Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 75

☆ 76 ☆

I clenched my fist tightly.

Has this happened before?

Have you just been taking it all this time?

These questions are meaningless.

I suppressed the surging emotions and spoke calmly.

“If you knew, you should have brought medicine. Let’s go to the ward together later.”

I just said that and handed Dana what I had brought.

Dana tilted her head, untied the string, and checked the contents.

A large sketchbook, a small blank notebook, oil pastels and gouache [a type of opaque watercolor paint], and a pencil set.

Dana’s eyes wavered.

“Ah, Miss, I can’t accept something like this… It’s too expensive.”

“Don’t you like it?”

When I drooped my eyes in disappointment, innocent Dana jumped up.

“N, no way! It’s more than I deserve. How could I not like it?”

“Then you’ll take it?”

“But—”

“I knew you didn’t like it.”

When I drooped my eyes again, innocent Dana had no choice but to nod.

“…Thank you, Miss. I’ll cherish it.”

Dana hugged the sketchbook in her arms and smiled shyly.

Her smile was somewhat distorted because of the wound, but it was a prettier smile than ever.

“Why do you draw, Dana?”

I said, looking at the dirt floor where Dana was drawing.

My face was drawn again.

“Just because. It doesn’t mean anything. I have a lot of time alone… I can draw with just a branch and the dirt floor.”

“But there are many things you can do alone. You can make flower rings or wreaths, play with dirt, or kick a ball, right?”

Even on this dirt floor, not a well-maintained garden, seeds blown by the wind landed and flowers bloomed.

These flowers can be Dana’s. The same goes for Cynthia’s house.

“That’s… true.”

Dana nodded.

“I don’t know why it’s drawing. I just… wanted to draw.”

“I see. Why is that? I wonder.”

I stared at Dana intently.

Dana was not used to thinking.

But if I send her such a curious gaze, she will surely do her best to think hard.

Just like she’s starting to ponder now.

‘Yes, think about it.’

Dana never drew what was in front of her.

Wildflowers blooming on the dirt floor, the tree over there, the magnificent Peacock Castle in front of her.

There were so many things to draw, but she never drew any of them.

What she saw, what she thought, what she imagined.

Dana drew all those things.

“…I don’t know.”

After a long thought, Dana said.

“I, I’m sorry. I’m too stupid to think properly—”

“No.”

I cut off Dana’s words firmly.

“Cynthia is wrong to say that Dana is stupid. Believe me, because I’m a hundred times, no, 99.9 billion times smarter than Cynthia.”

Dana stared at me blankly as I smiled.

“Dana, why did you draw me?”

“Ah, because you’re so pretty, Miss.”

“Again?”

“Because you’re warm…”

“Again?”

“B, because it was so fun to raid the kitchen together.”

“Again?”

“…I missed you, Miss.”

“I see.”

Dana opened her lips and closed them again.

“I, I was drawing because of that.”

Because there was something I wanted to do.

Because there was something I wanted.

I had never even said that I wanted something—not even to my mom.

I thought that all I could do was live in fear, just doing what I was told, without wanting anything.

But I was shouting that I wanted it every day.

Not with words, but with drawings.

I wanted to have it, I wanted to see it, I wanted to do it.

I was shouting until the branch wore out.

When she faced the desire she didn’t even know she had, Dana’s lips fluttered.

“I was so glad that you pretended not to know me back then. Thank you.”

“Y, you’re welcome.”

Dana looked very happy. She also looked proud.

“Just like you stood up for me, I hope you will stand up for yourself next time.”

“For… myself?”

“Yes. You have so much wonderful will inside you. I’m sure you can do it.”

Dreaming of the future means that you have not given up on your life.

No matter how much Cynthia tried to trample on and extinguish it, Dana did not give up.

“Okay, let’s go to the ward!”

I stood up and held out my hand to Dana.

Dana carefully took my hand.

It was a very warm hand.

* * *

Cynthia lay on the bed, crying, and then got up.

Grumble—.

A sound came from her stomach.

She had thrown the furniture around, saying she wouldn’t eat, so she was hungrier than if she had just starved.

‘Is Mom still locked up?’

Cynthia was about to pull the bell cord, but she just went outside.

What face would she show if a maid from the mansion came instead of the employee she had brought?

She went to her mother’s room, but it was still empty.

‘I need to find the nanny.’

As she was thinking that, she saw people gathered in the distance.

‘What is it?’

Are they talking about Mom? Or about me?

Cynthia muffled her footsteps and approached the people.

They were incredibly focused on something.

That was—.

‘Luatisha?’

Inside a large crystal [likely a viewing device or screen], Luatisha was wearing a flower wreath ribbon and kissing Duke Paeraton on the cheek.

‘That’s…!’

It was what happened at the party yesterday.

She was making me so unhappy, and that greedy girl was just happily showing off.

‘It’s like she’s teasing me!’

At that time, a maid ran over from over there.

“I got a new video! It’s a video I got from Laura with difficulty!”

“A new video? Well, she has everything about the young lady.”

“She gave me seven chapters even though I was just borrowing it for a while.”

“Ah, is that so? She used seven chapters, she gave a lot!”

“But the unreleased new video is worth it! You got it well!”

Not only the employees but also the retainers praised the maid.

In particular, the handsome man with red hair was the most active.

When the video was played, Luatisha appeared wearing a shining white cloak.

“This isn’t from the party yesterday?”

“Indeed, it’s worth seven chapters!”

“The Frost Flower Cloak protects not only from the cold but also from the poison of monsters. It’s summer now, but you’ll be able to wear it usefully in winter.”

“This is what Dad received as a birthday present.”

“It doesn’t matter. The person who gave it probably thought it would go to you.”

Ares nodded at Ixion’s words.

“Yes. Those who are quick-witted and know how to read His Excellency’s mind have brought things that my sister can use.”

“But, it’s Dad’s present.”

“It’s a gift that makes me happy.”

Duke Paeraton said, putting a Paparacha sapphire brooch [a type of orange-pink sapphire] on his daughter, which he had received as a gift.

“In that sense, this Mermaid’s Tears is a dud.”

Ixion said, picking up a pearl bigger than his fist.

“It’s pretty, but it’s too big for my sister to wear.”

“It’s not like we’re going to the sea right away. Shall we decorate the room?”

“Sea?”

Luatisha’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes, with this one, it’s like being blessed by God on the sea. That’s why the navy and pirates are trying to get it.”

Luatisha’s eyes began to shine brightly.

“Ah, Dad… Do you need this?”

“I don’t really need it. I have a few.”

He said so casually that he had several treasures that would cause a stir if even one appeared.

Duke Paeraton loosened his lips as he watched his daughter stomp her feet and couldn’t take her eyes off the Mermaid’s Tears.

“I can give it to you if you ask me for it.”

“I want it!”

“If you ask me well.”

“Well?”

Luatisha, who was struggling, opened her eyes wide when she saw her cheek approaching and pouted her lips.

Kiss.

“This way too.”

Kiss.

“Dad, give me the Mermaid’s Tears.”

When she looked at him with her hands together and desperate eyes, Duke Paeraton and the sons grabbed their chests.

“When was my birthday?”

“We must have a party unconditionally. I have to tell them to bring something that suits the cotton ball the most as a gift.”

Duke Paeraton called Luatisha, who was happy to receive the Mermaid’s Tears.

“Lulu.”

Luatisha tilted her head when she saw the object he was holding out.

“Flower?”

“It’s a monster’s egg.”

Duke Paeraton put a flower in Luatisha’s hair.

“No one knows whether it can hatch or not. Or what kind of monster will come out.”

Duke Paeraton pressed his daughter’s head.

“Take good care of it so that it can hatch.”

“Ugh! I wish the young lady would ask me for something!”

“I knew the Frost Flower Cloak would suit the Princess! I had a lot of worries, but I’m glad I gave it as a gift!”

“Wow, a monster’s egg. I want to see the young lady who became the owner of the monster.”

Behind the murmuring people, Cynthia staggered with a pale face.

‘What is that…’

That’s what my mom and I gave Dad to become Duke Paeraton’s wife and princess.

‘How, how can you give that to her?!’

Besides, what is this reaction!

‘What’s so good about that sly and nasty girl!’

Cynthia bit her lip tightly and ran away.

People’s eyes turned to her as she ran through the hallway.

It felt like they were pointing fingers and whispering.

“Wow, running naked into His Excellency’s bedroom.”

“I don’t know what crazy woman it is, but that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s all thanks to the muse who inspires me! How important is a muse to an artist…!”

“Of course, it’s the cute… no, Princess Paeraton!”

I hate it.

How did this happen?

I was full of dreams of becoming Princess Paeraton until I came here.

‘It’s all because of that annoying girl!’

“Ah, Miss?”

Cynthia stopped abruptly at the voice.

Dana was looking at her with a bewildered face.

Cynthia asked as if possessed.

“Do you have a knife?”

“K, knife? No. Why would you need something like that…”

“You’re useless! You’re no help!”

Cynthia pushed Dana roughly and ran.

Dana quickly got up and followed her.

‘A knife, why? What are you going to do?’

This way leads to the main building.

The south-facing main building naturally has the rooms of Duke Paeraton and his direct family.

‘Don’t tell me…!’

Dana’s face turned pale.

* * *

I gave the Mermaid’s Tears, which I had been cherishing, to Count Kandor.

“Use this when you trade. Got it?”

“Indeed, it’s perfect for when a merchant ship crosses the sea.”

Count Kandor nodded.

At that time, there was a knock and the office door opened.

“Miss.”

It was Laura.

I jumped up from my seat.

“See you later, Grandpa!”

“So suddenly? There’s still a lot of work left.”

“Later, later! I’m in a hurry!”

I have to go get cider!

I hurried to my room.

Bang!

When I opened the door, Cynthia turned around with a flustered face.

Holding a messily torn piece of cloth in her hand.

‘Yes, I told her to hang it in a place that’s easy to see as soon as I open the door.’

In front of Cynthia, my clothes were completely tattered and barely hanging on the torso.

‘Wow, it wouldn’t have been easy to make it like that with bare hands.’

I opened my mouth, pretending to be as embarrassed as possible.

“What is this…”

“It’s not my fault!”

Cynthia shouted.

Before I knew it, the embarrassment had disappeared from her face, and only evil remained.

“You don’t deserve something like this! It’s not just this! You don’t deserve everything! I was just trying to kindly let you know!”

It was truly a miracle of logic.

At that time, footsteps were heard through the open door.

People were coming, and Cynthia’s face turned flustered again.

Looking around, she threw the cloth in her hand.

Soon, people arrived in my room.

“…What’s going on?”

My dad’s cold voice rang out.

‘Why did Dad come? And even my brothers?’

When I looked up, I met Count Kandor’s eyes.

‘Ah. It’s strange that I left so suddenly, so he called Dad and my brothers.’

It was then.

“Dana, why are you doing this?”

Cynthia shouted with a pitiful expression.

“Last time, you stole Lulu’s headdress, and this time…! Could it be that you did this to get revenge because you were caught stealing last time?”

Wow.

How can she be so consistent?

She had the face that she thought Dana would naturally accept this situation as before.

Dana tried to speak several times, but she closed her mouth like someone who couldn’t make a sound.

She shook while making eye contact with me. Sweat was pouring down like rain, and the blood disappeared from her face.

I didn’t urge her and waited quietly for her answer.

How long has it been?

“N, no…”

Cynthia’s eyes widened as if they would tear at the unexpected answer.

“No, it’s not. I, I was trying to stop the young lady.”

Dana did not obey.

Because there is a will and desire in her that no one can break.

Dana continued to speak with a tearful face.

“It wasn’t me. I didn’t do it.”

The fear is gradually disappearing, and a sense of liberation begins to settle on the child’s young face.

“Miss Cynthia?”

“Liar!”

Cynthia shouted sharply.

“She’s framing me! She’s plotting with her!”

Cynthia pointed at me.

Then she snatched the sketchbook and painting tools that Dana was holding precious.

“This is the proof! Luatisha gave this to Dana and told her to frame me!”

Cynthia, who was panting, changed her expression as her excitement subsided.

She asked me with a wounded and sad face.

“Lulu, no matter how much you hate me, how can you do this?”

“I didn’t do that at the request of Miss Luatisha!”

Dana shouted as if screaming, but Cynthia looked only at me without shaking.

“I knew you were jealous of me.”

“I’m jealous of you? Why?”

“I wonder that too. You have everything you need. Rather, you’re enjoying it more than you deserve, so why me…? Ah!”

Cynthia exclaimed as if she had realized something.

“You don’t have a mom, so you’re trying to take my mom away?”

“What?”

“That’s right. You put our mom in jail to make me an orphan. You deliberately interfere with the relationship between Dad and Mom, and alienate me, my brother, and Ixion.”

Cynthia covered her lips as if she was horrified.

“I wanted to become a family with a good heart… I was going to be a good sister to you. And our mom would have been a good mom to you too. But why are you…!”

“Hey.”

I was so dumbfounded that I leaned on one leg.

“I wouldn’t take your mom even if you gave her to me for free.”

“Gave, you wouldn’t take her!”

“I wouldn’t take a sister like you even if you paid me to please accept her.”

“…!”

Cynthia’s face was stained with shame.

But soon she smiled as if she understood.

“You want a mom and sister, but you can’t have them, so you’re saying that, right? Because our mom and I can’t be your family.”

I’m so speechless.

“Do you eat poop because you have nothing to eat?”

“Again, poop? Are you saying I’m poop?!”

Cynthia’s face contorted.

Like poop.