Please Save My Child

“…”

Reina’s complexion grew pale as a result of the too dramatic look.

“You, as a philanthropist, will become a symbol. If I treat you that nicely, you may image the benefits of siding with the Winter Knights, and if they react against you in this manner, it will also become a symbol.”

Reina’s hands trembled slightly as the Duke spoke. The Duke noticed this and promptly spoke.

“…That’s why I, this Duke, will protect you and your child more firmly.”

He intended to formally assign her the post of Estelle’s nurse and therefore give her a title. However, she was a commoner with no ties and no accomplishments, so he could not grant her a title without her approval. Moreover, Reina was a woman. It was evident that if he awarded Reina her title simply because she had saved Estelle, many people would question their relationship. That was not all. If she were granted a title, there might be those around her who would take advantage of it, pretending to harm Estelle while actually saving her.

Everything had a purpose and a more legitimate rationale. The Duke believed that preserving Estelle was enough, but he was not for the world.

‘It’s not something I want to discuss right now.’

Given Reina’s pale skin, it didn’t seem like the best time to tell her about his plans. Why did foods contain blueberries?

“…thank you?”

Reyna gazed at the Duke of Winternight with surprise, as if she was being treated special. The Duke couldn’t understand why he was doing this, but he reasoned that if he mentioned the title now, Reina would faint with surprise. He mentioned something else.

“…And, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“…”

However, he couldn’t forget Reina’s anguished face on that winter day, or how she begged him to save her daughter like a criminal in his office.

“Could you teach me how to get closer to my daughter?”

“…?”

Even though he let her go, he suspected he had been possessed by something. 

* * *

There were many of people about the Duke who were rearing eight-year-old children. However, they were largely those who were either unable to be at his side at all times or who needed to be kept in check by the duke. So until today, no one in particular could stand at Estelle’s side. Furthermore, since Estelle had spoken informally with Reina, she wondered whether there was someone who could take her position.

While reading unreadable documents at his office, he looked out the window. Peter, who was assisting with the task, sighed gently, remarking that his master was like that again today.

“Your Excellency, if that’s the case, why don’t you go out and take a look?”

“…done.”

Reina, Estelle, and Bonita were admiring flowers in the garden as the Duke looked on. The Duke looked at them with envy. Peter thought his statement of adoration was awkward and weird. He cared deeply for Estelle, and despite receiving everything Estelle indicated an interest in, he simply gazed at her from a distance and never communicated his feelings in words.

Peter soon opened his mouth.

“Reina Borton is healthy again.”

“It was a food refusal reaction in the first place.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t poison.”

Peter’s initial concern when she collapsed due to trouble breathing was poison. Reina appeared to be unaware of her status, yet she was the Winter Knight’s patron. Estelle, who had not yet adequately accepted her place, was kidnapped, and it was apparent that the Winternight family would be disturbed by whatever transpired. Furthermore, if someone with even the tiniest avarice had rescued Estelle, he would have claimed to be her benefactor and demanded outrageous terms. Peter felt extremely lucky that such a circumstance had not arisen.

The maid who cared for Estelle refused to give in to her threats and even assisted her in locating the perpetrator. Where else could they get a story like this? Furthermore, the daughter who was kidnapped instead of Estelle returned unharmed.

‘It’s surprising since he seems so normal.’

Normally, adults would be upset for a few days after something like that occurred, yet the young child went out happily with Reina a few days later. Peter, who thought nerves were typically not strong, gazed at the three individuals enjoying the flowers outdoors. 

* * *

The dukedom’s garden has become brighter since Estelle arrived. The gardener was always decorating it, but no one had ever seen it. After the little girl arrived to the palace, there was an endless stream of admiration for the flower, so it was only natural. Furthermore, when Estelle mentioned that she liked flowers, all of the magic stones in the Duke castle garden were awakened, resulting in full bloom.

‘Because of that, there are numerous flowers, even though it is the star’s birthday.’

Reina lead the youngsters leisurely and thoughtfully. The three of them sat in a circle on the gazebo, plucking beautiful flowers. Reina was showing two people how to make flower crowns.

“Weave the stems into a circle like this and then the next flower…”

Estelle and Bonita’s eyes shone as they witnessed Reina’s skillful job. The children attempted to emulate it, but their small hands, which were unaccustomed to doing so, merely damaged the petals.

“…I know, right…”

Estelle and Bonita got depressed as they stared at the flowers they were crushing.

“Everyone does this for the first time. But isn’t it much more attractive than when I originally did it?”

“Really?”

“Really?”

“Of course.” I started making it when I was twelve, but I ripped off the entire stem.”

At twelve, she was four years older than the other two. The children exchanged glances, relieved to see that they had done nothing wrong. This time, Reina showed gently so that the kids could follow along. When they finally tied it for the first time, the two children stared at Reina with bright eyes.

“You have good skills. You could open a flower shop in the future.”

Actually, it wasn’t to that level, and she expected the wreath to be somewhat dented once completed. The children couldn’t regulate their strength delicately, so the flower buds were pushed down, causing the petals to flutter. However, Reina had no intention of bringing up the children’s mistakes from the start. As she chose bright flowers and constructed a wreath, the aroma of flowers and grass filled her palms. Reina automatically raised the corners of her mouth as glue oozed from the tips of her fingers.

A few days ago, the Duke proclaimed to Reina that he would protect her from now on, while also asking her to show him how to be friends with his daughter.

‘I don’t believe anything has changed,’ she thought.

The only thing that had changed was the room they were in. Bonita opened her mouth wide when she learned she could stay in that chamber for the rest of her life, and Reina was relieved she didn’t do the same. People’s perceptions about Reina changed marginally, but that was all. She was still Estelle’s maid, but she only had Bonita with her. Reina’s daily life remained consistent despite external changes. 

“The wreath made by Reina is the most beautiful.”

“That’s right, Mom’s is the prettiest.”

The children kept comparing their little, mushy wreaths to Reina’s beautiful wreaths. The acts and thoughts of the youngsters, who were not connected by blood, were so similar that anyone could mistake them for fraternal twins. Reina suppressed her giggle as she attempted to burst out laughing at the cuteness of the tickling girl. She appeared to want both of the children to have the wreaths Reina prepared. However, as if wanting to give in to one other, they couldn’t stop talking and paused.

They were extremely wonderful children.

“Shall we make another one?”

Reina pretended not to notice and spoke gently.

“Is that so?”

Estelle stated this, and her eyes glittered. She then counted the quantity of flowers placed on the table and screamed loudly that she believed there might not be enough.

“Well, then Bonnie and I will bring more flowers!”

“Ask the gardener what flowers you can pick.”

“Huh!”

Of course, she wouldn’t mind bringing Estelle anything she wanted without his permission, but if Estelle tried to take roses simply because they were gorgeous flowers, the thorns would get her in trouble.

Reina smiled brightly as she watched the small children leave, clutching her hand tightly. It was a tranquil day, as if Bonita’s kidnapping and threats were all fabricated.

“Then let’s make it with what’s left.”

The flowers that were not touched by the youngsters remained intact, with no petals coming off. Reina had no choice but to wait, so she began weaving a wreath from the leftover flowers. As she was tying a few things together, she felt someone approaching her. Reina grinned and raised her head, thinking the youngsters were about to surprise her. 

“Already here….”

“…”

“Oh, come… you’re here.”

However, contrary to Reina’s expectations, the person approaching was not a youngster, but the Duke. He looked down at Reina, who was sitting with her back to the sun. Reina finally stood up from her seat to greet the Duke.

“Ah…”

“…Sit down.”

“Yes-yes…”

He didn’t say anything, so Reina attempted to escape his look and resumed weaving the flower crown.

“What are you making?”

“…Woah, I’m making a crown.”

The Duke noticed two little, ugly wreaths next to the elegant wreath that Reina had already finished.

“Those two miserable corollas over there….”

“The flower crown made by the young lady and Bonita….”

“If you look closely, it’s lovely.”

“…”

It was disastrous. The Duke devoured his sleep. Because they were concealed by the gazebo’s roof, it was difficult to tell what the three were doing. The Duke glanced at the flowers for a while before noticing two children who had entered the gazebo and refused to exit, holding hands and running somewhere, and wondered what they were doing. He never spent the entire day in the office with the three of them; he simply witnessed everything. Why did the gazebo have a ceiling, making it unclear whether the three of them were crafting flower crowns, playing with floral fortunes, or simply talking?

The two stayed silent throughout the chat. The Duke was humiliated by his sudden shift in attitude, and Reina was unable to speak first because the Duke was her superior at the top.

In the end, the Duke spoke first.

“…Why are you making flower crowns again?”

“Ah, it appears that the children desire it. I can’t give it to a single child.”

“…” The Duke didn’t appear to understand what she was saying. He found the thought of sharing something with someone distant.

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Translator Note: