Chapter 61

61

Taking deep, uneven breaths, Shalina fell into sleep.

Sharent Clown gently adjusted the child to rest more comfortably on his shoulder and let out a low breath.

"The power of the artifact is dangerous for a child to possess."

"The artifact chose Shalina as its master."

"What if I buy the child from you?"

At the emperor's words, Sharent Clown's eyes widened.

His expression immediately turned cold. Seeing his icy demeanor, the emperor smiled faintly.

"Of course, I don't mean to take her away without compensation. I'll give you the right to ask for anything you want in the future."

"In exchange for the artifact?"

"From what I heard, you don't really like it anyway. Isn't she the child of your dissolute younger brother, born outside the family?"

At the emperor's suggestion, Sharent Clown's face hardened.

The Holy Knight Commander clenched his fists.

He took a step forward.

His expression was firm, indicating that he could not accept this.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"I'm just proposing a deal. Did I make it sound too difficult?"

Sharent Clown's expression stiffened at the casual words.

Kaishan approached and grabbed the hem of Sharent Clown's pants. He glanced at the child and then looked up.

"This child is not an object."

"Oh, if it's not enough, tell me what you want."

Sharent Clown's expression grew even colder. The relaxed look on his face had vanished, leaving only a chill.

The emperor narrowed his eyes at the sight.

"I have no intention of giving the child to you. I hope you don't cross the line, Your Majesty."

"Isn't it just right? A child who died during a raid while exploring the ruins."

"I refuse."

"Are you now coveting the child because of the artifact?"

Sharent Clown's face immediately twisted. He held the child in his arms more tightly.

"Your Majesty."

"Since the child isn't even registered. She doesn't exist on any official documents, so what's the problem with truly making her disappear?"

Sharent Clown's rigid expression did not soften at the emperor's question.

He remained silent for a long time.

"I don't want to give her to anyone, but I don't want to keep her either."

The emperor's voice carried a hint of criticism.

"That's a cowardly attitude, young duke, unlike Sharent Clown."

Sharent Clown could not respond to the emperor's words.

In reality, he was the one who was hesitant to register the child. But he couldn't register her under the deceased Valian either.

The empire did not allow children to be registered under the deceased.

It was fine if the child was registered under living parents and then the parents died, but not the other way around.

Therefore, to give the child a legal status, she had to be registered under living parents.

The emperor neatly wrapped up the situation and suggested they leave.

It was almost as if he had wanted the artifact from the beginning.

"If I wanted to kill her, I would have done it long ago."

When she first stepped on his nerves and messed up the garden, he would have done it then.

Long before he knew she was the artifact's master.

Sharent Clown's words made the emperor laugh lightly.

He followed the emperor in silence.

Sharent Clown looked at the child's face, peacefully sleeping in his arms. When awake, she never looked comfortable, but she only looked peaceful when asleep.

'What a unique child.'

Sharent Clown evaluated Shalina this way.

Most children would cry or reach out to their guardians when faced with difficulties.

But Shalina was different. When something happened, she tried to solve it on her own.

Instead of reaching out for help when she fell, she instinctively grabbed the magic stone and tried to cast a spell, leaving him speechless.

He wasn't a reliable guardian for her.

Shalina had no guardian.

She didn't trust anyone or rely on anyone, so she didn't seek help.

When she needed help, it was Yuried, not him, who rushed to her.

'There was Lady Sullivan in the shadows.'

He couldn't be certain it was 'definitely' her, but the silhouette and actions were all Lady Sullivan's.

And he had a vague feeling that he saw the orphanage director there too.

'What are you, really?'

Was she really just a simple child? If Shalina was just a simple child, how should he interpret all her abnormal behaviors?

His head throbbed.

"If you put the child under your name, do you have any intention of betrothing her to the prince in the future?"

Sharent Clown's face twisted as if he had bitten into something unpleasant.

The idea of betrothing her to the arrogant prince made him want to strongly oppose it, even if Shalina wanted it.

"Let's not talk about such nonsense as betrothal."

"Putting the child under your name doesn't seem to be nonsense."

The emperor probed gently.

This was one of the reasons Sharent Clown didn't like the emperor.

Instead of answering, he strode out of the ruins.

'...Lanian will be disappointed.'

The Holy Knight, Yuried, who had been listening to their conversation, looked dark.

* * *

"Do you want to be my daughter?"

It had been a week since they returned from the ruins.

As usual, Sharent Clown came, chased Vera away, and took my utensils, then asked.

Reluctantly, but now used to it, I opened my mouth to receive the food.

Ugh.

The food fell to the floor with a thud.

A hint of annoyance appeared on Sharent Clown's face. He sighed and wiped the food with a handkerchief, then put down the utensils.

"I'm considering putting you in my household register."

I finally managed to look away from the shadowy apparition and focus on the delicious food and sweet dessert.

But now, had Sharent Clown gone mad or lost his mind?

"Shit."

Oops, I spoke too loudly.

My answer made Sharent Clown's expression stiffen.

It's just that you suddenly said something strange. I'm fine. I pouted and rolled my eyes.

"Why."

I thought he might get angry, but he asked calmly.

Why don't you like it? Is there a reason? Just because it's you...?

"Valian! Dad!"

Right, Valian is my dad. You're not my dad.

At this reasonable reason, his expression darkened slightly.

He opened and closed his mouth several times before letting out a low sigh.

"Valian is..."

Sharent Clown closed his mouth again.

His expression, which seemed to carry a hint of guilt, left me speechless.

Surely he doesn't think I don't know he's dead?... I believe he's not.

"...For now, I understand your opinion."

Is he seriously listening to a three-year-old's opinion?

He narrowed his eyes slightly and stood up.

Is he feeling sympathetic towards me, like I feel towards confidential documents?

"I'll decide, not you."

Despite the cold words, Sharent Clown reached out and gently stroked my head.

I closed my eyes slowly without realizing it.

At times like this, I really feel like a baby.

"By the way, your birthday is coming up soon."

Who? Me? I have a birthday? Well, of course, as a human, I must have a birthday...

But when I was Hella, I never cared. No one ever remembered it for me.

I didn't even know when it was. Shalina probably didn't have any records left, so I never thought about it.

Curious, I stared at him, and Sharent Clown slightly avoided my gaze.

"I checked the letter Valian sent to his sister."

"Oh."

I see.

Lanian must have received various information from him since she was entrusted with raising her.

Ah, so even the one-night cohabitation with my sister is over.

"I'll raise her until she's seven!"

We agreed to part ways after she turned seven.

I won't interfere even if she regains her strength later. Let's live our own lives.

Living together was never possible. The Clown family, despite appearances, values bloodline and dignity.

They are noble. Even I, a twisted person, acknowledge that.

In contrast, I am a person who will do anything to survive.

I will kill if necessary, make unnecessary sacrifices, and even kill the weak.

To escape a miserable life, I did it before, and I will do it again. And they won't understand me.

He didn't say anything to my words. Looking at his slightly stiff expression, I wondered if it was seven.

"Seven...?"

Don't say five. I don't know if I can make it to five.

Sharent Clown looked down at me silently for a long time.