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Chapter 6
Magnus stared at him with a hardened expression.
“If the child gets hurt, I’ll soothe her well. Just leave it at that, and she won’t come again.”
Magnus parted his lips, but in the end, said nothing and shut his mouth.
“Today, the child has a high fever, so I’ll be leaving for now. I only came for some herb seeds.”
“Fever?”
“Yes. She was outside too long yesterday, so she has a slight fever.”
“And the physician?”
“I’ll treat her myself. I even got the medical license.”
Klein answered briefly, then turned sharply and left the estate without looking back.
“…Hah.”
Magnus ran his hand roughly through his silvery hair. Once the initial tension passed, his vision cleared a little.
“You might think before speaking next time.”
“…Shut up. Send the herbs.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bell smiled faintly and bowed. This habit of speaking first and regretting later had been Klein’s for a long time.
After the fever had broken and she had fully recovered, I got scolded by my father for going to the main building.
He asked me to be careful, since the people there didn’t like either of us.
Seeing how worried my father looked, I simply nodded.
When I said I just wanted to see the newspaper, he promised to order it separately next time so I wouldn’t have to sneak around.
“Tch.”
I pouted.
Still, there’s nothing to complain about to Dad. I went there on my own!
Bang!
I slammed my pillow with my fist, thinking about how I never expected Dad would find out exactly what happened at the main building.
Still, thanks to him, I got my newspaper, and I could roughly tell the date.
During my sickness, the cold had continued for days, and that morning, snow had fallen overnight. The world was pure white.
I decided, with Dad’s permission, to go outside and make a snowman.
He said I could do it alone, but he still seemed uneasy.
I’m not a little kid anymore.
I just wanted to try something I had held back before so I wouldn’t worry Dad.
If I wasn’t going to live long anyway, why bother holding back?
I should do everything I want!
I clenched my fist and turned my head. The annex door still hadn’t opened.
When will it open…
As I rolled snowballs, I heard someone entering the annex.
I spun around to see the butler.
“Miss Ledeia.”
“Ah… Butler!”
I left the half-finished snowman and rushed to him.
“Careful, don’t trip. Don’t run.”
“What’s the matter… F-Father is inside for now…”
He smiled kindly, handed me a piece of candy, and slowly shook his head.
“Even without the Third Prince here, the Duke sent a gift for you.”
“A gift…?”
“Yes. Herbs and some toys. Will you accept it?”
“Uh….”
Why would he send me a gift? I thought he hated me.
No, but if I accept it, Dad will probably hate it…
As I fretted, Butler Bell spoke first.
“By the way, the Prince has already been refused three times.”
Ah, he tried giving it to Dad first, but since Dad wouldn’t accept, now he’s trying with me.
Of course, he wouldn’t give it willingly.
But if I refuse, will he get angry saying, “How dare you reject my gift?”
Hmm…
Uuuuuh!
After much thought, I bowed politely.
“Miss…?”
“Actually, this isn’t really my gift. It’s Father’s, right? He probably wants to win me over because Dad won’t accept it… I’m not a kid who falls for a single candy!”
I shook my head, stood tall, and said confidently.
The butler’s expression changed subtly.
“Anyway, I’m sorry! Since Dad would dislike it, I’ll politely refuse.”
I added a final note to make it absolutely clear.
“…….”
The butler now looked genuinely surprised, eyes wide.
Huh, he didn’t expect me to see through it?
Well, a mere five-year-old probably wouldn’t be expected to understand this much.
But I’m not a child when it comes to the contents.
“Puhaha, she’s funny, Bell.”
A familiar voice made me flinch.
What… what? Why is he here?
“…Young Master, didn’t you say you wouldn’t come in?”
It was Valux Tigreto, mischief written all over his face, hands in his pockets.
A thick fluffy scarf was wrapped around his neck, perfectly prepared for the cold.
“You’re the one at fault for not coming out sooner.”
“Anyway… understood. I’ll pass the message to the Master.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you. Goodbye!”
I bowed and waved energetically.
“Hey, you said you were my cousin?”
“Eh, me? No?”
Dad said neither he nor I are really Tigreto family. We’re just living here temporarily.
“Not really? Bell, you said it was true?”
“Yes, that’s correct, but…”
“Dad said we’re not Tigreto family. What was it… hmm… oh, guest family! That’s it! So we’re never supposed to go to the main building. I got scolded badly not long ago.”
Valux blinked. So we were guest family?
“You must’ve been troubled too, Butler. Grandpa really dislikes me. He seemed angry that day… I won’t go again. The newspaper’s fine! Dad got it for me.”
Hah, Dad’s the best.
I didn’t realize it before, but after almost dying and coming back, I understood how soft Dad is with me.
I gave a big thumbs-up, and he froze.
“Uh…”
Seeing the butler at a loss for words, I chuckled and clenched my fist proudly.
“It’s fine. I only need my dad.”
My happiness is having Dad happy. This time, I aim to become independent before I turn fifteen.
“…Hmm, so what were you doing?”
“Getting ready to make a snowman!”
“A snowman? Why make one?”
“Because it’s cute! Dad said he’d bring ingredients, but he hasn’t… Ah, hurry! Dad will get angry…”
Clack, the door opened.
Oh no.
One step too late.
“Father!”
“Ledeia, sorry I’m late. I couldn’t find carrots in the kitchen, so I had to grow some again…”
He noticed the butler standing there, and his expression stiffened.
Butler Bell gave a strained smile and slightly bowed.
“You and the Duke never listen to me anyway.”
“Good afternoon, youngest Prince.”
“Thanks to you, my afternoon’s ruined. I said I wouldn’t accept it. Go… or rather, leave.”
Dad glanced at me and changed his words.
“I’ve conveyed my opinion as best I could. The Master ordered it, so as a mere servant, I had no choice but to follow orders. Why not go and refuse it yourself?”
“Nonsense. I’m not going there.”
With a cold, expressionless face, Dad knelt on one knee and handed me the ingredients—tomatoes and carrots—seriously.
