Lady Baby Is a Revenge Maker Chapter 43

Sephiel paused.

 

“But… you mean he only ever used the name Zer?”

 

“No, he had several names before that. He’s been working as a mercenary for… let’s see, over ten years now.”

 

“That name. Do you know who gave it to him?”

 

Marie blinked.

 

“Oh. Elton said the late Grand Duchess gave it to Grand Duke… he said it was a name to wish for safety and good health.”

 

“I see….”

 

Sephiel bit her lip.

 

‘Ah, right. Zer and Erga…’

 

Sephiel understood the meaning of those words.

 

“Miss Baby, where are you going?”

 

“The library.”

 

“You really do love books. Don’t be too late coming back.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Sephiel headed to the Grand Duchy’s library.

 

She approached a certain bookshelf—one crammed with random fairy tales and novels.

 

‘Almost like someone had gathered all their favorites in one spot.’

 

One book in particular caught Sephiel’s eye.

 

‘I found it! It’s a book I’ve already read once.’

 

Among the books kept by the Grand Duke, there were many unique ones.

 

Among them were books of unknown origin, written in various ancient languages by different races.

 

For example, little hand-copied manuscripts like this one, worn with age.

 

‘Yeah. That’s right. Lately, seeing those candle-flame flowers reminded me. I’m sure it was the words Zer and Erga…’

 

– Elf Plant Encyclopedia. The pretty words of the elves.

 

It was a book someone had handwritten in ancient Elvish.

 

A little book with a lot of handwriting.

 

Sephiel opened the book.

 

‘Yes. There is definitely something about candleflower on the rare plants page.…’

 

Sephiel scanned the page with her small finger and found it.

 

The most precious and mysterious magical creature. The story of the candle flower.

 

The greatest wish of many ancient Elven tribes was to make the Candle-Flame Flower bloom.

 

Why? Because the flower holds a great secret.

 

Many tried to uncover it.

 

It takes a full five years just to sprout.

 

The Elves poured their hearts into making it bloom.

 

That flower is the magic flame itself.

 

‘Anyone who has seen this flower even once will never forget it.’

 

The high elves called the flower that bloomed ‘Zer’.

 

“The candle-flame flower blooms like a flickering fire. The High Elves called that blooming Zer, and remembered its beauty.”

 

Sephiel read aloud, softly.

 

And the true form of the Candle-Flame Flower — it’s a stunningly beautiful Flower.

 

That flower they called Erga.

 

“Erga is the name for the most beautiful, most precious thing in the world. It means: the most breathtaking and beautiful thing I’ve brought into bloom in my life.”

 

Though she had known about the Candle-Flame Flower in a past life…

 

That kind of beautiful detail was something Sephiel had never read before.

 

‘But who is the author of this?’

 

Sephiel glanced around the book cover.

 

‘Huh? There’s no author?’

 

Then Sephiel noticed the small letters inside the cover.

 

<From the High Elves of the Mountains, to our beloved human friend.>

 

That note was written inside the worn book.

 

‘There aren’t many pure-blooded humans in this castle… Wait — the late Grand Duchess was human, wasn’t she? And she was a plant mage. Which means…’

 

‘This book belonged to the Grand Duchess!’

 

Sephiel blinked in surprise.

 

‘Wow, the Grand Duchess must have been a wonderful person. To receive such a book as this as a gift from the high elves.’

 

From that day on, Sephiel found herself curious about the late Grand Duchess.

 

And about Erga.

 

That evening, Sephiel asked Marie.

 

“Hey, that name — did the Gyand Duchess give it to him?”

 

“You mean the Young Master? Yes, she did.”

 

“What kind of person is the Gyand Duchess?”

 

“Well… I didn’t see her often myself. I didn’t serve her directly. But from what I’ve heard, she was lively and kind.”

 

“Yeah. I had a feeling.”

 

Sephiel said, sitting on the bed.

 

“They say that when the Grand Duchess was alive, the atmosphere in this castle was much more lively. Just like how many servants are happy now thanks to you.”

 

“But was the Gyand Duchess close with the Elves?”

 

“Ah. That’s right. She was the only one who had contact even with the High Elves.”

 

“You mean real High Elves? Not half-bloods like Lev?”

 

Sephiel opened her eyes wide.

 

“Yes. Elves are one of the most numerous races in this world. That’s why they have various tribes. Among them, the high elves are really arrogant. They also have the longest lifespan among the races. That’s why they don’t live in castles, but rather live in seclusion among themselves.”

 

Marie went on to explain how the High Elves lived deep in the mountains, at the edge of the Grand Duchy.

 

“The most precious clothes that go to Miss Baby are the ones they make.”

 

At those words, Sephiel remembered the clothes that Marie and Berry had said there was only one of.

 

She had been told to wear it later when meeting the Grand Duke’s direct descendants.

 

It was made from a silky fabric that shimmered like moonlight — so thin and elegant.

 

But when worn, it feels like thick, cozy winter clothes.

 

“This fabric comes in just three rolls per year. It’s so fine that the Grand Duchy offered the High Elves anything they wanted in exchange for more, but they firmly refused. And it’s not just that. Even fabrics made from wool or rabbit fur become incredibly soft when they make them. The High Elves have advanced magic for weaving.”

 

“I see, but were they close with the Grand Duchess?”

 

“Yes. I don’t know how she did it. The high elves often came to see the Grand Duchess. That’s a huge deal. They don’t even lower their heads to the Grand Duke himself.”

 

“The Duke is kinda scary, you know? All stiff and serious.”

 

“Well, it’s because… the Duke’s mother was a half-elf—half high elf, half human. So the Duke naturally tends to be more generous toward high elves.”

 

‘A maternal relative, maybe?’ Sephiel tilted her head, puzzled.

 

“But how did the Duchess and the high elves get so close?”

 

“The Duchess was a great herbalist, so she probably got along well with them since they cultivate so many herbs. Elves, especially high elves, are knowledgeable not just in weaving but also in herbs and magical plants. They can seem aloof, but they’re not bad people. High elves are considered the most noble among elves.”

 

As Marie spoke, her expression suddenly clouded like she remembered something unpleasant.

 

“But you must never mention the late Duchess in front of the Duke. He’s finally started favoring you a little, and that could ruin everything.”

 

“Why?”

 

“That….”

 

Marie hesitated.

 

“If I knew the reason, I would be more careful.”

 

Sephiel’s soft plea seemed to move her, and Marie nodded slightly.

 

“Um, Miss Baby…. Before the Duchess passed, she lost her mind.”

 

“……”

 

“It’s so serious…. They say she even tried to harm young Master Erga, who had just been born. Right before she passed, she was confined to a small annex on the hill. And rumor has it… she cursed the Duke until the very end.”

 

Sephiel blinked.

 

‘That actually happened? Sounds like what I read in books about postpartum depression.’

 

The thought made her shiver.

 

“Why all of a sudden?”

 

“I don’t know about that either.”

 

Marie’s face darkened as she spoke.

 

Sephiel asked cautiously, as if Marie would keep her mouth shut.

 

“Then… how did she die, in the end? Huh? I promise I’ll keep it a secret.”

 

Marie was always weak to Sephiel’s pleading, and finally gave in.

 

“I don’t know the details about her death, since she was kept isolated. But… I do remember there was a fire.”

 

“Fire?”

 

“Yes. They say she set fire to the small annex attached to her private garden…”

 

“…….”

 

“Thankfully, it was put out quickly, and no one was hurt. After that, she was moved to a different annex. The next day, she was found dead… like she’d fallen asleep. The doctor said it was a heart attack…”

 

‘It’s a strange death.’

 

Sephiel was reminded of Erga.

 

“So that’s how it is… He must not remember his mother either, just like me.”

 

Marie spoke cautiously after seeing Sephiel’s expression.

 

“You don’t have any memories of your mother either, do you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Berry once said… The young master probably doesn’t remember any love from his mother. All he’d remember… is her trying to kill him.”

 

Sephiel felt a small sting in her chest.

 

“But he was just a baby.”

 

“Dragons remember everything from the moment they’re born. And since the young master is half-dragon, it’s the same for him… Or so I’ve heard.”

 

Sephiel felt strange inside.

 

‘I have become evil, so I shouldn’t sympathize with others easily.’

 

She knew that she should just focus on surviving-but still, it bothered her a little.

 

“Maybe that’s why he’s always been guarded. Even with his family, he rarely speaks much. But… he seems to like you quite a bit, Miss Baby.”

 

“I don’t think so.”

 

If he liked her one more time, he would probably be pierced with an arrow. But still, Sephiel felt a little understood.

 

Sephiel then wanted to ask more about why the Grand Duchess had gone mad.

 

Just then, the door opened.

 

“What were you two talking about, Miss Baby?”

 

Berry asked as she entered the room.

 

Marie and Sephiel looked at each other, and Sephiel answered, “Nothing! It’s a secret!”

 

“Oh my, you’re so cute,” Berry said with a smile.

 

And unfortunately, Sephiel could not hear the rest of the story.

 

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