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Chapter 04: Does the Tooth Fairy Come for the Grand Duke of the North Too?

Episode 31

Adrian watched the tiny tooth dangle from the thread in midair, feeling a strange mix of betrayal and relief. Where the tooth had been, the touch of air felt cool and ticklish.

"Wow, did it come out? Did it?"

"Waaah!"

The gathered people murmured with wide eyes, then burst into applause.

"It really came out!"

"As expected of the Young Grand Duke! He didn't even cry."

"Daddy, I didn't cry either..."

"How gallant, for such a young child."

"It really doesn't hurt, right? I told you!"

"Wow, my little brother cried a lot when his came out."

"Ah, but you cried louder!"

The garden, prepared with such care for the party, bustled like a marketplace. Even the nanny and Fabian joined in the applause. Adrian glared at Leticia once more.

She, who had been swept up in the mood and clapping along, awkwardly lowered her hands when their eyes met. The young Grand Duke looked at her and made a decision.

He would never forget this day.

---

"Lady, you must tell me immediately if your tooth gets loose. Understood?"

After the party, I also had my mouth checked by the nanny. Leticia had already lost all four of her front baby teeth—knowing that made my own seemingly unremarkable teeth feel suddenly precious.

"I will. I'll tell you right away."

"And no running away. Understood?"

Hmm, so Leticia had run away. That's why she'd been so firm with Adrian. I popped an undercooked carrot into my mouth and glanced at him. The Grand Duke's plate was filled with finely chopped food. He'd only lost one tooth, so he could still bite with the other side—but our head chef was nothing if not meticulous.

"You were very brave today."

At Father's words, Adrian looked up. He looked like he had a lot to say—but none of it was likely to be polite. Though whatever he said, with one front tooth missing, it would probably look ridiculous.

"In the future, tell me when a tooth gets loose. If you miss the timing for pulling it, it can cause problems with the alignment of your teeth."

"...Yes."

"And put the lost tooth under your pillow before you sleep. That way..."

Father hesitated for a moment.

"...the Tooth Fairy will bring you a new one."

His voice was as calm and composed as ever, though still a little awkward. Adrian's face twisted again.

"I'll just throw it away."

"Oh, you mustn't, young master. The Tooth Fairy has to take the fallen tooth so a new one can grow. Isn't that right, my lady?"

Why was the nanny looking at me again? And Father? I blinked in bewilderment, then, seeing the adults seeking a child's testimony, finally opened my mouth.

"Y-yes, Rian. That way, you get a new tooth and a coin too."

"..."

"If the fairy doesn't take your baby tooth after you wake up..."

"..."

"Then what will you do?"

I'm sorry, Adrian, but with a missing front tooth, you trying to sound threatening wasn't very scary. After a moment's thought, I said:

"Hmm, then sleep in a little longer. Maybe the Tooth Fairy just forgot."

"..."

What? Why? What? When I stared back with a bold look, his small brow furrowed again.

"And if nothing happens even after sleeping in?"

Arms crossed, he looked at me askew—like a very prickly little boy. Hmm, somehow this felt like...

"Then your new tooth just won't grow, I guess."

It felt like I was teasing a younger sibling.

---

Late at night, a man walked quietly through the darkened corridor. It was the hour when even the servants were asleep—no one stirred. Muffling his footsteps, he stopped before a closed door. A thread of light spread beneath his feet, and the door opened without a sound.

In the moonlit room, a boy slept soundly, oblivious to the world. Unlike his composed and aloof daytime self, he had kicked off the blanket and turned his feet toward the pillow—every bit a child his age. Fabian gathered his divine power before the door. The pillow at the boy's feet lifted slightly.

'They say if your divine power is strong enough, your divine beast can even develop its own will...'

After learning she was pregnant, Selena had often asked about the divine beast's power and the first Count Belando, sometimes joking that the child in her belly might be stronger than Fabian.

Though not quite possessing a will of its own, Fabian's divine beast was among the most vivid and powerful of all the Belando counts. So swapping the coin pouch under the pillow was an easy task.

Adrian didn't wake even as Fabian tidied up and pulled the blanket back over him. The boy was worrisome in many ways, but at least he slept well—and for the first time, he'd played with children his age.

Now, Fabian thought, he could invite the children he'd been close to at the party to play more often. And...

"...Daddy?"

Startled by the sudden presence, Fabian turned. He quickly dissipated the formless divine beast.

"Tishy? What are you doing up at this hour..."

"..."

"Did you have a bad dream?"

Come to think of it, she hadn't mentioned dreams since Adrian's arrival. When she'd named a specific location, he'd wondered if she might have prophetic dreams—but perhaps it was just coincidence. In truth, if such an ability were discovered, it would only bring trouble, so coincidence was preferable.

"I was thirsty..."

As the child mumbled, rubbing her sleepy eyes, something in Fabian's chest seemed to loosen. He smiled quietly and asked gently:

"Shall we go with Daddy?"

"Mm-hmm."

The child rubbed her eyes again and came toward him. Fabian knelt down. The girl who'd said walking herself was better—lest she develop bad habits—now collapsed into his arms, probably too sleepy to resist.

Thud, thud. Only his footsteps echoed softly through the empty corridor. Had she gained a little weight? Heavier than the smaller Adrian, but still, she felt endlessly small.

"...So Daddy was the Tooth Fairy."

Leticia mumbled, her face buried in his neck. Fabian paused.

"I thought it was Nanny..."

"..."

It was something he hadn't expected a six-year-old to say. After a moment's thought, he replied:

"I came to check that the Tooth Fairy left the coin properly."

"Pff... Daddy thinks I'm a real kid."

A ticklish giggle spread through the air. Fabian silently stroked her back. How had she found out? Had the nanny slipped? Or had she heard from the annex children? Children loved to show off what they'd learned—so the older ones had likely told her. Why did that realization feel so disappointing?

What if he hadn't used monster subjugation as an excuse to leave the manor? What if he'd been there every time she lost a baby tooth? Even if he couldn't give her a celebration like Adrian's, he could have placed a coin by her pillow himself. Maybe then he could have seen her joy when the Tooth Fairy brought her a coin.

"The Grand Duke didn't hear you, did he?"

"It's not Grand Duke—it's Young Grand Duke. And you should call him Rian now."

"Oh, right..."

Leticia smiled sheepishly at her mistake. She still messed up the title sometimes—clearly, she wasn't entirely comfortable with Adrian yet. Still, seeing them play together today, he needn't worry too much. What troubled him more was that his daughter had already learned the truth about the Tooth Fairy.

"He didn't seem to know. The Tooth Fairy is quite nimble, you see."

At his absurd excuse, Leticia giggled again. When they reached the kitchen, Fabian set her down. He belatedly realized he could have just brought water to her room, but he shook his head—he wouldn't be able to carry her like this for much longer.

She must have been very thirsty—Leticia gulped down half a glass of water noisily. It was oddly fascinating that this little creature could talk, sleep, and drink.

"More?"

"I'm fine."

Fabian lifted her again, his steps careful.

"Daddy, you know..."

"Yes?"

"Do you know what my favorite bread is?"

It was that question again. Fabian chuckled and patted her back.

"Strawberry cake."

"Ah, I said it's daddy..."

Her sleepy voice mumbled in protest. It struck him as so endearing that he couldn't help but smile.

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