The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 76

CHAPTER 76

Isn’t this Hangeul? 

Could it be that the King has been reincarnated or possessed someone here? Or did someone from South Korea come to this world and teach ancient language and Hangeul?

Lost in thought while looking at Hangeul for a moment, I suddenly snapped back to reality when it became quiet around me. Inside the communication structure, the king and the people here looked at me intently, scratching their heads with puzzled expressions.

Excuse me. They’re talking about something, and I’m stuck here… Rafi is too confused by all this.

In times like this, running away is the best option. I quickly descended from my grandfather’s lap, swaying back and forth, and ran towards my brother who was standing on one side.

“Brother, Rafi is confused. Let’s go to sleep quickly.”

“Well, is that so? Let’s go together and sleep quickly.”

Although it was still a bit early for him, my brother, chosen to go through the warp gate, quickly picked me up and hurriedly walked away.

“Rafi, let’s wear matching pajamas today.”

Without a break, my brother’s complexion, who used the warp gate continuously, was very calm. At first, he shivered from motion sickness, but now he seemed to have developed immunity, looking completely fine.

“Brother, aren’t you getting motion sick?”

“Yeah, I used the warp gate every week, so I don’t get motion sickness anymore. It’s all thanks to our pumpkin rice cakes.”

My brother, who said it’s embarrassing to keep coming over because Eren keeps asking to see me, grinned with a mischievous smile. Seeing that smile, I also smiled brightly. 

When my brother entered the room, he sat me on the bed and raised his hands.

“Rafi, hooray!”

“Hooray!”

As I raised my hands, my brother swiftly took off my clothes. The maids waiting behind my brother, holding pajamas, let out a silent gasp at the sight.

My brother, who visited every weekend and had accumulated internal energy with me, easily changed into pajamas. Seeing the pajamas adorned with yellow chicks, I giggled and hugged Ciel, who had just come in.

“Rafi, come here. Let’s sleep together quickly.”

Unlike Father, my brother didn’t express any reluctance to sleep with Ciel. Instead, he allowed him to sleep in the same bed but never allowed him to sleep side by side. 

When my brother and Ciel slept together, Ciel toasted bread under my feet.

With a gentle smile, my brother kissed my forehead. Having received the goodnight kiss, I held onto my brother tightly to not miss this warmth and fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

When Rafi disappeared, King Sylvester, who then came to his senses, showed an expression of not understanding the countless scholarly gazes upon him.

[The words the child just spoke…]

[If our interpretation is correct, it means that the language is different, and the characters don’t correspond to each other.]

The ancient characters of the Chinese Empire and the characters here were different, but initially, they only knew that they borrowed characters from there. However, the recently excavated book presented them with three discoveries, but they couldn’t interpret them properly.

Just as ancient languages changed over time, the characters they know now also appeared, but there were unfamiliar characters.

However, it was natural for everyone to be amazed when a small child read it with a very relaxed expression.

Having heard the scholars’ interpretation, King Sylvester immediately regained his composure and asked Duke Tigris, to look at him.

[Who is that little girl just now?]

“If it’s Princess Sabina, she should know her well.”

At the Duke Tigris’s words, which seemed to predict a rise in fortune, King Sylvester immediately summoned Sabina. Sabina was irritated because she couldn’t go down to the Tigris Duchy due to a royal decree.

[Why did you summon… Oh, Duke Tigris. Aiden, hello.]

Making a sulky face, Sabina burst into a broad smile as soon as she saw Duke Tigris and Aiden. Seeing the change in his daughter’s expression, King Sylvester looked bewildered.

“How have you been, Sabina?”

[No, how dare you use our princess’s name…….]

[I haven’t been well because I wanted to see Aiden and Aunt.]

Seeing Aiden calling Sabina by her name, King Sylvester tried to issue a decree. However, seeing his daughter make a sullen expression, he closed his mouth.

[But who is this Aunt you’re talking about? Saying that he has an aunt is absurd.]

If in a distant relative of the Tigris family, there could be an aunt in the distant lineage. However, Sabina had no reason to casually call such a relative an aunt.

[She’s Aiden’s aunt. How adorable. If you pinch her soft cheeks, they stick together like soft rice cakes covered in bean flour.]

King Sylvester recalled the girl he had just seen in Sabina’s words.

[Are you talking about a girl with silver hair, like a baked cheese stick?]

[That’s right! But where is Aunt? I want to see her. I haven’t seen her in a while.]

Seeing Sabina staring at the communication device with wide eyes, King Sylvester let out a sigh.

[She said she was tired and went. But that child read the ancient language excavated this time.]

[Our aunt is really smart. So she taught the ancient language to Jayden, Aiden’s younger brother. He’s only four years old now.]

At first, he was skeptical about whether the child had read it. This was because no one else knew how to read the newly discovered ancient language. 

However, when he heard scholars interpreting the words the child had spontaneously created, it sounded convincing. When he listened to what Sabina had said, he realized that the child indeed knew how to read the ancient language.

When Sabina praised the child, King Sylvester immediately spoke to Duke Tigris.

[Could you lend us that child for a moment?]

“The child is not an object to be borrowed. It seems you’re not good at choosing words as a military king of a country.”

This time, it wasn’t Duke Tigris but another man who intervened. A handsome man with black hair and a robust physique frowned even when looking at King Sylvester.

[Who are you to intervene in the conversation with Duke Tigris?]

“The child who just read the ancient language is my daughter, Seraphina Panteur.”

At the appearance of Duke Panteur, known only through rumors, King Sylvester gasped. The man who had destroyed the kingdom by trapping his wife and who was popular among knights and romantics.

[So, she’s the daughter of Duke Panteur. Duke Panteur is more of a knight, unfamiliar with ancient languages or magic.]

“Our Rafi’s maternal family is Tigris Duke, so it’s natural for her to know such things from inside out.”

“That’s right, that’s right, you’re talking like a son-in-law.”

Behind Duke Panteur’s words, Duke Tigris added some lively remarks.

“Judging by appearances alone, it’s obvious that he inherited some of Duke Tigris’ blood.”

“That’s right. Radi takes after us. Somehow she inherited her mother’s beauty and cuteness.”

Every time Duke Panteur spoke, Duke Tigris’s remarks became longer. He even spoke more than Duke Panteur’s responses.

“So, do you want to take my sister-in-law with you, is that what you’re saying?”

This time, a figure smaller than Duke Panteur but larger than others appeared. King Sylvester, with an eagle emblem on his chest, could guess that he was Duke Aquila.

[Miss Panteur’s brother-in-law must have been the Duke Aquila].

“Yes, that’s correct. I am the one and only brother-in-law of our soft and fluffy rice cake. So, if you want my sister-in-law, just get our permission. The probability is low, but.”

Her father is Duke Panteur of the East, his maternal grandfather is Duke Tigris of the North, and his older brother-in-law is Duke Aquila of the South.

King Sylvester recalled the family relationships in his mind and sighed. With just a small gesture from a child, it seemed like a matter of life and death could be easily dealt with. Thinking of the child born with tremendous connections and power, King Sylvester politely spoke.

“The discovery and interpretation of this ancient language are significant for our country. Therefore, I would like to formally invite Miss Panteur for this matter.”

This was something King Sylvester would never say due to his usual personality. However, he had to step forward this time; after all, the ancient language used in the Sylvester Kingdom was rumored to have originated from the ancient Chinese Empire.

As soon as he understood the meaning of the first line read by Rafi, he felt the necessity of bringing the child no matter what.

“I can’t send a four-year-old child to a country she’s never been to before.”

Duke Panteur was the first to express his refusal. Sending a young child outside the house was already frightening, let alone to another country.

[Duke Panteur, Duke Tigris, and Duke Aquila! If my aunt comes here, I can take care of her in peace. Aiden, please…….]

In Sabina’s earnest voice, as if experiencing Rafi’s withdrawal symptoms, Aiden wants to run over there with Rafi in his arms right now. However, doing so would undoubtedly lead to his demise under the gazes of the three Dukes.

“I’m sorry. Sabina, in my heart, I want to go with my aunt. But even the warp gate is blocked. How can we go?”

[Ah…]

Sabina made a regretful expression. The one who had cut off that warp gate was none other than her brother.

[He’s my useless older brother anyway.]

Sabina muttered under her breath, lowering her head slightly, unsure of what to do. Witnessing this unfamiliar side of his daughter from the beginning, King Sylvester shook his head.

[Hmm, don’t worry about that. If Duke Panteur agrees to the invitation, we can establish the connection immediately. Right now.]

With the resolute words of King Sylvester, Aiden’s mind was already with Sabina.

“Aiden, what are you talking about? We haven’t decided anything yet, but you’re speaking as if you’re going to take Rafi with you as soon as the warp gate connects.”

Upon Duke Tigris’ words, Aiden quickly turned around and spoke in a voice that wouldn’t be heard through the communication device.

“Grandfather, please let us get married. At this rate, I might only dream of proposing. Don’t you want a granddaughter-in-law like Sabina?”

If there was a princess with a personality like Sabina, she was perfect to become the future Duchess of Tigris. Therefore, with Aiden’s earnest gaze, Duke Tigris’ eyes turned towards Duke Panteur.

“How can it not be allowed?”

“It can’t be. Last time, you threw her in the air. Now, are you trying to send Rafi to another country?”

In response to Duke Panteur’s stern voice, Sabina’s face on the communication device turned gloomy. She felt disappointed at the thought of having confirmed her love, yet being unable to meet her adorable Rafi. However, she quickly regained her strength and spoke.

[It may not be a problem for Aunt to decide. Although Aunt may be young, she is an amazing person to be able to read ancient languages.]

With Sabina’s words, Rafi gained the decision-making power. Therefore, the communication was postponed to the next day.

Waking up early, Rafi practiced magic before confidently walking into Duke Panteur’s arms. She then kissed the cheeks of Duke Tigris and his wife, the elder sister couple.

“Rafi, King Sylvester officially wants to invite you. If you want to refuse, you can say so without hesitation.”

As soon as the communication from the Sylvester Kingdom began, Rafi’s lips gradually curved upon seeing Sabina.

“Aunt, look at this. This is Snow Gem, a specialty of the Sylvester Kingdom. It’s more precious than colorful jelly-like stones.”

Showing a tempting item to a child with materialistic tendencies, Rafi slammed the desk and, from Duke Panteur’s lap, stood up abruptly, shouting.

“Rafi is ready! Aiden, what are you waiting for? Pack your things!”