A Possessed Person Lives in My Doll

“Hmm, I didn’t know you had a cute hobby of carrying dolls around.”

Titus didn’t answer my question, just stroked his chin and glared at Blue. His eyes twinkled as if he’d found something interesting.

He didn’t say anything else, so he must not have heard our conversation. Or maybe he was just talking to himself. I swallowed dryly.

“I just came out for a change, and you’re right, seeing something cute makes me feel better.”

“Yeah, that’s an excellent idea. People need to get out into the sun and breathe some fresh air. It gets stale being cooped up in a meeting room like you.”

“Who said anything about staleness?”

“You, with your haggard face?”

He pointed a finger at me and laughed naturally.

I stared at him in disbelief. Why was he pointing at me like this when he knew I didn’t like it?

Everyone should know Titus is like this.

I shook my head lightly. Of course, anyone but me would consider him the best man for the job.

His impeccable height, trim body, razor-sharp face, status as the Marquis’ brother and the leader of the Knights of Aether. According to them, nothing was missing.

Okay, handsome, I admit it.

But other than that, there’s nothing I like about him. Not anything. Under the right circumstances. You have such a selfish personality.

While I was lost in thought, Titus held out the papers to me.

“More than that, I’d like to talk to you about that gun you modified last time. I don’t mind having more recoil, but can you give it more range? And three shots for a low-grade mana stone isn’t efficient.”

The papers were filled with my evaluations of the mana guns I had created and named. I flipped through the papers he handed me and said, “Okay.”

“If we increase the firepower here, the recoil might not be the problem, but the gun might explode, so we’re not planning to do that right now. I need some more time to study it.”

“If you want to wait, I’ll wait. Given enough time, I’m sure you’ll come up with something you’ll like.”

I’ll have to see if I can enhance it in another way besides increasing its explosive power. I rattled off a few options and carefully closed the paperwork.

So far, none of my creations have been as groundbreaking as the Managan. It was a necessary weapon in the sparsely populated and monster-infested northwest.

How cool is it to have more firepower than a regular gun and manage it easier?

The Knights of Titus, who defended the Northwest, recognized its usefulness and invested in its use and improvement.

Those who recognized its true value proclaimed me a genius, but it wasn’t enough.

“I’m still not good enough. I must create something more flawless, something more groundbreaking, if I am to gain my father’s approval and become a cattleman.

I steeled myself. I looked away from the papers and locked eyes with Titus, who watched me. He smirked, his mouth twitching.

“So I’m just supposed to rely on you, Ancestor, the god of engineering, then?”

It’s ridiculous that Titus, not my father, appreciates my efforts.

I laughed.

“Haha, when did our boss get here?”

I turned my head at the familiar voice and found Titus, his father greeting him warmly.

“Count Eupiter, how are you?”

“I hope I haven’t interrupted your story.”

My father gently tapped Titus on the shoulder. His smiling face was unfamiliar to me. It was just a moment ago that he was angry with me…….

My stomach twisted at the sight of the two of them, looking like father and son. They must be my parents, but they didn’t look like my parents.

I pulled a thin sigh out of my nose.

After the previous Marquis Valenti saved my father’s life and died, my father took in the orphaned Valenti brothers. That was the beginning.

I have no idea how much of my father’s attention and time, so precious to me, was given to the Valenti brothers. I can still see him putting me on the back burner and taking care of my two brothers.

A young Titus was especially demanding. He never took a break and got into all kinds of trouble.

Even when he was with his dad, he was often taken away when he did something.

The image of him becoming more and more distant was burned into my memory like a scar. I looked at him as I remembered.

After my mom died, he was the only parent I had left, and I needed him.

My father opened his mouth as if he noticed me in hindsight.

“You must be shaken up by what happened earlier, so go inside and rest.”

I don’t know if he’s referring to the magic circle explosion or my father’s anger. Is this all he has to say about me?

“Okay. I was just about to walk in anyway.”

He turned toward the mansion without another word, and Titus, who was about to follow, stopped.

“Ah, Ancestor.”

Titus looked back at me with something to say, then tossed me something from his pocket.

The object was instinctively in my hands.

“This?”

I looked at the object in my hand. It was a fist-sized gemstone.

Why would I suddenly need such an expensive item?

“A gift.”

“Don’t worry, I said everything I wanted to say.”

“Then why don’t you go inside instead of standing here? It’s been a while since you’ve been here and I have a lot of questions for you.”

“You’re always welcome to talk to me, Count.”

As if to answer his father’s questions, he spat out the words and followed his father.

I watched, dumbfounded, as my father and Titus walked away.

It was a terrible idea to play it cool.

Blue, who had watched this from my arms, spoke in a small voice.

“Wow.. That’s a asshole.”

“I guess I am.”

I looked at Titus, who was getting further away, and shook my head.

Blue quickly turned to me, obviously losing interest in Titus.

“Ansheer, what do you think?”

“That I should stop drinking?”

“What?”

I’ll eliminate all contact with Titus, just in case.”

I looked at the gem I clutched.

It wasn’t a strange red color, more of a purple, and it wasn’t just any gemstone, it was a high-level gemstone. It was so rare you couldn’t pay for it.

It must have been obtained during the last demon slaying.

I knew what he could do. But I couldn’t give up.

“I will surpass you and steal my father’s recognition.”

Growing up with Titus was always a barrier I had to overcome. Like a bad-looking brother looking down on his better, more accomplished sibling. Sharp pangs of love and jealousy stabbed at my heart in my chest.

I bit my lip to hold back the pain.

If I wanted to surpass him, I needed a different method. A clear answer, a way.

I looked at the blue in my arms.

“If it hails on a spring day like you say, I have no reason not to believe you’re from the future. Do you think you can help me?”

Blue pricked up his ears and looked up at me. The doll’s eyes sparkled in the sun.

I whispered in a low voice.

“I will send you back. In exchange, while you’re here, why don’t you tell me what you know about the future?”

“Okay, I’ll tell you whatever I know while I’m here.”

After a quick nod of acceptance, Blue spoke in a flat, unemotional tone.

“Let’s make a deal. In exchange for me telling you things about the future, you will never abandon me.”

“I swear.”

If I could see the future, surely I could outwit Titus.

·        * *

Titus gently rubbed my mouth corners as I smiled. The thought of Anshear holding the doll made me giggle.

It was an excellent thing that I could control my laughter in front of Ansheer. If I’d laughed, I’d have been angry like a cat with its mandibles.

“Well, that’s not so terrible.

He chuckled softly at the thought of an angry Ancestor.

It was still a long way to the manor, but his steps were light. He felt like he could entertain himself for a while, thinking about today.

Crouch, his horseback escort, glanced over at him. It was strange to see him smiling so much. He cautiously asked a question.

“Is something amusing you?”

“Oh, I just saw something cute.”

There was only one thing his Lordship found cute, and he nodded in understanding.

“Perhaps.. Ms. Ancestor.”

As soon as her name left his mouth, Titus’ face crumpled. He growled ferociously.

“Don’t say you’re cute. Only I’m cute.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Crouch replied shakily. Titus didn’t care how he reacted. Right now, he couldn’t stop thinking about the Ancestor.

He hadn’t realized how much he’d treasured the doll he’d given her as a child.

He was so busy running back and forth between the lab and the workshop every day, and he had such a cute cozy nook?

If I carry it around like that, I wonder if it’s with me every day. I put it in the corner of my desk when working and on my bed when sleeping.

Titus’ brow furrowed. He rubbed his brow and muttered to himself.

“Well, I never thought I’d be envious of a stuffed animal in my life.”

He shook his head at his absurd thoughts. Still, it was pretty enjoyable this time.

Wasn’t the gemstone he’d given her something Ancestor needed, too?

It was perfectly tailored to the recipient’s tastes. I’m sure she would have loved my gift.

“Not many people have this ability, so I hope it looks cool.”

“Large.”

Titus grabbed the reins and sped up. Only Crouch, who kept pace with him, followed him, panting.

·        * *

A few days later, just before May arrived, hailstorms occurred. Blue was right about the future.

I stared out the window. Fingernail-sized hailstones pounded against the glass.

As we stared at it together, Blue spoke cheerfully.

“I knew it! I knew it!”

“Yeah, I guess it’s not like you came from the past and warped the future or anything.”

I smiled lightly. If Blue’s story came true, I could make a difference in the future I’d heard about.

Looking out the window, Blue turned her head to look at me. Even though they weren’t real eyes, just buttons on a doll, I could almost feel her gaze.

“How useful my future knowledge is. If anyone could know what’s going to happen, they’d run for gold, so treat this body with respect!”

I giggled as I watched Blue Squirm.

“Right. I know how dangerous it could be if it fell into the wrong hands, so be careful you don’t get caught talking too.”

I tapped Blue on the nose. Blue whimped every time.

“What will we do now?”

“Now that it’s hailing, If you’re right, there’s going to be a serious famine next, and I’m going to prepare for that.”