Chapter 54.1

I was so embarrassed that for a long time I just murmured like a fish.

“Why? Do you like it?”

“No.”

At my words, the Grand Duke was silent for a while. No. I was also at a loss for words. What the hell was I supposed to say?

That was then…

“Ah. That’s it. It’s so big that you don’t know where to decide.”

“Oh, no. This is so ridiculous… Land.”

“You don’t have to be burdened. Not something I can do enough for my daughter.”

“…No. I feel a lot of pressure. Why are you doing this to me? I don’t need land or a country.”

But even when I said I was fine, he was adamant.

“I wanted to give a proper present, at least on the princess’s birthday. Bebe, didn’t you say last time that you don’t need either this or that? So this is the best one.”

I’d rather say something else. What do you mean ‘country’? ‘Land’?

Which one was the best? Which one?

‘What the foal gave me was better.’

“But…”

“If it is too burdensome, I can give you a little piece of land closest to here. It’s a place where you don’t have to fight a separate war of conquest. Is it the land of the Grand Duke? Will it be okay then?”

You are too burdensome, so I had a feeling that I had to choose it with care.

“No… I…”

“Even for later.”

Having said that, I couldn’t resist anymore.

“Okay. So it has to be a very small piece of land?”

“Okay!”

I knew it. It’s too much to compare with what Allen gave, but he was already smiling.

‘Does he like it?’

Why?

Wasn’t a gift only good for the recipient? But the Grand Duke was smiling brighter than ever. With an expression and gaze I had never seen before, I looked at him with curiosity, and then he quickly hardened his face.

Why?

“It’s exciting.”

“What?”

“No. just… everything. Interesting. You prepared this for me.”

“But that’s not all.”

My face, which was about to relax for a moment, hardened again.

“Are you there again?”

“Of course. The gifts in front of me are from those who couldn’t attend. And I’m here to give the rest.”

“…When did you come around like that?”

“After showing your needs, when I said I would officially accept you into the Grand Duchy, I waited to prepare a gift. I heard it was your birthday, and so it just happened like that.”

Rather, the Grand Duke hardened his face as he looked at the gifts and people laid out in a row.

“Anyway, it’s a gift, so take it. But before that, I think I should give you my last present.”

“Last gift? Do you have any more? Not just this chair and the land?”

At my words, he nodded slowly. Then he sat down in front of me with his back to the people who pretended to come to me with gifts at any moment.

“Give me.”

“…Leave it out.”

“…Huh?”

“Why are you giving me Daddy?”

“Ah. S-So it doesn’t mean anything else, Bebe.”

He had become somewhat affectionate and hurriedly waved his hand.

“…Then what is it?”

“I’m going to give you all as your dad…”

“That’s it.”

“So… um… it means that I will become a real father who will never let you go no matter what.”

At that, he quickly nodded his head.

“You should have said that from the beginning! Great!”

“Huh? Y-You like it?”

“Yeah! That’s good.”

He smiled brightly and nodded his head.

“No one is bothering you now. So tell me what you really want to achieve. Don’t say that you’re going to make me the emperor.”

“Well, I will! I will overthrow the Emperor.”

“I do not accept.”

“Huh?”

The Grand Duke, who somehow proudly stretched his shoulders, got up from his seat.

“Wh-What do you accept?”

But he made a meaningful expression and then turned his body around. The important part was not even mentioned.

“Here. Then let those who will give Bebe a gift to give to her.”

While murmuring, he stood next to me and gave a chin to those standing in the drawing room. Then, one by one, they came to me with presents.

The procession of gifts from unknown people lasted quite a while.

Gifts piled up to a point far beyond the height of the Grand Duke.

‘How the hell did you know and come all the way here?’

I just woke up, and they came with endless presents, as if they had been preparing for days.

However, when the gift came in, the expression of the Grand Duke, who ordered the attendant next to him to open and check it, became increasingly hard.

‘Am I getting too many presents?’

“…From now on, I have to decide the price of the present. How did they bring only such good things? I can give these things to you, so please return the ones that are too expensive.”

“M-My Lord?”

“Hmm… this would be a good gift for a child. A tiara studded with jewels… or shoes made entirely of diamonds.”

Seeing the Grand Duke talking to himself without saying anything to me, he pressed his lips together.

“I won’t take gifts. It’s okay.”

“Huh?”