The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads - Chapter 79

***

The Duchy of Orleans had a distinctive appearance for a castle of its age.

Within the massive castle complex, centered around the main residence used by the duke, there were various structures such as the training grounds for knights, annex residences for servants, expansive gardens, and even a greenhouse.

The sun-drenched castle loomed majestically before me.

“Is this where Siegfried spent his youth?”

Curiosity filled my young eyes as I surveyed the surroundings.

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

“The duke, Lord Norcourt, and the Princess.”

Upon the return of the duke and former head, the servants who had been waiting in advance bowed respectfully.

Siegfried lightly smiled at the attendants as they faced him.

“It’s been a while since we last met. Have you been well?”

Simultaneously, the servants crowded around Siegfried enthusiastically.

“Young Master! No, should I now address you as the duke?”

“It’s been almost ten years since we last met. To see you healthy like this fills me with emotion.”

“Conquering five Demon Lords, I had no idea. I’m so proud of you.”

Everyone showed no hesitation in interacting with Siegfried.

It seemed that Siegfried had been quite beloved by the people of Orleans Castle when he was younger.

As I gazed at him, discreetly observing, he suddenly turned his attention to me.

“Call me whatever you wish, lord or master. Tatiana, come here.”

Feeling my gaze, Siegfried beckoned to me.

“Ah, yes!”

I walked confidently towards Siegfried.

Siegfried, who stood before me, proudly declared.

“This is my daughter.”

The attentive servants exchanged glances.

It was as if their gazes were asking, ‘Isn’t his daughter cute?’.

But an even more surprising reaction followed.

“Oh goodness, is she a princess?”

“My word, you’re incredibly adorable!”

Everyone’s eyes sparkled as they looked down at me.

‘Is Siegfried perhaps using some kind of persuasive gaze?’

I glanced at Siegfried out of the corner of my eye.

Unless he was conveying something with his gaze, there didn’t seem to be a reason for such an intense reaction.

And then, someone let out a sigh and mumbled softly.

“To think that someone this cute could be the Lady of the house. It feels like Young Master is too fortunate in many ways……”

“Ah, you’re all making so much noise.”

Siegfried, who had been listening to the praise with a pleased expression, frowned at those words.

At the same time, my grandfather spoke to Siegfried in a commanding tone.

“Siegfried, I will go attend to some matters. You take care of the child.”

“Ah, then I will also help…..”

“No, are you saying you’ll leave my granddaughter alone?”

My grandfather’s stern tone caused Siegfried to snap to attention.

He then turned and walked away briskly.

“Do not follow me. Take good care of Tatiana, got it?”

“…….”

Siegfried watched the old man walk away in disbelief.

Then the butler called out to him.

“Don’t be too surprised. He’s just happy to see you back after a long absence.”

“Well… He’s showing his irritation so openly?”

“After traveling such a long way, he means for you to rest rather than insist on work.”

The butler smiled gently.

“Would you both like to rest in your rooms while dinner is being prepared?”

At that, Siegfried glanced down at me.

“What would Tatiana like?”

“I want to explore the mansion!”

I answered cheerfully.

I hadn’t considered that Bartoloa’s influence could extend to the mansion, but who knows, something suspicious might come to light.

“Alright then. Here, take my hand.”

Siegfried extended his hand to me.

I readily took hold of his hand.

***

Despite all the back and forth, Siegfried seemed quite relaxed after returning home after a long time.

The mansion was incredibly spacious and magnificent.

Numerous living rooms, parlors, guest bedrooms, rooms with artwork scattered about for some unknown purpose…

Forgetting the initial intention to find something suspicious and getting carried away with excitement, I ended up completely exhausted…

“Oh, come here.”

Siegfried noticed and picked me up in his arms.

“Tired? How about we go get some snacks?”

Well, since I hadn’t really sensed anything suspicious or demonical until now.

I quickly nodded my head.

“Yes!”

And so, we arrived at the kitchen.

There was a warm glow in the kitchen as dinner was being prepared.

“Master! No, I mean Lord!”

The kitchen maids greeted Siegfried cheerfully.

Siegfried chuckled.

“You can call me master. But would you please make Tatiana a cup of cocoa and float a marshmallow.”

“Marshmallows?”

“Yes. She loves marshmallows.”

……He really remembers my preferences.

I felt my heart swell a little.

At the same time, the maids warmly greeted me.

“Hello, Princess. It’s cold outside, shouldn’t you be in your room?”

“I’m exploring the mansion!”

“Oh my, is that so?”

Laughter lit up the maids’ faces.

“How was it? Did you enjoy the tour?”

“Yes! There were so many rooms!”

“That’s right. Now that you mention it, Lord, you used to go around searching every nook and cranny as if you were on an adventure when you were young…”

Huh? Siegfried did?

I widened my eyes and turned to look at Siegfried.

Siegfried narrowed his eyes and tried to defend himself.

“…..When on earth did this topic come up?”

“Oh my, I just mentioned something from your childhood.”

A maid burst into giggles.

Just then, another maid, busy making cocoa, playfully threw a question.

“How about it, Lord? Should I make you a sandwich too?”

A sandwich?

In an instant, my ears perked up.

The maid continued with a voice laced with laughter.

“In the past, you used to sneak in for a snack instead of training, but the former duke used to chase you around telling you to stop skipping training.”

“Really? Dad did that?”

“……That’s all a lie, Tatiana.”

Siegfried frowned.

But seeing his neck turn slightly red, it seemed his statement might not be entirely devoid of truth.

I discreetly glanced at Siegfried.

“Interesting.”

Siegfried had a childhood too, exploring the house, skipping training, engaging in childish antics…

The realization that he once behaved like a child was…

In the midst of that, though…

“Huh?”

I spotted a bunch of wooden crates piled up in a corner of the kitchen.

They looked like the kind used for delivering groceries.

And yet, the names carved onto the crates seemed oddly familiar.

<Linz.>

‘Linz Trading was said to be the main supplier to the ducal household. Are they providing everyday items for the mansion too?’

I tilted my head in wonder.

But I couldn’t dwell on that mystery for too long.

“Princess, here’s your cocoa!”

A maid handed me a cup of steaming cocoa.

“Yes!”

I hurried over to get it.

Ah, I can’t resist cocoa with marshmallows!

***

The next day.

Siegfried, Grandfather, and I went out in the morning.

Since Siegfried had returned to the duchy after a very long time, the purpose was to inspect the territory and ensure there were no difficulties.

The first place we headed to, was the outskirts of the duchy where commoners mainly resided.

The scenery of snow-covered farms here and there looked incredibly peaceful.

“Lord Norcourt!”

Just then, some villagers recognized the ducal carriage and approached us.

“Hope you’ve all been well?”

Grandfather, who had just stepped down from the carriage, greeted the people with a warm smile.

“Of course. What brings you all the way here?”

“Oh yes, indeed. How come you’ve come all the way here?”

The villager also smiled warmly.

Seeing them share such an amicable conversation, it seemed they had a longstanding relationship.

“Oh my, the ground is all muddy. Can you come down? Your shoes will get dirty.”

The ground had turned muddy with thawing after a few days of freezing temperatures.

However, Grandfather didn’t seem to mind at all.

“You’re all walking on it too, what’s the fuss?”

Oh.

I internally marveled.

Honestly, it’s not pleasant to get mud on expensive boots, right?

Suddenly, I remembered countess Ghiberti, jumping up and down, claiming to be soaked in water mixed with fertilizer, not mud.

‘How can siblings be so different?’

I mentally shook my head.

“Tatiana, come here.”

Siegfried picked me up and stepped outside the carriage.

“Anything troubling you lately?”

“Oh, nothing much, just some rats in the storehouse. I was hoping you could provide some rat poison.”

“Sure, I’ll make arrangements to distribute it to all the farms. Anything else?”

Grandfather, who had been engrossed in conversation with the villagers, turned our way.

He narrowed his eyes and scolded lightly.

“Why did you get out of the carriage in this cold weather? What if the child catches a cold?”