Chapter 3
‘Wow, this is extravagant.’
I sat quietly in the middle of a reception room that looked like three rooms combined, rolling only my eyes around.
Even Belroa seemed intimidated by the sheer size of the room, clinging tightly to my side.
‘And so flashy, too.’
Was it to prove he had no wrinkles on his brain?
Or maybe he figured it didn’t matter since I’d take the fall anyway.
My half-brother used to blatantly invite his fellow scam accomplices into the mansion and let them lounge in the parlor.
Thanks to that, the Tekins Count’s reception room was so ridiculously luxurious that people talked about it constantly.
So naturally, I thought, “Oh, this must be what grandeur looks like.”
‘But no.’
Compared to the Grand Duke Leandro’s manor, the Count Tekins’ reception room was… how should I put it?
Average? Humble?
No, even those words were too kind. If I had to pick one…
‘It’s totally nouveau riche.’
Yes, that’s exactly what it was.
The colors, the layout, everything.
It was packed to the brim with only the most expensive furniture.
But the Grand Duke Leandro’s reception room? Even the tiniest trinket, even a single flower, was placed with thoughtful intention.
The care and detail in every corner were plainly visible.
‘The rest of the house must be like this too, right?’
Belroa will grow up happy here—in a lovely mansion, surrounded by good people, and loved by the Grand Duke.
Happy, without a single worry.
‘It’s a strange feeling.’
I blinked as I absentmindedly fiddled with my fingers.
Belroa was going to live happily here.
I already knew that. I’d read the original story.
But still, seeing it in person made the feeling hit differently.
Somehow, it felt even more overwhelming.
“My sweet Belroa.”
I gently called her while stroking her hair. Belroa peeked up at me with just her eyes.
“You’ve found your family now.”
The only shadows that remained on her path were the events mentioned in the original novel.
But she would overcome them.
After all, she wouldn’t be walking that path alone—she’d have someone firmly on her side.
And in the story, she did overcome them.
And I would drop her some hints before I left, too.
‘It’s a shame I couldn’t read Part 2.’
If I could just tell her everything, I’d feel more at ease.
Feeling a little wistful, I hugged Belroa tightly.
“From now on, only happiness awaits you.”
“Wuun?”
Whether she understood or not, Belroa blinked her innocent eyes and smiled.
And at the same time, her nose began to run…
Don’t eat it!
Wait, wait—where’s the handkerchief?
“Excuse me.”
As I urgently wiped her nose with my sleeve, the parlor door opened, and an older woman stepped inside. Her brown hair was neatly tied back.
“I thought you might be cold, so I brought some warm tea.”
“Thank you.”
I accepted the teacup and subtly looked at her face.
Just in case she was someone I might recognize from the original novel.
‘I have no clue.’
Maybe I’d remember if I heard her name.
Just knowing she had brown hair, light green eyes, and was of a certain age wasn’t enough to identify her.
She might’ve had a very minor role, or none at all.
“Ahh.”
“Belroa?”
Suddenly, Belroa moved, making me widen my eyes.
Just moments ago, when the woman entered, Belroa had been hiding behind me, wary of the unfamiliar place and stranger.
But now—
“Hehe.”
She smiled brightly at the woman. And then… she cried.
A tear welled up in the corner of her eye.
What…?
I blinked.
Surely they didn’t know each other? Belroa was still a baby when she came to the Tekins family.
“Oh, my.”
Snapping out of my daze at the woman’s voice, I saw Belroa clinging to her, clearly asking to be held.
“Belroa, come here. You must be so frightened. I’m sorry.”
Wow, just look at her—she’s stuck to her like glue!
“Haha, it’s alright.”
Though a little surprised, the woman smiled warmly despite her voice trembling slightly.
“She must really like me. What a darling little one.”
“Wuuuu…”
The woman held Belroa like she’d done it a thousand times, gently patting her back.
“She might just be fussy because she’s sleepy.”
“Do you think so?”
“Oh yes. Little ones fuss a lot when they’re tired.”
The woman smiled softly.
“My daughter was the same at that age. I always had to hold her to sleep. This brings back memories.”
Her quiet chuckle was full of joy.
“I see.”
Though honestly, I didn’t think Belroa’s reaction was just sleepiness. I tilted my head, unconvinced.
Knock.
My thoughts were interrupted.
Knock.
I turned toward the door just as a heavy knock rang out, followed by the door opening.
A man stepped inside.
Twice the size of any average man, with black hair partially covering his features—and yet still, the sharp lines of his face couldn’t be hidden.
‘Our eyes met.’
His piercing golden eyes.
The same golden eyes as Belroa’s.
The novel ⟨The Real Princess Only Walks Flower Roads⟩ described it many times—Belroa and the Grand Duke Leandro had the same eye color.
But still…
‘…He’s terrifying.’
Belroa’s eyes were warm, like gemstones. Leandro’s eyes looked like they could devour me whole at any moment.
‘Predator’s eyes.’
Like a wild beast’s gaze, set on prey.
Had I taken this deal with the Grand Duke too lightly?
That thought alone weighed down on me like a ton of bricks.
I unconsciously reached up to touch my neck.
“Grand Duke Leandro.”
As I froze in place, the older woman respectfully bowed.
“Lady Salisbury.”
The Grand Duke’s gaze moved from me to the woman.
“This is the one who brought my niece?”
“Yes, Your Grace. This is Lady Ermia Tekins. The young lady appears to be asleep now, so for the time being—”
“No.”
Even his voice was heavy.
If we’d met under different circumstances, I might have found it attractive, like a deep cave echo.
Trying to distract myself, I nervously twisted my dress fabric. But then, I felt his gaze land back on me.
Ugh, I can’t breathe.
“Come with me. This place is not suitable for important discussion.”
He turned, gesturing for me to follow. Wait, that’s it?
“Excuse me!”
He paused just before leaving the parlor and turned his head.
Ack—those eyes are scary!
But I had to speak.
“Belroa.”
Clutching my skirt, I twisted my neck and forced out a voice.
“Aren’t you going to see Belroa before you go?”
So far, all he’d seen was the back of Belroa’s head, buried in the maid’s arms.
Sure, it was adorably round, but still.
“She’s your niece.”
Shouldn’t he at least confirm it?
Besides, in the novel ⟨The Real Princess Only Walks Flower Roads⟩, their first meeting was described as incredibly emotional.
Even if the situation had changed a lot, this wasn’t right!
“Hm.”
He slowly glanced at Belroa again. Then, the lips that had been tightly shut parted.
“Is that necessary?”
Necessary?
Did he just say necessary?
“I don’t even know if she’s real or a fake.”
His sharp golden eyes narrowed.
“Let’s talk first, Lady Tekins.”
He gestured lightly toward the hallway. His hair shifted slightly with the motion.
“If you prefer, you may take the child and return to Count Tekins’ manor now.”
At first glance, it sounded polite. But beneath the surface, it was steeped in arrogance and disdain.
I let out a dry laugh.
‘He’s already decided I’m a con artist, hasn’t he?’
Fine. Let’s do this.
I stood up with a sweet smile and briskly approached him until I was standing right in front of him.
“…”
His brow twitched as if annoyed.
But I didn’t care.
Still smiling like I knew nothing, I opened my mouth.
“Let’s go. I’m far too curious to wait any longer for what we’re about to discuss.”
“…Very well.”
After staring down at me in silence for a moment, the Grand Duke turned away.
I followed him without hesitation.
Alright.
Let’s do this.
