Chapter 9

I smiled at the person in charge.

“I’ll be in your care.”

If there is something I don’t like, I can throw it away or sell it, so I didn’t have to be picky.

The manager nodded his head and immediately began to direct the staff under him. It wasn’t until I watched the door open and close that I realized that the Duke had also changed the door.

I like how it looked good and sturdy.

‘You still have a conscience.’

I held Elodie’s hand, who was anxious at the appearance of strangers and comforted her.

“Elodie, let’s wait a little bit. Then we can go inside.”

“…….”

Elodie shut her mouth and only nodded her head.

How long did they stay?

By the time the work was finally done, the sun had completely set and darkness covered the entire street. Naturally, they brought very good oil lamps, so there were no problems with the work.

As soon as all the workers left, we looked inside the house half trembling and half excited.

There was an antique table in the place where there was an old table I had bought a few years ago at a second-hand store. The rocking chair, which was making a squeaky sound due to the lack of support, was changed to a fluffy armchair.

A soft carpet wrapped around our shoes.

‘……!’

When I looked down, I saw an indigo blue carpet beautifully embroidered with gold and silver. IT was something softer than the best clothes I’ve ever owned. As expected, it seemed to be made of expensive fabrics.

Even if he didn’t do it, I wanted to put a carpet on the floor in case Elodie would fall and get hurt. I delayed it day after day because I didn’t have spare time.

I had to admit.

‘……I like it.’

The carpet wasn’t the only thing the Duke prepared for Elodie.

There were wooden stands everywhere Elodie had a hard time climbing or reaching. Safety devices were installed near sharp corners or dangerous firearms.

However, it doesn’t mean he brought a bunch of stuff only for Elodie.

The kitchen second hand utensils, bought as used goods to save money a few years ago, had now lost all their sharpness and were replaced with new ones. The seasonings that had run out were filled with new ones.

The bathroom has also been changed to such an extent that its shabby appearance cannot be found, and the biggest change was the bedroom.

‘Whoa…….’

I looked around the bedroom and admired it.

Fortunately, the Duke didn’t change my bed. If he did, I’d be pretty pissed off, because it was a luxurious bed that I put a lot of thought into.

‘He has good eyes.’

But the Duke changed everything except the bed.

The first thing that caught my eye was the insulation.

It was still late autumn, so I couldn’t prepare properly, but the wall with the window was covered with thick insulation, perhaps for the upcoming winter. Instead of curtains made of cheaply cut fabrics, high-quality blackout curtains hung on the windows.

Several dolls made of soft material, prepared for Elodie, were neatly placed on one side of the floor, and fluffy bedroom slippers were displayed on the chest of drawers organized by size.

There was also a set of incense candles that I wished to own at least once.

Even a soft little blanket that seems useful when Elodie sleeps alone.

Why?

The corners of my lips keep going up.

No, let’s be honest. Had it not been for Elodie, who showed signs of discomfort, I might have been smiling like a crazy person.

“…A-Ariah.”

Elodie called me cautiously.

“Yes, Elodie?”

“It’s all…… Did that man do all of this? Because of me?”

“It seems so.”

After a moment’s silence, Elodie opened her mouth with a firmly determined voice.

“I will tell him not to do this anymore. I don’t know if he’ll listen to me but,…….”

I made a muffled sound. Obviously, even if you try to pass it by lightly, what the Duke had done could not be said to be good.

It was even selfish.

Because he didn’t ask for my or Elodie’s opinion, he ordered as much furniture as he liked and sent it to my house. Even if the person in charge sent by the Duke tried to get my permission, how many people would be able to say, ‘Okay, go back now’ in that situation?

But…

I already made my conclusion before.

It’s too much money to feel bad.

* * *

It was lunchtime the next day.

As expected, the Duke appeared at the same time as the day before.

Leading a group of customers.

“…Order, what would you like?”

All sorts of questions rushed to my throat, but I pretended to be calm and received his order.

Because I wasn’t stupid enough to let a dozen prickling guests know whether some handsome guy spent money on my house or not.

The Duke arrogantly ordered.

“The same thing as yesterday.”

“All right.”

I nodded.

He almost didn’t touch it, so I thought it wouldn’t be his taste, but it seems like he managed to like it. Looking back, he only took a few scoops, how could I know the picky eating habits of noble people.

I was just thankful that he ordered the most expensive menu.

After that, it went the same as yesterday.

I made dozens of huge shaved ice and the inside of the store was full of customers who came to see the Duke. On the contrary, it seemed to be busier than yesterday.

At this rate, the Duke would disappear like yesterday while I was frantically taking orders.

‘I can’t let him go like that.’

I slipped a note onto the table, pretending to bring the Duke his order.

The day went on for a long time. Finally, after the cafe’s hours of operation, I leaned over the counter exhausted.

“Ariah, are you okay?”

Elodie’s worried voice was heard.

“Of course it’s fine.”

I reached out and stroked Elodie’s hair with only the tips of my fingers.

“I’m just a little tired. Let’s go home now.”

Of course, it wasn’t just because I was tired that I wanted to go home in a hurry. I quickly cleaned up the store and hurried my steps. Because I had someone to meet.

After a while, Elodie who arrived home took a deep breath.

Naturally, she would do so. Because an overbearing handsome man with a face exactly like Elodie’s was standing in the doorway.

I put my hand on the stiff shoulder of the anxious child and politely opened my mouth.

“Thank you for coming over, Your Grace.”

“What’s going on?”

Duke Vanice spoke seriously, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Elodie. Apparently, he didn’t get tired of staring at Elodie all afternoon.

“Let’s go in for now.”

I opened the front door.

This alley was deserted, but I didn’t want to imagine the result if anyone saw us and spread a rumor.

“…….”

The Duke, who inadvertently tried to step into the house, flinched noticeably. He seemed to have some awareness of what he had done only now.

I snorted.

“What are you hesitating about when you have already sent people and turned the house upside down? Please come in.”

The Duke frowned.

“…I couldn’t have just watched my daughter grow up in a beggar’s den.”

Huh, his reply came out automatically.

No matter how carefully I made it, for him it’s a beggar’s den, looking at the nest that people have been working hard for and saying rude things.

But…

Remembering the cost I had approximately calculated in my head yesterday. The corners of my lips slightly rose.

“A beggar’s den……It might look like that. But even this beggar has a taste. Of course, there is also Elodie.”

“……Tell me.”

I pointed to the armchair.

I liked how soft and comfortable it was, but there’s nothing in it that made it desirable, and since the person who made the changes appeared, it was a good opportunity.

“You changed the rocking chair into an armchair, but I like the rocking chair more. Please place in a rocking chair, too.”

Next up was the table.

“The table. A large and brilliant table like this should be nice, but a table for two is more comfortable for daily use.”

Of course, I couldn’t miss out on things prepared for Elodie.

“And Elodie prefers large dolls that she can hug instead of cute small dolls. I hope you can lay out carpets in every corner of the house. I want to minimize the possibility of Elodie getting hurt.”