I carried Oscar out into the corridor a little way and confirmed no one was around.

“Why did you do that?”

I lowered my voice considerably, afraid someone might hear.

“Sorry. I thought Ari might be in trouble without baby Oscar.”

Oscar was apologizing on the surface, but it was half in jest. His cheeky smile with his tongue slightly sticking out only made my frustration rise.

“Go back inside right now.”

“Are you angry? Master?”

“Yes.”

“Did Oscar do something wrong?”

He asked innocently with round, clear eyes, looking straight at me with that baby face.

Though his appearance was unbearably cute, I was more concerned than anything.

“Yes, you did. Would I be angry for no reason?”

“But Jenny and Laura were crying because they missed baby Oscar.”

Another ridiculous excuse. Since when did he care so much about Jenny and Laura? It was absurd.

‘But he saw Jenny and Laura crying? How long was he in my room earlier?’

My head was spinning. Could he now move around without leaving any trace?

I didn’t have time to worry about such minor questions. If someone encountered us in the corridor, the situation would become even more complicated.

“That transformation puts strain on your body. I clearly told you not to do it.”

“Ah, that.”

Oscar laughed carelessly, brushing off my concern.

“I’m an adult now, so it doesn’t strain me anymore. Don’t worry.”

“You’re impossible.”

Do I look like someone who wouldn’t worry? There were times when he’d been sick for days after doing this.

It seemed I was the only one concerned about Oscar’s well-being.

“Would it be troublesome if the maids found out?”

“I thought you said they were crying pitifully. Why not just show yourself to them?”

“Can I really?”

“Be quiet.”

“Hehe. Just kidding.”

Is this really the time for jokes? Whether he understood my anxiety or not, Oscar was completely at ease.

“Put me down, Master.”

“Where are you trying to run off to now?”

“Don’t be surprised. You look just like a frightened rabbit, Master.”

Oscar hugged my neck and whispered wickedly in my ear.

“…I’m going to teleport.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Oscar vanished without a trace.

‘Where did he go? Did he really teleport?’

Seeing this, I realized he must have teleported into my room earlier without making a sound.

He seems to enjoy making my heart pound.

Well, when was he ever not like this? It would be faster for me to just resign myself to it.

At least no one had seen us, which was fortunate.

‘I said I’d put him to bed and come back, but if I just go back now, there’s too much time left?’

It was problematic either way. I needed something to kill time.

‘I think I can get through today somehow, but I should definitely come up with a solid plan.’

Oscar boasted that transforming into a baby no longer strained his body, but I couldn’t take his word for it.

‘What should I do?’

I needed some time alone to think. I was pacing the corridor, looking at the floor.

Then I suddenly stopped at the sight of a large shadow before me.

“What are you doing, Nuna?”

When I looked up, I met golden eyes. It was Henry.

“Oh! Your Highness, what brings you here?”

“I was getting bored. Thinking it might take a while, I came out for a moment.”

Fair enough. He had come to my room before during a previous visit.

Leaving a guest alone repeatedly was inconsiderate. My face burned with embarrassment.

“But where’s the baby?”

“Ah, I ran into some maids on the way. They took him.”

“I see.”

I made up an excuse quickly. I couldn’t exactly say that Oscar had teleported away, leaving me awkwardly wandering around alone.

“Then what are you doing here?”

Henry seemed to accept my explanation but immediately asked another question.

“I just needed a moment to think about something.”

“Should I wait for you?”

“I just finished thinking. Let’s go back.”

“Alright.”

Henry and I began walking side by side down the long corridor. What a situation this was. I felt like dying of embarrassment but tried not to show it.

“I’m sorry. The baby is quite picky. I wonder who he takes after. Haha.”

“Yes. It’s hard to score points with him.”

Henry’s gaze, which had been facing forward, suddenly fixed on me.

“I wonder who he takes after.”

Since I had lied that baby Oscar was my biological son, this must mean it’s hard to score points with me, too.

If Henry were a character available for conquest, it might be different. But since I had decided to avoid him from the beginning, it wouldn’t be easy to win me over.

“I wonder.”

I pretended not to understand and laughed it off.

“I was too hasty, I suppose. I should have checked the baby’s preferences first, but I was so eager to befriend him that I was rude.”

“You weren’t rude.”

“Did you enjoy the cake?”

He seemed to be asking about the cake he had sent as comfort when Oscar disappeared.

“Ah, yes. It was delicious. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I checked with the maids beforehand.”

Had he asked Jeni and Laura about my preferences in advance?

No wonder everything was exactly to my taste, which seemed almost uncanny. I wasn’t sure when he had checked such details. Henry had an excessively meticulous side.

I was grateful for his thoughtfulness, but gratitude didn’t mean I had to accept everything.

“I really appreciate your consideration, but you don’t need to do this from now on.”

“Why not? Please let me.”

Henry whined with a smile, seemingly disappointed by my refusal.

“I feel bad because I can’t repay you. And it makes me a bit uncomfortable.”

“Don’t feel burdened. I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just think it’s natural to comfort a friend when they’re sick. That’s all.”

“That’s a relief then.”

“So, would you take a look at something I picked up on my way here?”

“Pardon?”

Henry suddenly blocked my path and held out a small box. The box that fit perfectly in his palm looked very luxurious.

“What is this?”

“It’s for you, Nuna. Open it if you’re curious.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

Surely it’s not a ring or something like that? The shape and size of the box were very ominous.

“It would be heartless to only give gifts to the child.”

“……”

“Go ahead.”

When I just stared at him in bewilderment, Henry held out the box almost pleadingly.

Feeling it would be impolite to refuse without even looking, I carefully opened the box.

“Oh!”

I couldn’t help but gasp. Inside the box was a diamond ring much larger than I had expected.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I cannot accept this.”

“I just picked it up on my way here.”

Henry smiled slyly like a fox and brazenly lied.

‘There’s no way he just picked this up!’

Who would just find such an impressive diamond ring lying around?

“Won’t you try it on just once? Nuna?”

He shot me a pitiful look.

[System: You are weak to Henry Grant’s gaze.]

[System: Your vigilance is decreasing.]

The system again, all of a sudden? I looked at the system window with cloudy eyes.

It had been quiet for a while, but now it chimed in, clearly encouraging me at precisely this moment.

‘How could I refuse when he looks at me so pitifully… No, am I crazy?!’

The system’s debuff was indeed powerful.

[System: You understand the thrill of capitalism.]

[System: Your vigilance decreases significantly.]

I was fuming.

‘I know! I know already. I’m such trash!’

I’m only human—how could I not waver when such a handsome face offers me an expensive ring?

It was upsetting to have the system point it out so explicitly.

Between raising a baby dragon and helping an adult dragon become independent, why was the system being so harsh to me?

I resented this system that seemed uniquely cruel to me alone.

I unconsciously reached toward the box, then startled and withdrew my hand.

‘Get a grip. You can’t give in to temptation.’

How did I even get to this point? I clenched my molars tightly.

“I cannot accept something like this. I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“As I told you before, I can’t forget my child’s father. How could I accept something like this when my heart is elsewhere?”

“That doesn’t matter. I fully understand that you can’t forget him.”

“If you understand, then why are you doing this?”

When I glared at him, Henry exhaled a soft sigh, appearing unable to bear my resistance.

“I just thought it would be better for you to wear this at social events. That’s why I’m giving it to you.”

“……”

“You haven’t forgotten our contract, have you?”

Of course, we did have a contract between us.

“I’ll wait until you forget. Until then, let’s remain friends, Nuna.”

I was troubled by what Henry had said to me at the imperial ball before.

‘How could I think of this as purely business after hearing words like that!’

This was completely—if I let my guard down, he’d steal my heart in an instant. I sighed deeply and widened my eyes.

“Still, I think this is too much. I clearly rejected any relationship beyond our contract. If you keep doing this, I don’t think I can follow Your Highness anymore.”

“How scary.”

Henry immediately became dejected.

“Then would you at least wear it a few times at social events? You can keep it afterward. Or if it’s too burdensome, you can return it.”

“What?”

“It’s just to create witnesses and spread gossip. His Majesty keeps asking about matters with the young lady, so I’m feeling anxious.”

The Emperor keeps showing interest in me? Would it be better to follow Henry’s suggestion, even if just for a moment?

“……”

My mind was in turmoil. Even though I was avoiding the male leads, if the Emperor dragged me away, there would be no solution. What should I do?

‘Still, this isn’t right.’

Just as I decided to refuse, Henry’s eyes widened, and I heard someone approaching from behind.

“What are you doing here?”

Before I could identify the voice, strong arms wrapped around my waist.

“Darling.”

Darling? What situation is this? A wicked voice penetrated my ear. Yes, this was definitely adult Oscar.

“H-how did you get here…?”

“You said you’d be quick. I was waiting in the room.”

My mind was in such a haze that everything seemed to be spinning before my eyes.

Regardless, Oscar glanced at Henry and twisted his lips into a smile.

“I’m the child’s father.”

Oscar’s red eyes curved gently.

“Are you flirting with someone else, darling?”

As expected, Oscar was even more insane than I had imagined.