Chapter 6

Magnum stared at him with a stony expression.

“If the child gets hurt, I’ll comfort her myself. As long as you do that much, she won’t come here again.”

Magnum opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he closed it without a word.

“My daughter has a high fever today, so I’ll be going. I only came to get some medicinal herb seeds.”

“She’s sick?”

“Yes. She spent too much time outside yesterday and came down with a fever.”

“What about a physician?”

“I’ll treat her myself. I’m certified anyway.”

Klein gave a curt answer, turned on his heel, and left the mansion without looking back.

“…Haa.”

Magnum raked his white hair with his fingers. Now that his anger had cooled, he could see things a bit more clearly.

“It would be nice if you thought before you spoke, Your Grace.”

“…Quiet. Just send the medicine.”

“Yes, understood.”

Bell gave a faint smile and bowed. Regretting his words after spitting them out had always been Magnum’s bad habit.

* * *

Once my fever had completely broken and I’d recovered, Father scolded me for going to the main house.

He told me to be careful because the people over there didn’t like us.

The way he said it made him look pained, so I just nodded.

When I told him I only wanted to read the newspaper, he promised to order one separately for me from now on and asked me not to do that again. I agreed.

“Tch.”

I puffed out my cheeks.

‘Well, it’s not like I can blame him for this.’

I was the one who went there on my own.

Whap, whap!

I punched my pillow while thinking.

I didn’t expect Father to go to the main house and get caught like that.

Still, thanks to him, I finally had my own newspaper, and from reading it I could tell what time of year it was.

While I’d been sick, the cold had persisted for days, and this morning the world outside had turned completely white from the snow that fell overnight.

With Father’s permission, I decided to go outside and build a snowman.

He said I could do it on my own, but he must have been worried.

I wasn’t really a child, though.

I just wanted to try the little things I’d held back from doing before, because back then I didn’t want him to worry.

If I wasn’t going to live long anyway, there was no reason to hold back.

I should do everything I want to do.

I clenched my fists and turned my head. The door to the annex still hadn’t opened.

‘When is he coming out?’

While I was rolling a snowball in my hands, I heard someone entering the annex.

I turned my head quickly. It was the butler.

“Ledeia, young lady.”

“Ah… Mr. Bell!”

I left the half-finished snowman and rushed toward him.

“Careful, you’ll fall. No running, please.”

“What brings you here? Fath… I mean, Father is busy inside right now!”

He smiled kindly and placed a candy in my hand, then slowly shook his head.

“Third Young Master need not be present. His Grace has sent a gift for you.”

“A gift…?”

“Yes. Medicinal herbs and toys. Will you accept them?”

“Uh…”

Why would Grandpa suddenly send me a gift? I thought he hated me.

‘No, more importantly, Father will definitely hate this if I accept it…’

As I was thinking with a serious face, Bell spoke first.

“For the record, Young Master has already rejected this three times.”

Ah, so Grandpa wanted to give it to Father but Father refused, so now he’s trying to target me instead.

Of course.

He wouldn’t give it to me out of nowhere.

‘But if I refuse, will he get angry and say, how dare you reject my gift?’

Hmm.

Hmmm~!

After thinking for a while, I bowed politely.

“Young lady…?”

“This isn’t really my gift, is it? It’s for Father, and since he doesn’t want it, you’re trying to go through me. Hehe, but I’m not the kind of kid who falls for a single piece of candy!”

I shook my head firmly and puffed out my chest as I spoke confidently.

Bell’s expression turned a bit strange as he looked at me.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. Father wouldn’t like it, so I’ll politely refuse too.”

I made sure to say it clearly to drive the point home.

“…….”

The butler’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Heh, didn’t expect me to catch on that fast, huh?’

Well, I suppose it’s only natural. Who would expect a five-year-old to see through this?

But mentally, I wasn’t a child anymore.

“Pfft, this kid’s funny, Bell.”

I flinched at the familiar voice.

What, what.

Why is he here.

“…Young Master. I thought you said you wouldn’t come inside.”

The one who suddenly appeared was Valux Tigreto, hands in his pockets with a mischievous grin.

He had a thick, fluffy scarf wrapped around his neck, ready for the cold.

“It’s your fault for not coming out.”

“In any case, understood. I’ll relay your response to His Grace.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. Have a good day!”

I bowed deeply and waved my hands enthusiastically.

“Hey, you’re my cousin, right?”

“Huh, me? No, I’m not.”

Father told me that neither of us belonged to the Tigreto family. We were just living here.

“…Not? Bell, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is, but…”

“Father said we’re not part of the Tigreto family. Um, what was it again… hmm. Not family, but…”

What did he call it again.

When I tried to recall it suddenly, the word didn’t come easily.

“Ah! Guests! We’re just guests! That’s why I’m absolutely not allowed to go to the main house. I got in big trouble for it the other day.”

Valux blinked. His expression seemed to say, Guests, really?

“Mr. Bell, you had a hard time because of me, didn’t you? Grandpa really doesn’t like me. He seemed angry that day. I won’t go again. The newspaper’s fine. Father bought one for me.”

Hmm, Father really is the best.

I hadn’t realized it in the past, but after dying once and coming back, I understood how soft he was when it came to me.

I gave them a big thumbs up. Bell faltered.

“That’s…”

He was speechless, so I let out a confident laugh and clenched my fist proudly.

“It’s fine. As long as I have my dad, I’m happy.”

My happiness is seeing Father live happily from now on. This time, my goal is to become independent before I turn fifteen.

“Hmm, so what were you doing?”

“Getting ready to make a snowman!”

“A snowman? What for?”

“Because it’s cute! Father said he’d bring the decorations, but he’s still not here. Ah, let’s hurry. He’ll get ang…”

Click. The door opened.

Oh no.

Too late.

“Father!”

“Ledi, sorry I’m late. I couldn’t find any carrots in the kitchen so I had to grow some again…”

Father stopped mid-sentence when he saw Bell standing there. His face stiffened immediately.

Bell gave an awkward smile and bowed slightly.

“You and His Grace both ignore my words completely.”

“Good afternoon, Young Master.”

“Thanks to you, it’s not a good afternoon for me. I said I wouldn’t accept it. Leav… no. Go back.”

He glanced at me and changed his wording.

“I am delivering the message as instructed. His Grace ordered me again, and as a mere servant I have no choice but to obey. Perhaps you could refuse him in person.”

“Nonsense. I’m not going there.”

Expressionless, Father spoke coldly. He knelt down on one knee and placed the supplies in my arms with a serious look.

They were tomatoes and carrots.