Chapter 17

In fact, most of those working in the ducal estate probably thought the same.

Because the Duke had only ever had one lover.

That lover had passed away four years ago, and there were no children between them.

It was a given, considering she had died in an accident before they could even marry.

After that, countless marriage proposals came in, but the Duke didn’t even spare them a glance.

He never budged, not even at the urging of his vassals, the collateral branches, or the former Duke.

But an illegitimate child.

Was that even possible?

Moreover, since the Young Lady is four years old, it would mean he cheated while he was with Lady Labela…

‘It really doesn’t make sense.’

The Duke was truly sincere about Lady Labela.

To the point where he was a walking corpse for a while after she died.

So frankly speaking, it was only natural not to believe the Young Lady was his biological daughter, but-

“I never imagined the Young Lady would notice that and be worrying about it.”

The moment I heard her shyly asking about ‘a daddy and daughter’ with that tiny mouth of hers.

My heart just sank with a thud.

“The Young Lady is quite good at reading the room.”

“She is. So good at it that it’s sad.”

The young Young Lady had a perceptive side that was uncharacteristic of a child.

One might see it as a strength, but the maids serving Melony closely thought differently.

“I suppose she went through a lot before coming here.”

“Yeah. She stiffens up every time she gauges the room.”

It felt like watching a small animal on high alert just to survive.

…How much must she have suffered?

I don’t know what kind of life she lived before meeting the Duke, but judging by how awkward she is with ‘family’ and ‘father-daughter relationships’, perhaps…

‘She must not have had a family.’

Sighhh.

With their hearts aching, Ena and the maids let out a heavy sigh in unison.

Our Young Lady, who is warm, kind, cute, and lovely.

When you spend time close to her, anyone would have no choice but to love her.

All four of them were already completely captivated by Melony’s charm.

Therefore.

“From now on, we’re a united front. Even if the world turns upside down, we’re on the Young Lady’s side.”

“Yeah, deal!”

“From now on, no thinking that the Young Lady isn’t the Duke’s blood. Don’t even let it cross your mind. Trick yourself into believing it!”

“Yeah. No matter what anyone says, the Young Lady is of the Duke’s blood…!”

It was when these passionate vows were being exchanged.

“And who knows? Maybe the Young Lady really is the Duke’s daughter!”

As soon as the remark ended, a chilling silence fell.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

As if that could be true.

The answer rose to the tips of their tongues, but the three of them couldn’t bring themselves to say it out loud.

Hadn’t they just vowed to consider the Young Lady the Duke’s real daughter no matter what?

However, the tactless maid tilted her head at the lack of response and subtly added.

“Maybe she’s the daughter of Lady Labela and the Duke…? I mean, look. The Young Lady is four, and Lady Labela’s accident was four years ago.”

“…….”

“Besides, Lady Labela was separated from the Duke for about half a year before the accident, so maybe she was pregnant-“

“Read the room. Let’s not cross the line.”

“Yeah, sorry. Even I think that was a stretch. I’ll watch what I say from now on.”

The four of them looked at each other with solemn expressions and put their hands together.

“Alright, everyone, let’s keep our wits about us from now on. So the Young Lady doesn’t have to feel anxious anymore.”

The voice urging them on was Ena’s.

“Aja aja! Young Lady Protection Squad, fighting!”

Following Ena’s lead, their joined hands shot high into the air.

* * *

‘How can no one know?’

Over the past few days, I had subtly thrown questions about ‘family’ and ‘a daddy and daughter’ to the maids I had gotten close to.

Hoping there might be something useful to glean.

But all the answers I got back were…

“Pardon? Uh, um, well, that is… I-I’m not sure. What could it be?”

…just flustered responses like that.

Haa, what a complete lack of results.

At this point, it can’t be helped.

I have no choice but to use my last resort.

Namely…

“Ena, I want to go to the libwawy!”

Studying with books!

At my words, Ena gladly picked me up and headed to the library.

Upon arriving at the library, an exclamation of awe burst out of me on its own.

“Wow.”

I thought there was nothing left to surprise me, but the ducal estate was definitely not ordinary.

‘How many books are there?’

An uncountable number of books were densely packed on the massive library shelves.

“Are you looking for a specific book, Miss?”

“Mm, well…”

Honestly, I had planned to quietly search for books related to ‘a daddy and daughter’ by myself…

But looking at all these books made that thought vanish.

Finding the book I wanted here would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

As I hesitated without saying a word, a man sitting at the library entrance timidly approached.

“A-Are you, by any chance… the Young Lady?”

Nod, nod.

“Yes. Mewony, fowr years owd. The Young Lady.”

“Ah, so it was the Young Lady…! Um, my introduction is late. I-I am Cale Dastian, 24 years old. I work as the librarian for the ducal library. P-Please take good care of me!”

As Cale finished his introduction, Ena, who had been listening quietly, let out a subtle exclamation.

“Ah, so you’re the new librarian who arrived a few days ago.”

The new librarian from a few days ago?

I alternated looking between the two with a questioning gaze, and Cale provided the answer instead.

“W-Well, the librarian who worked here originally suddenly fell ill… and had to quit in a hurry.”

Aha.

Hearing the story, I felt an odd sense of kinship.

After all, it hadn’t even been ten days since I arrived at the ducal estate.

But somehow.

‘Cale Dastian…’

The name felt strangely familiar.

Like I had heard it somewhere before.

Where did I hear that name?

As I stared intently, Cale blinked with a pale face.

“Y-Young Lady. Did I do something wrong…?”

“No. I was just staring because I’m gwad to see you! Pwease take cawe of Mewony too.”

“I-It’s an honor!”

Seeing color return to his pale face, I smiled brightly.

‘It must just be my imagination.’

Where would I have heard a noble’s name?

Since nothing specific came to mind, I shrugged it off.

“D-Did you come to look at books, perhaps?”

“Yes. I came to bowwow books!”

“Uh, what kind of book are you looking for? If you don’t mind, I can find it for you.”

At Cale’s words, Ena also looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Me too! I’ll help look too!”

Haha, everyone is so kind.

To think they’d be so eager to find books for me to read.

If they’re going to step up like that, I can’t refuse the help.

“Awe thewe books with a daughtew and daddy?”

“Books with a daughter… and a father?”

“Yeah. Ones with a daddy and daughtew!”

Oops, I should add this condition too.

“Ones whewe they get along weally well.”

A novel where the father and daughter are at war is out of the question.

I plan to use them as reference books, so they can’t have a bad relationship.

But somehow…

‘Why are they making those faces?’

The expressions on Ena and Cale’s faces as they looked down at me were strange.

“Kuhup. Our Young Lady…”

Was the corner of their eyes moist?

‘Is it because the library is dry?’

As I tilted my head in confusion, the two of them started bustling around.

“How about this book?”

“Mmm. I-Instead of that one, this book will be more exciting for a child to read.”

“If possible, wouldn’t it be better to pick one with a character similar to the Duke’s temper, I mean, personality?”

“Yes. I think that would be better.”

After whispering among themselves for a while, the two of them brought back a total of three books.

“I-I picked out the ones I thought would be the most fun to read.”

“Do you like them, Young Lady?!”

Under their sparkling gazes, I chewed over the titles of the books again.

…These, these.

“I wove them!”