CATBP~12

Chapter 12

I didn’t think the duke would immediately accept my suggestion.

Well, he hates me a lot, after all.

Ahem. I cleared my throat.

Now it was time to give a convincing reason why we should get closer.

“We’re officially family now, aren’t we? I’ve also become Fey’s guardian. Isn’t that right?”

He gave me a look as if to say, go on, and I smiled softly.

“Since we’ve become family, I want to be a good guardian for Fey. And I also want to help you become an even better guardian for him.”

“……”

“It’s very important for a child to see harmonious guardians.”

“……”

“More than anything, I want Fey to be even happier.”

The furrow in his brow only deepened. His golden eyes, staring down at my hands, flickered darkly with hesitation.

But I knew.

For the sake of his beloved, he would take my hand.

“There is some sense in that.”

The duke finally reached out and took my hand.

His palm was warmer than I’d expected. I thought it would be as cold as the icy winds swirling in his eyes.

That’s unexpected.

I gripped the warmth of his hand a little tighter.

At that, his fingertips twitched faintly.

“First of all, from now on, don’t ignore me like I’m talking to a wall.”

“I won’t.”

“And please call me by my name, in a friendlier way.”

“All right.”

“Then call my name once, right now.”

He looked as though he didn’t want to.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at him.

Finally, he let out a sigh and moved his lips.

“Helen.”

Contrary to his reluctant expression, his deep, low voice was pleasant to the ears.

I smiled so wide my gums showed.

“I look forward to working with you, Lucas.”

For the happiness of my beloved.

My footsteps were as light as feathers after that victory.

I had vaguely expected it to turn out this way, but I was more satisfied than I thought I’d be.

As expected, the duke’s weakness is Fey.

I wondered if my little ward even realized this—

That the duke cherished him so much, he would swallow down even his dislike for me.

I’ll let him know, slowly.

That he’s deeply loved.

But if my beloved keeps following the duke around all the time, I’ll probably get jealous. So I’ll teach him that truth a little more slowly.

Mother, please let my beloved never discover this pathetic jealousy in me.

I thought with a wry smile that if Mother had been here, she would’ve smacked my back for such thoughts.

“Mom—! Oh, it’s you, Belle.”

I had turned the corner of the hall and almost ran into Belle.

The sudden appearance had startled me so badly, my heart dropped to the floor before bouncing back up.

I nearly went to see my real mom just now.

Holding my chest, I looked at Belle. Her expression was stiff, as though she had also been startled.

“What about Fey? Why are you out here alone?”

“…The young master asked me to do something, so I came out for a moment.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Yes.”

Belle avoided meeting my eyes.

“All right. Then I’ll stop by my room for a moment before going to Fey. Where is he now?”

“He’s in the young master’s room. I can go fetch him for you.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

“Then may I be excused?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for allowing it.”

Belle brushed past me. I stood for a while, staring at the place where she had just been, the air faintly holding her trace.

“……”

When that lingering trace was gone, I began to walk again.

But my steps were no longer feather-light.

Belle walked with her head held stiffly high. She only stopped once there was a fair distance between them.

Her heart pounded so violently it felt like it was pounding against her skull.

…She hadn’t expected to run into Helen there.

Had she been a little later, she might’ve been caught in the worst possible situation—meeting Helen right inside her room.

The thought alone made her blood run cold.

But then—

Belle’s lips curled into a smile that stretched almost to her ears.

It didn’t happen.

The fear of what could have been quickly faded, replaced by the thrill of what was soon to come.

Helen suspected nothing.

She always grins like a fool. Even now, she doesn’t know what’s about to happen to her.

Foolish thing.

Belle hurried to the young master’s room.

Fey was sprawled on the sofa, asleep. As she reached out to gently adjust him so he could rest more comfortably—

“Uunngh…”

His long eyelashes trembled as his golden eyes slowly opened.

His blurry gaze sharpened, and Fey blinked wide.

“Did I fall asleep? …Don’t wake me up.”

Belle lowered her head slightly.

I only laced the drink with a little sleeping draught, so maybe the dose wasn’t enough.

She had thought he wouldn’t wake until everything was over.

“My apologies. Since we’ll be traveling to the capital tomorrow, I feared you’d be more tired than usual, so I let you rest.”

“Hee…”

“By the way, young master, Lady Helen asked me to bring you to her room. Would you like to go?”

“Yes! I’ll go!”

Fey hopped down from the sofa.

“Young master, your tail is out.”

His tail had sprouted out of excitement at the thought of playing with Helen.

“…Thanks!”

At her words, Fey glanced back and noticed his tail. His face turned red like a tomato.

“Belle! Let’s go to Helen’s room!”

He quickly hid the tail and held out his hand to Belle.

“I still need to finish packing for our trip to the capital. Please go on ahead, young master.”

“Mm. All right! Do that!”

After he left, Belle straightened up.

Before “packing,” she decided to tidy up his messy room first.

She cleared away leftover snacks on the table and gathered the scattered fairy-tale books.

Hm? Why is the sofa damp?

The stain was faint but noticeable.

Maybe he spilled his drink here. That might explain why he woke up earlier.

Belle didn’t dwell on it. She finished tidying and stepped out.

Later, she went to Helen’s room.

From beyond the door came cheerful laughter. For the first time, it grated on her nerves. She pressed her lips tightly to control the smile threatening to rise, then entered.

“I apologize for entering without knocking. My lady, young master.”

Her voice carried just the right note of urgency.

“What is it?”

The laughter ceased, and both of them looked at her.

“It’s about the packing. I realized the late duke’s jewelry box key is missing. I recalled leaving it in the young master’s room, but when I went back, it was gone.”

She hesitated, then continued.

“Young master, have you seen the key in your room?”

“Nope, never saw it.”

“My lady, have you seen it?”

“I haven’t.”

“In that case, may I have permission to search the room? It’s an important memento of the late duke, and since you two were the only ones present then, I must check as a matter of procedure. I ask for your understanding.”

“…Are you suspecting me right now?”

Helen’s voice was heavy with displeasure.

Belle bowed deeply, clutching her skirt.

She had to lower her head to hide the grin tugging at her mouth.

“Of course not. But it’s a precious heirloom, so I must check carefully. I beg your indulgence.”

“…Fine. Do as you like. But first.”

Helen turned to Fey.

“Fey, would you go back to your room for now?”

“I should go back?”

“Yes. Please.”

“…All right.”

He left reluctantly, throwing lingering glances until the door closed. Helen resolutely ignored them.

“All right, Belle. Go ahead and search.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Belle lifted her head and began looking around the room.

Helen frowned slightly, uncomfortable, but showed no hint of fear.

Naturally—she wasn’t the culprit, so she had no reason to worry. That’s why she had agreed so easily.

But soon, she would regret that.

I’ve looked around enough… now, the real part.

Belle knelt by the bed and reached underneath.

Her heart pounded with joy as her hand reached for the hiding place.

But then, her smile began to falter.

Why… why don’t I feel anything?

This made no sense.

She had hidden the key and jewels right there. But no matter how far she reached, no matter how she searched, her hand found nothing.

“…Do you still need to keep searching?”