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The Duke sat firmly behind her desk.
The head butler, Gallio, stood right next to her.
Three officers sat upright in the chairs in front of the desk.
As soon as my brother appeared, they stood up, their curious eyes immediately darting toward me.
“Hello.”
I had never seen them before so I gave them a big bow.
“Hello, Dia-nim.”
“Hello…”
Maybe it was because I was an official guest now, but the officers used honorifics.
‘It’s a little embarrassing.’
The Big Bear laughed and said, “So you went out?”
The officers who saw the Big Bear’s face looked appalled.
‘What’s wrong with them? Is it because he laughed?’
“Yes. If you’re busy… I can come later?”
“No. It’s alright. Are you here to give me cotton candy?”
“Yes.”
“Come and give it to me.”
My brother took two cotton candy sticks from his subspace and handed them to me.
The Duke and Galio’s gaze, as well as the three officers, became even stronger.
‘Strangely, I’m a little nervous.’
I grabbed a stick first and walked to Big Bear, and held it out politely.
“Here.”
“Thank you.”
The Big Bear smiled as he received it, gently stroking my head with his free hand.
Brother then approached, handing me the second stick of cotton candy.
Suddenly, I was more nervous than before.
I was worried.
‘She’s not going to refuse right?’
The Duke stood up, standing in front of her desk. I approached the Duke again, took a deep breath, held the second stick in my hands, and held it out slowly.
“Eat some cotton candy.”
The Duke’s eyes grew round.
“Me?”
For some reason I felt shy, so I didn’t say anything.
“She bought it for you Mother,” Brother smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Oh…”
The Duke stared me in the face, and with anxious eyes I stared back at the Big Bear.
The Big Bear nodded with a slightly smiling face as if he was saying it was alright.
Only then could I look back at the Duke with a relieved face.
She smiled and leaned down to pick up the cotton candy.
“Thank you.”
“No.”
I took a step back and bowed.
“Then, I’ll go back.”
“Keuk.”
I think it was one of the officers who laughed, but I couldn’t tell exactly. What I did know, however, was that when the Big Bear looked at the officers, everyone suddenly closed their mouths.
Upon saying goodbye to the officers, my brother immediately hugged me.
“You must be tired Dia. Go ahead and take a nap, just make sure to brush your teeth before that,” Big Bear said.
“Okay.”
“Dinner is later at 7 o’clock. See you then.”
“Yes. See you later.”
“Then, I’ll see you at dinner. Mother. Father.”
After saying his goodbyes, my brother left the office and took me to my room.
“Welcome, Miss.”
The word ‘Miss’ was always a little ticklish.
It felt good.
“Yes. Lavigne… This.”
I once again received a stick of cotton candy from my brother and handed it to him.
“Oh. Are you giving it to me?”
“Yes.”
“Aw! Thank you!”
Lavigne exclaimed, genuinely pleased.
I smiled broadly in response. My brother also smiled and said to Lavigne, “Help her brush her teeth, wash up, then let her take a nap. We’ll be having dinner together later at 7 o’clock.”
“See you later Dia.”
My brother patted my head, and once again disappeared.
Lavigne carefully put away the cotton candy and held my hand.
“I’ll help you wash up. Then, you can take a nap. Okay?”
I didn’t think I could sleep because I rarely took naps. Still, I nodded.
The maids washed me just like they did the previous day. I was still embarrassed, but it was less than yesterday.
‘…Oh? I’m sleepy…’
Just like yesterday, I fell asleep while taking a bath.
***
“Miss. Wake up.”
My eyes opened when I heard Lavigne’s voice. Looking at the clock on the wall, I saw there were still two hours left before dinner time.
‘I want to sleep more.’
Still, I shouldn’t stay in bed.
“After washing your face, I’ll tell you more about the daycare center you will go to tomorrow. After that, we can prepare you for dinner.”
“Okay.”
I washed my face as Lavigne sat me down in a chair, now with a clear mind. My body clearly felt rejuvenated.
‘Napping is a good thing.’
The staff at the orphanage used to make them take naps, but I rarely slept because I either studied magic or did everything else while pretending to sleep.
‘That nap was a great break. I’m going to take them from now on.’
“Can one take naps at the daycare center?”
“Yes. You can take naps after lunch. You can sleep, wake up, then return to the Duchy.”
“Okay.”
“Well, let me show you the timetable for the daycare.”
Lavigne sat next to me and took out a paper.
The white paper was thin and clean, and the words were clearly printed.
‘This fiefdom really is great.’
“Here. It says that it starts at nine.”
Lavigne pointed her finger at the part she had just read aloud.
“You do various different activities every day. Tomorrow you’ll have time to play with blocks. This, is the word block, Miss.”
I immediately noticed what Lavigne was thinking.
“I know that writing.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I can read and write.”
I read the paper aloud. Thankfully, my pronunciation was alright.
Lavigne’s eyes widened as she smiled brightly.
“A genius! How can you read so well as a seven-year-old!”
I felt good when I heard the compliment.
“Would you like to try and write?”
Lavigne took out another piece of paper. She then took out a pen and placed it in front of my hands.
I thought about what to write for a while and wrote a sentence.
“Huh.”
Lavigne’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Hmm.”
Lavigne’s eyes narrowed further.
“Hmmmmm.”
The sound of breathing, which seemed to be deeply agonizing, rang again.
But at last, Lavigne spoke with an embarrassed face, “I’m sorry, but I don’t seem to recognize it. Can you tell me what you wrote?”
“I wrote, Candy is dewicious- No. Delicious.”
“I guess it’s because your hands are still small. You’ll surely be able to use them all when you grow up!”
“Yes…”
Lavigne quickly changed the subject.
“You’ll be in the milk class.”
“Milk class?”
“You’ll need to drink lots of milk.”
Something was clearly wrong.
“By any chance, is it a place where there are many small children like me?”
“That’s right. I can’t believe you noticed that right away. As expected, our Dia is a genius!”
Lavigne praised sincerely, but it didn’t sound like a compliment.
“Can’t I go to a different class?”
“You can go once you’re tall.”
“That’s… I don’t think that will be easy…”
My shoulders drooped.
Lavigne showed a sad look on her face, but she whispered with her eyes that she was dying of love.
“Drink a lot of milk and you’ll grow up soon.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Now, let’s prepare you for dinner.”
“What is a jeongchan?”
I had been curious ever since I heard it, but I had forgotten up until now.
“It refers to the Duke’s family having a formal meal with the main people working for the territory. One has to dress properly, follow etiquette, and eat food of various courses.”
“Oh no, I don’t know much of etiquette!”
“That’s alright. You’re still young, so it’s okay even if you only eat with a spoon. You’ll also get something easy to eat.”
“That’s a relief…”
“Now, let’s get ready.”
“Already? There’s still an hour left. Does it really take that long?”
I said as I tilted my head.
“It won’t take too long. You’re young after all.”
Somehow, I had an ominous hunch.
The two maids who helped me take a bath came in. There was nothing in their hands, but when Lavigne clapped her hands, he poured out this and that from a subspace.
“Here we go.”
Lavigne smiled and clapped once again.
***
About 40 minutes later, Lavigne declared, “It’s finally done!”
“Really…?”
“Really. Now, open your eyes and look in the mirror.”
I opened my eyes just as Lavigne said. A large full body shone right in front of me.
“Wow…”
I was unrecognizable in the mirror.
It was this dress that the two maids quarreled violently about and ultimately agreed upon.
The top had white lace, and the large ribbon hanging in the center of the abdomen was very cute as an accent point.
The pale pink skirt was one that flowed outward abundantly, making a sound with each move. It came just below my knees, showcasing my tights made of white lace underneath.
‘The shoes are cute too.’
The dark pink shoes glowed white.
Next to my neatly combed hair, a ribbon, much like the one on my top, laid neatly. Down to my white lace gloves, everything was perfect.
‘Lovely!’
My eyes glistened eagerly as I looked at myself in the mirror.
Lavigne and the maids laughed at me for being cute.
“I have to go out now…”
Lavigne pondered for a moment, then gestured the other maids toward the door.
All the maids withdrew, and the doors closed.
“Miss.”
Lavigne leaned over, adjusted her gaze, and looked me straight in the eyes.
Although she had a smile on her face, her eyes were very serious.
“I know you’re young, but I also know you’re smart. So please remember what I say from now on.”
“Okay.”
“Miss is a valued guest of the Duchy, but that is also precisely why there will be people who will ignore or dislike you. They will be jealous of you. I don’t think it will happen inside the castle, but there might be someone who will bother you. There will definitely be some people who will approach a young girl like you.”
While talking, Lavigne seemed to be worried if I understood.
I clearly replied, “I understand what you mean.”
A satisfactory smile appeared on Lavigne’s face and disappeared.
“If anyone tries to bully or use you, please tell me right away. You have to tell me, not your family.”
“Why is that?”
“It would not be good for your reputation if the Duke’s family came forward in person. You are in a position everyone is jealous of. And if the Duke herself acts, they will only be even more jealous. That won’t help you settle here in the long run.”
I couldn’t tell her that I had no intention of settling down, that I would leave in three years.
I shut my mouth tight.
“I want you to stay here for a long time. Happily.”
“Happily…”
“Yes.”
Lavigne smiled and brushed my cheek lightly.
It was a warm touch, enough to fill my heart with warmth.
“You’re going to meet a lot of people now but don’t worry. There is the Duke, and me too. We’ll give you strength. And I know I just told you to tell me if anyone is bothering you, but this doesn’t mean that you have to endure it unconditionally when you’re bullied.”
“Yes.”
“Well, we’re running out of time, so that’s all for my advice. You’ll be late, get out of here.”
Lavigne took my hand and went out of the room.
My brother soon stood in front of me.
“Wow! You look amazing!”
My brother was wearing a nice black tuxedo. His hair was straightened back, emphasizing his rough but handsome features.
In particular, his golden eyes shone more intensely than usual and looked mature.
“Our Dia is so pretty!”
My brother held out his hand to me with a big smile.
Lavigne spoke sternly, blocking him with her hand.