TDGNH 19

Chapter 19 …

The Villainous Heir’s Daughter!? 

“Uh… that’s Ersha’s though…?”

To think they were just going to throw it away without asking.

The moment I was about to protest, two maids quickly came in front of me and opened the box.

“Please look at this, young lady!”

Something inside caught my eye unexpectedly. I thought it was an empty box, but something was neatly arranged inside.

Round little heads of various colors, sparkling eyes that looked like they had gems embedded in them, luxurious dresses that looked like real outfits, and well-made shoes.

Huh?

“Dolls?”

“Yes, young lady. The Marquis bought you new dolls!”

“What?”

Leo bought me dolls?

“It seems he was concerned that your toys were too old. Even though he looks like that, the Marquis really is a father who cares for his daughter!”

“Isn’t this surprising?”

“!”

I was speechless, my mouth hanging open. It wasn’t emotion or gratitude. I was just shocked because I never expected this.

“We’ll quickly replace them with the new dolls!”

The maids began taking the dolls out of the box one by one. Each one was shiny and extravagant.

As I looked at them, a strange feeling slowly crept in.

What is this feeling?

Things like dolls that only small children play with were completely unnecessary for me now.

When I was actually at the age to play with them, no one ever bought them for me.

In my childhood that I barely even remember, I must have wanted toys too. But receiving them now, when I didn’t even want them, felt strangely bizarre.

For a while, I could only stand there with my mouth slightly open.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

The next day at noon.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I stared intensely at the new dolls.

Pink hair with yellow pumpkin-like eyes, golden hair with blue sapphire eyes, silver hair with transparent diamond-like eyes.

The colorful dolls felt strangely like new friends.

I’m twenty-three years old—I’m definitely not at the age to be moved by cute dolls like this…!

Still, I felt a bit fond of them, so I picked up the one I liked the most.

It had deep wheat-colored hair like ripened fields and violet-like eyes.

It had the same eye color as mine, and its wavy hair reminded me of a wheat field, which somehow calmed me.

If these dolls were really my friends, this one felt like it would suit me best.

“Hi? I’ll give you a name. Hmm, what should I call you? Your eyes are just like Ersha’s, so I’ll take my name and call you Sasha!”

“Oh my, young lady. Your doll friend has a name now! Congratulations!”

Clap clap clap!

The maids around me suddenly started clapping with joy. They looked at me with sparkling eyes as if I had done something impressive.

I just gave a doll a name—why are they acting like this?

Suspiciously, I scanned the maids.

In the first place, my maid was only Evot, so I had no idea why ten of Leo’s maids were all gathered in my room.

I looked away slightly, then stood up while holding Sasha.

“Ersha, I should go see Dad. I need to say thank you.”

“Oh, you will? Then I’ll go check whether the Marquis is awake! He went to bed early yesterday, so he might be up by now!”

“Mm.”

I nodded lightly, and Leo’s maids left my room looking slightly excited.

To be honest, I didn’t feel that grateful toward Leo.

He had treated his own daughter like she didn’t exist until now, so just buying a few dolls didn’t suddenly make me thankful.

However, I had a bigger goal—to reform him from a scoundrel into a normal person. If I could slightly improve the relationship between this practically estranged father and daughter, it wouldn’t be a loss.

I watched them leave until they were gone, then turned my gaze to Evot. She shrugged her shoulders discontentedly.

“They ignored you until now, and suddenly they’re acting like you’re cute and all that.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! People like that don’t even deserve to look at you!”

“Right!”

I quickly agreed with her to calm her down. Since Evot was unhappy with the other maids, I felt like I should comfort her at least.

Still, it was good that Leo’s maids seemed to have some affection toward me. If I ever needed help, it might make things easier.

Taking advantage of being alone with Evot, I pulled out a small pouch and handed it to her shyly.

“Evot. This… for you.”

“What is this?”

She asked casually and opened the pouch.

Inside were diamonds, gold, and silver jewelry pieces—decorations taken from the dolls’ dresses that Leo had bought, carefully removed one by one.

“I pray for Evot’s grandma to get well soon. Ersha is praying.”

“Ah, young lady…”

“Hehe.”

I felt a little embarrassed. Evot froze, blinking repeatedly. Then her eyes quickly filled with moisture.

“T-This is too much for me… How could you give me such precious things…”

“No, it’s okay. Evot helps Ersha a lot. And we made a promise—to protect grandma.”

“…Thank you so much, young lady. I’ll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life.”

Evot tightly held the pouch, her eyes welling up with tears. I was really glad I could repay her even a little.

She was my only protector—someone who had taken care of me when no one else did, and always helped me through difficult things.

Tears almost welled up in my own eyes too.

Soon after, the maids returned, and Evot and I quickly hid our tears and smiled.

“Young lady, the Marquis is drinking his morning wine in the third-floor corridor!”

“Oh? Then I need to go quickly!”

“Yes! We’ll guide you!”

I hurried forward, and the maids led the way.

When we reached the third floor, I saw him in the distance—Leo, sipping wine while looking out the window.

I hugged Sasha tightly in my arms and approached him. Sensing my presence, Leo glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze back outside.

I didn’t feel hurt. Instead, I stood next to him with bright, sparkling eyes.

“Dad, did you buy dolls for Ersha?”

Leo slowly took a sip of wine and replied a little late.

“I just did some shopping.”

“Ersha has new dolls for the first time! I even named her specially! Her name is Sasha!”

“……”

Gulp.

He deliberately made a sound as he took another sip, as if making sure I heard it.

As expected, he doesn’t really care.

Still, I raised one hand as if asking for a high-five.

“Dad, thank you!”

“……”

At that moment, Leo’s eyes wavered slightly. He paused—but instead of giving me a high-five, he shook his head.

Well, I didn’t expect much anyway, so I lowered my hand again and smiled.

“Dad, how is exile life?”

“What?”

Only then did he look down at me. I grinned and said,

“You should hurry and make yourself look good to Grandpa so you can go back home.”

“What use would I have trying to please that old man? Once he dies, that position will be mine anyway. If I push him out before then, even better.”

“……”

I fell silent.

I had momentarily been swayed by the dolls he bought and forgotten that he was still a scoundrel.

I suddenly wondered if Leonardo hated the Duke of Shurman far more than necessary.

Why does he hate his own father when he’s the one acting like a scoundrel?

‘Hmm. That’s strange.’

Shurman was a politically driven, power-oriented noble who cared only about the family’s interests.

Leo’s descent into being a scoundrel began after his wife died. Before that, his wife had demanded a divorce not long after giving birth.

Could Shurman have been involved in that incident somehow?