TGHB 49

Chapter – 49

For a moment, it felt like watching a young puppy—he acted first and worried later.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

It was strange that he was tapping his stomach while insisting he was fine.

Ahem.

Despite his will, he suppressed the smile creeping up on his lips with a forced cough.

“It’s good that you’re okay, but next time, be more careful, understood, Cotton Candy?!”

“Yes….”

“Answer me!”

“Yes!”

The child, who had been sulking, responded with full energy.

Good. Children should be cheerful like that.

Satisfied, Carlos turned his attention to the letter.

Suddenly, tension appeared on his face.

‘Hoo.’

His trembling, wrinkled hands carefully unfolded the letter.

<To my beloved Carlos,>

From the very first line, a familiar, cherished handwriting greeted him.

He had already read and reread the letters that Charles had left him several times.

Every time, the opening lines were always the same:

‘To my beloved Carlos.’

Even though he had seen it countless times before, every time he read it, tears welled up in his eyes.

And this time, it felt even more poignant.

‘To think I’d be reading a new letter after more than twenty years.’

All thanks to Cotton Candy.

Glancing sideways, he noticed the child staring at him with wide eyes.

Carlos instinctively reached out and ruffled the child’s white hair.

“Whoops, oof, hehe!”

Seeing the child’s hair become completely messy made the corners of his lips twitch again.

‘Ah, so this is why Contié is so smitten with that kid.’

Only after thoroughly ruffling the child’s hair did Carlos withdraw his hands.

The child, puzzled, tried to tidy their hair.

Their little hands brushing their hair frantically reminded him of a squirrel grooming itself.

Meanwhile, Carlos began reading the letter again.

Soon, the wrinkles around his eyes were damp with tears.

Line by line, his eyes moved slowly, as if reluctant for the words to end.

Then, suddenly—

“…Hmm?”

A strange sigh escaped Carlos’s lips.

‘…Why this reaction?’

Curious, Melony peeked at the letter.

‘Just a little peek…’

‘Ah, I got caught…!’

Her violet eyes quickly scanned the letter.

Finally—

“Ugh?”

A dumbfounded sound escaped her lips.

It was… something unexpected.

A few scenes later

Hehe. Hoho. Hahaha.

“Do you like it that much, Melony?”

“Yeah! I love it! So much!”

In response to Louis’s question, I replied, bouncing with excitement.

“All the trees have come back to life!”

Looking around, the Montas trees were now lush and green.

Even after reviving them with my powers, they would quickly wither, which had always been frustrating.

But now, they were thriving.

“Could it be… the answer was in Grandma’s letter?”

“Yes, that’s right. Grandma is amazing.”

That conversation had just taken place.

Amazingly, the solution to the trees’ problem had been written in the letter from the previous duchess.

<I was worried when the trees suddenly started to wither. But I realized it was because of the Bram tree next to the greenhouse.

When the Bram tree lacks nutrients, it absorbs all the nutrients in the soil. Naturally, the Montas trees sharing the same soil will wither.

So, if the Montas trees are unhealthy, start by checking the Bram tree first.>**

It turned out the previous duchess had been the one to start the Montas tree project.

She had personally researched cultivation methods and various studies.

She had already figured out why the Montas trees withered.

‘Somehow, this information was omitted—’

Anyway, when I used my powers to revive the grandmother tree, the Montas trees also recovered.

You could call it a lucky accident.

‘Then, the only thing left…’

A few days later

“Now, tell me.”

The former duke, arms crossed, spoke firmly.

“As promised, you’ve revived all the Montas trees, so I will grant you a reward worthy of that achievement.”

Finally!

I looked up at the former duke, eyes sparkling.

‘I already know exactly what I want as a reward.’

What I wanted was—

“Buildings? Money? Land? Oh, I hear mines are popular nowadays. Shall I give you a mine?”

“…?”

The former duke paused for a moment, surprised by the list of rewards.

…Buildings, money, land, mines?

‘Hmm, that might not be bad…’

I imagined what kind of building it might be, how much money he’d offer, where the land could be, and what treasures a mine might hold.

Just thinking about it made my heart race.

But.

‘No. I must resist!’

I forced myself to suppress worldly desires.

It was difficult to keep my head down, but I did my best.

The reward I was going to ask for had already been decided.

“Sir, what I truly desire is…”

“Yes, speak.”

Swallowing my dry throat, I closed my eyes tightly and shouted,

“I… want to be recognized as Abadi’s daughter!”

“….”

“And I want to be Harabudi’s granddaughter, and Louis’s little sister. I want to continue being Abadi’s daughter… and for that, Harabudi must give me Melony…”

So, in short…

‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’

A reward that had given up buildings, money, land, and mines—would it really be rejected?

Biting my lip, I peeked out slightly.

Then—

‘Uh-oh.’

I locked eyes with the former duke.

As our gazes met, his eyebrows raised and lowered.

“Is that truly what you want, Cotton Candy?”

“…Yes. That’s what I want.”

“Just that?”

“It’s not just that. Melony is very important to me.”

I nervously fidgeted with my hands.

“Cough. Well, if that’s what you wish, I have no choice but to grant it.”

“Really…?”

“As I cannot go back on my word, if that is what you want, I shall grant it.”

“Well then…”

“I shall allow you to be my granddaughter, Cotton Candy!”

Gasp.

I opened my eyes wide and stared at the former duke.

I covered my mouth with my tiny hands to prevent squealing in delight.

If I didn’t, the joy would burst out in an uncontrolled shout.

As I stomped my feet, the former duke laughed heartily.

“Of course! You must be happy now that you are my granddaughter. Indeed, indeed!”

I nodded vigorously.

Just as I shook my head with energy—

“Well, to register you in Contié’s family registry as unmarried, we’ll need the council’s approval.”

I froze mid-nod.

‘…What? There’s another step?’

Unexpectedly, the excitement plummeted.

With Louis, with the former duke…

Now, the council must approve?

‘…Pantheive isn’t easy, is it?’

My joyful scream was swallowed.

“Harabudi…”

“Yes, Cotton Candy!”

“But what if the council dislikes Melony? Then I won’t become Harabudi’s granddaughter…?”

“Nonsense!”

The former duke bellowed firmly.

“Don’t worry! I’ll handle the council myself.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. There’s still the registration process, but…”

“Eh?”

He cleared his throat and added confidently,

“Anyway, anyone who tries to oppose it, I’ll beat with my staff. Even the council is nothing before Carlos Pantheive!”

He waved his staff menacingly, though normally it would be frightening.

“Woah! Harabudi is amazing!”

Today, it wasn’t scary at all.

He looked more like a brave knight than anything.

‘A former duke wielding a staff in front of the council… hmm. I don’t have to worry about the council then!’

I laughed, bouncing off the sofa.

I ran to the former duke and hugged him.

‘Now that I’m his granddaughter, this should be fine, right?’

<In the book Ice Empire, Angela did the same to her grandfather.>

“I’m so happy to be Harabudi’s granddaughter! Harabudi is the best! So awesome!”

“Cough. Cough, cough, hahahaha! The grandson/granddaughter who loves the empire the most!”

My words got a little jumbled, but I didn’t care.

As long as he laughed, that was enough!

A few days later

“What is that indescribable sight?”

“Shut up…! Hoo, hoo. Don’t provoke me.”

Carlos shouted but quickly lowered his voice after taking a deep breath.

In contrast, Contié’s expression twisted.