Chapter 17.2

“The more I look at you, the more I see you, the more I wonder. There must be a more comfortable way to get my attention, why not use them?”

“Easy always goes away easily.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve always been like that. So I’ll get it the hard way.”

Because of his interest and the reason why I had to be here, I showed my firm will to him and looked at him.

“You sound like an old man. You don’t look like a kid.”

“What do you mean act like a child?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know much about that. No one told me. I didn’t know anything because it was my first time hearing that.”

Before I knew it, the Grand Duke lifted me up like baggage.

“Wh-What are you doing?”

Then he put me on the chair.

As originally intended, the Grand Duke’s actions were devoid of unnecessariness.

He didn’t move even the slightest bit when I yelped.

“I never thought you’d be so surprised. I just wanted to see your face.”

“I was so surprised. I’m not used to you acting… so straightforward.”

Only then did he let out a small sigh and nod his head.

It was as if he was sorry for something.

“Okay, I’ll make sure to tell you and hug you next time around.”

“Okay!”

Only after hearing my answer did the Grand Duke kneel on the floor in front of me and make eye contact with me.

As I felt before, the Grand Duke was very handsome.

I haven’t met many people since I was born, but the Grand Duke’s appearance was the best I’ve ever seen. The more I looked at him, the more I wanted to look at him.

“It seems like your complexion has brightened, unlike before. You looked like you were about to faint at any moment that day.”

“Don’t worry. Even if I look like that, I’m useful.”

With a forced smile, I stretched my chin towards him.

“I think you like the word ‘useful’.”

“I hate that word.”

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m trying. I am practicing not to do it.”

At the time when he was about to respond to me moderately with our nonsensical talk, someone poked his head through the gap in the slightly opened door.

“Your Highness, it’s time for the meeting.”

“I forgot about it for a moment. I came to see you before I went to the meeting. Time really flies when I’m with you.”

My stomach tickled.

“Oh, I see. But why did you come to see me?”

But instead of answering, he reached out to me again.

“I’ll lift you up.”

“Huh? Are you being considerate to me?”

“No consideration. I said it because you were surprised.”

Before I even thought, ‘Is he considerate? Is he kind?’ he held me up again.

Putting his hand between my armpits, he rocked me back and forth like the last time.

This time, he even lifted me up and down to the extent that I thought he was exercising with me.

‘This is ruining my dignity.’

I told him to hold me, but I didn’t tell him to rock me like this.

My mouth pouted automatically, but he didn’t care much about me.

“Looking like this, the clothes are definitely long. I think the shoes are pretty big too.”

“Oh, that’s what you’re looking at.”

“That’s right, but it’s not because I don’t have the intention to give you new clothes. I just happened to have a five-year-old child, so I thought it would fit. I thought it would be quicker to give you those than getting a new one.”

“I know.”

“Why am I making excuses to you?”

I relaxed my body as I watched him spat out an absurd laugh.

Were you trying to treat me normally, and not treat me differently?

‘But I’m ashamed.’

It felt like I could see what’s on his mind, with his eyes looking too closely at me.

Maybe it’s because his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

Eventually, I hastily opened my mouth to distract him.

“But I know! It’s not just an excuse. Dad cares a lot about me.”

“That’s right.”

“Right? And you are not the type of person who would do bad things to me!”

“You are a little brazen at a time like this.”

“Hehe, then I’ll tell you more while I’m at it. You know, I saw it somewhere. You have a wish.”

“Wish?”

“Yes! So let’s make a wish.”

“Do you want anything more than a wish?”

“Yes!”

This was to join the Grand Duchy.

It was more necessary than ever that I become a real child of this family… because it’d wake my mom up.

If I join with confidence, my mother would like it.

“What a huge wish.”

“Uh, uh, I mean. It’s not such a big wish.”

“…I’m more curious to hear that. Do you want a toy that’ll fill the room like the other kids?”

“No.”

“Then a dress that won’t make you shrink no matter what you wear?”

A dress that won’t shrink even if I wear it… That would be a little gross.