Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 45

“Did you fall in love with Big bunny because she’s cool?”

‘That’s right.”

…His unexpected answer made my body flinch.

He would normally contradict it, so I couldn’t believe it when he actually said yes.

How attractive is that beautifully arched smile?

Objectively speaking, Ian was quite good-looking. Handsome looks that no one could refute at one glance. That made me hate him even more.

Nothing was going on between us, and after what he had done to me, he shamelessly said such a cheesy thing?

I clicked my tongue disgruntledly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you fall for me.”

After all, what you had done to me in the past, I have no intention of forgiving you.

“Say, say. Daddy, are you going to announce our Big bunny as my mom?”

“Yes.”

“Yippie! Then let’s hold a party! Party! A party for our Big bunny!”

“Rere, do you like parties?”

“No, I’ve never had a party before! So do you!”

Rere bounced back and forth eagerly.

“More spectacular than ever!”

“Rere, didn’t you hate parties?”

Rather, the Duke was surprised. His eyes turned round as if he had heard something unbelievable.

“Yeah, I hated parties and tea parties, but it’ll be different when I’m with Big bunny. I’m going to say it. I have a mom, too! Don’t look down on me!”

So that’s how it was. Why she couldn’t invite anyone all this time.

When I saw such a Rere, I felt a lump in my chest. But Rere was unaware of my feelings and kept bouncing around excitedly.

“I’m going to take down a peg or two! I’m going to kick their asses. Especially the girls who came last time. Ah, let’s invite that poppy head, too.”

Rere was more fired up than ever, determined to pay back what had been done to her tenfold.

I hunched over and spread my arms to Rere. Like a cicada on an old tree, Rere quickly rushed and clung to me. A warm scent, like the smell of the spring sun, exuded from the child’s body.

“Okay! Let’s invite Astra. Let’s invite all of them,”

“I want to wear a matching dress with my mom!”

“Are you going to call me mom now?”

“No. I said ‘Oh my! Oh my!’. Our Big bunny is still as foolish as ever.”

The beaming child stepped back and grabbed both my hand and the Duke’s hand.

“We shouldn’t be doing this here. We need to prepare our clothes right away. I have to get back at poopy head for harassing our Big bunny! Don’t you think so?”

“Yes, of course.”

Since then, Rere had been busy chattering about all sorts of things on the way to her room, among of which were dresses, shoes, and accessories. Fortunately, her face looked happier than ever.

***

A few days later.

I was patting the child who had trouble waking up as always. However, the rattling sound of carriages came through the closed window. I was extremely cautious because of the last incident, so I quietly looked out the window.

“Ah, it must be the carriages from the salon!”

Rere woke up to the sound and jumped to the sofa by the window.

“Daddy must have prepared so fast this time! Let’s go, Big bunny.”

“Huh? Those are for me?”

At one glance, the fancy carriages came one after another.

“Yeah! Let’s go! Hurry!”

Rere pulled my arm as I kept stuttering in shock.

“I get it, Rere. Let’s go.”

‘Those things are mine?’

I eventually went out with Rere after a long denial. Perhaps because the Duke also noticed the carriages, he came to our room.

“Where are you going?”

“Daddy! You’re also coming to get Big bunny’s clothes, right?”

“Yeah. I chose one of the most famous salons in the Imperial capital.”

“Oho, daddy finally has some common sense?”

“…It wasn’t me though.”

The Duke’s gaze turned to his back for a moment. There stood Luca, smiling as always. He smiled so brightly that it was blinding.

“Just because Luca chose famous and fancy salons doesn’t guarantee that Leona will like it. She usually likes comfortable styles that are easy to wear, so go pick another place that makes comfortable and practical clothes. That’s what I’m thinking. What do you think, Leona?”

Please say that I’m right. That’s how you usually are. I couldn’t have been wrong.

I hadn’t said a word, but his inner thoughts were crystal clear.

“I honestly think Luca is taking care of me properly. Because If I go to the party with Rere, I would much prefer to wear a fancy outfit, wouldn’t I?”

“Seems like I’ve won. Luca.”

“Congratulations. Your Grace.”

Unlike Luca, who smiled as if nothing mattered, the Duke seemed to be pleased.

“Daddy, are you an idiot?”

“Huh? Why?”

“In the end, she’ll pick out many clothes among Luca’s selection, while she’ll only pick one among daddy’s selection.”

“…But that one clothing is important.”

“How frustrating. How can you be this foolish when you are supposed to be smart? Listen carefully to our Big bunny. Stop doing things as you please! I hate people who don’t listen to others the most!”

“That’s right. You need to listen to others. You’ve been listening to Rere lately…but you’re still the same as you were at the start.”

He changed a little, but I’m sure he would be arrogant if I gave him a compliment. So I reacted more sharply.

When the Duke tried to refute, a servant suddenly ran hastily toward us.

“Your Grace.”

“What’s the matter?”

“That’s…Duke Arvida and Princess Astra…”

The other side of the hall became noisy before the servant properly reported the situation.

“Duke Petri!”

Today as well, Duke Arvida hasn’t given up yet and is making another fuss.

Another boring man.

I thought he might not come again after being humiliated last time, but humiliation didn’t seem to work against Duke Arvida.

“Duke!”

“Here comes a noisy guest. Looks like he came in with the salon carriages.”

“Daddy. Why is he here again?”

“He must’ve come to entertain us.”

“Oh, gosh. Why is he here already? The shoes with thorns on their soles that I asked for earlier are not finished yet.”

“Th-thorns?”

“Yeah. I’m going to step on them all.”

Rere showed me an example by stomping on the floor.

“Who told you to make that?”

“It’s daddy!”

“….”

The gullible Rebecca and scatter-brained duke.

It had always been that way, and will continue to be in the future.

Even in the past, he would’ve let the child do what she wanted without correcting her.

What the hell is he thinking? And after Rere said those words, what expression will he make?

So I looked up and saw ‘Good job, my daughter!’ written all over his face.

It seemed like he was the irrevocable one instead of Rere. So, I held Rere even more tightly in my arms.

“Rere, that’s…”

“Duke!”

But Duke Arvida already approached us with a furious look.

“What the hell is going on here? It seems like Duke Arvida doesn’t know manners. You can’t barge into someone’s residence without being invited. Are you trying to wage a war between the families?”

“I have something to talk about with you, Duke Petri.”

“Huh, you?” Ian crossed his arms and looked down at Duke Arvida. Ian was taller, so Duke Arvida shrunk back like a prey in front of a predator.

“Father. Stop it! Why are we back here? We can take revenge elsewhere, so why here!”

“Shut up, Astra. First of all, Duke Petri, let’s talk quietly.”

“There is no way it’s going to be quiet. I should kick you out before you make another fuss. Today is the day the salon comes to my residence to fit my wife’s clothes.”

“…Duke! It’s very important!”

“My wife is what’s important for me.”

Ian and Luca naturally protected us.

“Let’s go greet the guests.”

“Duke!! Just this once… Please listen to me!”

Duke Arvida, who normally tried to earn his way by screaming frantically, somehow had a much more meek attitude than before.

“I’m not going to take too long.”

“What are you going to talk about? Leona, what do you think? Would you like to hear him out?”

“Yes!! Daddy, let’s listen. I’m curious.”

As long as Rere wanted it, I would also want it. Furthermore, I’m also curious as to why he changed in just a few days.

Astra, who stood behind Duke Arvida, somehow couldn’t release her pent-up anger. On top of that…

‘I wonder why Duke Ian can be so confident.’

“Go on. I think we should listen to them first.”

“Since Leona gave her permission, let’s hear him out. Be quiet and follow me.”

Ian turned around, speaking more firmly than before. Just like ducks following their mother, Duke Ian took the lead followed by us all.

Luca was following closely as if to protect us. Meanwhile, Duke Arvida and Astra trudged behind.

Of course, they didn’t follow us quietly. Astra was still busy throwing tantrums like a madman.

“Why should I? Why should I be treated like this!”

“Shut up. You’re mistaken if you think you’re the only one I have. If anything, I could just adopt the child of my relatives.”

“Fa-father…”

In the meantime, we arrived at the drawing-room where we talked last time. We sat in the same seats, so I naturally felt a sense of deja vu. If anything was different, it was Duke Arvida.

He kneeled down.

“Please return it!”

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