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Chapter 03: My Favorite Bread Is Daddy!

Episode 24

'Perhaps she grew crooked from the Count's absence.'

Well, how that woman lived was none of his concern. As long as she didn't obsess over Ricardo like in the previous life and cooperated in undoing the regression—

"Oh, by the way, young master. The mistress will be joining us for dinner tomorrow."

The nanny said as she placed the freshly sharpened colored pencils into the holder. If it was Branda Belando, he had seen her since arriving at the manor. She had cozied up to him and said a few things, but people like that were a dime a dozen, so she wasn't particularly memorable.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"She's planning to return to her territory the day after tomorrow, so you can greet her at dinner."

Whether she came or went didn't matter. Adrian nodded vaguely and picked up a yellow pencil. He had no particular desire to color flowers, but the picture happened to have flowers drawn on it. The yellow mixed with the dark green he'd already laid down, turning messy.

"...Clumsy."

"You did well, though."

The nanny took the blunt purple pencil and smiled.

"If you color the lighter shades first, then the darker ones, they won't bleed as much."

Saying that, she picked up a knife and began sharpening the pencils again. Scratch, scratch—the pencil scraped the paper, and the blade scraped the wood. Occasionally, a soft "huff" sound came as if she were gathering the scattered shavings. It was a dull, peaceful time.

---

When I returned home, I called the nanny and Adrian to the garden. Father suggested inviting Branda as well, but seemed to accept that the nanny and Branda would still be uncomfortable around each other.

Adrian came to the garden with the nanny—and he was, as ever, quite small. His indifferent gaze fell on the cake box on the table.

"...What's this?"

"Tishy wanted to share some with you."

At Father's words, Adrian looked at me suspiciously. What? Why? What? If you don't want it, don't eat it. I'll finish it myself.

"Oh my, my lady. You brought this for the young master?"

"I bought some for you too, Nanny. You can share it with Lucia later."

"Oh, my lady..."

The nanny looked at me as if deeply moved. After all her time as a terror, Marianne would sometimes get emotional over the smallest things and praise me. At moments like that, I'd feel disillusioned with little Leticia's life... but well, I'll just stop doing that now.

"It was so good when I had it with Daddy! I thought you'd all enjoy it too."

The slices of cake were placed in front of each of us. Father's and mine were about half the size of Adrian's. I could have eaten more, but I still had dinner to save room for.

"...I'm fine. I don't care for sweets."

Adrian crossed his arms and gestured at the plate before him. Just like the Grand Duke of the North, I thought. Then Father spoke.

"Rian."

"..."

"At least try it. Refusing a gift given with sincerity is not good manners."

Adrian looked at Father, seemingly taken aback—probably surprised by the nickname. But Father half-rose as if to feed him again, and with a deep sigh, the Grand Duke finally picked up his fork. He didn't forget to shoot me a glare.

'...If only the outside matched the inside, he wouldn't be scary at all.'

Was it because Father was on my side? Instead of acting wary or looking away as usual, I watched him. His dainty hand lifted the fork and cut a small piece of cake. The cream-laden sponge entered his small mouth, and those cold blue eyes seemed to... widen slightly?

But Adrian remained expressionless as he chewed. He barely moved his jaw before swallowing, then raised his fork again.

"It's not bad."

Father opened his mouth gently. Adrian paused, then nodded slowly.

"...Not bad at all."

Wow, I didn't expect him to say that. So this cake is even recognized by the Grand Duke of the North? I watched Adrian's plate gradually empty with a sense of pride.

"Good, right?"

"..."

"You can have more. I bought a whole cake."

What possessed me to talk to him like that? But on the other hand, I felt that speaking first was more natural at times like this. Perhaps because the adults were present, Adrian didn't retort.

"I..."

"Oh, no, you can't. You still have dinner to eat."

Adrian paused at the nanny's words. Marianne turned to me and said firmly.

"You too, my lady. You agreed to only one snack a day, didn't you?"

"Yes, Nanny."

Ah, I was hoping to sneak another bite for myself while giving him some. I nodded, pretending I hadn't planned that. Adrian, across from me, sipped his juice silently. His small ears seemed faintly flushed.

---

'...I'm going mad.'

Adrian set down his empty juice glass with a clack. He had almost nodded. Almost said, "Yes." It was a mortifying experience he'd never had before the regression.

Before, he'd never so much as glanced at snacks or desserts, let alone the moonshine his subordinates sometimes sought. Yet this small body found the soft sweetness of cake quite captivating. And that damned woman who had reduced him to this state was sitting there smiling so casually.

"...If the cake suits your taste, I'll order this for your birthday."

Fabian spoke just as Adrian was grinding his teeth while glaring at Leticia. Leticia's eyes went round.

"Birthday?"

"Yes. Rian's birthday is next month."

Though Fabian Belando didn't displease him, being called by that nickname-like "Rian" made him cringe. Adrian pressed his lips together before speaking.

"I don't place much significance on birthdays, so there's no need to trouble yourself."

If it were a coming-of-age ceremony where he could inherit the title, that would be another matter—but this was merely a sixth birthday. He didn't want to increase his debt to House Belando. But Fabian didn't seem pleased with his answer.

"I believe I told you—you are a member of House Belando until you come of age."

"..."

"We'll host a party for your birthday. Keep that in mind. If there's anything you want, tell me in advance."

At the firm words, Adrian pressed his lips shut and glanced at Leticia. The pink-haired girl, like a spring flower, had stopped listening to their conversation and was busy eating more cake.

"If I could have something... would it have to be material?"

At that, Leticia, who had been cutting a strawberry with her fork, looked up—as if she hadn't expected him to ask. Adrian turned from her back to Fabian.

"I wish to use the knight training grounds."

"You want to learn swordsmanship?"

"Yes."

Adrian nodded silently. Fabian looked troubled.

"I'm sorry, but that's difficult."

"Didn't you say I'm a member of House Belando until I come of age?"

Adrian's voice sharpened. Leticia, who had been about to pop a cream-covered strawberry into her mouth, paused and rolled her eyes.

"The training grounds are dangerous. Besides, you're still a baby."

"Six is not a baby."

"...Hm, my apologies. Six is a child."

Even before the regression, he had begun harsh training around his sixth birthday. Most of it had been getting hit by Idor's wooden sword, but in any case, six was not too young to start training. Yet Fabian's words made him feel, somehow, like a whining child.

"Still, it's dangerous for now. If you want to learn the sword, I'd suggest starting around ten."

"That's too late."

Ten would be four years later than in his previous life. He couldn't even guarantee he'd manifest sword aura without Idor's drugs.

"There's no sword suited to your size right now, either. Let's think about it once you're a bit bigger."

The voice was calm but firm. The Count set down his teacup and lectured him on how to grow quickly—eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of sleep. Adrian let it go in one ear and out the other, glancing at Leticia. The pink-haired girl, who had cleaned her plate, was chatting with the nanny and laughing carefreely.

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