Chapter 14

Bogus frowned.

Chloe let out a sigh.

As she spoke, Cheres responded in a voice as cold as ice.

“So you’re saying it’s a pity for a vassal family that was embezzling Beredan’s money? On top of that, they hurt Hayden.”

“Oh, come on, that can’t be true! Countess Yotley must not have known! You’re not doubting my word, are you? She cried in my arms for so long that day. We’ve known each other for years. There’s no way she’d do something like that.”

It was an argument based entirely on emotion.

Completely devoid of logic.

Cheres shot Bogus a sideways glance, as if asking:

Is this really the best candidate you could find?

“I’m sure the Duchess deliberately framed Countess Yotley. She probably just wanted to cause trouble for House Beredan.”

“Do you have any evidence?”

“No.”

“But you can tell just by looking.”

“I can always tell.”

And now she was even spouting ridiculous conspiracy theories.

The most astonishing part…

Was that Chloe didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty while saying such things.

She behaved as though she were some righteous champion who spoke only necessary truths.

As if she alone embodied absolute justice.

Her expression never changed.

She had always been like this as a child…

And apparently, she still hadn’t grown out of it.

I should have expected this.

If he’d known Chloe was still this immature…

He never would have summoned her here.

It had only been one day since she’d arrived…

And Cheres was already exhausted.

“Besides, she pushed her responsibilities onto Mrs. Urein.”

“I’m talking about taking care of Hayden.”

“If she said she’d do it herself, then she should.”

“How difficult is it to look after one baby?”

“If she can’t even handle that, how can she possibly fulfill her duties as Duchess?”

Unable to hide his weariness, Cheres answered,

“It seems you’re neglecting your own duties as well.”

“If you came here as the Duchess’s maid…”

“Shouldn’t you be staying by her side?”

“Oh, come on.”

“How can you compare me to the Duchess?”

“I’m someone special to you, Cheres.”

Chloe blinked her expressive eyes.

Cheres roughly brushed a hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.

At that moment…

He wanted nothing more than to throw her out immediately.

But he endured it once again for Countess Maleite’s sake.

He simply couldn’t forget the warm embrace that woman had given him when he was a child.

After losing both of his parents at once…

When he had wandered aimlessly through grief…

It was Countess Maleite who had taken him in and helped him stand again.

That was why Cheres could never be harsh toward House Maleite.

And the result of that kindness…

Was Chloe.

He muttered quietly,

“The Duchess is the one who’s more special.”

“That’s so mean!”

“If you keep saying things like that, I’ll get upset!”

“I’m telling my mother!”

For a moment…

Bogus remembered the troubled expression Countess Maleite had worn when she’d asked him to allow Chloe to serve as the Duchess’s maid.

…So that’s what she meant.

“…”

“Anyway, since you asked me to, Cheres…”

“I’ll keep an even closer eye on the Duchess.”

“Although she’s already quite a mess.”

Chloe smiled sweetly and waved.

“I’ll come visit again, Cheres!”

Watching her leave just as freely as she’d entered…

Cheres ground his teeth.

His sharp gaze turned toward Bogus.

Bogus merely shrugged.

“Do you still believe Chloe was the right choice?”

“Yes.”

“After today…”

“I’m even more convinced.”

Bogus smiled wickedly.

It was an expression that suited his face perfectly.

“Lady Chloe possesses an extraordinary talent…”

“For driving people insane.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone better suited to exposing the Duchess’s true nature.”

“People always reveal their real selves when they’re pushed to their limits.”

Cheres sighed deeply.

Or perhaps…

Was it just his imagination that Bogus sounded just as insane?

“Yaaawn…”

I stretched as I sat up.

I hadn’t actually slept for very long…

But it had been such deep sleep that I felt completely refreshed.

I should go check on Hayden now.

I wonder if he’s getting along well with Mrs. Urein.

Since Hayden had started practicing walking…

His range of movement had grown wider every day.

I’d already told Mrs. Urein about it, and workers were currently covering the entire nursery floor with thick rugs that would act like safety mats.

That way…

He could tumble and fall as much as he wanted without getting hurt.

The marble floors throughout the mansion were also being covered with carpets.

When it came to Hayden…

Cheres never hesitated to spend money.

“Did you sleep well, Your Grace?”

“You look much better.”

“Thanks to you, Mrs. Urein.”

“I really needed that rest.”

“How’s Hayden?”

“He ate well…”

“Played happily…”

“And then fell asleep.”

Hayden was sleeping soundly in his crib, wrapped snugly in his blanket.

The peaceful expression on his face instantly eased my heart.

That’s right.

You had such a hard night too.

It’s not like you wanted to wake up every two hours.

“I’ll take care of him from here.”

“Lady Chloe has arrived as well.”

“If you need any help…”

“You can call for her.”

“Oh!”

“That’ll make things much easier.”

So I’ll finally have my own maid.

I hope she’s someone I can actually rely on…

Though honestly, I still can’t tell.

I recalled her elegant, rather aloof face.

Well…

As long as she treats our little Hayden well, that’s all that matters.

He’s my priority.

“You’re probably hungry.”

“It’s a bit of an awkward time to eat a proper meal.”

It had just passed eleven o’clock.

“I’ll wait until lunch.”

“While Hayden’s sleeping…”

“I think I’ll enjoy a little free time.”

“Very well, Your Grace.”

“I’ll excuse myself.”

After Mrs. Urein left…

Only the quiet sound of Hayden’s tiny breathing remained in the room.

At some point…

The rug installation in the nursery had been completely finished.

I picked up the books I’d gradually brought into Hayden’s room over the past few days.

How to Become a Master of Childcare

The Secret to Raising a Genius Baby

Another Day of Parenting

Most of them were books about raising children.

Maybe…

I really should pursue this path.

I think parenting actually suits me.

Besides that…

I wanted to learn how childcare in this world differed from what I knew in Korea.

Of course…

I’d also gathered plenty of books that would help me survive in this world.

Some of them were even about agriculture.

If everything falls apart…

I can always make a living farming.

Raising Hayden was important…

But I also needed to prepare for the day I might have to leave this place and support myself.

The Duke’s library was practically an enormous bookstore.

I was completely absorbed in reading…

When the door slowly opened.

Hm?

No knock?

“Oh my.”

“So this is where you were.”

It was Chloe.

“Oh… yes.”

“Chloe.”

“Were you out somewhere?”

She smiled sweetly.

She had disappeared without saying anything…

And now she’d returned just as silently.

Is that simply her personality?

Or does she think she’s entitled to special treatment?

“I was talking with Cheres.”

“It’s been a long time since we’d seen each other.”

“I’d been staying with my grandmother for quite a while.”

“I see.”

…Something feels off.

Or am I just being overly sensitive?

“I see you’re reading.”

“…Yes.”

“Hayden’s asleep.”

“But isn’t taking care of Hayden supposed to be your duty, Your Grace?”

Tilting her head…

Chloe smiled as innocently as ever.

“So why do you keep occupying yourself with other things?”

“You criticized Diane so harshly.”

“Isn’t this neglecting your responsibilities?”

The moment I heard those words…

I understood.

My personal maid…

Is absolutely not on my side.

What are you, my mother-in-law?

This was different from Diane constantly overstepping boundaries.

But…

It was a completely different kind of overstepping.

I don’t think we can ever become friends.

Besides…

Isn’t Chloe the one crossing the line right now?

I quietly closed the book with a soft thud.

“Hayden is asleep.”

“I heard Mrs. Urein was playing with him the whole time.”

“Then tell me, Chloe.”

“Did you spend time with Cheres without asking for my permission?”

“As far as I know…”

“When I’m absent…”

“A maid’s duty is to take over my responsibilities.”

You aren’t the only one allowed to make accusations.

I can answer back too.

I’d intended to be patient because she was Cheres’ childhood friend.

But this…

This was too much.

At that moment…

Chloe proudly lifted her chin and declared,

“I’m special, so it’s fine.”