Chapter 07
“P-Princess, if so, I will prepare quickly.”
I, who was contemplating, stared blankly at Carol, who brought five dresses while shivering and swiftly held them against my body.
Carol, who was selecting dresses with a very serious attitude, had high discernment and picky taste.
Did her eye for quality improve thanks to Yvonne, who indulged in luxury buying fine clothes and jewelry from the Empire?
Since I, who don’t know much about fine clothes, trusted Carol’s eye more, I stayed quiet.
However, seeing Carol frown as if she didn’t like even the last dress she brought, I cautiously suggested.
“…Isn’t this the prettiest? I can just wear anything.”
To me, they are all luxury goods, beautiful and splendid.
Becoming slightly bored and drowsy, I yawned widely and spoke in a languid voice, whereupon Carol looked at me pitifully with tears welling up in her eyes.
“‘Anything’… Princess, p-please don’t do that.”
“What.”
“P-Princess. I will choose a beautiful dress that suits the Princess carefully considering today’s weather and atmosphere. Please, wait just a little longer.”
Carol, who speaks softly and says everything she wants to say even while trembling.
“Hm.”
Watching Carol, whose hands were trembling and whose cheeks and ears were red, I felt a little sorry for her.
‘She’s going to cry at this rate.’
I looked at Carol and shrugged my shoulders, meaning she could do as she pleased.
As soon as my permission dropped, Carol’s eyes sparkled, and she brought out ten more dresses from the dress room.
I felt slightly dizzy.
‘When will it end.’
Eventually, among the fifteen additional dresses Carol brought, a dress mixed with green and white lace was decided upon.
Watching the maids dressing me while saying it was very fresh and would suit breakfast in the garden, I fell into thought.
‘I’m getting used to this too.’
Seeing myself adapting to this luxurious life of getting dressed with the help of employees, I realized that humans are indeed animals of adaptation.
I am adapting so well like this, so why can’t I adapt to magic still and don’t know how to use it.
I started to get anxious slowly.
‘Should I bring a magic teacher from somewhere and relearn? Or would I remember if I just bring magic books and read them?’
But who would believe that Yvonne, the genius mage of the mage family Argenthose, doesn’t know how to use magic?
I felt somewhat timid, thinking I might arouse unnecessary suspicion.
Thinking this and that, I finished getting ready and went to the garden where the Duke was waiting.
‘Oh.’
Duke Argenthose, sitting at an outdoor table in the early summer garden where flowers were in full bloom, was cool today as well.
He was handsomer than any actor I had seen.
Whether he had taken good care of himself or his genes were just too superior, the cool Duke looked only to be in his early 40s.
“Kuhum. Come here.”
Seeing him clear his throat and greet me as I appeared, I bowed deeply.
“Did you sleep well, Duke.”
Having finished the greeting, I looked at his sparkling silver hair and cautiously sat on the opposite chair. The Duke frowned slightly at the bridge of his nose.
“Calling me Duke. Are you still angry with me? Were your feelings hurt that much?”
“Pardon?”
“Kuhum. Didn’t you call me Father the day before yesterday.”
“Ah.”
Realizing that he wanted the title ‘Father,’ I became flustered and fiddled with my fingertips hidden under the table.
Even in Yvonne’s memories, Yvonne only always called the Duke ‘Duke,’ never Father.
They were a father and daughter relationship that was beyond awkward, where cold air flowed.
‘Ah, come to think of it, I called the Duke Father while running to the office to avoid Varden the day before yesterday.’
It was certain that this person wanted Yvonne to call him Father.
But it was awkward for me.
I had never properly called anyone ‘Father’ in my life.
In the orphanage where I grew up, there were only ‘Director’ and ‘Teacher.’
Since there was no one called father or mother designating family.
Because it was a difficult title for me in my own way, I naturally changed the subject.
“Umm. Was there a problem with the documents I left yesterday? I worked hard before leaving. If the result is not satisfactory, I apologize.”
“Could that be possible. It was very excellent. Honestly, I was very impressed.”
At the Duke’s words, my anxiety disappeared and I felt relieved.
‘As expected. Naturally, that method is more efficient. To think they don’t know how to use tables. Magic exists in this world, but development is slow in strange parts?’
Thinking that it could be advantageous for me to survive here even a little, laughter came out.
Just in time, a servant lifted a kettle to pour fragrant tea into the teacup and set the light and soft food prepared for breakfast on the outdoor table.
‘Today as well, the breakfast of the magnificent Argenthose Resort!’
Trying to have a wonderful breakfast outdoors receiving sunlight, I felt good, so I smiled and lifted my fork, but the Duke’s reluctant voice was heard.
“You… smiled? Is it that good? Just that praise of mine?”
Looking at the Duke, his hand placed on the table was trembling.
Why are your eyes even reddening like that.
Looking around, the Duke’s aide standing two steps behind was also covering his mouth.
The other employees also had half surprised reactions and half pitiful reactions.
‘Why is everyone like this.’
I just smiled admiring the food.
But since I couldn’t say no while everyone was thinking like that, I quietly put down the fork and gauged the mood.
There is an answer the Duke expects.
I nodded and answered awkwardly.
“Yes… T-That’s right. Because I didn’t know you would praise me directly like this.”
“Hm. It, it’s not that I didn’t praise you because you didn’t do well all this time. You were doing well. But as you know, didn’t you go around causing so many accidents.”
“Yes, that is true. I am reflecting a lot.”
Listening attentively with a serious expression to the Duke whose speech was getting faster, I answered quickly.
I had to strongly appeal that I am reflecting again at this opportunity of facing the Duke.
Clenching my fists, I looked at him and spoke resolutely.
“It is all my fault! I am ashamed of all my foolish actions, reflecting on them, and feeling sad.”
“You were sad…? Yvonne, what are you lacking that you are sad alone!”
Because the Duke suddenly got angry out of nowhere, I fell into shock and worry.
Why is he angry.
Did I do something wrong? I need to look good to the Duke.
Rolling only my eyes, I decided to use the title I couldn’t use earlier because it was awkward.
“Father.”
“R-Right. Yvonne.”
It must be my own delusion that that man’s eyes look reddened for some reason.
“Father. I was wrong. I also know my faults. So I will be on probation at home for a year.”
“A year? Oh my god, just how shocked were you!!!”
“Duke!”
Suddenly, the Duke’s face flushed red, and as he grabbed the back of his neck and was about to collapse backward, the aide jumped in fright and supported him.
Flustered, I also sprang up from my seat and ran to the Duke.
“Father, please drink water!”
I quickly poured water into a cup and handed it to the Duke, but the atmosphere of the people around, including the Duke, was strange.
“Princess…”
“Oh my god. To think she is so sad, to do actions she didn’t use to do…”
“…Yvonne. I am fine. Sit down. Everyone back off.”
The Duke, who seemed to have calmed down, was covering his mouth with his hand as if suppressing something.
Is his stomach not good.
As I tilted my head and sat down, he opened his mouth again.
“Right, no matter how much I told you to self-reflect. My heart is not at ease since you are staying so quietly. I have emptied a house over there on purpose, so destroy as much as you want and relieve your stress to your heart’s content.”
‘Pardon? Are you telling me to destroy a house right now?’
I was only staring blankly at the Duke who was making a proud expression.
Shortly after, the aide quickly approached my side, showed me a map, and explained calmly.
“Here, if you go straight north of the townhouse, there is an empty house. The Duke has personally cast a shield on that place.”
“…Ah. Umm, so.”
“Princess. Use magic as much as you want. Or a bomb doesn’t matter either. Since he cast powerful shields extensively, do not worry, and go quickly~!”
I felt like poking the eyes of the aide who was pushing my back while smiling brightly with a cheerful face.
What’s more troubling is that the Duke’s pleased expression looking at me is very burdensome.
To tell me to blow up a perfectly fine house.
‘This Duke is also out of his mind.’
No, that’s that, but.
I don’t know how to use magic right now!
At the troubling moment when cold sweat trickled down my spine, the aide added in a cautious voice.
“Princess. This means he will release the Princess’s probation as well.”
“…Kuhum. That is right, Yvonne.”
“Pardon?! I, I like self-quarantine very much though?”
At the words that he would release the probation, I sprang up from my seat and shouted.
The Duke asked back as if dumbfounded without blinking his eyes.
“What? What quarantine?”
“N-No, not self-quarantine but probation, no I mean staying at home. I like it very much.”
“…You like home? Oh my goodness. Yvonne, why such words. It is not like you. Just why did it become like this. Just, what is it all for!”
The Duke suddenly became angry and put his fist to his forehead.
The purple eyes of the Duke, who fell into deep agony, suddenly burned fiercely.
No, actually, red flames soared toward the sky around him.
“Duke!”
As the aide shouted, he regained his reason and barely controlled the magic flames.
“…I was too agitated.”
Watching that scene, I muttered blankly toward the Duke.
“Cool….”
“What?”
Seeing magic for the first time, I was very moved, and unknowingly excited, I added.
“Because Father’s magic is too cool. You are truly a Grand Mage worthy of respect.”
“No. This child, really, kuhum. Why are you doing this. All of a sudden.”
Did I flatter him too much.
I really spoke out of genuine surprise, but belatedly I feel a bit shy.
I became embarrassed for no reason, but anyway, the Duke looked to be in a good mood.
He must like hearing that he is cool from his daughter.
The Duke’s mouth twitched, and even I, watching that, felt ticklish near my heart for no reason.
It’s not like we are dating or anything.
“Yvonne. If you want to date that much, I will pick a guy much cooler than that Crown Prince fellow.”
‘Did I just speak my thoughts with my mouth?’
That wasn’t it.
I racked my brain wondering why the Duke was recommending dating out of the blue.
