The mansion is a veritable fortress.

Requesting guards is essentially questioning Duke Cromwell’s fundamental capabilities.

‘But that iron fortress gets thrown into chaos because of one intruder.’

In the game, guards are only added after the assassination event ends.

‘It’s like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted—I cursed like crazy while playing the game.’

Even without protective magic, wouldn’t having just one guard help escape the assassin’s threat?

But if I say something like Anastasia will be kidnapped in spring, I’ll be treated as mentally ill.

“As the lady grows up, she’ll go out frequently, and if we recruit guards then, she might be shy around strangers.”

In the game, the lady starts going out often when she turns three.

I won’t be here by then…… so it would be good if there’s one more person she knows from now.

“Wouldn’t it be more psychologically stable for the lady to be guarded by someone she’s familiar with from the beginning, rather than suddenly having to deal with a stranger?”

To secure guards as quickly as possible, I spewed out any words that came to mind as justification.

When a reasonably convincing sentence emerged, Duke Cromwell put down his knife on the table and said,

“I’ll have them recruited.”

I thought it would end inconclusively without results.

Duke Cromwell said something unexpected.

For the first time since my transmigration into Bling Bling ♡ Raising A Noble Lady, he appeared to be “Anastasia Cromwell’s guardian.”

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

The good news didn’t end there.

“You’re not following me today?”

“……I’ll trust you for now.”

There was one more piece of good news that greeted me as soon as I entered the library.

“……! You really won’t regret it!”

Veros had stopped following me around.

“Shhh— Lower your voice. I’m already starting to regret my decision……”

“Yes, sorry. Small voice when reading, and return finished books to the return shelf.”

“Glad you remember at least.”

I quickly disappeared from his sight before Veros could change his mind.

It seems his wariness has crumbled because I followed all his precautions, even though my movements in this place might be suspicious.

‘So it takes five days for him to feel at ease.’

What a tiresome man.

Why must I struggle so much when his suspicion would disappear with just one book?

“……”

But regardless of his reduced vigilance, the library basement remains difficult to access.

I leaned against the second-floor railing and carefully observed the floor below.

The biggest problem was that the stairs leading to the basement were close to the checkout desk where Veros sat,

and the next problem was the lack of scholarly enthusiasm among the Cromwell mansion residents.

With no library patrons, Veros never left that desk.

‘If there’s a problem in the library……’

He would leave his post then.

Causing problems would result in permanent expulsion, and reporting non-existent problems would also result in permanent expulsion.

Acting rashly would only lead to disaster.

‘Besides, he loves his job as a librarian so much.’

I don’t want to threaten something he loves.

“This is difficult……”

Trust is hard to gain yet easy to lose.

‘Guards will be coming soon too…… let’s just wait until spring. Just until spring.’

I wish the snow would melt and the days would warm up soon.

I want to go to Pons village, get the ancient book Veros has been so desperately seeking, get off the blacklist, receive Caligo’s protective magic, and then rest.

Unlike the past few days when I was busy searching every corner of the library hunting for Caligo, today I plan to just quietly read books and leave.

‘He really is skilled.’

The children’s book section Veros created was charming.

Despite being winter, the area with good sunlight exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Armchairs were installed for comfort, and stuffed animals throughout welcomed Anastasia.

“……It’s peaceful for once.”

After constantly moving as if being chased by something, I finally feel settled.

“Lady, shall we read a book with a princess today?”

I asked while pulling a fairy tale from the bookshelf.

Anastasia repeatedly blinked her red eyes, which seemed like she was answering.

“Already answering. Such a genius……”

I may have lost my composure over a baby merely blinking a few times, but I haven’t lost my intelligence.

It’s just something I said because she’s cute.

“Who told you to be this adorable!”

I want to stop mentioning how cute she is. But what can I do when she’s so cute?

I couldn’t understand why surrounding characters in romance fantasy novels, especially child-rearing ones, always praise the female lead for being cute…….

But the baby in front of me is just so, so cute.

“……”

After confirming no one was around, I pretended to bite Anastasia’s arm.

I couldn’t control myself and showed an unseemly side again…….

“Ahem, now I’ll really read to you.”

Regaining my composure, I cleared my throat.

It’s time to emphasize again and again how beautiful, noble, and essential love between people with little age difference is.

Sitting in the chair, I opened the book.

“The princess promised to meet a hero one year younger than herself at the festival.”

After reading about romances with partners two or three years older or the same age for a while, it’s now time to recommend a younger partner.

“But oh my! A very old dragon, twenty years older than the princess, suddenly appeared and, not acting his age, kidnapped the princess and the hero!”

For reference, the twenty-years-older old dragon is Duke Cromwell.

“Due to the generation gap, there was absolutely nothing in common between the princess and the dragon.”

Obviously, but Anastasia listened to my self-made fairy tale without much resistance.

“The princess and the hero who was one year younger than her decided to join forces and escape from the castle of the dragon who deserved to be fossilized.”

Anastasia, who had been staring at me intently, nodded off, perhaps due to the fullness from breakfast or the gentle sound of my voice.

“……”

Is drowsiness contagious?

Seeing Anastasia asleep makes me feel tired too.

The baby in my arms was warm.

I slowly read the text while feeling Anastasia’s body heat.

“The brave hero……”

Did I emphasize that the hero was one year younger?

I can’t remember clearly.

“Yaaawn……”

Drowsiness washes over me.

I tried to hold back my yawn, but it was useless.

“……happily ever after……”

I shouldn’t… fall asleep…….

But my consciousness blurred regardless of my will.

“……”

Let’s get up and go back to the room.

My mind shouted that, but my body wouldn’t comply.

My eyes closed.

Strangely, I could see what was happening in reality beyond my consciousness.

Though my vision was dark, I could feel Anastasia, wrapped in swaddling clothes, squirming, and I could hear Veros working downstairs.

Someone lifted me up.

My body floated as my feet left the ground.

How much time had passed?

When I painfully opened my tired eyelids, I met red eyes.

Perhaps because of the sunlight, the gaze seemed quite warm…….

‘Jeremiah?’

How strange that the name I recalled was Duke Cromwell.

I inwardly sneered.

Those cold eyes couldn’t possibly be that warm.

My eyes closed again.

Day 24 of Being Trapped in a Terrible Game, Day 23 of Tutorial

“……!”

My eyes flew open.

Perhaps due to my determination to eliminate sources of discontent before the lady cries rather than reduce precious sleep comforting her every night,

‘I’m not late……!’

My body reacted first.

Before I could even wonder when I had fallen asleep, I immediately got up and, with superhuman strength, found the bottle and Anastasia to feed her a late-night snack.

“Another day safely passed…… What the hell.”

Before I could finish my sigh of relief, I nearly screamed.

‘Where am I?’

I looked around.

First of all, I’m the lady’s nanny, and the place I stay is Anastasia’s bedroom, so the facilities aren’t bad.

If anything, they’re quite good.

They could compare favorably with the most luxurious hotel room in the world.

But the place I’m staying now is overwhelmingly dignified to the point of being burdensome.

Even though the only light comes from the softly glowing fireplace and moonlight flowing through the window, it conveys a weightiness of a different dimension from Anastasia’s room.

“……”

Moreover, the place I just got up from…… was uncomfortably soft and comfortable.

It wasn’t the feel of a sofa……

‘Why did I wake up in a bed?’

The bed is for the master.

It’s not a space for an employee to occupy.

I sleep on the sofa in Anastasia’s bedroom too. Not in such a luxurious bed.

‘Yes, like that person sleeping on that sofa.’

On the sofa near the bed, someone was lying down.

They must be quite tall, as their feet were dangling in the air.

I quietly approached them with slow steps.

Silver hair glistening in the moonlight comes into view.

Silver hair?

“Hup.”

This time I truly almost fainted.

Would someone please explain why Duke Cromwell is sleeping there?