Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 37

☆Episode 37☆

“You don’t want to go with me?”

Just then, Ares smiled gently and reached out his hand to me.

“Shall we?”

His touch, gently stroking my hair, was affectionate.

But why?

Hiding my hands behind my back, I shook my head.

“Ah, no. It’s okay if Ares is busy.”

“Nothing is more important than having tea time with my sister.”

Ares languidly curved his eyes and lightly tapped the tip of my nose.

Ares was as kind as usual.

“……”

I 괜히 [unnecessarily] averted my gaze downwards and rubbed my arms.

“Shall we eat in the greenhouse then?”

Ares smiled and held out his hand to me.

The afternoon sunlight was pouring down on him.

The fine black hair shone smoothly like the feathers of a crow, and the sunlight shattered on his smiling cheeks.

Even in the middle of winter, Ares was like warm spring sunshine.

‘Why did I do that?’

It wasn’t like Ares frowned when he looked back at me.

It was just Ares.

Why did I think that for a moment?

I reached out my arm towards Ares’s outstretched hand.

‘He’s such an affectionate and warm person that it’s hard to believe he’s my brother—.’

“Weakling.”

The voice that fell from above cut off my thoughts.

Looking up, I saw a boy with a sulky expression looking down at me.

“Ixion?”

Ixion snatched my hand away. Thanks to that, I couldn’t hold Ares’s hand.

“I’m going too.”

Saying that, Ixion was frowning as if he didn’t like it.

“……You don’t seem to want to go together?”

“Yeah, I don’t.”

“Then why are you saying you’ll go?”

I was the one who asked Ares to eat with me.

“Why are you questioning me? You should be grateful that I’m going with you, you weakling fluffball.”

Geez, anyone would think I was begging Ixion to go with me.

When I pouted my lips, Ixion pinched my cheek.

“Hmm, Ruatisha is amazing. You’re even thinking about having tea with me.”

Ares muttered and smiled brightly.

‘Come to think of it, Ixion was always eager to pounce on Ares whenever he saw him.’

Didn’t they almost have a big fight last time?

‘I told them not to fight over me, so it fizzled out.’

Really…….

It was unavoidable for the peace of the family, but it’s still embarrassing to think about.

“Shall we go then?”

At Ares’s words, I nodded and then shouted, “Ah!”

“Ixion, give me a piggyback ride.”

“What?”

Ixion looked at me in disbelief.

“Seriously, enough is enough.”

“Hurry, hurry!”

When I stomped my feet and reached out my hand, Ixion eventually lowered himself.

I didn’t hesitate and jumped on his back.

“Why am I doing everything you ask?”

I heard Ixion grumbling.

Hehe.

“Ixion, you’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.”

“What?”

“It’s a thing [a saying that means someone acts tough but is actually kind].”

I felt so good that I dangled my legs.

I swayed pleasantly every time Ixion took a step.

Is this what a baby’s cradle is like?

My stomach swelled warmly, and I closed my eyes.

Ixion, your back is broad.

Even though you’re still young.

I must have arrived at the greenhouse because a warm breeze gently brushed my forehead.

Feels good.

I feel like falling asleep.

“Hey, weakling.”

Then, I heard Ixion’s low voice.

I lifted my flickering eyelids.

“Don’t trust that guy too much.”

“……”

It was clear who Ixion was talking about.

Ares.

If it were me before, I would have ignored whatever Ixion said.

Ares was as sweet and affectionate as a boy made of sugar, and more than anything—.

‘I didn’t know much about Ixion.’

Now I know what kind of person Ixion is.

He’s my brother.

So I perked up my ears and asked.

“Why?”

But Ixion didn’t answer me.

However, the rhythm of the swaying vibrations slowed down.

* * *

“Where is Lulu?”

At Duke Paeraton’s question, Hedwick, the head butler of the Duke’s castle, bowed his head.

“She went to the greenhouse with Master Ares. Master Ixion joined them.”

Duke Paeraton frowned slightly and then nodded.

“It’ll be alright if Ixion is with them.”

At those words, Baron Erckel raised his head.

“Hasn’t Master Ares’s condition been quite good lately?”

“He must have been quite stimulated at today’s conference.”

“But it’s different from before. His attitude towards the youngest lady was really gentle.”

“Yes, it was to the point where I wondered if he was really Master Ares.”

Duke Paeraton’s three sons.

All of them were cold and ruthless, befitting the Paeraton bloodline.

The most cruel and bellicose of them was Ares Paeraton.

The image of the young child madly slaughtering monsters was a source of fear even for the people of the Duke’s castle who were familiar with Paeraton.

“Seeing Master Ares with the youngest lady these days is reassuring.”

“The young lady must be very lovely. Maybe Master Ares has melted for the youngest lady?”

Duke Paeraton, who had been listening to his aides’ stories, gave a wry smile.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes?”

“You think his attitude towards Ruatisha is gentle and affectionate?”

I wanted to nod, but Duke Paeraton’s reaction suggested otherwise.

“But, but…….”

“To Ares, everyone other than himself is an enemy.”

“Of course, he thinks that way, but isn’t he a little different when he’s with the young lady?”

“What did he do when he learned to hide his hostility?”

“He smiled.”

“Yes, and what does he do when he sees Ruatisha?”

“……He smiles.”

The aides were silent for a moment at the fact they didn’t want to realize.

“But the youngest lady isn’t someone Master Ares needs to be wary of, is she? She doesn’t even have magic.”

“Did you feel that way?”

Duke Paeraton leaned his head against the back of the chair and continued.

“Ares will be most wary of Ruatisha than his other brothers.”

“No, why the weakest person…….”

“Because she’s an enemy he’s never faced before.”

An enemy he’s never faced before?

Does he mean someone without magic?

But all humans other than the Paeraton bloodline were without magic.

Isn’t the largest proportion of enemies Ares faces ordinary humans without magic?

“What are you referring to…….”

At those words, Duke Paeraton turned his head.

His gaze was directed out the window.

Midwinter.

The garden was covered in white snow.

In the middle of it, there was a snowman that Ruatisha had made, her nose red.

It was probably the first time in history that there was a snowman in the Duke Paeraton’s garden.

The Duke’s lips, which had been silent, slowly opened.

“Someone who trusts… him.”

The aides’ lips slightly parted at the whisper that sounded like a soliloquy [speaking one’s thoughts aloud regardless of anyone hearing].

“Depending on how he overcomes that enemy, Ares may grow.”

Duke Paeraton picked up the documents he was looking at and said in an indifferent tone.

“Or he may lose his potential forever.”

* * *

I was very, very happy.

Outside, white snow was piling up, but inside the glass greenhouse, flowers were blooming as if spring had come.

And next to me were two handsome young boys!

‘Is this what they call having flowers on both hands [being surrounded by attractive people]?’

Ah, good.

“You really seem to be enjoying it, my sister.”

“Huh?”

“You look very happy. Your cheeks are puffed up like freshly baked bread.”

“R, really?”

Feeling guilty, I averted my gaze, but Ares poked my cheek.

“Sweeter and softer than bread.”

Then he smiled slyly.

Wow…….

He doesn’t come off as cheesy at all when he says things like that.

His face is a weapon, really.

I grabbed Ares’s hand.

“Ares, Ares, you really have to grow up like this!”

“If that guy grows up like that, he’ll become a monster.”

Ixion immediately sneered.

“Ixion, try to become a little more moist [kinder, more gentle].”

“Huh?”

“It’s okay. A rough stone becomes smooth. There’s hope for Ixion too! At least the appearance is perfect.”

Ixion looked at me with a face that said, ‘What are you even talking about?’ and then stroked his chin.

“I am a bit handsome, aren’t I?”

Ixion gave a sly smile.

I want to make fun of him because he’s annoying, but he really is handsome……?

But why is he so irritating?

“But why is my sister interested in the mana stone mining business? Knowing that it’s an empty mana stone.”

I was a little embarrassed at Ares’s question.

It’s just because it’s a quest.

I rolled my eyes and answered vaguely.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m interested!”

“Indeed. Betting on a sure failure that no one else pays attention to. Bold.”

Ah, no, that’s not it.

I don’t have any thoughts.

But the quest wouldn’t have told me to do a failing business.

“Even though empty mana stones are considered duds, wouldn’t it be possible to succeed if you use those duds well?”

If that happens, it’ll be a real fortune!

“Yeah, I’m curious to see what happens.”

“You really eat a lot.”

Suddenly, Ixion cut in between Ares and me.

“But why are you so small?”

No, I was talking to Ares, why are you picking a fight?

I glared at Ixion with a sulky expression and then paused.

I had a good idea.

I made a fist and stuck it to one cheek.

“Woong [a babyish sound], Samchon [uncle] didn’t give Lulu food.”

“What?”

“Lulu starve, only make work, so small— Ack!”

Black mana covered the air.

“That bastard…….”

Ixion gritted his teeth fiercely.

I was embarrassed and quietly lowered the fist I had stuck to my cheek.

I was trying to act a little cute so he wouldn’t pick on me for eating anymore.

I thought Ixion would get annoyed like when I told him not to fight because of me last time.

“……Nicholas Tarenka didn’t give you food and only made you work?”

Ares smiled and asked me. It was a very gentle and affectionate voice.

His hand caressed my cheek.

“I’m getting angry.”

Ares’s muttering was strange.

Who is he angry at?

While thinking it was Nicholas Tarenka, I somehow felt differently.

“I don’t know how to treat you.”

How?

“Just treat me like you are now! Ares is doing well!”

I pointed at Ixion.

“Ixion is the one who’s not doing well!”

“What?! You weakling fluffball!”

Ixion flicked my forehead.

“Hing [whimper], Ares, Ixion hit me!”

I reached out to Ares with a tearful face, but his expression was strange.

“Like now.”

Ares’s fingertips scattered my hair.

“Really?”

“Huh?”

“I can’t figure you out.”

Ares said, wiping the cookie crumbs from the corner of my mouth.

“I like math more than philosophy. I like things with clear answers rather than ambiguous problems.”

“……”

“Things I don’t understand…….”

Ares’s eyes narrowed.

Thud.

Ixion grabbed Ares’s arm.

“Let go.”

It was a voice like a beast growling.

I was surprised and looked at Ixion.

Ixion, who had already gotten up and approached, was glaring at Ares as if he would kill him.

Ares’s atmosphere, receiving that gaze, was also unusual.

‘It feels like it’s going to be a mess like before.’

What should I do?

“Come to think of it!”

I clapped my hands.

“Ares, Ares is my family, right? My brother?”

It was too obvious a way to change the subject.

But the kind Ares read my intentions and calmed down.

“Why are you asking something so obvious?”

Ares smiled at me.

Huh?

‘Why isn’t the quest complete popping up?’

I asked one more time with a doubtful feeling.

“Really?”

“Of course. My lovely sister.”

The quest still had no reaction.

‘T, that’s strange? Is there some kind of error?’

The quest condition is ‘Be recognized as a member of the family by Ares.’

So it should be completed, right?

‘Unless Ares is lying.’

Saaa, I could feel the blood draining from my face.

“Ha. To you, family is something that kills each other, isn’t it?”

Ixion said with an incredulous breath.

“It’s better to make it clear now. This fluffball is so soft that she doesn’t even know how to be wary of people.”

Ixion pressed down on my head and asked Ares.

“Ares, what did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

Ares was still wearing a gentle smile.

“You knew, didn’t you? That there were humans hiding in the Duke’s castle that day.”

I immediately realized when Ixion was talking about.

The day I almost got kidnapped.

“Your nasty magic is always coiling around the Duke’s castle. There’s no way you wouldn’t have sensed someone invading it.”

“……”

“And I kept thinking it was strange that you helped me.”

“That’s too much. It’s natural for a brother to help his sister.”

“Oh, really? Weren’t you the kind of guy who wouldn’t even bat an eye if I died in front of you?”

Ares sighed softly.

“When did you get so smart?”

A shallow smile hung on his lips.

“You were like a puppy that didn’t know its place and was running wild.”

But it was completely different from his usual gentle smile.

Ares’s red eyes, looking at Ixion, were darkly stained.

I opened my mouth.

“Wait a minute. Then Ares…….”

The hint for the quest to find the people involved in the kidnapping.

You are not alone now.

In other words, listen to other people.

I wanted to deny it, but I had no choice but to ask.

“You knew I was going to be kidnapped?”

Ares didn’t answer.

However.

[Quest 〈Vengeful Magpie (2)〉 has been completed.]

[2000 Cash Gacha Ticket will be provided as a reward.]

[Hint for Quest 〈You Must First Govern Your Household (2)〉 has been activated.]

[The target’s favorability is displayed.]

A more certain answer came back than Ares’s answer.

I barely managed to take my eyes off the notification window and looked at Ares.

And the favorability that came to mind was…….

[-666]

What?

-666?!