“Cute?”

The old man chuckled as if that news was good.

“He must have resembled his grandfather.”

“His Majesty the previous Emperor?”

He was startled by Rieta’s question and shook his head hastily.

“I’m not saying such a bad thing! They have nothing to resemble, he’s nothing like that bloodline!”

Maybe because he yelled a little too loudly.

At that moment, he felt someone’s presence in the hallway.

He grabbed Rieta, hid for a moment in the darkness, and remained silent.

Rieta also naturally shut her mouth and listened to the sounds coming from outside.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be heading toward where they were.

Fortunately . . . ?

Rieta was relieved without knowing it and was encased in a slightly strange feeling.

At dawn in the Duchy, an outsider was in the family room. And yet, she was relieved that they hadn’t been caught.

“Oh my.”

The grandfather put Rieta down on the floor, pressing a palm against her forehead and cheek.

“Are you sick?!”

“Yes?”

“Oh my God, why are you running around with a fever like this?”

“Oh, that’s . . . I’m hungry.”

“Damned Duke. He has never had a talent for taking care of the sick.”

“This is really the last time,” he mumbled before putting another one of the chocolates into Rieta’s mouth.

“If my sugar goes down and I collapse on the road, know that it will all be because of you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I had a hard time infiltrating, so I couldn’t even see my daughter’s face properly. What a fuss this is.”

“Daughter?”

“That’s enough, you sick little thing.”

While grunting, he took off the scarf he was wearing over his head and wrapped it around Rieta’s neck.

Warmth remained on the scarf.

“Thank you. Uh . . . and . . .”

Rieta took a step back from him, and she bowed her head slightly.

“I’m sorry to disturb you.”

Looking at him up close, it seemed to make sense.

Victoria Mayer and the thieving grandfather somehow resembled each other.

It was difficult for her to pinpoint it, though.

Besides, he even said ‘daughter’.

She didn’t know why he came here at dawn, but he must have come to welcome the Duchess.

“Did you notice now? The future of the Kingdom of Liz is also gloomy. Well, no matter how hard you try, you won’t be as depressed as you are now.”

Saying so, he approached the portrait of the Duke and Duchess.

And he began to lash out at the Duke.

“Put on new shoes and step on cow manure.”

In addition, he listed a number of unpleasant things that he wanted the Duke to step on when he went out.

“. . .”

But when the dreadful cursing ended, he said nothing.

Rieta knew that his gaze could not even reach his daughter, who was at the Duke’s side.

Perhaps he hadn’t been able to see the portrait properly before Rieta came.

“. . .”

He barely, barely moved his head.

His wrinkled chin trembled beneath his slightly gaping lips.

At last, he saw her.

“. . .”

He wiped the rough surface of the painting with his calloused fingertips.

His touch was full of deep affection.

As though stroking the most precious treasure in the world.

. . . Treasure.

Rieta only now understood the meaning of the ‘treasure’ he was talking about.

Soon, his lips touched the solid frame.

With a whisper of something.

But it didn’t reach Rieta’s ears.

It was for his treasure alone.

He lifted his head, and with the tip of his sleeve he wiped his eyes.

“Hmph.”

And he complained in a sulky way.

“Actually, my daughter is more beautiful than this.”

It was exactly what the Duke had said, and Rieta laughed a little.

“That’s enough. There is nothing to see in a mansion like this anymore.”

“Are you going back?”

“Of course. Come here, little Liz.”

He walked over to her and lifted Rieta over his shoulder.

It was as though he were carrying luggage.

“. . . ?!”

Although she twisted her body in surprise, she couldn’t beat the sturdy grandfather.

“Oh my God, be still! This is difficult enough because I’m low on sugar! Shouldn’t you be going back to your room?”

“My . . . room?”

“What, do I have a room in this damned mansion? Of course it’s yours.”

He strode out of the family room.

The hallway was as quiet as it had been when she came down.

“I . . . can walk.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, are you telling me to become the same man as that Duke?”

What a strange person.

The tone was rough, but the hand that held Rieta was very kind.

Even though it was as though she were luggage, it felt more comfortable than she had thought it would be.

He followed Rieta’s instructions and took her to the room safely.

Fortunately, the maid, who was sleeping in front of the door, still did not wake up.

He laid Rieta on the bed and tucked her in with a blanket.

“Oh, my back is going to break.”

He patted his back with his fist, moaning as though he were going to die.