TVDML 03

Chapter 3

Raising Lara and Didi together was a war.

Especially since Lila was a huge troublemaker, Baldwin often got caught up in her antics.

“Whew.”

And as Baldwin was growing older, the worries only increased.

“Honey, don’t worry so much. Isn’t it such a relief that Didi and Lara are getting along well?”

The Duke tried to comfort the Duchess.

“That’s not it… It’s not like this is the first time Lara’s acted like this. It’s just…”

She wished Baldwin had been born a girl.

Then she could’ve had Baldwin study alongside Lila as a companion, and use that as a pretext to support him and open up his future.

In fact, in high-ranking noble families, it wasn’t uncommon for the daughter of a nanny to receive patronage and end up working in the Imperial Capital.

But that was only when the child was a girl.

The Duchess pressed her forehead anxiously.

‘I’m counting on you, Robelia. This is my last request.’

A desperate plea from her friend who walked into danger willingly.

To Robelia, Baldwin was like the last leaf on a branch.

‘If only he were a girl… a girl, a girl?’

Robelia suddenly lifted her head.

Why hadn’t she thought of that before?

She glanced over her shoulder at the Duke.

“Honey! I’ve got a great idea!”

“What is it…?”

“We should raise Baldwin as a girl! That way, he can study with Lila. It’s not that unusual in noble families to assign a female companion for their daughters’ studies, right?”

Robelia spoke quickly in an excited tone.

Up to now, to conceal Baldwin’s existence, the number of servants allowed near the children had been strictly limited.

Only the nanny, the butler, and the head maid were permitted.

So, no gossip had ever spread about Baldwin or Lila, and people still weren’t even sure whether Lila was a boy or a girl.

They certainly didn’t care about the nanny’s child.

“Dress Baldwin as a girl…?”

“Yes!”

When Baldwin was born, the emperor of Laigos, upon hearing the child was a boy—even before he was named—had furiously searched for him.

That’s why a red-eyed boy must not attract attention.

But a red-eyed girl? That was a different story.

Though red eyes were a Winchester family trait, they could occasionally appear in descendants of people connected to Winchester in the past.

This plan was revolutionary. It was also the safest.

Robelia exclaimed in excitement.

“Our Lila is a genius!”

Of course, they would need to ask Baldwin for his opinion, but there didn’t seem to be a better solution.

And sweet Baldwin would probably accept the plan Robelia came up with.

All they had to do was raise the child safely.

Baldwin couldn’t live as a girl forever, but it’s not like the Emperor of Laigos would live for a thousand years.

Everyone dies eventually, and red flowers don’t bloom for a hundred days straight.

So Robelia just needed to ensure the child’s early years passed safely.

Though rumors said Empress Yulia had closed the palace gates in mourning and lived only with the Crown Prince, Robelia knew that wasn’t the end.

She knew Empress Yulia, who had once been like a sister to her, wouldn’t give up so easily.

She knew that once Yulia had finished preparing everything, she would re-emerge.

And Robelia was waiting for that moment—ready to stand by her side.

*

Mom sat Baldwin and me down with a solemn face two days after the incident.

These days, she had been limiting the amount of dessert Baldwin and I were allowed to eat, so we were nibbling carefully at today’s snack, trying not to drop a single crumb.

As we were completely focused on the treat, she spoke in a serious tone.

“Baldwin, there’s something I need to tell you. It might be hard to understand now, but… I’d like you to study with Lila. The thing is, if you’re a boy, I can’t make that happen.”

Wait a second.

Isn’t this plot going in a very different direction from the original?

In the original, Baldwin lived as the nanny’s son until he was fully grown.

They had disguised him as a servant to raise him secretly, avoiding attention.

That’s why from the age of eight, Baldwin referred to Lila as “Young Lady.”

I had been planning to live out the beautiful dream of being my favorite character’s “young lady.”

But now…

“So I was hoping Baldwin could pretend to be a girl. That way, you can study with Lila. What do you think?”

Mom tried to speak in a gentle tone, matching the level of a seven-year-old.

She must have been inspired by how I had dressed Baldwin up in a dress the other day.

“Is that what you really want, Mom?”

Baldwin asked calmly.

Contrary to his cold and elegant appearance, our little kitty had a heart of gold.

The author often described Baldwin with words like “sinister,” “two-faced,” or “dangerous,” but in truth, characters who are gentle only to the heroine are always well loved.

That’s why I had been convinced Baldwin was the male lead.

Readers’ tastes are consistent in that way—rules apply to everyone but their favorite.

And Baldwin had always been kind and gentle to Lila and her family—up until Lila harmed the heroine.

Mom nodded, and Baldwin smiled softly.

It was a smile too angelic for a seven-year-old.

“Then I’ll do it.”

Uh… Excuse me?

Cross-dressing?

This isn’t that kind of novel…

Sorry, Baldwin.

I think I might’ve messed up your life…

*

Where did things go wrong? I needed to reflect.

All I ever wanted was to be a close friend of the heroine and a nemesis-like companion to the male lead—just to fulfill my role as a side character.

But now I had become the turning point in the male lead’s life.

That’s definitely something to reflect on.

Weren’t you supposed to stay low and act like a proper side character?

But when I saw Baldwin sitting meekly in a dress, I couldn’t help but think… it’s fine as long as he’s pretty, right?

Yes, it’s inevitably Baldwin.

The trope of the black-haired, red-eyed male lead is a 99% success formula in romance fantasy.

Even if Baldwin is dressed as a girl, the heroine will eventually recognize his true self and fall for him.

That’s how fate works in romance novels.

Lines like “I would have loved you no matter what you looked like” pop up all the time.

And if the heroine ever starts doubting Baldwin’s gender, I can subtly step in.

As the heroine’s close friend and the male lead’s sworn friend-nemesis.

“Actually… he has his reasons for cross-dressing.”

Since the heroine had a soft spot for tragic childhoods, learning about Baldwin and Aintz’s past would only make her care for him more.

I just needed to be the right helper at the right moment.

“I’ll do my best, sis.”

“Huh?”

Baldwin blinked sleepily, half-asleep from his nap.

His face, clad in a pink dress, looked as soft as a rice cake.

I rubbed my cheek against his fluffy one.

“Just trust me!”

Still half-asleep, Baldwin grabbed my hand tightly.

Then, like a docile lamb, he nodded gently.

“Okay. I trust only Lala.”

So fitting for the male lead—his looks, and even his voice, sounded like rolling marbles.

I guess I’m destined to be a successful fan.

I’m literally raising the male lead myself!

I pulled Baldwin into my arms as he snuggled close.

My adorable kitty.

What wouldn’t this loyal servant do for you?

Baldwin began to breathe softly in my arms.

Oh my god, so cute!

Time to come up with a new plan.

I needed to create a natural opportunity to bring him closer to the heroine.

In the original, Baldwin met the heroine at the academy.

But the Crown Prince and the heroine had already known each other before that.

Hmm. Isn’t it my duty to step up here?

To give Baldwin an advantage, I had to bring the heroine in early.

By becoming her friend myself.

Once the male and female leads get their happy ending, it’ll be my turn.

I had no lingering attachment to my past life.

In fact, I was more than satisfied to be reincarnated into this loving home from that hellhole of a previous life.

I was basically an orphan.

Being born into a good family meant nothing.

I was the evidence of my father’s affair, and my stepmother hated me to death.

“You should never have been born! How dare you come into our house…”

I had never once felt familial affection.

Honestly, I thought being hit by that car was a relief.

But here… I have a family who loves me.

For the first time, I heard the words: “My beloved daughter.”

Here, I was a treasure.

Any guilt I had over taking the place of the original “Lila” couldn’t outweigh my happiness now.

So I’ll be happy.

With Mom and Dad.