Chapter 8

Elliot returned to the mansion very late.It seemed that he had eaten at the Count until dinner.After washing up with the Duchess, Claire dried her hair with a soft cloth and changed into soft pajamas.Ines did not drop her daughter, which she had recovered after six years, from her arms.She felt sorry for her daughter, who was much smaller and skinny than her peers because she couldn’t eat properly.So after Claire came, the Chefs of the Duke gathered their heads and had daily meetings to plan a nutritious diet.Claire’s cheeks were plumper than when she first came, but she was still far from growing up to be her age.As she entered the bedroom, Ines whispered into Claire’s ear.”Let’s stay in this room with Mom until this week. Claire’s room will be completed next week.””My room?”When Claire asked, Ines smiled sweetly and nodded her head.”Yeah, Claire’s room. Mom will also sleep in Claire’s room for a while.””….”Claire followed Ines and smiled and nodded her head.It was also a good thing that my mother’s arms were good.The first time I hugged my mother was warm and soft.It smelled good, and I felt at ease when I felt the warm body temperature.Cybill’s arms were good, but the arms of an adult mother were more stable.I was worried my mother’s arm would hurt, but I wanted to pretend I didn’t know.’But then, Duke Aston, no… Dad?’If Mom keeps sleeping with me, what will happen to Dad?Claire thought, then shook her head.’Let’s pretend we don’t know that for a while.’For the time being, I wanted to monopolize my mother. It was a big deal as I became more and more greedy.I haven’t called ‘Mom’ out of my mouth yet, but I’m still practicing inside, so it’ll be possible soon.Maybe?’Would you really like me if I called you Mom?’「If you call me by my proper name rather than mother, I’d love it, sweetie?」Ruby lying on the bed whispered to her.’If you’re going to treat me like a baby, I won’t talk to you.’「Yes.」After coming here, there was no time to feel hungry.Shortly after eating, sweet milk made with honey and grain was given, and cookies made with healthy ingredients were also given.After eating, I ate fresh fruit and drank fresh fruit.Having lived without being hungry like that, now, like a child, losing reason is less and less.I was very happy.Knock, knock.Then, a knock was heard on the door.Claire was momentarily startled and hid behind Ines’s back.「Heh, if you look at how scared you are, you’re still a baby—.」 ‘Even adults can be scared!’Clank, clank.It was Elliot who opened the door and entered.”Claire, brother is here.”His pink hair was a little wet, like he had just washed it.After confirming that it was Elliot, Claire smiled broadly.”Mom, can I go to bed after playing with Claire for a bit?””Of course, you’re a big deal.”He was the eldest son who was usually very proud.Elliot seemed happy to have an unexpected youngest sister.The Duchess smiled warmly and looked at Elliot and Claire.Elliot approached the bed, showed him the toy he had brought, and shook it.’No, do you think I’m a one-year-old baby?’The problem is that Elliot’s toys were not at all for the 6-year-old. It was a rattle that even newborn babies would like.Claire was startled inside, but for the first time, she pretended to be interested.Elliot was very proud to see this.’It’s hard to play with you.’Rapine sighed inside and asked the question he wanted to ask.”What about Cybill?””Oppa took her home safely. She promised to come again tomorrow. Claire, do you like Cybill that much?””Yes.””Why?”Rapine squinted her eyes.’To be honest, what I like the most about Cybill is— actually Cybill is the best—’In the original, Elliot definitely liked Cybill since he was young.Claire pretended not to know.”Because Cybill unnie is warm, smells good, has a kind voice, and gives me something delicious.””Did she?””Yeah. I wish Cybill-unnie lived here too.”She made a remark expressing her innermost intentions, but Elliot only smiled.’Well… Elliot is still only ten years old.’Claire stared at Elliot. and said more clearly”I hope Cybill unnie and Oppa marry each other.”She abandoned her pride and spoke innocent like a child. Elliot’s expression got brighter.”Mother, did you just hear? Claire called me brother!””Yeah, I heard. How…!”Ines put her hands on her chest and rejoiced. Elliot laughed as if excitedly.’No, there it is. It’s not that important now—’「Baby, it must be difficult for you to do what you want… Don’t just aim this way, it would be faster to aim for a guy named Oscar.」Claire looked at the baby teddy bear with a disappointed expression.Ruby was right.’Yeah, Oscar and Elliot have been close friends since childhood. If we wait, won’t we come to play?’「Yeah, if you persevere, you will come. There is an old saying that the one who perseveres wins!」”I’m here!” * * *The morning has come when the birds are chirping.However, the dining room’s atmosphere at Aston Mansion was not very good.”Claire, did you called Hyung oppa yesterday? Call me too! I mean, I’m also your oppa!””Me too! Call me oppa too!”Luca and Lois whined with complaining faces.Claire ignored their opinions and glared at Elliot.Elliot was drinking fruit juice while humming a song with a refreshing face.”…That must been nice, Elliot.”Sitting at the edge of the wide dining table, Duke Eston murmured a little.He was also cautious about speaking, fearing that Claire would be surprised if he made loud noises.The seat was also the furthest from Claire and Ines.’Honey, be strong….’Seeing her husband like that, Ines cheered inside.Claire no longer ate like a strange beggar.Because now I know that I can eat whenever I want.But every time I feel it, the dishes made by the chefs of the Duke’s house are so delicious that I have no choice but to eat a lot.In the middle of the meal, Ines, sitting on the left, wiped Claire’s lips.And from time to time, Elliot, seated on the right, wiped his lips.It felt like a large, transparent wall had been erected to the twin brothers sitting opposite and the Duke sitting on the end.”You’re the only one who pretends to be older than me! That’s cheap.””Right! We’re closer to each other. Because we’re younger than each other.””That’s what I’m saying! I’m not going to play with you from today.”Luca and Lois grumbled small, but Duke Eston, who sat at the end, could not even talk.He just glances and looks at Claire and is happy.”When will Cybill come?”After the meal, Claire asked Elliot.”She said se’d be here around lunch time.””….Yes.”Elliot’s words were accurate.After eating dessert and reading a storybook that didn’t even come to her ears, Cybill came.Claire was a little disappointed that Cybill came alone, but she didn’t show it.If Oscar doesn’t come, you can make him come.”Do you want to take a walk with Cybill?””Why?””Why!””Why?”Elliot, Luca, and Lois greatly refuted Claire’s words.”Kids, calm down.”Ines stopped such children.However, after telling the children, Ines also asked Claire affectionately in the ear.”Why…?”However, when my mother asked me why in a cold voice, I had to tell a secret story.At those words, the mother put on a shocked expression.’Next time, I’ll just have to look around….’The site of the Ducal Mansion was very large, and on one side was a large lawn garden.There were no obstacles, so it was a perfect space for children to run around.Claire took Cybill’s hand and walked hard.And around the time the people could be seen in the distance, I asked Cybill.”Are you friends with my older brother?””Yeah, we’re best friends!””Do you have any other friends?””Huh? Another friend?””Yes.”Claire nodded.「The question is very explicit, baby.」’Then what do we do?’「It’s very babyish behavior, hmm.」’Be quiet!’Cybill replied with a smile.”I have another friend. It’s Oscar, the crown prince of this empire.””…!”I got you!Claire pretended to be violently surprised.”Wow!””Oscar is incredibly popular. I hate to admit it, but he’s pretty good-looking.””More than Elliot oppa?””Well, in terms of popularity, it would be similar. But why are you curious about Oscar? Why?”Claire rolled her eyes and answered.”That’s…. He is Cybill unnie’s friend.””You want to know everything about me? Ha. Cute.”Claire said, “Ugh.” and answered.Cybill hugged Claire tightly.Claire, with her wavy pink hair, was so lovely.’It’s just like human cotton candy.’Besides, because she ate well, she became more lively, and her loveliness doubled.A tiny human cotton candy followed her, and she couldn’t help but fall in love with Claire.In addition, Cybill, the only child, always wanted a younger sibling, so Claire felt like her sister.Cybill, who hugged Claire and stroked her stomach, was surprised and said.”Claire, your stomach is plump now. It’s going to grow quickly!”That’s what Claire wanted too.”Ugh… That’s why I want to see all of my Unnie’s friends. Because I like her.”「It was perfect baby acting, baby!」Ruby, the baby teddy bear that Claire was spinning around, admired and praised her.’…Thanks.’I gave up my pride and spoke like a child… Cybill liked it fiercely, and it certainly worked.”Yeah? Then, this Unnie will pick you up tomorrow! Anyway, Oscar heard the news and decided to visit soon!””You have to come with me too!””Of course! You like Unnie that much? It’s cute!”Cybill held the back of Claire’s hand as if lovingly, and kissed her on the cheek.Claire also kissed Cybill’s hand and said, “Kiss!”. Then Cybill said, “Hey!” and liked it.”Let’s wait and see.”Claire laughed inwardly.The main culprit that ruins the original work and is an obsessive man.The way to stop Oscar from turning black is the way for everyone to be at peace.From Elliot, Cybill, our family, the Empire, Oscar’s mother, and even Oscar himself, the path to happinessAll the future depended on you.