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∼Chapter 11∼
Squeeze. Rosalyn sniffled and held tightly onto Deon’s collar, unwilling to let go.
A part of her worried that he might find it bothersome…
But somehow… I think it’s okay.
All the way down the hall, Deon didn’t put Rosalyn down.
Nor did he say anything comforting.
But that alone gave Rosalyn a sense of peace, and she rested her body fully against him.
Her tears had stopped at some point, though her eyes still stung from the crying.
She rested her chin on Deon’s shoulder, her round cheeks squishing out. As her eyes wandered, a soft voice tickled her ear.
“You shouldn’t cry like that again, Rosalyn. Your face is all swollen.”
“…Do I look really ugly?”
“…I wouldn’t know. I’ve never really looked at anything and thought it was pretty.”
And it was the first time anyone had ever asked him that sort of question.
There’s a lot of firsts happening today.
Deon’s brows twitched faintly.
These unfamiliar situations were… not exactly welcome.
And unfamiliar meant he could lose control of the situation—something Deon hated.
“…”
“Whether you’re pretty or not doesn’t matter much to me.”
“Okay…”
Rosalyn’s voice sank, sounding deflated.
Deon’s response had flattened her mood.
Before they knew it, they’d reached the door to Rosalyn’s room.
As they entered, Rona, who had been waiting for Rosalyn’s return, rushed forward with a startled expression.
“Lady Rosalyn? …Did something happen?”
“Not really.”
“…It looks like you’ve been crying.”
At the mention of tears, Rosalyn quickly buried her face in Deon’s shoulder.
Through the falling strands of golden hair, the tips of her ears had turned red.
She was embarrassed that Rona had noticed she’d been crying.
“…Wait, the Young Master carried you here?”
“Is there a problem?”
“…No, sir.”
Rona answered, still sounding surprised.
To her knowledge, Deon Arcas had a severe case of mysophobia.
Even brushing against someone made him visibly uncomfortable.
And yet… he’d carried a crying child all the way here?
Looking closely, Rona noticed Deon’s shoulder was damp.
“She was startled after meeting the Duke.”
“I’ll take good care of her, sir.”
Rona replied calmly after hearing his explanation.
There were very few children who didn’t cry in front of Duke Kaimon.
At most, the Arcas sons—who were currently away training in the Kingdom of Anmoss—had been the exception.
Spring had arrived again, and they were expected to return soon.
“…Thank you for bringing me back.”
Rosalyn had climbed down from Deon’s arms and bowed her head.
Her voice still held the nasally tone of someone who’d been crying.
“Then I’ll be going. See you next time, Rosalyn.”
“Yes.”
Rosalyn nodded.
Click. She watched the door close behind him, then followed Rona’s lead and sat down on the sofa. A warm cup of tea was placed in her hands.
Her heart, which had been pounding in fear, slowly began to calm.
“Lady Rosalyn, you must’ve been so frightened. The Duke… he’s actually a generous person. I think he was just caught off guard since it was your first meeting.”
“Yes…”
“He’ll be completely different next time, I’m sure.”
Rona smiled awkwardly.
Of course, she couldn’t actually promise that.
After all, an unmarried man like Deon had just brought home a child of unknown origin.
In the world of noble families, this was a scandal.
Most high-ranking noble houses… wouldn’t even acknowledge illegitimate children.
Rosalyn also realized Rona’s words weren’t the truth.
Her voice lacked conviction.
The Duke doesn’t like me.
If the Duke told her to leave… what would happen to her?
Rosalyn stared down at the teacup clutched tightly in both hands.
I don’t know.
The only thing she was sure of…
Was that Deon didn’t seem quite so scary anymore.
And that was all.
After Deon left, Kaimon Arcas remained alone in the study, deep in thought.
“You’ll destroy this family someday.”
Deon had no doubt brought the child home out of defiance to those very words.
But then, what had Kaimon just witnessed?
There seemed to be a subtle bond forming between Deon and Rosalyn.
Even if the two of them weren’t aware of it yet—Kaimon had seen it clearly with his own eyes.
“…Hah. Looks like the storm’s passed, Your Grace.”
“…”
Edin quietly opened the study door and stepped inside.
He looked around cautiously, and let out a breath of relief when he saw everything still intact.
Considering what Deon had just done, Edin thought things would have gotten far messier.
After all, Deon had brought an outsider into the family and granted her the name Arcas. It was a shock to everyone.
People were already saying there’s no way Deon would’ve left his own child outside the family for six years…
But given Deon’s personality, no one could imagine him bringing home a child that wasn’t even his by blood.
“Lord Ixion is waiting outside.”
“What does he want?”
“He said he just came to greet Your Grace.”
Edin cleared his throat, clearly not buying it.
Ixion was considered the second candidate to inherit the family after Deon.
Though from a collateral branch, he was decently capable and knew how to butter up to others.
Still, he fell far short when compared to Deon.
“Let him in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Edin exited.
A moment later, Ixion entered the study with a pleasant smile.
He had recently returned to the capital after a brief suspension due to a tax evasion scandal.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace. You’re still looking as healthy as ever.”
“Yes. What is it?”
“Haha, do I need a reason to visit? We’re family, after all.”
“…If you’ve got no business, then get going.”
Kaimon frowned.
Somehow, Ixion had figured out what Kaimon truly valued.
But his tone and expression were full of pretense.
“I just came because I was concerned, Your Grace. The household’s been in a bit of a stir lately, hasn’t it?”
“A stir?”
“Deon brought in a child of unknown background. He’s not even married, and he’s already caused this kind of mess…”
Ixion clicked his tongue.
Kaimon stared at him coldly.
He had no desire to discuss this topic.
Especially not with someone like Ixion—who had also married due to an unexpected pregnancy. His only luck was that his wife had been from a noble family.
Kaimon had already received numerous reports from Edin detailing Ixion’s daily debauchery.
When he didn’t get the reaction he’d hoped for, Ixion fell silent, slightly displeased.
“Haha, well, I’ve seen Your Grace’s face, so I should be going now.”
“Fine. I’m tired too. Off you go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ixion’s smile didn’t falter.
“I’ll see you at tomorrow’s council meeting, then.”
It was strange.
Today, Ixion looked unusually pleased.
Kaimon furrowed his brow as he watched the man’s retreating back… but soon, the door to the study closed.
Not a single one of them pleases me.
Kaimon closed his eyes wearily.
Unaware of what he had missed.
“Ha… So he brought home a child while I was under disciplinary suspension? After saying he had no intention of inheriting the family?”
Unbeknownst to Kaimon, Ixion had overheard his conversation with Deon.
Greed glimmered in his blue eyes.
He recalled the child he had seen today—Rosalyn.
If only that girl disappeared…
Then everything would fall into place.
Ixion was determined to show Kaimon the truth—
That Deon wouldn’t bat an eye, even if the child died.
It was only a matter of time before Deon was completely cast out of Kaimon’s heart.
* * *
The next morning.
Rosalyn stretched and sat up in bed.
She pulled the covers aside and turned her head, still drowsy—
“…Huh?”
Rosalyn gasped and covered her mouth.
“Still sleepy, huh? Must be your age, Rosalyn.”
“…!”
“It’s already past ten.”
Her eyes widened in shock.
She had no idea how long Deon had been waiting.
She looked desperately at Rona, who only gave her an awkward smile.
That smile said it all—Deon had been waiting for quite some time now.
Standing there in her pajamas, completely unguarded in front of him, Rosalyn quickly ran her fingers through her tangled hair.
It was sticking out in every direction like a bird’s nest.
“I-I’ll go wash up now!”
“Go ahead.”
“…Aren’t you leaving?”
Rosalyn scurried off toward the bathroom but peeked back from behind the door. Her face was still puffy with sleep. Deon chuckled quietly, amused by the sight.
“I came to have breakfast with you, but looks like that won’t happen.”
“I’ve got a council meeting to attend soon.”
