TIDSF 27

Chapter 27

Dad kept feeding me as if I were a little bird, even while casting me side glances as I smiled.

“All done, Princess?”

“Yesss.”

Just as Dad stood up with me in his arms—

“Your Grace, what are your plans regarding the remaining debt and future management? The debt is paid, but the duchy’s finances are still tight. There’s no income stream, and taxes will continue to drain us.”

“Well, can’t we just sell more of that Aurora Diamond or whatever it is?”

Dad glanced at me.

“Let’s talk about that again in a few days.”

With that, he held me in one arm and took Aiden’s hand with the other, walking out of the dining room.

He walked upright, heels not dragging, but the moment he entered my room, he leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor.

“Haaah… Is this really the right way, Princess?”

“Yep! 200 out of 100 points!”

I beamed and gave a double thumbs-up.

“Daddy’s the best, a genius! You were especially noble-like today!”

I clung to his arm and showered him with affection.

Men are simple creatures. A few compliments go a long way to motivate them.

“Well then. That’s good to hear.”

Dad chuckled and gently patted my head with his large hand.

“……”

My real dad never did that before he died.

‘Uncle used to do that more often, come to think of it.’

Well, that makes sense. Back then, Dad was always a hero—more for others than for his family.

He was the kind of person who felt more sorry for a sick child of a vassal than for his own feverish daughter.

Hopelessly altruistic and foolishly self-sacrificing, he always brought home guarantees, debts, or lost orphans.

The main character and hero of the novel’s first part—my father—was someone for everyone, but never the protagonist in our family’s story.

He demanded his family be frugal, honest, and humble.

And Uncle hated that, so they often argued and raised their voices at each other.

‘If I’m honest, Uncle felt more like a dad to me.’

Still…

Even so… he was my dad.

A sudden memory made my nose sting.

“Dad.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

He was still squatting, and when he replied, I shook my head with a smile.

I just wanted to call him. When I said so, he scoffed and said I was being silly.

“You’ve got class with Grandpa in an hour, right?”

“Yeah. You said someone was coming—will you be okay without me?”

“Yup.”

I nodded lightly.

It was the promised visit with Ardian, who had come by before to talk about the regional guild branch.

Two months had finally passed.

‘Though the duke of the mansion has changed in that time…’

The deal itself shouldn’t be too affected… hopefully.

“Dad, do you have anything planned before class?”

“I’m sleepy, so I’m gonna nap a bit.”

Dad scratched his head and got up.

“So, I’m borrowing your room. You two—go play and get to know each other. You’re supposed to be siblings, right? If you don’t want to get side-eyes at the next banquet, better practice now.”

Making up a convenient excuse, Dad grabbed both me and Aiden by the scruff of our necks and dangled us out the door before plopping us down.

Thud.

The door shut.

“Wait, this is my room…”

Click.

Locked.

I was too stunned to speak.

When I turned, Aiden was standing with his arms crossed, looking displeased.

He always looked annoyed whenever he saw me.

‘Like some grumpy cat…’

That’s why I kept my distance to avoid conflict.

Maybe because of his long illness, in the original novel he was depicted as prickly, cynical, and pessimistic.

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Come here.”

Aiden turned sharply and walked toward his room, just a short distance away, then gestured with a nod.

I quietly followed him in. Aiden rubbed under his nose and gave a little snort.

“How old are you?”

“Seven…?”

Why is he suddenly asking that?

“I’m nine.”

Puffing out his chest, he looked quite proud.

“That means I’m older than you.”

“Mm-hmm.”

That’s true.

I nodded and looked at him closely.

As expected from our shared genes, he was stunningly beautiful.

Pale skin, silver-gray hair, and crimson eyes that really drew attention.

Even from a distance, anyone could tell he was Calix’s son.

“……”

“……”

So… why are we standing here like enemies?

Just as I thought that, Aiden dramatically pointed at me with one hand on his hip, as if he had uncovered a major error.

“You’re not calling me ‘Oppa.’”

Oh, that.

I awkwardly rubbed my lips and drooped my eyes.

“Sorry… Oppa. I thought you didn’t like me…”

“Why would I?”

“You always glare at me…”

His eyes widened at my murmur, and his small mouth fell open.

“That’s…! No! You kept avoiding me, so I was just… trying to find the right chance… You and Dad always talk about hard stuff, and I don’t understand any of it.”

As he spoke, Aiden’s voice grew shaky and tearful.

Uh-oh.

“Dad said we’re family. But he only ever hangs out with you…”

Sniff, sniff.

I didn’t mean to make him cry…

But with all the time spent transferring responsibilities, teaching Dad how to be a duke, and being holed up in the office, it makes sense he’d feel left out.

From his perspective, I came out of nowhere and stole his dad. Of course he’d want to be included.

“Sorry for taking your dad.”

“No.”

Aiden shook his head fiercely and waved his hands in denial.

“We’re family now!”

He shouted.

“I actually always wanted a sibling. Especially a little sister… since I don’t have a mom… So I’m really happy to have you.”

“……”

“And you healed me too. I wanted to be friends, but I never got the chance…”

He mumbled shyly.

“So… can I be your big brother?”

Pause.

My eyes shifted.

Honestly, this whole “family” thing was just a surface-level arrangement.

It was a contractual relationship—and my plan was for us to go our separate ways in ten years.

“Ack! You ugly thing! What happened to you—why are you soaked like that? You were already hideous, and now you look even worse!”
“…”
“So, who was it?”

But Aiden’s words suddenly brought back a long-forgotten memory.

A time before my awful legal sibling had turned into garbage.

I sighed and rubbed my temples.

‘This really isn’t the time to get lost in dumb nostalgia.’

“Yes, of course.”

I smiled brightly.

Someday, Aiden would come to understand the true nature of my ‘contract family’ with Dad. And anyway, he was way cuter and more respectful than my old trash sibling!

That alone made him a win.

‘How can a kid be this great?’

As I nodded with satisfaction—

“Alright! From today, you’re officially my little sister! I’ll protect you!”

Aiden grinned proudly and declared.

I nodded and pulled out an old pocket watch, holding it out to him.

“It’s time for class.”

Aiden’s face turned dark.

For the record, Aiden also took lessons from Uncle along with Dad.

“I’ll come by later, when class ends.”

It was about time for Ardian to arrive.