Survive As the Villain’s Cousin - Chapter 3

To me, the Duke felt like a boss.

‘It feels like I’m having an interview with the director.’

Dane guided me to the front of the office.

I lived with the Duke and passed by his office often, but it was the first time I dared to enter his office.

‘Whoo, it’s okay.’ I took a deep breath and knocked on the office door.

Knock, Knock

“Come in.”

Dane lowered his head and opened the door.

When I entered the office, I noticed the faint smell of ink and the sound of the pen moving.

Even when I went in, the Duke was looking at the documents and didn’t even give me a glance

A crunching sound rang in the quiet room. Hearing the sound quietly relieved my tension.

This is why my friends listened to ASMR.

I laughed a little when I thought of my friend who liked ASMR.

“What’s going on?”

I was preoccupied with something else when the Duke set aside his pen, looked me in the eyes, and said, “I’m done sorting the documents.”

“I have something to tell you about Erial and Ariel. I don’t know if it’s presumptuous, but…….”

“It is presumptuous and meddling.”

The Duke cut me off and stroked his chin.

I was awestruck by the Duke’s beauty as I contemplated his face.

I thought languid eyes and long eyelashes were metaphors that appeared only in novels. Oh, does this person exist because this is a novel?

‘The best decadent beauty ever!’

There was a curious glow in the green eyes that resembled emerald jewelry.

“Erial and Ariel are my cousins so I don’t believe I’m meddling.”

The tension came back when I saw the Duke emphasizing the strange period.

It wasn’t certain whether he was drawing a line or if he was drawing inside the line.

‘It’s okay. I’m seven years old. I think he’ll let it go.’

I decided to make the most of my strengths.

You can’t kick out a child!

“Well, nothing less, Erial and Ariel are still five years old. As a dad, it’s time for you to express your love for them. I know you’re busy with your work as a Duke, but sometimes I want you to have tea time with your kids.”

I cleared my throat and waited in the drawing-room, sketching out my lines smoothly.

If you were to pick someone who was the farthest from love, you’d all say, “Duke.”

Even if I told such a person to love his children, there was a high possibility that he would not understand.

Therefore, I thought I should start by facing him instead of begging for love.

‘If the Duke suddenly smiles and says “I love you,” the twins would be surprised.’

Somehow I remembered the frightened faces of the twins, and I laughed again.

“……you.”

The duke, who was looking at me, stopped talking.

It’s as if you haven’t found a word to express your thoughts.

“Did the twins order it? They want to be loved?”

“No, it’s my judgment. Children need love and attention. It doesn’t matter how much love you get from other people for your children; it’s nothing compared to the love you get from your parents.”

“They are children who will take over Ardentine in the future. I can’t accept this childishness.”

The Duke spoke dryly.

I didn’t think it would be easy, but the Duke was colder than I expected.

I chose to speak. How should I say it to make it easier for him to understand?

“It’s not just about being childish. When seeds germinate, they are most affected by land. Plants that grow on nutritious land grow healthy, and plants that grow on devastated land grow weak. Parents are a children’s land. They need nutrients for the seeds to take root.”

“Too much nutrition makes plants rot.”

Wow, you’re so intelligent.

He understood my analogy but did not back down on his opinion.

“Okay, let’s make a deal.”

“Deal?”

I took out my last resort.

If I can’t appeal to your feelings, I’ll make a deal for each other’s benefit.

“Yes, the Duke wants the twins to be wise, smarter, and stronger than other nobles.”

“…….”

The Duke did not answer, but I could tell from his eyes. He didn’t deny it.

“The important thing in education is carrots and sticks! It’ll be ruined someday if you just swing the whip, Duke.”

Like the twins described in the novel.

Children who didn’t know how to give because they’ve never been loved before.

The children who only knew twisted love.

“…….”

The Duke, who seemed to say he didn’t need someone soft, was looking into space.

Tapping his finger on the desk, he spoke in a lower voice than usual.

“You say the same thing as Roen.”

The Duke’s eyes were fixed on me, but it wasn’t me he was looking at.

It felt like I took out a faded picture from an old album full of dust.

Mother’s name.

It was a name that I often heard when I was young. The maids and Dane told me I looked just like my mother. The name of my mother said from the Duke’s mouth sounded strange.

“I don’t need a kid who is weak enough to be broken by that degree.”

He returned to his usual self.

I continued, nodding as if I expected it.

“Duke, horses are trained with carrots and sticks, but I don’t think the heir of the duke receives any worse education than words. And when you praise it, it doesn’t increase your stupidity, it gives you motivation for wanting to be praised for doing better.”

I felt sorry to compare Erial and Ariel with a horse, but I made a firm face.

This time, the Duke kept silent, without me giving him a chance to tackle.

“Of course I’m not always asking for you to praise them. You can have tea time about once a month to check the growth of your children, give praise, or give advice. Then the twins will be able to study harder and grow.”

When I presented myself, the Duke slightly drew up the corners of his mouth.

“What? Are you laughing at me?’

It’s only one side up for a smile!

It was hard to tell whether it went well or not with the unfamiliar Duke’s response.

“Well, there’s a point. But what’s in it for me?”

A transaction is established when there is a benefit to each other.

He was deliberately testing my story while understanding it.

“Children’s growth is the Duke’s benefit. For the family that the Duke thinks is important.”

“Well, what’s the benefit for you?”

“The twins growing well?”

The benefit of the duke was immediately apparent, but my gain was rather questionable.

Looking at the twins’ smiling expressions. This is why I came into the office, to begin with. However, I did not think the duke would understand if I answered the question, so no benefit came to mind.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah? What?”

I asked back foolishly. He sighed as he tilted his head as I couldn’t understand what the Duke meant.

“Okay, I’ll tell Dane.”

“Really? Thank you, Duke.”

I’m glad the Duke allowed it, easier than I expected!

I was so happy because I thought it might not work.

I smiled brightly and bowed my head in front of the Duke’s desk to say thank you.

“Then I’ll get going!”

I quickly left the office without listening to the Duke’s answer.

When I left the office, Dane, who was waiting for me, asked.

“How was it?”

“Successful!”

When I said I succeeded with a V, Dane’s eyes widened. I’m sure he wasn’t expecting anything.

“He said he’d have tea time with the twins once a month!”

“Really?”

“Hehe. I feel good. I’m sure the twins will be happy, too.”

Dane nodded.

While moving to the greenhouse, I smiled proudly and talked about what happened in the office.

Dane repeatedly asked, again and again, doubting what he was hearing.

“Lady, that’s incredible.”

Dane’s heartfelt admiration made me feel even better.

Now, it’s time to tell the twins the good news!

When I arrived at the greenhouse, I opened the door with joy.

As soon as I heard the twins talking, their voices rang in the greenhouse. However, the atmosphere was different from before.

“It’s because of you!”

“No! Sister left because you cried first.”

“That’s funny. I held it in. You’re the one who cried.”

“This!”

I didn’t understand the situation. Why are they suddenly fighting?

“What are you both doing?”

“Sister!”

“Sister!”

As I approached, the twins hugged me.

“I’m sorry, sister. It’s okay not to be loved by Father. If you stay with me…….”

“Sister, I’ll do better. So please stay here!”

“Wait. What are you talking about?”

I didn’t understand why the twins said that. Where did they think I was going?

Once I said I’d stay here to calm the panicking twins, they sat down.

“You’re not going anywhere, are you?”

“Yes! Why did you come up with such a story all of a sudden?”

“Erial…”

“What! I just said it might happen.”

I settled them down and listened to what they had to say. The reason for their conflict

“So I’m going to be kicked out?”

“Well, last time I saw a servant step on father’s clothes, left. So, maybe you’re just here because of us…”

Erial wriggled his finger and blurted the end of his speech.

Isn’t it fortunate that the servant stepped on the Duke’s clothes and left without any other punishment? The other nobles got cut and killed.

Still, I roughly understood why the twins fought. I was worried about something similar.

“You fought because of the fear that I would be kicked out because of you two.”

“Without you, I am!”

“It’s okay, everything’s fine. I’ll always be here.”

I said, stroking Ariel’s head, who started crying again.

Oh, you sweet children.

It made my heart hurt knowing that they fought because of me.

“And the Duke is not as heartless as you think he is.”

“My father?”

“He’s so heartless.”

They were in sync at times like this. I briefly explained what happened in the office to the twins who answered without hesitation for a second.

Except for the deal.