The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 75

CHAPTER 75

Grandfather was very happy to receive a birthday present. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t let go of me today.

“My Rafi is a fast learner of magic, she could barely fly when I dropped her from the sky the other day.”

“I suppose it’s because she inherited the thick blood of the Duke Tigris. But if you dare to throw Rafi away again without notice, that’ll be the day you die in my hands.”

As my grandmother talked while pinching my cheek, my grandfather nodded in agreement. Then, he welcomed the family who arrived.

“Come on in, this year our family has grown so much; it’s wonderful.”

“Are you happy that you can receive many gifts?”

“Your words are sometimes twisted, but since you gave birth to this soft and fluffy rice cake, I’ll let it slide today. Hahaha.”

Whatever my father said, my grandfather seemed to be in a very good mood today, to the extent that he would forgive anything.

After receiving congratulations from the family, the northern nobles brought gifts to my grandfather.

“It’s truly fortunate that the lady has regained her health.”

“Haha, it’s all thanks to our Rafi. If Rafi hadn’t come, I’d still be bedridden. Right, my lady?”

“Of course. We need to see Rafi grow, so I can’t stay lying down forever.”

Grandfather and grandmother held each other’s hands while looking at each other. Even though they were both over seventy, their gazes still felt intense.

“Sister-in-law, Duke Tigris must be tired, so come here now. I’ve been doing a lot of chest exercises these days to embrace our sister-in-law.”

I shrugged my shoulders as I watched my brother-in-law speak, puffing out his chest as if to show off.

“Yeah, Father’s chest is even bigger. My brother-in-law’s chest is nothing!”

“Ugh, that’s mean. I’m still working on it.”

In this world, no one could surpass my father’s chest. To be honest, my brother-in-law looked a bit like a soaked puppy when I spoke the truth, but I just giggled and burrowed into my grandfather’s arms.

“Haha, in my life, I’ve never had a birthday as happy as today. I feel so good. I think I could die happy right now.”

“Grandfather, stop it! Don’t talk about death! That’s bad luck!”

I said, hitting my grandfather’s chest playfully. It took a long time to find this family. Even if time continued to pass, I knew I would never find such a warm family again.

Not wanting to lose this family, I shed a few tears discreetly.

“Oh, no. Rafi, that’s not what I meant… Oh, our kid, I was just so happy that your grandfather might die.”

“Rafi, what your grandfather meant was that he’s so happy that he could die from happiness. So don’t cry. Your tears will wet the rice cake.”

My grandmother quickly took me into her arms and gently dabbed my eyes with a handkerchief.

“Honey, you’re being too dramatic. Saying such things in front of Rafi… The child is in pain and sad.”

“Grandpa is sorry. But in a way, I’m happy. My grandsons don’t react to anything I say.”

Apologizing to me, my grandfather looked at his grandsons with a smile that he didn’t wipe away. They all shrugged and chuckled, and my grandfather shook his head in amusement.

“Indeed, our granddaughter is the best. Oh! To shed tears for this old man, who would have thought you’d come now after all this time? If only you had come a little earlier…”

Taking me back from my grandmother’s embrace, my grandfather kissed my cheeks so loudly that it made a kissing sound.

“Grandpa, don’t say that again. Alright?”

“Alright, I won’t say it again.”

“You promise.”

“Promise? Sure, I promise. I’ll never tell you again that I’m going to die before you do.”

As I extended my pinky finger, my grandfather also extended his fingers and carefully intertwined them.

“Our child, even knowing the ancient language, knows about an ancient promise. Haha. How can I close my eyes early with such a child growing up? Our child is growing up and getting married… Well, that’s for later.”

“What Grandfather says is right. Our Rafi should get married as late as possible… No, it might be better not to get married at all. There’s nothing good about getting married quickly… Yikes!”

Daniel, who agreed with his grandfather’s words, laughed when Helena pinched his side while smiling.

“Darling… It’s just that I think Grandfather wants to see us get married and then he can go peacefully… You understand my feelings, right?”

“Hmph, if it weren’t for Aunt Seraphina, I wouldn’t have married you. I fell in love with that cute aunt at first sight when I was young, and I wanted to become a family, so I got married.”

I overheard their love story for a moment and spoke to Grandfather while poking his chest.

“Grandfather, meet Mother later. Got it?”

“Of course, don’t you think? I won’t go anywhere leaving our child behind… My child, why are you so beautiful like this? My granddaughter is the best. Yes, indeed!” 

Grandfather held my clothes tightly and wouldn’t let go. It seemed to make him happier, and a smile bloomed on his face. I saw the northern nobles lining up to greet each other quietly.

“Duke Tigris, congratulations on your birthday. Please continue to lead Tigris Duchy for a long time.”

“Thank you.”

“Hm! Oh, I’m, I’m sorry. You’re so cute that… How can you be so cute?”

I sat down and expressed my gratitude to the nobles in front of me who let out a surprised sound. However, with my continued praise, the corners of Grandfather’s mouth slightly curled up.

“Hohoho, it must be because our family’s bloodline is so strong. Look at this appearance. Silver hair and golden eyes.”

“That’s right. No one could fail to notice that she’s a lady of Tigris Duchy. Hahaha, but why can’t I have a daughter?”

“Having a daughter is a skill as well. If you want to learn, you can ask my son-in-law.”

The father of two daughters crossed his arms and gave a lingering glance at the gaze that was suddenly directed at him.

After receiving congratulations and gifts from the nobles, everyone enjoyed the banquet. 

Some danced in front of the others. Seeing that, I took my grandmother’s hand and pulled it to hold Grandfather’s hand.

“Well, why are you doing this?”

“Grandfather, let’s dance with Grandmother.”

“Dance? It’s been a long time since I’ve danced…”

Grandmother, who had been bedridden for a long time, seemed nervous as if she lacked confidence in her dancing abilities.

“Grandma is a good dancer.”

At my words, Grandfather smiled and gently kissed Grandmother’s hand.

“Sophia, we should fulfill what our Rafi wants, shouldn’t we? I will lead.”

“But…”

“At this age, no one has asked me to dance, so I haven’t been able to dance for a few years. Sophia, please don’t refuse my request and Rafi’s request.”

After Grandfather’s words, Grandmother seemed to think for a moment and then nodded her head slightly. When she agreed, Grandfather took Grandmother’s hand and took a step. 

Thanks to this, while sitting alone in Grandfather’s chair, I was able to enjoy the dance of the elderly couple.

At that moment, someone extended their hand towards me.

“Ciel, do you want to dance? But what should we do? Ciel, you can’t dance with me.”

Ciel, with his chubby pink jelly-like soles, made a sulky face. I reached out my hand to pat his head, but what I grabbed was the calloused hand of my sturdy father.

“Rafi, let’s dance too.”

“What? But I don’t…”

I’ve never danced in this world. I’ve never learned anything. Who would teach dance to a three or four-year-old kid?

“It’s okay. Just follow your father’s lead.”

Father, who lightly kissed the back of my hand, smiled broadly. Enchanted by that smile, I unknowingly held my Father’s hand and stood up to step forward.

“Well then, Lady Rafi, please lead.”

“Yes, Duke Panteur!”

Grabbing the hem of my dress and spreading it out to my sides in greeting, he chuckled and lifted me slightly. 

Placing my feet gently on the insteps of his feet, he leaned back and swayed to the music. 

I swayed naturally with his movements. 

“Huh! I, I want to dance too…”

Seeing me and my Father, my brother-in-law glanced at my sister and said, but she didn’t buy it. As soon as the song ended, a shadow suddenly loomed heavily in front of me.

“Rafi, you should dance with Grandpa.”

“Sister-in-law, me too!”

“Let’s dance with your big brother too. Okay?”

I looked at the family members lined up one by one and gave an awkward smile. I felt tired of accommodating their wishes, as I had already danced with my Father.

When I was standing there, Aiden came up close.

“I want to dance with you too.”

“Just… I thought Sabina would come today…”

Come to think of it, the Sylvester Kingdom and the Tigris family had a good relationship. So, I thought Sabina or even guests from the Sylvester Kingdom might come, but no one did.

“Hmm, I’m tired. Let’s think about it later.”

There was no point in racking brains when tired. So, I stroked Aiden’s slightly sullen head a bit to soothe him, and before I knew it, I fell asleep with a frown.

When I woke up, I found myself in my room prepared by the Duke Tigris.

“Phew…”

I yawned, rolled around in bed, and ended up in my Father’s arms.

“Did you sleep well? You fell asleep suddenly yesterday, do you know how surprised Father was?”

I was sitting in a chair, and suddenly my body bent forward, so Aiden held me.

They didn’t know what to do or something. Even the chief physician of Duke Tigris’ residence had to come to confirm that I was asleep. When they heard that, they all sighed with relief.

“I was tired.”

“Yes, since you used magic, it’s natural to be very tired. So, don’t do anything today and just rest.”

Usually, the banquet lasts for about three days, but I nodded in agreement with my Father’s opinion that it was too much for me to attend today.

After spending the whole day rolling around in the room, eating and resting, I attended the banquet the next day in my newly tailored clothes. 

After the banquet, when we were having tea and talking among family members, someone rushed in with a communication device.

“What’s going on?”

“A communication came from the Sylvester Kingdom.”

At that, Aiden hurriedly came over with a worried look, while I was clinging to Grandfather. The communication device sparkled and revealed a face I had never seen before.

[Duke Tigris, I should personally come to congratulate your birthday, but I apologize for not being able to do so.]

Perhaps due to the similar status of the monarch of a country and the position of an imperial duke, the Sylvester Kingdom’s king showed respect to my grandfather.

“We already know that King Sylvester has a lot on his plate, so you don’t need to worry.”

After the customary exchange, they got to the main point.

[This time, excavating and interpreting the ancient scrolls in the Ancient Language is taking a considerable amount of time. However, according to Sabina’s words, the Ancient Language is something that Duke Tigris excels at, so I’m here to request your assistance without hesitation.]

“Oh, a newly discovered Ancient Language? That piques my interest. Can you show me once?”

Upon my grandfather’s request, King Sylvester, wearing gloves, carefully unfolded an old booklet and adjusted the angle for the second communication device to display it.

[Can you read this?]

The serious expression on King Sylvester’s face and my grandfather’s expression, as they looked at it, stiffened slightly.

“We need to do some research on that…”

“Well, I can read it, Grandfather.”

“Hmm? What’s that…?”

“It’s in the old script. Even if we speak different languages, as long as we write with the same characters…”

Simply by reading the vertical text, everyone’s expressions subtly changed.