Chapter 6
Law of Romance Fantasies, Clause 1-3: You always somehow fail to hear the male lead’s confession or an important clue—but you catch every insult loud and clear.
“Excuse me, I can hear everything you’re saying? Shouldn’t you be escorting the Duke now?”
“Uh, um…!”
The woman flushed bright red, but perhaps because she already knew I was to be adopted into the ducal family, she didn’t add anything else. Clicking my tongue inwardly, I turned and walked toward the Duke’s room.
Knock knock.
“Duke, I’ve brought the young lady.”
The moment the door opened, the woman’s voice transformed 180 degrees. Peeking inside, I saw the Duke sitting on a sofa, waiting for me.
So I’m a “young lady” now? Looks like she’s putting on a different face in front of the Duke.
Amused by the woman’s two-faced nature, I took a seat across from the Duke. He spoke as soon as I sat down.
“You seemed to be sleeping soundly, so I didn’t wake you. Are you feeling well enough to talk now?”
“Yes. But… I’d prefer if it were just the two of us. I’m a little uncomfortable with a third person present.”
I cast a sideways glance at the woman who had brought me here. In response, the Duke instructed her to wait outside, and her face twisted with visible resentment.
Once we were alone, the Duke asked me,
“Did something happen on the way here with the head maid?”
“The head maid?”
That woman is the head maid? That explains why she kept walking around with her nose in the air.
“Yes. She’s supposed to help you adjust to life in this mansion. If there’s anything you don’t know, ask Emma.”
Does this Duke not know how to judge people, or is he just clueless about the world?
“No, I’ll ask someone else. I don’t want anything to do with her.”
When I firmly rejected his suggestion, he asked why.
“Well, it’s because…”
“…Yes?”
“I think she doesn’t like me.”
“That’s impossible. Emma was the happiest when she heard you’d be coming.”
Looks like I’ve got a tougher opponent than I thought.
“She may seem cold, but she’s a warm person inside… She practically raised our Rose.”
Ah, so that explains it. Her hostility toward me.
“If it was a misunderstanding, I’m sure it’ll clear up soon.”
“I hope you can get along well with everyone in the household. I want you to feel at ease here.”
“If I’m to feel comfortable here, then your role is the most important, Duke. You know that, right? But first, can I hear some basic information about the ducal family before we finalize the contract?”
The Duke chuckled at my assertiveness and began explaining the Delphinium family.
…And the information I got was utterly useless.
He went on and on about how brilliant his eldest son was, how smart the second was, and how indescribably adorable the third was.
And the garden is beautiful…? What does that have to do with my adoption, you overindulgent father?
I couldn’t help but feel doubtful. Can I really trust this Duke and be adopted into his family? Maybe I should just refuse…
“…And the estate that will be given to you…”
—was an enormous amount of money.
Even though this adoption comes at the risk of my life, it didn’t seem so bad to live like a noble until the real daughter appears.
They say never take in a black-haired beast, but I have green hair right now, so I guess I’m safe.
“Shall we write up the contract now, Duke Delphinium?”
Contract
Sitting across from the Duke to write the contract, a major issue came up.
“Duke…”
“Yes?”
“I… don’t have a name!”
The Duke’s eyes widened as if realizing this for the first time. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he asked,
“Now that you mention it, I never asked. Sorry. Is there a name you’d like?”
“I’d like something with ‘Se’ and ‘A’ in it.”
“‘Se’ and ‘A’…”
The Duke pondered for a long while and then spoke.
“LaSettia.”
“…?”
“How about LaSettia?”
LaSettia… A new name containing my original name, ‘Se-A.’
“I like it. It sounds good.”
“Alright. Then you’re now LaSettia Delphinium.”
“We haven’t even signed the contract yet.”
I drew a firm boundary, and the Duke looked at me as if I were cute. The intensity of his gaze was enough to make anyone dizzy, so I closed my eyes tightly and calmed my mind.
It was too soon to let my guard down. I pulled myself together, reminding myself not to be softened by a simple contract.
Until my safety is fully guaranteed, I’ll take my time and make sure this world really is the family-healing genre I think it is. Stay alert.
Contract
LaSettia’s Conditions
Duke Delphinium shall actively cooperate to help LaSettia adapt well to the family.
If LaSettia encounters any unjust situations while staying in the household, she shall be given the right to raise complaints, and compensation will be given in monetary form.
LaSettia shall not be discriminated against compared to other children.
LaSettia shall not be given unreasonable demands or forced into anything.
LaSettia shall not be expected to repay her upbringing.
“Duke.”
“Yes?”
“Is there no Duchess? I’m concerned that you’re making such an important decision alone.”
I looked up at him mid-contract.
I already knew he wanted to adopt me because I resembled someone important to him. That’s a common romance fantasy cliché.
It’s usually the wife who was chronically ill or passed away while giving birth to the youngest child, and her precious daughter is the most common comparison.
If it’s the wife, things usually turn out better. Adopting a child who resembles your deceased wife means there’s a 99.9% chance you’ll treat them well.
But if it’s the daughter… 80% chance of execution ending. The remaining 19.9% is being killed by the male leads.
What’s the difference between the two? I don’t know. It’s still an unresolved mystery in romance fantasy clichés.
Now, if the daughter wasn’t dead but lost, that’s serious.
Because in this genre, “lost” usually means “comes back seemingly normal on the outside.”
So, which one is it for this Duke?
He did say I looked like his daughter… But who is he truly projecting onto me?
Is he seeing his wife’s reflection in me, or his daughter’s?
“My wife passed away while giving birth to our youngest daughter. And our Rose… resembled her mother very much.”
“….”
“Now that I think about it, I couldn’t protect either of them.”
So, it was the wife… Still, I need some insurance.
Contract
LaSettia’s Conditions (revised)
If the real daughter returns, she will be disowned. However, enough money to ensure a basic livelihood will be provided upon dismissal.
“I hope you don’t feel guilty seeing me as your wife and daughter.”
“…”
“I’ll be grateful, sure. But it’d be strange if you felt guilty, wouldn’t it?”
I laid the contract on the table and added,
“I’m neither your wife nor your daughter, Rose. If you’re done thinking, please take a look at my terms?”
The Duke picked up the contract and carefully read what I had written. After a thorough read, he set the paper back down.
“Number six… how about changing that one? ‘Disown’ is too harsh. Even if Rose were to return, I would never disown you.”
But that’s something you don’t know yet. Right now, you’re clinging to me only because your real daughter isn’t here.
“Then I’ll revise it a bit.”
At his request, I crossed out Clause 6 and wrote a new one.
If the real daughter appears, LaSettia shall be disowned. However, enough money will be provided for basic living expenses.
If LaSettia becomes involved in any unfortunate situation after the real daughter returns, the Duke must trust her words at least once. If not, she may be disowned.
(Examples: being poisoned by the real daughter, being framed, etc.)
Upon reading the revised clause, the Duke looked completely dumbfounded.
“Poisoned…? Framed?”
“It’s just a precaution. Who knows what someone might do if they don’t like me staying in this household after the real daughter returns?”
“Well… I suppose…”
“Now it’s your turn, Duke. Add whatever terms you want.”
With a serious expression, the Duke began writing his own clause beneath mine.
“Take a look.”
Given how grim his face had been, I braced myself for something unreasonable. But when I finally looked at the completed contract, I felt as if I’d been hit in the head with a hammer.
7. LaSettia, as a member of House Delphinium, must make an effort to adapt to the household.
