Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 70

☆ 71 ☆

Father’s gaze narrowed as he looked at Lady Apelia.

“Are you daring to disregard Paeraton now?”

“Pardon?”

Lady Apelia’s eyes wavered.

“This family isn’t so frivolous as to have someone with no connection host Paeraton’s banquet, which has been closed for four years.”

That’s right, that’s right.

Good job, Daddy!

“I apologize. My heart was just so set on not letting the Duke’s birthday, a hero of the Empire, pass by… I had no other intentions.”

“Uung, then even more so, Auntie shouldn’t be in charge.”

At my words, Lady Apelia’s gaze turned to me.

“How can we entrust the hosting of a banquet to someone who can’t even distinguish situations where they shouldn’t interfere with good intentions?”

“Ruatisha?”

The corners of Lady Apelia’s lips twitched as she looked at me.

“Logically, what would everyone think if Auntie were hosting and greeting people at my dad’s birthday? At a Paeraton party [a grand celebration or festival named after the family or region] that’s being held after four years.”

They’d think she’s the next Duchess.

Of course, that’s what she’s aiming for.

“Even five-year-old Ruru can figure this out.”

I deliberately tilted my head and spoke like a baby, and Lady Apelia stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

She can’t believe I’m saying these things.

Auntie, now that you’re slowly revealing your true colors, I need to get started too.

Even if Auntie really offered to host without any ulterior motives, it doesn’t matter.

When you reach that age, you have to take responsibility for your words, right?

‘I hate sweet potatoes who only realize things after being taken advantage of [a metaphor for someone who is slow to understand or react].’

I only let the child get away with it.

Auntie also has the sin of not educating her daughter properly, so let’s take that together.

“And how well are you going to prepare a party with only five days left? It’s not just a neighborhood feast; it’s Paeraton’s party. Aren’t you taking it too lightly?”

“Ha, haha. That’s not it. I just wanted to celebrate, even if it’s just a small gathering, rather than doing nothing at all—”

“Small? If Paeraton’s banquet, which is being held after four years, is bad, people will criticize it for a long time. In a way, my dad’s birthday will be talked about for a long time.”

Lady Apelia’s eyes twitched. But she soon forced a smile and said to Dad.

“Oh my? Ruatisha is very smart!”

“Everyone says she takes after me.”

Dad tilted his chin and boasted.

Lady Apelia’s lips were tightly shut.

After a moment of silence, she spoke again.

“Still, it’s a shame. It would be nice to have a party with just family members without inviting outsiders.”

Ugh, she still hasn’t given up?

‘Don’t tell me she’s thinking of including herself in that family?’

But even if she wasn’t included, it was a problem.

If they held a party in the house and left out the guest staying at the Duke’s residence, it would be a great discourtesy.

Above all, Lady Apelia was a guest introduced by the imperial family, even sending an envoy from the imperial palace, so treating her poorly could damage the imperial family’s prestige.

As Dad frowned, she quickly opened her mouth.

“Ruatisha, aren’t you sad? Don’t you want to celebrate your dad’s birthday?”

Dad looked at me and slowly opened his mouth.

“…Inviting family or vassals like at the New Year’s banquet wouldn’t be bad.”

Lady Apelia’s face brightened.

“Then—”

“Ruru, will you prepare it?”

Me?

I glanced at Lady Apelia’s face.

Huh.

Her gaze was so terrifying that I flinched.

But as if she had never sent such a gaze, Lady Apelia smiled brightly and said to me.

“Oh my, that would be nice too. Gaining experience is important. I’ll help you a lot. Auntie has hosted many parties.”

‘Wow…’

I can only admire her at this point.

“It’s okay.”

“But isn’t it your first time hosting a party? Ruatisha is still too young, and even if you’re only inviting internal people—”

“Haa, Auntie.”

I put down the cookie I was eating and looked at Lady Apelia.

“Do I really have to tell you honestly?”

“Huh?”

“Saying it’s okay is a roundabout way of refusing, and it means you’re not really helpful, so no thanks.”

Lady Apelia bit her lip tightly.

“Our family is different from other places. It would be helpful if Auntie had experience hosting imperial palace parties, but…”

You’re not on that level.

Her face turned red at the clear meaning.

“And Chadwick is such a capable butler. I can get help from Hedwick.”

At my words, Hedwick, the chief butler of the Duke’s residence, bowed his head.

“I am deeply moved that the young lady recognizes me like this.”

“Of course, I know you well?! Hedwick was in charge of preparing the last New Year’s banquet, right?”

“Yes, I also ordered the fresh strawberry milk that the young lady enjoyed so much. There usually isn’t anything like that at the Duke’s residence parties.”

The face of Lady Apelia, whom I glanced at, was stiff.

She was being treated as less capable than the butler, so it was understandable.

Then, the final blow!

“Then Dad, let’s leave it to Hedwick after all. Ruru is too busy just worrying about Dad’s birthday present.”

“I’ll do that. Since it’s a party within the family anyway, there won’t be a need for a host.”

Dad nodded.

Lady Apelia’s expression, having been deprived of the party hosting she wanted so much, was quite a sight to behold.

* * *

“Our young lady is so clever!”

“I was so frustrated when she presumptuously volunteered for the role of Duchess!”

“Isn’t it too rude to interfere in other families’ affairs?”

“But the young lady stepped up and sorted everything out at once!”

“How delighted will the vassals be when they hear this story?”

The maids hummed along.

Lady Apelia’s reputation hadn’t been bad until now.

She was almost only involved with Dad on a business level, and she kept her distance well.

‘But today, she made a reckless move and ruined all the reputation she had maintained.’

Time kept passing, and she must have been impatient because there was no progress in her relationship with Dad.

‘She was probably thinking of crossing the line a little and backing out if it didn’t work, but too bad. Because I didn’t move as she expected, she completely failed.’

Unlike the other chattering maids, Anna was peeking around my room.

“Anna, what are you looking for?”

“I can’t see the young lady’s hair ornament. The one with the large sapphire.”

Ah, that.

“I know where it is.”

“Really? Where is it?”

“I don’t have it right now. But don’t worry.”

I was going to watch for a bit, but seeing the current situation, there’s no need to.

“I’ll find it!”

I shouted cheerfully and pulled the bell cord.

Soon, Orca, my personal butler, entered the room.

“Orca, the guests are staying longer than expected. I think we need a thorough cleaning. We need to treat them well.”

At my words, Orca smiled silently.

“Shall we do it quietly, or all together?”

“Hmm, it’s better to do it all together.”

I’m the type who enjoys driving fish into a net [a metaphor for cornering someone or a group of people].

“Understood, young lady.”

Orca, who calmly bowed his head, left the room.

I grinned and leaned back on the sofa.

* * *

“Suddenly a big cleaning? Why?”

Cynthia frowned and asked sharply.

“We apologize for the inconvenience. However, we ask for your understanding as it is to provide a more pleasant environment.”

Orca maintained a consistent attitude and said.

“It will take about two hours. In the meantime, you can enjoy the scenery of the garden or play games in the game room. Or you can listen to music as the quintet is prepared.”

“Then I’ll enjoy refreshments in the courtyard.”

The courtyard was a place that could be seen directly from the Duke’s office.

Her intention was obvious, but Orca didn’t show it and bowed his head.

“We will prepare it right away. Will Miss Cynthia also join us?”

“I’m fine!”

Cynthia turned her head and crossed her arms.

“Cynthia.”

Lady Apelia grabbed Cynthia’s arm and said.

“The situation isn’t good right now. The discussion about Kanzain is already over. There’s no more excuse to be in the Duke’s residence.”

“But…”

“If you go on like this, you might end up swallowing water and going back [a metaphor for failing or giving up].”

At those words, Cynthia bit her lip.

How much she had longed to become the Paeraton’s daughter!

“It’s rare to have a big cleaning while guests are staying, but there’s no reason to get angry, right?”

Besides, they’re providing entertainment during the cleaning time.

This wasn’t kicking them out by cleaning because they were being ignored.

Cynthia pouted.

“…Then I’ll go see my brother.”

“Alright.”

Cynthia, who came out of Lady Apelia’s room, went straight to her room.

She went to the innermost dress among the dresses hanging in the dressing room.

She thought it was pretty when she brought it, but it looked shabby when she came to the Duke’s residence, so she didn’t wear it.

Cynthia took out something that had been fixed on the inside of the dress’s skirt.

‘I don’t think they’ll look inside the dress while cleaning, but…’

It could fall off if the fixed thing came loose while moving the dress.

‘I’m very thorough, you know?’

She was satisfied with her own plan for a moment, but then she became annoyed.

Cynthia stuffed the object into her pocket and stomped her feet.

‘Still, Ares is very kind and sweet.’

He even looked as sweet as if he were soaked in honey.

How wonderful it would be for such a person to become my brother.

‘Ixion is…’

Even though he was still young, he was so handsome that my heart fluttered when I talked to him while looking at him.

‘But I was so scared back then.’

Just thinking about it again sent shivers down my spine.

But at the same time, expectations arose.

How special would it be to become a family member of such a dangerous man?

Before he got angry, Ixion used to tease and joke around.

‘That’s all because he’s interested in me.’

In the end, Ixion will treat me well like Ares.

‘No, even more than that.’

Thinking about that made her steps lighter.

Cynthia hummed a cheerful tune and moved her steps as if she were running.

Then, as she turned the corner—

Thud!

“Ouch! Where are you looking—”

Cynthia’s voice stopped.

“Oh my.”

She covered her lips as she looked at the little child who had fallen on her bottom.

Since the direct line doesn’t come this way, she didn’t expect to run into Ruatisha.

“My sister, are you okay?”

“Where are you looking with your eyes.”

Cynthia, who had confirmed the appearance of Ares and Ixion, gave a kind smile.

“I didn’t know it was Ruru. If I had known, I wouldn’t have said that.”

It was true.

“Ruru, are you okay?”

Cynthia bent her knees to match Ruatisha’s eye level.

“Oh my, our baby is so clumsy? Here, let me help you up.”

It was the moment Cynthia reached out to Ruatisha.

“Cynthia.”

Ruatisha looked at Cynthia with blue eyes.

“What’s this?”

Looking at where she was pointing, there was a jewel that emitted a beautiful blue light.

Cynthia’s face turned white.

“T, this?”

“This is mine. Why is it coming out of Cynthia?”

Ares and Ixion also checked the floor.

“This is my sister’s hair ornament.”

“The tailor who always sends clothes gave it to her as a gift. She was wearing it on March 7th.”

“She was wearing it on the afternoon of March 7th. She had her hair down in the morning.”

“…How do you both remember such things? I don’t even know when I wore it.”

Ruatisha, who looked at her brothers with cloudy eyes for a moment, regained her senses and said to Cynthia.

“Anna has been working hard all day looking for this. If she hadn’t found it by evening, the other maids would have received a big punishment.”

The child tilted her head as if she couldn’t understand at all.

“But why does Cynthia have this?”

* * *

I stared at Cynthia, who was biting her lips with a pale face.

Did she really think I wouldn’t see her stealing from my dressing room?

I was there with her?

“Ha, she’s really doing all sorts of things.”

“There’s no need to put up with it anymore.”

Cynthia’s shoulders flinched at Ixion and Ares’ words.

She rolled her eyes here and there and moved her lips.

What kind of excuse is she going to make?

Cynthia took a deep breath and bowed her head to me.

“I’m really sorry, Ruru!”

Huh?

I was dumbfounded because I didn’t expect her to apologize so sincerely.

‘Hmm, even though she acted a bit mean, she’s still a child, so she doesn’t know—’

“Actually, the nanny who came with me has a daughter.”

“The nanny’s daughter…?”

“Yes, I’ve been watching her since she was born, and I brought her because I felt sorry for leaving her alone, even though I knew she had bad hands [a metaphor for being prone to stealing].”

I could tell what Cynthia was going to say without listening.

And that was really something I didn’t want to hear.

“Actually, that child sneaked into your room, and she must have liked this so much. She just did it out of childishness…”

My head was cold.

“But why does Cynthia have this? Not that nanny’s daughter.”

“I was on my way to put it back.”

“Ha.”

“Sorry, I was wrong too. I should have told you the truth and apologized with that child.”

Cynthia lowered her eyes pitifully and covered her lips.

“After all, that child has a low status… I was worried that she might receive an irreversible punishment.”

Wow.

She’s really amazing.

Not only is she putting the blame on Dana for stealing from me—

‘She’s acting like a kind child who embraces Dana with great generosity!’

Besides, why am I giving an ‘irreversible punishment’ because she has a low status?!

She’s a kind saint.

I’m a bad XX.

To come up with this story with improvisation.

Amazing, amazing.

“Anyone who touches my sister’s things must be punished. Whatever the punishment may be.”

Ixion nodded at Ares’ words.

“Bring that nanny’s daughter.”

“Ha, but, that child is uneducated and doesn’t know anything. She’s still young…”

“Bring her.”

Ares’ eyes flickered red.