meidi, Dante staggered to his feet and stepped in front of him.

Raymond stared in disbelief at Dante, growling and baring his teeth before him.

“Dante Growen. Is this really the proper attitude?”

As Raymond hardened his voice, Dante’s wariness only intensified. Seeing this, Meidi smiled and reached to embrace Dante.

“Master, come here.”

[…Uuunnh.]

Dante’s eyes wavered. The protector who had shown him kindness and stood up for him, and the nursemaid who had just tried to hit him but now opened her arms—everything was utterly confusing to Dante.

Then, a fragrance wafted through the air.

A sweet scent of honey that gently touched the nose and calmed the mind.

Yerpi Deilang, having descended into the basement, immediately lowered her posture and opened her arms toward Dante.

“Dante, come here.”

Dante’s bright yellow eyes widened.

Before the young dragon, two people stood with arms open, waiting for the child.

One was the guardian who had cherished and helped him all this time.

And the other was someone who had extended a hand, offering new warmth and kindness.

“Master, what are you doing? Why aren’t you coming here?”

Meidi urged Dante anxiously.

Just moments ago, he would have wanted to nestle into that embrace. For the first time, he didn’t want to go to Meidi.

Deep down, he knew there was always a reason behind Meidi’s affectionate gestures.

The reality he had long ignored had now arrived before his eyes. At the same moment, Dante saw a new light.

Gentle apologies, sincerity, and truly warm arms.

The young dragon cautiously took a step forward. Though the first step was difficult, soon Dante leapt with strength and rushed into Yerpi’s embrace.