✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

Sneaking out of Duke Cromwell’s room with the baby was an arduous mission.

Thankfully Anastasia has become more docile recently; if this had been last week, it would have been a disaster.

‘She has been sleeping well lately.’

I thought while looking at Anastasia.

If I had known she needed a lullaby, I would have sung to her much earlier.

I feel sorry again for making her suffer.

Seeing how the lullaby somewhat worked on Duke Cromwell too, it seems that no matter how terrible their ending might be, family is still family.

“There doesn’t seem to have been any major problems.”

Judging by the mansion’s atmosphere, nothing seems to have happened while I was asleep, but……

“How did they spend their time?”

Did Duke Cromwell take care of Anastasia himself, or did he entrust her to someone else?

Honestly, I’d prefer the latter.

Duke Cromwell should remain consistent throughout all ten endings.

“Sigh…… why did I fall asleep then?”

I’d prefer for the father-daughter interactions to take place under my supervision.

So I can nip any strange developments in the bud.

This world gives me absolutely no peace of mind.

“Is this how Veros felt?”

Now I understand.

‘Since we’ll eat together today too…… I should try to find out.’

What happened during my absence.

After heaving a deep sigh, I entered the dining room.

“……”

Why does he look so happy?

That was my first thought upon seeing Duke Cromwell.

Though Duke Cromwell maintains an expressionless face throughout, today he strangely seemed uplifted.

I’ve spent over a week with him. Noticing subtle changes is no challenge.

“I greet you, Duke.”

But as if to tell me that this tiny, dust-like change was just my misunderstanding, Duke Cromwell’s expression darkened upon hearing my greeting.

“……Good morning.”

I finished my greeting while reading the atmosphere.

Why, what. What’s bothering him now?

If his time with Anastasia was unpleasant, that’s worrying, and if it was pleasant, that’s worrying in a different way.

What’s the problem with Jeralmaia—no, Jeremiah?

As I was resolving to reduce my words considering his condition,

“……?”

Jeremiah Cromwell suddenly pushed a piece of paper and three coins toward me.

The familiar handwriting and precious money were what I had given him.

“What does this mean?”

Duke Cromwell spoke first.

It’s a miraculous moment when he looks at something other than documents, but sadly, it’s not a time to rejoice.

Is he upset?

The letter wasn’t intended to suggest I was eating and running.

‘Did I give too little?’

Or is he offended because receiving money makes him feel like a beggar?

Only after a day do I see my mistake.

‘In the original game, you pay someone who takes care of the lady in place of the nanny. But since Your Grace has never participated in child-rearing before, I arbitrarily set a price and gave you what I thought was appropriate. I wanted to give you 380 gold, but I need to survive too, so I only gave 300 gold.’

I can’t possibly answer like that.

“……Well, I was grateful that you took care of Lady Anastasia yesterday, so……”

My words came out incoherently.

“Take it back. I don’t need it.”

As if it wasn’t worth hearing more, Duke Cromwell cut me off.

“How can I take back money I’ve already given! You helped, and proper compensation……”

I quickly shook my head.

Of course, I’d like to say ‘Any objections?’ and snatch it back.

But I feel like something terrible would happen if I took that money back…….

“Did your parents demand money while raising you?”

“……”

Wait, why is he suddenly speaking sensibly?

Did he hit his head while sleeping?

“Well……”

Sensible parents don’t demand money.

If raising a child seems like a loss, and if you’re planning to ask for money after they’ve grown up, you shouldn’t have had them in the first place.

However, since the speaker was none other than Duke Cromwell, I momentarily lost my words.

Wondering if I might be dreaming, I pinched my thigh.

‘It hurts.’

So this is reality.

Duke Cromwell tilted his head as if urging an answer.

“Usually not……”

I answered in a shrinking voice.

“The reason you receive money is because you’re doing something you don’t have to do.”

He looked at me and Anastasia for a moment.

“I’ve been negligent lately due to heavy workload. I apologize.”

I didn’t expect to receive an apology here.

“A-apologize? Just taking time for us despite your busy schedule is something to be grateful for!”

I shook my head quickly.

Indeed, he does seem incredibly busy.

Bringing work even to the dining table.

Last night too, the area around the sofa was full of documents.

‘I can’t fully understand…… but I’ll accept it.’

Still, even with a hundred concessions, four times a year is too little.

♡SYSTEM♡ You have received 300 gold!

Gold +300G (380G)

A notification appeared as I collected the coins.

I won’t lie. My heart felt lighter as my balance increased.

“But…… aren’t you going to punish me for falling asleep?”

From the atmosphere, it seems like I could get away with it, but I should address issues that need addressing.

The letter with the money says ‘thank you for taking care of the lady,’ but it also contains an apology for neglecting my duties.

How should I put it, if I accept this money, it feels like the apology will be nullified.

‘I should have written an incident report, not a letter.’

I feel belated regret.

‘Let’s settle this clearly now.’

It would be awkward if he suddenly brought up yesterday’s events someday.

“As I mentioned earlier…… I’m sorry for my disgraceful behavior.”

I feel like an idiot having nothing new to say except repeating the contents of the letter.

Looking back, yesterday was my dark history.

Neglecting duties, occupying the Duke’s bed, and even singing a lullaby.

‘What on earth did I do?’

Among them, the most embarrassing thing was definitely the lullaby.

‘I should have just pretended not to notice and left, why did I sing……’

I wanted to ask if he remembered, but if he had forgotten, there was a risk of reviving the memory, so I decided to stay quiet.

“Do you want to be punished?”

I expected answers like ‘I will punish you’ or ‘I won’t punish you.’

I didn’t expect the choice to be mine.

My lack of response seemed to be answer enough, as Duke Cromwell said,

“It would be better not to say things you don’t mean.”

“……Yes, I’m sorry.”

Of course, this will be the first and last mercy.

I need to be more careful from now on.

“I’m tired of apologies too.”

“Yes.”

I closed my mouth before ‘I’m sorry’ could automatically follow.

After maintaining such a submissive attitude, I seem to have forgotten normal conversation methods.

Having finished the conversation, Duke Cromwell turned his attention back to his documents.

‘How did such a normal-looking person……’

I don’t want to be like a paranoid patient, anticipating the worst from him and condemning him.

Worries like ‘what if this ruffian marries the innocent Anastasia, how should I k*ll him?’ are something I’d rather avoid too.

I want to approach this with the purest heart…….

‘But this is better than I was worried about?’

Considering the past few days when there was only a chilly atmosphere, this is tremendous progress.

This is also the scene I’ve been hoping for.

He’s talking to me now because Anastasia is still a baby; when she starts speaking, I can step back.

‘I should do my best to make this time last longer.’

Making sure it doesn’t suddenly stop, trying to increase Duke Cromwell’s talkativeness.

‘Let’s really create a harmonious family.’

And I can also learn about a harmonious family through these two.

Unaware of the grand plans blooming in my mind, Anastasia peacefully drank her milk.

When about half the milk in the bottle had disappeared, Duke Cromwell spoke.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“……?”

“I’ve never seen you eat.”

“……”

Have you ever eaten with your boss, Your Grace? I have, and it gave me indigestion.

The difference in status between us was too vast for me to voice my inner thoughts.

There’s a huge difference between silently preparing a meal as a passive invitation and openly telling someone to eat.

“Is it not to your taste?”

Saying this much is basically telling me to shut up and eat.

“N-no way! I’ll eat after the lady finishes her meal.”

“If Anastasia’s meal is the issue, I’ll help.”

“What?”

Is the father-daughter bond I’ve been waiting for so patiently appearing now?

While I was pondering how to digest this sudden stroke of luck, Duke Cromwell almost snatched Anastasia from my arms.

“I can eat after I finish feeding the lady……”

But my words lacked persuasion.

Of course. I’ve been envisioning this moment more than anything else—Duke Cromwell voluntarily seeking Anastasia, not at my urging.

‘But doesn’t Anastasia somewhat……’

Dislike him?

I watched the Cromwell father and daughter with a completely stiffened body.

“……”

Whatever happened between them yesterday, Anastasia didn’t cry even though she looked a bit uncomfortable.

She did squirm a lot more than when I held her.

I’m so worried that I can’t even focus on my food.

“……Eat your meal.”

After I had been staring with all sorts of concerns for who knows how long, Duke Cromwell leaned back slightly and said.

“Yes.”

I picked up my fork.

I wonder how long it’s been since I last ate.

‘……Isn’t this the first time since my transmigration?’

I hadn’t noticed because I’d been surviving on potions for a while……

It’s been almost three weeks since I last ate.

‘Chewing feels strange.’

The food in my mouth somehow caused a sense of rejection.

‘It seems like I don’t need to eat as long as my stats don’t drop.’

I tried to secretly lower my fork, but Duke Cromwell was watching me so persistently that I couldn’t.

Amidst all this, the words the Duke uttered were unexpected.

“Do you like younger men?”