Chapter 30
When the unusually prickly Benen suddenly offered to help me, my first thought was, “What’s this guy scheming?” I even suspected he might use my illiteracy as leverage to blackmail me.
But Benen really did help me. He stood up to the teacher who had tormented him—just because I once said, “Big brothers are cool.”
… I was briefly moved by the villain-in-training’s complete change of heart, and in that moment, I had a realization.
People find charm in the unexpected. Like when a cold, emotionless man suddenly clings to the heroine with tears in his eyes—it’s swoon-worthy! Or when the gentle sunshine-type guy unexpectedly becomes obsessed—it’s thrilling!
Why did it take me so long to realize this crucial point? Making the Duke act like a doting father was all about creating that element of surprise!
Therefore, I needed to apply that unexpectedness to the Duke’s sons too!
I delivered a passionate speech in front of the three father and sons.
“The Duke and Benen oppa already deliver on that element of surprise. When someone who’s usually harsh and cold shows affection only to his new family—it’s a universally attractive trope!”
“…”
The Duke and Benen both wore expressions that said, “We don’t get it at all.” They murmured, “Charming…?” while rubbing their foreheads.
You guys aren’t the issue here. Elver is!
“But Elver oppa was always kind. No matter how well he treats me, it won’t feel surprising.”
Elver responded in a flustered tone.
“Do we really need this surprise factor? Isn’t it enough that we’re all just caring toward our new family?”
His pure blue eyes sparkled with sincerity. I felt a stab of guilt in my conscience.
Yeah… living together peacefully as a loving family would be wonderful. But I wasn’t adopted to be loved. I basically signed a contract with the Duke to help rebrand the family’s image!
“Elver oppa, what I’m aiming for is image-making, not building a wholesome family. That kind of thing doesn’t suit House Schlieger.”
“…”
Faced with my cold logic, Elver wrung his hands, then—
“Then… Sol, I’ll like you way, way more than Benen hyung or Dad. Would that be okay?”
…He delivered a powerful uppercut to my conscience. Where did this angel come from?
But I forced myself to look away from Elver’s pleading eyes.
I can’t let myself get soft! I’m not here to be loved—I’m here to earn my keep!
I clenched my eyes shut and declared,
“N-no! From now on, Elver oppa has to take on a tsundere persona!”
“Tsund… what?”
“Tsundere.”
I didn’t want to use a Japanese word, but I couldn’t think of a better substitute. It’s not like I could explain it using some Korean historical figure in a romantic fantasy setting.
“It’s when you act cold and mean, but secretly take care of someone. Like giving a gift and saying, ‘Found this lying around, figured I’d toss it your way.’”
All three of them looked skeptical. Benen’s mouth—the mouth of truth—opened.
“That sounds… stupid?”
“…”
“Who’d believe someone hates you if they’re giving you presents? And if I were the one receiving it, I’d be annoyed too.”
Everything he said made sense.
Elver seemed grateful Benen had voiced what he couldn’t, and nodded.
But Benen didn’t argue for long. He just shrugged.
“Not my problem. Good luck, Elver.”
“Hyung! Or wait—wouldn’t it be better if you played the tsundere? You’ve been cold from the start, so it fits you better!”
“Can’t. I decided to start liking her recently. Right, Sol?”
Benen winked at me. Stop doing things that cause misunderstandings! Elver looked at me in a daze.
“Recently? What happened between you two?”
…Yeah. I told Benen about my illiteracy—our little secret. I’m not ready to confess that.
Benen smirked and stood up.
“Family meeting’s over, right? I’m heading out.”
“Hyyyung!”
“I’m returning to my office too. Elver, come to terms with reality.”
“Even you, Father…”
As Benen and the Duke exited, Elver turned to me with teary eyes.
“Do we really have to do this? I can’t pretend to hate you!”
“You can! And if pretending is too hard, then I’ll steal your late-night snacks so you’ll really hate me!”
“You don’t need to steal them—I’ll give you all of them!”
While Elver continued pounding on my conscience with kindness, the tea room door suddenly burst open. The Duke had returned.
He strode into the room and then—
“Kkyaah?!”
Scooped me up in a hug. Too high! What are you doing, man?!
“D-Duke?”
“You should say ‘Father.’”
“F-Father, what’s going on all of a sudden?”
“There’s a meeting about the county coming up. I plan to brag about you there.”
“…Brag?”
“You told me to, didn’t you? Act like a fool obsessed with his daughter.”
So sudden?! I mean, yes, this is probably the most effective way to publicize the daughter-fool persona, but still—!
With me in his arms, the Duke turned toward Elver and added,
“Don’t worry. I’ll dote on her enough for the both of us.”
“Father…!”
Completely flipping his son’s world with his dignified tone, the Duke strode down the corridor of the ducal estate.
The most dazzling time in the County of Flögel: spring. The silver mountains thaw and feed the earth, fresh buds break through the frost.
People, too, become busier than ever. In the meeting room, everyone treated every second like gold. As soon as their turn came, they read their reports.
“The opal yield at Mine No. 7 has hit its limit. With your permission to use explosives, we can begin developing additional tunnels.”
“Still too much ice in the region. Wait until June to minimize collapse risk. Next.”
“The Count of Marsh wishes to purchase a large volume of ephedra herbs. However, for mass sales, we need approval to use the Eastern Route.”
“Road repairs from last year’s avalanche are likely unfinished. Prepare the paperwork for the Eastern Route by tomorrow, and also explore sea transport options. Next.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Regarding recent hunting ground management issues…”
People continued to come and go, and matters were settled swiftly. Wow, I used to think he was just a privileged villain, but it turns out he’s not coasting on the lordship at all.
Still, no matter how hard I tried to focus on the Duke’s cool side…
“Next.”
Pat, pat, pat.
…Every time an agenda item ended, he’d pat me on the head while I sat on his lap.
Is this really bragging about his daughter? He’s using me like a conference bell!
At first, people had looked at me like I was some foreign object, but now they just looked pitiful. But who would dare say anything to the Duke?
Damn, I have to make a wholesome impression before this meeting ends…!
While I was lost in thought under the Duke’s hand, I spotted a curious scene through the cracked door.
A boy in work clothes had stopped the man who mentioned the herb earlier. He seemed to have a lot to say, but the man shook him off and walked away. The boy looked uneasy and kept glancing toward the meeting room.
That’s suspicious. Did he have something to report?
I lightly tapped the Duke’s shin. He finally looked at me.
“…Ah, Sol. I forgot you were here.”
You forgot?! You really were treating me like a conference bell?!
He awkwardly patted my head like he was making up homework. Seriously, man!
“Dad, was that the end of an agenda?”
“Yes. Why?”
“There’s someone out there who wants to speak!”
All eyes followed where I pointed—to the boy in work clothes. A brief silence fell.
“That man from the herb guild left earlier, and the kid stopped him! Maybe he forgot to say something important?”
“If so, the guild leader would’ve come back.”
“But coming back after finishing your report is kinda embarrassing… I mean, um, awkward!”
Oops, wrong word choice.
Everyone tried to keep a neutral expression, but I could see them clenching their jaws.
Was I about to get scolded?
But unexpectedly…
“Let him in.”
The Duke gestured toward the boy. The boy flinched like a deer caught in headlights but didn’t dare disobey.
As he walked in trembling, the smell of manure grew stronger.
The nobles wrinkled their noses, and the boy realized it too, his fear growing.
“I-I’m sorry… I just wanted to deliver a message for the guild leader… I’m just a laborer.”
The man whose turn had been interrupted scowled.
“Then why were you lurking outside and distracting the Lady?”
“N-no! I didn’t mean to!”
“If you have nothing to say, get lost. Or go entertain the bored Lady instead.”
Wow, dragging me into it? I can feel the condescension: “Get out with that frivolous Lady who’s causing disruptions.”
The boy shut his mouth tight. The man lifted his chin.
“This room is for organizational leaders only. Don’t sully it. Leave now—”
“Huh? Really?”
I cut in with wide eyes and turned to the Duke.
“Dad, was I not supposed to be in here either? Did I come in for nothing?”
The Duke’s brow furrowed slightly.
“No. The meeting room is open to everyone in the county.”
“Then he can talk too, right? If it’s about the herbs, it’s not interrupting!”
“That’s one way to see it.”
“Let him speak! If I’m the only kid who gets to talk here, it’s embarrassing. Please?”
I kicked the Duke’s shin as a signal: Listen to me. This is important.
That kid came all the way here despite all these nobles—he must have something crucial to say.
Ignore a person like this, and the whole organization suffers.
My old factory nearly went bankrupt because they ignored a part-time worker’s warning.
…Well, this isn’t a company, but still.
The Duke slowly nodded.
“Very well. If it’s my daughter’s request, I must honor it.”
“Yay!”
Our tone was incredibly awkward, but the meeting participants were more shocked that the boy had been granted the right to speak. All eyes turned to him.
At first, he trembled too much to open his mouth. But then the man who had insulted us earlier muttered—
“…If you’re taking up our time, I hope you make it worth it.”
The boy suddenly looked determined.
“F-first, thank you, beautiful Lady!”
…The Duke’s fist tensed for a moment.
Hold it in. That “romance route” is still five years too early.
