♡ Chapter 6 ♡
The man standing at the bedroom entrance looked at me with indifferent eyes.
Instead of answering, I gave a small nod.
“……”
I had already prepared myself for that strange status effect from earlier and tried to stand naturally—but no notification appeared.
…That’s awkward.
Maybe I became immune, or maybe I was too surprised by his sudden visit.
“Get a hold of yourself. This is a chance!”
This wasn’t the time to feel embarrassed.
I planned to immediately expose all the lies that the embezzler had told.
But I couldn’t.
Because Cromwell Duke’s gaze, as he looked around the room, landed on the notebook I hadn’t put away.
“Is this…?”
His eyes stayed on the drawing.
My face heated up.
“Ah, it’s nothing!”
I quickly snatched the notebook out of his sight.
I knew it was rude. I knew there were more urgent matters.
But embarrassment came first.
What if he thought I was neglecting the princess and just doodling?
“…Did you see it?”
I asked carefully, watching his reaction.
If he said yes, I would explain that I only drew during spare time.
That I fulfilled my duties as a nanny.
That I only drew when I had free time…
“…No.”
He answered after a slight pause.
Relieved, I shoved the notebook into my bag.
I could feel his gaze on the back of my head.
“…I saw part of it.”
Maybe I was overthinking—I didn’t hear that part clearly.
“I should’ve hidden it first…”
I swallowed my regret and spoke.
“About what the head maid said in the hallway earlier…”
If Cromwell Duke came to see me, that meant he was willing to hear my side too, right?
A small hope rose.
“You were fired, correct?”
“….”
So he just came to confirm I was fired…?
My brief hope disappeared.
“…Yes, I was fired.”
“Follow me.”
Instead of telling me to leave, he gave an unexpected order.
I didn’t know why I had to follow him, but in any society, a superior’s words are absolute.
I couldn’t risk seeming rude by questioning him.
I need to get another job.
So I silently followed Cromwell Duke.
Soon, I realized we were heading to his office.
“I can’t go in there…”
Unfortunately, my level wasn’t high enough.
The Duke’s office required Level 3 or higher.
Level: 2
I was still a pathetic Level 2.
“Do you have something to say?”
Noticing my expression, he glanced at me.
“Are we going to your office?”
“Yes.”
Is there a problem?
“…I… um…”
I couldn’t explain the system restrictions.
“…The head maid told me to leave the mansion within an hour.”
So I told the truth instead.
“……”
For a moment, his eyes darkened.
“I never fired you.”
“….”
“That is, if you didn’t embezzle.”
“I really didn’t embezzle anything!”
The frustration from earlier came back.
Even if I got fired, I had to prove my innocence.
“The head maid really told me to raise the princess with just 25 gold!”
I was just asking because the pay was too low!
Maybe I shouldn’t have immediately accused her, but—
My long explanation was cut short.
♡SYSTEM♡
Level restriction temporarily lifted.
Ding!
The office door opened.
The room was filled with detailed furniture and decorations far beyond the game’s pixel art.
But that feeling didn’t last long.
“Waaah—! Waaah—!”
A familiar cry echoed.
Without thinking, my body moved.
“Princess, don’t cry. I’m here.”
I immediately took the princess from someone’s arms.
It was rude, but stopping her crying came first.
Apologies could come later.
“Oh my, Princess. Did you miss me that much?”
After patting her for a while, the loud cries gradually quieted.
Only then did I notice there were two other people besides Cromwell Duke and the princess.
“Your Grace, the documents you requested.”
The person holding the baby before was the head butler.
Now free, he handed documents to the Duke.
The other person—
Was Miriam Lynch.
Her face was dark.
The authority she once had as head maid was gone.
What remained was just a pathetic embezzler.
As Cromwell Duke opened the documents, her shoulders trembled.
Silence filled the room.
Only the sound of turning pages could be heard.
Thud.
He finally closed them.
“Since the princess arrived, your spending has increased quite a bit.”
His voice was cold—without anger or disappointment.
Just like speaking to a stranger.
“Would you have continued if you hadn’t been caught?”
‘Is that even a question?’
I thought.
“I’m sorry! I couldn’t help myself when I saw so much money!”
She immediately bowed low.
Of course she apologized to the Duke, not me.
His red eyes briefly glanced at me.
…Was he worried?
“No way.”
I looked away awkwardly.
Miriam Lynch kept talking—things not suitable for a baby to hear.
So I quietly covered the princess’s ears.
“You are dismissed.”
“Your Grace!”
She looked desperate.
“I’ve devoted my whole life to the Cromwell family! Don’t you feel any pity for me?”
The one you should pity is me—trapped here for three years.
“Lorelei, if it weren’t for you! I hired you out of pity, and you betray me like this?!”
She turned her anger toward me.
“Have some conscience! You’ll be cursed!”
She looked ready to attack me.
So I quietly hid behind Cromwell Duke.
Surely she wouldn’t attack him.
But I underestimated her rage.
“Lorelei!”
She rushed toward me.
Before I could hide properly, Cromwell Duke stepped in front.
“What do you think you’re doing in front of me?”
His cold voice stopped her instantly.
“Let go! I’m not done talking!”
At that moment, the butler signaled, and a servant dragged her away.
Finally, the office became quiet.
I calmed the princess again and carefully looked at Cromwell Duke.
Why did he bring me here to show this?
A warning?
If I tried anything, I’d end up like that?
“……”
He frowned, still looking intimidating.
“This is bad for the baby…”
Even I was scared—imagine the princess.
She might not understand death, but she could feel fear.
“Ha…”
As he sighed, I adjusted the baby so she faced away.
“The baby seems to follow you well.”
“…What?”
I asked without thinking.
“I’m trying my best.”
I corrected myself quickly.
He must not stay distant from his daughter.
“I regret that you went through something unfair.”
“…No, it’s okay. It’s resolved. Thank you.”
“Do not think the Cromwell family would be stingy in such matters.”
He said firmly.
“Hasan.”
The butler stepped forward.
“First, we apologize for the inconvenience.”
“No, it’s okay… no one knew…”
What I want isn’t an apology.
It’s money.
“As the princess’s nanny, your weekly pay has been increased. The unpaid wages have also been given.”
♡SYSTEM♡
Stolen wages returned!
Ding!
I was shocked by the number.
“This is insane…”
Now THIS makes sense.
A nanny is a high-level job—220 gold per month was ridiculous.
“It should’ve been like this from the start.”
“The princess’s childcare funds will be provided separately.”
♡SYSTEM♡
[Princess Childcare Funds] unlocked.
Available Gold: 99,999,999…
“If something unfair happens, speak up immediately.”
“Don’t make things complicated.”
…He meant earlier, when I couldn’t speak.
“I was frustrated too.”
I nodded.
“So he can talk normally too…”
In the game, Cromwell Duke only had three lines:
- “Another season has passed.”
- “Her intelligence is…”
- “She is growing well.”
That was it.
So hearing him speak like a normal person felt strange.
While responding casually, I finally looked at his profile.
♡PROFILE♡
Name: Jeremiah Cromwell
“Why is there only a name?”
No other information.
Even minor NPCs had more details.
And worst of all—
I couldn’t see his affection level with the princess.
“Anything else—”
He tried to end the conversation.
But I quickly interrupted.
“Ah! Could you please name the princess?”
“……”
His eyes seemed to say:
“Why hasn’t she been named yet?”
Yeah, seriously.
You brought the baby—at least give her a name.
