Home/They say the Northern Grand Duke didn't have his front teeth at age six/ch13

Chapter 02: No One Said Regression Was a One-Seater

Episode 13

"...I see."

He answered flatly.

"I feel the same way."

"Oh my."

Marianne seemed delighted by his curt reply.

"I'm sure the young lady will be very pleased too."

As if. She'd probably be happier if he just avoided her altogether.

"Tomorrow, I shall convey my thanks to the young lady."

That impudent woman. The one who had dared to reduce him to this pathetic state. He needed to meet her separately—so that he could undo everything, so that he could reclaim what was his.

"Yes, Young Grand Duke. Sweet dreams."

Marianne beamed, tucked the fluffy blanket up to his chin, and turned away. The moment he heard the door close, Adrian tried to fling the teddy bear to the floor—but the bear beneath the blanket was heavier than he expected.

"...Hah."

A body smaller than a teddy bear. Struggling to lift something this light—it was humiliating.

The bed wasn't so small that a single teddy bear would make it feel cramped, so Adrian lay back down and stared at the ceiling.

It was a strange manor full of strange people. No sleep incense, which he burned daily—no cigar, which he'd kept perpetually between his lips even in the prince's presence. All he had was this unblemished, soft little body.

"I'm going mad..."

After eyeing his tiny hands with displeasure, Adrian lowered his arms. This small, light body, devoid of muscle, still felt alien.

Why did it have to be me? Why did I have to return to the most painful, most powerless period of my life? If only I had gone back a little further—to when my brother was still alive...

Adrian tried to stop his thoughts and closed his eyes. Sleep would not come easily.

---

...I didn't sleep a wink.

Why did the Grand Duke regress along with me? Because he grabbed me when the relic activated? So if several people held hands, could they all regress together?

Whatever the case, one thing was certain—Adrian Rephinard had regressed alongside me. And he was gnashing his teeth at me, the one who had caused it. So what I had to do was clear.

'I don't know anything about any regression.'

Thankfully, I hadn't blurted out something like "H-how do you know that?" to Adrian when he came at me. Regression is his thing. I'm just a normal six-year-old. No matter what he says, I'm just a child who doesn't understand.

"It seems the Young Grand Duke also wishes to get closer to you, my lady. He said he'd like to thank you for lending him the bear last night."

Marianne whispered as she tied a ribbon in my hair. He wants to thank me? Scrunching my face, I glanced at Marianne in the mirror and smiled brightly as if I hadn't just made that face.

"That's good. I thought he wouldn't like it since he's a boy."

I said it casually, but there was no way he actually wanted to see me out of gratitude. He'd use thanking me as an excuse to meet me, then threaten me or... something.

Why did I lend him the bear in the first place? Because Marianne made me, obviously. She said "The Young Grand Duke is still a baby, he'll be scared sleeping alone," and I couldn't very well refuse to lend my bear.

"Oh my, my lady. Boys can like dolls too—just as girls can wield swords."

As I sighed, Marianne spoke firmly, as if trying to rid me of prejudice. Honestly, I couldn't tell if she was conservative or progressive.

"...But how long is the Grand Duke staying here?"

"He'll leave for the palace once the rain lets up."

Marianne said, glancing toward the window. Heavy rain was battering the frame. I nodded and hopped off my chair. My pink hair, tied in two pigtails, swayed.

"You'll behave today, won't you?"

"Yes, of course."

I answered, gripping her hand firmly. It would be fine. Whether he went to the palace or the North, Adrian would leave soon, and after that, I wouldn't have to see him again until he came of age.

And who knows—maybe after living comfortably in the palace, he'd soften up a bit.

I went to Adrian's room with Marianne. He must have just woken up, as he was being led out by a maid. But...

'Why does he look like that?'

One of Adrian's eyelids was swollen red—as if he'd been punched.

"...It seems there was a mosquito in the room."

The maid bowed her head apologetically. Adrian, with a resigned expression, scratched his eye irritably.

Oh, so it was a mosquito bite?

"Oh dear. Did you catch it?"

"We got one, but just in case, I'll check again."

"Very well. Young Grand Duke, scratching will only make it itch more."

Marianne quickly took his hand to keep him from scratching his eye. Adrian raised his other hand as if to scratch again, then grunted and lowered it.

"Still, it seems you slept well. You must have slept through the buzzing."

"..."

At her kind words, Adrian scowled and looked up. Why are you glaring at me again? I didn't bite you!

---

Father was already waiting for us in the dining room. I was about to greet him as usual, but I glanced at Adrian. The fierce-looking five-year-old Grand Duke was staring openly at me.

Right, I have to act like a child. To do that...

"Daddy!"

"...Leticia?"

I ran and threw my arms around him. Startled, my father lifted me, but his gaze didn't linger on me long—he had noticed Adrian's swollen eye.

"Young Grand Duke, what happened to your face..."

"He said there was a mosquito in his room."

Marianne bowed and answered for him. Father let out a quiet "Huh" and quickly turned his head. I caught a glimpse of his usually composed lips twitching upward—was he laughing...?

"It seems the room wasn't properly managed. I apologize."

"No, it's fine."

Father cleared his throat and apologized, but Adrian shook his head silently. It was a composed attitude for a five-year-old, but with one swollen eyelid, it wasn't very effective. Father's lips twitched again as he set me down.

"Now, let's take our seats, Leticia."

"Hee-hee."

I clung to Father's neck and whined. His broad shoulders stiffened in confusion.

"Leticia?"

"Tishy want to sit with Daddy."

Who's Tishy? That's my nickname. I just made it up.

"Huh? Daddy, can't I?"

I had been acting mature, calling him "Father" just yesterday, but now I was acting like a baby—and Father looked quite flustered. But with Adrian in the manor, I had no choice. A mature, reliable daughter? Forget it. From now on, I'm six years old.

"My lady, you should sit at your seat for meals."

The nanny gently tried to calm me down. I clung to Father's neck and whined.

"Hee-hee."

"Lady Leticia."

"Hee-hee."

"..."

What? It's cute. A six-year-old throwing a tantrum to eat with her daddy—isn't that adorable? Aware of Adrian's gaze, I buried my face in Father's neck.

"Daddy's going away again. Won't be with Tishy."

"...Leticia."

Father opened his mouth, looking troubled, but he didn't try to pry me off. His large hand awkwardly stroked my back.

"The Young Grand Duke is watching."

Yes, I'm doing this for him to see. I'm the one embarrassed to be acting out like this, you know.

When I stayed silent, Father lifted me up and carried me to his seat. The nanny moved my chair closer to Father's.

"Then, my lady, shall you sit near the Count today?"

I had expected to be scolded for acting spoiled in front of the young Grand Duke, but surprisingly, Marianne was very kind. I looked up, puzzled. She met my eyes with a sympathetic gaze and extended her hand.

"If you stay here, the Count won't be able to eat either. The Young Grand Duke is here too—you should show him your composed side."

At her coaxing words, I pouted like a child, but eventually nodded. Yes, Father needs to eat too. And I wasn't actually planning to eat on his lap anyway.

I took the nanny's hand and stepped down. When I looked up, I saw the Grand Duke, still watching me.

"..."

Adrian, one eyelid swollen, sat alone with his arms crossed. His gaze at me was different from before—strange. I held my breath for a moment, then turned back to Father.

"...Daddy."

I opened my arms wide. Father leaned toward me, as if asking what I wanted. I squeezed my eyes shut and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Smack. Silence fell over the spacious dining room. The nanny gasped in surprise, and Father turned to stone.

Wait, what's with these reactions? You're embarrassing me...

"..."

"..."

A moment passed, but Father just blinked, unsure how to respond. I was just as flustered—I'd kissed him out of the blue. If awkwardness could kill, Father and I would be having a joint funeral today.

Back   Next