Chapter 27
My dad rolled even more enthusiastically on the bed when I didn’t respond.
[What is your father doing?]
… I don’t know either.
[His behavior is more childish than that of an eight-year-old…]
Exactly…
At this moment, I should be saying, “Don’t talk bad about my dad,” but looking at him like that, I just couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“……”
[…]
I looked at Dad with a slightly exasperated expression and eventually uncrossed my arms.
“Ugh!! Fine! Just one night, right? If I sleep here one night, you won’t ask me to come again?”
“Of course! But we have to eat breakfast, too! Please, Eve, I want breakfast too!”
“Ughh… Alright. Just until breakfast. No more than that, we’re going back before lunch.”
“Yes! Thank you, my daughter! Ahaha, my daughter is the best!”
Dad grinned from ear to ear and pulled me into a hug. It felt like he was muttering, “Mission accomplished,” under his breath.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Ah, nothing, sweetie.”
He suspiciously laughed and wiped sweat from his forehead.
I didn’t know what Dad had said, but I decided to pretend I didn’t hear it.
“Let’s change into pajamas and wash up. I’ll ask someone to bring some washing water.”
Dad got up and headed for the door. There was a bell on the nightstand the maid had left in case we needed anything, but neither of us rang it.
“Hmm… But Dad, this place is weird, right? There are so many clothes that are my size. They all look brand new. Maybe a girl around my age lives here?”
Dad opened the door and, spotting a maid, greeted her with a bright smile.
“Hmm… I don’t think so. Uh, could you bring us some washing water? Yes, thank you so much.”
“Then why are there so many girl’s clothes?”
“Who knows… Maybe the Duke was expecting someone he wanted to see?”
Dad trailed off.
I didn’t ask any further.
Before long, two maids came in, one carrying a basin of water and the other carrying my change of clothes. Dad’s change of clothes came along as well.
“Lady Eve, would you like help changing into your pajamas?”
The maid with the basin asked kindly.
My eyes sparkled at the familiar voice and kind face.
‘It’s her!’
It was the kind older maid! The one who found me sitting in the hallway and came to get me.
“If the pajamas are uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to tell us. I can bring you another set. Lady Charlotte said this size would fit you perfectly, Lady Eve…”
She held up the small pajamas against my body.
I quickly took the pajamas from her.
“Yes! Thank you for bringing them. But I can change on my own, so no need to worry.”
“Oh my, you already know how to dress yourself…!”
She looked at me with sparkling eyes full of admiration.
At that moment, I remembered something I’d heard before: “Nobles don’t lift a finger.”
Wait… do nobles have someone dress them every day?
‘Even toddlers where I used to live could dress themselves!’
[Fool. The clothes you wear and the ones noble children wear are different. Aren’t you wearing one right now? A child with short arms couldn’t possibly wear that without help.]
Ex splashed cold water on my thoughts.
Is that so?
Come to think of it, dressing in this outfit was a bit tricky.
Several maids had to tie my ribbons and layer my skirt for me.
[It’ll be hard to take off on your own… You really are hopeless.]
‘…Okay, okay, stop nagging.’
Only after hearing Ex did I regret saying I could change by myself.
Just then…
“You’re so impressive! But Lady Eve, you must be very tired right now, so I, Sitera, would really like to help you change…”
She reached out her slightly rough hand gently.
“Would that be alright?”
Yes, of course.
Not wanting to miss another chance, I quickly grabbed Sitera’s hand.
Her hands were rough from working as a maid, but mine were also a little rough, so I didn’t mind at all.
After changing into pajamas, I lay down on the bed.
The duke’s bed couldn’t even be compared to the hard wooden one we had at home—it was incredibly soft.
And the blankets?
When I buried my face in the fluffy comforter that felt like fresh feathers, I could finally understand why Dad insisted on spending just one night here.
‘Does Dad really like fluffy blankets that much?’
Oof.
I rolled over and looked at Dad, who had already fallen asleep.
But his bed was too far away—I could only see his back.
The room was dark. Though moonlight streamed in between the curtains, it wasn’t enough to see far.
‘He could’ve just slept with me.’
At home, we always slept together, so we could’ve done the same here.
Originally, there had only been one bed in this room.
So, of course, I thought I would be sleeping with Dad.
But as soon as I mentioned wanting to sleep with him—
“Oh, but it’s more comfortable to sleep separately! We prepared it so both of you could sleep well!”
With those words, Sitera brought in another large bed.
“Heave-ho! Heave-ho!”
“…Huh?”
“Ah, please place the bed over there!”
Right after Sitera finished speaking, six servants gently set down the bed.
They were so strong that the giant bed didn’t make a single sound when it was placed.
It was the first time in my life I had seen such a massive bed moved as easily as a folding cot.
Unlike my flustered self, Dad calmly lay on the bed and fell asleep.
“Eve, my daughter. Sleep well. I love you…”
Of course, he didn’t forget to say goodnight to me.
Dad hadn’t missed a single goodnight in the past eight years.
That was how much he treasured and loved me.
Grandpa knew nothing.
“Even if Neil raised her well, how well could he have done? He said he never skipped a meal, but who knows?”
And that’s exactly why I couldn’t forgive what Grandpa said.
So, I’d be going back first thing in the morning.
‘And I won’t come back again.’
I reaffirmed my decision and closed my eyes.
Before long, drowsiness gently crept in.
I closed my eyes.
***
—My dear child, wake up.
—Child… child of Astrid.
A mysterious voice echoed near Eve’s ears.
It felt unfamiliar, and yet, strangely familiar at the same time.
How long had this unknown voice been calling Eve?
Before long, Eve slowly opened her eyes from her deep sleep.
“……”
With a dazed expression, Eve sat up in bed. Her tousled golden hair brushed her soft cheeks.
—Eve.
The voice called again. Eve rubbed her eyes sleepily and looked around.
Neil was fast asleep. The door was shut tight. The curtains covering the windows didn’t even sway.
The room was perfectly still.
‘Then… who called me?’
Eve blinked her bright blue eyes and tried to clear her foggy mind.
And then—
—Eve.
Once again, the mysterious voice called out to Eve Royze.
