Chapter 3
“What kind of confidence is that? A choice?”
“If I say I want to go with you, you’re in a position where you have no choice but to take me, aren’t you?”
The more boldly I spoke, the more Duke Bellamund Anecroxia’s expression hardened. Well, that reaction was only natural. An eight-year-old child was pressuring him with talk of “choice” and such.
But as expected, he wasn’t easy.
“Why should I take you?”
“Because I’m a useful child.”
“Are you going to say something like you can see the future in the name of some great god? I’ve heard the temple does things like that to arrange adoptions for its orphaned children. Are you going to say something just as predictable?”
“I don’t stop at simply seeing the future, Father. I’ll be useful to you. Of course, I’m not saying you must take me right away. One day, at some moment, when you truly feel I’m useful—then take me.”
At my words that it wasn’t now, a faint wrinkle formed between his brows.
“So you’re not choosing now?”
“I don’t want to become a burden you’re forced to carry. Of course, if I truly wanted it, I could make it happen—but that’s not what I want.”
The age when children were adopted simply for claiming they could see the future had already ended. From the moment I began this adoption process, I intended to hold the advantage.
“So make your decision one month from now.”
“One month?”
“Yes. At some point, you’ll start paying attention to me. And then you’ll make your choice. Wait until then—even if you want to adopt me.”
“You’re quite bold.”
“That’s my charm.”
I, who had been sitting on a chair too high for my feet to touch the floor, hopped down again.
People are always more intrigued when you turn away coolly than when you cling.
He will definitely end up choosing me as his daughter. Because I’ll solve a long-standing problem of his. This isn’t something that can be solved just by knowing the future—this is something only I can do.
The moment I imagined the duke saying, “Become my daughter,” I couldn’t help but smile.
The father I had chosen was Duke Bellamund Anecroxia, one of the four great ducal families of the Empire. He was also known as both the Emperor’s and the Temple’s dog. That was exactly who he was.
But the one who made a choice today was not him.
I had no intention of being like some ordinary child in a typical story who gets adopted into a noble family and wins everyone over with cuteness. I am Rubyé—smart and adorable. I forge my own path.
As I stepped outside, I happened to see the nursery nun entering.
“Rubyé. Are you finished?”
“No—this child lied, and this is acceptable?!”
At that moment, a loud voice rang out. It was the nobleman who had been causing a scene, insisting he would protest to the temple. The nursery nun sighed softly, as if she had expected this.
Before she could speak, I cut in first.
“It wasn’t the nursery nun who told me to do it. I just wanted to look impressive, so I copied what I read in a book. So why are you yelling at her?”
“What, what did you say?”
“You’re the one who got fooled by a child’s lie. Shouldn’t you be embarrassed? And earlier you were going on about the temple this and that…”
“That’s enough. Stop it. We also bear some fault here, so let’s end it at that.”
Count Collin quickly stepped in to stop the furious nobleman. By preventing the situation from escalating, he managed to earn goodwill from both sides. Even at this moment, he raised his eyebrows at me with an oily smile plastered on his face.
I really hate him.
But for my future, I had to stay focused. Even that sliminess—I had already decided I would overcome it.
“So, Nursery Nun! I’ve decided on the house I’ll be adopted into!”
“Oh? Is that so?”
The nobles avoided my gaze awkwardly, forcing smiles as if worried it might be revealed that they had mistreated a so-called “Child of God.”
“So which house have you chosen?”
“I’ll go to Count Collin’s household!”
At my words, he let out a hearty laugh as if he had never expected this.
Count Collin had one daughter and one son.
I knew very well about his household.
Count Collin believed his family was practically a royal family—of the most special, pure-blooded line. Because of that belief, he looked down on anyone not of his house.
The reason behind this was that candidates for the High Priest had repeatedly emerged from his lineage. The more that happened, the more he came to believe his blood was nearly equal to that of the imperial family, and his arrogance only grew. Even his children were the same.
Of course, his youngest son is rather dull and hasn’t qualified as a candidate, so he’s planning to adopt another child. And he intends to use the adopted child’s power for his biological son—maybe even adopt more children to extract their abilities.
That was why Count Collin had rushed over the moment he heard a child with special powers might choose him. He needed a child who could be drained of their abilities to benefit his own son.
Perhaps that was why his face was full of satisfaction the moment I chose him.
“Hm? Our household?”
“Yes! I heard Count Collin’s house has a son and a daughter. And they said I’d get the best room there. They also said they’d give me a doll as big as my body… anyway, I choose Count Collin’s house!”
I caught faint disappointment on the faces of those who were not chosen. But because of earlier events, their disappointment didn’t last long. The one who seemed most regretful was Duke Anecroxia, who had spoken with me the longest.
“I thought that since you spoke with His Grace the Duke for so long, I wouldn’t be chosen.”
Count Collin shrugged, acting as though he had never expected to be chosen, then spoke with an air of pride as he looked at Duke Anecroxia—his expression saying you weren’t chosen, but I was. Watching him, I quickly added,
“Oh! Right. I did consider it until the very end, but the Duke wasn’t very appealing! He didn’t say he’d buy me a big doll, and he only has sons. And he said he wouldn’t give me a good room, so he wasn’t great. I like sunny rooms!”
Like a child, in a childish way, I shook my head as I gave such ridiculous excuses.
The nursery nun, who had looked quite troubled, nodded as if she understood.
“Very well, Rubyé. I understand your choice clearly. First, everyone—including Count Collin—please return. We will discuss the adoption procedures afterward. Even though Rubyé is a Child of God whose choice is important, the decision cannot be left entirely as it is.”
With an awkward smile, the nursery nun quickly sent the nobles away. One by one, they turned to leave. Even as they did, they were busy congratulating Count Collin.
“Congratulations. To be chosen by a child regarded as very special by the temple, no less.”
“Indeed, if I were you, I would have chosen Count Collin as well. With your reputation, Count, your life is surely set.”
“That’s right. No matter how special the oracle child may be, she is still an orphan. The child is clearly intelligent to have chosen Count Collin—she must have already realized how to make her future shine.”
“It’s a pity I wasn’t chosen, but I believe the right person was selected.”
As always, the nobles who were not chosen wagged their tails eagerly, trying to attach themselves to Count Collin’s faction. The nobles who had come here at the child’s request were those sensitive to the temple’s influence, and those sensitive to the temple were typically aligned with the Emperor. It was only natural that they would also bow to Count Collin, their nominal leader.
Thus, the four heads of noble houses left first, followed by the duke.
Duke Anecroxia looked at me for a long moment as if he still had something to say. But I deliberately took the nursery nun’s hand and walked out, making it clear I was done.
Once outside, the nursery nun let out a deep sigh.
“Rubyé… are you really sure about Count Collin?”
“For now.”
“For now?”
“Yes! I thought about it a lot!”
“I see…”
The nursery nun trailed off, then shook her small, round head.
“Why? Is there a problem with Count Collin?”
“No. He is a very good man. Truly a very good man. As you said, he has twin children your age, so you won’t feel too pressured. You won’t regret it. Of all those who came today… he is the best choice.”
