Chapter 18
As expected, I’m so smart.
Rowena snickered inwardly and nodded. Seymour’s expression turned serious.
“Is it difficult after all?”
“No, I can do it! I’ll do it!”
“Good. Of course, you’re not planning to do it for free. What do you want in return?”
At that, Rowena tilted her head.
Honestly, I’d be fine even without anything.
If anything, I’m the grateful one. But if he’s offering, there’s no reason not to accept, right?
It’s not like I’m demanding it. The Duke’s the one offering.
Right?
Hehe!
* * *
The conditions Seymour gave Rowena were threefold.
“No matter what, I can only grant three requests. I can’t let you make endless demands.”
“Then can they be absolutely anything?”
“Yes.”
The moment Seymour answered without hesitation, Rowena grinned happily.
The instant she heard that, she already knew what she wanted.
First!
“Please come back to the mansion every day. At the latest, before dinner.”
“…That’s your request?”
“Yes. Is that not okay?”
“It’s not impossible…”
Then, second.
“Become an admirable person, Duke.”
At those incomprehensible words whose meaning and intention he couldn’t grasp, Seymour pressed hard against his temple.
If he were being honest, he wanted to refuse outright, but at the moment, Rowena clearly held the upper hand.
“…I don’t know what that means, but fine. And the last one?”
Of course Rowena had a final request too.
And that was!
“Please let Dante model with me too!”
* * *
The next day.
A carriage bearing the crest of the Somerset Ducal House sped swiftly toward its destination.
Inside sat a black-haired boy—Dante Graham.
Even though no one had instructed him to, he sat upright with perfect posture, gazing out the window.
Though he was still young enough to be spoiled, the golden eyes reflected in the glass were strikingly solemn.
That maturity far beyond his years perfectly embodied the boy himself.
Looking at the scenery passing by outside, Dante thought back to the estate he had left behind.
It’s been a year since I last came to the Somerset ducal residence.
And this was the first time he had come without his parents.
The estate hadn’t changed in the slightest from what he remembered. Neither its grandeur nor the kindness with which it treated him.
But the reason the estate felt completely different now was because, during that one year, Dante had lost both his parents and become an entirely different person.
No, it’s not because of me.
For the first time, irritation crossed Dante’s usually motionless face, calm as a deep lake and unchanging as a monument.
The reason was simple.
That child who had suddenly rolled into the ducal estate—Rowena.
Everything Dante experienced at the estate yesterday had been one shock after another.
From Lady Hayworth to Uncle himself.
Those two people, who never easily let others near them—who were practically synonymous with fear—had been endlessly kind to Rowena alone.
During dinner, Rowena suddenly sprang to her feet while eating sea bream.
Then, clutching her fork, she marched straight over to Seymour and placed it on his plate. Only then did Dante realize that the fork held a neatly deboned piece of fish.
“This is delicious, Duke!”
“…I don’t like fish. Eat it yourself.”
“You have to eat balanced meals too, Duke. You have to eat everything to become an admirable person.”
An admirable person.
The instant those words were spoken, Seymour’s face twisted fiercely.
Why is he reacting like that?
Dante was puzzled. Rowena hadn’t exactly said anything wrong.
Is he angry because she’s forcing him?
But Dante didn’t know.
Just before dinner, Seymour and Rowena had struck a certain deal.
“You promised. You said you’d become an admirable person.”
“……”
At those words, Seymour ultimately ate the fish the child offered him.
To Dante, who knew nothing, the scene was utterly shocking.
Seymour—famous for listening to no one—actually yielded to a mere child’s words!
As Rowena returned with her now-empty fork, she met Dante’s eyes and flashed a triumphant grin.
“…!”
Of course, Rowena had simply smiled brightly in the spirit of getting along.
But to Dante, it looked like blatant provocation:
Bet you can’t do this, huh?
In the end, Dante escaped the dinner table first.
Of course I know I’m being childish.
Even so, it was hard to endure.
It had been one year since both his parents suddenly died.
And during that year, only one thought occupied Dante’s mind.
You must never trust anyone.
After his parents’ deaths, the boy had seen countless people change their attitudes as easily as flipping over a hand.
Even Seymour—his legal guardian—was not someone Dante could fully trust.
“Young master, you should consider yourself lucky. Your uncle doesn’t have children, does he? If the Duke had children of his own, do you really think you’d inherit even a single coin?”
“Don’t feel too secure. Unless the Duke formally adopts you, you’re someone who could be thrown out at any moment.”
The nanny’s cruel words had driven deep into the boy’s heart.
The only reason he could endure the longing for his parents, the loneliness and grief of being left alone, was because there was an even greater fear consuming him.
If Uncle changes his mind at any moment, I’ll lose everything and be abandoned.
So Dante held his breath and desperately tried to grow up as quickly as possible.
Even if he couldn’t earn Seymour’s affection, he had to become capable enough to inherit the title soon. Then he wouldn’t have to live trapped in this horrible fear.
But then, out of nowhere, came news that Seymour had suddenly taken in a child.
And not just any child—
A child he intended to raise as his successor!
That was why Dante rushed to the capital feeling as though he stood at the edge of a cliff.
The anxiety still remained, but at least the situation wasn’t quite the worst possible outcome.
Uncle called for me himself.
This morning, while Dante was getting dressed as usual, Hugo approached him with a message from Seymour.
“Young master, His Grace has sent word. He says there’s somewhere he’d like you to accompany him today.”
At the mention of a message from Seymour, Dante’s eyes widened.
This was the first time Seymour had ever personally asked something of him.
“Accompany him…?”
“Yes. He said it’s something very important and urgent, and that he’ll explain once you arrive.”
Remembering that moment, Dante’s eyes trembled slightly.
At least I don’t have to worry about being discarded immediately.
If Seymour was entrusting him with something important and urgent, then it meant he still had no intention of casting him aside.
Maybe, if he handled this well, they might even grow closer.
That was why Dante was prepared to do any unpleasant task.
Still, I wonder what kind of matter would bring us to a place like this.
The carriage came to a stop, and Dante stepped out.
The place before him was too crude to even be called a mansion—a box-like building.
It was utterly unsuitable as a residence. If someone called it a workshop or studio instead, that would fit perfectly.
The only thing easing Dante’s wariness was the fact that several other carriages stood parked outside.
Half doubtful, Dante opened the door.
“Excuse me. Is this—”
“You’re doing amazing! So adorable! Give me one more smile!”
At that moment, a booming shout pierced his ears.
And what unfolded before him was—
“…An art studio?”
No, rather than a personal studio, it would be more accurate to call it a bustling shared workspace.
In the center stood a stage with lighting, props, and a white backdrop, while people busily moved their hands in front of it.
Among them, a man with particularly unusual hair continuously exclaimed things like, “Next! Wonderful!”
And standing on that stage amidst the endless praise was a familiar face.
“Ro-Rowena?”
“Huh? Dante’s here!”
Rowena, holding a flower vase on stage, spotted Dante and immediately raised her arm high with a bright grin.
“Hi, Dante!”
Hearing that lively voice, Dante realized something.
Somehow…
Things were unfolding very differently from what he had expected.
