“……”

The disgrace I committed during the day flashes through my mind.

I fell asleep while reading a book to Anastasia, and Duke Cromwell moved me to his bedroom.

There’s no other explanation.

‘Even if I’ve gotten comfortable here, falling asleep while watching a child……’

Lorelai, you’ve lost your mind.

I smacked my forehead repeatedly.

I’d have nothing to say even if Duke Cromwell fired me.

How am I already facing termination so soon after being reinstated?

The sky that had been blue until I closed my eyes had turned pitch black.

‘Did the Duke take care of Anastasia while I was sleeping?’

And gave up his bed to me?

Why?

I genuinely don’t know what reaction would be appropriate.

I hated myself for doubting whether he had normal father-daughter interactions in this situation.

It’s not like I can wake him up to confirm.

‘Still, I can’t deny that he helped……’

It would be a lie to say I’m not grateful.

Trying my best to accept his kindness for what it was, I slowly reduced the distance between myself and Duke Cromwell.

I don’t know why.

It’s not like getting closer will reveal his favorability level toward Anastasia.

In Bling Bling ♡ Raising A Noble Lady, there’s a helper system called [Babysitter].

It’s mainly used when performing dangerous side jobs or quests where the young lady can’t accompany you, and the cost varies drastically depending on who the babysitter is.

‘But the babysitter feature hasn’t been unlocked yet.’

Moreover, true to his precious status as Duke Cromwell who only appears four times a year, there was never an option for him to take care of the lady.

‘Thanks to him, I did sleep well……’

But it feels like I’m exploiting my boss for free, which bothers me.

If I just leave, he might think I have neither shame nor conscience and cut me off.

I absolutely can’t get fired. I need to see the ending.

‘How much should I pay Duke Cromwell?’

When I asked Mrs. Lester, it cost 50 gold per day.

The most expensive person was Caligo, with a terrifying price of 200 gold per day.

Even considering that he gives a lucky charm when returning the lady, it’s an irrational calculation.

Based on this, Duke Cromwell would be……

‘……disgustingly expensive.’

He would certainly cost enough to make my eyeballs pop out.

I checked my remaining gold in the profile window.

Gold in possession: 380 gold

‘My entire fortune isn’t even four hundred……’

I don’t have much left after stocking up on premium recovery potions.

Seeing the number makes it feel so precious.

‘Come to think of it, isn’t it strange to pay someone for spending time with their child when they’re the father?’

It’s something parents should naturally do.

If I start paying from the first interaction, he might misunderstand that child-rearing is an option rather than an obligation.

That doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

‘You’re just rationalizing because you don’t want to spend money.’

Looking back, this miserly mindset is also a result of game habits becoming ingrained.

The days of surviving on 25 gold are long gone, and child-rearing expenses aren’t deducted from my salary.

This is an environment where I can save money.

Having resolved to spend generously, now it’s time to determine the amount.

“……”

It was none other than Jeremiah Cromwell who took care of her.

The person closest to being the final boss of the game.

The man who marries his daughter—what’s there to like about him? I’d like to give him 0 gold, but…….

‘Fine, take it all.’

This must be right.

♡SYSTEM♡ Will you pay 300 gold?

[YES/NO]

Ah, it really hurts to spend this much.

I reluctantly pressed [YES] with tears in my eyes.

I need to keep 80 gold for future potion purchases.

♡SYSTEM♡ 300 gold has been deducted!

Gold –300G (80G)

Clink.

Three platinum coins fell onto the table opposite the sofa.

‘The more you earn, the more you spend.’

I really need to save and be frugal starting next week.

‘If I just leave them, he might not notice……’

I gave a whole 300 gold; I’d feel wronged if he missed it.

I found a pen and paper and scribbled a message.

Thank you for taking care of the lady.

And I’m sorry for falling asleep during work…… I have no excuse even with ten mouths. I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.

I was too tired. I’ll take better care of my health from now on.

Honestly, I wanted to write this excuse disguised as an apology, wake Duke Cromwell, and move him to the bed.

But my survival instinct screamed at me to leave this room immediately.

After finishing the letter, I placed the gold coins on top of it and was about to leave.

That was my intention.

“……”

Until Duke Cromwell grabbed me.

Wondering if he had awakened from the noise I’d made, I looked at him with a tense heart.

Fortunately—or perhaps not—he seemed to have grabbed me in his sleep.

‘What kind of sweat……’

The hand that grabbed me was hot.

He was drenched in cold sweat as if having a nightmare.

I thought he was someone who couldn’t make any expressions besides being expressionless, someone who didn’t understand basic emotions.

“……”

Duke Cromwell frowned as if in pain.

‘The chief butler said he had insomnia.’

I felt a bit ashamed for dismissing it so casually before.

His smooth brow was furrowed, and his breath, which should have been calm, came in gasps.

The sleep he had struggled to find seemed deep, but that very depth seemed to torment Duke Cromwell.

He muttered incomprehensible sleep-talk.

It sounded like he was urgently trying to convey a message to someone, or perhaps sobbing.

His appearance seemed too distressed to ignore and leave.

‘In this situation…… what do people usually do?’

Anastasia is soothed by lullabies.

Do I need to sing to a grown man of twenty?

‘Nothing to lose by trying.’

He probably can’t sleep well normally.

‘Since he’s already asleep, it would be good if he could sleep comfortably.’

I awkwardly placed my hand on his shoulder.

“……Say your prayers before you go to sleep.”

My voice, having just woken up, cracked slightly at the end. It was lower than usual, but that was better in the current situation.

Perhaps thanks to the rhythmic patting,

“Things are getting better every day.”

His dark complexion brightened a little.

Much better than when he was frowning earlier.

Whatever the case, the future is always better than a past where great misfortune resided.

“My love, my love, my love.”

What could be tormenting him?

He’s someone who could be understood even if he lived for his own self-importance.

With the tremendous social status of Duke Cromwell, and such a large mansion.

If only his lack of social skills…… I mean, his taciturn personality could be fixed, he’d be perfect.

I hummed the tune while stroking his shoulder.

‘The next lyrics should include his name.’

It would be strange to suddenly mention the original song title.

“My love…… Jerome.”

Unable to fit his long name into the short syllable, I shortened it arbitrarily.

There’s an official nickname “Jerry” from the game, but that appears when the father ending triggers, so I avoid it.

While I was congratulating myself on the good abbreviation,

“……”

“……”

Duke Cromwell opened his eyes.

His deep red eyes rested on me, just like any other morning.

I wanted to explain myself.

But as if he hadn’t fully awakened, his eyes closed again.

“……Sleep well.”

Actually, I should call the Duke’s name after this too, but…… I decided to omit it.

I shouldn’t wake him by calling his name unnecessarily.

“See you in the morning.”

I reached the last line of the song.

I slowly removed my hand so as not to wake him.

Carrying the sleeping Anastasia, I left the Duke’s bedroom.

Hoping that he wouldn’t remember tonight’s events.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

“……?”

What Jeremiah Cromwell felt upon opening his eyes was a refreshment he hadn’t experienced in over a decade.

This unfamiliar yet nostalgic and welcome sensation personally reminded the Duke of Cromwell how merciless nights had been to him.

Even if he managed to fall asleep despite his insomnia, nightmares awaited him.

For him, dreams were experiences of reliving moments he didn’t want to return to.

War, blood, dying people.

Whatever the content, it caused him discomfort.

But today…… he slept without dreaming.

Duke Cromwell sat up.

It was a sofa where he had to crumple his body to sleep, far from spacious and comfortable.

Yet he felt refreshed.

The morning sunlight that usually hurt his eyes somehow seemed clear just for today.

—Good morning!

It was a moment when he could somewhat understand the greeting he heard every morning recently, which he could never relate to.

Reflected light stabbed his eyes.

As he slightly frowned, he discovered three shining coins on the table.

Beneath the coins, which were little more than pocket change to him, lay a letter in neat handwriting.

Thank you for taking care of the lady.

“Hmph.”

As if written in haste, there was no sender’s name.

But Duke Cromwell knew all too well who had written the letter.

“……”

He looked at the empty bed.