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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Uncle?
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“Oof.”
The first thing I smelled was sweet chocolate.
Rubbing my smarting forehead, I looked up to see Menelik Nectarian.
He was dressed in outdoor clothes, having just returned.
“…Duke?”
Did he decide to quit smoking? He didn’t smell of cigarettes.
“Why are you running away?”
Menelik asked, looking puzzled.
“I don’t want to eat anymore.”
It was a blunt answer, but Menelik understood the situation when he saw Mera rushing over with a plate.
A glint of amusement appeared in Menelik’s golden-green eyes.
“If you don't want to eat that, you can eat something else.”
“I don't want to eat anything right now. I feel sick.”
“Hmm.”
“Lady Cheria! You must eat at least a little…!”
Mera spotted Menelik and stopped in her tracks.
Before Mera could say anything, Menelik lifted me with one arm.
“I'll take her with me.”
I felt too sorry for Mera to even lift my head.
Menelik took me to what I assumed was Winter’s office.
I looked around, searching for Winter.
“Where is Mother?”
Menelik tilted his head and set me down on the sofa.
Then, as if a very strange and unpleasant incident had occurred, he lowered his voice and said my name.
“…Cheria, wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Why is Winter ‘Mother’ and I’m ‘Duke’?”
Was he upset that I called Winter ‘Mother’?
Menelik was frowning.
I quickly corrected my address.
“Then, where is the Duchess…”
“Aha. So you change that one.”
“…”
I thought it would be better than calling Menelik ‘Father.’
Winter didn’t seem to like me calling her ‘Mother’ either.
As I darted my eyes, Menelik’s expression softened.
He let out a small laugh and playfully ruffled my hair.
“If you don't want to eat, don't.”
Menelik sat down next to me.
I watched him take a hard candy from his pocket and eat it, muttering.
“But I feel bad. Mera is just doing it because she’s worried about me.”
“She'd worry more if you threw up.”
“That's true, but…”
I was at a loss for words.
Eating until I vomited would certainly make the situation worse.
To think that the delicacies I could only look at in the Mayol countship, I would also only be looking at here.
My past self would have cleared every plate, but Cheria’s stomach was already groaning from overeating.
Overcome with self-pity, I curled into a ball.
“I feel so bad for the chef, too. They must have worked so hard to make it. What if they misunderstand and think I didn't eat because it wasn't delicious? And what about the other maids who brought the food? I know they're worried about me, which makes me feel even worse for disappointing them. What if public opinion turns against me, saying I'm ungrateful, and they decide to kick me out? That would be very problematic…!”
Suddenly, Menelik’s cool hand touched my forehead.
“Your fever hasn't gone down yet.”
“I'm not rambling because I have a fever.”
Whether I narrowed my eyes or not, Menelik crunched down on the hard candy and swallowed.
“I was thinking of giving you a gift before I leave the capital. But after hearing you just now, I've thought of something good.”
“Is this ‘something good’ also good in my eyes?”
The Cheria before my possession had never received a nice gift, so I couldn't help but ask.
Menelik answered with a relaxed smile.
“Of course.”
“You’re really giving it to me?”
“A child shouldn't be so suspicious already.”
But trusting the people at the Mayol countship was a huge mistake.
I pouted.
“…Alright. I'll trust you, Duke. And I'll go and apologize!”
I needed to apologize for causing them worry, and I had to manage public opinion.
Menelik’s brow furrowed.
“Not ‘Duke’.”
“Huh?”
Menelik avoided my gaze and said.
“That thing. You know, the one you use to casually address someone like me, regardless of status.”
I tilted my head.
A word to casually address someone like Menelik, regardless of status?
“Ah…”
“Yes, ah.”
“Uncle…?”
My lips uttered the word I thought was the right answer.
Mmm, I guess that wasn't the answer he wanted.
Menelik’s face crumpled.
“…You're rambling. I'll take you back.”
Just like before, Menelik picked me up.
I reflexively threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Realizing he wasn’t going to drop me, I awkwardly loosened my grip.
Menelik looked down at me, who was still not quite used to being carried.
“Did someone at the countship ever drop you?”
“N-no, but…”
There were plenty of people who would have.
Still, thanks to Menelik’s light conversation, I felt much calmer and was able to make a plan.
“I've been thinking, and I figure I can manage a fruit drink. If I take medicine on an empty stomach, Mother and Yelena will worry even more.”
“So why is Winter ‘Mother’ and I'm ‘Uncle’…”
Menelik, suddenly glum, muttered something in a low voice.
But his voice was too quiet for me to hear clearly.
He fell silent, as if it were just a thought to himself, so I looked away too.
Menelik was very tall, so my view was elevated while in his arms.
I was busy admiring the scenery, which looked a little different than when I walked on my own. Menelik, having apparently recovered from his hurt feelings, muttered.
“You probably don't know this, but I'm three years younger than Winter.”
“Is that so? I had no idea.”
I actually knew, but I responded with feigned sincerity.
At that, Menelik cleared his throat with a small cough.
“Right. So…”
Just then, I saw Kivrin outside the window.
“Ah, it's the Young Lord!”
I leaned toward the window.
“You'll fall.”
Menelik set me down.
“I want to go see the Young Lord.”
“You’re not scared of Kivrin?”
“I’m not scared.”
My firm answer made him look surprised.
Why would I be scared? He's so cute and handsome.
I looked forward to seeing him grow up well.
Both Winter and Menelik possessed a beauty that put others to shame.
As their son, Kivrin was bound to grow up splendidly.
Even in the novel, the description of the grown-up Kivrin’s face was as elaborate as that of a favored male lead.
It was said he looked like he should be set against a backdrop of poppies.
That he needed no majestic throne or disciplined soldiers.
There were other, more blood-soaked adjectives attached to him, but there was no doubt he was a flawless beauty.
Menelik chuckled.
“Alright. Go on.”
I briefly watched Menelik’s back as he turned to leave.
But what was he trying to say by emphasizing that he was three years younger than Winter?
Could it be that he wanted me to call him ‘Father’?
“Be careful not to fall.”
Menelik added.
His expression as unreadable as ever.
Mmm, I should probably test the waters a bit more.
I can try again when Winter doesn't mind being called ‘Mother.’
Having come to a simple conclusion, I scampered down the stairs.
Thanks to the medicine and the nap, I was feeling better than before.
“…Young Lord?”
I thought he was heading toward the garden.
I got my bearings at the main gate and walked past the fountain.
Still, there was no sign of Kivrin.
To think he disappeared on his own after sleeping next to me.
I rolled my eyes.
Could it be that Kivrin knew Mera was coming with food and evacuated beforehand?
He did say himself that he has excellent hearing.
I couldn’t eat much because of my weak stomach, but Kivrin seemed to have another secret.
He never told me what he ate before I started making something resembling food in the Snake Pit.
It’s possible, isn’t it?
I was impressed with my own deductive skills.
I walked to the end of the path between the flowerbeds but still couldn't find Kivrin.
I stood on my tiptoes to see ahead.
Beyond the flowerbeds, densely planted fruit trees with small leaves and climbing roses created a narrow, maze-like area.
The ducal garden was just too vast.
Still, it would be a shame to give up after coming this far.
I stepped forward with determination.
“I… I have to go now. I w-won't be able to see you for a while.”
It was Kivrin!
I turned my head toward the faint sound of his voice.
But who was he talking to?
“Uh, yeah, I know you molted… I'm proud of you. S-so, you don't have to b-bring me food anymore.”
I couldn't hear the other person's voice.
What should I do? Should I go back?
The moment I hesitated, my foot stepped on a dry leaf.
It made a rather loud rustling sound.
Kivrin said he had good hearing…
Yep, it was too late.
