Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 123

☆ 123 ☆

“……What?”

Etienne’s face was hard to describe.

Well, it would be.

Anyone would react that way if suddenly called ‘Grandma.’

More than anything, I was perfectly concealing my Polymorph magic with Azul’s help.

Having met and traded with him directly, Etienne seemed trustworthy.

He hadn’t tried to figure out my identity since our first meeting.

So, I revealed the Polymorph fact without hesitation.

“Just like you’re hiding your real appearance, I’m actually hiding mine too.”

“……I see.”

“The real me is a little old lady.”

“A little old lady?”

“Yeah, with completely white hair.”

Etienne, who had been staring blankly at me, lowered his head.

His shoulders trembled slightly.

Could it be…….

‘Is he crying?’

Did he like me that much?!

I felt a little sorry.

Etienne must have believed this appearance was my real self, so the shock must be immense.

To find out the person you like is a little old lady… I’d be heartbroken too.

I looked pitifully at Etienne’s broad shoulders, which were trembling faintly, and then pulled myself together.

‘Now is the time to be strong and cut it off cleanly!’

It’s a love that can never be.

A ten-year-old baby and a man in his twenties.

Etienne is also changing his appearance with Polymorph magic, so his real age might be different, but there won’t be a big difference.

In this world, Polymorph magic wasn’t that all-powerful.

Usually, it only changed eye and hair color and slightly altered the bone structure.

Only a dragon could completely change their appearance like me.

‘That’s why the bracelet I’m wearing is a Kandor family heirloom.’

Because it was an ancient magical artifact made directly by a dragon.

Instead of ordinary mana stones, black gold was embedded in it, making it even more sophisticated.

So, even if I generously estimate Etienne’s age, he’s probably in his early to mid-twenties.

‘It’s a crime with me.’

Then, cutting off the buds of emotion completely would be the best thing for Etienne.

“I’m a completely bent-over old lady. I’ve lost all my teeth too.”

At my words, Etienne’s shoulders began to tremble even more.

“……I see.”

His voice, which came out after a long time, was low and subdued.

‘He really was crying.’

He still didn’t raise his head.

I quietly watched Etienne and carefully got up from my seat.

“I’ll be going now.”

I’m not so clueless as to stick around, demanding an answer to the consultation.

He probably needs some time alone.

I left the Echesis Mercenary Guild’s hideout carefully with a somber attitude.

* * *

Thud.

With the sound of the door closing, Surah’s figure disappeared.

Etienne, who had been keeping his head down until then, raised his face.

Contrary to Surah’s thoughts, there wasn’t a trace of tears on his face.

Instead.

“Puhaha……!”

Etienne burst into laughter, shaking his shoulders.

“The carriage was leaving, so did the story end well…… What, what is it?!”

Baren, who was opening the door and entering the room, stepped back in horror.

Like a bandit, he was dignified and brave, befitting his appearance.

He, who had never backed down against any monster, crumpled his large body and was horrified.

That man is laughing like that.

Scary…….

Baren froze in place, not knowing what to do.

‘Why is he being like that?’

He already knew that the captain’s mood subtly improved whenever he met Surah, the head of the Ansur Merchant Guild.

But laughing like that?

‘Is it time to die?’

Come to think of it, he’s been away from the mercenary guild often lately.

He hadn’t paid much attention because he was originally a person who did a lot of solo play.

‘Was that for settling his affairs?!’

It was too much to treat someone like they were dying just because they laughed once, but considering how Etienne had been, it wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

He was a man whose emotions were so dry they were brittle.

“W, what’s wrong?”

Etienne’s laughter stopped abruptly when he was spoken to.

As if he had never laughed, he returned to his usual expressionless face.

“None of your business.”

Etienne said coldly and got up from his seat.

How could he tell?

It was something he wanted to keep to himself without telling anyone.

Baren became even more anxious at Etienne’s reaction.

“A, are you not feeling well?”

Etienne’s gaze turned to Baren.

Baren swallowed hard and opened his mouth.

“Tell me frankly. I’m Baren. I won’t go around blabbing my mouth and making things difficult for the captain.”

Etienne silently stared at Baren before turning his body.

‘I guess it’s not possible.’

Baren had been with Etienne since the early days of creating the mercenary guild.

But during that long time, Etienne had never once given his side to anyone else.

It was that moment.

“……I got to meet the grandmother I wanted to meet. That’s all.”

Before opening the door and leaving, Etienne muttered in a low voice.

“……?”

Baren raised his head, but Etienne had already left.

What grandmother?

Was that human such a warm person?

‘Is it time to die…….’

That’s how the misunderstanding deepened.

Etienne, who came out of the hideout, tore a teleport scroll and moved to his residence.

It was an excessively empty place for the residence of the leader of the number one-ranked mercenary guild.

A bleak place with nothing but a bed to lie down on and a small table.

But on the table, there was a vase that didn’t fit in.

In the vase, there was a crude bouquet of flowers, as if made by a child.

Etienne carefully stroked the fresh petals, as if they had just been picked.

The image of that child holding this bouquet of flowers was still vivid.

The image of him collapsing in front of him, vomiting blood.

Etienne gritted his teeth and endured his emotions.

He didn’t put any strength into his hands, lest the petals be damaged.

‘It’s okay.’

Didn’t he just see him a little while ago?

Right now, that child is very healthy.

Still quirky, still thoughtful, still kind, still clueless.

When he recalled the child’s chattering appearance, a smile naturally spread across his lips.

But.

“So, in the end, she likes men who are awkward with their emotions?”

He didn’t hear the most important answer.

Etienne’s face became serious.

* * *

“Hyaaang! Our young lady is so cute, lovely, pretty, cool, and does everything by herself!”

Nancy shouted, rubbing her face against my cheek.

“Thank you…….”

The older sisters and Yutra burned their artistic spirit to decorate me, but I was full of worries.

Today is the day of the party introducing the finalists of the Dawn Festival.

It’s the first time I’m attending a party outside of our family, and it’s even receiving national attention.

Most of all—.

‘Dad and my brothers are in a really bad mood.’

It was understandable.

People related to the Dawn Festival finalists were not allowed to attend this party.

The reason was for fairer judging.

‘What does that have to do with anything?!’ I thought, but even the Empress couldn’t attend, so it wasn’t bad for me.

Of course, the Emperor was an exception.

It is said that this clause was created for the first time this year.

‘I have a feeling they added the condition because they were worried our family would cause trouble.’

I couldn’t shake that suspicion.

They should have been stronger when our family came because of Clattier last time.

What kind of trouble would happen if our family was allowed to attend this party?

Even people who are trying to compete normally might be intimidated and unable to talk to me.

When I went down to the lobby, Dad, my brothers, and even Grandpa were there.

‘……But when is Grandpa going back home?’

Even if he’s a Marquis, is it okay for him to just stay here?

I turned my head and flinched.

Dad was looking at me with an unusually stiff face.

It didn’t seem like he was just upset because he couldn’t attend the party.

‘The atmosphere is different from when I kissed my sad dad yesterday.’

Since I had a guilty conscience, I cautiously watched Dad’s mood.

As I became Sid’s partner, the Paeraton Duchy inevitably jumped into the vortex of political strife.

‘I thought it was a decision for the family, but from Dad’s point of view, it might just be more troublesome.’

Dad said it was okay to form ties with any force if that’s what I wanted, but I should have discussed it more.

At that moment, Dad opened his stiff lips.

“I’m going crazy. Why is my daughter so lovely? Is this even necessary?”

……Was that why you were being so serious?! I’m the one who’s going crazy.

* * *

When Sid, my partner, came to pick me up, my family made a fuss.

I barely calmed down my family, and I headed to the Diluculum Hall with Sid.

Unlike usual, the Diluculum Hall was full of adults.

Ladies and gentlemen, knights, and young ladies and gentlemen who are now of marriageable age.

It was a completely different atmosphere from when I was with my peers.

It was truly an imperial palace banquet.

“Just do as you practiced.”

I heard Count Cheshia’s voice while peeking at the main hall below from the second floor.

“Go down the stairs, greet, and then stand alternately to the left and right, one couple at a time.”

At the words of request, the participants nodded with tense faces.

Count Cheshia turned to me and Sid.

“You two are the last ones. Don’t forget that you’ll be opening the first dance in that state, right?”

“Yes, Count.”

I proudly puffed out my chest.

I, who achieved the best results in the Dawn Festival, male and female, became the main character of today’s party!

My dad should have seen this!

‘……But.’

Sid is a bit strange today.

Should I say he’s subtly stiff, or should I say he’s drawing a line?

It’s not cold, but it’s excessively bland compared to last time.

It was completely different from how he used to surprise people by calling me Master, Master.

‘What is he thinking?’

I glanced up and our eyes met.

If it were last time, he would have given me an unknown smile, but now he immediately took his eyes off me.

‘What is it?’

Sid was originally a difficult child to figure out.

But his attitude has changed again, making it even harder to understand.

‘……Could it be that he’s succeeded in becoming my partner and is now wiping his mouth clean like this?’

With this partnership, Paeraton has practically expressed its support for Prince Sidrian.

‘Now that he’s got what he wanted, is he saying it’s over?’

I was dumbfounded.

‘……No, it’s a good thing.’

As someone who enslaved him and even used abusive language, it wouldn’t be good for me to get deeply involved with Sid, who has become a prince.

Whether it’s to gain Paeraton’s political support or whatever, if he keeps his distance, I can just ignore him too.

“The finalists of the Dawn Festival will now enter! Distinguished guests, please congratulate them with applause!”

With the herald’s loud voice, the door on the second floor opened.

I straightened my posture. My heart was pounding.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

At Sid’s words, I was startled and looked at him.

I had been thinking about him since earlier, so I felt guilty even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“It’s messed up.”

Sid pointed to my hair accessory.

The maids always had a habit of loosely pinning it because they were worried I might be in pain if they fixed it too tightly.

I slightly touched my hair accessory.

“Is it okay now?”

“No.”

Sid shook his head and touched my hair.

Sid, who had been strangely distant all day, suddenly became close.

Dressed in his uniform, he was so handsome that he couldn’t be seen as a child.

“There, it’s done now.”

Sid took a step back again.

“Th, thank you.”

Sid didn’t smile.

He just glanced at me with indifferent eyes and said.

“Pretty.”

* * *

‘I’m bothered!’

I’m so bothered!

I screamed inwardly.

What do you mean just ignore him!

I was really looking forward to going down the stairs and greeting, but I don’t even know what spirit I did it in.

I couldn’t hear people laughing, applauding, and saying things well.

I went to the center of the hall as Sid led me, greeted him, and opened the first dance of today’s party.

Sid gets closer and then moves away.

The hands we held were covered in gloves, but it was still awkward.

I was out of my mind.

I don’t even know how many times I stepped on Sid’s feet.

‘Ha, I practiced dancing with my brothers and dad in turns, but what is this.’

The results of the special training were not good.

“I don’t think you should dance with anyone else but me.”

“Huh?”

I was a little surprised and looked at Sid.

What does that mean?

“Because the other man’s instep won’t be left intact.”

What.

I opened my mouth with a pout.

“I don’t usually step on them.”

“I’m sure.”

“Really. I dance well.”

“Yeah, who said you didn’t?”

Ugh!

Thud!

I stepped on Sid’s foot.

But Sid seemed to feel no impact and even smiled leisurely.

“You dance very well.”

Hmph.