“I want a daughter.”
At Helena’s words, Estin turned his gaze out of the window and looked at her. Helena is stroking her whole stomach with a gentle touch.
“Daughter?”
“All the kids look like you.”
The grumbling tone made Estin laugh unknowingly. Yeah, you’re the one who suffered, you must be upset.
“No, it’s actually good.”
“It’s good.”
“All kids have black hair and black eyes.”
I thought you didn’t care.
Estin slowly approached Helena and fiddled with her red hair. It was as beautiful as red geranium, as brilliant as the sun. Helena sometimes said that she was ashamed of her hair, which was too red, but Estin said that this bright red was so…… lovely.
“I think a red-haired girl would be fine.”
When Estin said so, Helena blushed and smiled. And looking at the smile, Estin thought vaguely that if a child with this hair was born, he would have no choice but to love her.
Red was also the favorite color of the Britina Empire. Because it was the color of the sun. But, was Conler’s deep darkness inescapable?
***
Mary continued to carry her cat doll named Nero. When she sleeps, when she plays. It was quite cute to see her hug a doll that looked just like her.
Even before Mary, there were three children, but it was rare to see them holding a doll. So, the people of the Grand duchy wanted to see Mary whenever she came out.
“Even the knights are snooping around.”
“They’re slacking.”
At first glance, it sounded brutal, but Lucas knew it was his own joke
You’re kidding, right? If you’re not kidding…… Condolences to the Knights.
“Come to think of it, the young masters were also very cute when they were young.”
“Hmm.”
Estin nodded at Lucas’s words. Yes, they were very cute but when the three brothers were young.
Gilbert, the eldest son, is said to be the most mature, but Aiden, the second son, and Theodore, the third son, were not that bad of children. Before they turned six years old, Lucas’ wish was for Aiden and Theodore to walk on the ground properly.
However, after they turned six years old, they suddenly became too mature, and Lucas felt sad somehow. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, thanks to those children, he was afraid of the sunrise in the morning.
But it was also fascinating to see them grow up so much and go to the academy.
“Oh, come to think of it, Master Theodore sent a letter from the academy saying that he missed his younger sibling.”
“I suppose so.”
Exactly, the letter said that he wanted to relieve the youngest’s sorrow even now. Maybe it would be pretty unfair if the two older brothers read the letter.
“So, he wants to come back…….”
“Absolutely not.”
“I replied like that because I thought you would.”
The Academy was currently under examination. Actually, Conler is not really required to attend an academy that focuses on magic. The Magic tower, who runs the academy, didn’t like Conler in the first place. They do not welcome magic that came from a curse.
However, the emperor hoped that Estin’s children would receive the same education as the other noble children. Some said that the royal family is keeping the Grand Duke in check so openly, but Estin honestly thought it wasn’t bad.
Estin was confined in this castle and educated thoroughly as Conler. In the process, his younger brother was denied as a Conler because he doesn’t have black hair and black eyes.
So, he wanted his children to grow up differently from him. It was also the will of Helena, the mother of the children. Estin vowed not to let go of his children even if they were not born with black hair and black eyes.
He doesn’t want them to experience what he experienced.
The thought of Mary disturbed Estin again. Having that kind of background, Estin wanted his children to grow up more relaxed.
The three above Mary were based on some kind of trust. And I thought the children knew Estin’s mind. I thought there was something that was inevitably connected to “Conler.”
But what about Mary? Is it different because she’s a girl?
Although Mary had just come to the castle, Estin found it odd that she hadn’t opened her heart yet. Would it have been different if Helena was here?
Estin admitted it. He is concerned about Mary, especially when they were in Giefroy. If she wants to have a doll, she can have it, but he kept seeing her making all kinds of excuses.
Is the Grand duchy burdensome?
“It’s burdensome, of course.”
“What?”
“Are you talking about Miss Mary?”
“How do you know?”
“You were a little loud talking to yourself.”
Lucas smiled brightly. Estin shook his head as if he could not win. He thought a little bit about Lucas’ answer and asked back with a frown.
“Why do you think so?”
“Of course, it would be burdensome if you suddenly say that her father is the leading nobleman of the empire.”
“Girls have that kind of fantasy.”
“Yes, Fantasy.”
Lucas continued slowly.
“But it’s a reality for Miss Mary.”
Reality. It’s reality.
Then I should just make the reality a dream.
“What do girls like?”
“Are you going to give it to Miss Mary?”
If he asks the child to choose what she wants, she will definitely say nothing. He couldn’t understand. She’s so happy with just a doll, but she hesitates when asked to say what she wants.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe Hestia knows”
Hestia was brought in with a puzzled look.
“What do girls like?”
“What?”
Hestia could not erase her puzzled face when she heard why she was called here. At the sight of Hestia, Estin asked again, frustratedly.
“What do girls like?”
“What did you like when you were young?”
When Lucas changed the question, Hestia finally answered with a bright look.
“Me? I liked playing with swords with my brother.”
“Forget it.”
Lucas thought of Hestia’s brother Vincent and expressed his condolences. Vincent has no talent for swordsmanship. Does he also like to play swords with Hestia?
“Oh, are you going to give Miss Mary a present?”
Hestia, who was thinking hard while looking around, punched her palm and said as if she knew it. Estin nodded without answering.
“Then I’ll go to Giefroy. and buy the trendy ones.”
“……as much as possible.”
“What?”
“Sweep the toy store away.”
“I see.”
At Estin’s words, Lucas and Hestia nodded. He’s not just giving Mary what’s good, he’s giving her everything. As expected, the Grand Duke, whatever he does, he does it enthusiastically.
“Oh, you need to get a ball.”
“A ball?”
“She seems to like playing with balls.”
“I see.”
“Look for something similar to Theodore’s ball when he was a kid.”
When did you see that?
Lucas felt better because Mary seemed to be loved more than he thought.
“Miss Mary looks like Helena.”
Except for black hair and black eyes, it was not an exaggeration to say that the features looked exactly like Helena. Her cat eyes were especially amazing every time he saw them.
How happy would she have been if she was alive?
When Helena gave birth and found out it was a girl, she was so excited that she boasted to Lucas. But when Mary was lost, Helena dried up day by day.
If she knew Mary was alive like this, she wouldn’t have died so soon. How nice it would have been if she had held her at least once.
Lucas thought. He has to do well so that Miss Mary doesn’t have this kind of regret. His steps to Giefroy to buy toys became lighter.
***
“What’s all this?”
I couldn’t believe what was in front of me. I was waiting for the dress to arrive today, but more boxes began to come in than I thought. How can you fill such a large room with boxes?
“Are they all dresses?”
That was weird. I didn’t pick these many clothes at Gille’s dress shop. Even if I wear one a day, I can’t wear it all. I was in a state of panic when Hestia, who was moving the box next to me, answered as if it was nothing.
“No.”
“What? Then?”
“They’re toys, miss.”
[T/N: I truly enjoy reading this novel but I do not enjoy translating it. Sorry for the messy translation :))]
Thank you, Sienna!
Thank you 💜