Chapter 09
“?”
Did I do something wrong?
I tilted my head and looked at him. Lucero’s expression was unusually serious.
“So this is why people cry out for a daughter. My sons have never done something like this…”
He muttered something I couldn’t understand. Then he suddenly asked me,
“Our daughter is comforting her dad right now?”
“U! (Yes!)”
“My goodness…”
At my single word, Lucero’s face changed instantly. His serious expression turned into surprise, and he looked at me with touched eyes—as if he never expected this to happen.
“Is it because she’s my daughter?”
He stared at me for a long time. Then his eyes sparkled with emotion as he looked at me proudly.
“She’s already comforting me… My daughter must be an angel!”
‘That’s not true…’
“This won’t do. Alle, wait! To celebrate being comforted, I’ll give you the diamond mine in the west!”
“Gasp! No, Your Grace! Isn’t that the mine you promised to offer to His Majesty?!”
At Lucero’s words, Plio—who had been waiting outside—shouted with a pale face.
“I want to give it to my daughter. What’s the problem, Plio?”
“Your Grace, have you forgotten? That’s where pink diamonds come from!”
“That’s exactly why I should give it to my daughter.”
“Your Grace, please…”
“Move. I don’t have time.”
“No, Your Grace! Please step over me instead!”
“Really? Then lie down, Plio. I’ll step over you right now.”
“Your Grace!”
And once again, Plio began making a huge fuss.
Granato Ducal Estate – Study.
Levi was biting his finger and walking in circles around the room.
“Levi, stop pacing.”
At Levi’s behavior, Iello frowned and spoke. Levi replied sharply.
“I’m nervous, that’s why!”
“Even so, keep your dignity.”
“Are you an old man or something?”
At the word “old man,” Iello’s expression turned sharp.
“What? Where did you learn that word?”
“From you, obviously!”
“I never taught you that.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“You did!”
Their argument started over that one word. They kept bickering, each insisting they were right. Then Levi suddenly shouted and revealed why he had been pacing.
“Ah, stop it! I’m tired of arguing. The reason I was walking around is because I’m worried about the youngest.”
“Is it not because Father’s love was taken away from you?”
“What are you talking about! I’m not a baby!”
“You’re five. That’s still a baby.”
“We’re only four years apart! Don’t treat me like a child!”
Levi exploded in anger. Iello looked relaxed and said calmly,
“Every time you speak, your emotions show clearly. Are you a child or an adult?”
“Ah, seriously!”
Levi huffed and sat across from Iello. Then he glared at him and asked bluntly,
“Don’t you feel sorry?”
“For what?”
“The youngest collapsed because of you!”
“She wasn’t the only one who collapsed.”
“You woke up in half a day!”
“So you’re saying it’s all my fault?”
“Of course it’s your fault! Who else would it be!”
“Fine. It’s all my fault.”
Just as their argument was about to become serious again, Lucero appeared.
“Enough.”
“Ah, Father…”
“You’re back, Father.”
Levi trailed off, while Iello greeted calmly.
“It’s almost lesson time. Why are you making so much noise?”
“Well…”
“It’s nothing.”
Levi tried to explain, but Iello quickly cut him off. Lucero let out a short sigh.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been neglecting you.”
Allegria aside, Iello and Levi were still young and needed care too.
“It’s okay, Father.”
“No, it’s fine, Father!”
Judging by their reactions, Lucero’s worry seemed unnecessary.
“Father, is Alle okay?”
Levi rolled his eyes and asked. Lucero smiled gently and told them,
“Yes, she seems fine now.”
“That’s a relief!”
Levi’s face brightened at the news. After watching Levi’s reaction, Lucero turned to Iello.
“…”
Iello showed no emotion.
“Iello.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Why don’t you go see your sister later?”
Lucero suggested carefully.
“…”
Iello stayed silent, deep in thought. Lucero gently patted his shoulder.
“Of course, I’m not forcing you. If you don’t want to go—”
“I’ll go, Father.”
Iello made his decision.
“Good. I’m proud of you, Iello.”
“But I won’t go today.”
He brushed Lucero’s hand off his shoulder and replied bluntly.
“That’s fine. Focus on your lesson, and go when you feel comfortable. Levi, study hard as well.”
“…”
“Yes, Father!”
“Aaa! (No! I said no!)”
“No, Young Miss! It’s dangerous outside!”
“Huu! (I want to go out!)”
“No! It hasn’t even been a week!”
Ah, why not!
It had been five days since I woke up. Even after five days, I was still staying in Lucero’s room.
‘Play, eat, lie down. What is this! This is only fun for a day or two!’
Someone might think I was living in luxury, but try staying in one room all day as a baby. Your body would feel stiff and itchy.
‘I tried crawling around everywhere!’
“No, Young Miss!”
Why does Flynn catch me every time I try?
“Hiik!”
Seriously!
How long do I have to stay in this room?
I puffed my cheeks and glared at the door. Flynn brushed the dust off my hands and said,
“Young Miss, your room is under construction, so you can’t go there yet! Please endure it a little longer.”
Fine, my room is under construction! But can’t I at least crawl in the hallway?
Frustrated, I tugged at Flynn’s skirt and pointed at the hallway.
“Fwi! (Flynn!)”
I want to go out!
I looked at her with desperate eyes. Flynn hesitated.
“Ah… I shouldn’t…”
“Fwi! (Flynn!)”
I’ll only look around the second floor! I won’t go to the first floor! I’ve been trapped for five days! I just want to see the hallway!
“Then maybe later—”
“No, Flynn. The Young Miss absolutely needs rest.”
“Dana!”
Just as Flynn was about to agree, Dana appeared and stopped her.
“Young Miss, please endure a little longer. You just woke up, so walking around is dangerous.”
Even so, I can at least go to the hallway, right?
I stretched out my hands toward Dana with pleading eyes.
“Dana!”
Take me with you! I’ll behave!
Dana looked troubled, then shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Young Miss. Even I can’t disobey the Lord’s order.”
As if she didn’t want to waver, Dana avoided my eyes and left the room with Flynn.
And so, once again, I was trapped in Lucero’s room.
Early dawn, under soft moonlight.
“Kyaa!”
This feels so good!
“Huu!”
It’s been so long!
Right now, I was crawling through the hallway, enjoying my freedom. I was walking around happily!
How did I get out?
It was because—
“Your Grace, something terrible has happened!”
“What is it, Plio?”
Thanks to Plio!
Right before bedtime, Plio rushed in with loud footsteps. His face was pale as he shouted to Lucero.
“There’s a problem with the export goods, Your Grace!”
“What? They’re being exported tomorrow. What do you mean there’s a problem?”
“That’s exactly the issue! I think… you need to check it yourself.”
“Ha, this is driving me crazy.”
Lucero frowned deeply.
‘Is he worried because of me? Then I should pretend to sleep!’
I quickly yawned and acted sleepy.
“Our daughter is going to sleep?”
“U. (Yes.)”
When I blinked and yawned again, Lucero’s frown softened. He gently stroked my cheek.
“Sleep well. Daddy will finish quickly and come back.”
“U! (Okay!)”
After that, Lucero left with Plio. Plio was so flustered that he left the door wide open.
I didn’t miss the chance. I quickly slid down from the cradle and crawled into the hallway.
Of course, I waited a bit before coming out! That way, no one noticed me.
‘Hehe, I’m glad I didn’t fall asleep!’
Maybe I couldn’t sleep tonight because I was meant to take a walk!
So I happily explored the second floor.
From familiar places to new ones, I crawled around everywhere.
Then—
“Hic… Mother…”
I heard someone crying softly.
‘Hm? That voice sounds familiar.’
Following the sound, I reached the terrace.
The moment I peeked out—
“Mother, I miss you. Can’t you at least come to me in my dreams?”
Iello was sitting there, burying his face in his knees, crying for his mother.
