Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 93

☆ Chapter 94 ☆

“Don’t listen to that bastard’s lies. He was throwing mana around like a madman just a minute ago.”

“Really?”

“He only pretends to be weak when you’re around. He’s different on the inside.”

Ares sighed, “Ares, look who’s talking.”

“That’s a little harsh.”

Ares’s slightly downturned eyes curved in a languid smile.

His face, now showing the first hints of youth, was as beautiful as spring blossoms.

“……The real Ares knows exactly how to use his looks.”

Ares smiled at my compliment.

“To my sister, I’m a hybrid of the Empire and Heaven… a confusing mix, I know.”

“…….”

Can’t you just let that go already?

* * *

After that little drama, we all headed to Dad’s office.

He was taking a break, enjoying a cup of tea.

“Dad!”

“Lulu.”

Dad scooped me up and settled me on his lap, then glanced at his sons.

“Aren’t you all busy? Always trailing after your sister.”

“If you’re jealous, just say so.”

“I might just have to hand over a few more businesses then.”

What?

Is inheritance really decided like this?

“No, thank you. I’m far too busy protecting this delicate flower.”

“I barely have enough time to spend with my sister as it is, so adding more work is out of the question.”

“I need to focus on mana stabilization. I’m already drowning in work.”

“You’re the laziest. You finish your work at lightning speed and then run to Lulu the moment you’re free.”

“I finished my work, so what’s the problem? If I don’t, my sister will scold me, so I have no choice.”

“The problem is that my daughter can’t come to see me because of you lot.”

‘Ugh.’

I gave up trying to make sense of it, watching the four of them bicker.

Normally, people would jump at the chance to inherit businesses, but they were refusing for… these reasons.

‘Well, they’ll sort it out.’

I tugged on Dad’s arm.

“Dad, I want to go to the Isle.”

“Why the Isle?”

“I want to participate in the Dawn Festival.”

Dad paused, lost in thought.

“Dawn Festival, huh… Right, there was something like that.”

My dad is probably the only person who could talk about a competition watched by the entire empire like it was nothing.

“Our family hasn’t engaged in any diplomatic activities for far too long. Since the Dawn Festival is being held this year, it’s a good opportunity to re-enter the social landscape.”

The Paeraton Duchy had become increasingly isolated.

It’s been 10 years since the Duchess passed away.

As the quest window said, isolating someone with great power only breeds resentment and enemies.

It’s time to break that isolation, but without a hostess to lead the way, it’s difficult for me to navigate the Isle’s social circles on my own.

That’s why I was considering attending that small gathering earlier.

‘It would be better to have a chaperone to open the floodgates of connections, but…’

The Empress’s face, when she offered to be my chaperone, flashed in my mind.

‘But that’s on hold for now.’

It would be best to assess the power dynamics of the Imperial Palace with my own eyes before making any decisions.

Considering all of this, the Dawn Festival, where young ladies gather to compete and cooperate, is perfect.

‘It’s easier to build connections there than anywhere else, and it would be even better if I won.’

“Lulu, you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for the family.”

Dad patted my head.

“You can live exactly the way you want.”

“Huh? No! It’s not just for the family, I genuinely want to participate!”

Dad narrowed his eyes, studying me.

It seemed that socializing itself was a major source of stress for Dad and my brothers, who generally disliked being around people.

“Really?”

“Yes! It sounds like fun.”

“Okay. If it seems fun for you, that’s all that matters.”

Dad’s lips curved into a soft smile.

[Quest 〈This Body Appears! (1)〉 has been completed.]

[A 2000 Cash Gacha Ticket has been awarded as a reward.]

[Your influence within the Empire has slightly increased.]

[A new quest has arrived.]

〈This Body Appears! (2)〉

Dear Reader!

You’re not just going to participate and think, ‘Ah! I made good memories!’, are you?

If the heroine draws her sword, she has to win!

A romance fantasy reader knows no defeat!

A romance fantasy reader craves victory!

You, who needs to prepare for the future, must be at the center of society!

Pass the preliminaries like it’s nothing!

– Condition: Pass the 〈Dawn Festival〉 preliminaries

– Reward: 5000 Cash Gacha Ticket, proceed with linked quest 〈???〉, increase influence within the Empire

‘I’m aiming for the win anyway, if I’m going to participate.’

The numerous privileges enjoyed by the winner of the Dawn Festival will definitely be a great help to me and the Paeraton family.

[Quest accepted.]

“If word gets out that the Paeraton Duchess is participating in the Dawn Festival, the entire social scene will be buzzing.”

“My sister’s fifth birthday is still a topic of conversation.”

I haven’t invited outside guests to my birthday party since I was five years old.

My relationships are mostly within Paeraton, so it was enough to celebrate with family.

Perhaps that’s why people still often bring up my birthday when they mention Paeraton.

It was one of the few opportunities to see our whole family together.

“The social scene isn’t really fun. If you get bored, just stay with me.”

“Zeon especially hated it. But I’m so excited!”

“Excited?”

“Yes! There will be so many people, right? The friendly and dashing Southern Admiral and the handsome youngest Sword Master!”

Huh?”

“The Pope with the sacred light, and the cool but somewhat prickly Prince!”

“……What?”

“And the beautiful Saintess who performs miracles!”

I looked around with a pounding heart, but the reaction wasn’t good.

“The Southern Admiral, the youngest Sword Master, the Pope, the Prince…….”

Dad muttered with a chilling smile, his voice somehow ominous.

“Dad?”

“My daughter says it will be fun, so she must participate in the Dawn Festival. But before that一.”

“We need to clean house.”

“I can’t let my sister be in a dirty environment.”

“There were a lot of annoying things anyway, so this works out well.”

Huh?

“I’m going to the Isle too.”

Dad poked my cheek and said.

“Y-Your Excellency? You hate the Isle! I’ve tried to persuade you so many times, but you wouldn’t even consider it?”

Erkel, who was standing behind him, looked at Dad with wide eyes.

“Isn’t it obvious? My daughter is going, so how can I not go?”

“……It’s really a good thing and a relief, but why do I feel so uneasy?”

Erkel said, his face pale.

“Of course, I have to be with my sister wherever she goes.”

“It’s about time I took a look around the Isle too.”

“I can’t live without my sister.”

“You guys aren’t really needed.”

“Ha, are you trying to monopolize the cotton ball with this opportunity?”

Ixion bared his teeth.

Dad scanned his three sons and let out a faint sigh.

“It’s not like you guys wouldn’t come even if I told you not to. The more… *security personnel*, the better.”

I glanced at Erkel.

Sweat was now dripping down his face.

I was also a little uneasy.

“……That cleanup doesn’t mean… cleaning up *people*, does it?”

“Of course not, my sister.”

Ares smiled softly, radiating a more dazzling light than ever before.

He seemed like he was from pure-blooded Heaven, not a hybrid.

But why do I feel even more uneasy when I see that face?!

“Promise.”

I held out my pinky finger.

“Don’t cause trouble on the Isle.”

“That’s obvious.”

“What trouble would we cause? We’re not kids.”

‘Ixion is still a kid…….’

I held back the comment.

Ixion snorted, but obediently hooked his pinky finger with mine.

After stamping, copying, and signing [a common children’s ritual to seal a promise], I felt relieved.

‘Good.’

They’re not entirely trustworthy, but they’re not the type to break promises.

That’s how the whole family’s trip to the Isle was decided.

Chapter 21. Enemies Meet on a Narrow Bridge

The Paeraton family’s Isle mansion.

Dad occasionally visited the Isle, but it was my first time back in years.

The imposing and majestic mansion was just as I remembered.

But unlike when I used to feel intimidated, I held Dad’s hand and jumped out of the carriage with confidence.

The last time I saw it, it was a winter scene, but now spring flowers were in full bloom and new green leaves were sprouting.

“I only ever came here with Dad, so it feels strange to have all my brothers here too.”

“It feels strange to me too. Having you here actually makes this place look… nice.”

Zeon smiled faintly.

I was worried about coming to the Isle, but it seemed that having people around wasn’t as bothersome as he thought.

‘That’s a relief.’

“Welcome back, Duke. Welcome, young masters, young lady.”

The employees who were standing in line bowed in unison.

“It’s been a while, Heinz!”

Heinz, the head butler of the Isle mansion, gave me a gentle smile.

“I’m very happy to see you again, young lady. You’ve grown so much. I can’t help but feel both happy and a little sad.”

“Where’s my room?”

“It’s in the same location as before. We’ve redecorated the interior to suit your tastes.”

“Really? I have to see it!”

I hurried up the stairs.

They said they considered my tastes, so how did they decorate it?

Back then, it was just hard, uncomfortable furniture.

It didn’t even fit my height, so I had to climb onto the bed.

I opened the door, my heart pounding.

And.

“……Is this *really* my taste?”

A frilly, over-the-top princess room unfolded before my eyes.

‘Why is there a scallop-shaped chair?’

“Do you like it? His Excellency mentioned that you were particularly fond of shell-shaped chairs.”

No, that’s not my taste, that’s Dad’s taste.

“So the chairs, the bed, and the cushions are all scallops?”

“Yes!”

I couldn’t bring myself to say anything when I saw Heinz’s proud smile.

‘Well, you can only enjoy things like this when you’re young. Let’s just embrace it.’

“……Thank you, Heinz. I like it very much. It must have been hard to find all of this…….”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Heinz smiled and left the room.

I decided to take a bath first.

And the moment I entered the bathroom, I stopped again.

Even the bathtub is scallop-shaped!

I’m going to turn into the Little Mermaid at this rate!

* * *

It’s been two days since I arrived on the Isle.

I opened the letter that Hermes Jjack brought.

It was a letter from Echen, the leader of the Echesis Mercenary Group.

Hermes Jjack is a spirit, so he can completely conceal his presence, making him perfect for exchanging letters discreetly.

I shared some snacks with Hermes Jjack and read the letter.

‘He already acquired all the Sharian flowers? He’s incredibly efficient.’

He was far more capable than I had anticipated.

I wondered how he managed to move so quickly without even a minor conflict with the spirit Aktserakhen.

*When can we meet?*

I pondered the last line for a moment and wrote a reply.

I gently scratched Hermes Jjack’s collar and sent him off with the letter.

Just then, the door swung open.

“Cotton ball, let’s go out.”

“Ixion, I told you to knock.”

“It’s fine with me. They say the apple pie on Ricatel Street is amazing. You like that kind of thing, right?”

“Apple pie?”

That was quite tempting.

Our patissier is top-notch, but I’m always curious about new places.

“Let’s go quickly, before the others realize.”

Ixion surveyed the surroundings like someone on a secret mission 一he even used mana to mask his presence一 and then slipped out of the mansion.

“Wow……!”

It was my first time exploring the shopping district like this, and I was instantly captivated.

The glamorous streets, the antique buildings, the lively crowds.

And the apple pie was truly fantastic.

“I understand why it’s so famous now!”

Ixion chuckled as I spoke, my cheeks stuffed with apple pie.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“What should we do now?”

“Since we’re here, why don’t we stop by Yutra’s? There’s a dress shop on this street.”

My eyes widened at Ixion’s suggestion.

It’s not that Ixion particularly dislikes Yutra, but he certainly doesn’t seek her out.

“Okay, great!”

In any case, I was all for it.

* * *

“Kyaa! Duchess!”

Yutra hugged me tightly and rubbed her cheek against mine as soon as she saw me.

“I’m so honored, honored, honored that you came to visit me!”

“Yeah, yeah……. But didn’t we just see each other last month?”

“It’s not enough! And it’s your first time visiting my dress shop! I’m pouring my heart and soul into making the perfect dress for you to wear at the Dawn Festival.”

“Thank you.”

“You should have told me you were going to participate sooner!”

Yutra released me and exchanged a quick glance with Ixion.

“Would you mind waiting a moment, Duchess? I was just about to make some alterations to Ixion’s clothes.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll browse the catalog.”

I nodded obediently and settled into a chair.

I spent some time enjoying milk and cookies.

“Why are you refusing?!”

A young voice rang out, sharp and demanding.

“There’s a dress here that’s absolutely perfect for me! I want this dress!”

“I’m sorry, young lady. That dress has already been reserved…….”

“Is Yutra Pelia really that important? She claims she doesn’t sell clothes to young girls, but she’s secretly making them behind the scenes! Are you daring to deceive me?”

“That’s not what I meant at all.”

‘What’s going on?’

My curiosity piqued, I quietly approached the source of the commotion.

A little girl with curly red hair was berating the employees.

And next to her…….

‘Clattier?!’

A girl with sparkling blonde hair and an angelic face was smiling awkwardly.