ADVD 11

Chapter 11

Cecile had always prided herself on her cleverness and intuition, but this time, it took her quite a while to fully understand what he was saying.

“You don’t need to go out of your way, Your Highness. I will do my utmost to protect you and make sure you don’t experience any difficulty while staying here. I understand your anxiety, but please know that you don’t have to act cute or prove your worth to earn the protection of adults while you’re here.”

His words were hard for Cecile to accept.

No one had ever helped her unconditionally without asking for something in return.

After fleeing the imperial palace, she had survived using her charm magic and spells. But those only earned her blind obedience—not genuine concern.

‘Come to think of it… even when this man took me from the palace, he didn’t ask for any conditions. He even endured political loss to bring me here… And I’m not even related to him by blood.’

When Cecile didn’t respond, the duke let out a low sigh.

“You don’t have to believe me. I understand the anxiety of needing to do something—anything—just to feel safe. I’ve been there myself.”

“…”

“But please remember this at least: You don’t need to tear yourself apart to earn someone’s love.”

For someone who had spent her whole life using every trick she had to earn people’s affection, this idea—that she could be protected without doing anything—was impossible to believe.

In fact, it only made her more nervous. She couldn’t figure out what his true intentions were.

‘There’s no way you brought me here without expecting something in return. What do you want from me, Duke Baltholomew?’

Secretly, Cecile clenched her tiny fist. Her nails dug into her palm.

‘How am I supposed to believe that I can be loved without sacrificing myself?’

She was confused, but she couldn’t let it show.

This was a precious opportunity. Whatever it took, she needed to leave a good impression during this meeting.

Cecile flashed a bright smile.

“Thank you, Duke! You’ve been so kind to me. I’ll never forget it!”

She held up her pinky finger. It was ridiculously small and dainty compared to an adult’s.

“I’ll never forget what you said. Promise!”

The Duke looked down at her with a strange expression before lightly hooking his pinky with hers.

“But really, I want to get along well with you, Duke. So from now on, could you please speak more comfortably with me? When you use formal speech, it feels like there’s such a distance between us.”

“I cannot do that to a princess.”

“Then… could you at least change how you address me? Every time I hear that title, I remember all the awful things from the palace. It hurts…”

When Cecile said this with a tearful face, even the stubborn duke gave in.

“Then what should I call you?”

“Please call me Cecile.”

“Very well… Cecile.”

Hearing her name spoken in his low, calm voice made her feel strange.

She was still afraid of him, still wary, still didn’t like him… and yet… something felt off.

Her stomach churned slightly, and her chest ached faintly.

To suppress the rising emotions, Cecile bit the inside of her cheek.

‘Don’t be fooled by a kind tone or pleasant atmosphere.’

She reminded herself.

‘Remember what kind of person he is, Cecile. If I let my guard down even for a second, I won’t survive in this mansion.’

Hiding all these complicated emotions, Cecile turned to the duke with a beaming smile.

“I’m so happy! Don’t forget, you have to call me Cecile from now on!”

Her soft cheeks formed deep dimples—an incredibly lovable smile.

Despite her inner thoughts, her face looked pure and sweet, like someone who knew nothing of the world’s cruelty.

The Duke looked at her.

His eyes, though gentler now, held a mix of pity and something more complicated—but Cecile didn’t notice.

There were still unanswered questions, but Cecile deemed today’s meeting a success overall.

“But that doesn’t mean I can relax. Duke Baltholomew is cautious and unpredictable, so I’ll move on to the next step immediately.”

[That’s a good plan, Cecile. But… where are you going? This isn’t the direction of the duke’s office.]

“To the kitchen.”

[The kitchen? Why?]

“To cook.”

[You’re going to cook in the duke’s kitchen? Do you think those proud chefs will even allow it?]

“I’ve already thought of a way to get their permission, so don’t worry.”

[Why not just ask one of the chefs to help you? I know you cooked when you were a dark mage, but that’s no longer necessary, is it?]

“It won’t mean anything unless I make it myself. I’m not cooking for me—I’m making something for the Duke.”

[What?! But the Duke has a notoriously picky palate… Are you sure about this? Your cooking is good, yes, but still…]

Cecile replied, sounding a bit annoyed.

“People say potion-making began with cooking. All the greatest alchemists in ancient times were chefs. Don’t underestimate the cooking of the continent’s top potion-maker.”

[W-Well… fair point…]

“And now I’m going into the kitchen, so be quiet. Keep nagging and I’ll put you back to sleep permanently.”

Only then did Nibelung fall silent, startled.

With her mind finally quiet, Cecile stepped into the kitchen.

“Well, look who it is!”

“Isn’t that the little princess?”

As expected from the place that fed the entire mansion, the kitchen was enormous, bustling with people, and full of activity.

When the young princess—rumored to be staying at the mansion—appeared, the chefs turned their attention to her.

“Oh my, how adorable. She’s so pretty!”

“What brings you to the kitchen, Your Highness?”

“Would you like a snack?”

The chefs, perhaps due to the physically demanding nature of their work, all looked quite strong.

So when the clearly cute and charming Cecile appeared among them, they didn’t know what to do with themselves.

Cecile greeted them with a bright eye smile.

“Hello! I have a favor to ask…”

“Who came in?”

A deep, commanding voice, far more imposing than the others, interrupted her.

The man who appeared looked fearsome.

He was massive, his forearms the size of Cecile’s torso.

Scars ran across his lips and hands, and his aura resembled that of a wild beast more than a civilized man.

“Head Chef!”

From the others’ reactions, Cecile realized this man was the head chef.

‘Right… I heard the chef who served here for two years was recently promoted during the mass hiring. That must be him.’

“Head Chef, the princess is here. You know, the one who’s staying here for a while…”

At the chef’s words, the head chef glanced sideways at Cecile with intense eyes.

He slowly approached her.

The pressure was enormous, and a dark shadow loomed over Cecile’s head.

For any ordinary eight-year-old, this moment would’ve brought them to tears.

But Cecile wasn’t an ordinary eight-year-old.

Having faced far scarier people, the head chef’s presence didn’t faze her.

Cecile maintained her cheerful demeanor.

“Hello, Head Chef! I’m Cecile.”

“…Hans.”

He gave a curt reply.

“Head Chef Hans, I’m sorry to bother you while you’re busy. Would it be alright if I borrow a small corner of the kitchen? I promise I won’t get in your way.”

“What brings a princess to the kitchen?”

“I want to make a dish for the Duke to thank him for everything he’s done for me.”

‘Even the coldest villains and grandpas who act like villains can’t resist good food.’

This time, Cecile was determined to win over Duke Baltholomew with a delicious meal.

The chef’s expression twisted oddly—whether he was angry or troubled was unclear.

“Well…”

“I won’t even use the stove. I’ll only need a tiny corner. I’ll prep all the ingredients myself.”

“It’s just…”

‘Not enough with charm and politeness? Then I have no choice.’

Tears welled up in Cecile’s large, round eyes.

As her dark lashes fluttered, the tears rolled down her plump, pale cheeks.

Anyone who remained unmoved after seeing such a pitiful sight had to be heartless.