It was unexpected when the Duke, who had never come to see me before, suggested having breakfast together.

‘Hmm, it’s uncomfortable. I wonder if I’m I being too formal.’

I remembered the Duke who stared at me fiercely during our previous meal.

‘No! This is an opportunity!’

The more he sees me, the more he will like me.

‘I should get used to the Duke too!’

“Good morning, Dad!”

I greeted him energetically as I entered the dining hall.

The Duke didn’t answer.

I went to my seat without caring.

“Wow, it looks delicious!”

I said without even looking properly to dispel the awkwardness, but there were a lot of delicious-looking dishes on the table.

“I’ll eat well, Dad. You too, enjoy your meal!”

Sob sob. My effort to not back down even though there was no response coming back.

This level of neglect isn’t even itching, hmph.

I picked up my fork and ate the sausages, scrambled eggs, fresh seasonal fruits, and salad that were all delicious.

Everything is really tasty.

Even though it’s just a very basic breakfast, the plating and taste are on another level.

This is how I’m compensated for not being able to eat at Marquis Tarenka ‘s residence.

But the most delicious thing was the custard pudding that came out as dessert.

I quickly finished it and was sucking on the spoon in regret when something was placed in front of me.

“Eat it.”

It was the custard pudding that I was so regretful about.

I looked up at the Duke.

Oh, so he gave it to me because he thought I liked it, right?

As if asking when he gave me the pudding, he was drinking tea heavily and reading the newspaper.

A cold and sharp face.

He used to stare at me so fiercely that it was awkward for me to look at him. So why is he reading the newspaper now?

‘I thought he was ignoring me.’

“Hehe.”

I popped the center of the custard pudding with my spoon.

As I looked at the wavy pudding, something seemed to be waving in my heart too.

I looked at the Duke for a moment.

Is it weird if I offer him a spoonful of pudding like this…

I don’t even know if I’m really his daughter or not.

‘What am I thinking? Why am I hesitating? Whether it works out or not, I should just try it. I’m building up my courage!’

I screamed in my mind, but my hand didn’t move and my fingers just fidgeted.

In the end, I couldn’t give the pudding to the Duke and just ate it myself.

‘…I wish I had known what it was like to have a father.’

“I’ll enjoy it.”

Instead of the pudding, I muttered those words quietly.

* * *

It had been a while since I had finished the pudding that the Duke of Phaeraton had given me.

I still couldn’t leave the dining hall.

Because the Duke was still staring at me without getting up.

So I had no choice but to sit there awkwardly, unable to stand up on my own.

Then, the Duke’s elegant lips slowly opened.

“…Why won’t it stick?”

Excuse me?

What does he mean by ‘stick’?

I tilted my head in confusion, but the Duke frowned and got up from his seat.

Then he came over and lifted me up.

“…?!”

What’s going on?

I was carried by the Duke all the way to his study.

‘Why did he bring me here?’

Did we eat breakfast together for this reason?

Come to think of it, the Duke was already gone from the mansion by the time I woke up this morning.

Did he wait for me on purpose today?

‘What kind of conversation does he want to have with me?’

My nerves were so tense that I felt sick.

Sure enough, when we arrived at his study, the Duke sat me on his lap and… looked at some documents.

Yes, documents.

‘This isn’t what I expected!’

I (internally) flailed my arms and legs around.

Whether I danced or not (in my mind), the Duke just elegantly signed the documents.

‘Umm…’

I’m not completely oblivious.

How could I not know after he’s not paying any attention to me before and yet now he’s been following me around like a piece of gum since yesterday.

I had a feeling, but—.

‘Is it because he really doesn’t like being alone and wants to stick with me from now on…?’

No, I’ve been hit in the back of the head countless times before this.

There’s no other reason, is there?

He’s not even bothering me while following me around. (Even though his expression is cold.)

He even gave me his pudding. (Even though his expression is cold.)

Somehow, my heart feels like it’s full of caramel syrup pudding, all soft and gooey.

I can feel my cheeks heating up.

Ah, something… It’s kind of awkward, so I fidgeted with my fingers and toes.

Ah, umm, no, my plan worked perfectly.

I wanted him to get attached to me by seeing me often.

So it worked out for me, and I should keep going with this momentum, but…

Ah, why am I so embarrassed?

‘No, no, I have a lot to do today!’

I need to find a medium!

I was just thinking about what I need to do, but it feels like I’m running away.

‘No, I can’t run away! I really need to find it!’

Then, a cool voice dropped onto my head.

“What’s wrong?”

When I looked up, the Duke was looking down at me.

It seems like he noticed that I was fidgeting around with different thoughts.

Um, what should I say here…

“I want to see something pretty.”

No, think before you speak!

My lips answered without thinking, damn it!

The Duke raised an eyebrow. His gaze was on me.

Anna, who was standing like a still life in the corner of the office, stepped forward and politely answered.

“Today, the youngest lady was planning to visit the war room.”

Ah, what should I do if he asks why I want to go there when it hasn’t been long since I arrived here?

“You dirty thief!”

The voice of Marquis Tarenka thundered in my head.

He wouldn’t hit me like the Marquis, would he?

Even though I thought he wouldn’t, my legs shrank.

The Duke lifted me up from his knee without any reaction.

And he walked away.

‘Uh…’

After swaying in the Duke’s arms three times, I noticed how things were going.

Duke Phaeraton was taking me to the war room.

‘Huh?’

Are we really going? Can you just show me like this when I’ve only been here for a short time?

Plus, there are so many documents piled up like that?

I looked at the stack of documents piled up on the desk over the Duke’s shoulder.

‘…Maybe he’s not a sucker after all…No, no, he might be a good person.’

He’s sharp on the outside but soft on the inside.

‘Is this what they call a wolf in sheep’s clothing?’

No, what am I thinking?

I leaned against the Duke’s shoulder and looked up at his face.

A hard and cold face.

‘But still…’

He might not be a number one villain like Marquis Tarenka, but a number two, a ‘villain who is actually a good person.’

You’re too naive and immature!

This world, the world of romance novels, is not that easy!

Have you not been disappointed and depressed so many times?

Be careful of being hit in the back of the head!

Although the words that appeared in the quest window flickered in front of me,

I relaxed my tense shoulders and leaned on his solid arm.

* * *

“Whoaaa…!”

I exclaimed without realizing it.

A dark room. Light falling from above.

The light etched faint, clean lines on the floor as if reflected in a crystal.

The dark green banner was embroidered with the Duke’s coat of arms in gold and silver, and the solemn and majestic air of the accumulated years filled the room.

Even breathing becomes cautious.

Time seems to stand still here.

‘It’s called the Holy War Room….’

It had a noble and sacred feel that befitted its name, despite being dark.

It was not just a room where expensive items were collected, but a place where myths, legends, and history were contained…

Was it just treasure or loot?

There were many relics that looked like they would be associated with legends, such as swords, shields, armor, chalices, and rosaries, rather than works of art like paintings or sculptures.

In the overwhelming spectacle, I wandered around the treasures displayed along the circular walls of the room, forgetting my purpose, until my gaze stopped at one place.

A splendid console made of ivory and gold, standing alone in the middle of the room.

On top of it was a glass-covered round container.

Whether by placement or treatment, it looked like the most valuable item there.

‘What could be inside?’

As I craned my neck in curiosity, the Duke walked steadily towards it.

‘Oh…!’

As I watched the glass container approach, my excitement grew.

The Mana Heart, said to be the heart of a dragon?

Tears of a mermaid living in the seven seas?

The fruit of salvation containing the power of a god?

Or a sacred stone containing the soul of a sword that was embedded in a hero’s sword?

All kinds of fantastic treasures came to mind.

Whatever it was, it would be a beautiful treasure that would capture people’s attention at a glance!

Even the console left out was so luxurious.

And what about me, who arrived in front of the console?

“Eh…?”

I let out a breathless sigh.

Inside the glass container was an old book that looked like it would crumble if touched, to the point where it was unclear what color it originally was.

No, of course, old books are valuable too. Yeah.

While I thought it could be an historically important book, I was disappointed when compared to other treasures in the room.

‘I’ve seen enough. Now, is there a summoning medium among these… huh!’

I swallowed my breath at the thought that flashed through my mind for a moment.

What did the notification call me?

Reader, it said.

And while explaining Rush and Cash, what did it say?

An ability that suits you perfectly, it said.

Then—.

‘That’s it.’

Strangely, I had a strong conviction.

It’s just a possibility, but I feel like it’s certain.

‘But how can I get that?’

It’s hard to even touch it because it’s inside a glass container… Hmm.

“Dad, what’s this book?”

“It’s a seal.”

A seal? Isn’t it something like a demon is sealed inside?

You have to believe in that demon guy.

At that moment, the Duke suddenly grabbed my hand tightly.

I was naturally wrapped in his narrow chest.

“….?”

I looked up at him curiously, and the assistant behind me kindly smiled and said to me.

“It’s okay, miss. Although it’s a seal, there’s nothing sealed in it right now. So you don’t have to be so scared.”

Hmm, he seems to have misunderstood my deteriorating expression.

‘…Does the Duke also…?’

So he hugged me even more tightly?

‘Anyway, it’s a relief that there’s no demon sealed inside.’

“Why is it stored here if there’s nothing inside?”

“Because it’s the Duke’s treasure.”

I widened my eyes in admiration at the Duke’s words.

“Wow, it’s really old. It’s amazing.”

I pretended to be innocent and touched my cheek with my palm.

“Can I touch it once?”

“That’s…”

Duke Phaeraton hesitated to answer.

“Is it not allowed?”

I attacked him with my sparkling eyes, but the Duke’s cold eyes did not blink.

Tsk. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. It was just a trial run.

“Haha, miss. Maybe because the preservation condition is not good.”

Mr Uncle, you don’t have to comfort me like that.

What now?

I don’t think he’ll give it to me easily, and for now, I think I need to retreat for tactical reasons.

[Sudden Quest Occurred!]

—And as I thought that, a notification appeared.

And then the quest window popped up.

?The Best Servant (1)?

Reader, you have a surprisingly good sense! Or is it because you are the great contract holder of ?Aphthanes??

Congratulations on finding the ?Summoning Medium?!

However, there are huge obstacles waiting for you to truly get it.

But the mountain is rising, and what you want is in sight!

Surely you won’t say something like retreating for tactical reasons or thinking a little before trying together?

Quick progress! As a romance novel reader, you should aim for a fast-paced development!

Don’t hesitate to use means and methods to get what you want. Conquer and seize it!

Romance novel readers don’t back down in situations like this!

Show us your abilities!

— Condition: Persuade Duke Phaeraton to obtain the?Summoning Medium.?

— Reward: 5,000 cash draw tickets

— Quest refusal penalty: Life drop

— Quest failure penalty: Life drop

‘This is insane…!’

What fast-paced development! My life is more precious than that! People need to be careful!

‘To be honest, I don’t even know how to do it.’

I was about to refuse, but the ‘refusal penalty’ caught my eye.

‘Life drop?’

I’ve quit a few times in novels, but if it’s a life drop…

‘Surely it’s not a life drop. It won’t happen, no.’

I want to deny it, but it seems to be true.

Even if I don’t do it, death. Even if I fail, death!

‘This devil!’

As expected, I didn’t believe in it.

I read the words written below while shedding tears inwardly.

— Quest acceptance benefit: Hints will be activated.

Giving medicine and poison!

I wanted to argue, but I was still grateful.

I didn’t even have a clue about how to persuade that cold Duke, so even a small hint was desperately needed.

‘But if hints are activated, will there be choices? Or maybe favorability points?’

Anyway, it’s a relief.

‘If there are hints, I should try to get the book now!’

[You have accepted the quest.]

[During the quest with the benefit activated, hints will be given.]

‘Great! Give me the hints! If possible, through choices!’

Excitedly looking at the Duke…

“…?!”

I could only open my mouth wide.

No, um, Your Grace… Your Grace has a strange thing on your face… More specifically, there’s something strange attached to it…

‘Why is a heart drawn on your cheek, Your Grace…?’

T/N: hi~ i cant promise this, but i’m thinking of updating 5 chapters every weekend. just until i catch up with the chapters published by the previous translator.