DFCWD 55

Chapter 55

I always thought only other people’s children grew up fast. Turns out, I’m growing up quickly too.

It’s been about six years since I possessed the body of an extra in the romance-fantasy novel To Save You. By now, I’ve gotten used to this life. Even calling people younger than my original self “Oppa” no longer feels strange.

And calling that mafia-looking villain “Father”? That’s second nature now too.

But that’s not the important part. What matters is that in all this time, the Duke of Schlayger hasn’t turned into the “cold-blooded man” he was in the original story!

Sure, I trained him into being a bit of a tsundere, so he’s developed in a slightly different direction. Still, at his core, he’s the same kind, gentle angel he was when he was twelve.

As for Benen, he grew up without killing anyone and safely became an adult. Compared to the original novel, that’s a monumental improvement.

Well… it’s possible he’s caused trouble when I wasn’t watching, but at least he’s not infamous.

Could it be… I really did change the original story?

Still, it’s too early to relax. In the novel, I die after my sixteenth birthday. The culprit? None other than Latiger Oldt Schlayger, the Duke himself.

The man whose years show not in wrinkles but in the deep lines of his gaze looked at me and spoke.

“Ah—say ah.”

In his hand was a spoon piled with apricot ice cream.

“…Father, I can eat it myself.”

“I can feed you. Ah.”

“Can’t you drop the doting-dad act when no one’s watching?”

“If you get used to behaving loosely when unwatched, bad habits take root. One must always act with dignity.”

Ugh, he sounds like one of those New Year’s text messages from an elder! Well, he is an elder, but still!

I gave up and opened my mouth. The spoon, chilled with magic, briefly stuck to my lips before coming away. He must have been keeping the ice cream cold with his Silver Dragon powers.

“Father, doesn’t the Silver Dragon complain that you waste its power on silly things like this?”

What I really wanted to ask was different.

In the novel, the Silver Dragon gradually corrupted the Duke—his personality, his reason, everything. Eventually he grew reckless and dangerous.

One such act was throwing his daughter into a terrorist plot when she turned sixteen.

In other words, this very year.

But the Duke before me didn’t seem much different from before. He was still fundamentally a villain, but also a diligent lord and—strangely enough—a responsible adoptive father.

Soon he replied to my question.

“Perhaps the Silver Dragon cherishes you as well.”

“….”

“Doesn’t seem likely?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Yes, that must be it.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“I’ll ask it myself… It says yes.”

“Your arm just twitched! That was the Silver Dragon scolding you for lying, wasn’t it?”

“…A cramp. If you massage it, it will pass quickly.”

“Ugh, really!”

This man has gotten strange—in completely the wrong direction!

The maids who passed by smiled, as though this were heartwarming. Weren’t they tired of this nonsense? No, it wasn’t sweet—it was just that the Duke no longer knew the difference between “concept” and reality!

Unfortunately, my brothers weren’t home to intervene. Not that they’d run away.

…Two years ago in spring, the second son Benen left for the capital, Albion.

In the novel, Benen was treated as nothing more than a tool to maintain the ducal household. He only learned what the Duke demanded and spent all his talent on managing the family estate.

But maybe thanks to my efforts, things turned out differently.

After much thought, Benen decided to study public administration at the national university, while also managing the ducal townhouse.

As for Elber, his path remained the same as in the original. At sixteen, he entered the capital’s academy, where young nobles mingled, studied, and built connections.

So two years ago, he too went to Albion, along with Benen. I still remember that day vividly.

At first Elber was composed. But when he hugged me, tears from eyes a head taller than me fell onto the crown of my head.

Don’t cry, Elber Oppa. People will think we’re parting forever.
I wasn’t crying!

And yet, he held me for a full hour until his tears ran dry.

Benen, on the other hand, just fiddled with my hand.

You’ll both be back on vacation, right? You’ll come home then!
Of course. But Sol, I don’t think Father would ever allow you to come to Albion…

And right then, the Duke’s eyes had practically shot fire. Why? Was he worried I’d run away?

He had declared sternly:

Albion is too dangerous for a child like you. Once you’re a proper lady, you may come with guards.

And so, I’ve never been allowed to set foot in the capital.

The problem is, neither Benen nor Elber return to Flogel often. Benen is busy networking and managing the townhouse, while Elber is swamped with academy life. The last time I saw them was last summer.

Ah, my little brothers, growing so tall every time I see them once in a few months. How tall will they be this time? If only the Duke would let me visit them!

I sighed deeply.

“….”

And only then noticed the Duke still holding his arm out in front of me.

“You want me to massage it?”

“…Not that I want to, but your face looks like you want to tear something apart.”

“Why are you imitating Elber Oppa? You could just say so.”

Grumbling, I grabbed his arm. The Silver Dragon’s energy squirmed faintly beneath the skin.

…Lately I’ve begun to suspect he actually likes it when I massage him. He always positions himself right where I’ll press. Getting filial service without doing anything himself.

Muttering inwardly, I tried again.

“Father. I’m sixteen this year.”

“Specifically, on September 4th.”

Seriously, what does the actual date matter? In Korea, we’d just call it sixteen once the year turns! This is a K-romance fantasy, after all!

Anyway, there was a reason I brought it up.

“I want to debut in—”

“No.”

That was fast!

“Why not? Isn’t it normal to debut in society at this age?”

“It’s not mandatory. Haven’t you already enjoyed social life in Flogel? With barons’ children or guild heirs, for instance…”

“You know that’s not the same.”

Lowering my voice, I saw him flinch and sigh.

“What you mean is: you want to go to the capital.”

“Exactly.”

“Why? Are you bored of Flogel?”

“Of course not! How could you say that!”

“Then why?”

Because I need to meet the heroine.

For six years I’ve prevented the Schlayger men from turning into monsters, but my limits are near.

All I can do is play with Benen and Elber and massage the Duke’s shoulders. Somehow, I have to find the saintess.

Only then can I protect them.

“Flogel is wonderful! But I want to experience new people, new scenery.”

“Hm…”

“And besides, here everything bends to your will, Father. Sometimes you learn more in places where others hold the reins.”

I thought it was a good answer, but his eyes narrowed.

“Do you need to become capable?”

“Huh? Well… yes. I can’t live as a sheltered lady forever.”

“Why not?”

“….”

“It’s possible.”

Ugh, enough with the doting-dad act! Fine, I didn’t want to use this, but I have no choice.

I flung myself on the floor and kicked my arms and legs.

“I want to go to the capital! My brothers went—why am I the only one locked up here!”

If reason doesn’t work, tantrums remain. The passing maids looked stunned. Yes, maybe it’s shocking for a sixteen-year-old lady to behave this way.

But hey, I used to be in my mid-twenties! With this younger body, I feel no shame at all.

Come on, Duke—embarrassed, aren’t you? Say something!

“…Looks like I’ll have to keep raising you on my back.”

What.

“How can I send such a childish daughter anywhere? You need more lessons.”

“Don’t hide behind ‘lessons.’ Even if I were polite, you’d find another excuse.”

“Get up. The floor is cold.”

“The carpet is thick.”

“It will be cold soon enough.”

Chill gathered in his palm. He was actually using his powers to threaten me!

I got up, grumbling. He patted my back lightly, as if dusting me off. His large hand felt cool and soothing.

“Big hands are nice.”

“With a daughter who still needs so much tending, where could you possibly go? You’re too young.”

“You let my brothers go. Elber was the same age I am now.”

“…I was planning to visit them this year. You can come with me.”

“That’s just a trip! I want more than a brief visit!”

Meeting the saintess isn’t my only goal. I also need to build connections.

In the original, the adopted daughter never even debuted in society. She only went to the capital because the Duke wanted to show her off, and died without anyone remembering her—nothing more than a disposable extra.

Her death was rewritten entirely for the Duke’s political advantage.

I refuse to end up like that.

…The Duke now may not openly try to kill me as in the novel, but you never know.

So I spoke firmly.

“I will never back down.”

“…Give me one day. I’ll think about it.”

He turned his head, as if to end the conversation. Oh-ho? Planning to dodge me with busyness?

Well, I have one last trump card.

“Fine. But you won’t forget, right? Like six years ago, when you promised me a gift and completely forgot? I’m trusting you.”

“….”

At last, he met my eyes again and answered with weight.

“Never. Absolutely never. No matter what happens, I won’t let that happen again.”