The streets of the peaceful and wealthy empire were filled with joyful people.

They happily walked along the beautiful streets, holding the hands of their family or friends.

‘Don’t complain… Don’t.’

If she truly thought about it, Rieta’s life was not so bad.

It was just that her father was a lousy person.

Other than that, she had met so many wonderful people.

While trying to shake off the bad thoughts, the carriage had already reached the Duke’s mansion.

It stopped at the front door.

The Duke who got off first reached out his arms to Rieta after.

“…..?”

“We’re home. Won’t you get off?”

“Yes..?”

When Rieta asked back, he slowly replied in the Kingdom language again.

We’ve arrived at home.

He put a lot of stress on the word ‘home’.

Rieta felt awkward for some reason, and grabbed her dress.

“I… can walk by myself.”

“I know.”

He replied, but still reached out his arms towards her.

“But the Princess shouldn’t walk alone.”

“That’s…”

“From a guardian’s perspective, I believe it would be better. Come here.”

For some reason, it was hard to go against him. Or maybe it was what she secretly wanted.

When Rieta’s little hand touched his arm, he quickly lifted her up again.

Just as he did in the palace.

“….Thank you. You’re really sweet.”

Rieta mumbled, burying her head on his shoulder.

His face twisted slightly again.

It must have been because he was not so happy to be thanked like this.

“I’m just fulfilling my duties as your guardian.”

He replied bluntly, and quickly walked towards the room used by Rieta.

It was a little dark inside the room.

That was because they had returned a little earlier than scheduled, so the maid in charge had not opened the curtains in advance.

The Duke usually thought that children needed sunlight, but at that moment he thought it was better to leave it like that.

He settled Rieta down by her bedside.

After thinking for a while, she squeezed her knees together and looked at the young guardian.

Rieta grinned at him. It was a clearly forced smile.

He tried to say something, but in the end decided to keep silent.

Perhaps, he thought, she would have more stories like this from her former life in the Kingdom of Liz.

They looked at each other in silence for a little longer in the soft darkness brought by the drawn curtains.

He looked at Rieta with a straight face.

The child just kept smiling at him. He shook his head with a slight smile.

It would have seemed a joyful smile to anyone who didn’t know better.

After a long period of staring, Rieta began to fiddle with her lips in embarrassment.

After all, Rieta is..

Just a nine year old child.

She smiled again.

“A little…”

The Duke’s voice cracks.

“Would you like to sleep?”

When Rieta nodded, the Duke lifted the blanket to help her lie down.

It would have been better to change clothes before sleeping, but he thought this time sleep took priority.

He covered Rieta with a blanket, and stayed with her for a while.

“Now that I think about it.”

The Duke realized something important.

“I think I need to buy a doll.”

“….Yes?”

When Rieta asked, he said the word ‘doll’ again in the language of the kingdom.

“You’ll need it for sleeping. Do you have any favorite animal?”

She didn’t know why she needed a doll to sleep, but there was an animal she liked.

“……I like squirrels.”

“So the Princess likes squirrels…”

The Duke muttered to himself, like he was going to keep it in mind.

Rieta nodded softly.

“Then, have a good sleep.”

“….Yes.”

“When you wake up, we’ll go out and find your favorite squirrel doll.”

“……”

He carefully untied the ribbon on Rieta’s hair.

He was thinking it might be uncomfortable to wear to sleep.

“Duke…”

Rieta thought carefully about her words, as she saw him untie the ribbon.

“You’re so kind to me.”

“I’m not being particularly kind.”

“But…”

“I’m your guardian.”

The Duke interrupted her words while emphasizing his position.

“It’s still an unfamiliar position but now, little by little, I realise that it is my responsibility.”

“Isn’t it….annoying?”

In response to her careful question, he pet Rieta’s hair, making it a little messy.

“It doesn’t bother me.”

“….Really?”

“Really.”

Despite the unwavering response, Rieta’s mind still seemed worried.

Maybe she just needed time.