Chapter 9
Maybe it was because I had overexerted myself yesterday—I ended up dozing off in Duke Panter’s arms. My head had felt like it would split open from thinking about my brother, but now the pain was gone.
I had cried my eyes out, not knowing what to do next, but thanks to the duke, I was able to forget those thoughts for a while. His hold felt unstable, so without realizing it, I clutched tightly at his clothes.
I had no desire to fall and end my life early.
For the sake of the duke, who had taken me to the garden, I deliberately put the flower in my mouth.
It wasn’t because I wanted to eat it. Since I looked like a child, I figured I should act like one to avoid suspicion. So I behaved like a kid who puts anything she grabs into her mouth.
Fortunately, Oscar mentioned it was a flower used as a pain reliever and fever reducer, which reassured me. Maybe that’s why my headache eased a little.
Sitting awkwardly in the garden felt uncomfortable, so I stepped away from the duke. Watching him—someone who didn’t even know the names of flowers or butterflies—I nodded to myself.
No one is perfect.
Not knowing those things made him seem a bit more human. So I acted like a child and ran around trying to catch a butterfly.
Honestly, it was exhausting trying to “play” with someone like him who just stood there watching.
Even on the way back, I clung tightly to his clothes.
Please hold me with both arms. This is too unstable.
I didn’t have a fear of heights, but every time I looked down from his arms, I turned my head away.
It was too high. If I fell from here, I’d definitely break bones—or worse.
Eventually, I got sleepy and fell asleep in his arms.
That night, I had a dream.
I was playing with the duke in the garden when suddenly I felt an urgent need to use the bathroom. With no choice, I pushed through the bushes, made sure no one was around, and relieved myself there.
It felt a bit uncomfortable, but I hurried and went back to him.
As I rolled around on the flat ground, I started feeling uneasy. The ground felt unusually soft. And warm.
It was definitely the garden floor—but the moment I felt that cushion-like softness, I opened my eyes.
It wasn’t grass.
It was an unfamiliar room.
And right in front of me was Duke Panter, looking at me with a strange expression.
Why am I here with him?
As I tried to get up, I felt something damp beneath me.
A terrible feeling crept in. I squirmed slightly and glanced down.
Oh no.
I wet the bed.
Without realizing it, I had done it. The bed and blanket were soaked as if a glass of water had been spilled.
“You’re awake.”
His low voice made me flinch.
Because I had become a child, I couldn’t control my bladder—and I had made a mess of the bed.
“How long do you plan to lie there?”
At his rough, grating voice, I shot up and immediately begged for forgiveness.
“I’m sowwy… pwease don’t hit me… I won’t do it again…”
This was all my fault.
I had ruined the bed and blankets—of course I’d be scolded. When I was younger, I had wet the bed before.
And every time, harsh blows would follow.
I still remembered it vividly. Too scared to move, I would just take the hits. Trembling, I curled up and covered my head with my hands, apologizing.
“You…”
“Hiiik! I’m sowwy! I won’t do it again…!”
How much would it hurt if he hit me with those big hands?
Just thinking about it made tears well up again.
As I trembled and begged, my body was suddenly lifted. I looked up at him.
Instead of grabbing me by the collar, he lifted me with one hand and pointed at the bed.
“This is the Savannah Empire.”
“Sniff… y-yes…”
“And this is…”
I was too scared to properly hear what he was saying, but I nodded anyway.
“Oh my! Our Lady Seraphina made a little mistake.”
Oscar walked in, saw the scene, and spoke.
Hearing that only made me feel more miserable and scared, and tears started falling again.
“Handkerchief!”
“Here it is.”
Oscar handed over a fresh handkerchief. The duke used it to wipe my tears, then lifted me up by my underarms.
“You seem like a child who will grow up to be something great.”
“…sniff…”
“Look at this. It’s hard enough to draw in one place, but you’ve drawn an entire world map. Truly remarkable.”
…What is he even saying?
At his words, I stopped crying and blinked.
“Hehe, indeed. Our young lady will surely grow up to be extraordinary. We’ll have to replace the entire mattress.”
Oscar said with a laugh, looking at the soaked bed.
“…You’re not hitting me?”
“Who would hit you? I may not know much about children, but they grow up wetting themselves.”
“….”
“A child should wet the bed sometimes and run around in the dirt while growing up. I’ve even heard some eat dirt.”
Blink. Blink.
I wondered if this man had eaten something strange overnight.
Then I lowered my gaze—and saw several books near the head of the bed.
“Any Dad Can Become a Childcare Expert”
“Raising a Baby Alone as a Father”
“Childcare Is the Easiest Thing in the World”
As soon as I saw them, Duke Panter quickly covered them with a pillow.
“Ahem. The child should be washed quickly. Urine left too long isn’t good for the skin.”
At his words, a maid stepped forward and picked me up, heading straight to the bath.
“Our little Seraphina, who will grow up to be great—oh dear, you must’ve been so startled. There are still tears in your eyes.”
She gently washed my face with warm water and touched my nose.
“Blow.”
“Snff!”
As always, whenever I cried, my nose followed automatically. I blew into her hand, and once I felt better, I smiled.
“Oh my, your skin feels so nice. Ah, my name is Irena.”
“Irena? I’m Rafi!”
“Oh my! You pick things up so quickly. My child took much longer.”
Smiling warmly, Irena—who seemed like a mother herself—quickly removed my soaked clothes.
“Shall we wash up now?”
“Nooo, I don’t wanna!”
“Are you shy, milady?”
“…Mm.”
As expected from a mother, she read my mind instantly and smiled.
“It’s alright. I’ll be quick, so just stay still.”
With practiced hands, she sat me in a warm bath and washed me swiftly, then wrapped me in a soft towel.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Panties!”
I answered immediately when she held them up, and she praised me, patting my head.
“These are newly made training pants.”
Training pants? Why?
“How about wearing them for a while? You’re smart, so you’ll learn quickly.”
“Nooo!”
I hated anything uncomfortable. Even if I was a child now, wearing diapers felt like an insult.
So I dodged Irena and ran off.
“Milady! You’re not even dressed!”
I heard her behind me, but I didn’t stop.
As I ran out of the bath, I saw Duke Panter changing clothes with a servant’s help. As I ran toward him, I tripped.
Thud!
It hurt more than usual since I was still wet, but I ignored it and scrambled back up, trying to escape Irena.
“What’s going on?”
“Milady ran away because she doesn’t want to wear diapers.”
Irena bowed her head and answered nervously.
Hearing that, the duke looked at me hiding behind the curtain and held out his hand.
“Come here.”
“No! I hate diapeeers!”
Peeking out, I shook my head. He crouched down to my eye level and spoke calmly.
“Let’s just use them for a few days. Once you’re better, you’ll only need them at night. You’re smart, so you’ll stop using them soon.”
Reluctantly, I shuffled forward.
He picked me up, and as I saw his still partially dressed body, I gasped internally.
Is he really a father? Or even a grandfather?
He had an incredible physique—better than most celebrities who worked out.
Resting my face against his firm chest, I clung to him.
He smirked.
“Rafi, who did you take after to be this… sly?”
“Huh?”
Was my gaze too intense?
Trying to dodge the question, I tilted my head innocently.
He shook his head and poked my cheek.
“Now I’m curious about your true identity. You seem like someone who has lived several lives. Even if you look like a child, your eyes aren’t.”
He scanned me sharply.
“Mm… Rafi doesn’t know.”
Tilting my head, I pressed myself closer to his chest and absentmindedly poked his muscles with my fingers, drool slipping out.
“It seems Lady Seraphina really likes your chest, my lord.”
Vance, who had just entered, commented as he watched me poking.
“Milady, the duke needs to change clothes now. Come to me.”
Tall and lanky, Vance reached out, but I turned my head away.
His shoulders drooped, but he didn’t give up.
“Our world’s cutest and loveliest Lady Seraphina, please come to me.”
Looking him up and down, I shook my head and poked the duke’s firm chest again.
“No. Uncle, you don’t have dis.”
