TGHB 29

Chapter – 29

Drawing pictures was also part of the ‘Acting Like a Daughter’ project.

That’s because the books I had read so far always contained scenes where the protagonist drew a picture and gave it to someone around them.

‘Sigh, I have quite a lot to do, don’t I?’

The only thing that made it worthwhile was that ‘giving a drawn picture as a gift’ was quite effective.

After all, everyone who received a drawing from me smiled brightly and happily said, ‘I’ll put it in a frame and keep it, Young Lady!’

Thanks to that, for the past few days, I’ve been working like a drawing factory, busily sketching the people of the mansion.

But.

‘Since I have something to do today, I’ll stop here.’

As I wriggled and moved, the Duke, who had been holding me on his lap, reacted.

“What is it? Where are you trying to go?”

“To find Onabeoni.”

“Onabeoni? You mean Louis?”

“Yep!”

Hmm.

As the Duke, who had slightly raised an eyebrow, rested his chin on the desk.

“Hup!”

I hopped down from the Duke’s lap.

Phew. Another perfect landing today.

“Fortunately, it seems you two are getting along well.”

Ouch.

Well… I’m not sure if I’d call it ‘getting along well’…

“…Ahem.”

“Oh my. Did I accidentally touch a sore spot?”

Contrary to his sighing tone, a beaming smile formed on the Duke’s face.

How annoying.

He seems to find it amusing that I’m facing hardships and adversity, doesn’t he?

But just you wait.

“We’ll be close soon…!”

As I stuck my stomach out slightly and mumbled, the Duke let out a light laugh.

“Is that so? I’ll look forward to it and cheer you on.”

His following words were also full of laughter, even as he added, ‘When you become close, let me know. I’ll even give you a congratulatory gift.’

‘So annoying…’

…I’m really going to become close to him no matter what.

I gnashed my teeth imperceptibly and left the office.

No, before leaving, I quickly ran to Hudson and handed him my sketchbook.

“Young Lady?”

“Pwease hold this for me. Hudsun.”

“Me? Well, okay…”

“Wait a minute. Your father is right here?”

The Duke cut off Hudson’s words.

‘Yeah. I can’t hear you.’

I lightly ignored him and continued speaking.

“Hudsun, take good care of my sketchbook.”

“I said your father is right here, Marshmallow? There’s probably no one in the Empire who can guard a sketchbook, or anything for that matter, as well as I can.”

“Take good care of it, Hudsun!”

“Aha. So you can’t hear me now…?”

“I’m going, Hudsun!”

I exclaimed energetically and left the office.

Through the crack in the closed door, I could hear them talking in hushed tones.

“Bring that here, Hudson.”

“But the Young Lady entrusted this to me?”

“Ah, is that so? Then, are you going to hand over your life or the sketchbook?”

“…My apologies, Young Lady. Please forgive this cowardly Hudson.”

Oh dear. Poor Hudson.

I shook my head from side to side and walked on diligently.

Walking alone in the hallway, I encountered many people.

“Hello, Young Lady.”

“Hewwo.”

“Where are you headed? Shall I escort you?”

“It’s otay. I can go by mythelf.”

“Even so, if you need my help, please say so anytime! I can carry you in my arms, give you a piggyback ride, or even crawl on all fours with you on my back!”

Huh? That last one is a bit…?

I gave an awkward laugh, ‘Hehe,’ and left the spot.

I thought I heard something like a shriek—’Kyaak!’—from behind.

‘Are they… are they doting on me?’

My face grew hot with a sudden rush of embarrassment.

‘Ah, I can’t hear it.’

Yep. I didn’t hear anything at all!

I walked on, pretending hard not to have heard anything.

‘By the way, where could Louis be?’

If I had known this would happen, I should have found out where Louis’s room was first.

I thought Louis would come find me again, so I didn’t bother to find out.

Well, it can’t be helped.

‘Let’s just ask the next person I meet!’

There are many people coming and going in the mansion’s hallways, so I should run into someone else soon.

And my prediction wasn’t wrong.

I hadn’t walked far before I ran into someone directly.

However, there was one problem—.

“G-Gwandfada?”

“…Grandfather?”

The fact that the person I ran into was the former Duke, perhaps?

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

‘S-Scary…!’

This was the first time we had met since our first encounter.

I didn’t go to the office for the first few days, and after I started going to the Duke’s office again, I had been lucky enough to avoid running into him somehow or other.

But…

‘Right. How could I avoid him forever?’

We live under the same roof.

In fact, it’s more surprising that we only ran into each other today.

‘His aura is no joke today, either.’

The Duke, holding a cane in one hand, stared down at me intently.

Even though he wasn’t saying a word, the pressure he exuded was no joke.

No matter how you looked at it, his presence was such that you could never think of him as an ordinary old man.

Hoo.

‘You can do this, Melony.’

Today, don’t tremble and steadily plant a good impression.

First, hands on the belly button.

Slap!

Next, a 90-degree bow!

Slap.

After excellently completing the two steps, I swallowed a gulp of saliva and opened my mouth.

“A-Annyeonghasaeyo.” (Hello.)

Good, I greeted him.

Next is self-introduction.

I stretched out my arm just like that and showed four spread-out fingers.

“Melony, I’m fow-.”

Ah, what a mistake.

‘I should have straightened my back first!’

I messed up the order because I was nervous.

I hurriedly straightened my bent back, then showed my four spread-out fingers again and opened my mouth.

“I’m fow, Melony. I’m the Duke’s dawter!”

Phew, that was perfect.

But for some reason, even after my perfect introduction, there was no reply.

Instead, the expression on the former Duke’s face became somewhat peculiar for some reason.

‘What is it? Did I do something wrong this time too?’

Ah, right.

‘A smile!’

I even gave a bright smile.

‘You can’t spit on a smiling face!’

But for some reason, the former Duke’s expression started to become even more peculiar than before.

…This is bad.

This time, I have no clue at all what I did wrong.

Is it another failure today?

Just as the corners of my mouth, which I had forced upward, were about to twitch uncontrollably.

“At least your manners are pleasing. I didn’t think that twisted Conti could have produced a daughter like this…”

He scratched the bridge of his nose with his large hand and muttered something softly.

“Pardon? What did you say just now…?”

“Enough. It wasn’t something for you to hear.”

“O-okay.”

Instead of questioning further, I quickly agreed.

Based on my pre-regression experience, adults prefer children who agree quickly over those who talk back.

“Hmm. So you’re that bastard’s daughter-, is that it?”

That ‘bastard’ must be referring to the Duke, right?

I nodded cautiously.

“Yeth, Gwandfada.”

Flinch.

Instantly, the Duke’s shoulder flinched slightly.

His eyes widened as he stared intently at me.

“What did you just say?”

“J-Just now?”

“Yes! What did you just…”

“G-Gwandfada?”

“Grand…father?”

Along with the voice quietly repeating the title once more, the eyebrows that had been raised high crumpled considerably.

Gulp.

…His face is scary.

‘Was there something he didn’t like?’

What did I do wrong? Did I ruin the first impression after all?

What if he tries to kick me out like this?

‘…That absolutely cannot happen.’

In an instant, anxiety flooded my mind.

I fidgeted with my clasped hands and racked my brain.

‘Angela. What did Angela do…’

What to do. I can’t remember.

…Then what did I do in the past?

‘Ah, I remember this.’

To be precise, it wasn’t me, but something the orphanage director did.

Before my regression, when I lived in the orphanage.

When people came to see the children, the director would line us up and introduce us.

As if to warn us not to say any unnecessary words, she would introduce us with great enthusiasm, spitting as she spoke.

Just like someone selling goods.

…The words she used when introducing me back then-.

“I… I only need two meals a day! And I don’t eat much either!”

“Hmm? What is that-“

“A-And! I don’t need toys or clothes! I listen well, I don’t talk back, and I don’t act presumptuously…!”

Oh, as I speak, I’m starting to get the hang of it.

It’s a bit rambling since I’m trying to think and talk at the same time.

“A-And, I’m so small you can barely see me! If you don’t want to look at me, I can hide well so you won’t see me! I don’t cry much either, so I won’t whine.”

Hmm, this counts as a strength too, right?

It’s a bit confusing.

But this one was definitely a strength.

“I have power too! It’s not dark power, but I can fix broken things! I can fix anything for you! W-well, probably!”