I Became The Stepmother Of An Irrevocable Dark Family - Chapter 55

Has Rere ever been this happy?

Rere was humming to herself as she happily spread her arms out.

“You’re so lively today.”

“What?! I’m always lively. Hmph. Don’t make it sound like me being lively is strange, nanny!”

“That’s right. I made a mistake.”

With her tongue out, Rere urged her nanny once again. And so, the nanny, who was busy dressing up Rere, smiled ever so brightly, too.

With the help of May and the other maids, I was finally able to put on my dress, which glistened everytime it was exposed to light. Then, when I looked at my figure in the mirror, I was filled with astonishment yet again

“Now, we’ll be adorning you with a necklace and a ring. As for our miss, we’ll adorn her with a tiara embellished with blue jewels later.”

“Was the jeweller aware of the dresses’ color beforehand?”

“No. These are the ones from Madame Cecilia.”

“Ah.”

“To satisfy you, Adazelle Salon went as far as to work together with a jewelry store to create accessories to match with your outfits. What’s more, seeing as Madame Cecilia even sent the store the jewels embellished in these accessories, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she was very determined to meet your standards. And as I see it, she didn’t disappoint at all as these accessories go well with the dress.”

“Indeed. Although the dress is on another level, the accessories used to complete the outfit are one of a kind as well.”

My first impression of her wasn’t the best because she mistook my tastes for that of Astra’s. But if she puts her mind into it, I can say that she is capable of creating splendid outfits.

After a while, Rere finished putting on her dress, too. Then, she twirled in delight and asked.

“Big Bunny. Am I pretty?”

“Yes! Very pretty. So much so that I thought you were an angel sent from heaven for a second.”

“Hmph. I don’t like exaggerated compliments! But, Big Bunny….. You’re so pretty!”

I wonder if Rere realized how cute she looked… As I looked at Rere, I felt the urge to let the world know how lovely and pretty my Rere is.

“You’re both so beautiful! Surely, no one can deny that you two are mother and daughter.”

Rere only shrugged at the nanny’s words. Thereafter, she put on her tiara and shoes by herself, and raised her head.

“Hold my hand. I’ll escort my Big Bunny who’s trembling so much.”

“Will Rere do that for me?”

“Yes! After all, we are the stars today!”

And so, I held the child’s hand that was adorned with a pretty flower bracelet.

“My hands were shaking a lot just now, but I feel better because I’m holding Rere’s hand.”

“Of course.”

“But, Rere.”

“Yes!”

“Why is your hand shaking so much?”

I thought there was an earthquake.

“No!”

“Then shall I let go of your hand?”

“No. Why are you trying to prove it! That kind of person is not attractive! Come on. How long are we going to stay here? Huft, it’s hot.”

Rere, who was busy fanning herself in embarrassment, began to drag me by the hand again.

“Come on!”

But as soon as we got out of the dressing room, we stumbled upon a familiar person.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Daddy!”

He wore a white uniform that did not match with our dresses. Somehow, he was a little taken aback upon seeing us, and looked at us alternately.

“What do you think, daddy? Isn’t Big Bunny so pretty?
”
“…Indeed.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“…We’re running late. We should get going.”

“Geez. Forget it, then.”

The duke, who had been agonizing over what to say for a long time, breathed a sigh of relief only after Rere stopped pressuring him. Of course, Rere didn’t stop at that, and added.

“Rere is so pitiful!!!”

“Wh-why must Rere be so pitiful!”

Of course, the Duke was surprised.

“Daddy is so unattractive! How did such an unattractive uncle become my daddy?”

“Did you just call me uncle?”

“I can’t call you grandfather, can I?”

“That’s true, but…”

Amidst their bickering, Rere held my hand again, and pulled me towards her.

“Let’s go.”

“Rere, Leona’s escort is me, though…”

“I will do it. Today, she’s coming to the party as my mother. She’s mine, so don’t snatch her away, daddy.”

Rere ignored the Duke, who looked dumbfounded and had an awkward smile on his face, and dragged me along with her.

“Rere…!”

Despite the duke’s wistful call, Rere continued to walk more vigorously than ever. Somehow, I felt less nervous when I held Rere’s hand compared to when I held the Duke’s arm.

“Big Bunny, are you nervous?”

“Yes.”

“This is what you should do when you’re feeling nervous.”

“What?”

Rere, who was a step ahead of me, turned around and spread out her arms.

“Do this!”

“Huh?”

“You can hug Rere.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeees! Hug me. It works!”

Hence, I hugged the child. Only then was I able to feel her trembling body.
Her body was trembling so much. But even in this state, she pretended not to be nervous and comforted me instead. That’s how kind Rere is.

“How is it? Does it work?”

“Yes! It works. I’m not nervous anymore!”

“Hmm. In my opinion, I don’t think simply holding hands is enough.”

“If we go to the banquet hall this way, your dress will most likely become a little bit wrinkled. Is that fine?”

“Yes! I’m fine with it! As long as Big Bunny is, too!”

Then, Rere buried her head in my chest.

“I love hearing the sound of Big Bunny’s heart. It goes badump, badump.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I particularly love hearing it because it’s like it’s telling me that my mom is alive.”

“I love it, too.”

“So, you must not go anywhere. You should always stay by my side, okay?”

If you wish for it so much, I will say it over and over again.

I love you.

Hence, I will always be there for you.

Meanwhile, the Duke, who went ahead of us, stopped in front of the hall. In comparison to what one would expect, there were more servants situated by the door.

“Open the door.”

“Yes.”

At his command, both doors opened wide as if they had been waiting. The first thing that came into my sight was a chandelier from afar. And, since what welcomed us was only the entrance to the hall on the second floor, we weren’t able to see any of the guests yet.

“Give me the child.”

“No. Rere needs to calm Big Bunny.”

“But if you continue to stay in that position…”

At that time, Luca, who was behind the Duke, naturally approached Rere.

“If you continue to stay in that position, those who came today won’t be able to have a proper view of Ms. Leona.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Didn’t you want everyone to know that Ms. Leona is the Duchess and Miss Rebecca’s mother? For that to happen, you have to let them see the Duchess at her most beautiful appearance. But, if you insist to be held by Ms. Leona, people won’t be able to have a proper look at her no matter how beautiful she is.”

“But…”

“How about holding Ms. Leona’s hand instead while you’re in His Excellency’s arms?”

Then, as if she was convinced by Luca’s words, Rere reached out to the duke.

“Luca is right. Daddy, hug me!”

“Yes.”

The duke, who looked a bit taken aback by Rere’s refusal earlier, held Rere in his arms.

“Let’s go.”

“Hold my hand, Big Bunny.”

The Duke and Rere reached out to me at the same time. After pondering for a while, I took Rere’s hand. So, the Duke, who was dumbfounded by my actions, sighed deeply and began to walk towards the hall.

As we approached the hall, I noticed that it was filled with music, as if it were waiting for us.

“Duke Ian Petri, Duchess Leona Petri, and Princess Rebecca Petri have arrived.”

People’s chatter disappeared in an instant.

Only after I took a few steps inside was I able to see the venue completely.

A scene that could only be seen in a movie unfolded before my eyes.

With the help of Luca, I was the one who invited the guests to the party, but compared to what I initially thought, the guests present here seemed to be much bigger in number. What’s more, everyone was wearing fancy outfits and accessories. So, perhaps because I was overwhelmed, my hands began to tremble even more.

But, as if he was used to it, the Duke calmly began talking.

“Today, I’m here to introduce the new Duchess, Leona Petri.”

Those who bowed in our presence slowly raised their heads.

He closed his mouth after one sentence. I wasn’t sure if it was because he had nothing else to say, or because it’s how it was normally supposed to be done.

What am I supposed to do? Do I have to wave my hand?

But at that time….

“Are you nervous?”

“Luca.”

“Don’t be too nervous. Think of this as a radish field. You don’t have to be nervous in front of radishes, do you?”

My nervousness, which caused me to tremble like crazy, slightly subsided thanks to his sweet voice.

“What am I supposed to do?”

Even though the Duke was standing next to me, I asked Luca instead.

“You don’t have to do anything but smile.”

At his words, I awkwardly smiled.

Thereafter, the people who were staring at me began to move about again. It was almost as if they were waiting for my reaction.

As soon as he noticed the slight change in the reaction of the people, Duke Ian opened his mouth again.

“Everyone, please enjoy the party.”

His words marked the start of the party.

The calm music changed to that of a music that reminds one of spring in an instant.

At the soft and bubbly music, people started to relax themselves again.

*** 

“Now that we’re done with our greetings, let’s go down. I want to dance with Big Bunny!”

Meanwhile, Rere, who freed herself from the Duke’s arms, reached out to me.

“But, Mom is not good at dancing, Rere.”

“That’s fine. I just want to dance with my mom. Since I’ve never been able to do so before…”

Having heard the cute little girl’s earnest wish, I immediately took her hand.

“Of course! Let’s go!”

But, as soon as we reached the end of the stairs, a man we didn’t want to see stopped us.

“Hoho. We finally have the chance to talk. New Duchess and Princess Rebecca.”