TGHB 17

Chapter – 17

In fact, most of the people working at the duke’s estate probably shared the same thought.

The duke had only ever had one lover.

That lover had passed away four years ago, and they had no children together.

It was only natural, considering she had died in an accident before they could even marry.

Since then, countless marriage proposals had been sent, but the duke had ignored them all.

Even the vassals, the collateral family, and the previous dukes tried to persuade him to remarry, but he never budged.

And now… an illegitimate child?

Could that even be possible?

Moreover, the duchess’s age was four, meaning that he would have had to have an affair with Lavella…

“Seriously, this is absurd.”

The duke had genuinely loved Lavella.

He had even spent a while as if he were a walking corpse after her death.

So, honestly, it was natural not to believe that the duchess was the duke’s biological daughter—

“I never imagined the duchess would have noticed and been troubled by this.”

The moment she timidly asked about “father and daughter” with that tiny mouth, his heart sank.

“The duchess is remarkably observant, isn’t she?”

“Yes. She’s almost unnervingly perceptive.”

The young duchess was surprisingly sharp for her age.

It might have been a strength, but the maids serving Melony up close saw it differently.

“She must have had a rough life before coming here.”

“Yes. Every time she’s observing others, she tenses up.”

It was like watching a small creature raising its senses just to survive.

…She must have gone through a lot.

They didn’t know what life she had before meeting the duke, but judging from how awkward she was with “family” and “father-daughter” matters, probably…

“She didn’t have a family either.”

A heavy sigh escaped from Aina and the other maids.

Our sweet, kind, cute, and charming duchess.

Anyone who spent time with her couldn’t help but love her.

All four of them were already completely captivated by Melony.

So—

“We’re going to stick together from now on. No matter what happens, we’re on the duchess’s side.”

“Yeah, let’s do it!”

“From now on, forget any thoughts that the duchess might not be the duke’s daughter. Don’t even think about it, not even to yourself!”

“Yes. No matter what anyone says, the duchess is the duke’s daughter…!”

Just as their fiery pledges were exchanged—

“And you never know! The duchess might really be the duke’s daughter!”

A chilling silence fell immediately.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Could that really be true?

The thought was on the tip of their tongues, but the three couldn’t bring themselves to speak it.

They had just promised, no matter what, to consider the duchess the duke’s daughter.

But the naive maid tilted her head at their silence and timidly added:

“Maybe the duchess really is the daughter of the duke and Lavella…? I mean, look—she’s four years old, and Lavella had her accident four years ago.”

“…….”

“And since Lavella had spent about half a year apart from the duke before the accident, maybe… she was pregnant—”

“Watch your words. Don’t cross the line.”

“Yes, sorry. That was a bit of a leap. I’ll be careful from now on.”

The four of them exchanged serious looks and clasped their hands together.

“Now, everyone, focus. Let’s make sure the duchess never has to feel anxious again.”

Aina’s voice carried the weight of her command.

“Let’s go! Go, GONG-SAMO!”

At Aina’s cheer, their hands rose high in unison.

“How can no one know?”

In recent days, I had subtly asked the maids I was close with about “family” and “father-daughter” things.

I wondered if I could get any clues.

But all the answers were—

“Uh? Well, um, that’s… I-I’m not sure. I guess… I don’t know.”

A response full of flustered confusion.

Sigh. Nothing came of it.

At this point, I had no choice but to use my last resort.

Books! I was going to study!

“Eina, I want to go to the library!”

Hearing that, Eina gladly lifted me and headed to the library.

When we arrived, I couldn’t help but gasp.

“Wow…”

I thought I wouldn’t be surprised anymore, but the duke’s estate was truly extraordinary.

“How many books could this be?”

The massive library shelves were packed with countless books, impossible to count.

“Are you looking for a specific book, young lady?”

“Well… um…”

I had planned to quietly find books about “father and daughter” by myself, but seeing all these books made me forget that idea entirely.

I hesitated, and a man sitting at the library entrance approached nervously.

“Ah, are you… the duchess?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Melony, age four. The duchess.”

“Ah, I knew it! I-I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Kael Dastian, the librarian at the duke’s library. Pleased to meet you!”

After Kael introduced himself, Eina whispered a small comment.

“Oh, so he’s the new librarian who just arrived a few days ago.”

A new librarian just a few days ago?

Curious, I looked between the two of them, and Kael explained.

“Well, the previous librarian suddenly became ill… so they had to leave abruptly.”

Ah. Hearing that, I felt a strange sense of kinship.

I had been at the duke’s estate for less than ten days myself.

But still…

“Kael Dastian… why does that name sound familiar?”

I felt like I had heard it somewhere before.

As I stared, Kael blinked at me with a pale face.

“D-duchess… did I do something wrong…?”

“Nope. I was just happy to see you!” I replied cheerfully.

“It’s an honor!”

Seeing the color return to his pale face, I smiled brightly.

‘It must just be my imagination.’

There was no way I had heard a noble’s name before.

I shrugged and let it go.

“Are you here to look for books?”

“Yes! I came to borrow books!”

“Oh, what kind of books are you looking for? I can help you find them if you want.”

Kael offered help, and Eina looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Me too! I’ll help too!”

Haha, everyone was so kind.

With everyone volunteering, I couldn’t refuse their help.

“I want books about daughters and fathers.”

“Daughters and… fathers?”

“Yes. Stories where they get along.”

I had to specify this too.

I didn’t want books where the father and daughter were constantly at war.

But somehow…

‘Why do they look like that?’

I glanced at Eina and Kael, who were looking down at me.

“Ah… our young lady…”

Their eyes seemed watery.

‘Is it the dryness of the library?’

I tilted my head, and the two of them busily began searching.

“How about this book?”

“Hmm, maybe this one would be more interesting for a child.”

“If possible, it’d be better to pick one with a character similar to the duke’s personality, right?”

“Yes, that would be better.”

After whispering back and forth for a while, they picked out three books.

• I’m the Daughter of a Cold-Blooded Demon King?!

• Please Be Good, Father!

• The Youngest Princess Who Melts the Ice Kingdom!

“These are the most fun ones we could find for you.”

“Do you like them, young lady?!”

I read the titles again, eyes sparkling.

…These, these…

“Love them!”