‘Daughter’s Fool’ Was the Concept, Wasn’t It, Duke!

 

Benén seems to be measuring my height. After comparing eye level with Elber… he sighs. What, he’s not planning on using me as labor, is he?

 

Before I even looked into Benén’s inner thoughts. The Duke spoke to Elber.

 

“Elber, you should also do an introduction to your younger sister.”

 

“Yes? At the orphanage—”

 

“Peers’ relationships and family relationships are different. Come on, let’s talk.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Elber straightened his back and looked at me. Seeing that, I became nervous without realizing it and put down my fork. Although being only twelve years old, he’s a handsome boy with a bright future. He’s not the male lead for nothing.

 

After the age of sixteen, the power of the Schlager family will begin to manifest, the shape of his eyes will change, and he will attract the attention of many women in social circles.

 

“I’m Elber Olt Schlager.”

 

Unlike Benén, he inherited the middle name. When I glanced to the side, Benén’s expression wasn’t good. Elber didn’t notice that.

 

“I’m twelve this year. I’m your youngest older brother. If you have any questions, please ask anytime.”

 

“Yes, my name is Sol. Let me ask you something.”

 

I pointed to the plate.

 

“How do I eat this?”

 

Something that looked like chicken came out. All I know is that I shouldn’t eat it like chicken. Elber smiled brightly.

 

“Mmhm. First, hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right…”

 

“Yes!”

 

I did as I was told. The soft meat was easily cut with the strength of a child’s hands. If I put it in my mouth.

 

“Whoa…”

 

It melts quickly, you know? It’s even more delicious than the chicken I ordered without the director’s knowledge!

 

“It’s so delicious! What is this? Is it chicken? Duck? Or… Ah.”

 

Ah, I talked too much. He said while looking at the duke’s eyes.

 

“I apologize…”

 

“I can’t scold you for your honest feelings. Next time, just lower your voice a little.”

 

“Yes! Ah, no, yes….”

 

I cut the meat again with a bright red face. For some reason, even Elber’s face turned red. Hey, why are you shy?

 

The Duke, is he angry? Hmm, I don’t know because he’s covering my mouth with a glass of wine. Only wine is flowing. Let’s eat something during this break.

 

After the meat dish, what came next was blueberry sorbet. It was more delicious than the high-end convenience store ice cream that I used to eat only on payday.

 

While I was scraping the bottom of the dessert bowl, the Duke came back with his coat on, as if he really wanted to go shopping for clothes together. Beside him, a servant was holding a small coat. Looks like it’s mine. While putting my arm in, Benén came up and said.

 

“These are the clothes I used to wear when I was young. Unlike my younger brother, I wore them neatly, so it seems like I still have them.”

 

“I will wear it gratefully!”

 

I answered as brightly as possible. I don’t want to have a confrontation with that villain on the inside!

 

But as he buttoned the coat, Benén muttered.

 

“I was the first to tell you to ask questions, though.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“…I mean, have a nice trip.”

 

He equivocated his words, then walked away, smiling like a fox.

 

Now that I think about it, Benén said it when he was doing the introduction earlier. That if I don’t know something, feel free to ask. Is he really upset because I asked Elber how to eat? Should I comfort him?

 

However, I didn’t have a chance to talk to Benén. This was because Duke Schlager, who was a million times more terrifying than Benén, had extended his hand.

 

“Let’s go down, Sol.”

 

“Yessir!”

 

“…Where did you learn that answer?”

 

At the factory.

 

I remembered Linda’s words, ‘You’re too adult,’ and spoke as childishly as possible. “

Yesshh

, we’re going

whoooshh

!”

 

The duke covered his face with one hand.

 

…I guess this isn’t the answer either.

 

***

 

We took a carriage and went down to the city.

 

It’s late at night, on a stone road where people have disappeared. The show window of the clothing store, with the lights on from time to time, was as beautiful as a theater stage where the curtain had just risen.

 

…Hmm. However, beyond the flower-decorated shop window, a man with 2:8 parting was looking at me with an expression that said, ‘Are you the culprit who made me work overtime?’

 

Well, the only places with lights on until this hour are the stores that the Duke has forced to open. However, it’s only for a moment that I sympathize with that resentment.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

As soon as the Duke entered the store, the store owner gave him the look of an employee who met the boss while playing games under the pretext of working overtime. “Y-Y-Your Grace? I never thought you would come in person…”

 

As the store owner shivered, his 2:8 hair fell and tickled his nose. The Duke spoke in a low voice.

 

“No need to pay attention.”

 

The store owner trembled in front of such a difficult order. Ugh, I need to quickly buy some clothes and bring them out. The Duke took a step back. Linda, who came out with me, smiled and picked out the clothes.

 

“What about this dress?”

 

It was a dress with fluttering white frills that seemed to resemble a jellyfish.

 

“Are there any more comfortable clothes?”

 

“Hmm, then how about this!”

 

“Ah, it’s pretty!”

 

The second outfit Linda chose was a checkered dress. The store owner said as he opened the dressing room.

 

“Hoo, it was a girl?”

 

“Yes. We didn’t have any women’s clothes right now, so I dressed her up with the masters’ clothes!”

 

“It suits her well. When I first saw her, I thought she was a cute boy—”

 

At that time, the Duke’s low voice rang through the store.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“M-Master?”

 

Linda asked back in confusion. However, the Duke left the store without answering. I hurriedly bowed my head to the clothing store owner and followed him.

 

“Duke, why are you doing this?”

 

What did I do wrong? He doesn’t want to buy me clothes anymore…

 

At that time, the Duke spoke.

 

“How can you trust the insight of someone who doesn’t even know the difference between girls and boys?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Uh, but.

 

“I’m still young, and I’m wearing men’s clothes, so it might be confusing…”

 

“Not at all.”

 

From a high place, the Duke tilted his head and said:

 

“No matter where I look, you’re a girl.”

 

“…”

 

“Let’s go to the next store.”

 

The Duke just got into the carriage.

 

Well, if you think about it, he raised three sons. Just by looking at me, he can guess whether I’m a girl or boy. But there’s no need to be harsh!

 

I thought I had offended the duke, so I waved at the store owner, whose face turned pale. Only then did he close the store with a somewhat relieved expression.

 

We stopped by several stores afterwards. To prevent the Duke from mistreating them again, I shouted this every time I entered the store.

 

“Hello! Please give me some pretty clothes!”

 

The store owners all greeted me with a smile, saying,

‘Ah, a cute girl has arrived.’

And ‘

Are you here with your mom or dad?

‘ then they raised their heads and froze when he saw the Duke.

 

He feels like a burdensome person just by existing!

 

The Duke seemed to know this, too, as he just leaned against one wall with his arms crossed.

 

The clerks, who were very nervous, looked much more at ease after hearing Linda’s cheerful voice and guided me. Colorful clothes were spread out below my neck.

 

“Oh my, it really suits you! What do you think of this outfit?”

 

“It’s pretty.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Before I could even ask what they were thankful for, the clothes were handed over to the clerk in charge of packaging. hey.

 

“Little Lady, let’s look at the next outfit! How about this one? You look so pretty in my eyes!”

 

“Uh… i-it’s cute.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

Add one more piece of clothing.

 

Hey, why is it that just saying it’s pretty is taken as ‘I’ll buy it’?

 

Linda just smiled brightly as if it wasn’t awkward at all. It’s burdensome! Just by looking at the clothes here, they all look expensive!

 

The next item the clerk held in front of me was a coat.

 

“It’s still cold, so you should prepare a coat. Now, what do you think?”

 

Shine flows from the fur. A cute design that doesn’t look stuffy at all even though it’s gray.

 

The store clerk’s eyes are sparkling, so it must be an expensive product. Winter is coming to an end. The coat felt burdensome, so I shook my head.

 

“It’s no good. I don’t want to wear this.”

 

I’m sorry. The coat is really pretty though! If I give even the slightest compliment, the clothes will be touted!

 

But as soon as I said no, the clerk was visibly bewildered. And he bowed his head.

 

“I a-apologize!”

 

Eh?

 

“Due to my lack of discernment, I disturb the Lady’s eyes with my unsightly clothes. I’m really sorry!”

 

Hey. Do I have to choose one of the two; being hard-sold or ‘How dare you show me something like this!’ and run out of the store?

 

At that time, the Duke, who was leaning against the wall, approached with a stomping sound. The clerks froze as if they had seen Medusa. The Duke opened his mouth.

 

“Only the best items will be presented before the owner of Flogel. Do I need to explain this proposition one by one?”

 

“N-N-No, Sir!”

 

“Show me. Let’s see for ourselves what it is.”

 

As if he had been given a last chance, the clerk hastily unfolded the gray coat. The Duke said, touching the fur himself.

 

“It’s the fur of a Silver Mountain Leiram wolf. A high-quality product caught without using arrows.”

 

“That’s right! It’s made of whole leather with minimal stitching!”

 

“I’m not trying to hear your opinion.”

 

The clerk fell silent. In other words, he’s telling me to talk to him, right?

 

If I say, ‘Now that I look at it again, it looks pretty!’ I’ll seem to be a terrible customer. However, if I say, ‘I lied because I thought it would be expensive,’ the Duke will probably be angry and ask, ‘Do I look like I don’t have money?’

 

Damn it, why should I worry about the villain’s wallet!

 

If this doesn’t work. The answer I can give is…!

 

“…Can I wear the same coat as the Duke?”

 

I remembered the moment the Duke broke down the orphanage door. At that time, the coat that this long-legged villain was wearing was clearly made of the same material as this one.

 

“The day the Duke came to the orphanage, you were wearing a gray coat just like this. I remember you just like the leader of the wolves!”

 

“…”

 

“But, how dare I wear the same coat as Your Grace? I don’t think it would suit me.”

 

I hesitated and lowered my head. It’s a lame excuse, but I can’t think of anything better! The Duke’s answer was—

 

“You sound strange.”

 

“Duke?”

 

“You have been my daughter since the day I brought you here. It’s not a disgrace for a father and daughter to wear the same leather.”

 

“Ah…!”

 

“Do you like the clothes.”

 

“Yes! Oh, actually, it was pretty!”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

The Duke put the coat under my chin and made a short comment.

 

“It might be difficult to be a wolf cub, but I think you can be a little flying squirrel.”

 

With those words, the purchase was decided.

 

A servant handed over a pre-signed check. The employees all packed their clothes with expressions of life or death. Dear employees, thank you for your hard work. It must be very difficult to treat a villain as a boss.

 

Before getting on the carriage, I took a spin in my new coat to show off my excitement.

 

The employees I happened to see at that time… their cheekbones were rising and they were smiling brightly, as if they were watching a heartwarming drama.

 

This is completely different from the capitalist smile that says ‘I sold well today’. Well, there’s no need to clear up the misunderstanding. But the Duke, who was sitting in the carriage, also seemed to have seen the clerks’ smiles. The feeling of unusual looked young in his blue eyes.

 

“It’s strange.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“This is the first time the people of the territory have been so defenseless when my carriage hasn’t even left.”

 

Normally that’s called a ‘sincere smile’, not ‘defenseless’, you villain.

 

The Duke seemed quite surprised by this, and continued to look at the clothing store for a long time even after the carriage had departed.

 

Hmm…

 

I think something is stuck.