The other ring (2)

'The mother figure slash 'the only light in his world full of darkness' plan is possible? I mean, if you look at it, he's got potential. Enhanced senses, clever, and polite. If I raise him right, he would turn out to be a very useful and rare asset.'

However, no matter how beneficial this investment could be in the long run, Adelaide was not an investor with idle cash at the moment. It would be more accurate to say that with her little body and zero assets, she was not even qualified to be on the playground yet.

That was the main reason.

If she insisted, she could just bring Edel back regardless of the current situation at the duchy. But that would be a waste of time.

Her new parents suck, the current personnel at the main mansion also suck. Her new yet to meet brother, the only competent future leader who sounded like he would adore his sister, was still a minor.

'The current duke had no talent in HR Management.'

Plus, Edel was a noble. That fact alone could raise voices, even if he was a neglected son.

'I haven't even met Alfred yet. There are too many uncertainties.'

You could say, Adelaide, as a past modern citizen, still have a soft spot for obedient children.

Adelaide did not give him the answer immediately as she turned her gaze towards the now opened safe. She did not know how he accomplished it, but all the remaining shiny stones were dimmed, and the safe's door was wide open in front of them.

She could even see the necklace lying inside. It looked exactly like how it was described in the study hall.

"Edel." Adelaide started; her eyes focused on him. It was strange, at least to her, how his purple eyes seemed to lit up in delight every time.

'Well, my clear blue eyes are indeed mesmerizing.'

"My family is a piece of work, Edel." She did not ask him why he wanted to follow her, or what would happen to his unknown noble family. Adelaide had already decided to say no, so further questions would only sadden the boy.

"What's a piece of work, milady?"

"Hhmm, I don't think I can say this nicely. In short, they suck." Adelaide reached her hand towards the opened safe. Edel did not stop her, so she just picked up the necklace with the Winford ring casually. It was indeed pretty and exquisite. "You are also a child with noble origins, so I'm sure you know…huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing serious. It's just that there are two rings?"

The records in Adelaide's study hall did not say anything about the second ring. To be fair, the second one was bland: it was a normal silver ring with no decorations. The necklace was holding both rings.

However, Adelaide could somehow feel a connection between her and the ring. It was faint, but it was there. An idea suddenly popped up in her mind as Adelaide handed the bland silver ring to the confused boy.

"Edel, hold this and stay still."

With her small footsteps, Adelaide ran to the other side of the room. She closed her eyes and touched the wall.

'…I can see it.'

She could know Edel's location. To be exact, she could see the ring's location. Unlike the other dots with bright colors that represented living things, this one was gray.

The only 'bug' in her 'system' was now fixed.

'Most importantly, how did this idea come to me? It's like a gut feeling, some kind of instinct?'

To make sure her discovery was right, Adelaide ran back to where Edel was and took the ring from him. Now, without the ring, he became invisible again.

"M'lady?" When Adelaide ran back to Edel the second time, out of breath, he looked even more confused, but he still patted her back gently. Adelaide hated this body's weak stamina, but she was satisfied with the boy.

'What a good kid.'

She was not a gambler who takes unnecessary risks, but she could make a long-term investment. It was a pity, since the silver ring may have undiscovered features, but you have to let some things go and be a bit reckless when investing from time to time. Trusting your gut sometimes could result in pleasant surprises.

'If it works out, then that's good. If not, let's say newbies are bound to incur losses before gaining future profits. That's what happens when you join a new market.'

Besides, Adelaide could feel some potential from the boy. It was only a bland silver ring after all. She had the Winford ring on her already, so this should be fine.

"Edel, I can't take you with me. We are vulnerable children with no powers in our hands. My current family is not credible, either."

"Then why are you going back?"

"Because we are kids. We need a place to shelter until we are strong enough. But, I can give you a token of trust."

"A token of trust?"

"Yes. Take this ring. Let's say we're allies. As long as you have this ring on you, I'll be able to find you when you grow up."

'Yes, who knows how many Edels are there in the Empire's noble class? This ring is like an ID, you know.'

"There are a lot of people to look through, m'lady, even if it's the noble class." Edel was happy and worried at the same time. "And my origins is an embarrassment too."

'I know, a half-elf or something like a half-kitsune in those folklores right?'

"Of course, there's the element of luck too. But having hope is better than having none, right?"

"…I suppose so."

'So fucking mature.'

Adelaide smiled in satisfaction after hearing his answer. She saw him hold the ring preciously before carefully threading it to the necklace. The silver ring laid peacefully on Edel's neck, next to his noise-canceling device.

"Don't lose it, okay?" That was her only fund for investment.

"Yes, m'lady."

They then spent some time looking around and talking idly. Adelaide found herself a foldable knife, and Edel somehow pulled out a black cloak her size. She was glad to have said cloak.

'I mean, I would look weird running around in public in this pure white dress with numbers on it.'

"Then, I'll go know."

It was half-past four in the morning, so Adelaide thought she should go. The Baron was uselessly diligent, so most of the time, he came in at six.

Of course, they still had some time left, but what if he decided to change his routine a bit today to be even more productive?

"Until we see each other again, Edel."

Adelaide gave the boy a quick hug before taking a step back. She did not know if Edel had guessed her ability correctly or not, but she did not care either. He was a kid, and teleportation as an ability was something impossible even to residents of this realistic fantasy world.

'People tend to underestimate kids a little. I'm no different.'

"I'm Edel Rustwell." Just before Adelaide was about to disappear with her new black cloak on, she heard Edel's quiet mutter.

He cringed a bit when the word "Rustwell" came out as if he was disgusted by it.

"I see." She did not ask for his last name in consideration of the matured four-year-old, but him telling her by himself meant he wanted her to find him easier. "I'm Adelaide Winford."

Adelaide smiled gently. As morning came to the land, weak rays of sunlight poured into the room through the glass windows behind her. The four-year-old Edel could see Adelaide's clear blue eyes shining brighter than ever before she disappeared.

Edel stood still in his spot, his eyes wandered aimlessly towards the scenery outside the office's windows. The trees were slowly gaining their green colors, and birds started chirping in delight.

Everything looked vivid and full of life.

"Haiz…" Edel sighed before turning his back and walking to the main door calmly like he was in his own office. His footsteps echoed around the room. The little boy reached his small hands towards and door's handle and twisted.

What greeted him was an empty corridor.

He knew there was no one. The guards always leave at around four forty in the morning before coming back two minutes later. He could clearly hear people heading his way, but Edel did not even flinch. He would be out of the corridor and their sight twenty seconds later if he kept his current speed.

Edel turned left and went back to his room with the guard's laugh echoing in his ears.

His small fingers curled around the silver ring and caressed it subconsciously.

ΘΘΘ

"That was so fucking cool." Adelaide appeared in an alley's dark spot two blocks away from Alfred's academy with the foldable knife in her left hand. She was satisfied with the sunlight effect. In her opinion, it was every girl's dream to be holy and beautiful, and she nailed it.

Adelaide looked around and sighed in relief. She knew for sure areas around Western Imperial Academy would be safe, but unexpected situations could happen if she let her guard down.

'I gained a possible ally, but Edel Co. is a young start-up company with no experience and could be swayed.'

'Now, I'll need someone who could back me up. This is one of the few moments where I'm glad I'm still a kid. Children's personality changes are normal, so I won't raise Alfred's suspicions at least.'

Alfred Winford was a genius, someone three years younger than his peers yet always got top scores. A genius among geniuses. A prodigy. An heir of the Empire's duchy.

And an older brother who cherished his sister dearly.