The Child is Loved By The Holy Constellations - Chapter 14

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Chapter 14

‘He’s really handsome.’

When he smiles, I feel like my surroundings are brightening up.

It’s refreshing, really.

I was gazing at the Duke with admiration inside. And, as if it was natural, he reached out and hugged me before began to stride to one side.

But, what are we going to do?

‘Are we going to ride a horse…?’

At least, that was all I could think of. Well, what else can we do in the mansion?

However, this idea was shattered as soon as we arrived.

“Duke, have you arrived?”

“Yes, bring Chen.”

“All right.”

I narrowed my eyes when I saw the man in work clothes nodding his head and going somewhere.

Though… Why doesn’t the Duke let me down yet?

As I wondered about it, the Duke opened his mouth and asked.

“Are you curious?”

When I nodded my head quietly, he lightly patted my back and said, “It’s not dangerous, don’t worry.”

‘No, don’t say that, explain it to me, Duke!’

I want to shout that, but it’s a pity that I can’t.

“What is it?”

At that, the Duke frowned. Rather than being angry, it seemed that he was unsure of how to explain it.

“A very large wolf.”

“Wolves are scary…”

“It’s okay. It’s not the kind of wolf who attacks recklessly.”

…No, I’m still worried. It’s called a wolf, and it’s also a big wolf, so I can’t imagine how big it is.

‘Was there ever a wolf kept by the Duke?’

Let’s think about the settings for a moment. I should remember the settings roughly, so somehow…

However, my thoughts stopped when something large roamed in the distance.

‘Is that a wolf…?’

That big wolf…

It doesn’t make sense! It looks bigger than a rhinoceros!!

I was so surprised that I froze unknowingly. Even though the Duke was rubbing my back, I couldn’t be relieved in the slightest.

No, should we even call it a wolf? Do wolves have scales? How come wolves have scales on their back…!

[ ‘The Librarian of Nipur’ tells me that it is a monster named Arion. ]

Arion…?

[ It is almost like a wolf, but it is a monster with much better intelligence and strength. ]

“Chen, come here. Slowly.”

As the Duke uttered, the wolf’s ears perked up. Then, it approached me slowly.

A wolf named Chen had black fur and large black scales that turned blue like a saddle on his back. The wolf, who was approaching with its dark blue eyes shining, sniffed and stared at me.

To be honest, I was incredibly scared since it was a wolf bigger than an adult, but the Duke pressured me to touch it.

“It’s all right.”

He patted its back and told me to do that, too.

“I-I’m scared…”

“Chen, get down.”

At that, the wolf quickly fell to the floor. It slowly wags its tail like a docile dog. The Duke strode straight to the wolf’s back, and sat on it.

The wolf then got up.

“Awoo…!”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

As it howled, the Duke whispered while gently patting its back.

“Beatrice.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Turn your head.”

With those words, I grabbed the Duke’s clothes tightly. Let’s calm down, calm down. I also have Gias Shield, I can use a shield if I want.

With that in mind, I carefully turned my head.

“Wow…”

Excitement overcame my body. As we were riding on the wolf’s back, my vision became high.

“Can you see well from afar?”

I nodded blankly at his words with a small smile.

“The pride of the north is the well-tamed monsters.”

The voice of the Duke, who spoke like that, seemed to have somehow given me strength.

“So, shouldn’t you try riding on Arion’s back alone?”

“Ah… I—”

This is what worries me the most. A wolf of this size and a child… if it bites me once, my ticket to the underworld is confirmed.

“They will not bite unless ordered to do so.”

He replied right away as if I had nothing to think about.

“Don’t worry. Chen will never bite you.”

“Really?”

“As long as you live in Creighton Mansion, you will not be attacked by Chen.”

The Duke who said so met my gaze. His red eyes were glowing softly with warmth. “So, you won’t be bitten, Beatrice Creighton.”

I was surprised by that.

“…Creighton?”

“Yes.”

The Duke’s expression was still soft.

“As I’ve said before, I’m in charge of you regardless of my will. But, I have no intention of evading responsibility.”

‘In the north, children are precious,’ I muttered.

The Duke changed his posture, and he continued.

“As long as I am responsible, you’re my child. So from now on, your last name is Creighton.”

He told me bluntly. Not because he loves me, that we will become a family, though, because he had to take responsibility. Nevertheless, I liked the Duke’s attitude. At least, he doesn’t give me empty promises.

It’s been less than two weeks since I’ve been living here. Besides, he was always busy, so I didn’t see him that much except during mealtime.

It was rather awkward for such a person to say that he loved me and that I would become his family member. Rather, if he had said that, I would have thought, what might he have in mind?

In addition, if he takes responsibility now, it will be easier for me to become self-reliant later.

“Thank you, Duke.”

That’s why I was able to say thank you with a sincere smile. I liked the Duke more and more as he treated me without any lies.

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ complains about the choice of words. ]

[‘Librarian of Nipur’ nods satisfactorily, saying he is rational. ]

[ ‘The Guardian of the Golden Field’ is watching. ]

Why? I like it, though.

[ ‘Librarian of Nipur’ is pleased. ]

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ pouted, saying he’s too blunt and cold-hearted. ]

[ ‘The Guardian of the Golden Field’ nods. ]

‘It’s good to be honest. He doesn’t just ignore it and hide it.’

I thought so and took my eyes off the message window.

“There’s nothing to thank you for.”

Saying so, he moved his eyes away. However, I saw it…

The Duke’s ears are red.

‘He’s so clumsy and cute.’

Maybe it’s because it’s a character in a novel I wrote. Or, maybe it’s because he’s showing such an unexpected side of him… He’s starting to look quite cute.

‘I can’t think like that.’

I couldn’t think of him that way, or else I’ll be guilty when I leave here. Let’s be careful.

“Now, it’s going to walk slowly.”

As the Duke then beckoned the wolf, which was glancing this way, the wolf began to walk slowly.

“Wow…”

I couldn’t help but exclaim. When would I ride on a wolf’s back, which is bigger than a rhinoceros? It must be comfortable if it walks slowly like that.

“Now that you’re a member of the Creighton family, I’ll let you raise a well-tamed monster later.”

“Is it like a wolf?”

“Better than wolves. Though not now because it’s dangerous.”

Yes, it’s dangerous. No matter how much they tame the monsters, giving it to a five-year-old child is too much.

“Then, when?”

Since I’m a child, I better ask that.

Ah, it’s hard being a child.

At my question, the Duke seemed to be thinking about this without knowing how I felt. It wasn’t until the wolf passed under a large garden tree that the answer came out.

“I’ll give you a present when you’re fifteen.”

“How many nights do I sleep to be fifteen?”

He frowned awkwardly at the words.

“You would be sleeping a lot.”

“Oh…”

Pretending to be disappointed on purpose, the Duke smiled.

“Let’s take a walk like this instead.”

“Can I?”

“Yes. Still, it’s hard to say whether I can do it every day or not.”

Well, of course, he’s busy as a duke. His life must be full of paperworks.

And so, I nodded because it was a situation that I fully understood. Although he must’ve thought I was disappointed, so he patted me gently on the back.

“Also, one more thing.”

“….?”

“You need to learn how to demand something.”

I wondered what this meant, so I stared blankly at the duke.

“Now that you’re a member of the Creightons, tell the servants anything. I won’t know if you don’t tell me.”

I’m genuinely satisfied, and I don’t know what else to ask for anymore here. I told Sophie, didn’t you hear about it, Duke?

As if he understood me, he added again.

“You don’t have to do it now, but you’ll have to do it later. Don’t put up with it and talk about it.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything. There’s nothing you can’t have.”

The Duke’s face, which said so, showed confidence. As expected of a rich man. It’s so easy for him to say that.

‘Should I ask for a piece of jewelry?’

I’ll use it if I run away from home. But, he doesn’t know about jewelry, does he?

I’m screwed.

[ ‘Librarian of Nipur’ advises you to check the clothes of your servants. ]

Clothes? What clothes?

Ah…! The aristocrat’s servants have luxurious clothes.

I’ll take a look today. If they were a servant of the Duke of Creighton, who owned several mines, wouldn’t they have buttons out of precious metals such as gold and silver?

‘Thank you, Ren.’

[ ‘Librarian of Nipur’ is pleased. ]

[ ‘The Queen of Flowers and Nymphs’ and ‘Guardian of the Golden Field’ shouted in protest. ]

[ ‘Librarian of Nipur’ is proud to be quick-witted. ]

Watching the message window go wild, I thought to myself.

‘They’re filming a sitcom again today…’

I should ask if they want to be a comedian.

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