K-Eldest Daughter Possessed a Childcare Novel

“So, you’re saying I have to report my spending to you?”

To my words, Rover nodded eagerly.

“Yes! That way, I can check and let you know if it seems too excessive!”

I couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

‘Ah, Rover has been quiet for a while, and now…’

He was making me angry again.

Except for the head of the household, the lady of the house managed the mansion’s internal affairs and expenses. Until now, my mother—or rather, her proxy Charles and Rover—had managed my personal funds.

‘But now, I’ve taken on that lady’s role.’

So, as Rover mentioned, I could now manage my own funds.

For reference, I’d never once indulged in luxury, not in my past life or this one.

It was only natural.

‘I was desperate to be a good daughter, so I couldn’t disappoint my parents by indulging in luxury.’

Even when my personal funds were set significantly lower than Meldor’s, I silently accepted it without complaint.

And now, what?

“You’re saying you’re going to interfere because you think I might be extravagant?”

“Oh, please don’t think of it as interference! I’m just concerned as the head butler of this mansion.”

Rover, oblivious to the situation, looked at me proudly.

“As I said earlier, since Lady Belladi is young and lacks experience, my help is essential.”

“Get out.”

I cut off Rover’s presumptuous words.

“Pardon?”

“I said, get out.”

“But I haven’t finished speaking yet!”

Rover, who was about to continue speaking, flinched at my icy glare and quickly retreated.

“T-Then, call me if you need anything. Don’t forget to fill out the spending report!”

Rover babbled until the end and then fled in haste. Without looking at him, I stared at the spending report.

Fueled by a momentary burst of anger, my mind began to race.

‘Alright, if it’s come to this… using it might be the most fun.’

After calculating my next steps, I picked up a pen and started writing the report.

Scratch, scratch.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I reviewed the list I’d written.

‘Let’s see, let’s teach that arrogant Rover a lesson.’

The day after I drove Rover away, I summoned a maid to my study.

“You called for me, Lady Belladi.”

The maid with braided hair and glasses stood quietly, waiting for my words with her hands clasped.

I tilted my head slightly as I looked at her.

“Did you hear from your brother about me?”

The maid’s eyes sparkled at my question.

“Yes.”

“Good. That’s great.”

I finished writing the letter I was working on, sealed it, and spoke.

“I’ve appointed you as my personal maid. From now on, all confidential communications will go through you.”

“Understood, Lady Belladi.”

This maid’s name was . She was Zeppelin’s younger sister and a watcher disguised as a maid of the mansion.

The reason her surname was instead of was that they were half-siblings. Having different mothers, the two bore little resemblance to each other.

‘How interesting. Meldor and I look quite alike, though.’

I had strongly inherited my father’s features, while Meldor had inherited them moderately.

Because of this, Meldor and I had a somewhat similar presence.

‘I don’t particularly like it, but it’s better than if I resembled my mother.’

Seeing her face in the mirror every day would be…

That thought alone was unbearable.

Shaking off the unpleasant thoughts, I looked at Stea.

“I might use you as a watcher. Can you follow me instead of the head of the household?”

“…”

Stea remained silent for a moment at my words. Then, as if making a decision, she looked at me with resolute eyes.

“My brother chose you as his new master. I trust my brother’s choice, even if other watchers might not.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her words and handed her the fully sealed letter.

“Good. Then I’ll trust you and give you your first task.”

The letter contained instructions for Zeppelin.

“Deliver this to Zeppelin secretly. Everything you need to do is written there, so read it and burn it immediately.”

Stea accepted the letter with both hands.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, Lady Belladi.”

As she was about to leave the room, Stea hesitated and turned back.

When our eyes met, she straightened her posture and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for accepting my lacking brother.”

I raised the corners of my mouth into a smile.

“Don’t mention it.”

‘I should be the one thanking you.’

Like her brother Zeppelin, Stea was also a key player under the eldest’s command. As a mage, she had her unique magic formulas.

‘With those formulas, she accomplished impossible tasks with ease.’

The reason this cheat-like Stea followed the eldest was the same as now.

Because her brother chose him.

In other words, the admirable Zeppelin had brought Stea into my fold.

‘Hehe, I’m so happy I don’t even need to eat.’

If only I could drive my father out of this mansion. Then I could make full use of this devoted sibling duo.

Hiding my dark intentions, I smiled brightly.

Stea, unaware of the meaning behind my smile, bowed once more and left the room.

A few peaceful days passed, and one rainy day…

“Lady Belladi.”

It was mid-afternoon, a time when everyone was feeling a bit sluggish.

“It’s been a while.”

A man entered my office with Stea.

He removed his hood and smiled kindly. His expression made me smile as well.

“Perfect.”

‘What kind of face will Rover make when he sees this man?’

I couldn’t help but feel delighted just thinking about it.

***

Rover was striding towards Belladi’s office.

Just moments ago, he had heard something unbelievable from Emily.

-Lady Belladi is planning a large-scale renovation to expand the shooting range. She’s investing all her allocated funds for this month. Hohoho, our lady really thinks big.

Hearing that, Rover couldn’t help but jump in shock.

‘A large-scale renovation of the shooting range? Using her personal funds?!’

Rushing to the shooting range, he found the area fenced off and workers already inspecting the site.

‘This is impossible!’

Rover had thought that Belladi might indulge in luxuries like dresses or jewelry at most. But an actual renovation?

The scale was unimaginable, and Rover felt like he was hit on the back of his head.

‘How could she do this without consulting me!’

That was why he had prepared the in the first place.

If she had reported to him and sought his advice, Rover wouldn’t have outright opposed it. He might have even helped enthusiastically.

‘But to ignore me like this!’

Rover hurriedly headed to the duke’s study.

He hoped that as the head of the household, the duke would put a stop to this reckless plan.

But the duke’s reaction was indifferent.

-She’s using her money to renovate her home. Why should I stop her?

The duke wasn’t wrong, but still…

To rip up a perfectly good shooting range and rebuild it?!

Rover considered Belladi’s actions not just extravagant but equivalent to throwing gold onto the streets.

But with no one stopping her foolish actions, Rover felt he had to step in as the head butler.

‘I need to confront her about ignoring me!’

And stop the renovation! If she really wanted to proceed, she should consult with him first!

With such determination, Rover arrived in front of the door to Belladi’s study and raised his hand to knock. And then he froze for a few minutes.

He couldn’t help it.

He had stormed over in a fit of rage, but standing before the door, a wave of nervousness hit him.

‘Can I really confront Lady Belladi?’

That fearsome person?

In the past, he hadn’t noticed it, but standing in front of Belladi, he felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him. It was a sensation he often felt around Theodore as well.

‘Is this the intimidating presence in the Alton direct line that my father spoke of?’

Both Belladi and Theodore could control the atmosphere with just their gaze.

‘Even though my age is nearly twice Lady Belladi’s…’

Rover discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and swallowed hard.

‘There’s no need to be afraid.’

His father had told him.

-Rover, we must always be loyal to the Alton duchy. But we don’t need to endure injustice. We are irreplaceable assets and should be treated as such.

‘That’s right, I’m in a position no one else can replace.’

So, in moments like this, he should be confident. If Belladi seemed displeased, he could always apologize.

But no matter what, he wouldn’t back down from his argument.

Resolving himself, Rover boldly knocked on the door of Belladi’s study.

Knock, knock!

“It’s Rover!”

After a brief silence, Belladi’s voice was heard.

“Come in.”

Although it was against protocol, Rover opened the door and entered the study, immediately expressing his grievance.

“Lady Belladi! How could you do this without consulting me?”

He had to start strong to prevent his courage from being overshadowed by her presence.

“Regarding the spending report… huh?”

But his tongue froze for an entirely different reason.

“It’s been a while, Rover. How have you been?”

“… you’re…”

Rover’s face turned into a blank expression far beyond Belladi’s expectations.