Lord Baby Runs a Romance Fantasy With Cash

Chapter 10

“Hmm… Mmhmmm…”

I hummed as I moved my hand along the paper. The sketchbook was slowly but surely being covered in various colors.

Anna laughed as she spoke to me. “My lady, you’re very good at drawing. This is a pineapple, right?”

The maids spoke to me freely now. It seemed like just yesterday that they stood around the room, emotionless like furniture.

“No, it’s not,” I answered with a pout.

How was this a pineapple? Why would a pineapple have eyes, a nose, and lips?

“It’s you.”

“Pardon?”

“This is Anna.” I pointed at the drawing of the pineapp—no, the drawing of Anna.

“Oh my! You were drawing me!” Anna said kindly, but I was a little concerned. To be honest, the drawing looked more like a pineapple than Anna, even to me.

“Are you holding my hand in this drawing?”

“Yup.”

“Ah, there’s a heart here too.”

“Mmm...”

Feeling a little embarrassed, I fiddled with my hands.

Anna didn’t speak for a while.

After all, the drawing didn’t look good. It was full of squiggly lines, and the colors were blending everywhere. It was the best I could do with my potato of a hand.

Ergh… I groaned internally.

If I really wasn’t the duke’s daughter, I was eventually going to need the help of the employees here. I was just trying to win them over, but what if it was having the opposite effect? I still had so many questions about the duke’s family and about Magi!

I hugged Anna tightly and proceeded to pat her on the head.

“Pretty, pretty.”

“Oh my, are you saying that I’m pretty?”

“I like Anna!”

“My lady...”

Wait, I didn’t mean for you to cry… I felt awkward.

“I shall keep this as a precious heirloom for the rest of my life. I’m going to pass it down in my family for generations.”

Huh? Oh, well... You don’t necessarily have to pass it down…

The thought of my drawing—where you couldn’t even distinguish a person from a pineapple—being passed down for generations made me want to hide. Either way, I couldn’t fully understand why, but it seemed like my plan was working.

I used the same method to try to win over the other maids. However... They all had the same weird reaction.

“I shall take this to my grave, my lady. I have no need for my husband anymore. I shall request to be buried with your drawing instead.”

Huh...? Were you planning to force your husband to be buried alive alongside you when you died?

That was the reaction of Nancy, who seemed to be an advocate of burying the living.

“I’m going to decorate my entire room with your drawings. I’ll look at them every night as I fall asleep and every morning when I wake up.”

Uh... Isn’t that what a stalker usually does? The reaction of Laura, who had the tendencies of a stalker, wasn’t all that different.

“I can’t believe you gave me a heart. My heart... Do you need it? I’m willing to offer it up to you anytime!”

“I don’t need it!”

“Then... what about someone else’s heart?”

Tilda’s reaction was... I’d rather not say.

Sniffle, sniffle. I’m scared.

I’m pretty sure everyone here looked extremely rational and practical when I first came. I wonder what happened to them?

Anyway, whenever I found myself alone with a maid, I gifted them a personalized drawing and patted them on the head while telling them how pretty they were. And soon enough, it was time to go out on our walk.

I felt extremely upbeat because we were planning to visit the glass greenhouse today. To think they would have a glass greenhouse inside of a mansion! How amazing is that?! It finally felt like I was really inside the world of a romance fantasy.

I was so excited that I started to run.

“My lady! You’ll fall if you run like th—”

As if her words held power, I fell to the ground with a thud.

“Owie!” Ugh, how embarrassing.

“My lady!”

“Are you okay?”

I could hear the maid’s surprised voices.

I must have fallen on my nose because it started to hurt. I didn’t have to see it to know my nose had turned red.

I whimpered as I raised my head. But what caught my eye wasn’t the friendly faces of the maids. It was legs that were stretched out like a highway.

Don’t tell me...

I raised my head higher at the sight of the unusually long legs. In front of me was the icy cold face of Duke Phaeraton. As we locked eyes, he lifted an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?”

What else would I be doing?

Contrary to my inner complaints, I answered nicely and calmly.

“I fell.”

“And why did you fall?” The duke looked at me as if he couldn’t comprehend why I fell.

Feeling dumbfounded, I opened my mouth.

Why else would I fall?! I fell because I lost momentum, duh!

“Children tend to fall easily, Your Grace.”

“How weak.”

Is that seriously something you should be saying to a baby who just fell? I was annoyed, but I stretched my arms towards the duke.

“Help me stand up, please, Daddy.”

I was worried that he would ignore me and leave, but instead, he lifted me up—though he did it with a scowl on his face.

Hanging in the air, I followed the duke’s gaze. His red eyes, which were void of emotion, scanned me from head to toe until they stopped, zoning on my legs.

“Your knees...”

“Huh?”

I looked down to where his eyes stopped and saw that my knees were red. Fortunately enough, the skin didn’t tear, but it was definitely bruised.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

The duke ignored me and started to walk with me hanging by his side. When we arrived at the office, the duke sat me down on his lap and glared at my knees.

You’re going to pierce my knees with that look!

After looking at it for a while, he slightly tilted his head. A low and chilly voice fell onto my head.

“Why is it getting darker?”

“The youngest lady will get better after a few days once she puts some ointment onto the area.”

The duke knit his brows. “I knew you were weak, but I didn’t expect you to be this weak.”

My heart sank at the sound of his heavy words. Perhaps...

Was this one of the many reasons why he abandoned me at my uncle’s place? Because I was too weak?

If I really was his daughter or the lead heroine, then I should’ve been born with Magi, but… could I really be the product of an affair? I clenched the skirt of my dress.

Meanwhile, Nancy entered the room with some ointment.

Duke Phaeraton personally applied the ointment on my knees. His hands felt very awkward. Worried that I was annoying him for no reason, I looked at Anna, but unbeknownst to how I felt, she looked lovingly at the sight in front of her.

After the duke finished applying the ointment, I tried to escape from his lap. I didn’t want to get in the way of his duties anymore. However, the duke once again held me up as he stood.

And he hadn’t put me down since. When he ate, when he signed his documents, and even during his meeting with the retainers… Like a baby kangaroo, I was stuck to the duke’s chest.

There’s no way that he just forgot to put me down, right?!

I pounded the duke’s chest with my cotton ball fists, but all that returned was the duke’s light taps on my butt. I became upset because I felt like I had become a fussy baby when that wasn’t my intention.

The retainers who had entered the conference hall saw me and made a face that looked as if they were being strangled yet again. As their meeting was about to start, Anna carefully opened her mouth to speak.

“Pardon me, Your Grace. I apologize for the intrusion, but I believe you should start letting the youngest lady down from your arms...”

The duke’s eyes turned to look at Anna. It was a look so sharp that it made me flinch. Likewise, Anna also flinched, but she continued to speak as she lowered her head.

“The tailor has arrived.”

It seemed like the tailor the duke requested the other day had arrived. Seeing it as my chance to escape, I rushed down from the duke’s lap.

The duke glared at me with a deeply disapproving look on his face as I tried to escape.

But why?

You’re the one who called the tailor! Don’t tell me now that you think it’s a waste of money?!

I looked at the duke angrily, and the duke stretched his arm towards me.

Ah! Did he read my mind? I’m sorry!

I crouched my body, worried that he had read my mind, but contrary to what I thought, he held me in his arms again.

“A-are you planning to go there yourself?” Nancy asked out of the blue, but she quickly caught herself and closed her mouth. Her complexion had turned pale.

Just like that, the duke left his office.

What? Wasn’t he going to start his meeting like, right now? The retainers, who blankly watched as the scene unfolded, quickly followed after the duke.

Why are they following us, too?

It was an interesting sight.

* * *

Yutra Felia.

She was a woman who had started from the bottom with absolutely nothing and worked her way up to designing clothes for the imperial family. Due to her services, she was given a non-hereditary title and became widely known as a self-made woman.

A woman who transcends the existing system and defines the trend of the continent. Contrary to her grand reputation, she stood looking extremely nervous. Her customer today was that important.

Finally, I get to meet the little princess who has been a mystery all this time.

“We’ll finally be able to meet the owner of the dresses,” the chief tailor whispered to her as if he were thinking the same thing as Yutra.

“I didn’t think we’d ever get to meet her. For these past few years, they always ordered a custom dress to be made around this time of year. But never once did we get to see them.”

Every year, the House of Phaeraton would put in a request for the best dress in town to be made regardless of the cost.

When Yutra first received that odd request, she was provoked and designed a dress that was equivalent to the cost of a castle. However, the House of Phaeraton would send over their dues at once without delay.

Everyone knows how quickly a child grows. To spend an outlandish amount of money that was equivalent to the cost of a castle for a dress that was only going to be worn for a season was unbelievable.

Even the princess herself wouldn’t go that far.

That’s when she knew. It was her chance to test the limits of her artistry. It was a chance for her to indulge in the things that she couldn’t do due to a lack of money.

The only drawback was that she never got to meet the owner of her elegant dresses. Yutra was only informed of her measurements.

“I wonder who she is. I haven’t seen a single portrait of the duke’s daughter going around town before, hence the curiosity.”

“I’m guessing she’ll look similar to the duke and his sons, don’t you think?”

Pitch black hair, void of light. Clear, blood-red eyes. A fierce and ferocious spirit that was even more unrefined than that of a wild beast.

Those were the characteristics of the Phaeraton bloodline.

“She may still be a young child, but I’m sure she has an overwhelming charisma.”

Yutra sighed at the sound of her employees gossiping. Her anticipation was slightly crushed at the thought of a fiercely charismatic child of the duke.

All this time, she was designing with the image of an adorable, squishy little girl in mind.

It was a freedom of imagination that she could relish, as she had never seen the duke’s daughter before.

But she was a professional.

She was confident that she could make a beautiful dress even if the daughter of the duke looked exactly like Duke Phaeraton himself.

I suppose there’s no point expecting an adorable and lovely little girl to walk in. After all, it’s the House of Phaeraton that we’re dealing with.

Until now, Yutra hadn’t encountered a single model who captivated her. Like a true artist, Yutra had a very particular preference.

Let’s not be too disappointed, even if the duke’s daughter is a mini version of him.

Right then, the door opened. Yutra fixed her expression and lowered her head. Like a true professional, she made sure not to show any personal feelings.

However, as soon as she saw who walked in, her eyes shook violently.

* * *

The dozens of assistants accompanying Yutra were also flustered as they looked at the door.

D-Duke Phaeraton? What is His Grace doing here...?

He was not the type of person to make an appearance when ordering his daughter’s clothes.

O-on top of that, he’s holding the child in his arms! Have I gone mad? Her eyes couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

However, Yutra’s focus was on something other than Duke Phaeraton.

My heavens... The measuring tape fell from her hands.

“...Shy.”

What sounded like a low groan floated out of her mouth. Yutra tried to calm herself down as she blew steam out of her nose.

What is that adorable, lovely, fluffy, little squishy in his arms?!

The ferocious and scary-looking duke was the least of her concerns. As soon as she saw the adorable little pink-haired baby who sat in his arms, a sharp shock struck her soul.

At the same time, a flurry of inspiration was unleashed inside her mind. The lovely little child with flush red cheeks was exactly—no, she exceeded her expectations.

“She’s perfect!” she yelled as she clapped her hands.

But her happiness didn’t last long. At the deadly silence, Yutra finally assessed the situation that she was in.

Feeling the icy dead stare of Duke Phaeraton, she forced herself to speak. “Your Grace’s youngest daughter was just so lovely that I...”

She was worried about what might become the last moment of her life, but all the duke did was lift the child that was in his arms.

“Measure her already.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Yutra and her assistants moved towards the duke. However, they were unable to do their work. The duke's gaze immediately turned fierce.

“Uhh, pardon, your grace…” Yutra said as sweat rolled down her face. “In order for us to measure the young lady, you must put her down...”

His cold red eyes flared at her.

“N-Never mind, Your Grace. We shall work around it.”

Pale as a ghost, Yutra shook her head and motioned to her assistants. She wondered how they would properly measure a child that was being held, but alas, they were true professionals. They had no choice but to find a solution.

As Yutra measured the duke’s daughter, she glanced at the duke’s face. He didn’t look entirely angry. His expression was at least much better than when they were measuring him.

Hmm? Her senses, honed through countless interactions with other nobles, were activated.

Yutra took a big gulp and said, “I can’t believe our young lady is sitting so quietly while her measurements are being taken. It seems that she is very fond of her father. Such a lovely daughter indeed.”

She could feel the stares all around as soon as she finished talking. It was as if they were telling her to end her life quietly since she clearly wanted to die. Yutra patiently waited for the duke to answer.

“She claims that she wants to stay right by my side. Quite the hassle, actually.”

It was just like she thought. The corners of Yutra’s mouth perked up.

“Yet you’ve decided to carry her. It seems that you’re also very fond of her, Your Grace.”

“I’m only holding her because seeing her continuously fall like a newborn deer is unsightly.”

Yutra’s smile grew deeper. She never expected the duke to have such a soft side to him.

The retainers who had followed the duke slowly gathered their courage and spoke.

“Our youngest lady adores His Grace very much.”

“Indeed. Just a couple of days ago, she fell sound asleep on his lap, looking extremely comfortable.”

“My goodness, is that so? Surely, nothing compares to a father’s embrace.”

The expressionless Duke Phaeraton let out a faint—extremely faint—smile and the retainers’ eyes shined like hyenas. They had finally discovered their saving grace that would help them survive through the icy cold trenches of the Phaeraton estate.

“When I returned from the war, my daughter couldn’t even recognize me. She looked at me crying, claiming that I was some big scary man.”

“Indeed. Even my sons had a difficult time recognizing me. I really envy you, Your Grace.”

The duke didn’t say a word. He even hardened his face as if to show that he was uncomfortable.

But the retainers who had been by his side for a long time knew.

Duke Phaeraton was happier than ever.

* * *

Seriously, did all these guys have a bad meal or something? What’s up with them?

Every time they claimed that I liked the duke or was comfortable around him, the duke’s face hardened.

I began to tremble as his face grew fiercer.

Expecting something bad to happen soon, I tried to climb out of the duke’s arms, but he held onto me so tightly that I couldn’t budge. I couldn’t do anything but hold onto the duke’s firm chest.

“Oh, look. Look at her tightly embracing her father. Isn’t she adorable, Your Grace?”

No, I’m not embracing him. I’m trying to get down.

“It’s annoying, to say the least.”

If you’re so annoyed, then put me down!

“Do you like your father that much, my lady?”

The retainer asked cheerfully, and after some thought, I nodded.

“Yes.”

Well, it’s not like I was going to say I hate him. And honestly, it was true that he was a hundred times better than Marquess Tarenka.

“Indeed, how much do you like your father?”

I glanced at the duke.

He had said that it was inconvenient that I wanted to stay with him and that it was annoying how he always had to hold me. On top of that, he said that I was unsightly. I couldn’t become any more annoying...

I raised my potato hand into the air.

“Oh?”

The retainers, the maids, and the tailors all looked at my hand with anticipation. Fueled by their looks, I spread my thumb and index finger.

Very slightly.

As wide as the size of a pea.

“This much!”

Du dun.

For some reason, a silence colder than a snowstorm in the North Pole filled the room.