Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 6

☆ Episode 6 ☆

The Duke, who had never sought me out before, unexpectedly suggested having breakfast together.

‘Hmm, this is awkward. I hope I don’t get indigestion.’

I remembered the Duke staring intently at me during our previous meal.

‘No! This is an opportunity!’

The more I see him, the more attached I’ll become.

‘I need to get used to the Duke too!’

“Good morning, Daddy!”

I entered the dining room and greeted him energetically.

The Duke didn’t respond.

Undeterred, I went to my seat cheerfully.

“Wow, looks delicious!”

I said, trying to dispel the awkwardness without really looking, but the table was indeed laden with delicious-looking food.

“I’ll enjoy the meal, Daddy. I hope you enjoy it too!”

Huhuhu. My tearful efforts, undaunted by the lack of response.

This level of disregard doesn’t even tickle, hmph.

I picked up my fork and sampled the plump sausages, scrambled eggs, fresh seasonal fruits, and salad.

It’s all really delicious.

Even though it’s a basic breakfast, the plating and taste are on another level.

It feels like I’m finally being compensated for not having been fed well at the Tarenka estate.

But the most delicious thing was the custard pudding that came for dessert.

I devoured it in an instant and was longingly sucking on the sundae spoon when something was placed in front of me.

“Eat it.”

It was the custard pudding I had been so wistful about.

I looked up at the Duke.

Uh, so—did he give it to me because he thinks I like it?

As if he had never yielded pudding to me, he was reading the newspaper while drinking deeply brewed tea.

A cold and sharp face.

He used to stare at me so intently it was awkward, but why is he reading the newspaper now?

‘I thought he was ignoring me.’

“Hehe.”

I plunged my sundae spoon into the center of the pudding.

Watching the wobbly pudding, it felt like something was rippling in my heart too.

I glanced at the Duke.

Would it be weird to offer him a bite?

He doesn’t even know if I’m really his daughter or not.

‘What am I saying? Why am I hesitating? I should just try it! I’m trying to build a connection!’

A voice shouted from a corner of my heart, but my hand didn’t move, only my fingers twitched.

In the end, I couldn’t give the Duke the pudding and brought it to my mouth.

‘…It’s not like I’ve ever had a dad before, so how would I know?’

“I’ll enjoy the meal.”

I only muttered those words quietly instead of offering him the pudding.

* * *

It’s been a while since I finished the pudding that Duke Paeraton yielded to me.

I still can’t leave the dining room.

Because the Duke isn’t getting up and is staring intently at me.

I can’t get up alone, so I’m just sitting here blankly.

Then, the Duke’s elegant lips slowly opened.

“……Why isn’t it sticking?”

Pardon?

Sticking? What on earth……?

It sounds like he’s talking to himself, but why is he saying it while looking at me?

I tilted my head, and the Duke frowned and stood up.

Then, he strode over and lifted me up.

“……?!”

Wh-what is it?

I was carried by the Duke to his office.

‘Does he have something to discuss with me?’

Is that why we had breakfast together?

Come to think of it, the Duke was never at the mansion at the time I usually wake up.

Did he deliberately not go out today and wait for me?

‘What is he going to talk about?’

I swallowed nervously.

Sure enough, when the Duke arrived at his office, he sat me on his lap and… looked at documents.

Yes, documents.

‘No, this isn’t it!’

I (internally) flailed my arms and legs.

Whether I (mentally) did a frantic dance or not, the Duke only signed the documents with a graceful hand.

‘Hmm…….’

I’m not that clueless.

He hasn’t paid any attention to me until now, but he’s been sticking to me like glue since yesterday, so how could I not know?

I was half-expecting it, but—.

‘Is it really because I said I don’t like being alone and want to be with him in the future……?’

Well, I’ve been backstabbed countless times, but.

There’s no other reason, is there?

He’s not harming me while keeping me around. (Though his expression is cold.)

He even yielded pudding to me. (Though his expression is cold.)

Somehow, my heart felt soft and squishy like pudding with lots of caramel syrup.

I could feel my cheeks getting hot.

Ah, something, kind of.

I felt awkward for no reason, so I fidgeted with my fingertips and curled and stretched my toes.

Uh, hmm, no, my plan is working out well.

The idea is to build a connection by seeing him often.

So it’s good for me, and it’s good to ride this momentum, but, uh…….

Ah—why am I so embarrassed?

‘No, no, I have a lot to do today!’

I need to find the medium!

I only thought about what I had to do, but I felt like I was running away.

‘No, what do you mean running away! I really need to find it!’

Then, a cool voice fell over my head.

“What’s wrong?”

I looked up and saw the Duke’s face looking down at me.

I must have been fidgeting and thinking so much that he got concerned.

Um, I should think about what to say here—.

“I want to see something pretty.”

No, I should think first!

My lips blurted out the answer!

The Duke raised one eyebrow. His gaze turned to Anna.

Anna, who had been standing like a statue in the corner of the office, stepped forward and answered politely.

“The young lady was scheduled to visit the Hall of Holy Relics today.”

Ugh. Why would you answer like that!

I haven’t been here long, so why would I go to the room where the family treasures are kept?

“You filthy thief!”

The voice of Duke Tarenka struck my head like thunder.

Surely he won’t hit me like the Duke did, right?

Even as I thought that, my limbs shrank.

The Duke lifted me up without any reaction.

And then he strode away.

‘Uh…….’

After dangling in the Duke’s arms three times, I realized what was happening.

Duke Paeraton is taking me to the Hall of Holy Relics.

‘Huh?’

Is he really going? Is he just showing it to me like this?

How long has it been since I got here that he’s showing me the family treasures like this?

Besides, there are so many documents piled up?

I looked over the Duke’s shoulder at the mountain of documents piled on the desk.

‘……He’s more of a pushover than I thought…… No, no, he might be a good person.’

He looks so sharp on the outside, but he’s so naive.

‘Is this what they call “crispy on the outside, soft on the inside”?’

No, what am I thinking?

I leaned on the Duke’s shoulder and glanced up at his face.

A stiff and cold face.

‘Still…….’

He might be villain number 2, “a villain who is actually a good person,” instead of villain number 1 like Duke Tarenka.

You’re too naive and gullible!

The world, the world of romance fantasy, is not that easy!

Haven’t you been disappointed and discouraged a lot so far?

Always be careful of getting backstabbed!

Don’t forget!

The letters that appeared in the quest window flickered before my eyes, but.

I relaxed the tension in my shoulders and entrusted myself to his firm arms.

* * *

“Wow……!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim.

Inside the dark room, light fell from above.

The light, reflected by the crystals,

carved a faint and pure glow on the floor.

The deep ink-colored banners were ornately embroidered with the Duke’s family crest in gold and silver thread, and the solemn and dignified air unique to a place with accumulated time filled the room.

I even breathed carefully.

It’s as if time has stopped here.

‘The Hall of Holy Relics…….’

True to its name, it felt noble and sacred despite being dark.

It wasn’t just a room filled with expensive objects, but a place filled with mythology, legends, and history…….

Are they spoils of war rather than just treasures?

Indeed, there were many precious objects that seemed to have legends attached to them, such as swords and shields, armor, chalices, and rosaries, rather than works of art such as paintings or sculptures.

Overwhelmed by the sight, I forgot my purpose and blankly looked around at the treasures displayed along the walls of the circular room, but my gaze stopped at one place.

A splendid console [an ornamental table] made of ivory and gold, standing alone in the center of the room.

On top of it was a round glass case.

Judging from the placement and treatment, it seemed that the most precious object was there.

‘What on earth is inside?’

Curious, I stretched my neck, and the Duke strode towards it.

‘Oh……!’

As I watched the glass case getting closer and closer, my expectations grew.

A mana heart, the heart of a dragon?

The tears of a mermaid living in the seven seas?

The fruit of salvation containing the power of God?

Or a sacred stone containing the soul of the sword, embedded in the hero’s sword?

All sorts of fantastical treasures came to my mind.

Whatever it is, it must be a beautiful treasure that captivates people’s eyes at a glance!

Even the console it’s placed on is so luxurious.

And me, who arrived in front of the console?

“Ehh……?”

—I let out a deflated sigh.

Inside the glass case was an old book that looked like it would crumble if touched.

The condition was so bad that I didn’t even know what the original color was.

Well, of course, old books are precious too. Yeah.

Even though I thought it might be a historically important book, I was disappointed compared to the other precious objects in the room.

‘I’m done looking around, so now I need to see if there’s a summoning medium among these…… Huh!’

A thought flashed through my mind, and I gasped.

What did the notification window call me?

Reader, it said.

And what did it say while explaining 〈Rush & Cash〉?

It said it was a power that was perfect for the reader.

Then—.

‘That’s it.’

Strangely, I felt a strong conviction.

It’s just a possibility, but I feel certain that that’s it.

‘But how do I get that?’

It’s in a glass case, so it’s hard to even touch it……. Hmm.

“Daddy, what is this book?”

“It’s a Book of Sealings.”

A Book of Sealings. Is there a demon sealed inside?

I can’t trust that demon.

Then, suddenly, the Duke tightened his grip on me.

Naturally, I was wrapped in his broad chest.

“……?”

I looked up at him curiously, and the aide behind him smiled kindly and said to me.

“It’s okay, young lady. It’s a Book of Sealings, but nothing is sealed inside now. So you don’t have to be so scared.”

Um, he seems to have misunderstood my decaying expression.

‘……Could it be that the Duke too?’

Is that why he hugged me tighter?

‘Anyway, I’m glad there’s no demon sealed inside.’

“If there’s nothing inside, why do you keep it here?”

“It’s the treasure of the first Duke.”

At the Duke’s words, I opened my eyes wide and exclaimed.

“Wow, it’s really old. Amazing.”

I hid my thieving heart and innocently covered my cheeks.

“Can I touch it once?”

“That’s…….”

Duke Paeraton rarely trailed off.

“Can’t I?”

I launched a sparkling eye attack, but the Duke’s cold eyes didn’t budge.

Tch. I knew it wouldn’t work. I just tried it once.

“Haha, young lady. It’s just that the preservation isn’t good.”

Aide, you don’t have to comfort me like that.

What should I do?

It doesn’t seem like he’ll give it to me easily, so I’ll retreat here for now—

[Sudden Quest!]

—The notification appeared the moment I thought that.

And then the quest window popped up.

〈The Best Filial Duty (1)〉

Reader, you have a surprisingly good sense! Or is it because you are a contractor of the great 〈Aptanes〉?

Congratulations on discovering the 〈Summoning Medium〉!

However, a great challenge awaits you to truly obtain it.

But mountains are there to be climbed, and desires are there to be crossed!

You’re not going to say something soft like a tactical retreat or try it after thinking about it a little, are you?

Fast progress! Romance fantasy readers should aim for fast development!

Don’t be picky about methods to get what you want. Conquer and seize it!

Romance fantasy readers do not back down in this situation!

Show your abilities!

– Condition: Persuade Duke Paeraton to acquire the 〈Summoning Medium〉.

– Reward: 5,000 Cash Gacha Ticket

– Quest Rejection Penalty: Life Termination

– Quest Failure Penalty: Life Termination

‘This crazy……!’

What fast development! My life is more precious than that! A person must be careful!

‘Honestly, I don’t even know how.’

I was about to reject it, but the ‘rejection penalty’ caught my eye.

‘Life termination?’

I’ve dropped out of novels a few times, but if it’s life termination…….

‘Surely it doesn’t mean dropping out of life. It can’t be, yeah.’

I want to deny it, but that seems to be the case.

Death if I don’t do it, death if I fail!

‘This demon!’

I shouldn’t have trusted him.

I cried tears of blood inside and read the words written below.

– Quest Acceptance Benefit: Hints will be activated.

Is he giving me poison and then medicine!

I wanted to snap back, but I was still grateful.

I desperately needed even a glimmer of a clue now that I didn’t know how to persuade that cold Duke.

‘But it says hints will be activated. Does that mean choices will appear? Or maybe favorability?’

Anyway, it’s a relief.

‘If there are hints, it’s good for me to get the book now!’

[You have accepted the quest.]

[As a benefit, hints will be activated during the quest.]

‘Good! Give me the hints! Preferably choices!’

I looked at the Duke with a pounding heart, but—.

“……?!”

I couldn’t help but gape.

No, um, Duke……. There’s something wrong with the Duke’s face. More precisely, something strange is attached to it…….

‘Why is there a heart drawn on the Duke’s cheek……?’