Chapter 36

“Hmm, hmm.”

The sound of a small humming filled the hallway leading to the office.

Thud-thud.

It was a light, almost bouncy step, like something that could make such a sound.

Her hair, tied in two puffy braids, swayed up and down like the tail of a wagging puppy.

“The soup turned out well, and the cookies are baked just right.”

Beatty hummed, almost as if singing, with a bright voice.

She carefully inspected the tray she was holding with her tiny hands, ensuring everything was in perfect order.

The cup soups, divided into portions to maintain the perfect temperature. The cookies, fresh from the oven, still warm and exuding a rich buttery fragrance.

Her eyes sparkled with pride as she gazed at the snacks, still warm and neatly arranged on the tray.

“And the freshly fried sticks with the special sauce.”

When her eyes fell on the dish she’d put the most effort into preparing, her black eyes gleamed with confidence.

“This one’s really going to be a hit!”

Her steps, already light, seemed as if she were about to jump with excitement.

As Beatty walked along, humming to herself, she muttered softly.

“Do you think they’ll like it?”

The question slipped out, filled with unrefined anticipation as she thought of someone.

“This is going to be really delicious, for sure.”

A perfect combination of crispy fried sticks dipped in a special sauce made from an unusual mix of beans, sugar, rosemary, and lemon—this was a combination that Beatty still remembered clearly from the first time she tried it, the shock of how good it was still fresh in her mind.

“I’m sure Father will like it too.”

Beatty’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she imagined her father enjoying his favorite treat. She hurried her little steps, eager to see his face.

However, when she arrived in front of her father’s office, she was met with an unexpected visitor.

“…Huh?”

A familiar figure came into view, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Her hair was tightly styled, her thin frame with exaggeratedly straightened posture unmistakable.

Please, no…

Beatty bit her lip, unable to voice the thought that was beginning to take shape. Her lips quivered, but no sound came out.

“Oh my.”

The person turned around.

It was someone Beatty never expected to see here.

Beatty froze as her gaze met the face that filled her with dread.

“Auntie!”

The face she had once dreaded now greeted her with far too much cheer.

Crash!

Without even realizing it, Beatty’s hand lost its strength, and the tray she’d been holding fell to the floor.

The snacks she had so carefully prepared, hoping to see her father enjoy them, scattered messily across the ground.

Crunch.@@novelbin@@

Her aunt, Pirina, walked over nonchalantly and stepped on the snacks, before reaching out her hand.

“Do you know how heartbroken I was after you were sent away?”

With a firm grip, Pirina cupped Beatty’s cheek, as though she were tenderly caressing her face.

“Don’t make me worry like that again, okay?”

“….”

“That's what a good child does. Understand?”

A large shadow loomed over Beatty, its presence oppressive like a spider’s web, its grip harsh and unrelenting, as though it were grabbing the scruff of a runaway dog.

It hurts.

The pressure on her plump cheek and neck made Beatty snap to her senses.

Hmph. Did you think I’d shrink back from this?

She stiffened for a moment, a reflexive flinch, but then her resolve set in.

I’m not the same child who flinched at Auntie’s angry face anymore.

With a dismissive snort, Beatty coldly said.

“Let go.”

“What…?”

“You’re pinching me right now.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Pirina stammered, clearly flustered by Beatty’s sharp remark.

“No, dear. Pinch you? I wouldn’t do something so childish.”

Aware of the gazes around them, Pirina forced a smile.

“Heh heh. Maybe my little niece still thinks even the smallest touch feels like a pinch.”

Beatty stared at her aunt, who was trying to hide her embarrassment, and thought:

I used to think that was a kind smile…

Her aunt had always said one thing.

“This is all because I care about you, you know?”

So, any form of scolding should be appreciated.

Hmph!

It’s all nonsense.

Beatty had realized the truth after a long time. The child who didn’t want to hate the only family member who was close to her had only just begun to see things clearly.

Care? Would someone who let me almost die really care?

The last thing she’d seen before regressing had been enough to shatter the last bit of hope she had for her aunt.

“What’s with that look? Who’s been teaching you to act so defiant? Tsk tsk.”

Pirina was startled by Beatty’s rebellious demeanor, which she had never seen before.

Trying to mask her surprise, Pirina clicked her tongue and spoke hastily.

“Don’t look at me like that, little one. You’ve still got the nerve to speak back to your elder?”

Beatty, still unruffled, demanded firmly.

“Take your foot off the food.”

“What?”

“You’re stepping on the food.”

“Stepping… What do you mean, dirty? You’re calling me dirty?”

Hmph!

Pirina’s words caught in her throat as her face turned red. She fanned herself, flustered by the boldness of her niece.

Beatty calmly pointed to the mess she had made.

“This is… Agh, my shoes!”

Pirina ignored the crumbs she had trampled underfoot and instead panicked over the mark on the tip of her shoe.

Beatty sighed, staring at the ruined snacks scattered across the floor.

“Ugh! You should’ve cleaned it up right away if you saw it!”

Pirina, like the time in the estate, started snapping at the maids in the vicinity, her anger spilling out.

Just as Beatty was about to step in, the door to the office opened with a click.

“The Duke!”

Beatty glanced at the side of the Duke’s face as he looked at her. Pirina, caught off guard, was struck by the Duke’s presence.

My goodness. He hasn’t changed at all from when he was the kingdom's most handsome man! In fact, he might have gotten even better looking.

The Duke, seemingly oblivious to Pirina’s dazed admiration, spoke.

“You dropped something.”

“Pardon? Ah…”

Beatty, still dazed, understood his words only when she looked down at the mess of fallen snacks.

It wasn’t that it was too heavy to carry…

Phew.

Beatty, with a slight sigh, muttered a little sadly.

“I’ll clean it up…”

I was hoping to see him enjoy the snacks.

Her shoulders drooped in disappointment.

“…”

The Duke unconsciously reached his hand toward her.

I have to pick it up quickly.

Before he could, Beatty had already squatted down and began briskly collecting the snack remnants with determination. The Duke awkwardly withdrew his hand.

“Miss, let us handle it!”

“We’ll clean your hands, Miss!”

Miss?

Beatty gave a slightly wistful look at the remains of the snacks, now just scraps.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Pirina, who had been watching her niece, was growing increasingly irritated by her defiant attitude.

Hmph! That’s right. She should be looking down, just like that. How dare she get bold with me, her aunt?

With a smug thought, Pirina turned her head, but then froze in shock.

What… What’s with her eyes?!

The golden gaze of the lion beastkin was locked onto her.

The Duke’s cold, commanding presence, like a sharpened blade, was directed straight at her.

“….”

“Duke Aslan, I… apologize for the delay. Pirina Siurus.”

Pirina, caught off guard by the oppressive gaze, hurriedly averted her eyes and bowed her head.

“What are you doing here in front of my office?”

Rather than offering a greeting, the Duke immediately questioned her, treating her like a subordinate.

Pirina bit her lip in embarrassment.

“Ho ho, why do you speak as if we’re strangers? I am, after all, a person tied to the Aslan name.”

“Does your name come with Aslan attached?”

“W-well, not exactly…”

“Then keep your unnecessary words to yourself.”

The Duke cut off Pirina’s attempts to explain with a sharp dismissal.

Pirina, reddened with shame, lowered her gaze as the Duke’s cold eyes lingered on her.

Hmm.

Beatty, observing the exchange, silently thought:

Father might not like me, but…

She thought he might not hate her after all, though that was as far as her imagination could stretch.

Looks like Auntie doesn’t like me either.

It was strangely satisfying to be equally disliked by both.

Is that a bad thought?

The Duke’s voice broke into her musings.

“You should head inside now.”

His tone, still brusque, was surprisingly soft compared to how he spoke to Pirina.

Beatty, nodding obediently, turned and left, her back to the Duke, who continued watching until she was out of sight.