DSMBL Chapter 56

Chapter 56

“You’re not leaving, right?”
“I told you, I’m not.”

I pushed Theo’s forehead away as he clung to me like glue. Why was he awake and causing a fuss?

I let out a deep sigh.

I glared at him sharply.

“Why are you out of bed?”

“…Because I had a nightmare.”

The child puffed out his cheeks and mumbled.

“So, I asked the head maid to take me to you.”

He must have received a reprimand for it. But that was not something Theo needed to hear.

Anyway, thanks to that, I now had a clingy child stuck to me. I handed Theo over to Cassius, who was holding on tightly.

“I think it’s best if we all just go to sleep now.”

“…What about our conversation?”

Cassius asked sharply, holding Theo effortlessly.

“Promise me you won’t say anything like that ever again.”

“…Alright.”

His voice carried a hint of relief. Cassius finally sighed in relief and nodded.

“Don’t think about anything. Just sleep.”

“Yes.”

He hesitated for a moment, but when Theo started whining, he finally closed the door.

I let out a breath and turned around. It felt like I could finally breathe.

“…I was worrying for nothing.”

All the thoughts that had been bothering me vanished. I felt lighter as I walked to my bed.

Step by step, my heart felt at ease.

I flopped onto the bed with a big smile.

“Ahhh!”

I screamed but quickly shut my mouth. I must be crazy.

I wanted a divorce, but now that I’m not getting one, I’m happy? Have you lost your mind, Charlotte?

But… that’s how I really felt.

I must have become more attached than I realized.

I liked Theo. I liked this mansion. I liked the people here.

And most of all, I liked Cassius.

I liked Cassius.

Since when?

For how long?

It didn’t matter.

I closed my eyes and embraced the feeling.

This was my emotion.

Not the feelings of Charlotte, the owner of this body but my feelings.

I like Cassius.

I bit my lip.

“I like him. I really do.”

The more I repeated it, the clearer my emotions became.

I hugged my pillow tightly and rolled around on the bed.

The original story was completely ruined, but was it okay for me to feel this happy?

Things were going to change.

Events that should have happened might not happen now.

And events that weren’t supposed to happen might take place instead.

Maybe, just like in the original story, we won’t be able to close the monster gate.

After all, without Lorencia’s help, it was impossible.

From what I had seen, Lorencia was a decent person.

She wasn’t overly passionate about teaching the children, but she was a good teacher.

If she had been cruel to them, Stephanie and Theo would have noticed first.

“…Then maybe, even if she doesn’t become the duchess, she can still help us.”

My excitement faded slightly.

I felt guilty for not telling Cassius that Lorencia could be helpful.

Of course, there was no way to explain it to him.

I couldn’t say I read this in a novel, and claiming I saw the future would sound ridiculous.

If I could see the future, then I should have seen my own kidnapping coming.

With so many unexpected changes, no excuse would sound believable.

That’s why I hadn’t told Cassius.

“What if Lorencia pretends not to know anything?”

I bit my lip anxiously.

I hadn’t read the part where Lorencia helped close the monster gate.

Or rather, I had skipped over it.

I was never a fan of conflicts or major events.

I only read the sweet, romantic parts and skimmed over the rest.

If I had known this would happen, I would have read everything properly.

I sighed again.

“I need to meet Lorencia again.”

Not just to observe her lessons, but to talk to her personally.

Since I was staying as the duchess, I needed to understand the situation.

And…

It would also be a good idea to catch the rats secretly draining money from the duchy, just like Lorencia did in the original story.

The nanny was likely connected to them.

If I followed her, I could find them.

“Hmm.”

Besides, I remembered a few of them myself.

Worst Viscount, Lumens Baron, and Mers Count—

The three biggest traitors who stole the most money.

“To find the rest, I need to investigate the nanny.”

I licked my lips.

Since I was going to live as the duchess, I might as well do it properly.

Lorencia was an excellent role model, so it shouldn’t be too hard.

And I had allies.

I would make sure no one regretted choosing me.

This had nothing to do with my feelings for Cassius.

This was about responsibility.

So I would do my best.

***

Meanwhile…

Theo stomped his foot.

“Theo, you need to sleep to grow taller.”

The head maid tried to soothe him, but he didn’t seem to hear her.

He paced around the room anxiously.

Stephanie watched him, tilting her head.

“Is this emotional instability?”

“It’s not that, Spaghetti! I’m just worried that sister-in-law will leave! Ugh, this is all my brother’s fault!”

Theo puffed up his cheeks and yelled.

“…Young master.”

The head maid called him with a troubled look, but she didn’t deny his words.

“Think about it, Spaghetti! I’ve been thinking, and I don’t think my brother treats Charlotte well.”

“In what way? Humans are complicated.”

Spaghetti tilted her head cutely.

“That’s just what I think.”

Theo mumbled, chewing on his lip.

Since he had spent most of his time lying in bed, he didn’t have much experience. He had no idea how a loving couple was supposed to act.

“Then Theo can help.”

“Me? How?”

“Books. Books are called a treasure trove of knowledge. There’s nothing they don’t have.”

“But I can’t read difficult books yet.”

“I can.”

Stephanie said solemnly.

“Then can you read the books for me?”

“If you want, I’ll give it a try.”

This time, Theo quickly turned to the headmaid.

“Do books like that really exist?”

“They probably do.”

“Then we need to go to the bookstore tomorrow! Stephanie, let’s go out.”

“Go out? The adults will stop us. They think we’re too stupid to do anything.”

“They don’t think we’re stupid. They’re just trying to protect us because we’re young.”

“Stephanie is a dragon. Dragons protect themselves.”

“But even you have things you’re afraid of.”

“…Things I’m afraid of?”

Stephanie recalled the creature she had encountered in the forest.

Filthy, disgusting lifeforms.

Sharp teeth that tore through flesh, glowing yellow eyes, and the stench of death.

“Yes. Even I have things that scare me. Ugh, that thing had really, really scary teeth.”

Stephanie shivered.

“See? That’s what they’re protecting us from.”

“Can humans even defeat those things?”

“Of course! My brother is super strong! He’s the best knight in the North!”

Theo puffed out his chest with pride, completely forgetting how he had been criticizing Cassius just moments ago.

“People say my brother can defeat any monster! That’s why the North is safe! Spaghetti, if you see him use a sword, you’ll be shocked! He is the strongest person you’ve ever seen!”

Theo lifted his chin confidently.

Cassius was his pride.

“He said that if I train, I can become a knight just like him! When that happens, I’ll protect you, Spaghetti!”

Stephanie looked at Theo with a strange expression.

His soft, tiny body didn’t seem reliable at all.

Feeling her doubtful gaze, Theo’s face turned bright red.

He shouted loudly.

“I’m serious! You don’t know anything, Spaghetti!”