Lord Baby Runs a Romance Fantasy With Cash

Chapter 7

My eyes started to shake like an earthquake. A pink heart that seemed out of place had situated itself daintily on the duke’s cold face.

Or, maybe it did fit him a little... Being handsome was truly an amazing quality. Surprisingly, the duke was pulling it off.

Wait, that’s not what I should be thinking about right now! Why was my hint in the form of a heart on the duke’s cheek?

The answer was clear. My long-standing romance fantasy experiences told me the heart was where my lips should go. So, in other words...

You’re telling me to kiss the duke’s icy cold cheeks, aren’t you?! How is that a hint?! Huh?

The devil’s warning of how naïve and foolish I was and how I should never let my guard down echoed in my head. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted that devil bastard!

I screamed internally.

* * *

“Hmm?” The duke looked down in confusion at my pale and frozen face. “You look pale. Sort of like a strangled frog.”

Hah... A what frog?

Does he want to know what it feels like to be kissed by a strangled frog? Huh?! Will he learn to be careful with his words then?!

“What’s wrong?”

Unable to answer the duke’s question, I let out a deep sigh.

You see... I just received a grand quest to give you a kiss on the cheek. But if I had failed that quest, I would have died. Ha... ha... ha!

Goddamn it. Screw this 0-star rated world!

Let’s calm down first. A hint is only a hint. The condition I had to fulfill didn’t specifically involve kissing the duke’s cheek.

In other words, all I had to do was convince the duke to give me the book. Surely, I could try to convince him since he was also a human. I’d just ignore that stupid hint.

I looked away from the pink heart on the duke’s cheek, pretending not to see it. The dice had already been thrown.

“D-daddy...”

I’m going to do it! I’m going to convince the duke! I tightened my grip on the duke’s clothes.

“I’ll touch it super carefully. Can I please see it up close, just once?”

I looked at him with my innocent puppy eyes that the maids had completely fallen for previously. But...

Huh? For some reason, the duke’s face hardened even more, and his eyes became sharper than ever. Euk...

I already told you the book is off limits, how dare you keep urging me. I shall kill you. That couldn’t be what he was thinking right now, right? It couldn’t be.

I sniffled. Then I moved my trembling lips and said in an innocent and clueless tone, “You see, Daddy, I was told that songs are meant to be sung, and books are meant to be read.”

Why?

“I feel so, so, so sorry for that book because it hasn’t been read by anyone for hundreds of years.”

Why is his expression turning sharper the more I talk?

“I’ll make sure to be extra gentle with it so the book doesn’t go owie, please?”

Receiving his glares felt like a dagger on my forehead. I wanted to burst into tears.

M-moreover, why is he applying more pressure to his hands...?! The duke began tightening his arms around me.

He’s not trying to crush me to death, is he?! Help, someone, please!

The duke’s glaring eyes grew more and more intense, as if he was going to commit a murder at any given minute, and I found it increasingly harder to maintain the smile on my face. At this rate, I might actually be forced to forfeit my life at the hands of the duke.

On top of that...

The hearts multiplied?!

Smaller hearts began to appear around the duke after I ignored kissing him. Not only that, but they were also starting to sparkle!

Sparkle. Sparkle. Kiss me! Kiss me! Kiss me!

It felt like I could almost hear the hearts telling me to kiss him.

Ahhhh!

That damn bastard of a devil. Just what is he thinking?! I felt pressured as if something bad was going to happen if I didn’t kiss him.

“D-daddy!”

Convincing the duke wasn’t an option anymore. I closed my lips and raised my chin in the duke’s direction. I was hanging on a deadly cliff and had no choice but to hold on to the rotten rope dangling in front of me!

Whatever! Here goes nothing!

Just like that, I headed straight for the duke’s face.

Pow!

“Owie!” My nose slammed into a hard surface and started to ache.

[Control failed.]

[<Foot Controller>]

[Reader, it turns out you have a terrible sense of direction, huh? I’d do a much better job aiming with my feet than what you just did. I even kindly marked your target for you. How did you miss it?]

[This is not at all like the behavior of a contractor of the great <Apthanes>. I’m very disappointed in you! Ashamed! Embarrassed, to say the least!]

What...?

Why did he even send me these notifications? Was he trying to make fun of me or something? He was always so unhelpful!

I could almost imagine the brat giggling his little heart out wherever he was. Ugh, how embarrassing...

“What are you doing...?” The duke’s low and cold voice fell on my head.

I lifted my head from the duke’s shoulder as I rubbed my nose. I could tell that my nose had turned red.

You’ve got very firm shoulders, sir.

The duke was frowning at me. His face was icy cold, but it was covered in cute little hearts. Even with the hearts on his face, he was as handsome as ever. I couldn’t believe he was actually pulling it off.

“Daddy.”

I missed my target, not because I had a bad sense of direction, but because the duke was too tall. I once again reached out toward the duke, and fortunately, this time, he lowered his head.

He looked very confused. It was the face of someone who didn’t know what was about to happen to him. Maybe it’s better that he doesn’t know.

I suddenly felt a sense of pity for the situation that I was in. The number of hearts increased as if to hurry me.

Okay, I get it! I clenched my eyes.

Smooch!

Unlike the slam from before, this time, I let out a sweet and adorable sound. My lips were stamped onto the duke’s smooth cheek.

How should I put it? It felt a bit weird. Never had I ever kissed anyone in both my current and past life. It was my first time.

I was speechless.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at the duke, so I looked away, trying to hide my blushing cheeks. I could see the butler and the maids screaming silently.

Ah, so that must be the kind of face that Munch was referencing when he painted The Scream.

I always thought he was exaggerating for artistic purposes, but I guess he wasn’t.

Even after I came back to my senses after a brief escape from reality, the duke, who had just been kissed on the cheek, stood there with no particular reaction. He was as solid as a statue.

Wait a minute. How did he still manage to look like a beautiful piece of artwork even when he was frozen? He looked like a stone statue that was hand-carved by a god.

Thankfully enough, the hearts disappeared. I almost started to think that they were going to stay permanently on the artwork. Just as I was about to take another escape from reality...

Fwoosh.

A faint sound pierced through the silence that filled the room. I looked around, thinking that I misheard it.

Krrk!

This time, the sound was loud and clear. I turned my head to see a crack forming on the glass casket that was enclosing the old book.

“Huh?”

It’s collapsing...? With that thought, the glass shattered as if it was struck by an intense force, and the shards—no, the dust—dispersed throughout the room.

As I watched the glass that had turned to dust settle down, my mouth fell open in shock. The glass casket had exploded... Would “explode” even be the right word to use? Either way, it was destroyed and disappeared without a trace.

What just happened?

At that very moment, the book that was inside the casket appeared in front of me. I stared blankly at the duke who was handing the book to me.

“Y-Your Grace!” I could hear the aide call out for the duke. I quickly gathered my senses and extended my hands. But...

Fwick!

Just as my hands were about to touch the book, the duke snatched it away. Was he teasing me?

Uninterested in my cheeks that were puffing up in anger, the duke leisurely examined the book.

He then lightly tossed it over my head. My mouth fell open again.

My book...!

The book was super old; what if the pages fell apart? Was it that fun to tease a little child?! You cruel man!

As I was glaring at the duke, the book stopped mid-air. Around the floating book was a black aura that wrapped around like a slow whirlwind.

“It looks fine.” The black aura faded as soon as the duke finished speaking his words, and the book fell back into his hand.

“There might not be anything sealed inside this book right now, but it’s still a seal book. You can never be too sure of what’s been left inside.”

Huh? I blinked at his unexpected words. He was hesitant to let me touch the book, not because I’d damage it, but because it might be dangerous for me?

Was I interpreting that too favorably? The duke’s aide, who had a longer history with the duke, would probably know his intention better than I did.

“Your Grace, this book is a precious heirloom that has been with the House of Phaeraton for many decades now, and it’s also the treasure of the founding duke. If, by any chance, the youngest lady accidentally damages—”

“Are you its owner?”

The aide was rendered speechless by the duke’s words.

He’s right! It’s the du—no, it’s my daddy’s book! The owner himself said it’s okay, so stay out of it, mister!

“Wow! Daddy, you’re the best!” Smiling widely, I reached for the book with my short arms.

Please give it to me now.

“I’m the best?” The duke eyed me with an eerie look.

Wait, wasn’t what I said supposed to be considered a compliment? Everything was going so well up until now. What was it this time? He was scaring me.

“Yes, the best...” I gently put my hands on the book, but the duke wouldn’t let go.

Ugh, seriously. Why is it so hard to get my hands on a single book?

Should I turn him into a stone statue again...?

Based on his response from earlier, it seemed like my kiss had an effect similar to Medusa’s glare. I was only jokingly thinking about it in my head, but soon enough, something appeared again on the duke’s cheek.

It can’t be... All I could do was laugh at the heart that reappeared on the duke’s cheek.

Seriously, if I ever get my hands on that devil, I’ll kill him... Once again, I brought my lips to the duke’s cheek, which seemed easier to reach than before.

Smooch. With another kiss, the duke loosened his grip on the book.

For some reason, it felt like he was flexing his shoulders.

Oh? I widened my eyes.

He enjoyed receiving kisses from his daughter. If this wasn’t a symptom of a father turning into a fool for his daughter, I didn’t know what was.

Now that I saw it it also looked like the corners of his mouth were soft—nope, they had actually stiffened even more.

He also looked like he was in a very bad mood. It was like he was disgusted that a strangled frog would dare to come near his divine cheeks...

Perhaps that’s why his shoulders are tense! Because he’s annoyed! Of course, what else was I expecting?

Either way, the book was finally in my hands. I happily wiped the dust off of the worn-out book. It was then...

[You have obtained the <Summoning Medium>.]

[You have completed the quest <Prove Your Worth>.]

[Rewarding 500 Cash.]

[You have completed the quest <The Greatest Filial Piety (1)>]

[Rewarding a 5000 Cash drawing ticket.]

A pop-up appeared in front of me. Phew, I didn’t have to worry about forfeiting my life. Moreover...

A drawing ticket for 5000 Cash. A smile spread across my face. No avid romantic fantasy reader would ever decline an offer for cash. But the notifications didn’t end there.

[Duke Phaeraton’s chief aide, Viscount Erkel, admires you.]

[Duke Phaeraton’s chief butler, Heinz, respects you.]

[Duke Phaeraton’s senior maids respect you.]

[Your influence in the House of Phaeraton has slightly increased.]

[Rewarding 500 Cash.]

Oh? Originally, the quest was only supposed to reward me with a 5000 Cash drawing ticket, but I ended up receiving an additional 500 Cash reward.

Does that mean I can collect more cash if I continue to garner these kinds of reactions from the people around me? I was unsure of the logic behind it, but it was a good thing for me either way.

But I wondered why they felt admiration and respect towards me. I couldn’t understand. However, the biggest mystery was the message that was written underneath.

[Your quest target, Duke Phaeraton, has reached a maximum level of satisfaction. You will be granted an additional reward.]

Huh? I rubbed my eyes and reread the pop-up.

[Your quest target, Duke Phaeraton, has reached a maximum level of satisfaction. You will be granted an additional reward.]

The words on the pop-up remained the same. Has the duke reached a maximum level of satisfaction?

I couldn’t believe it. Even at that very moment, he looked like he was plotting how to crush this frog-like child that was sitting in front of him.

“Are you done looking at it now?”

“Y-yes, sir!” I responded quickly to the duke’s question.

A new pop-up appeared from the corner of my eye, but I couldn’t check it now. The pop-up window disappeared.

The duke returned to his office the same way he came. That is... while holding me in his arms.

Unlike before, retainers waited in the open room next to the duke’s office when we returned. It must’ve been time for them to report to the duke.

When they noticed me in the duke’s arms, it looked like they were having difficulty breathing.

Does everyone around here just have asthma or something? The others had a similar reaction before, too.

Along with the duke’s gaze, the retainers cautiously followed the duke into his office. One of the retainers looked surprised after seeing the book that I was holding.

“T-that book! It can’t be...!”

“Book? What book are you talking about? Oh!”

The other retainers were also surprised.

Oh, this book must be more valuable than I thought. Still...

It’s my book...!

I tightened my embrace around the book, and the retainers who were looking at me let out a laugh. It was as if they were looking at something adorable.

Huh? I nodded my head after some thought.

Yeah. I guess a baby would be cute if they act like that. I remembered a moment when I saw a baby trying to hide away their chocolate and thought it was cute.

Though, I would’ve never expected myself to be the target of such adoring looks. After all, no one ever looked at me like that when I was a baby, both in my past life and this life.

I fidgeted my hands as I held onto the book.

For some reason, I felt too shy to look at the retainers.

* * *

The duke listened to the reports of the retainers with me on his lap.

Ergh, I wish I could go back to my room to check on my drawing ticket and my additional reward. I also want to examine this book a little more and test out my abilities. I looked around the room awkwardly and perked up at the sound of a familiar name.

“More investors are beginning to take interest in Marquess Tarenka’s mana stone mining business. But the strange thing is... there’s been a rumor going around that our Duke Phaeraton has also invested in the business. It sounded like more than a rumor, actually.”

Marquess Tarenka.

“You little wench who can’t even work to pay off your food! Brats like you need a good beating to bring you back to your senses!”

An image of the face that Marquess Tarenka made when he whipped me flashed in front of my eyes. I turned my head to look at the duke who mentioned his name.

“If Your Grace hadn’t asked us to keep an extra eye on Marquess Tarenka, we would’ve never known since it was only ever mentioned once by Marquess Sherodel while he was drunk. Apparently, he seemed to have denied those claims the day after.”

Did the duke have them keep an eye on Marquess Tarenka? I glanced at him.

“However, one thing that stood out... was that a lot of investors have been flocking towards the mana stone mining business despite its risk and constant fluctuations. An excessive amount of investors. Here’s a list.”

Thanks to the duke who sat me on his lap, I was also able to see the list.

Duke Delvatren, Duke Iskamil, Marquess Sherodel… The list went on to the next page.

Even as someone who knew nothing about this world, I could tell that the big names were involved.

“He’s moved the heavyweights.”

“Isn’t it a little strange, Your Grace? If the mana stone that they mine doesn’t contain any mana, they’ll have wasted all their investments.”

“It’s only possible to gather this many investors if it’s guaranteed that the mana stones will be full of mana. And the only way they would guarantee such a thing is if—”

“If they know that Duke Phaeraton is investing in the mana stone mining business.”

The duke spoke in a low voice. “Looks like Marquess Sherodel wasn’t telling a drunken bluff. But where did he hear such nonsense?”

“The source is unclear because Marquess Sherodel claims to have misspoken under the influence. However, upon further investigation of Duke Delvatren and Duke Iskamil’s whereabouts, we were able to find out that the three of them invested at around the same time.”

“Marquess Sherodel seems to frequent social parties and clubs, but Duke Delvatren and Duke Iskamil have been quiet. There have been no accounts of the three of them meeting in private either.”

Oh? That means it must be one of the two.

The duke sank into his seat and said languidly, “Then it must be one of the two.”

Ah, we were thinking the same thing?

“The two of them either decided to invest regardless of the rumor that I was involved or—”

Yes, or...

“Marquess Tarenka told them himself,” I said as everyone focused their eyes on me.

Oh!

Did I just say that out loud?