The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

I wonder when this started.

At first, I didn’t even care, but then I realized that I resembled the dead Duchess Panteur.

How significant of a presence was she for them to talk about me just because of the resemblance?

I heard the whispers of my father’s attendants. Even though the contents might have been profound and scary, to me, it just sounded cute, like they were babbling.

As the person who suggested stepping on her spoke, the people next to them nodded their heads, and I tightly clenched my hands, feeling their opinion was accepted.

“Then, what date should we choose?”

“We must be careful, as it is a place filled with magicians.”

“Since it’s the Tigris Ducal House’s affair, couldn’t we just voice our objections? Then perhaps our Lady Rafi could receive generous compensation for the roasted ham.”

“No, are you suggesting that we simply try to resolve the offense of squashing a sticky rice cake with material compensation? Let’s just take this opportunity to step on them a bit. Let the Northern nobles feel uncomfortable.”

If they continued like this, it felt like Count Monaco and Matilda would be truly stepped on.

I wanted to quickly intervene in this matter, but my father didn’t say a word even after hearing it. Instead, he seemed to fan their mockeries with his indifferent gaze.

As it seemed like a real conflict would arise, I quickly changed the subject.

“If you want to see Ciel, please come to me.”

Many people seemed frightened, and Ciel nestled in my arms, looking forward with an excited whimper.

“Lady Rafi, do you like animals?”

“Yes.”

I nodded in response to Oscar’s question. Then Oscar’s expression became mischievous.

“On one side of the Ducal House, a zoo…”

No, please don’t!

“But Ciel is the only one I want to raise. Our Ciel will contribute the most.”

As I lifted Ciel and placed him against my face, Father gently covered my face with his hand.

“You’ll get a skin disease from that.”

Meow.

It seemed like Ciel didn’t like Father’s words as his yellow eyes gleamed sharply. But when our eyes met, he perked up his ears and nestled in my arms.

Ching, ching.

“Father! Ciel wants to play. Don’t say something mean because of that.”

“Rafi, what did you say to your father just because of a mere cat? Haah… Father’s heart hurts so much.”

Father said, rubbing his chest. It was obvious he was pretending, but I acted as if I didn’t know and turned to him, gently soothing his chest with my hand.

“Hoo, hoo, it hurts, it hurts, everyone, go away!”

As I blew into his chest and shouted my special order, everyone clutched their hearts. It seemed like they were collectively affected by an illness.

“Oh, lady, my heart is aching too…….”

“That’s not mine.”

Vance, who was rubbing his chest, wore a sullen expression.

“Your Grace, let’s exclude Count Christopher and continue the meeting.”

Upon the words of the person sitting across from Vance, I widened my eyes. Vance, who seemed like a loose screw, is a Count.

“Well, let’s proceed with the meeting then. First, the agenda for this time is…”

As my father continued the tedious meeting while I was eating fruit-flavored caramels, even the people whose names I didn’t know enthusiastically participated in the meeting.

“With Lady Rafi not being sent this time, there may be pressure from the royal family and the shrine.”

“But we can’t send her just like that. Moreover, Father, Erica, and my son-in-law have firmly held their positions, so they can’t interfere recklessly.”

“If Duke Tigris and Duke Aquila support us, then we can be reassured. Fortunately, things didn’t escalate further between.”

“Rafi seems like the embodiment of peace.”

As I sat next to Ciel, eating caramel, I suddenly transformed into a peaceful dove. 

A tray was placed in front of the aides while I was enjoying my caramel. When I saw the black tea, my eyes widened. If this rich aroma was what I thought it was, it must be coffee.

“It’s coffee that’s grown in the southern Aquila Ducal state. I’ve tasted it occasionally, but I never expected to try it here.”

“My son-in-law gave it as bribed after proclaiming that our Rafi would be taken away later. It’s annoying, but the scent is good.”

Father’s brow furrowed slightly at the aide next to him. However, he relaxed his expression while drinking coffee.

“Me too!”

“Hmm?”

“I want some too.”

I want to drink it. I like coffee. A lot.

With sparkling eyes, I pretended to be irresistible and extended my lips toward the coffee, but someone else stopped my father from offering it to me.

“No, it’s not allowed for children to drink coffee, I heard.”

“Max, is that true?”

“Yes, in the southern region, even young children sometimes drink coffee, but it’s said that children in that area are shorter because of it.”

Upon his words, my father quickly withdrew the coffee he was about to give me.

“Rafi, this won’t do.”

I, who wanted to drink coffee, pouted at my father and extended my lips toward the person who spoke.

“Even if you make such a cute expression, it’s not allowed.”

At the pompous remark from my father’s advisor, I glanced around. Then, as if it were a signal, everyone turned their heads to the side.

“Tch! I’m annoyed!”

I said, stroking Ciel’s fur and sticking my snout out. But my acting didn’t work.

“No, you can’t pout. Why don’t you have some juice instead?”

“That seems like a good idea. Future daughter-in-law, no, young lady, Marquis Warren is being pompous, but he doesn’t say anything wrong.”

Upon Vance’s words, I could tell that the man next to him was Marquis Warren. However, even though I was annoyed, I didn’t give up. I just continued to play with my caramel.

“By the way, what did you do at Duke Tigris’ residence? You seemed happy when you returned.”

Upon Carlos’ question, my father chuckled and replied.

“I had Minnestra. It was a gift of my father from the former emperor.”

I recalled what Daniel said after drinking Minnestra.

“Mi-Minnestra? You drank such a precious thing!”

The surrounding people reacted immediately as if they were overjoyed. They asked about the taste and the fragrance, and my father calmly spoke with the composure of a victor. Those who heard his words had expressions as if their taste buds were melting.

“And that’s not all. Our Rafi can read books and even ancient languages. Duke Tigris praised her so much that he couldn’t even criticize her.”

“What? Miss Rafi can not only read but also read ancient languages… As expected, the duke’s daughter must be special.”

“Well, she’s clever enough for my father to say he’ll raise her as a magician. They say she has the potential to become a great magician.”

“Indeed, it must be the work of Lady Panteur, hoho!”

During the meeting, the conversation began to drift away.

“Our Rafi has finally stopped wearing diapers.”

Don’t!

My father, who got caught up in such a trivial thing, talked about various topics. Those who heard it all exclaimed with joy. Since I stopped wearing diapers, they thought it was a reason to celebrate, and Vance handed me a caramel to seal my lips.

As I bit, chewed, and sucked on it, the atmosphere heated up. Then, Vance handed me something.

“Lady, could you read this for me? It’s a note Marquis Warren wrote to me, but I don’t know how to read it.”

Seeing the note Vance handed me, I looked at Marquis Warren. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Lady, what does it say?”

“Umm, you’re an idiot.”

“No, besides that, please read it quickly.”

“I said, umm, you’re an idiot.”

Without hesitation, I read the note, and Vance chuckled as if he couldn’t believe it. He glanced at Marquis Warren.

“As expected, our young lady knows how to read ancient languages. You’re smart. Ah! From now on, please call me Max. And be careful when playing with fools like him, as foolishness is contagious.”

“Yes.”

“Our young lady responds well too. This is a gift.”

Max, who had reached the peak of arrogance, handed me something. It seemed like he had prepared it in advance. When he opened the silk pouch he handed me, it was filled with colorful candies.

“Can I eat these?”

“Of course. By the way, this candy is enchanted with an ice spell, so it won’t melt or stick.”

Having received magical candies as a bonus, I grinned and looked at Max.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy them.”

I greeted him and hugged Max. Then Carlos quickly separated me from him and hugged me himself.

“Be careful, Marquis Warren has five sons. Take care.”

Upon Carlos’ advice, I sighed softly and shook my head.

“Max, don’t worry. Even if it’s tough, the sun will rise tomorrow.”

Having five sons instead of one or two. Feeling sorry for no reason, I clenched my fists tightly and comforted him. 

Max, who received my comfort, lowered his head. Even if they were raised by a nanny, a maid, and a steward, having five brothers together seemed like an impossible situation.

“Max, stay here for a long time…”

“Ah, thank you for your concern. Indeed, there’s no one like our young lady. In that case, can you be my daughter-in-law…….”

Gyaah!

Ciel, who was rolling the caramel with her paw, suddenly let out a sharp sound. Seeing that, Vance smirked and said, 

“Looks like the cat is telling you not to bullshit, so please don’t cross my future daughter-in-law.”

The meeting room suddenly filled with laughter. On this particular day, even though they finished the meeting, the people with heavy buttocks didn’t leave.

“Rafi, come here now. Carlos must be tired.”

Seeing me nestled in Carlos’ arms didn’t sit well with Father, so he reached out to me. However, I was looking at Carlos with a mouthful of the candies Max had given me and asked, 

“Are you tired?”

“No, not at all. With our young lady here, even reaching for the sky is possible.” 

Carlos replied with a kind smile. I looked at Father in response.

“Come here, Rafi. Take this.” 

Father extended his hand to me, but as I hesitated to reach out, he pulled out something. Despite already having plenty of caramels and candies, I wondered what he was trying to give me as I turned to look. 

In his hand, something sparkled.

Seeing the gold coin, I grinned. As I smiled, Father smiled back. It seemed even my Father, trying to tempt me with money, looked quite innocent.

“Grandma and Grandpa gave me lots of pebbles that looked like jewels to roast ham. This one is from Jaden, he said it’s candy.”

Upon seeing the hairpin in my hair, Father clenched his fist.

“Seems like it’s better not to send you to the in-laws. They must have put jewels on roasted rice cakes. They gave a lot to a child who already has such desires.”