Please Save My Child

“Hyeuk…… hee, sure!”

During the exceptional luncheon, among the eye-popping variety of valuable cuisine, incongruous hiccups were heard repeatedly. Estelle, who joined after a while, Bonita, who had escaped the Duke’s arms and sat in her seat, and the Duke, who sat in the highest seat, were all staring at the same person. A pink-haired woman named Reina, or Reina Boton to be specific. Reina, who had begun hiccupping at that point, continued to do so even after Bonita had stopped.

“Are you okay mom?”

“Yes! Bonnie, the food is being burned…”

Reina covered her lips with a napkin to prevent any potential hiccups, but her shoulders shook uncomfortably.

“…” The Duke pondered Reina’s amazement.

‘Were there any surprises during the conversation?’

They were dubbed evil nobles, but that was a reputation that was eroded by other nobles. Everyone was overjoyed when the Duke of Winternight invited them to a dinner, regardless of what vile things they had done. After all, following him was like grasping a golden rope. First and foremost, this location was created to provide Reina with a detailed account of his future intentions. But it seemed inappropriate to discuss it now. The Duke concluded that business conversations should be held after dinner, and took up the dinnerware.

Bonita couldn’t decide what to eat, so she simply glanced at the elegant plates. Reina hiccupped, then she observed Bonita strolling around and began distributing many foods evenly in Bonita’s dish. Salads of unusually fresh vegetables and fruits, soft-steamed meat with seasonings, and white bread were also offered.

“Thank you, Mom!”

Bonita smiled at the dish Reina had cooked and raised her fork.

“Hey, Bonnie…”

“Huh?”

“You have to grip the fork properly.”

Hiccups appeared twice or three times while she spoke. Reina, barely collecting her breath, showed Bonita how to hold the fork properly. 

“…Oh, I’m sorry, mom.”

Only then did Bonita properly grasp the fork. She wanted to teach Bonita appropriate dining etiquette now that she was spending more time with her, but the child was already used to it and would meddle with the fork if he was negligent.

“…Duke?”

The Duke turned to face Reina and Bonita, then took the empty plate in front of Estelle. Estelle gave the Duke a perplexed look. The Duke examined the overflowing food on the table before delivering a hamburger, grilled asparagus, bacon, and grilled tomato and cheese. He spent some time looking at Estelle as she received the platter. Estelle met the Duke’s stern gaze. The father and daughter made eye contact in a matter of seconds, and the employees surrounding the table believed it was like a black panther and a rabbit meeting.

Estelle stared at the Duke rigidly for a long time.

“…thank you?”

“Okay.”

Only then did the Duke glance aside, satisfied. If you look closely, the corners of his mouth almost come up. Even after that, the Duke continued to stare at Estelle as she held the fork. As Estelle correctly grabbed the fork, the Duke felt regret.

Reina drank only water throughout the full meal. She saw some food and thought it looked tasty enough to make her mouth water, but she didn’t want to eat it. Starting with Bonita’s kidnapping, she became dissatisfied with the rapidly changing circumstances. It was much more difficult to wake up because she had gone into and out of a swamp of emotions so quickly.

Why did this happen?

Reina only wanted Bonita to live again, and she’s getting addicted to the minute. That alone made her believe she was going to lose weight. 

* * *

The protracted hiccups continued until the finish of the dinner. Bonita and Estelle consumed so much scrumptious food that their stomachs burst before being brought to the playroom. After sending the children away, the Duke summoned Reina to his office individually.

Reina felt relieved that she no longer had the hiccups. The Duke motioned her to sit on the sofa in his office with a serious expression.

“I’ll have some tea. Have you got a favorite tea?

If you asked Reina what her favorite car was, she usually mentioned something cheap. She didn’t have time to pursue tea as a passion in the first place. Reina shook her head, because she didn’t think the Duke would comprehend what she was saying.

“I’ll drink whatever you give me.”

“Okay.”

The Duke rang the bell and directed the butler to bring tea and basic tea fare. Reina ate a little while ago; will he eat again? She wanted to, but she suspected it was because the Duke’s physique was so large. As if he understood what Reina was thinking, the Duke grimaced slightly. 

“You will eat.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“…?”

“…You weren’t eating or drinking a little while ago, but it’s probably because you were not hungry.”

“…ah.”

She did. Holding back hiccups and processing everything that had happened. Even though the food was great, she didn’t feel hungry. Reina didn’t understand why the Duke was so concerned. Reina, who had been attempting to figure out the Duke’s motives for a while, examined the envelope in her palm.

“…”

Reina, who hadn’t even considered when to let down the stick she’d been carrying since the beginning, brought a crawler donut into this workplace and threw it out. Reina presented the donut bag to the Duke and stated, “…I’m fine with this donut…”

The envelope was soaked in donut grease and had become opaque. The Duke gazed at Reina before getting up and taking the envelope.

“No more.”

“Eh…”

“Then eat.”

“…”

Even if the Duke had commanded her to eat it without taking it away, Reina was forced to say yes and eat. She simply declined it because she couldn’t accept any more favors. Reina stared at the elegant tea service that arrived a few minutes later. A glass filled with aromatic golden tea.

“Thank you for the meal.” It’s…”

“Okay.”

The attendant who was pouring the tea exited the room after taking one look at the two persons who didn’t go together well.

The Duke observed Reina as she lifted the teacup.

‘You can raise a teacup.’

Reina didn’t appear to recognize it, but it was comparable to a nobleman’s in that she didn’t put her fingers through the teacup handle ring, and her little finger was separated. 

‘Was she a noblewoman?’

He had a sudden thought, but the Duke was well aware that she was not from an aristocratic family. On the extremely cold winter day that he first encountered Reina, Peter attempted to study her past, wondering whether she was a spy approaching him on purpose. Peter described her as a fairly ordinary commoner.

Demian Winternight was also aware that Rayna had a falling out with Bonita’s father, but Bonita was a pre-married child, and the man was a bad man who fled when he learned that she had a baby. He knew she didn’t have a good history, but he didn’t tell her since he knew it would hurt Rayna’s feelings. However, Reina’s grip on the teacup now felt disconnected. This was her first time working for an aristocratic family.

Reina set the teacup down quietly. She seemed to enjoy the food on the ride.

“…Um.”

Cakes, madeleines, and bite-sized sandwiches were delicately put on the table. Perhaps she should start with a sandwich. Reina took a piece of the sandwich while she reflected on this.

Is it blueberry?

The sandwich with ham between bread was liberally supplied with a blueberry jam-based sauce. Reina realized she hadn’t had a blueberry since she became Reina.

“It seems to fit your mouth.”

“Ah…! “Mmm… it’s delicious.”

Reina then noticed that the Duke was looking at her.

“Master, are you going to eat?”

“…I am.”

The Duke waved the bag of crawler donuts in his hand again. 

“I’m fine with this.”

“…”

The Duke opened the envelope cautiously, as Reina had instructed, and took out the donut. It was a hard donut that didn’t complement the fine tea set. A delicious, greasy odor irritated the Duke’s nostrils, and powdered sugar dropped.

“…”

The Duke felt oil on his palms and looked at the donut. Reina was going to die. Has that individual ever eaten anything worth 230 Theon in his life, or has anyone ever eaten something similar?

“…It’s okay.”

For starters, he has eaten this donut before. The Duke had the opportunity to taste a greater variety of foods than Reina had envisaged. Furthermore, these donuts were forcibly delivered by someone else, thus he had no justification to protest.

The duke spoke while wiping the powdered sugar from his hands with a napkin.

“The reason I made this extra time is because I have a story and a request to tell you.”

“…Yes, I see.”

Reina’s heart pounded quickly, and she became frustrated. The Duke placed his handkerchief on the table and glanced up.

“So…”

“Reina Boton?”

Reina’s face was flushed red, and she appeared to be having difficulty breathing.

“…!”

“Reina Borton!!”

Her entire body itched like crazy. Her heart was racing and her stomach was tense. She wanted to scratch till her skin ripped off, with the sensation of blood coursing through her body. All of the fluids in her body were roaring and painful, as if they were about to burst. The Duke yelled at Reina, but her buzzing head was muffled by his throat.

“Heh… heh heh…”

It was difficult for her to breathe, so she opened her mouth wide and leaned over. Reina grasped the sofa’s upholstery with increasing tenacity as agonizing sensations rushed through her body.

“Hello, Reina Borton!” Holy stuff!”

The Duke yelled out to the guy outside, spitting a profanity that did not fit his expression. 

After that, Reina lost her mind.

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Translator Note: