Chapter 033
The timing was everything.
If I suddenly announced my departure, it would raise suspicion. Especially after enjoying the banquet so much the day before.
Sigh.
It would look shady to anyone. Plus, I couldn’t ignore how things might appear to others.
After yesterday’s events, everyone probably thought I and Cassius were getting along wonderfully. If I suddenly left or filed for divorce, people might jump to the wrong conclusions—like I was unfaithful, or Cassius was, or something else entirely.
For both their sakes, such misunderstandings needed to be avoided. Besides, Theo still needed me for a little while longer.
“Shaaarrrr!”
Theo came running and threw himself into my arms. Ever since he’d woken up, he’d been eating well—supplements and nourishing meals—and he was growing rapidly.
“Oof!”
He was so big now that she struggled to hold him.
Theo had been growing like a sprout, as though his growth plates were finally open. She patted his head.
“Be careful, young master! You’ll hurt the Duchess!”
The head maid, looking horrified, scolded Theo. Ever since the nanny took charge of the household, the head maid had been taking care of Theo.
In truth, she had picked up the slack from what the nanny neglected.
The head maid was fiercely loyal to House Isteria. You could see it in her loving gaze toward Theo. It was nothing like the fake affection the nanny had always displayed.
“Oh no! Did I really hurt you? Are you okay, sister-in-law?”
“I’m fine. But please, be more careful next time.”
At her words, Theo’s face crumpled, looking like he was about to cry. How adorable. She pinched his cheeks.
“When did you get so big, Theo? You must’ve grown an inch or more.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Wow!”
Theo spun around happily, his face lit with excitement.
“I want to grow taller than big brother!”
“Cassius?”
“Yup!”
She paused to imagine his height. Cassius was… well, undeniably tall. The novel had described him as being far above average in physique, thanks to the lineage of House Istesria. Rumor had it their blood was so strong because they were descendants of dragons.
Taller than Cassius?
The idea of Theo’s cute little face on such a big frame seemed absurd.
“Can’t you just stay cute, Theo?”
“Huh?”
She stretched his cheeks again. They were so squishy, like dough, and strangely addictive.
“Don’t grow up. Stay as cute as you are now. I like you like this.”
“Hmph.”
Theo made an awkward huffing sound.
“But then I can’t protect you and big brother.”
“What?”
“I need to grow up fast so I can protect everyone!”
“Oh my goodness.”
Even the head maid gasped. She wasn’t alone in her surprise. Charlotte felt the same. Was this really coming out of Theo’s mouth?
She pulled him into a tight hug and spun him around.
“Aww, you’re too cute! You’re going to protect me, huh?”
When was the last time she’d heard something like that? Maybe never. She had been alone since birth, always relying on herself.
The idea of someone protecting her… it was foreign. But Theo’s words warmed her heart, leaving it feeling light and fuzzy.
“What are you saying? Let me go! I’m not cute; I’m cool!”
Theo puffed his cheeks and wriggled out of her embrace, but his red, stretched cheeks just made him even more adorable.
This was why children deserved to be happy.
She wished he would grow slowly. But once she left, Theo would probably forget her quickly. As fast as they had bonded, he might move on just as fast.
Before that happened, though, she wanted to make as many happy memories with him as possible.
“Alright, Theo the Cool?”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s head out now. If we don’t, the sun will set, and we won’t even get to see the fish, let alone swim.”
“Ahh!”
Theo dashed off like his pants were on fire, making her laugh. The head maid handed her a picnic basket.
“Children really do grow up so fast, don’t they?”
“Yes, they do. That’s why every moment is precious.”
The head maid’s warm expression showed her genuine affection for Theo.
“By the way, how was yesterday’s lesson? Luna didn’t say much about it.”
The head maid turned to her thoughtfully.
“It wasn’t entirely to my liking. But I’ve watched young master Theo grow up, so maybe I’m just overly concerned. Every little thing gets to me. I’d recommend keeping an eye on things for now.”
As expected, the head maid was cautious and meticulous. But it was troubling that there had been no mention of Lorencia interacting with Theo in the novel. She couldn’t predict how Lorencia would treat him.
From her perspective, both the nanny and Lorencia were villains.
But was Lorencia good to Theo?
“What was Theo’s reaction?”
“The young master seemed fine. After the lesson, he wouldn’t stop talking about it—even until he fell asleep.”
“Oh.”
So Lorencia was a good influence on him? If so, that was a relief. Still, her heart ached just a little. Why was she feeling… jealous?
She shook her head. Ridiculous.
“I should go. Theo’s waiting for me.”
“Have a wonderful time, Duchess.”
With the head maid’s farewell, she left the mansion. Outside, Theo was chatting with the knights. One of them took the basket from her.
“Today, the young master says he’ll catch two fish.”
“Wow, Theo might just empty the river of fish!”
The knights chuckled, and Theo, puffing up with pride, declared, “Wait and see, Charlotte! I’ll show you how amazing I am. And maybe we’ll even find Kiki!”
“Ah, Kiki.”
They might find him, but she really hoped not.
“Kiki might prefer being outside, Theo.”
She said it seriously, but Theo wasn’t listening.
“I even prepared snacks that lizards like! I’ll lure Kiki in no time!”
Oh, goodness.
Charlotte touched her head.
While chasing after the excited Theo, she quietly spoke to the knights.
“If you find that lizard, please chase it away immediately.”
“Huh?”
She added seriously,
“I think the lizard would be better off living freely. That’s what I believe.”
The knights looked at her blankly before chuckling softly.
“Are you afraid of lizards?”
“I’m scared of all reptiles… No.”
That was too childish.
“This is just for the sake of the lizard and everyone’s peace. I believe you understand.”
The knights giggled.
Charlotte sighed deeply. Why did it have to be a lizard of all things?
“Well, is it settled then?”
“We’ll try to be faster than the young master, Duchess.”
She nodded.
But she had no idea what was about to happen.
The lizard, Kiki, whom Charlotte was so afraid of and Theo had been searching for, was waiting by the water.
Its large golden eyes blinked peacefully.
The lizard, who had been splashing around in the water, noticed people nearby.
“I found it!”
After days of not seeing a single trace of hair, it had finally appeared. The lizard tapped its foot.
“This time, I won’t miss my chance!”
Previously, it had been startled awake and lost track of them, but not this time.
The reason the lizard had woken from its deep sleep and come all the way here was the pull of a certain energy.
And the person carrying that energy was among the group.
The lizard’s golden eyes sparkled like a cluster of stars. People were laying down mats and sitting down.
The lizard crouched like a predator ready to pounce. The perfect moment was when they least expected it. Right now!
The lizard shot forward with lightning speed!
And it grabbed the owner of the energy it had been waiting for. The lizard’s mouth grabbed onto the hem of a dress, pulling it down.
“Ah, ahhh!”
A scream filled the peaceful waterside as people rushed over.
Charlotte, who had been suddenly attacked, pointed at the lizard while tearfully crying out,
“Someone, please get it off me!”
“Kiki! Kiki!”
Theo, excited, ran toward them, swinging a net.
Oh no, this wasn’t good. The lizard, startled, stared at the net coming toward it.
