Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 14

“As I said before, the dishes prepared by the chef aren’t bad.”

Carlyx was still observing the party hall. Meanwhile, Daisy watched the servants’ movements keenly so no mistake is made.

“Then, why does the housekeeper seem to be spending more of her time reading books than doing her job?”

The conversation went on without seeing each other./ The conversation went on without them seeing eye to eye with each other.

“If they want to spend their time in that way, let them be. It’s not as if they’re busy. Unlike other households, Marquis Jean’s residence does not receive guests at all.”

Carlyx took a step back, gently grabbed Daisy’s arm, and released it not long after. Such actions were taken because the servant, who was pushing a tall cart, was moving towards their direction. She nearly got hurt.

Daisy felt strange, so she took a step back. Then, she naturally stood beside Carlyx.

“In regards to those under you, have they never gone against your command?”

“I don’t think they’re in the position to do that.”

Carlyx gave her a dull textbook answer. Daisy pondered for a moment and continued to speak.

“I said it wrong. Have they ever opposed your command, and as a result, allowed them to abandon the duty and dignity of their job?”

She didn’t mean to condemn him. It was a calm question based on the truth. Carlyx was at fault that the mansion was doomed to ruin.

What’s more, unlike his employees, it’s not as though he’d be fired if he shared his opinion on the matter.

Aristocrats wouldn’t normally be that forgiving. However, Carlyx was the most merciful among them.

The servants who have worked here for quite a long time would know that.

‘If you have any pride or responsibility in your job, you wouldn’t have simply given up on it.’

During that long period of time, they wouldn’t have stayed put.

“No. Never.”

They just bowed their heads and accepted such a ridiculous command? That being the case, the servants’ innermost thoughts were rather transparent.

Daisy tapped the hem of her dress.

“Not even a single servant?”

“Yes. Not even one.”

Carlyx, who paused for a moment, added earnestly, “I’ll correct it. There was Tyler.”

Such a predictable person. This gave her a rough picture of who will remain in the mansion.

Daisy looked at Carlyx in a calm mood. Then, she smiled and changed the subject.

“First of all, thank you for letting me meet your children.”

“I remember a part of it is because you threatened me, right?”

Carlyx spoke coolly, raising his left eyebrow. She hated him for not changing his attitude and facial expression even though she was nervous about meeting his children.

‘Sometimes, I want to spray water on those soulless eyes of his.’

Daisy, who put an end to her bad thoughts inwardly, replied softly.

“I’d prefer it if we’d just remember upright occurrences moving forward.”

“….Can you promise me one thing?”

Carlyx was informed of Daisy’s investigation result yesterday. According to Logan, Daisy was just a normal person. There was no incident or anything out of the ordinary that made her personality stand out that he initially thought she had.

Still, it was a gamble of its own.

“I don’t want to make promises that I can’t keep. I’ll listen first and then decide.”

At Daisy’s response, Carlyx clenched his fists. It was the pain that his ex-wife couldn’t accept. His ex-wife even ran away from it.

Will Daisy be able to accept that? He couldn’t know for sure.

A tired voice was yelling inside of his head, telling him to cancel the party.

What if he made an irreversible mistake? His little son might be hurt just like he was.

“He’s only four. No matter how childish or different he is, please only say kind words towards him. Because words can hurt him. ”

Nevertheless, there is only one reason why they still abide by their role.

‘The role of parents has a huge impact on children’s growth.’

‘Two years isn’t short.’

Because she pointed out what he never realized before.

“It’s a child, after all,” Daisy said as if it was obvious.

“I won’t hurt them.”

“No matter what?”

Carlyx asked with all his might. Daisy answered firmly as well.

“No matter what.”

At that moment, they heard something approaching from afar. For that reason, her heart raced faster than usual. Meanwhile, Carlyx clenched his fists tightly. His veins swelled up as though it was going to burst.

He pressed down his exploding anxiety, and said, “Let’s go.”

The hand on his pocket watch pointed to seven p.m. As soon as he put away his pocket watch, Luciana’s voice was heard in close proximity.

The party was about to start.

Carlyx turned his back, and Daisy gestured at the servants. The servants began to roll up the curtains as previously instructed before.

Luciana, who was walking over the threshold, greeted Daisy.

“Hello, auntie.”

Daisy noticed Luciana awkwardly trying to pronounce her words correctly.

Such a well-mannered child.

Luciana continued her words without blinking.

“My brother forgot to bring his friend, so he went to pick him up.”

It’s only their second time meeting, but the child remained in her mind for a few days.

Why? Because she’s so cute.

‘Are you a bomb? Why are you making my heart burst like this?’

Daisy swallowed her laughter.

Did he go pick up his friend? How can she speak so adorably?

‘How can you be so polite?’

Carlyx was too polite to the point that it put her off. But it didn’t matter if it’s Luciana.

The dress she wore looked pretty on her, too. The ruffles that hang on her chubby arms and neckline, and the yellow dress with ribbons fixed on it.

“Thank you for hosying the party.”

Luciana, who made a slip of tongue, blinked several times. Her movements resembled a sloth.

“Hi, Luciana. Your dress is pretty. Your auntie will buy you 100 dresses next time.”

“Sorry?”

The child was puzzled, so her small, thick lips drew an honest circle. Luciana, who glanced at Carlyx, politely refused,

“I don’t think I can have 100 dresses.”

Actually, she should definitely get those 100 dresses. So, Daisy spoke as if trying to comfort the child.

“That’s right. 100 dresses is too little, isn’t it? I’ll buy you a thousand.”

If she could see this adorable little girl every day, then the money she spent would be worth it.

‘A thousand dresses?’

Luciana hardened like a stone. She struggled to loosen up her body and slowly muttered.

“No. Even Cinderella doesn’t have a thousand dresses.”

“Of course. Since Luciana is prettier than Cinderella.”

“What? This is the first time I heard such a thing. Cinderella is much prettier.”

“No. I like Luciana more than Cinderella.”

You are incomparable with that petty fairy tale character.

While she was building their friendship with small conversations, a boy was walking over the door.

She already knew his name because of Carlyx.

‘River.’

Daisy, who recalled his name, turned her head. However…

‘Huh?’

At that moment, her mind turned white. The reason why Carlyx investigated her, and why he was bothered by her. She thought she knew the reason why. But now she realized that she was wrong.

It felt like something was hitting her chest.

“Stepmother!”

River, who had a hard time walking like a toddler, greeted her with one arm.

“Henlo! My name is Ravi.”

The four-year-old was walking on crutches with his right hand.

Daisy quickly regained her senses. She smiled, worried if her expression had become unpleasant to the eyes of others.

More importantly, she gave her attention to the child who called himself Ravi, not River. He was such a lovely child. The child’s overflowing charm was enough to clear away her concern about his legs.

‘Who did he take after?’

River was carrying a messenger bag with duck embroidery on it. It looked so goofy that it was lovely.

“Ravi. It’s not River. It’s Ravi. Ra-vi.”

“Yes. Ravi.”

River proudly fixed his messenger bag as if it was some kind of treasure, but he fell when he was squirming.

“Uwah!”

Carlyx immediately went to River.

“River, your hand-”

“I’m owkay. Ravi is alwait. Ta-da!”

Ravi stretched his hand forward. He swung his arm as if to show off his sense of balance.

‘How did you come up with such an elegant gesture?’

Daisy gave a light smile and introduced herself.

“My name is Daisy.”

“Daisy.”

“Yes. Daisy.”

“Daidi?”

“Yes. Daisy.”

Carlyx stood by River’s side and reached out behind his back.

‘What’s with his bangs?’

Daisy thought. River’s bangs were completely covering his forehead. She wanted to compliment whoever created that masterpiece.

‘I’m going to pay them a hefty sum of money.’

She wanted to reward them and hire them as River’s exclusive hairdresser. Anything to maximize River’s cuteness.

‘How lovely! With that hairstyle and plump cheeks.’

After stammering for a little while, River finally gathered his courage and spoke.

“Stepmother! I brought a friend.”

“Who’s that? Will you introduce him to me?”

Nodding cheerfully, River dropped his messenger bag. The four-year-old was busy rummaging through his bag. He sat down and pulled something out of it.

A dragon’s wings popped out first.

“Tino wants to see stepmother.”

Argh. River stopped trying to get it out of his bag for a while. It didn’t come out easily because it was tightly put in the bag.

“I can do ittt. I can do it.”

River muttered by himself and clenched his fists. He grunted as if he would never give up.

“Tino is two years old, I’m four years old.”

When he tried again, Tino the Dragon popped out.

River, who hugged his upper body tightly, looked up at Daisy. The child laughed, perhaps relieved that his friend was here.

“We’re close friends.”

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