THSDR 12

Chapter 12

Thinking about how a person with such a gentle nature had shown such a sharp attitude the moment we first met…

Ah, of course. The Hezest bastards.

It’s definitely Hezest that’s in the wrong. No question about it.

“It’s okay, Cheres. I understand how you feel. Really. And I’m fine. Hezest… well, I think they deserve that kind of treatment.”

Cheres’s eyes trembled slightly.

I knew he still didn’t fully trust me. But there was no way such doubts would scatter just from something like this.

Did Cheres know? That Hezest had been involved in the deaths of his parents.

There wasn’t much detail about Cheres in the original story, so I wasn’t sure if he knew.

And beyond that, there had been more than one or two conflicts between them already.

“…I’m truly grateful that you understand.”

“If you ever have any difficulties in the future, just tell me, Cheres. I’d like to help with anything I can. I am a person of Bereiden now, after all.”

“…A person of Bereiden?”

“Yes. I now use the Bereiden name and have moved my roots here. So I suppose you could call me a person of Bereiden…”

I glanced at Cheres and added cautiously,

“…can’t you?”

My voice got smaller and smaller at the end—it couldn’t be helped.

“Hah. That may be true.”

Cheres ran a hand through his hair and nodded.

At this point, it felt like Cheres and I were starting to get along a little better, right? Having a smooth relationship with the homeowner was definitely a good sign.

I hoped the next six months would stay exactly like this.

But come to think of it… six months. After six months, would Cheres really disappear from this world?

“My instincts are telling me something, Your Grace.”

Borgus spoke gravely.

“This is likely a smokescreen. A scheme to enchant you with dazzling looks and smooth words. The Duchess is from Hezest. No one knows when she might stab you in the back.”

It was completely nonsense intuition, but there was no one here to correct him.

Cheres remained silent.

However, the clear violet eyes he had seen yesterday were too pure. As if they held no ulterior motives at all. As if everything she said was sincere…

“We’re already husband and wife, Cheres. From now on, I will prioritize Bereiden and you above everything else.”

Could someone say something like that with those eyes and still be lying? If so, Roana would be a demon in human skin—one who seduces and destroys people.

It had been a long time since someone looked at Cheres so dearly.

It had been like that when his parents were alive. It had been like that when his elder brother was alive. Cheres knew how warm it felt under that kind of protection—the unconditional trust and love his family had given him.

He still remembered that overwhelming affection.

And yet, in Roana’s words, he could feel something like that same affection.

She seemed to value Cheres in a strangely sincere way.

‘That can’t be.’

It must be an illusion born from longing.

Cheres let out a small sigh. The reason that illusion felt so sweet was probably because he still missed his family.

Roana was poison to him.

A dangerously sweet poison.

Cheres pressed his palm against his eye.

This poison was dangerous.

“As planned, we will bring Lady Chloe in as a maid. Fortunately, she seems to have accepted. And since she is Your Grace’s longtime friend, she will surely be helpful.”

“…Do as you see fit.”

Cheres answered in a tired voice, as if telling Borgus to proceed if he insisted. There was no energy in his tone. His confusion alone was already overwhelming.

I went for a morning walk with Hayden.

According to the head maid, Diane had never once taken Hayden outside, claiming it would expose him to germs.

The child’s world, which should have expanded, had instead been trapped in a tiny well.

“Uuung! Nya-nya! Nya-nya!”

I carefully taught Hayden, who was reaching toward a fluttering butterfly.

“Butterfly. Isn’t it pretty?”

“Nyappi!”

“Good job. Our Hayden is amazing, isn’t he?”

I clapped and gave him a thumbs-up. Hayden seemed delighted, kicking his feet and repeating “butterfly” over and over. Holding him in my arms while he squirmed was a bit tiring, so I placed him in a baby chair at the garden table.

“This is a flower.”

“Kko!”

“That’s right! Good job! So amazing!”

“Kko! Kko!”

He smiled, showing tiny rice-grain teeth. The little devil who had cried all night yesterday seemed to have disappeared.

Just in case, I wrapped my finger in a handkerchief and checked his gums—something huge was coming in.

Tsk.

When my niece’s molars came in, I wanted to drill them out with a needle. I didn’t think I’d experience it here too. On top of that, two upper canines were coming in at the same time.

His growth, previously stagnant, was happening all at once.

I rummaged through the picnic basket for snacks to feed Hayden. Picnics needed lunchboxes. I decided to start gently with banana.

I mashed the banana and lightly smeared it on his lips.

Hayden licked his lips and his eyes sparkled.

“Mamma! Mamma!”

Tasty, right? I knew it. I happily fed him the mashed banana.

“Oh, good boy. Our Hayden is so impressive. Who told you to be this impressive?”

I gave him a spoon. I had prepared an extra one just for this. While he dug into the bowl with one spoon, I fed him with another.

Maybe I really was suited for childcare.

“This is banana, Hayden.”

“Nya-nya!”

“That’s right!”

I clapped again.

“Banana! Very good!”

Praise makes even whales dance. Let’s do our best, Hayden. Let’s show remarkable growth and surprise your father.

Hayden smiled innocently, unaware of my ulterior motives.

“Mamma!”

Of course I just look like food to you, huh.

So what?

If he had teething pain again tonight, I’d wipe his gums with a cold damp cloth. If I didn’t sleep properly again today, tomorrow would be rough. Let’s do well today, little star.

While I was feeding him warm milk and wishing for his nap, someone approached lightly.

Right, the maid was supposed to arrive today.

“Hello, Duchess. We meet again like this. We introduced ourselves briefly before, remember? I’m Chloe.”

It was the woman with a fragile, almost crumbling smile.

Wow, she’s pretty again today.

She was Cheres’s friend, I think. So she wasn’t someone to “make use of,” but a proper “Lady Chloe.”

I quickly smiled brightly.

“I’m really glad we met again, Chloe! Let’s get along well from now on.”

“…I will do my best to assist you, Duchess.”

Seeing her soft smile made me feel oddly relaxed. I was definitely weak against beautiful people.

She was from House Malate, right? After being burned by House Yotley once, I’d learned to be cautious.

But nothing immediately suspicious came to mind, so maybe they weren’t a problematic family.

Maybe I should investigate her background.

“You were taking care of Hayden. He really is such a gentle baby. He even lets me hold him when I visit sometimes.”

Before I could even ask anything, Chloe brought up Hayden.

Her eyes toward him didn’t look bad.

Maybe I’ll keep observing. Chloe will observe me, and I’ll observe her as well.

In any case—first impression: approved.