THSDR 07

Chapter 07

Of course, there was resistance as well.

“Still, she is the daughter of Hezest. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it? If we’re careless, we could end up suffering for it. I believe we should trust those who are trustworthy.”

Bogus’s words were also correct.

Hezest had done everything in its power to undermine Bereiden over the years. It had always aimed its arrows at Bereiden.

Hezest had long coveted the vast and fertile lands of the southern region.

“Moreover, there is no way southern high society will acknowledge Hezest. The Duchess herself could become a liability.”

The same was true—Bereiden and Hezest were openly hostile to each other.

After a moment of silence, Cheres spoke.

“Then we’ll do this. Let’s quickly appoint a maid to attend Roana. We’ll select the most intelligent and perceptive young lady from among the vassal families and place her at Roana’s side to observe everything closely. And as for southern high society…”

Cheres’ eyes gleamed coldly. More than anyone, he knew that they only pretended to respect him while looking down on him.

“Is there anything lower than what we’re already at? If Roana fails, then that will be the worst-case scenario. We will summon all those involved and put them on trial. In my usual way.”

Cheres’ methods were no different from the military’s. He intended to suppress southern high society’s resistance by force.

For now, that was the best option. Bogus nodded helplessly.

Cheres gave a bitter smile.

“It seems there is no need to worry too much. It doesn’t look like she has any contact with Hezest either.”

Lady Yurein said this, recalling Roana’s faintly pleased expression when she had sent the maid away.

She did not know why the attendants from Hezest had left Roana as if abandoning her, but still.

Cheres came to a conclusion.

“Then we’ll go through Roana.”

Of course, all of this depended on Roana accepting his request. If she refused, Hayden would not receive proper care for some time, and Cheres might end up making enemies of southern noblewomen.

Cheres recalled what he had first said when Roana arrived in the south—that she should do nothing at all, and not fulfill any duties or rights as the Duchess. Now he was in a position where he had to overturn those words entirely.

His mouth turned bitter.

‘How shameless.’

“The Duke is calling for you, Madam.”

Why is Cheres calling me?

Was it because of the fight with the nanny yesterday? Because I didn’t just stay quiet and did something instead, even though he told me not to do anything?

My sense of justice must have been the problem.

I should have stayed like a ghost—present, but unseen. I even got the nanny dismissed… is he now going to kick me out too? That would be really upsetting.

I don’t even have anywhere to go.

Tense, I made my way to Cheres’ office. He was waiting for me alone with a serious expression.

I swallowed hard, exchanged brief greetings, and sat down.

My hands were tightly clasped together from nervousness.

I become embarrassingly small in front of the owner of the house. Yesterday’s boldness had long since vanished.

Please don’t kick me out!

“Roana.”

“Yes, Cheres.”

I quickly smiled brightly. A smiling face is better, right?

Or should I look remorseful instead?

“I called you here today because I have a request.”

A request…!

So I really am being asked to leave…!

“I’d like you to take care of Hayden for a while.”

Cheres let out a troubled sigh. Even that expression suited him perfectly, like something drawn.

No wonder Hayden was a stunning male lead—he really did take after his father.

But… I wasn’t being told to leave, but asked to take care of Hayden?

My heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, now began to beat with anticipation.

“H-Hayden? Me?”

“I know you’ve never raised a child before. Still, we concluded it would be better than entrusting Hayden to others. Considering what you’ve shown so far.”

“I have taken care of children before!”

This was a rare opportunity to become someone useful to the duchy. If I became indispensable, Cheres wouldn’t be able to dismiss me so easily.

“You have? When?”

“Well… I mean, I’ve seen them.”

“Come to think of it, I recall hearing that the eldest daughter of Hezest had children.”

While I was scrambling for an excuse, Cheres filled in the missing context for me.

Right. Roana had nieces and nephews. In the original story, the children of Hezest who were rivals to the male lead would be about that age by now.

I quickly nodded awkwardly.

“My sister was very devoted to childcare. She wanted to raise her nephews and nieces to be the best. I learned a lot just by observing her.”

Since I hadn’t actually experienced it after possessing this body, I had no idea what my “sister” was like. And Roana definitely hadn’t been treated well in Hezest.

In that situation, would she have even gotten along with her sister? But Cheres wouldn’t know what had happened inside Hezest.

And besides, Cheres was accepting it anyway.

“That sounds plausible. Hezest does like to take the best of everything for themselves.”

His expression was a little cold, but… he seemed to believe me.

“Then can you take care of Hayden for a while? Of course, the maids will help. You won’t be alone with him all day.”

I could spend all day taking care of Hayden if needed. Honestly, I had already realized that living like a ghost didn’t suit my personality at all.

And they were trusting me with this.

“I’ll do my best! Please trust me!”

“…I’m grateful you say that. If there’s anything you need in return for this, tell me. I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

Bereiden is really generous…

Should I think of this as childcare allowance?

“Thank you, Cheres. Really.”

Cheres should have been the one saying thank you. Taking care of Hayden was no easy task, yet Roana had accepted without hesitation. But seeing her bright smile, he could tell she truly meant it.

Lady Yurein’s advice came to mind.

A prejudice against the Duchess might be worth breaking.

Prejudice, huh.

All the Hezest people he had encountered so far had been the same. Even when he had gone to the imperial court after inheriting the duchy, he had seen their true nature.

“Your Majesty, he is nothing more than an inexperienced young heir who never cared about administration. Please allow Hezest to manage Bereiden’s lands. I can secure the loyalty of the vassal families.”

“The new duke, who has only known the battlefield, will be unfamiliar with administrative affairs. Failure to perform duties properly is itself disloyalty, Your Majesty.”

They insulted his elder brother—who had defended the empire and fought monsters with his life—and tried to take Bereiden for themselves. Even though they had no right to it.

Bereiden had been granted the vast southern lands because they had earned it.

The Bereiden family had played a decisive role in founding the Elenbest Empire by driving out monsters. It was also Bereiden who had slain the last beast in the south and built the fortress walls.

The Hezest family hadn’t even existed at that time. And they likely had no power to withstand the annual “Night Beyond.”

Yet those without qualification were overflowing with greed.

And they even claimed incompetence?

Cheres had received the same education as his elder brother from a young age. He had already completed heir training.

After becoming duke, he had proven his abilities sufficiently. He was not some ignorant child.

And he had made Hezest pay for all the schemes they had carried out until now.