In the game, I didn’t do the adoption, so there’s no way to know.

A child who survived from the ruins of war.

Everyone naturally assumed her entire family had died.

“How do they determine who the biological parents are?”

I only know that paternity tests are possible. But this isn’t the 21st century with advanced scientific technology.

If I could find points where the test’s reliability falls short, I might have something to challenge any unexpected situations.

“The temple conducts it. If you put two people’s blood in Phoebus’s water, it can be verified.”

“……”

“Phoebus’s water emits light if two people are blood-related, and rots if they’re not.”

It seems to have a similar accuracy rate to scientific paternity tests.

Moreover, this one shows results visually right away, so I suppose it leaves a much deeper impression…..

“Someone from the temple will come to collect Anastasia’s blood.”

I could potentially lose Anastasia forever if I’m not careful.

If that’s the case, maybe it would be better to not do the adoption and live like in the game……

‘No, I hate that ending even more.’

I need the minimum safety measure of ‘adoption.’

“Then when……”

“There’s no word from the temple yet.”

I had momentarily forgotten that here, not everything proceeds quickly and decisively.

“After the temple collects blood, they’ll verify people claiming to be ‘Anastasia’s parents’ for a year. If no match is found during that year, the next procedure will begin.”

Even if biological parents came after the verification period, they could still conduct the test.

There would be no punishment even if there was no match.

It would be really troublesome if ‘biological parents’ who weren’t in the game suddenly appeared.

‘So that’s why Veros said it would take a generous 3 years.’

Of course, Cromwell could make it happen immediately if he wanted to.

“The processing speed is disappointing.”

“Isn’t their reason obvious.”

“What’s… oh, donations.”

I realized as I was asking the question.

In the game, the temple was… an organization that had a lot of money yet didn’t.

They loved money so much you’d think divine blessings were made of gold.

“So are you going to send it?”

“Do you want a report.”

Cromwell asked in a joking tone.

“Report… is too strong a word, but it would be nice if you let me know whenever you think of it.”

I think I’d feel more at ease if I could keep track of things along the way.

“After all, I’m raising the lady too.”

“I plan to send it. It’s better to get it done quickly.”

“……Yes, there’s still a lot to do after the blood collection.”

I don’t understand why there are so many procedures.

Cromwell, who had taken Anastasia from me, handed me an apple.

“Aren’t you going to eat, Duke?”

“So it’s Duke now.”

I got a strange answer when I tried to restart the conversation.

“Yes, there’s no one around now, is there……”

I responded somewhat glumly to this question with an obvious answer.

I can’t keep calling him Jerome, can I?

I’m not his friend or lover, just the lady’s nanny.

Before my confusion could continue, Cromwell asked:

“You’re not going to eat it now?”

He asked as I put the apple in my pocket.

“Tasha keeps looking at the apple.”

It feels awkward to eat it.

Anastasia kept staring at the apple with wide eyes.

She was already preparing to eat, opening her mouth as she does when it’s mealtime.

It was extremely awkward for someone who had no intention of giving it to her…..

‘……I think I’ll have trouble with apples from now on.’

I had an ominous feeling.

“……calling me by.”

While I was seriously contemplating how to navigate this situation, Cromwell said something.

He seemed to be saying something about names.

“What did you say to me?”

“No, I was talking to myself. Lorelai.”

What’s this?

He seems to be emphasizing ‘Lorelai’ particularly.

I could tell that calling my name in such a tone wasn’t a good sign.

Did I make a slip of the tongue?

I waited silently for Cromwell to speak, but he didn’t say anything more.

I don’t know what caused this situation, but I need to smooth over the awkward atmosphere.

I started rambling, pretending not to notice.

“Oh, by the way, I heard that when the lady is registered in the family registry, you’ll be qualified for imperial succession.”

“……”

“……”

It seems like I stepped on an even bigger landmine while trying to break the awkward situation.

Of all the many topics of conversation, why did I bring up imperial succession?

“Where did you hear that.”

Cromwell asked.

Well, he had never mentioned it in front of me.

As I opened my mouth, thinking he would deduce the answer if he thought about it a little, he answered his own question.

“Veros.”

He said with a confident voice.

“I heard it’s common knowledge. But I also heard that you have no interest in that position.”

“He spoke unnecessarily.”

Since the topic has come up, maybe I should really ask.

Let’s be brazen.

“Why aren’t you interested?”

Perhaps because he didn’t expect me to ask so directly, his red eyes wavered slightly.

A moment of silence hung between us.

“……Do you do this with other nobles too.”

“You’re the only noble in my life, Duke?”

I answered with a business-like smile.

“……The throne doesn’t suit me.”

Then he turned his head away and spoke.

As if wanting to end the conversation, he moved away from me evasively, but I persistently followed him and asked:

“Why?”

If something doesn’t suit you, there must be a specific reason for you feeling that way.

I expected him to give me a reason immediately, but he continued walking as if he had said it just to silence me.

Ugh, and his legs are so long too!

“If His Majesty favors you, it must mean you’re qualified enough.”

The Emperor I occasionally met in the game disliked those lacking in ability.

He was an ideal emperor who seemed to come straight out of a fairy tale, a wise person who contributed to the country.

‘It’s horrifying that he didn’t stop the marriage……’

Seeing him bless that marriage, he must have been senile—no, he was just faithfully following the code set by the developers.

The fact that he’s trying to make Cromwell his successor despite his continuous refusals means Cromwell is exceptional.

Come to think of it, he was favorable to the lady in the game too.

Is it because they’re from the same family?

As if giving up on running away, Cromwell stopped walking.

“There must be someone more suitable than me.”

“Marquis Dyners?”

A figure Veros had mentioned in passing while explaining the throne.

Didn’t he say the nobles supported Dyners?

“……He’s one of the candidates for succession.”

Cromwell said this instead of evaluating his abilities.

Perhaps they’re not well-acquainted.

“I think you’d be a good candidate.”

“How would you know that.”

It didn’t take long to find evidence to support my claim.

“Well, I see you every day, don’t I?”

“What does that have to do with anything.”

“I know you work tirelessly every day.”

One thing I can be certain of after spending time with Cromwell is that he cares a lot about Wellem.

Although he’s regained some leisure time lately, his days are still mostly filled with work.

Thanks to that, he couldn’t (didn’t) spend time with his daughter in the early days of my transmigration, and in the game, he didn’t (couldn’t) even show his face.

“And when demonic beasts appeared, you went out yourself.”

“……? That’s only natural.”

Cromwell reacted as if the reason I gave was too trivial.

“That’s just it—thinking that’s natural is evidence of being a good leader.”

Even when it would be considered admirable just to command diligently from the rear, he personally participates in the extermination.

It’s sad that he sacrifices his body and time for work, but it’s a good thing for the residents of Wellem.

“Why do you think festivals continue to be held? It’s because everyone can make a living.”

This was true in Bling Bling ♡ Raising A Noble Lady too.

During the ten repetitions of those 18 years, festivals were always held.

“Plus, when the fruit shop owner talked about the toll earlier, you listened very seriously. You were planning to resolve it as soon as we got back to the mansion, right?”

“……”

His silence served as an answer.

Listening carefully to what he says, he only tries to stop me from recommending the throne, without denying his own abilities.

Additionally…

‘He’s not as upset as I expected.’

If he really disliked it, he would have told me to be quiet first.

When he received the imperial letter, he sighed immediately, so I assumed his emotions ran deep, but that seems to be a misconception.

He appeared to be disinterested in the throne out of habit.

“Just think about it. Who knows? You might become a great emperor.”

I can’t entirely deny that I’m saying this because Cromwell ascending to the throne would allow me to see the imperial princess ending, but I’m also sincere.

“Kyaa—”

“See? The lady is saying so too right now.”

I arbitrarily interpreted the baby’s laughter.

“……”

Seemingly in a good mood, he smiled faintly.

“Thanks to you, Duke, I get to visit a flower garden like this.”

My chest felt strangely fluttery.