Chapter 16

I ended up playing the role of the adopted daughter a bit too well in episode 016, as Hwasoon moved on her own accord.

I could somehow endure just looking at the exquisite egg tart.

But the spring breeze that fluttered in through the window was the problem.

The sweet scent of the fluffy egg tart was deeply embedded in the spring breeze.

I picked up the egg tart.

Mmm.

Chomp.

I put another whole one in my mouth.

‘Mmm. This taste…!’

And then, one second later, I experienced hell.

Even the head butler Carlton looked at Viola as if he couldn't believe it.

Even Xenon looked at Viola with a slightly worried expression.

Only after the fluffy egg tart entered my mouth did I come to my senses.

‘This isn't right, is it?’

For my body to move on its own like this.

Viola, hiding her flustered heart, picked up the egg tart with two fingers.

The deed was done, and it needed to be cleaned up.

“I'll give you one.”

She passed it to Duke Heron.

“It's really delicious.”

“Are you giving it to me?”

“Yes, specially.”

“Looks quite precious?”

“It is.”

“Then why are you giving it to me?”

“You're my dad, after all.”

Heron Bellaud raised his hand.

Viola flinched for a moment.

It felt like there might be a poisoned dagger in that hand.

Heron's index finger touched Viola's cheek.

Swoosh~

He wiped her cheek as if brushing off dust, with a dispassionate touch.

“Xenon, make sure to teach her proper manners. I've never seen a Bellaud with food smeared on her face like this.”

Heron raised his finger. It was covered in yellow cream.

Heron wiped the cream off with a napkin.

Duke Heron stood up from his seat.

“I have just one question, Viola.”

“Yes.”

“Everyone in Winter Castle shows respect when they see me. They place their right hand on their chest and bow. Why didn't you do that?”

Viola looked up at Duke Heron while seated.

She hadn't completely swallowed the egg tart.

As a result, her mouth was still busy.

Munch, munch.

The exquisite egg tart melted in her mouth.

She savored it, gently rolling her tongue to make it last.

Once she had somewhat regained her composure, Viola spoke.

There are specific lines for the male lead Tundra, and specific lines for Heron.

“Is that what you want, Father?”

“...”

“If that's what you want, I'll do it too.”

In fact, Duke Heron Bellaud had never asked for such a thing.

In his youth, Heron Bellaud had dreamed of a beautiful world.

He had once dreamed of being a hero.

But the reality was harsh.

He couldn't become the ruler of Winter Castle with just beautiful and clean methods.

To reach this position, he had to kill countless people and monsters, earning the nickname "Thousand-Killer."

And he eventually grew Winter Castle to its current size.

He became the continent's strongest shield, protecting humanity from the "Snowy North."

People respected Heron, but they also feared him.

The only person who didn't fear Heron was Rae.

She treated Heron not as the "Thousand-Killer" but as a person.

Rae always asked,

“Is that what you want?”

“No, I didn't want it.”

“I won't do what you don't want.”

In front of Rae, Heron could be the only person who was just Heron.

“But it seems Father doesn't want that.”

“Is that what you saw?”

“Yes, if Father doesn't want it, I won't do it.”

She swallowed the last bit of egg tart in her mouth.

After a long while, the Duke spoke again.

“Is all of this just a mask?”

For a moment, Viola didn't understand.

What mask? But she quickly got it.

No, it's not a mask,

It's my body moving on its own.

‘If I answer like that, it'll be a big problem, right?’

A princess who can't even control her own body.

From Duke Heron's perspective, that would be unacceptable.

So, it might be better to just agree.

She maintained silence for a moment.

As if silently agreeing.

“Xenon said you're a seven-year-old princess who can manipulate others with a mask.”

“Generous score.”

“Wearing a mask was a good choice. To be a ruler, you must know how to wear many masks. Especially since you're not of pure blood.”

“Good advice. Thank you.”

“But the mask you're wearing now is wrong.”

“...”

“A Bellaud must be a Bellaud. Do you understand?”

Pretending to be cute is not the Bellaud way.

You can't be cute. You can't get the Bellaud castle with such a thing.

Heron almost said this but held back.

Viola stared at Heron and then spoke.

“Father.”

“Speak.”

“I'm asking you to be a real father. I'm not lying.”

Han Arin understood the character of Heron well.

He's very different from what he appears to be.

The current Duke Heron is a Heron shaped and polished by his environment.

He wasn't always like this.

“So, please treat me with care.”

Carlton, who had been listening quietly, almost fainted.

In the decades he had served the Duke, he had never heard such a childish request.

To be treated with care. It didn't fit a Bellaud.

Which Bellaud would say such a thing?

Still, he stepped forward.

If the princess were to be killed or beheaded, it would spread a bad rumor in the castle.

“Princess, that's not very Bellaud-like. Please be more careful with your words and actions.”

Otherwise, the princess will die.

Carlton was genuinely a bit worried about Viola.

But Han Arin thought differently.

‘Our terrifying favorite character secretly raises a cute hedgehog in a magic beast cage with seven layers of protective spells! No one knows, except me!’

It was a setting known only to the readers, not even mentioned in the novel.

‘Our Duke is weak for cuteness.

But the author once revealed the setting, and this content was definitely in it.

So, this is something only the most dedicated readers, who have thoroughly read the author's blog and the novel's setting guide, would know.

Of course, I can't do that. ’Viola had no intention of pretending to be cute.

This body was too far from being cute.

By setting, she was a natural-born killer, a prodigy with a "Killing Star."

She couldn't be cute even if she tried.

She decided to give up on being cute.

‘I can't be cute. So, I'll approach with an emotional method instead.’

She had to walk a tightrope.

She couldn't go too far or not far enough.

There was a delicate line.

‘Only the most dedicated readers know that subtle line!’

It was a bit disappointing.

If Viola's character had been set as cute, it would have been better.

‘Enough. No more useless thoughts.’

Duke Heron stared at Viola for a while and then turned his back.

“I'll see you at the welcome banquet.”

Viola curtsied.

“Goodbye.”

The meeting between father and daughter ended like that.

***

In the carriage returning to the castle.

The Duke looked out the window.

Outside, children were playing with marbles.

Today, for some reason, that scene was particularly etched in his mind.

“Carlton.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Are children's cheeks naturally that soft?”

“Their skin is tender, so even a blunt blade can cut them, but they recover quickly.”

Why? Are you going to cut them?

Carlton's heart ached a bit.

Since she's still young, perhaps giving her more chances would be better?

Carlton was the Duke's closest confidant.

He thought he could read the Duke's mind accurately.

Still, it was fortunate.

‘The Duke never kills children under ten, no matter what. The Sixth Princess is safe for now. Please pull yourself together.’

She needs to show a more Bellaud-like appearance.

The disheveled look she had today is not what the Duke likes.

Carlton was certain of this.

The Duke asked again.

“Do children usually eat with food smeared on their faces?”

Carlton became a bit more serious.

It seems the Duke is quite disappointed.

She was very different from the five children born into the noble Bellaud family and raised with proper etiquette.

‘I need to protect her.’

So, he shifted the blame to Xenon.

“It seems Xenon hasn't started her etiquette training yet. As the head butler, I will properly discipline Xenon.”

“...”

The Duke remained silent for a while.

Carlton was sure the Duke was upset.

After a while, the Duke asked again.

“Do you find such behavior cute, head butler?”

Of course.

He's definitely upset.

Carlton sighed inwardly.

Cute?

That's impossible.

It shouldn't happen.

The word "cute" and "Bellaud" are more incompatible than "water" and "oil."

‘Xenon. You're in for it now.’

Xenon had praised her so highly, but now it seems the Duke is quite disappointed.

“That's absurd.”

“...”

“It's just that she's a bit clumsy.”

She's still a young child who has only been in the castle for a few days.

It would be a waste to dismiss her so soon.

He spoke again, with