Chapter 25

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 25

Chapter Title: My Daughter

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"New people coming in today?"

"Yes. We held exams last month and selected the sharpest ones. Starting tomorrow, they'll undergo training as part of the second round of tests. Pass that, and they'll become Duvered administrators."

The Duvered House doesn't discriminate based on background when recruiting.

They select purely by exam results, and the generous treatment draws talent from every corner of the nation.

That's why the Duvered House boasts so many exceptional minds, though it comes with a downside.

Criminals can slip in.

'This might make catching wanted fugitives easier than I thought.'

Just then, the library door burst open, and Henri and Ishak strode in.

Nos caught sight of them and quietly rose from his chair, stepping aside.

Ishak headed straight for me and stuck his face right in mine.

"All better now?"

"Huh?"

"Your cold. Gone?"

"Yeah."

Ishak squinted and let out a thoughtful hum. Then he glanced at his brother.

"Why's this kid such a weakling?"

"'Cause she's just a little one."

"I was super healthy at her age."

"That's 'cause you're a monster."

Henri shoved Ishak's face away from mine and asked,

"Hey, Leblain."

"Hi."

"Any weird stuff since the ritual? Spots on your skin or holy power acting up? Those are curse signs."

His voice was so gentle, and he'd dropped the formal speech entirely, like he'd built a wall around us.

Wondering what was up, I blinked, and Henri gave me a look full of pity and distant longing.

"Sorry for the harsh words last time."

"Huh?"

"I've wanted to apologize properly. Forgive me if you're okay with it?"

His words back then had stung a little, but compared to the wounds I'd collected in my past life, it was nothing.

"Yeah, 's fine."

With that, Henri brushed my hair back and murmured, "So sweet."

'Wow.'

It was the kind of charming move you'd expect from someone destined to command legions of followers.

The maids sighed dreamily at his spring-breeze smile.

Handsome from the cradle, indeed—his appeal was devastating.

As I inwardly marveled at his stunning looks, Ishak scowled at Henri.

"You act way different with me."

"I only care about my people."

"Why's the kid your person? She's my kiddo!"

"She's my little sister."

"My kiddo!"

The brothers glared daggers at each other, and I frantically glanced between them.

'Why are they doing this?!'

That's when someone entered through the open door. The duke.

He stared at the feuding brothers—and me, stuck helplessly in the middle.

'Your Grace, your sons are acting weird!'

Take them away quick.

I pleaded with my eyes, and the duke scooped me up.

"She's my daughter."

Just like that.

Henri and Ishak scowled fiercely at the duke, who cradled Leblain in one arm.

'Sneaky.'

'Petty.'

The young masters had spent the past few days pacing outside Leblain's room.

But they'd held back, stifling their urge to visit at the news she needed rest.

The duke, however, had checked on her daily without fail.

And now he was whisking her away entirely.

'I even prepped her favorite snacks.'

She would've clapped in delight. Said something like, "Papa's the best!" again.

Ishak shot the duke a deeply resentful glare.

"It's not fair."

"Not fair?"

"You always get to hold the kiddo!"

"What's unfair about a father holding his child?"

"Well... but..."

Ishak rolled his eyes, lost for words, and Henri stepped in.

"We need time with Leblain too. She'll stay awkward with us forever if it's always just Your Grace."

"My brother's right!"

The boys, usually itching to fight, were perfectly in sync today.

"Plenty of time for bonding later. Her condition's still delicate today—stand down."

"She said she's all better!"

"Yes, Leblain's health comes first."

The father and sons locked eyes in fiery glares before turning to Leblain in unison.

"Don't you want to stay with Daddy?"

"Kiddo, wanna play with us? Huh?"

"Who is it?"

"Who do you like best? Tell us?"

Leblain fidgeted as she looked back and forth between the duke and young masters.

"Um... share..."

Everyone in the library tensed, focusing on the child.

"Lea!"

She hopped down from the duke's arms and dashed to Lea, who had just entered the library.

"Lea's the best."

"Oh my, little one. You're my favorite too."

"Yay!"

"Shall we go eat?"

"Yeah."

Leblain took Lea's hand and trotted out of the library. A chill wind whistled between the three men.

As I walked the corridor with Lea, I wore a subtle frown.

'Why are they fighting over me?'

Ominous.

'What did I do wrong?'

On the surface, it looked like a dad and big brothers vying through their daughter/little sister.

'But I'm not letting my guard down.'

Experience from the Ballua duchy had taught me that thrills from "family moments" always led to backstabs.

Lea chuckled at my triumphant expression.

"That excited for lunch?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."

"It's your favorite cream stew, loaded with meat just like you wanted."

My mood lifted instantly, and I squeezed Lea's hand tight.

'Lea's the best, after all.'

Good call coming with her.

Lea's stew was even tastier than expected.

After devouring two heaping bowls, I patted my round belly, and the maids watched with utterly adoring faces.

Heading to the training grounds with Henri, Ishak brooded gloomily.

'Why does the kiddo prefer the maid over us?'

Thinking back, she'd ditch him for Lea the moment she showed up—not just once or twice.

"Does she like the staff better than me? Weird. No way."

"What nonsense."

Henri frowned as they walked.

"When I gave her cake, she said, 'Ishak's the best! So cool!'"

Ishak boasted proudly, but Henri narrowed his eyes.

"Just polite talk."

"Nuh-uh. She loves me. Greets me all happy every time."

No one greeted Ishak that warmly.

Staff and retainers bowed stiffly with formal hellos; genius academy kids scattered at the sight of him.

Henri retorted with a furrowed brow.

"Leblain greets everyone happily."

That's why even the staff around her were smitten.

A tiny kitten had popped into the stark Duvered castle, chirping "Hello!" everywhere.

Impossible not to be charmed.

Ishak halted abruptly.

"So... she doesn't really like me best?"

His face fell in massive disappointment.

Henri shrugged.

"She doesn't hate you. Might like you a bit. But not the most."

"Then how do I become her favorite?"

Henri scowled at his brother's question.

That's what I want to know.

Henri had always found it easy to win people over compared to the others.

Unlike his father the duke, who commanded loyalty effortlessly, brother Yohan, or Ishak—he had that sweet face. And he knew exactly how to charm folks.

But Leblain was different.

Utterly fair.

Equal indifference to his father, himself, and Ishak.

'No, I'm at a disadvantage.'

Father and Ishak hadn't alienated her, but he'd dumped a load of hurtful words.

'Repair the bond. Need something to surpass at least the duke and Ishak.'

As he pondered, he spotted servants carrying toys.

"You buy one too?"

"Yeah. 'Children's Day' is coming, toy shops were packed. Took forever for this one."

Henri and Ishak, eavesdropping idly, zeroed in on the gifts.

"Ishak."

"Yeah. Same idea?"

"Yep."

"Team up this time?"

"Fine. We'll settle our rivalry after shaking the leader."

Not as much as that Lea maid, but they'd definitely outpace the duke who kept stealing Leblain time.

The brothers aligned perfectly for the first time in their lives.

But the boys didn't know hawk-like eyes were watching.

"The young masters have headed to the shopping district to prepare gifts."

The duke smirked at Nos's report.

"Buying toys from shops? Amateur move."

Nos laughed awkwardly.

"Well, bribing the little one's heart with..."

"Buy the shop."

"Pardon?"

The duke eyed Nos and the administrators with overwhelming intensity.

"Acquire the largest toy shop in the district."

Nos silently screamed at the doomed paperwork avalanche.

The next day.

Confirming the new administrators' arrival, I headed to the first-floor courtyard where they gathered.

And peeked at the fresh faces from a corner nook.

'My money. Who's the criminal gonna be?'

They looked a bit clumsy—first day jitters—but all seemed normal.

Of course criminals don't walk around with "Wanted" stamped on their foreheads.

As Nos, chief of administrators, briefed them on rules and assignments, my eyes met one new recruit's.

"Huh? A kid."

A few newbies had noticed me.

But they ignored me, wary of Nos.

'That guy's oblivious—won't last in the job.'

Nos and the staff spotted me then and bowed.

I shyly stepped out. "Hewwo..."

Nos scooped me up and carried me center stage.

"This is Leblain, the duke's youngest daughter."

He fixed a piercing gaze on the man who'd called me "kid."

"Not just any 'kid.'"