Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 203

☆ Episode 203 ☆

“No way? Lulú didn’t seem interested in him at all. Even when Prince Esteban keeps talking to her, she ignores him.”

“I didn’t ignore him.”

I felt a little wronged.

How polite am I? I’ve been raised well enough.

“That’s practically ignoring him. It’s the same with other young nobles who approach her.”

“Come to think of it, isn’t Rafael the only boy she’s close to?”

“So, Rafael and her… is there something going on?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Hmph一.”

Jasmine and Tiriel squinted at me.

Their eyes were sparkling.

Whether it was when we were young or now, they’re always interested in other people’s love lives.

“Really, it’s not like that. Nothing like that will……”

I turned my gaze away.

A thick curtain blocked my view.

The person I like.

I really wish they would come.

“……happen.”

It’s been years already.

No matter how many novels I summon, no matter what abilities I draw, I can’t open a gate to the Demon Realm.

“……”

“Well, whatever. I like gossiping about romance with you guys more than real romance anyway!”

“Me too, me too! Talking to real boys isn’t that fun.”

Jasmine and Tiriel smiled brightly and linked arms with me on either side.

“By the way, did you hear the news? Someone saw Lady Micheloin with Young Master Fabnel in the plaza!”

“Really? What a surprise!”

I smiled as I watched Jasmine and Tiriel chatter away.

“I should ask Claudia about it when I see her.”

Jasmine and Tiriel smiled brightly at my words.

It seemed they were worried about me being suddenly down.

“I can’t imagine Lady Micheloin dating.”

“I bet she’d date in a very calm and intelligent way.”

“Really? I think someone like Claudia would become even cuter when they’re dating.”

We hugged our cushions tightly, eating chocolate cake and chatting away.

* * *

One month later.

Time flowed very slowly for me, though perhaps not for others.

But it didn’t stop, so

‘Finally……!’

The day had come!

As soon as the clock struck twelve, I jumped up.

My sixteenth birthday!

Finally, fully fifteen years old!

With trembling hands, I stroked Akirtus [a magical artifact].

I had summoned every novel even slightly related to the Demon Realm, but to no avail.

‘……In the first place, there are hardly any female leads who open a gate to the Demon Realm.’

Especially in all-ages novels.

Would things be a little different if I delved into PG-13 dark fantasy?

‘Do you still think that child is alive?’

They’re alive.

I know how strong that child is.

‘But it’s not just monsters there. The miasma [a noxious or poisonous atmosphere] filling that place would have devoured that child’s life long ago.’

No. Actsheraken said so too. That they could survive if they came into contact with a demon.

‘They also said that if that child came into contact with a demon, we would hear from them. But it’s been years with no news, hasn’t it?’

“……No. Sid is alive.”

‘That child didn’t tell you to wait. They didn’t say they would return. They didn’t ask you to come find them, help them, or save them.’

“……”

‘Isn’t clinging to hope and refusing to let go just your stubbornness?’

My chest tightened.

But.

“Even if that’s the case, I won’t give up.”

I pushed away the voice echoing from deep within my heart.

A thick paw nudged my leg.

“Did our Nike wake up?”

I picked up Nike. Nike wriggled and burrowed into my arms.

“Mama, don’t hurt…….”

“Mommy doesn’t hurt.”

“Liar……. Today is a happy day. It’s Mama’s birthday. Right?”

“Yes.”

“Nike will take the hurt. Mama should only be happy.”

“Oh my. That’s absolutely not allowed. My baby must always be happy.”

“Nike will give you a present.”

Nike, in my arms, covered their face with their paws, then burst into a bright smile.

“Peek-a-boo! Nike is Mama’s present!”

The paws that were spread wide had strength in them, and even their claws were out. Even their fluffy tail was stiff.

“Ugh…….”

“Mama?”

“……So cute.”

“Hehe, Nike is Mama’s cute baby, after all.”

“Aww, my baby.”

I hugged Nike tightly and gave them a barrage of belly rubs.

Beyond Nike’s giggling, I heard another sound.

“How sickening.”

“Where’s all this cuteness coming from?”

“The cotton ball needs to know their real personality.”

I looked up and saw my family standing there with displeased expressions.

“When did you all get here?”

“Just now.”

“What’s with all of you at this late hour?”

At my words, Ares said with a sunny smile.

“I wanted to be the first to wish my sister a happy birthday.”

“Well, it’s not like I cared that much. I just stopped by on the way.”

“Ixion, your room is on the opposite side from mine.”

Our family was now in the castle that Grandpa had bought for my birthday party, so the room arrangement was different from the Duke’s mansion or castle.

My room was next to Grandpa’s.

“……I took a walk.”

“Past midnight?”

“Why are you being so picky?”

Ixion turned his head. His cheeks were slightly red.

“Lulú, happy birthday.”

Dad stroked my hair.

“Thank you.”

When I smiled, Dad gave a strange smile.

“You’re going to enter the party with Dad tomorrow, right?”

“What are you talking about? You should hold this grandpa’s hand. I know the structure of this castle well.”

Ah.

So that’s what everyone was after.

“What does the structure of the castle have to do with escorting? Cotton ball, you’re going with me, right?”

Ixion’s sullen face was flushed even redder than before.

“My sister, will you give me the honor of escorting you at your sixteenth birthday party?”

Ares gently took my hand and kissed it.

“I want to be with you.”

Even Zion, who was hugging me from behind and whining.

“Lulú. It’s Dad.”

Dad pressed my head down like he used to when I was young.

“This grandpa plans to live a long life, but who knows what the future holds.”

Meanwhile, the sickly, beautiful old man was showing off his sickly beauty.

At the same time, they were subtly glaring at each other, keeping each other in check.

“Haa…….”

My head hurts.

There’s never a year when my birthday just passes by quietly.

Haven’t they gotten tired of it by now?

Being so consistent is amazing in a way.

“If you fight, I won’t go in with anyone. I’ll go in with Nike.”

“Ahem!”

Nike puffed out their chubby belly.

My family glared at Nike with dissatisfied eyes.

“Heeing, Mama. Nike is scawed [scared].”

“Why are you glaring at the child?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that guy……. No, never mind.”

Ixion shook his head.

My family had sulky faces, but my threat, no, my persuasion worked, and they didn’t fight.

* * *

“Wow, a castle with a panoramic view of Arir! It’s breathtaking.”

“I heard that Marquis Tarenka spent an astronomical sum to buy it for his granddaughter’s birthday, and then completely renovated the interior?”

“No wonder. It’s the most beautiful castle I’ve ever seen.”

“Unlike the southern end where there’s no winter, it’s nice that it’s winter but mild. It has the winter atmosphere but is easy to be active in.”

“Come to think of it, I think it was the year before last that Princess Paeraton spent her birthday with her family on a resort island. It’s in the southern hemisphere, so it’s summer there, not winter.”

“Duke Paeraton must really cherish his daughter.”

“Is it just His Grace? The princes are so protective of their youngest sister. The young nobles around the princess’s age say that their wish is to talk to Princess Paeraton without being caught by the princes.”

“And what about Marquis Tarenka, who buys a new island or castle every year?”

The people attending Ruatisha’s birthday party were busy chatting.

Of course, they couldn’t help it.

Ruatisha Paeraton.

The name of the girl who is the center of the entire empire.

In an empire without a princess, there was no girl more sublime than Princess Paeraton.

She was a direct descendant of the Paeraton ducal family, and the Empress was her chaperone.

She was truly royalty among royalty, and she had proven herself through her selection as an Aurora [a prestigious title] and her own abilities over the years.

She was the most influential lady in the empire, surpassing even the older noblewomen.

In fact, everything Ruatisha wore, from the lighting, interior decoration, carpets, and emblems used at today’s birthday party, would become a trend.

That’s when it happened.

The herald announced the entrance of the protagonist.

“Princess Paeraton and her partners are entering!”

Huh? Partners?

‘What kind of announcement is that?’

People tilted their heads.

Even so, shouldn’t they say the names of the partners?

It was as if they were boasting, ‘I’m the princess’s partner!’ rather than saying their own names…….

At that moment, Princess Paeraton, the Paeraton ducal family, and Marquis Tarenka appeared on the stairs.

People unconsciously forgot their words and held their breath.

The girl who had turned sixteen seemed to radiate light from her entire body.

The hall was enveloped in a quiet silence at the appearance of the protagonist.

* * *

“Princess, if you don’t mind, would you give me the honor of dancing with you…… Eek!”

How many times is this?

I smiled as I watched the young noble run away with a suddenly pale face.

‘It’s comfortable, but.’

I turned around and saw my brothers pretending not to notice.

‘Usually, when my brothers are around, they don’t even approach me.’

Today, everyone was somehow pushing themselves to talk to me before running away.

“Don’t just look at me, play with the young ladies too. They all seem to be subtly expecting it.”

“Sir Zion is charismatic but cute. He’s cute but charismatic.”

“Look at the smile Sir Ares is giving his sister. How can there be two suns in the sky?”

“I want to be hopelessly entangled with Sir Ixion. I’ve been having the same dream for years.”

I heard the young ladies whispering earlier.

“I’m not interested.”

“It’s more than enough to spend my birthday with my sister.”

“Pet me.”

Ugh.

I sighed as I stroked Zion’s hair.

‘I wonder if they can even get married like this. It’s about time for Zion to get married.’

I should bow down and thank whoever takes my brothers away.

I turned my head and saw Tiriel and Jasmine, the Asheltain twins, Claudia, and Lady Taishel chatting excitedly.

As if they sensed my gaze, they looked at me.

When our eyes met, they smiled and waved.

‘It’s peaceful.’

The hair of Zion that wrapped around my fingers was smooth.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of comfort that felt distant.

“Hey.”

I looked up at the touch and saw Rafael looking down at me.

My brothers wore displeased expressions, but they read my expression and didn’t chase Rafael away.

“Happy birthday.”

“You already congratulated me and gave me a gift earlier.”

“That was official.”

Rafael stared at me blankly and muttered.

“……It’s a little better today.”

“What is?”

Rafael didn’t answer.

I looked back at myself.

The birthday dress that Yutra made with all her heart with the full support of my father一mainly financial一was so amazing that it felt like it was made of fairy wings.

It felt like anyone who wore this dress would receive a beauty buff.

“I’m a little pretty today, right?”

When I cleared my throat and acted smug, Rafael frowned.

“What are you talking about? Who said you were pretty?”

“You said it was a little better today?”

“That’s not what I meant一.”

“Am I not pretty today?”

“……Ugh.”

When I tilted my head and asked, Rafael frowned.

“Th, that’s…….”

It was when he was uncharacteristically stammering.

Hehe, even if it’s Rafael, it would be hard to say bad things to the birthday girl.

That’s when it happened.

“If you say she’s pretty, you’re dead.”

“If you say she’s not pretty, you’re dead.”

“You’re dead if you breathe.”

No, brothers.

“Just stay still. If you had heard the answer now, you would have had something to tease Rafael with for the next five years.”

My grumbling made Rafael’s face turn red.

“What teasing material! I was going to say you were ugly?! You’re ugly! You’re especially ugly today!”

“Wh, wh, at?”

“What ‘ugly’?”

“You wouldn’t dare attach that word to my sister, would you?”

My brothers stood up with a fierce momentum.

I waved my hand at Rafael.

“I’ll pray for your soul.”

* * *

After watching my brothers disappear with Rafael, I went out to the garden.

The sun is good.

As expected of Arir, which is famous for its warm winters.

I smiled and strolled under the winter sun.

A happy birthday party with people I like.

Yeah.

I feel good today.

There’s no need to be depressed.

I walked, watching my calm steps.

Swoosh一.

A wind blowing from somewhere shook the leaves and scattered my hair.

I looked up.

And.

In the place where the sunlight and leaf shadows were embroidered,

“Ah.”

Like a fantasy, or like a lie一 someone was standing there.