THSDR 14

Chapter 14

Borgus frowned.

Chloe let out a sigh. Hearing that, Cheres spoke coldly.

“Are you saying it’s unfortunate that a vassal family was feeding off Bereiden’s money? And they even made Hayden suffer.”

“Hey, of course not. The countess really didn’t know! Are you seriously doubting me? You should’ve seen how much Countess Yotley cried in my arms that day. With our long relationship, there’s no way she would do something like that.”

It was an extremely emotional, completely illogical argument.

Cheres glanced at Borgus, as if asking whether Chloe was really the best choice.

“The Duchess must have slandered Countess Yotley. She probably just wanted to trouble Bereiden.”

“Do you have any evidence for that?”

“No, but you can just tell by looking at it. I can tell everything at a glance.”

On top of that, it was an absurd conspiracy theory.

What was even more astonishing was that Chloe showed no sense of guilt while saying all this. As if she were some righteous messenger speaking only what must be said, as if she herself embodied absolute justice. Her expression didn’t change either. She had been like this since childhood, and it seemed she still hadn’t grown out of it.

‘I should’ve known this would happen.’

If he had known Chloe was still like this, he would never have called her here.

He was already exhausted just one day after summoning Chloe.

“Besides, she even pushed her duties onto Lady Ureine. Taking care of Hayden, I mean. If she said she’d do it, she should do it herself. What’s so hard about taking care of a single baby that she has to pass it off? At this rate, can she even properly manage her duties as Duchess?”

Cheres replied, his exhaustion evident.

“You seem to be neglecting your own duties too. If you came here as a maid, shouldn’t you be by the Duchess’s side?”

“Hey, am I the same as the Duchess? I’m special to you, aren’t I, Cheres?”

Chloe blinked with emotional eyes.

Cheres ran a hand through his hair roughly, looking irritated. He wanted to throw her out immediately, but he held back once again because of the Malate family. He couldn’t forget the warmth of Countess Malate, who had comforted him in his childhood.

She had been the one to hold Cheres together after he lost his parents all at once and was left adrift. Because of that, Cheres could never be harsh with the Malate family. And the result of that was Chloe.

Cheres murmured quietly.

“The Duchess is more special.”

“Too much! If you keep saying that, I’ll get upset! I’ll tell my mother!”

For a moment, Borgus recalled Countess Malate’s faint expression when she had asked for Chloe to be sent as a maid. So this was what she meant.

“……”

“Anyway, since it’s your request, Cheres, I’ll keep a closer eye on the Duchess. She’s already a mess as it is.”

Chloe smiled brightly and waved her hand.

“I’ll come again, Cheres!”

Watching Chloe leave as freely as she had come, Cheres ground his teeth.

His sharp gaze turned to Borgus. Borgus shrugged.

“Do you still think Chloe was the right choice?”

“Yes. After today, even more so.”

Borgus smiled slyly—a fitting expression for his face.

“Lady Chloe has a natural talent for driving people insane. I believe no one is better suited than her to expose the Duchess’s true nature. People reveal their inner selves when pushed to the limit.”

Cheres sighed. He wondered if Borgus himself might not be entirely sane either.

“Hmmph.”

I woke up feeling a little refreshed.

It hadn’t been a long sleep, but it must’ve been deep because I felt much better. Now, shall I go see Hayden?

I hope he’s getting along well with Lady Ureine.

He was at the stage where he was learning to walk, so his range of movement was increasing. I had informed Lady Ureine, and they were currently installing rugs across Hayden’s room so the entire floor would act as padding. So he could fall and roll around freely.

They were even laying carpets over the entire mansion’s marble floors. Cheres didn’t seem to spare any expense when it came to Hayden.

“Did you sleep well? You look much better, Duchess.”

“It’s all thanks to Lady Ureine. I rested well. How’s Hayden?”

“He ate well, played, and then fell asleep.”

Hayden was sleeping soundly, wrapped in his crib. Seeing that peaceful face eased my heart. Yes, you must be exhausted too, waking up so often at night. It’s not like you choose to wake up.

“I’ll take care of him now.”

“Lady Chloe is also here at the moment, so please feel free to call her if you need help.”

“Oh, that makes things easier!”

So I finally have a maid. I hope she’s someone I can trust. I still wasn’t sure yet. I pictured her sharp face in my mind.

Well, as long as she takes good care of my little troublemaker, that’s all that matters. The child is the priority.

“You must be hungry. It’s a bit of an awkward time for a meal.”

It was just past 11 a.m.

“I’ll wait a bit and have lunch later. I’ll enjoy some free time while Hayden sleeps.”

“Yes, Duchess. I’ll take my leave then.”

After Lady Ureine left, I was alone in the room, hearing only the baby’s soft breathing. The rug installation in Hayden’s room had already been completed.

I picked up the books I had brought into the room over the past few days.

The Art of Becoming a Childcare Master

How to Raise My Baby into a Genius

Today Again, I Do Childcare

Most of them were parenting books.

Maybe I should seriously pursue this path. It actually suited me a little.

I also wanted to study how childcare differed between Korea and this world. Of course, I had also brought other useful books for surviving in this world.

Among them were books on agriculture. If worse came to worst, I’d just dig the land and survive somehow. Childcare was important, but so was figuring out how to live here. The ducal library was practically a bookstore.

While I was reading, the door opened slightly.

What? Without even knocking?

“Oh my, you’re here.”

It was Chloe.

“Oh, yes. Chloe, have you been out somewhere?”

Chloe smiled brightly. She had left without a word, and now returned just as silently. Was that just her personality? Or was she being treated specially?

“I was talking with Cheres. It’s been a while since we last met. I was staying at my grandmother’s place for a while.”

“I see.”

Something felt off, but maybe I was just being sensitive.

“But you’re reading books?”

“…Yes. Hayden is sleeping.”

“Isn’t it your duty as Duchess to take care of Hayden?”

Chloe tilted her head with an innocent smile.

“Then why are you focusing on other things? After all the criticism you gave Diane. Isn’t this neglecting your duties?”

The moment I heard that, I understood.

My maid was absolutely not on my side.

Are you my mother-in-law or something?

It wasn’t exactly the same kind of overstepping Diane did, but still.

We definitely couldn’t get along.

And honestly, wasn’t Chloe the one crossing the line right now? I closed the book with a thud.

“Hayden is sleeping.”

“I heard Lady Ureine was taking care of him all this time.”

“Then may I ask why you went off to spend time with Cheres without my permission? A maid’s duty is to step in when I’m absent, isn’t it?”

You’re not the only one with something to say. I do too.

I had tried to be careful because she was Cheres’s friend, but this was too much.

At that moment, Chloe lifted her chin and said,

“I’m special, so it’s fine.”