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Chapter 16
When I puffed up my cheeks, the Duke silently pointed to a box placed in the corner of the carriage. Inside were some snacks the maids had packed for the trip, peeking out invitingly.
If he thought I’d cheer up with something like that, he was wrong—but still, I’ll gladly eat them.
I took a caramel-coated cookie and looked out the window.
The view outside had turned into a beautiful early spring meadow. At first, I was awestruck, but…
This just goes on forever! So boring!
“Duke, you said we’re headed to the Marquess of Godell’s territory, right? How much longer?”
“About four more hours.”
Ack! Sure, it’s not a bullet train, but four hours?! There aren’t even any rest stops out here!
…Ugh, I want some butter potatoes.
“Sol, you just thought something weird, didn’t you?”
“Ah, no, not at all.”
“Time for a few lessons. First, don’t carelessly ask things like ‘how far is it to the next territory’ in front of others.”
“Why not?”
“It could be interpreted as comparing territory sizes.”
Ugh, how complicated.
The Duke wasn’t done.
“Second, what should you call me?”
“…Ah…”
Just three syllables—father—but my mouth stumbled like fa-fa-father.
“Can’t I just say… Duke?”
“No.”
Ugh, damn it. Why is saying father such a big deal! I feel like Hong Gil-dong, the legendary son who couldn’t call his father “Father” and lived in bitterness!
“Fa… ther…”
“Good, Sol. Make sure to call me that in front of others. But otherwise, keep your mouth shut.”
“What if someone asks me something?”
“If it’s about living conditions, say you’re doing well. For everything else, say something like, ‘I don’t know yet, but I’m happy every day.’”
“Yes.”
“If you answer negatively or respond carelessly to sensitive questions…”
The Duke pointed to a deer outside the window. Though it was early spring, life hadn’t fully returned to the land. The deer, wandering in search of sprouts, was so skinny its ribs were clearly visible.
“Then you, too, might get to live freely like that.”
A life of starving while wandering “freely.” Such a villainous threat.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“I believe you.”
The Duke snapped his head to the side. His jawline could cut, and his eyes were even sharper. Tensed up, I clutched my skirt tightly.
I will survive this—and when your downfall comes in the original plot, I’ll laugh in your face!
While I plotted his demise in my head, the carriage arrived at the Marquess of Godell’s estate. Uniformed servants came to greet us.
“Welcome, Your Grace, Duke Schlayger.”
The Duke didn’t even nod in response.
The servant was visibly tense. But when he turned to me, his face lit up like a student studying abroad who found kimchi in a foreign supermarket. His voice became sweet like he was talking to a child.
“Welcome, my lady.”
“Ah, hello!”
If someone greets you, you should greet them back, right?
…Apparently, not here. As soon as I returned the greeting, all the surrounding servants flinched as if I’d said something unthinkable.
Wait, seriously? Are nobles not even allowed to greet servants?
The servant quickly pretended he hadn’t heard anything and placed a footstool by the carriage. I half-stepped, half-jumped down and hurried after the Duke.
As soon as he saw me catching up, he muttered under his breath.
“Concerned about a servant’s well-being, Sol?”
You rich jerk, would your tongue fall off if you spoke kindly to a worker?
“He greeted me first…”
“If a servant opens a door for you, do you need to close it for him too?”
“No.”
“You only need to greet those you’re formally introduced to. You’re already causing enough unease, so don’t go flapping that clueless mouth of yours.”
“…Yes.”
He’s annoying on all fronts. I don’t even want to stand next to him. But the unfamiliar surroundings kept me on edge.
Unlike the Duke’s mansion, which was decorated in elegant blue tones, the Godell estate was lavish in gold and red. Every corner sparkled with golden ornaments. I felt like even my fingerprints might start glittering if I touched something wrong.
The Duke clicked his tongue.
“Still the nouveau riche, that Godell.”
So he can say whatever he wants while telling me to keep my mouth shut?
Well, the servants around us acted like they heard nothing. They simply turned their heads and resumed their duties.
Guests who seemed to be nobles flinched when they saw Ratiger. Some looked like they’d seen a monster. But when they made eye contact, they forced a smile and bowed like they were greeting their master.
You could hear sighs of relief from people after we passed.
As the sun began to set, the banquet started in the estate’s inner courtyard. Soft music played, and guests sat by family tables, sipping champagne served by attendants.
You could help yourself to food from the buffet tables. Can I eat some too? The Duke noticed where my eyes were.
“Sol, don’t act like a starving beast. You’re supposed to be proof that ‘the Schlayger’s adopted daughter is well cared for.’”
“…Yes.”
“It’s starting now.”
Before I could ask what, someone approached our table. He looked around forty, dressed in a richly embroidered red frock coat—no doubt…
“Your Grace, Duke Schlayger! What an honor to have you at the estate! This must be a sign of great fortune this year!”
Yup, this has to be the Marquess of Godell—the guy the Duke just called a nouveau riche. The Duke replied without changing his expression.
“You exaggerate. I simply thought it time to see the other local lords. I have no particular good news for you.”
“Haha, as long as there’s no news of war, that’s good enough. And this lady… may I ask for an introduction?”
Other nobles near the marquess leaned in to listen.
Eek, I don’t have to speak, right? The Duke will do the talking, right?
“She’s the child I recently adopted. Her name is Sol Schlayger.”
“Adopted?”
Gasps spread among the nobles. The Duke’s voice dropped low.
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no, of course not! It’s just—you already have three promising sons—well, two… uh…”
Poor marquess. He turned pale as he realized his slip.
The Duke has three sons. But the eldest severed ties and ran away due to Ratiger’s villainy. Whether someone says he has two or three sons, it’s a sensitive topic.
Everyone froze, watching the Duke’s reaction.
He seemed to glance briefly at a butter knife on the table, but… thankfully, he answered like a civilized adult.
“I’m simply fulfilling my wife’s dying wish.”
As the topic changed, the marquess’s face relaxed with relief. Saved!
“Ah, you mean the late Duchess Iren.”
“Yes. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. Though born a noble, she had no family to rely on.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. The story of how you supported her is spoken of even in the capital.”
“It’s nothing to boast about. Before her death, she asked me to care for children in similar situations. I simply acted on that wish.”
The Duke’s hand rested on my shoulder. There was no warmth in it.
“Introduce yourself, Sol.”
It felt like he was telling a hunting dog, Go bite them. I’ll have to fix that later.
I bowed my head. I’d seen it somewhere before, so I even lifted my skirt slightly for effect.
“Hello, I’m Sol… Schlayger. Today—”
I was about to say, “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” when I felt a tap on my ankle from under the table. That meant shut up.
Hey! You villain! Be nicer to the kid!
Cut off, I sat down with my face flushed. The Duke spoke in a calm, low tone.
“She’s still shy. Please understand.”
“Ah, ha ha! It’s charming. I’m sure she’ll get used to these events soon.”
“Then, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like the child to have some time to rest.”
That was basically Get lost.
The marquess and others around us retreated, looking like people stepping away from the edge of a cliff.
Man, I want to leave too.
“…Father, is that enough?”
“Yes. No one will bother you now. If you’re curious about anything else, ask me.”
“Understood.”
“But don’t ask useless questions.”
“….”
Just say you want me to shut up.
Anyway, I survived that ordeal. I headed straight for the food table.
It was just simple finger foods, but that’s good enough for me!
As I happily stuffed my plate, I heard whispers around me.
“He adopted a girl?”
One of the Duke’s nicknames is The Grim Reaper on Horseback, earned in his youth on the battlefield. Even now, it still sticks—not just the nickname, but his reputation too.
“They say it was his wife’s dying wish, but who’d believe that? What’s he really up to?”
“Poor girl. Look, he doesn’t even care where she is.”
Hey, Duke! I told you! Your awful reputation can’t be fixed by adopting a kid!
Now I was genuinely nervous.
He dragged me here under the pretense of his wife’s will, but if it becomes obvious I’m doing nothing to help his image…
Will the story follow the original plot?
Once I’m seen by everyone, he’ll use the excuse that I’m “shy” and lock me away at home for six years. Then, on the day of the sword-and-spear tournament—boom! Terrorist attack! I die protecting my adoptive father, and he spins it into a PR stunt!
No way. I need to prove my worth quickly and make sure people remember me.
But I was told not to say anything unnecessary. I need a childlike way to stand out…
…Then, I noticed the courtyard trees, giving off the fresh scent of early spring.
This could work.
After munching down one more finger food, I put my plan into action.
When I returned, the Duke was still sitting in the same place, drinking. He already looked dangerous; now he looked even more so.
Everyone around him treated him like a wolf.
Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be involved with someone like him either, but I’ve already possessed his daughter. What else can I do? I have to play my part.
After checking my shoulder, I ran over to him in a whiny voice.
“Faaather! Please, help meee!”
