Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 21

“Luciana’s hair is as long as mine.”

Are you happy at the thought that we have something in common? Are you happy to get stroked in the head?

Luciana smiled brightly as if she felt comfortable.

At whatever Luciana did, Daisy already felt as though she destroyed the earth in her head.

In any case, how come the kids don’t resemble Carlyx at all?

“…River, Luciana.”

A deep voice called them quietly.

Carlyx.

He came through the open door and called the children.

“It’s already late. Go back with Belia. It’s time for bed.”

“I want to be with my stepmother! Steepmotherr!”

Despite Carlyx’s firm voice, River grabbed Daisy’s dress. Carlyx gestured to the door, but River only shook his head eagerly. It was repeated many times.

“No! I want to stay with my stepmother!”

“River. I’ll take away your Tino if you keep being stubborn.”

I can’t believe he took River’s best friend hostage in such a dry tone. What a shameless man.

‘It’s indeed very late, but he’s being too cruel. Don’t you know how precious Tino is?’

Still, it was funny that the name ‘Tino’ came out of his mouth. It didn’t suit him at all.

Daisy held back her laughter and patted River on the shoulder.

“Let’s play again tomorrow. You should go to sleep now.”

“Go to sleep?”

“Yes, go to sleep. We can definitely play tomorrow!”

After agonizing for a while, River nodded and let go of Daisy’s dress. Eventually, Daisy put River down.

A bright child with plump cheeks placed his hand on his belly button and uttered.

“I will sleep well.”

“See you tomorrow, Auntie.”

After delivering their greetings, they disappeared with Belia. Meanwhile, Carlyx stood still in front of the closed door. He put one hand in his pocket and looked at her with a peculiar expression.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You don’t even take a break, do you? At times like this, can’t you pretend to be slightly embarrassed that I figured out your thoughts?”

Carlyx frowned at her words. He looked as if he just heard something useless.

“Why do I need to waste my time on such things?”

“You don’t lose a word.”

“I could say the same to you.”

Daisy looked out of the window to avoid Carlyx’s persistent gaze. He was the one who started the conversation, so Daisy waited for him to bring up the full story on his own.

“Honestly, I was surprised.”

Carlyx took out his pocket watch and put it in the drawer next to the bed. The golden watch glowed softly. It might seem a little murky, but it was clean since he took care of his belongings meticulously.

“When you first told me you wanted to manage the family, I thought you’d give up in no time.”

“You really don’t hesitate to speak your mind to me, do you?”

“Then, do you prefer me to talk behind your back?”

“It’s not that I prefer people talking behind my back. But hearing such outdated beliefs is not my taste, after all.”

Daisy watched him as the gentle moonlight illuminated his figure. After putting his watch in the drawer, he walked towards her and sat in an armchair in front of her.

“I’ve changed my mind, but denying it is not my taste either.”

“Are you saying there’s someone else who treats you like this besides me?”

“No, you’re the first.”

First time.

Hearing his slow and monotonous voice, Daisy hesitated for a while. The word ‘first’ came out of his mouth like it was nothing.

“It’s a first for me. As you most likely noticed, many people hate me. I don’t have that much of a connection with other people.”

So that was it.

His past is in the past, but with that attitude, it was difficult to hate him mindlessly.

Because he was objective and honest about himself under any circumstances.

“That’s why I didn’t have a chance to change how people saw me the first time we met. Because most of them were right.”

“Today, the weather must be nice.”

Daisy spoke in a gentle voice. At her questionable words, Carlyx tilted his head as if he was confused.

Then she said.

“Didn’t you hate talking about personal matters?”

Things such as him not having a chance to change his first impressions, or that most of his first impressions were right.

Those were part of Carlyx’s past.

“…I still hate it.”

Carlyx’s hand that was on the armrest flinched. He then clenched his fist as if he didn’t want to be caught hesitating.

“It’s not something that I want to talk about either. Don’t be mistaken.”

Carlyx shut his mouth for a moment. He was trying to compliment her. No, he shouldn’t do that in the first place. It didn’t suit him at all.

“It’s just that after I saw what you did today, I thought about bringing it up.”

A puppet Marquis.

He was just a Marquis in title only, but he never truly considered that spot to be his.

Because he was lacking.

No, it’s more like it’s because he didn’t qualify for the spot.

“As I said before, you must have remarkable charisma and insight to take control of the family. You need to be second to none in terms of wisdom and superiority.”

“What do you think of me now?”

Daisy smiled small at his serious attitude. Unexpected emotions suddenly swept through her.

It wasn’t because of Carlyx’s heartfelt voice or his flattering way of speaking.

There was no smile on his face as usual.

Nevertheless, she was pleased.

“She’s out of her mind. Crazy woman. You don’t think of me that way anymore, right?”

“…How did you know what I was thinking?” Carlyx asked, bewilderment evident on his face.

Daisy casually pulled her hair back and spoke.

“I had a feeling you’d think that way. I have always been a bold person, you see.”

“You know my thoughts very well.”

Wait—

Daisy asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“Don’t you usually continue to argue with me?”

But Carlyx just ignored her question and said.

“I must admit it was hard not to make such a judgment. Since I’ve never met such an unusual person like you.”

“You still refuse to be less blunt about it no matter what, huh?”

At Daisy’s words, Carlyx raised his left eyebrow slightly. Soon, he spoke without paying much attention to what she said.

“Well, you’re just a stranger to me, yet you made a promise to change the family due to the reason that we’re colleagues. What’s more, you even directly asked for information from someone who did a background check on you. Did you really expect me to consider you sane after all that?”

Hah—

Carlyx let out a sigh and spoke as if he was trying to negotiate.

“If you don’t act so recklessly from now on, I will change my impression of you.”

“It’s not being reckless, it’s called taking the initiative.”

And I will continue to do that. Daisy thought.

Daisy’s mind was so apparent, but strangely, it didn’t surprise him. Rather, he slightly lifted the corner of his mouth as if he had expected this from her.

For a moment, what seemed like a smile rose on his face.

Daisy’s eyes trembled when she saw it.

“Yes. Let’s leave it at that.”

The smile on his face disappeared almost immediately as if it was an illusion.

“This is what I wanted to say.”

His deep, heavy voice overlapped with the air inside the room. She wouldn’t have heard his words had they been in a noisy place.

“I won’t look forward to it.”

Rather than ‘I won’t look forward to it’, it sounded as if he was saying, ‘I can’t look forward to it.’

At least, Daisy thought so.

“But I’ll admit.”

Carlyx directed his gaze at Daisy. Their gazes that were once distant finally met each other.

I’ve faced him many times, but something felt different this time. It might just be an illusion of mine, but why do I feel as though he was somewhat delighted?

“You’re the best person for the job.”

It’s definitely only an illusion. Seeing as he still had his usual stiff expression and tone, that couldn’t possibly be true.

My mind kept telling me that, but strangely enough, my heart had a different opinion.

“Not as the Marquis’ wife, but as Marchioness Jean.”

After a brief pause, Carlyx added.

“There’s no one better than you.”

“Not even one person?”

There were many befitting candidates such as the Empress, the duchess, and social stars.

Recognition. Indeed, getting his recognition is not so bad, too.

But she wanted something more than that.

“Do you think I’m more suitable to become the head of the Marquisate of Jean rather than just a Marquis’ wife?”

I want something more than your recognition. Something that will make me have a sense of responsibility.

She was asking him to trust her more than himself and follow her.

“More than you?”

As if to test him, she revealed her intention plainly. If she wanted to make a change, she needed his cooperation more than his judgement.

Even if he felt they needed to discuss it, he had to believe her choice.

A long time passed.

Carlyx didn’t open his mouth, whereas Daisy didn’t intend to end the conversation.

Carlyx intertwined his fingers. His small movements revealed his nervousness, and he only came out with an answer after a long time passed.

“Yes. More than me. I think you suit as the head of the Marquisate of Jean more than I ever will.”

It was a simple but difficult answer.

For that reason, Daisy tried to read Carlyx’s expression.

Are you sad? Do you think it’s unfair?

His lips repeatedly opened and closed as he tried to give her a firm answer.

Are you feeling ashamed or guilty?

Despite her thoughts, Daisy decided to look at it from Carlyx’s perspective.

He said he didn’t have any expectations.

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