TYFGU 34

Episode 34

For the first time, she saw a child with such overwhelming power—and instinctively felt that how he chose to wield it would determine his future.

“No, it’s fine. I already punished her. It’s not something Your Highness needs to intervene in.”

The child frowned, clearly displeased by her answer.

He looked like he might vanish into thin air at any second, so Reyana spoke more firmly.

“I don’t want that.”

She held his golden eyes in her gaze as she spoke.

The child fell silent for a moment before answering her.

“If that’s what you want.”

Theodore backed down surprisingly easily.

“If that’s what I want?”

Something about the phrasing struck her as odd. It sounded as if he would do anything she said.

Silently, the yellow glow in Theodore’s eyes faded.

With his blue eyes restored, the young boy smiled innocently again.

“Your Highness, may I ask for one more promise?”

“A promise?”

Reyana extended her pinky finger and said,

“Promise me you’ll keep this power a secret from others.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s dangerous. If others find out, they might try to harm you.”

There was a demon residing inside Theodore.

People already called him cursed, blaming him for every misfortune. If it became known that a demon truly lived inside him, it would spark a serious uproar.

It would give them a clear reason to eliminate him.

“Please promise me.”

Moved by Reyana’s earnest tone, Theodore hooked his pinky with hers.

“Alright. I promise.”

After making the promise, Theodore fiddled with his pinky and asked,

“What about you?”

“Me?”

“You won’t try to hurt me, even after seeing my power, right?”

He looked at her with belated worry.

He was afraid she might fear him—like the nanny who once ran away terrified.

“I’m fine. I’m not easily scared.”

Contrary to his fears, there wasn’t a trace of fear on Reyana’s face.

“So only show it to me.”

She just smiled brightly.

Reyana got up early in the morning to prepare for work.

Her scheduled leave due to her injury had ended.

When Theodore heard she was going to work, he clung to her clothes.

“Do you have to go?”

“Going to work is something you have to do.”

She crouched to his eye level and explained, thinking she’d gotten through to him.

But that was a mistake.

“Then take me with you.”

Her young fiancé looked ready to sneak into her pocket and go along if only she’d let him.

If that happens, the Duke will definitely scold us both…

“You can’t come to the Royal Knights with me, Your Highness.”

“But what if I miss you… Oh! I’ve got a great idea!”

His eyes sparkled, and Reyana grew instantly uneasy.

“No suddenly appearing out of nowhere. That’s absolutely forbidden.”

Theodore pouted.

“You only ever want to see me when it’s convenient. Reyana doesn’t even like being around me, and I’m the only one who…”

Here it came—his usual pouty tantrum.

After a moment of thought, Reyana came up with a plan.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“You think that’ll convince me?”

“Then… a present?”

Theodore’s shoulders twitched.

This is it. Reyana’s eyes gleamed as she continued.

“I’ll bring you a present when I come back. It’s just my first day back, so it won’t take long.”

“Really? You promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

She extended her pinky again.

Somehow, they were making pinky promises at least once a day.

Is this what being engaged is like… or is this childcare?

It felt like she’d suddenly gained a son she never gave birth to.

Sighing at her fate of being engaged to a child, she finally calmed him down.

She barely managed to tidy her expression and turn around when—

Behind her stood Rita, staring at her with a shocked, borderline blasphemous look in her eyes.

Her legs were still swollen, making her stand awkwardly.

“I’ll be back,” Reyana greeted first.

But she received no response.

So now I’m invisible, huh.

Despite her punishment being no light matter, Rita hadn’t backed down. She must still have something up her sleeve.

Maybe she wrote to the Count?

Regardless, Reyana had no intention of backing down.

With that, she left for her first day back at work since entering the Valencia estate.

Oh right… He works in the same unit.

Reyana let out a quiet sigh when she saw the Duke standing at the front gate.

The stopped carriage, the butler, and even the Duke.

Don’t tell me he wants us to commute together…

Reyana tried hard not to show her discomfort and gave him a polite bow.

“We’re headed to the same place. Let’s go together.”

Oh, heavens really have no mercy.

Unable to refuse, she mumbled,

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She climbed into the carriage and sat across from him.

As she waved back at the butler, she noticed the Duke staring at her and gave him a curious look.

“Is something wrong?”

“Shouldn’t we change how we address each other now?”

Blinking, Reyana soon caught on and smiled.

“Ah, right. I’ve been very rude, Captain.”

“…Do people often say you lack social awareness?”

“No, they usually say I’m too sharp. That I’m annoying because I notice too much.”

“So you didn’t even realize you were being insulted. Definitely clueless, then.”

The Duke muttered, folding his arms, clearly unimpressed.

Reyana glanced sideways at him and asked,

“You’re addressed as Captain while at the palace, aren’t you?”

Not that she ever called him that before.

As a mere junior knight, she had no reason to cross paths with the captain of the 1st Knight Order, so the title wasn’t one she was used to using.

The Duke’s expression shifted to disbelief as she calmly explained.

“Yes. You and I are just captain and knight. You understand that quite well.”

That sounded… sarcastic.

Reyana awkwardly scratched her head, then realization hit her.

She finally understood what the Duke was really hoping to hear.

“You’ve conveniently forgotten how you knelt in front of me and asked to be taken as a daughter-in-law?”

A mischievous smile spread across the Duke’s face as he watched Reyana freeze.

He tilted his chin expectantly, waiting for her to say the word.

Reyana grew flustered, unsure what to call him.

Father-in-law? Is that what he wants? But I can’t bring myself to say it…

Just then, the carriage arrived at the palace.

Without waiting for the door to open, Reyana yanked it open herself.

“F-Father-in-law! I’ll see you after work!”

She blurted it out and ran toward the knight headquarters as if fleeing for her life.

Behind her, the Duke’s laughter rang out.

It was warm and hearty, and for some reason, her ears flushed red from embarrassment.

Long story short, running away was pointless.

Once at work, she still had to report her return to her superior.

“…Knight Reyana Chester, reporting back from leave with permission to return to duty.”

Her voice was small and uncertain, unlike her usual tone.

Even the deputy captain standing beside the Duke, Elixon, looked at her curiously.

The Duke, barely holding back laughter, was no different. Elixon glanced between the two of them.

“Permission granted.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Reyana bowed deeply and turned to leave the office.

But then the Duke stopped her.

“Elixon, I’d like to have a quick word with Reyana.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

The towering Elixon passed her and left. When the door shut, Reyana looked awkwardly at the Duke.

“Is there something you wish to order?”

“I heard you went to see him.”

So someone told him…

Reyana nodded.

“I was going to mention it in the carriage, but I didn’t expect my daughter-in-law to run away.”

The Duke’s smile brimmed with playful mischief.

“I-I didn’t run away. It’s just… I, uh… I was worried about being late to the office, that’s all!”

Grasping at the excuse that suddenly popped into her head, Reyana blurted it out excitedly.

The Duke shrugged and motioned to the couch in the middle of the room.

“Have a seat. Seems like you’ve got something to tell me.”

At his gesture, Reyana sat down on the sofa in the captain’s office.

It was her first time sitting there, and the plush cushions calmed the embarrassment stirred by the Duke’s teasing.

As he sat across from her, Reyana loosened her sleeve and extended her hand to him.

The black mark still remained on her wrist.

“What’s this?”

She had meant to ask Can you see it?—but the Duke’s question stole her breath.

It seemed he could see the demonic mark too.