TDS 14

Chapter 14

Seeing that scene, Croby’s heart suddenly dropped.

No way… that can’t be…!

With a face like he had just seen a ghost, Croby stared at Erusha again.

How had he forgotten so completely, like someone who had erased a dead person from memory? There was someone in this world who could call Leo “father.”

What was her name again? E… E… E…?

“Who are you? Oh, are you Kurobi?”

“Huh?”

While Croby was panicking for that short moment, Erusha walked fully into the room. Hearing her voice suddenly, Croby covered his mouth with both hands.

This is crazy! Her voice is this cute?

While Croby couldn’t recover his senses, Erusha looked him up and down a few times.

Then she casually turned her head away.

“So you’re Kurobi.”

Her voice sounded like a baby chick chirping.

It was like the clearest spring water in the world was flowing and tiny drops were splashing.

Croby felt dizzy listening to it.

Erusha walked toward Leo and stopped a short distance away.

Leo, who had hurriedly covered himself, looked uneasy.

“Why did you come here?”

What could it be?

He had no idea. No matter what the reason was, he didn’t want to meet Erusha.

But since they now lived in the same mansion, it seemed impossible to completely avoid her like before.

“Father. Did you go into Erusha’s room earlier?”

“What?”

Leo frowned.

Well… he had gone into her room. Like any human, he had been curious and couldn’t resist looking inside.

“…Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I did. Why?”

Leo looked even more indifferent, while Erusha stared straight at him.

He really needed to return to his original mansion as soon as possible. Seeing Erusha again and again like this was the last thing he wanted.

He had clearly told her not to come see him, so why did she keep appearing?

He had already hired teachers for her, and there were plenty of servants in the mansion who could pass messages between them.

Leo thought about it for a moment and then suddenly realized something.

…Ah. Is that it?

Erusha was now five years old. Maybe she had reached the age where children start wondering about and missing their real parents.

Finally, Leo rubbed his face and spoke coldly.

“I told you not to keep coming to see me. Even if you want to see your real father—”

“Even if I’m young, please respect my privacy.”

“…What?”

“Erusha’s room is off limits!”

SLAM!

“….”

Leo blinked.

What did I just hear?

He felt completely confused, wondering if what he had heard was real.

Seeing Leo’s stunned face, Croby looked back and forth between Leo and the door where Erusha had just left.

…

Sigh.

How can someone enter another person’s room without permission?!

I sighed while watching the maids cleaning my room.

When I returned from the Colson Count’s house, I was so shocked. My room looked like an earthquake had happened inside. It was completely messy.

Even Evot didn’t know how it got like this.

And Father didn’t just enter my empty room. Remembering what the maids said when he questioned them, I held my forehead with my chubby hands.

“Why are all of Erusha’s dolls lying down like they fainted?”

“T-that’s because the Marquis poked them one by one with a stick. He said, ‘This one is old, that one is old too. Why is there so much trash in this room?’”

That was because no one had bought Erusha new toys or dolls.

Erusha had played with old dolls that Evot found somewhere. Even if they were worn or broken, they were precious to her. She always placed them neatly in a row.

Since I became Erusha, I didn’t really play with the dolls. Now the few traces the original Erusha left behind were completely ruined.

I clenched my round fists angrily.

He can’t even buy me new dolls! Yet he decorates himself with brand-new jewels!

And it wasn’t just the toys.

I looked toward the closet and sighed deeply. It seemed Father thought all my clothes looked like beggar costumes.

They’re perfectly nice dresses! But to someone who wears flashy fashion, they probably look like old trash.

I needed to gain Grandfather’s favor as soon as possible.

Only then would Father go back to his original mansion!

Just as I made my determination again to reform this troublesome father, I heard Evot calling urgently.

“Miss! Miss Erusha!”

“Hm?”

What happened?

Evot’s face looked bright and excited.

It felt like good news.

I held my hands together and looked at her with shining eyes. Somehow, I already had a guess about what she might say.

“What happened?”

“Don’t be surprised! I was so shocked too!”

“Why?”

“A messenger just came from the Colson Count family! They said they want to continue the business partnership after all!”

“Really?!”

I jumped up happily despite my small height.

So the Colson family had changed their mind!

Things worked out exactly how I wanted. All my efforts investigating things had paid off.

Now Grandfather’s anger would probably calm down a little too.

“So Grandpa isn’t angry anymore?”

“Yes! He felt very relieved! And all the valuables the duke returned earlier have been returned again!”

“That’s great!”

I jumped again.

Since coming to this world, this was the first time I felt truly happy.

…

That evening.

I stirred my soup while staring at Father walking into the dining hall.

For once, Leo said he would eat dinner at the mansion tonight, so I waited early.

Usually he didn’t eat dinner here. He preferred going to luxurious restaurants and enjoying expensive meals prepared by famous chefs.

Leo glanced at me briefly and then sat down at the table without saying anything.

Nearby, Croby carefully took his seat while staring at me curiously.

I looked back at him thoughtfully.

Is there a way to recruit Croby to my side?

Croby Waist, Leo’s secretary, looked even more handsome in person. His bright blue hair and green eyes matched beautifully.

If he could just stop Father from acting like a crazy troublemaker, life would probably become much easier.

Unfortunately, Croby was the type of loyal follower who didn’t interfere with his master’s bad behavior.

Among such followers, he was the cheerful, clueless sunshine type.

But maybe that was exactly why he had never been fired by Leo.

Just then, Croby suddenly clapped his hands.

“Hahaha! I had no idea father and daughter would reunite while I was on vacation.”

“….”

“I didn’t greet you properly earlier. I’m Croby Waist, and I help your father. You can speak comfortably with me, Erusha.”

After speaking, Croby clasped his hands together, looking extremely emotional.

Why is he acting like that?

Was he really that happy to meet Leo’s daughter?

No… this was probably just Croby’s exaggerated social behavior. He was probably even more friendly to children than most kindergarten teachers.

I raised one hand slightly like I was offering a handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Kurobi.”

“!”

Croby’s eyes widened in surprise.

He looked at me and my hand, then stood up and walked over. He knelt on one knee so he could be at my eye level.

“Is it okay if we shake hands? Maybe this will work?”

He carefully looked at his pinky finger.

Confused, I frowned slightly. Even Father looked like he was watching something ridiculous.

What is this? This is awkward.

I leaned back slightly and carefully grabbed Croby’s pinky finger.

Even one of his fingers was big compared to my small chubby hand.

As soon as I let go, Father’s sharp voice cut in.

“Enough, Croby.”