[I will ensure your sister’s safe return as long as you perform your duties well.]

“Can’t I at least hear my sister’s voice to confirm she’s safe?”

[If you keep talking nonsense, I can’t guarantee your sister’s safety, you know that.]

“…….”

[Anyway, expedite the plan as soon as possible.]

“Please give me some more time.”

[One week.]

The other party spoke firmly.

[Resolve it within a week.]

The original period he was given was a month, but now it was shortened to just a week.

However, Joseph Oser had no room to argue. He was at their mercy.

“Understood.”

Before he could finish, the communication was cut off. Joseph Oser stared at the magic device, then covered his face with his hands.

“Damn it…….”

At eighteen years old, he had joined the Adrian household as a servant five years ago. He had worked his way up from the bottom and was now about to take the knight’s oath. He was fiercely loyal to the Adrian family.

About a month ago, he received a call from his aunt, who was looking after his sister Melody, saying she had disappeared.

Joseph immediately took leave and searched the area around his aunt’s house, but Melody was nowhere to be found. Just when he was about to seek help from Duke Adrian, a suspicious man approached him.

His mission was simple: his sister was taken hostage, and he must execute the tasks they provided.

Joseph agreed to their demands without knowing what the task was, prepared to sacrifice his life if it came to the worst.

But the ‘task’ they gave him was more shocking than he expected.

[Pour this potion on Duke Adrian’s carriage.] [What will happen if I pour it?] [That’s none of your concern.]

Although they did not reveal the potion’s effect, Joseph had a rough idea. It would probably cause an accident.

If an accident occurred in a moving carriage, the worst-case scenario could be immediate death. At best, they might survive but not without serious injuries.

And it was targeting the very Duke Adrian he respected.

Joseph considered running to Duke Adrian to reveal everything, but every time he tried, he received warnings. They threatened to kill his sister if he disclosed anything to anyone.

They also warned that if he failed and their plan was exposed, his sister would still die.

‘Now, I really…’

Joseph Oser tightly grasped the potion hidden deep in his drawer.

He had no choice but to proceed.

“Your steps are too slow, little one. Even a tortoise would be faster than you.”

Lucas followed Rosette closely, effortlessly keeping up even as she tried her best to run faster.

Glancing at him, Rosette gritted her teeth and sped up. Annoyingly, Lucas didn’t seem to be out of breath even as he quickened his pace.

Since the day before, Rosette had been doing morning training with Lucas. Their training mainly consisted of running around the training ground, which was somewhat embarrassing to call ‘training,’ but she was reassured knowing everyone started with this.

The rest of the family was skeptical of Rosette’s decision. Although they agreed, they added that she could quit anytime if it got too hard.

But Rosette was determined not to give up. She had grand plans.

‘I’ll build up my stamina quickly and create a mana core.’

With a mana core, she could be prepared for emergencies. And to become plump and healthy, she planned to eat a lot more.

Also,

‘I need to keep a close eye on Joseph Oser.’
While panting from running, Rosette glanced at the Dallos family’s spy, Joseph Oser, practicing with a wooden sword in the distance.

She had learned from Daniel that his name was Joseph Oser, he had been in the knight’s squad for about five years, and that he had lost his parents at a young age, with only a younger sister left. During this conversation, Daniel had subtly questioned, “Why is our youngest interested in him?” and Lucas had erupted, saying, “You’re interested in that guy!” However, she managed to clarify that it wasn’t the case.

But something was odd. According to Daniel, Joseph Oser was unusually diligent for his age and had tremendous loyalty to the Adrian family. It puzzled Rosette why someone like him would end up as a spy targeting Daniel.

‘Could his sister be held hostage?’

While pondering this possibility, her vision suddenly darkened as Lucas blocked her view, chiding her, “Again, looking at him. Listen, Rosette, you are eight and he is eighteen! Think about the age difference!”

Sighing at Lucas’s misunderstanding, Rosette ignored his warning and passed by him. Lucas followed her, still chattering, but she ignored him again.

Having completed three laps, Rosette didn’t wait for Lucas to bring water. Instead, she approached Joseph Oser and softly asked, “Joseph… right?”

Joseph, who had been chatting with a colleague, looked surprised to see her.

“Oh, if it isn’t the young lady!”

He stood up straight, looking down at her.

“What can I do for you?”

Rosette looked up at him and whispered.

“Water…”

“Water?”

“I want some water.”

“Ah, water. Just a moment.”