Chapter 27: 27

“Hahaha! Come to think of it, you said she was very precocious, right?”

No! This father! Have you been just going around speaking ill of me?

I almost opened my eyes, forgetting to pretend to sleep. Suddenly, yesterday’s passionate emotions came dangerously close to dying down.

“That’s right. I was so stumped that I didn’t even know how to deal with it.”

Was I so precocious that father was unable to express his affection? I felt a weak pang of guilt.

My father’s hand came down and stroked my hair. I continued to pretend I was asleep out of embarrassment.

“Well then, I’ll ease my apologies a little bit.”

No, I don’t think so.

“Very well.”

No! That’s not the answer. You should add to his remorse and get proper compensation.

With a father so bad at taking care of our interests, I was conflicted as to whether I should keep pretending to sleep or not.

“But I still have to make it up to you. You did save my life, after all. Right, is there anything you want? To be clear, right now I’m not officially compensating you for this battle, but I’m taking care of you personally.”

I can’t believe you’re giving a separate reward. It seems that the Grand Duke was not completely shameless. Still, it’s very lucky that he’s willing to compensate personally, in addition to officially.

Naturally, when an opportunity comes, you’ve got to grab it with both hands. I really wanted my father to give a sensible answer.

“His Grace really needn’t worry so much about me. I have consistently told you that it is my job to protect the Grand Duke.”

What a stupid answer!

My stomach was boiling. This kind of opportunity does not come easily. The world won’t recognize you for your loyalty. You don’t even know if you’re going to get seriously hurt, so it’s better to retire with plenty of retirement funds.

“And I, too, have been consistently telling you that I’m willing to take care of you.”

I’m rooting for you, Your Grace! Now, hurry up and push for more compensation!

“No, sir. I’m really fine-”

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I jumped to my feet because I felt that, at this rate, there would be nothing left after all of my father’s repeated refusals. Surprised by my movement, my father stopped talking.

The Duke I saw yesterday was standing next to my father. I got off the bed and stood in front of the Grand Duke, bowing low.

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

“Yes. I think I woke you from your sleep. I’m sorry.”

From his offer to compensate my father, I knew he was an honorable and understanding person, but I didn’t know he was a person ready to apologize to a child like me. After witnessing Kirsec’s insolent behavior, I had mistakenly considered the Duke to be a similar person.

This changes the story. My mind raced and I quickly did the math.

I was going to obtain enough money for my father’s retirement. But if the Grand Duke was an understanding person, there was one more thing useful for my survival.

I looked at the Grand Duke and spoke clearly.

“I will accept it instead.”

*****

“What do you mean?”

The Grand Duke asked, probably because I looked ridiculous by suddenly waking up and saying this. I said more clearly for him to understand.

“The reward my father refused. I’ll accept it instead.”

To prove that I wasn’t talking nonsense in my sleep, I opened my eyes wide and stared at the Grand Duke.

For a moment the Grand Duke stared at me as if he had lost his words. I did not press for an answer because what I said was not immediately acceptable.

Think about it. No matter how precocious a seven-year-old may be, talking about compensation is unbelievable. That too, even after her father had refused it. How could someone make sense of it right away?

“How rude of you Aren!”

My father, who had been staring absent-mindedly, belatedly came to his senses and scolded me. He then reached out to me. But I sneaked out of my father’s hands trying to catch me.

Needless to say, my father will make me apologize, and then who knows what will happen to this compensation matter.

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