The Duke of Eston, hiding behind the wall, glanced at Raphine with an anxious face.

It was then.

"I feel really sorry for my father."

"Raphine's cheeks are hot and soft like bread... Daddy said he never touched it."

"Really? He hasn't even touched her cheek? That's too bad. I feel so bad for him!"

The twin brothers, Luca and Lois, who turned eight this year, chatted as they passed by their father.

It didn't matter if his father listened to them or not.

The father's heart was crumpled by the harsh words that the sons uttered as they passed by.

'Sons, thank you so much for thinking about me.'

His eyes turned cold.

But the twins were sincere. I really felt sorry for my father.

This was because Raphine hung only in the arms of her mother, Sophia, Adrian, and Violet.

Luca and Lois were still young and could not hug Raphine, but they were still allowed to touch her cheek or pat her head.

Luca, who had been agonizing for a while, muttered.

"Why does Raphine hate her father?"

"I know. Did my dad say 'Hey!' to Raffy?"

The two boys belatedly found their stray father, and stood in front of him, thinking seriously.

The Duke of Eston was also curious about that.

It's not like Raphine hates him — Duke Eston wanted to deny reality even with this thought — he thought maybe she was afraid of grown men.

It was credible in its own way.

Even when the big knights came and went, Raphine easily withdrew.

He ordered to find out through the butler, but it seemed to take a while because Beryl's house had hidden the child so tightly.

'I won't let it go, Viscount Beryl.'

Duke Eston ground his teeth inside.

Regardless of the reason, he will find the woman who stole the child along with Viscount Beryl and destroy them.

He had the strength and power to do so.

Duke Eston's family is a family of contributors who are on par with the imperial family of the Perdenia Empire.

Whenever barbarians threaten the people of the Empire, infest. The first to come forward was the Duke Eston.

The Eston family was the wealthiest in the empire and has owned numerous mines such as diamonds and rubies, as well as mines that flowed gold.

All the large-sized territories were fertile, and the center of the territorial nature was as bustling as the capital of the Empire.

With vast assets, the Eston family was engaged in numerous businesses and had many noble families as vassals.

If such a peasant family openly denounces someone as an enemy, that family will not survive.

'My baby... my daughter....'

An iron-blooded Duke with cold eyes and a feared object for the capital aristocrats.

The Duke of Eston looked at his daughter from afar and wiped away the tears a little bit.

Raphine, who was in the Duchess's arms, also found the Duke of Eston in the distance but....

"...."

Raphine turned her head slightly, pretending not to notice.

'I'm scared....'

Duke Eston's guess was correct.

It was the same when she was in Beryl's own house.... Was it because the memory of being kicked by Viscount Beryl was so intense, especially when she was kicked out?

Raphine became terrified when she saw a grown man.

Rational thinking shouted, 'Don't act like a child!', but the instinct of a child is 'It's scary, what should I do?' she refuted it.

No wonder, Duke Eston looked as tall as the door and strong.

From an adult's point of view, he looks gorgeous and handsome, but from a child's point of view, it can feel a bit sharp.

"Raphine, should we eat snacks?"

At that time, Adrian asked in a friendly voice.

'Snack!'

Raphine nodded vigorously.

Thus, Rapine headed to the garden in the arms of the Duchess. Luca and Lois followed.

And in front, Adrian and Violet were walking while talking....

Raphine looked at them and smiled inwardly.

'Those two look great together, don't you think so?'

Rapine asked the baby bear doll in her arms.

Honestly, the pride of hers that carries a doll every day is hurt, but...

I couldn't help it because I was frustrated to leave the redemption in the room where I could talk candidly.

And since we were together all week, I felt uneasy when I let them go.

"Yeah, they suit each other very well. So, the question is Zerkan?"

'That's right.'

「But, why does that guy want to get married by contract?」

Raphine replied after agonizing over it.

'It must have been for political reasons. He must have felt that his position was in jeopardy because of the second prince.'

In such a situation, it was important to be recognized by the Elderly and Elders of the Imperial Family in order not to lose the Crown Prince's position.

For them, who are very conservative and tend to value their families, the fastest and easiest thing to be recognized was to build a family.

In addition, there must have been many reasons to embrace the forces of the nobles.

'But he didn't want to do it with someone he didn't know, so he asked Violet. Because it's a friend he trust. Violet's house has a long history.'

「That guy.... Did he love Violet for a long time?」

'I don't think that's it. He didn't even care until he was obsessed after his mother died.'

「Then, should you get engaged as young as possible? So that there is no need for a contract marriage later.」

That's right. But she couldn't think of it that easily.

'Yes, but... If a child like me asks you to get engaged right away, will you listen to it?'

「Well, if it doesn't work out, get an appointment with Zerkan in advance. When he needs marriage, he can think of you! There is such a thing as two old contracts!"

'Good! I've been thinking about it, and I think you're a little smart.'

「Right? Did you think wrong? Haha! I'm such a great redemption! You'll be surprised when you see how I really am!」

'Be quiet now.'

Raphine dismissed Ruby's pride and looked at the cake.

"Okay, say ah."

Adrian scooped up a little cake and held it out to Raphine.

"Ah, ah!"

When Raphine opened her mouth as hard as she could, Luka and Lois giggled.

"You opened your mouth so wide, didn't you give her a little cake, hyung? I'll give it to her this time!"

"Me too! Me too! I want to try it!"

Luca and Lois always followed Raphine because they thought it was a strange thing to have a younger sister.

It was much more fun to watch the younger sister than the new toy.

Besides, every time they saw her, it was strange and nice because she looked just like her mother.

They had the same color as theirs, but their long hair was soft, so they wanted to keep touching it.

"..."

The Duchess, Sophia, felt her heart melt as she looked at her with a heart-warming look.

They almost never found this child....

Her heart ached every time she imagined the trauma the child must have suffered while living in an unfamiliar place.

But she decided not to cry anymore.

Every time she cried, she felt anxious about her child.

I had to become stronger as I got my child back. To prevent such a thing from happening again.

However....

'Honey, I'm sorry.'

In the meantime, the Duchess apologized to her husband hiding far away from the tree.

Duke Eston smiled sorrowfully and captured this warm scene, even from a distance.

The servants of the Duke's family were so pitiful for such a master that they could not even open their eyes.

* * *

When the sun is slowly setting.

"Raphine, Unnie really has to go home today. My parents went to the estate and came today...."

Violet said as if she was really in trouble.

Raphine also gently released the hem of the Violet dress, which she had no choice but to hold on to.

"Then you have to come tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll come to play again tomorrow!"

"You have to come early."

At Raphine's request, Violet smiled and replied, "Okay!"

That wasn't enough, so she tied her pinky finger and promised.

After that, she kissed Raphine twice on both extensions.

Raphine also kissed Violet's hand, saying, "Kiss!"

Violet greeted the Duchess, Luca, and Lois, and waved to Adrian as well.

"See you tomorrow, Adrian."

At that moment.

Raphine gently reached out and pushed Adrian's leg.

'Bring her home! Hurry up!'

Fortunately, Adrian moved up as Raphine wanted.

"I'll take you home."

"Huh? It's okay. Anyway, the carriage is outside."

"But, still.... Mother, Father, I'm going to take Violet home myself."

"Yes, of course, it should be, say thank you to Violet's parents too and come to the Bishop, Adrian, you'll take the present you've prepared for me."

"Yes, Mother."

"See you, Adrian."

The Duchess greeted Adrian, and Violet went out awkwardly.

Raphine also waved her hand vigorously.

Praying that Adrian arrives as late as possible.

'Get closer! Get closer!'

Adrian and Violet needed to get closer.

'If the two of them check their hearts from the beginning, everything will be peaceful.'

That's why I asked Violet to come early tomorrow.

I should make Violet come often even by whining like a child.

"Raphine, do you want to play dolls with your brother?"

"Or I'll read you a fairy tale!"

Luca and Lois said to Raphine, who is in the Duchess' arms.

Raphine looked down at the two.

'Young kids....'

Fairy tale book? I don't read childish picture books. Even if it's a slightly higher-level storybook.

Whether hungry or sleepy. Except for those times when only instinct remained, Raphine was able to maintain a rational state.

To Raphine, these 8-year-olds seemed to be at the same level at best.

「You're a 6-year-old kid....」

Ruby laughed at her thoughts, but Raphine ignored them lightly.

"Hey.... Should I play with Dad today?"

Duke Eston approached with a careful smile.

It was a friendly smile, but Raphine was surprised at the moment and dug into the Duchess' neck.

The Duke of Eston was so tall and massive that he would startle her every time he appeared.

「Look at this! Look at this! You're such a scaredy-cat!」

Ruby spoke in a teasing tone. Raphine denied it because she was angry.

'It's because I was surprised! I'm not acting like a baby! I'm hiding for a second! Adults are supposed to hide when they're surprised!'

「You don't have to make excuses. Baby. Woo-ha-ha!」

'Don't call me a baby!'

「But still! No matter how much you remember your past life, you can't beat a child's instinct!」

'So loud!'

「Haha! You're cute, baby!」

"Hey!"

Raphine grabbed the teddy bear she was holding in her arms! And threw it on the sofa.

It was a sign of her own protest against Ruby. The Duke of Eston soon began to weep.

'I can't believe you hate me enough to throw a doll at me, heuk....'

"Mom and Dad, I feel so sorry for you."

"Poor adult. I'm not going to be that kind of person."

Luka and Lois muttered as they looked at their father's back.

"Honey, I'm sorry.... Will you go away?"

Sophia couldn't cry or laugh at her husband.

The Duke of Eston turned around alone today, crumpling his big body.