Chapter 19

Today, it seemed necessary to keep an eye on Ray’s condition.  

So, Astrid didn’t go to the pharmacy.  

She was worried thinking about how busy her assistant Jeffrey would be all day, but there was no choice.  

Ray was the priority.  

Ray also had some classes scheduled, but they were all canceled.  

It was thanks to the doctor’s judgment that thorough rest was needed.  

They strolled through the garden and sat on a bench next to the fountain.  

The refreshing sound of the water was pleasantly soothing.  

The warm breeze gently tousled their hair.  

As they sat quietly, the maids prepared cold lemonade.  

In the cottage, she had to do everything herself from start to finish.  

But here, there were limitations on what she could do herself.  

Though it was annoying when others invaded her personal space, moments like this were honestly sweet as honey.  

She and Ray gulped down the lemonade.  

Half of the lemonade in Ray’s glass had disappeared, perhaps because he was thirsty.  

The child’s condition seemed quite good.  

He slept well through the night, had breakfast without any issues, and took his medication.  

However, aside from his health, his mood seemed a bit down.  

He seemed anxious.  

“How do you feel? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?”  

“No, I’m fine.”  

Ray answered quietly with a smile.  

The child’s face shone white in the sunlight.  

“Were you scared yesterday?”  

“A little. But I survived because you were there, As. If I were alone, I would have forgotten about the medicine and everything. Thank you, As.”  

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help yesterday.”  

Ray looked at her quietly.  

His seven-year-old eyes shone calmly as if he understood.  

“As, you tend to treat me like a kid. I know everything. You were trying to train me, As.”  

“Ray…”  

“It was scary, but I did it, right? I did well, didn’t I?”  

“Yes, you did well.”  

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she patted Ray’s head.  

It was because she recalled yesterday’s events.  

Ray, who had collapsed, gasping.  

Ray, with a pale face.  

Ray, fumbling for the medicine bottle on his necklace with trembling hands.  

She could have lost the child forever.  

The terrible thought brought heat to her eyes.  

Ray mumbled.  

“I know you did it so I’d be prepared for when I’m alone. But… if such a dangerous moment comes again…”  

“If it comes?”  

She watched Ray hesitate.  

The child, pretending to be serious, finally spoke.  

“I hope you’ll be by my side then too. I don’t want to be alone. I hope you’ll stay by my side and not go anywhere else.”  

Ray was shy and rarely expressed his soft inner thoughts, but sometimes he did, like today, charmingly.  

She hugged Ray tightly.  

But she couldn’t promise him that.  

‘I can’t stay by your side forever.’  

She didn’t want to lie to Ray.  

Mature as he was, Ray didn’t urge her for an answer.  

She quietly stroked the child’s back.  

Though neither showed it, they were each preparing for a parting in their own way.  

A one-year grace period.  

Eventually, time would pass.  

* * *  

They were deeply focused on origami when it happened.  

Ray, who spotted Bryce first, shouted.  

“Oh? Duke, no, Father! You’re here?”  

“Yes, did you rest well today? How do you feel?”  

“There was nothing wrong today. Right, As?”  

At Ray’s question, she nodded briefly toward Duke Conver.  

“That’s a relief. What were you making?”  

“We were folding frogs. I taught As what I learned in art class, but As is terrible at delicate activities like this, even though she’s good at everything else.”  

“You repay me like this after I’ve played with you all day, Ray.”  

She said, gritting her teeth, and Ray looked up at her with a sly smile.  

Then Vanessa spoke kindly to Ray.  

“Young Master, it’s time for your bath before dinner.”  

“Okay, Vanessa.”  

As Ray followed Vanessa into the mansion, only she and Duke Conver remained in the garden.  

After a brief awkward silence, Duke Conver spoke.  

“Carrying antidotes and allergy medication at all times is a habit I’d like to learn. I think it’s impressive.”  

“I’m a pharmacist. Life is unpredictable. I always carry those two for emergencies.”  

She said, shaking the two medicine bottles hanging from her necklace.  

“If you allow, I’ll make some for you too, Your Grace.”  

He seemed surprised at her offer.  

He looked at her with wide eyes.  

He looked so much like Ray that she suppressed a laugh.  

The power of genetics was indeed remarkable.  

“Thank you.”  

“I’ll have the doctor inspect them, so don’t worry.”  

“Alright.”  

A soft, breathy laugh escaped.  

“It’s just like you to leave no room for doubt, Miss Astrid.”  

A comfortable smile spread across Duke Conver’s face.  

She wished he wouldn’t smile so gently.  

She clicked her tongue inwardly while staring blankly at his smiling face.  

Like all male protagonists in the world, Duke Conver had a flawless appearance.  

Though she had lived many lives, she had never seen someone so handsomely built, with long, sturdy limbs and broad shoulders.  

In many romance stories, the beautiful appearance of the protagonists added plausibility to the plot.  

‘It must be nice to be handsome. Does he know he’s handsome? Oh, come to think of it, our Ray will grow up to be this handsome too. Having a male protagonist as a father has its perks.’  

While she was lost in thought, Duke Conver spoke again.  

“I heard you instructed Ray to take the medicine when he had difficulty breathing but didn’t help him.”  

Vanessa seemed very shocked. Duke Conver’s expression was serious.  

‘That darn woman!’  

She recalled Vanessa’s shocked and flustered face from yesterday.  

Was I going to get fired?  

Her heart sank for a moment.  

Though it wasn’t a job she wanted from the start, being fired would feel bad.  

“I thought of it as training for emergencies. And I think it’s impressive that you could do that, Miss Astrid.”  

“Oh.”  

She was momentarily speechless.  

Could he be understanding me?  

She never imagined she would be understood so easily.  

She often faced situations where her actions, driven by conviction, were not understood by those around her.  

She thought it would be the same this time.  

This man was indeed the male protagonist!  

He was magnanimous!  

He was a great man!  

“Oh… yes. Thank you for understanding.”  

“To be honest, I don’t understand.”  

“What?”  

Blinking, she stared at him, not understanding the context.  

He said it was impressive, yet he didn’t understand?  

Having lived with Ray, who always questioned the context of conversations, perhaps she was influenced by him.  

Or maybe Duke Conver’s context was indeed strange.  

She tried to think it over, but she still couldn’t grasp it.  

His narrowed eyes sharply met hers.  

As if piercing through her mind.  

“I don’t understand, but I acknowledge it. That’s your method of upbringing, Miss Astrid.”  

“……”  

He leaned forward, closing the distance between them.  

His expression was very serious, and it seemed as if all the surrounding air flowed only toward him.  

His gaze and voice completely dominated the atmosphere.  

“Just one request. No matter the method, I won’t interfere, so please take good care of Ray. As you have until now, and in the future.”  

“…Of course. That’s why you hired me. As a contract nanny.”  

Duke Conver, who had leaned forward, returned to his original position.  

Only then could she breathe properly.  

Having said his piece, the Duke stood up abruptly.  

She remained seated, watching him stride into the mansion, lost in thought.  

‘“I don’t understand, but I acknowledge it.” That’s a good thing, right?’  

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed alright… She was puzzled.  

‘No, he said he acknowledges it! I’ve been acknowledged!’  

By the male protagonist of this world, no less.  

Hehe, she smiled as she concluded it in her favor.  

Being acknowledged by a major figure in this world felt undeniably good.  

* * *  

Late at night.  

As Bryce was leaving the office, he wanted to see Ray once more before returning to his bedroom.  

So he naturally headed to the child’s room.  

Entering quietly, he saw Ray asleep.  

Astrid was also asleep.  

She was sitting in a chair, slumped over the bed.  

The child’s sleeping face looked very peaceful.  

That was a relief.  

In contrast, Astrid, sleeping in that position, seemed uncomfortable.  

He wanted to wake her and tell her to lie on the bed and sleep comfortably.  

Bryce reached out toward her shoulder but hesitated.  

He thought it wasn’t right to wake her when she was sleeping so soundly.  

‘It’s better to let her sleep deeply since she’s tired.’  

She probably hadn’t slept well due to yesterday’s allergy incident.  

Astrid was likely the most shocked and the one who worked the hardest.  

As he lowered his outstretched arm, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.  

‘In fact, Ray might be the safest child.’  

Astrid, his protector, was a pharmacist and had experience as a doctor’s assistant, possessing basic medical knowledge.  

Moreover, with her outstanding swordsmanship, few could protect the child as safely as she could in a crisis.  

Suppressing a laugh, he turned to leave, but then he saw Astrid’s shoulders shiver.  

‘Is she cold?’  

Now that he thought about it, the air in the room seemed a bit chilly.  

Bryce quietly added a few more logs to the fireplace.  

‘This should do it.’  

After confirming that the new logs were burning well, Bryce finally turned and headed for the door.  

It was amusing to see such a large man walking carefully to avoid making noise.  

As he reached for the door, he paused again.  

Astrid, shivering from the cold, lingered in his mind.  

Returning to the bed, Bryce removed his robe and draped it over Astrid’s shoulders.  

‘She shouldn’t catch a cold.’  

After all, she was his son’s nanny.  

The perfect guardian for his only bloodline in the world.