Chapter 37
Felix chuckled softly.
“Soon it’ll be tea time with my daughter-in-law.”
Erika had insisted on having tea with Felix every day.
“I want to get closer to you, Father-in-law.”
In other words, she wanted to rightfully claim part of his time for herself.
Apparently, she had heard from somewhere that Sebastian and Felix were working nonstop day and night, and with a worried look had said, “If you keep that up, you’ll ruin your health!”
After agonizing over it, she had chosen tea time as a sort of “punishment” for Felix. It seemed she intended to use it as a way to force him to rest a bit.
“My daughter-in-law is ridiculously innocent.”
Felix murmured, smiling as he spoke.
No doubt about it—Erika had already won over the entire ducal household staff in an instant.
Time alone with such a person wasn’t punishment at all—it was more like a reward.
And since Felix had grown fond of Erika himself, there was no reason for him to refuse.
So, he willingly accepted Erika’s invitation to tea time.
Just recalling the bright smile that spread across her face in that moment made Felix unconsciously smile again.
“I really messed up from the start.”
He had misunderstood Erika at first.
He had thought too simply, dismissing her as just the daughter of Jonathan Blanche.
Just a ten-year-old girl.
He’d assumed that pretty face was meant to charm others.
That’s why he’d tested her—but Felix quickly regretted it.
‘I didn’t think she’d tremble in fear like that.’
It was clearly his misjudgment.
He regretted showing Erika the condition of his body that day.
Not because he’d revealed his weakness, but because he’d shown her something so grotesque it had frightened her.
In his eyes, Erika didn’t seem like Jonathan’s daughter at all.
‘Maybe she takes after her mother’s side.’
To put it harshly, she wasn’t cunning or bold; to put it kindly, she was just too good-natured.
She was the type of person who couldn’t lie or hide wrongdoing—even the smallest misdeed would show on her face.
‘For a child like that to be Sebastian’s match…’
In some ways, it was a blessing. In others, a burden.
For Sebastian, who lived a harsh life, Erika would undoubtedly become a warm refuge—so it was surely a blessing.
But for Erika, it was clear she would suffer a great deal emotionally.
Tsk, Felix clicked his tongue loudly.
“This won’t do.”
How would such a kind girl survive in this cruel world?
Someone like her would be completely unaware even if she were being boiled alive—she’d never realize she was being manipulated.
She was that innocent and pure.
“So there’s no helping it.”
Felix let out a long sigh and muttered,
“I’ll have to be the one to protect her.”
He spoke as if it were a bother, but his expression didn’t match his words.
Rather, his face looked pleased—as if he was genuinely glad.
Vincent, watching his master’s face, sighed inwardly.
Why can’t he ever be honest?
He couldn’t help but think Erika might have a rough time in the future.
“Ugh…”
A groan escaped Felix’s lips as the paralysis in his left arm began to wear off.
Even so, he didn’t reach for a new cigar.
It was a conscious decision.
Was the smell of cigars too strong?
The child already had weak lungs—if she inhaled the lingering scent and triggered another coughing fit…
If she started coughing up blood again…
Just the thought was enough to make deep lines form between Felix’s brows.
“Open the window.”
Felix commanded Vincent, as if trying to get rid of all the lingering smells from his body.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After a brief hesitation, Vincent dutifully went to the window to carry out his master’s order.
Felix swept back his long hair with his right hand and took a deep breath.
This level of pain—he could endure it.
“I wonder what stories my daughter-in-law will share with me today.”
Strangely, whenever he was with Erika, that tiny child, it felt like—for a brief moment—he could forget the terrible pain.
‘Well, maybe it’s just my imagination.’
“How’s your health?”
“Much better!”
“That’s good. Then how about taking a little tour of the Acliff Duchy?”
At Felix’s suggestion, Erika’s outing was arranged.
Her maid Joanna, Sebastian, and his aide Milrod would accompany her.
On the day of the outing—
The weather was perfect. The sky was a clear blue with not a single cloud, which lifted Erika’s spirits.
Madam Alma, who had come early to help her get dressed, couldn’t hide her smile.
Erika usually tried to act mature and composed beyond her years.
But today, she was acting her age—and Alma found it endearing.
“You seem very happy.”
“Yes! I’m really looking forward to this!”
“I hope our duchy leaves a good impression on you, Little Madam.”
After carefully fastening her bonnet and a small crossbody bag, Madam Alma firmly reminded Joanna,
“Joanna. Take good care of the Little Madam.”
“Of course, Madam Alma. You can count on me.”
Joanna even flexed her arms to prove her strength, but Alma didn’t drop her stern expression.
“Don’t get too excited. I’m more worried about you causing trouble or getting hurt than I am about the Little Madam.”
“Oh come on. I’m super reliable!”
“I’m begging you.”
“Yes, yes! I got it!”
Erika burst out in giggles at their playful exchange.
When she went down to the first floor with Joanna, they found Sebastian and Milrod waiting by the carriage.
“Did you wait long?”
“We just got here. Are you ready?”
“Yes, how do I look…”
Erika asked as she slightly spread the hem of her dress with a hint of excitement.
Sebastian, quietly observing her, paused for a moment and awkwardly cleared his throat.
“…You look cute.”
“Really?”
Erika asked, her eyes sparkling.
But Sebastian wasn’t the type to say the same thing twice.
He turned away brusquely.
Still, the tips of his ears were noticeably red.
“Let’s go.”
“Have a great time, Little Madam!”
“I’ll be back!”
With Madam Alma and the staff seeing her off, Erika climbed into the carriage.
The closest town to the ducal estate was Langport.
It was also the most bustling area in the Acliff Duchy.
The first place Erika and Sebastian visited was the most famous boutique in the town square.
Since the seasons were changing, they had come to have new dresses tailored to Erika’s measurements.
“Kyaah! Little Madam! You look good in everything!”
“Not bad. Buy it.”
There was no need to deliberate over what to purchase.
Whatever Erika came out wearing, as soon as the curtain opened—
“Buy it.”
“Buy that one.”
“Let’s buy this.”
“We’re buying this.”
“Get that too.”
“We’ll take it.”
“Pay for it.”
—was what Sebastian said every single time.
After leaving the boutique, Sebastian mentioned he needed to drop by the blacksmith.
“Hey squirt, wanna come with me?”
“Um… no, thank you.”
Erika thought for a moment, then shook her head.
In truth, the girl was scared of loud noises.
Even thunder made her flinch and tremble—she didn’t want to hear the clanging of hammers at a blacksmith’s shop.
“I’ll just look around here while I wait.”
“Alright. I won’t take long.”
Seeing that it wasn’t exactly the best environment for Erika, Sebastian didn’t insist.
Even though the duchy had great public safety, weapon shops were still dangerous in their own way.
Sharp blades and molten metal were everywhere—it would be far too easy for Erika to get seriously injured.
Sebastian didn’t want to take her to a place like that, especially after she’d just recovered from illness.
“Let’s meet in two hours under the central clock tower.”
“Okay, sounds good. See you later.”
Sebastian nodded and disappeared down an alley with Milrod.
“Little Madam, shall we look around the market too?”
“Mhm. Let’s do it.”
Erika took Joanna’s hand and began exploring the town square.
The town was very clean and full of life.
The hardworking townspeople had bright, cheerful expressions.
‘This must be a nice place to live.’
It was clear from the faces of the residents just how much Sebastian and Felix cherished and looked after this land.
‘If I ever get to live alone with Mom someday… I hope it’s in a place like this.’
Where hard work leads to a good life, where people can laugh without worries…
A peaceful life like that.
Erika clutched her little bag tightly.
She felt a small, hard ring through the fabric.
It was one of Julia’s rings—mixed in with the items sent by Marquis Blanche.
‘It’s the one Mom always carried with her.’
She’d sent it to Erika.
As if to say, You’re doing great. Keep going.
As her nose began to sting, Joanna’s voice called out again.
“Little Madam! Let’s go check over there too!”
“Y-Yeah! Let’s go!”
Then, near the fountain, Erika spotted a group of children around her age gathered together.
“What are those kids doing?”
