Translator and Editor: Nana and Nabi

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Chapter 9

I bit my lip desperately because I thought the duke would hate it when he heard me crying. It’s because people who don’t like children will hate everything they do, especially crying.

Looking down, I could see my trembling hands despite my blurry vision as my body acted on its own.

“I was wrong, I was wrong…”

This whole situation made me feel strange.

My body acted and said those words naturally. It was a scary and frightening situation for me. Even though I tried to think of it as nothing, the situation still felt scary to me.

How much did this child grow up being scolded by the head of the nursery? So far, as to make the child say ‘I was wrong’ and trembling as a natural reaction?

I couldn’t figure out whether I should continue begging with my hands or wipe away my tears. It seemed the quickest to just lower my head.

After thinking that way, I lowered my head, but suddenly something grazed my cheek.

“…Sniff”

“Don’t cry.”

A soft cloth was rubbed against my cheek. His tone was the same as usual, however, he wiped my tears carefully.

“I am not scolding you.”

“Sniff…”

At his words, I blinked slowly, trying to wipe away the tears. But, tears kept coming out of my eyes, so I couldn’t tell what expression the Duke had.

I struggled to hold back my tears. At the same time, he quietly wiped away my tears without being annoyed.

“Hiccup, hiccup…”

After my weeping has ceased, the Duke instructed the butler to bring me warm milk. Then, after wiping away the remaining tears from my cheeks, he held out a mug and opened his mouth.

“Drink.”

He said to me with a commanding tone, though I grabbed the mug with no complaint. I carefully tilted my glass while relishing the subtle warmth in my palm. The milk was sweet and savory. Perhaps it was added with honey.

As I quietly sip the milk, the Duke let out a small sigh. He roughly folded his handkerchief, which was wet with tears, and placed it on the table.

In the end, he waited calmly until I finished the milk from the mug.

“Did they tell you to choose a picture?”

The Duke asked me after I put down the mug. I nodded in response

“Yes…”

At those words, the Duke seemed to be thinking about something. He questioned me again cautiously. “So, the choice is up to you?”

“….”

“….”

“I was wrong…”

“It’s not your fault.”

He cut me off. As if something was not right, the Duke frowned slightly, then sighed before speaking again.

“You did nothing wrong.”

“But…”

He stared at me throughout our conversation. I think he was still wondering about my reason. Although it was not as if he had a choice anyway, like what he said the first time we met.

“Duke, you hwate me…?”

He did not respond to that. Well, of course. There’s no way he can answer that in front of me.

“If you hwate me… I will return to the temple.”

“….”

“I won’t bother you. I will lwisten to the adult well.”

Beatrice must have grown up hearing those words. She had lived all her life in such a poor environment. Ah, but do I really have to go back to the temple? It is pretty hard to live without a guardian, I think I should go back.

‘Looking at the Duke’s attitude, it doesn’t seem like he’ll easily kick me out. Stil…’

It was just an ‘if’ situation. That’s why I’m saying that.

I lowered my gaze and wiggled my fingers in nervousness.

Finally, I heard another sigh.

“Raise your head.”

At that, I peered up carefully and came face to face with the duke’s complex expression. He paused for a moment. Then, with a sigh, he opened his mouth.

“Didn’t I say that I won’t kick you out as long as I’m here?”

The Duke stretched out his hand. His fingertips stopped in the air for a moment, before placing them on my head.

He then gently stroked my hair.

“Don’t say you did anything wrong when you didn’t do anything.”

At the unexpected words, I glanced up right away.

As he kept patting my head, I had no idea what was on his mind.

‘It’s surprising…’

I’m genuinely surprised. The Duke’s setting was to be the future villain, though he treated children much better than I thought?

‘Even if I’m the child of fate, I have no ability…’

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ tells us that your ability to communicate with Gods is great. ]

That’s true. Though nonetheless, seeing how the Gods are, it’s pretty useless…

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ shook his head sullenly. ]

See? Who would think that a God could be sullen like this? I sighed inwardly at the message window that undoubtedly broke the atmosphere.

Ugh, let’s just focus on the Duke first.

He stroked my hair for a while. Although his touch was clumsy, he never let go.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

I shook my head. I was a little hungry because I cried, but I already drank the milk and felt a little better.

“No.”

As the Duke’s hand slowly fell from my head, an awkward silence engulfed us for a moment.

“Yes, just go and rest for now.”

After saying that, he called Sophie.

“Let’s go, Miss Beatrice.”

And so, I took Sophie’s hand. As I peered back, the Duke’s expression that became subdued was etched in my mind.

“Are you okay, Miss Beatrice?”

Sophie asked, gently wiping my face with a warm towel. I answered the question with a slight nod.

“Yes, I’m okay.”

I’m really fine. I indeed cried. Nevertheless, it was the body’s natural reaction, not me.

Hearing my response, Sophie laughed a little. Then, she bent her knees and looked into my eyes.

“Miss Beatrice.”

“Yes?”

“If you need anything, just tell me.”

I nodded again as a response. Did the duke tell her to say that?

“Okay.”

“Don’t worry. The Duke told me to give you anything you want.”

“…Really?”

Isn’t that a bit surprising? Considering his wealth, I can probably ask for anything, right?

Sophie nodded her head.

She took my hand and said, “It’s true, the Duke said that. Anything you want to eat, anything you want to wear, anything you want to have, you can ask him through me.”

“But…”

“Are you worried about something?”

To be honest, there was nothing lacking. The room was spacious enough for a child. I also had an exclusive maid, not mentioning the quality of clothes and food here was excellent. Obviously, it couldn’t be compared with Beatrice’s life in the nursery and prior to my possession.

So, what more should I ask?

“You’re very quiet right now. Are you thinking of something…?”

After saying that, Sophie smiled a little before continuing calmly. “Then, just tell me after you decide, all right?”

In the end, I nodded my head.

It’s weird to refuse such a gracious thing. So, I guess I’ll also give him something back.

“Yawn…”

“Miss Beatrice, are you sleepy?”

“Yes.”

As I nodded, Sophie carried me and gently placed me down on the bed.

“Get a good night’s sleep, Beatrice.”

“Yes…”

As I nodded and closed my eyes, I could hear Sophie’s footsteps moving further away quietly.

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ said no one is in the room. ]

I quickly got up and saw the message window.

‘Fortunately, they fall for it.’

No, actually, I was indeed a little sleepy. Still, even if I felt quite sleepy, there’s still something I needed to know.

‘I have a question for you.’

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ is watching you. ]

[ ‘Guardian of the Golden Field’ is watching you. ]

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ is watching you. ]

Excuse me. I’m the Creator, right?

[ The constellations nod their heads. ]

‘Then, how come I’m an ordinary person with no special ability?’

I have been really curious about this. Why am I powerless? I’m the author, so why? I just need some special ability!

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ and ‘Guardian of the Golden Fields’ look at ‘The Librarian of Nipur.’ ]

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ rolls his eyes. ]

Don’t roll your eyes and try to explain!

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ advises you to look at the guidebook. ]

With that said, I quickly opened the notebook. As I opened the first page, there was only one word written there.

— Immature.

Immature?

‘Oh, this body is too young…?’

[ The constellations nod their heads in unison. ]

Then, will I be able to do something once I grow up?

[ Everyone said that it is difficult to tell. ]

Yes, yes. I know that there’s a limitation. Nonetheless, it gives me a lot of hints though.

After that, I sighed and nodded my head.

“I won’t ask any further.”

Yes, I didn’t mean to ask them in the first place. But, I thought the Gods could tell me if I really ask. I was convinced that would be the case. I thought they would show me some mercy since what they did was practically kidnapping…

‘They are the characters I made.’

Even though they appeared briefly, how could they treat me like this?!

‘Well, they’re a bit cute, but…’

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ is happy with the praise and runs happily from place to place. ]

[ ‘The Guardian of the Golden Field’ performs a shoulder dance. ]

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ covers his face with a book and shakes his shoulders.]

…Should I retract back my words?

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