“But it’s right for the father of the lady to give her a name.”

I emphasized the word ‘father.’

‘You are this baby’s dad. Not a future boyfriend candidate, but a dad. Even without blood ties, a dad is a dad.’

I met Duke Cromwell’s eyes while implying this meaning.

The Duke looked at me once, then back at the baby.

How nice it would be if the lady smiled right now.

If she gave him that smile that turns fathers into doting fools, I couldn’t ask for more.

But the baby, with her still-blurry vision, only stared blankly at Duke Cromwell.

‘Well, at least she’s not crying.’

Not crying is already a win.

Babies are cute just by existing, and the game’s protagonist being cuter than other babies is a law of nature.

“……”

Unlike my expectation that he would just pick any pretty name, Duke Cromwell pondered for a long time.

‘That’s a good sign.’

It’s a good sign, but…….

‘His expression is terrifying.’

His crimson eyes, deep in thought, turned murky, creating the illusion that he might tear someone apart.

Still, isn’t it nice that he’s giving it this much consideration?

I tried hard to think positively.

‘I’m excited.’

What will Duke Cromwell name his daughter?

With each gameplay, the daughter’s name got stranger.

The thought of her finally having a normal name makes me oddly excited.

I wonder what name Duke Cromwell will choose.

He’ll pick something fitting, right?

“Ann.”

“……”

Good heavens.

One of the top three most common maid names in romance fantasy novels has appeared.

This is the name of a romance fantasy game protagonist, no, his own daughter—couldn’t he make it a bit more special…….

I have the nerve to ask him to name her, but isn’t Ann too lacking in effort?

“It was my mother’s name. Everyone called Anastasia ‘Ann’ for short.”

It really is a meaningful and beautiful name.

There’s always a reason why names become popular.

It’s just that it’s been used so often that it’s perceived as common.

‘So is her name Ann or Anastasia?’

Does he mean her name is Anastasia but he’ll call her Ann, or that both her name and nickname are Ann?

“Anastasia Cromwell.”

Fortunately, the Duke clarified the name.

‘I hate that I find the Duke kind for something so basic……’

♡SYSTEM♡ The lady’s name has been decided!

♡SYSTEM♡ [Anastasia Cromwell’s profile window] is unlocked.

Now that the name was finally decided, the system window showed off its presence.

♡PROFILE♡

Name: Anastasia Cromwell

Age: 0

Lady Evaluation: Not provided in Hidden Mode.

I did my best not to look like I was reading something in thin air.

“Lady Anastasia, hello.”

I quickly shifted my gaze to the baby.

‘She finally has a name.’

And not one given by a stranger, but by her father.

“The Duke has given you such a pretty name. Right?”

The lady just stared at me blankly.

If I call her by it often, she’ll recognize it as her name.

Though naming is a small action, having named her himself should plant the awareness that ‘this is my daughter,’ hopefully.

‘Having named her makes you family.’

I sincerely hope this moment marks when a baby impulsively brought from the battlefield became a daughter.

This scene is rather heartwarming. I looked up, hoping he might be watching this moment with fondness.

“……”

But as if determined to shatter my expectations, he showed not the slightest interest.

“Is that all.”

“Pardon?”

I can read the reproachful look in his eyes asking if I really don’t understand.

‘Focus, Lorelai.’

I still have many favors to ask.

Naming is just the beginning of building a father-daughter bond.

“There’s more.”

Duke Cromwell’s ‘Is that all’ was meant to tell me to leave.

With a period rather than a question mark at the end, anyone with sense would understand.

But I need to be even more shameless.

Perhaps because of this, Duke Cromwell looked dumbfounded.

His expression seems to be worsening…….

‘Is his expression really getting worse?’

This man’s default is expressionless.

Come to think of it, in the game, he never had any face other than that cold expression.

“……Could you spend some time with the lady?”

I’ve already gone this far.

I continued speaking, gambling on the warm nature that might or might not exist beneath that cold exterior.

“I’m not asking you to devote the whole day……! Just breakfast time together would be good.”

Is it really necessary to beg so pitifully for him to spend time with his daughter…….

It’s sad that parental duties must be extracted through such groveling.

“It would be good for the lady’s development if her father is involved even a little.”

I’m not sure if that’s true.

I don’t even know if that Duke cares about his daughter’s growth.

This is my first time raising a child too, so what do I know?

What matters is that it sounds plausible, and through that brief but precious time, I can implant the common sense that ‘this baby is my daughter’ in Duke Cromwell’s brain.

He still didn’t answer. I hastily added more.

“Of course I’ll work hard to raise her too…… but it would be good for her to know she has family in the mansion.”

Am I imagining it?

His shoulders seemed to twitch slightly when ‘family’ was mentioned.

‘Probably not.’

The Duke didn’t move at all.

Just as I was about to open my mouth again to continue persuading him to please have meals with his daughter,

“Seven o’clock, dining room.”

As if sensing I wouldn’t back down until he agreed, he answered like this.

“What? Oh……, yes!”

Unlike before, he didn’t say anything like ‘What else do you need?’

……Has my endless wishlist been exposed?

‘Well, we’ll have plenty of chances to talk anyway.’

Not being able to speak now doesn’t mean never being able to speak.

Since we’ll be having breakfast together every day, I can bring up anything else when needed.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

Looking at my balance makes me grin.

After more than a week of money stress, this release is an inevitable reflex.

Maybe the life of a high-income earner isn’t so bad……?

Quest Failure Penalty: ???

But thinking about the penalty makes such thoughts vanish completely.

‘It’s not like 6 billion will suddenly fall from the sky.’

The life of someone with billions in assets is much better than that of a salaried worker.

‘I miss YouTube and Netflix too.’

Family…… I’ll pass on family.

Anyway, I need to focus and make sure Anastasia doesn’t marry her father.

After checking my funds, I immediately wanted to start shopping for baby items—

“……”

—but the shop only unlocks after the tutorial period ends.

‘Well, keeping her alive is what matters right now……’

For a newborn, just feeding on time and putting to sleep on time is enough.

‘At least the money problem is solved.’

Reporting Miriam Lynch’s embezzlement.

This is a first.

Plus, Duke Cromwell and Anastasia having breakfast together never happened in the game.

“Things have changed a lot.”

If the two spend more time together as father and daughter, they’ll move further away from marriage.

“Lady Anastasia, I promise to raise you well.”

I didn’t want to plant futile thoughts and burdens like marrying her father or becoming an imperial princess when she doesn’t even have self-awareness yet.

If I raise her well, good results will follow.

“Tomorrow is when it really begins.”

The so-called ‘Project Make Him a Doting Father.’

Tomorrow’s breakfast is a small step toward a grand future.

Day 10 of Being Trapped in a Terrible Game, Day 9 of Tutorial

Today’s the day.

Having heard in advance, Mrs. Lester prepared a bottle.

After habitually checking my health and mental strength stats, I carefully picked up Anastasia.

“Good morning, Lady Anastasia.”

Anastasia blinked her eyes as if she knew today was an important day.

We headed to the dining room together.

Fortunately, while Duke Cromwell might be a thief, he wasn’t someone who went back on his word.

‘He’s handsome today too.’

I thought as I looked at him sitting at the head of the table.

His silver hair looked so touchable.

‘Forget it. Why risk getting your wrist cut off.’

Changing my mind, I greeted him.

“It is an honor to see you, Your Grace.”

After greeting him……

‘Where should I sit?’

The table had seven more chairs.

The lady should sit next to him.

But sitting next to a noble as a maid would violate etiquette.

While I stood there with nowhere to go, his calm eyes, like embedded rubies, moved from the documents he was holding to me.

“Sit.”

Duke Cromwell nodded. He meant for me to sit beside him.

“Thank you.”

I promptly sat down next to him.

As if reluctantly granting my request, he showed no interest in Anastasia throughout the meal.

I had planned to make him naturally take interest in the lady…….

‘What’s the point if you won’t even look at her.’

This b*stard didn’t even glance at the lady once.

Duke Cromwell’s attention was monopolized by his documents.

What an annoying man.

No matter how workaholic romance fantasy fathers are, at least talk to your daughter a bit.

‘What if all breakfasts are like this?’

If future meals continue like this……

The one feeling awkward won’t be me but Anastasia.

Mealtime, which should be comfortable, would feel like t*rture.

That absolutely cannot happen.

I looked at the man who was supposed to be her father while feeding milk to the baby who still didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

“Do you have something to say.”

He asked, apparently bothered by my restless gaze.