“Done…!”
I silently cheered inside.
Duke Winston had made a decision. He chose to support the Crown Prince. With this, unlike in the original story, the Duke of Winston and the Crown Prince could join forces to oust the Empress, the Crown Prince’s greatest supporter, who also supported Cedric.
And perhaps, they wouldn’t be easily defeated by the protagonists. Cedric had not yet managed to gain the power of the Duke’s household, so his influence was not as strong as in the original.
“Still, I can’t relax just yet.”
The protagonists are the rulers of this world. They might overcome this trial one way or another, just like how Dantellion could never defeat the protagonists in the original.
Dantellion’s appearance in the original was shocking. After the villainous Duke Winston and Veronica were executed, readers had felt reassured that the protagonists would finally be happy. But just then, Dantellion, having conquered the West, led an army and invaded the capital.
It was an overwhelming display of force. He didn’t return as a war hero but with such an intimidating momentum that it seemed like he was about to start a civil war. He took control of the palace and removed the Empress from power, claiming the throne. From then on, Dantellion’s reign of terror began.
“He must have been out of his mind after Veronica’s death.”
I wondered what Dantellion’s feelings were when he learned about Veronica being executed as a villain, even though he thought she was happily married to Cedric. Now that I understood his heart, I could see why he hated the protagonists so much.
But the current Dantellion would not turn into a bloodthirsty tyrant like in the original. After all, Veronica was still alive.
The Empress, who had been so resilient in the past, was still holding strong. Would Dantellion truly ascend to the throne without difficulty?
“Well, since Duke Winston is helping, I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.”
No matter how powerful the Empress was, it would be hard to fight against the Crown Prince, who had the support of the West, and Duke Winston, the ruler of the North.
Dantellion would likely ascend to the throne soon, just like in the original. That was enough for now.
I nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Yawn.”
The next morning, after eavesdropping on the conversation of the Duke’s direct family until late at night, I woke up and stretched lazily.
The Duke and the others were planning to use the warp portal to head to the capital early today. I heard they would arrive before Dantellion. They may have already left.
Muttering to myself, I was enjoying a leisurely morning when…
Bang!
“Miss, are you awake?”
“…?”
The door opened, and Sophia and the maids rushed in. I stared at them, confused.
“Why, nurse?”
“Hurry, Miss, you must get ready. We’re going to the capital today.”
“…?”
“Why me?” Wasn’t I staying here?
Seeing my bewildered expression, Sophia spoke in a soothing tone.
“Today, the Crown Prince’s triumphal return ceremony will be held in the capital. The Duke and the others are all going, so you must go too.”
“But…”
“You know, the capital is much warmer than the North. It will be more comfortable for you.”
“Ah… okay.”
Chattering happily, Sophia helped me get up, and the maids took me to the bathroom to bathe me. I let them do so, still in shock.
“Is Mama going too?”
“Of course.”
“…”
I realized that I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion before they even talked about me.
Still, I was surprised to be included. I had thought I would be left behind.
“Did they worry that something might happen while the direct family members are absent?”
Thinking again, I realized it made sense to bring me along.
Cedric was probably still keeping his eyes on me and Veronica. If only the two of us stayed here, who knew what he might do.
Also, Veronica would need to be in the capital for something to happen between her and the Crown Prince. I needed to see with my own eyes if they were getting along.
I changed my mind and eagerly began to get ready. Since we were going to the capital, I was happy that my clothes were simpler than usual.
“Ah, you look so cute, Miss!”
“Indeed, although a fur coat would make you even cuter.”
“Yes, the cuteness of being buried in a coat, and the fresh cuteness now—both have their own charm.”
“Yes, yes.”
“…?”
Sophia and the maids giggled as they dressed me. I just smiled like a doll.
[Oh, Master, are we returning to the capital?]
“Yes, we are.”
[Then, can I possess this body…!]
“No, rejected.”
[Aaaah, why!?!]
Desmond, unable to let go of his attachment to his real body, was in despair. Then, Vivi, hanging on my shoulder, clicked her tongue.
[Hmph, how pitiful that you don’t recognize the greatness of this cute and adorable doll body!]
[Shut up, you pervert!]
[What did you say?]
While the maids weren’t looking, Desmond and Vivi bickered, though it was nothing more than a soft, cotton-like punch.
Click.
“Dia, are you ready?”
“Wow.”
The door opened, and Veronica came in.
I stared at her blankly. Veronica, dressed in a snow-white dress, looked dazzlingly beautiful.
“Mama! You’re so pretty!”
“Yes, and you’re beautiful too, Dia.”
“Hehe.”
Veronica came over and hugged me. She smelled even sweeter than usual.
I wondered who she had dressed up for. I giggled inside and snuggled into Veronica’s embrace.
“Are you ready?”
“Uncle!”
Vincent entered and asked in a gentle tone. The two direct family members standing together radiated even more brilliance.
Being pretty and handsome is the best. It’s thrilling.
I took Vincent and Veronica’s hands and left the room.
“Ah, you’re here.”
The Duke was waiting for us, dressed in more formal attire. All the direct family members of the Duke’s house were gathered in one place.
“Where’s Aunt Ettie?”
I asked, noticing that Henrietta was missing. Vincent smiled and answered.
“Ettie has some work and will be a little late.”
“Ah, I see.”
But I already knew. I had eavesdropped on their conversation last night.
Henrietta’s family was one of the prominent families in the East. They had remained neutral until now. If Henrietta persuaded them to support the Crown Prince, the Empress would be facing off against the West, North, and East.
Henrietta, entrusted with an important mission, would arrive in the capital a little late, but I had no doubt she would succeed.
“Well, let’s go then.”
“Yes.”
The mansion had a warp portal that connected to the capital’s townhouse. It cost an astronomical amount of money to create a portal that could transport this many people to the capital, but for the Duke’s family, it was nothing.
Whoosh.
The magical circle on the floor vibrated and emitted a bright light. Since I had experienced it once before, it didn’t feel as magical as it did the first time.
“Wow.”
What amazed me was not the portal, but the view of the Duke’s townhouse.
“Welcome.”
A middle-aged man in a tuxedo bowed to greet us.
He seemed to be the butler of the capital’s townhouse. Behind him, numerous servants were lined up.
“Is that room ready?”
“…?”
The Duke asked the butler directly. The butler briefly glanced at me.
“…?”
Why was he looking at me?
Before I could think more, the butler spoke.
“It’s prepared.”
“Let’s go there immediately.”
“…?”
The Duke picked me up and walked briskly. I was just confused.
“…!”
He entered a room. It was obviously a room that any child would love.
Endlessly piled cute dolls, a bed with white and pink lace, cute furniture, and tons of blocks and toys.
It was like heaven for children. For me, an adult, it seemed unnecessary, but I couldn’t help but be amazed.
“Hmm, not bad.”
After inspecting the room, the Duke nodded in satisfaction. His gaze turned to me.
“How do you like it, Dia?”
“Uh… well…”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll redecorate it from scratch.”
“Wow, it’s nice. The room is beautiful.”
I pretended to be pleased, thinking the Duke would tear the room apart if I even showed the slightest displeasure.
It was really over the top.
Still dazed, the Duke continued speaking.
“Since you arrived suddenly from the North, we didn’t have time to prepare properly.”
“…?”
“The room in the North will soon be different.”
“…?”
What kind of scenery awaited me when I returned?
I was both a little excited and worried. Today, the Duke fully showed his doting tendencies.
