Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 72

☆ 73 ☆

* * *

“What?!”

‘She’s trying to seduce my dad?!’

I covered my mouth, afraid the sound would leak out.

‘Crazy, crazy! That old woman is completely insane!’

How could anyone even think of something like that!

‘No.’

In a way, it was a somewhat familiar development.

‘She wasn’t just referencing all-ages romance novels…….’

It was something villains often did in mature-rated, dark novels.

‘I have to protect my dad!’

I clenched my fists.

I can’t let Dad become the villainess’s sex slave!

Unlike me, who was making resolution after resolution, they were in a party mood, convinced their plan was perfect.

“As expected, my mom is the best! The day I become the Paeraton Lady is not far off!”

Cynthia shouted excitedly, and Dana entered with a knock.

“Did you call for me, Miss?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much. How’s your condition?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry—”

“It’s not good if you’re fine! Make sure you look sicker.”

“Yes…….”

“Why are you answering like that? Are you dissatisfied? This is a chance for you to be helpful to me! You’ve always been a hindrance!”

“N-No, I’m not dissatisfied. Not at all. I just, I didn’t mean anything…….”

Dana lowered her head.

“She’s always like that, you know? She can’t even speak properly, it’s so frustrating.”

“Is this the first time she’s acted like this? Anyway, she’s provided a great excuse this time. Be generous and let it go.”

At Lady Aphelia’s words, Cynthia was silent for a moment before giving Dana a bright smile.

“Dana, you’re not upset by what I said, are you? Anyway, it’s a relief. What a mess because of Ruatisha, right?”

“Yes?”

“She made such a fuss because she didn’t want to give up even one of her many accessories. A younger sister should know how to yield to her older sister, not just be greedy! We’ll be real sisters soon.”

“I’m worried. A greedy daughter is a bit much. His Excellency has spoiled her too much. I’ll have to educate her well.”

“I should take good care of her as her older sister too. So she doesn’t become greedy anymore!”

The two mothers and daughters looked at each other and smiled.

“Dad will definitely love me more! She’s just greedy and doesn’t even know her own dad’s birthday!”

“Yes, it was okay for her to be like that because she was the only daughter until now. How much will she be compared to you, a warm and affectionate daughter?”

“The comparison will start this birthday. She was frantically trying to find a gift at the last minute.”

“Come to think of it, there hasn’t been any news of her buying anything since then. Well, what could she find in such a short time?”

“In comparison, the gift we’ve prepared is truly amazing! It’s a gift supported by Her Majesty the Empress!”

“Receiving that will surely ease His Excellency’s heart. Alcohol, a party, and an amazing gift. He’ll definitely be in a good mood.”

“Then, that night?”

“Yes. Hehe, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Lady Aphelia licked her lips.

It was then.

Thud.

The conversation of the mothers and daughters stopped abruptly at the sudden noise.

“What was that……? Didn’t you hear something?”

“Wasn’t it from the bookshelf? Dana, go check it out. It’s not a mouse, is it?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Dana, nodding her head, approached this way.

* * *

‘Gasp……!’

The moment the thud sounded, I gasped for breath.

‘Damn it, this notification window.’

I was holding my breath and concentrating, but the notification came unexpectedly, causing me to bump into the bookshelf.

[Quest Completed: If you arrange the wrong marriage, you’ll get slapped three times.]

Did you really have to notify me at a time like this!

‘Rewards and other things later, later!’

Then the notification message scattered.

I shrank back as Dana approached.

But I couldn’t move because I was afraid of making noise if I retreated further.

I could only hope that she wouldn’t notice because it just looked like a bookshelf full of books.

But my expectations were shattered.

I knew it from when she was good at drawing, but Dana had a really good eye.

Dana’s eyes met mine through the narrow gap created by the books, a small gap that was barely visible due to the shadows.

Dana’s eyes widened.

“……!”

Ah.

‘I’m doomed.’

Dana likes me.

But she will have no choice but to tell Cynthia the truth.

Even if she doesn’t want to say it, she won’t be able to bear it because she’s scared, afraid, and terrified of not saying it.

It’s not Dana’s fault.

It’s the fault of those mothers and daughters who made this little child like that.

“What? What’s there?”

Cynthia asked, sounding strange, as Dana stood tall in front of the bookshelf.

I calmly thought about the next situation.

‘Should I summon a novel? Can I draw out the ability to erase memories all at once?’

It was then.

Tap, tap.

Dana organized the books between the bookshelves.

“It was the sound of the books tilting.”

“Oh, I thought it was a mouse.”

“Don’t say such terrible things. This is the Duke’s castle, they must manage it thoroughly.”

Dana was still organizing the books with her back to the two mothers and daughters.

Dana’s hand holding the book was trembling.

Her eyes were filled with only fear and terror, and sweat was pouring down her forehead.

Nowhere could I find the joy of deceiving and defying Cynthia.

‘Dana, you are a really brave child.’

I gently placed my fingertips on the hand of the child putting the book in.

Dana flinched and looked at me.

My warmth transferred to her ice-cold hand, making it lukewarm.

Similarly, the fear that had filled her eyes gradually subsided.

‘And you’re a wonderful child.’

Dana defied Cynthia not for herself.

When she should have spoken up for herself, Dana couldn’t.

That’s how afraid she was of Cynthia.

How many people can face fear for someone else?

‘Just like you helped me, I’ll help you.’

Looking at Dana’s trembling eyes, I thought with determination.

‘So that you can stand up for yourself in the future.’

The only problem is whether Dana, who is emotionally unstable, can accept the hand that the reader has extended.

That’s what the quest said.

‘I think Dana can accept it enough.’

There is still a will in this child that Cynthia has not been able to extinguish.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman opened the door and entered.

“Miss, you said you wanted to eat the lemon pie I made, right? I brought it.”

“Nanny!”

Cynthia greeted her nanny with a bright smile.

“As expected, my nanny is the best! Only my nanny thinks of me like this! You only have me, right, Nanny?”

“Oh, you. Look at you saying that in front of your mother.”

“But Nanny is my nanny. Right? Nanny only has me, right?”

“Of course, Miss.”

The nanny, who gave Cynthia the lemon pie, glanced at Dana.

It was a very short moment, almost instantaneous.

But Cynthia followed the nanny’s gaze and glared at Dana.

“What are you looking at?”

It was a sharp voice like a whip.

“Yes? Ah, nothing…….”

“That’s why you can’t do it. You pretend you’re not, but it all shows. The problem is that you don’t know your place and you’re always coveting what belongs to others.”

“I, I really—”

“Not? You always take my things while pretending you’re not? Do you know how hard it was for me because your nanny was pregnant with you? When she should have been taking care of me, she had to give birth to you, how much I—!”

“Yes, Cynthia suffered a lot. I don’t know how much she cried because her nanny wasn’t there at that time. I thought she was going to die.”

“But even so, because Nanny begged so much, I let her raise you while taking care of me. But still, you!”

“Ah, Miss, Dana probably didn’t look because she wanted something. She just glanced.”

Sparks flew from Cynthia’s eyes at those words.

“Why are you taking her side, Nanny? You’re my nanny!”

She jumped up and started to rage like a mad person.

“Look at this. You’re being negligent to me now, right? I knew this would happen, that’s why I didn’t want it. Nanny should only take care of me, but she has a child and keeps paying attention to her, so I’m always pushed to the back!”

I was dumbfounded.

I couldn’t believe it even after seeing her suddenly change and act like a crazy person over just one word.

“I lent my nanny to her! Nanny likes me more too. Right?”

“Of course, of course, Miss. Dana, you should apologize to the Miss quickly!”

“I’m sorry, Miss. I won’t covet the Miss’s things again. She’s the Miss’s nanny before she’s my mother, I was too presumptuous.”

Dana prostrated herself and started begging.

Dana is two years older than me, but she’s not that much taller than me.

Considering how different children of this age are even with a one-year difference, you can see how small Dana is.

‘I’m also smaller than my peers.’

It hurt my heart just to see that child begging so earnestly.

Cynthia crossed her arms and watched the scene for a long time before opening her mouth.

“You think kindness is a right. You’re just like that.”

A distorted sense of superiority filled her eyes.

“Hmph, I’m only treating you like this because it’s me. It would have been unforgiving if it were someone else. You know?”

“Yes, yes, Miss. Thank you, thank you.”

Dana, who couldn’t even lift her head, only repeated the words thank you and sorry.

Cynthia, looking down at that child, was intoxicated with a sense of superiority.

That scene was just like me and Clottie.

‘But I at least had memories of my past life as a reincarnator, Dana…….’

I clenched my fists tightly.

I will definitely, definitely make Dana happy.

* * *

I grabbed Hedwig’s sleeve, who was running around frantically.

“What’s wrong, our youngest Miss?”

Even in the midst of his busyness, Hedwig smiled at me.

“If the party goes late tomorrow, what will the guests do?”

“Those who want to return will return even if it’s late, but we have prepared the West Wing so they can stay comfortably. The retainers residing in the annex will stay in their originally assigned rooms.”

“I see.”

Then there will be enough spectators.

I just need to dance well with the sword.

“By the way, have you chosen His Excellency’s gift?”

“I chose it, but……. I don’t think he’ll like it very much.”

“His Excellency will like whatever you give him.”

“I know.”

Dad would like it even if I picked up a stone.

“But I don’t want to do that.”

Hedwig smiled contentedly.

“Dad’s gift is too difficult. No matter how expensive it is, Dad can buy it, and no matter how rare it is, Dad can get it.”

“Our Miss wants to give His Excellency something special.”

“Yeah, something really special! But what I prepared……. I don’t know.”

“I’m curious what it is.”

“It’s one of a kind in the world, but if I were to receive it, I would……. No, I would rather refuse it, or wonder why.”

“Hmm?”

“Ha, but I think Dad might like it.”

My face turned hot because I was a little embarrassed.

“I’m so curious what gift the Miss has prepared. Can you whisper it to me alone?”

“That’s not allowed. It’s Dad’s gift, so Dad has to know it first.”

Hedwig suddenly frowned and looked up at the sky.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I just…… I want a daughter.”

“That’s not something you can do to Seine (Hedwig’s wife).”

“……Then a granddaughter.”

“It’s not good to interfere with my son and daughter-in-law’s child plans.”

“Sob, I have no choice but to pray.”

I waved my hand because I saw other butlers hovering around Hedwig.

“I’ll be going now! Good luck with the preparations, everyone!”

The butlers smiled weakly and waved at me.

Chapter 16. Let’s Save Dad from the Dark 19+!

Gorgeous diamond chandelier.

High-end silk wallpaper and pure white marble, golden bas-reliefs and sparkling jewels.

‘Oh my…….’

Lady Aphelia forgot her dignity and gaped her mouth.

This was another world.

As a relative of the Empress, she had a few opportunities to attend imperial banquets, so she prided herself on her high standards.

She was going to see how great a party prepared by a mere butler could be.

‘This is a party prepared in just five days?!’

“Saying it’s okay is a roundabout way of refusing, and it means you’re not helpful, so it’s okay.”

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

The voice of the impudent girl who retorted in her head came to mind.

Honestly, after seeing this banquet, she had no choice but to agree—.

‘No, no. I can definitely do this much too.’

It’s just that I haven’t been given the opportunity yet.

‘I can do better if I become the Duchess.’

“Wow……. This is the first time I’ve seen such a splendid party. It’s so wonderful.”

Cynthia said in a dreamy voice next to her.

“If I become Paeraton [the title of the Duke’s heir], I can hold these kinds of parties every day, right? Isn’t it the perfect place for me?”

Cynthia swept back her hair and twirled around.

“Yes, it suits you very well.”

“Hehe, because I’m even wearing the dress that Her Majesty the Empress gifted me for this day!”

The Empress had gifted the two mothers and daughters expensive dresses to capture the Duke’s heart.

“No matter how good clothes that girl has, it can’t compare to Her Majesty the Empress’s gift, right? I’ll be the most outstanding one today!”

“Of course, my daughter is the prettiest. You look just like me!”

“……It’s a bit of a shame that it’s not a dress designed by Yutra Phelia.”

“There’s nothing we can do since she suddenly said she wouldn’t make dresses for girls.”

I wondered why.

“People are starting to gather.”

At Lady Aphelia’s words, Cynthia looked around.

“What, it’s just the retainers. Isn’t Dad here yet?”

“Cynthia, watch your words. Don’t call him Dad, call him Your Excellency.”

“He’ll be my dad soon anyway.”

“But procedure is important. There’s no need to be caught up in something.”

“……Okay.”

“And don’t look down on the retainers. Especially the vassals of Paeraton are existences that even the central nobles can’t ignore.”

The support of the retainers is also necessary to become the Duchess.

Lady Aphelia fanned herself and approached the retainers.

“I never thought His Excellency would hold a birthday banquet. I wonder what kind of change of heart he had.”

“It seems to have been held quite suddenly. I was surprised to receive the invitation four days ago.”

“Oh my, I was surprised too. I never thought he would hold it so urgently.”

Lady Aphelia very naturally joined the retainers’ conversation and smiled.

“I just casually mentioned that it was too bad there wasn’t a birthday banquet.”

At those words, the retainers’ eyes widened.

“Then did he order the party preparations after hearing Lady Aphelia’s words?”

“Well, I did say that it would be a shame to pass by the birthday of the Empire’s hero like this.”

“Oh…….”

“I said that even if we couldn’t invite external nobles because the time was short, it would be nice to have a party with just the family, but like this…….”

Aphelia fanned herself and cast her gaze at the splendid banquet hall.

“Then it’s really following Lady Aphelia’s wishes…….”

“But His Excellency isn’t the type to do that. Isn’t he an emotionless person?”

“He would have been angry instead. I can just picture how he would have reacted. Thinking about the gaze he was silently giving me, ugh.”

The retainer who said that shuddered.

It was when everyone was treating Lady Aphelia’s words as nonsense.

“Still, hasn’t His Excellency changed? Looking at how he treats the youngest Princess…….”

“Ah, looking at how he treats the youngest Princess, it’s definitely possible.”

“But it wasn’t the youngest Princess who said she wanted to hold a celebration…….”

People’s gazes turned to Lady Aphelia.

“Not really, um.”

“Of course, she’s very beautiful, but, um.”

“Our Excellency, um.”

Lady Aphelia’s face turned bright red.

She hid her face in her fan and turned around.

‘Just you wait. I’ll dismiss all of you when I become the Duchess!’

Lady Aphelia gritted her teeth.

It was then.