The Kids Have Changed - Chapter 35

“Now, I think I’ve shown you all my cards. Sharon, what do you think? Will you accept my offer and take care of the ducal mansion?”

“Yes. That’s what I’ve been doing until now. However, please keep your promise that you will be on Carol and my side.”

There was no need to hesitate. Now, I had the authority to handle the house without being wary of the duke.

Score!

“Of course, Sharon. May I ask just one question?”

”…Ask away.“

“What will you do with Sarah?”

I answered without hesitation. “I’ll send her overseas. I’d like it if she could never come back.”

The Duke rubbed his chin and nodded. Really, he must not have had the slightest feeling toward Sarah.

He wasn’t showing any emotion.

“…I think I can help with that. The Gratoni name will be more useful in applying for her travel ban.”

“…Sounds good.”

I grabbed the Duke’s hand.

There was no reason not to join forces with the Duke, who had even revealed his secrets.

For Carol, and for me.

“I’ll give you one bit of advice… You should also start socializing. You’ll fall behind like this. Many things will change rapidly with the unstable succession of the imperial powers.”

I was already thinking about that, though I didn’t know much of the small details.

I vaguely thought that it might be time to step into the social world.

It was a natural conclusion, looking at the troublemakers, Carol and Julien.

What if they make a mistake there?

The effort I’ve put in so far would become futile.

I could never allow that.

I didn’t cook this porridge just to feed it to the dogs.

“I’ll listen to your advice. Thank you.”

The Duke looked surprised by my greeting.

Hey, I wasn’t that rude.

Kindness for a kindness, and a favor for a favor. Didn’t he know that?

“I’m glad.”

The Duke’s lips moved slightly like he was looking for the suitable words.

“It’s been a while since I’ve dealt with a young lady, so it’s strange. Today’s conversation was pleasant. You may leave now. Carol will be looking for you.”

I stood up without pause.

“I’ll see you next time.”

As I bowed politely and started to leave, I heard the Duke murmur,

“That you came to us… was an indescribable good fortune. Thank you sincerely.”

I exited and closed the door.

Oh, how weird.

My head was blank. New facts have been added to the storyline that I knew.

In addition, I had an unexpected backer.

Was this the price of sparing and exiling the Duchess, who was destined to die, and changing Carol who would have been more cruel than the Duchess?

Was it because of me?

I became anxious. I still didn’t know what effect this change would have.

“Sharon!”

She really didn’t give me time to think.

I smiled faintly as I saw Carol running toward me.

“Sharon!! I heard my father called you! Why? Did he scold you? Why? What’s going on?!”

“It’s nothing. He asked if you were good at studying.”

“…So what did you say…?”

“I told him you got 5 out of 30 questions on the linguistics test last time.”

“Hey!! Are you for real? You aren’t, right? Sharon! I thought we were keeping that a secret!!”

She screamed and writhed as she followed me.

With this, my worries ended.

Because it was loud.

“I’ll tell on you for everything, too!! That you skipped class and took a nap!!”

Sure, whatever!

***

Carol was a little nervous. Sharon was called by her father.

He couldn’t be making her leave now, could he?

If so, Sharon would likely leave without a second glance.

Always being relaxed and laid-back was no different from being cold-hearted.

It was because someone like that did not cross the line between themselves and others that they were so indifferent.

“You can’t, Father.”

Among the gifts her father gave her, Sharon was the only one she liked. She didn’t know if Sharon was really her birthday present, that year that Sharon came to the house.

Carol didn’t know if her father really brought in Sharon while thinking of Carol, but…

“You can’t take Sharon away from me…”

Carol walked quickly.

She wanted to see Sharon’s face a little sooner.
‘Thank goodness.’

Sharon smiled at Carol the same as before.

When she smiled, she looked like a charming cat.

‘Really, thank goodness…’

Carol was relieved to see Sharon respond to all her mischief.

Chapter 8. Julien’s Ambush

Nothing changed just because the Duke and I shook hands. The Duke only said that he would help, but he didn’t drop the façade and neither did I.

I was skillfully hiding; rather, it was Madame DeJoue’s representative head maid that acted.

So, the week passed like usual.

Carol started being active again, definitely a 15-year-old girl.

I was still choosing where I should start socializing.

About three weeks passed since the Duchess was taken away.

The trial ended without me even having to see it, and the Duchess was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Hmph. She has to suffer a bit.

The reason I was neglecting the Duchess when she needed help was to drive her further into the corner.

So that she would realize that I’m the only one whose hand she can hold onto.

“But why is this kid late again today? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other! Is this Korean time?” [1]

But he wasn’t even Korean!!

“What is Korean time?”

“It’s nothing.”

I’d only wait another 30 minutes.

It was chilly today, so I couldn’t nap.

I put a tissue on Carol’s runny nose.

“Blow your nose.”

“Hng!”

I wrapped a large blanket that the maid brought me around my body and put my legs on the chair. I could see Carol whining as she followed my actions.

Madame DeJoue would have been shocked to see this, but she wasn’t here right now.

Oh, warm.

Wouldn’t it be nice to use magic at times like this?

I was sad that I didn’t bring anything with me when I entered the novel.

I didn’t even get the female lead buff, so how would I know what to do?

All I received was an appearance buff!!

I felt regret that this place was different from Korea, where beauty was also a talent.

What a waste. With this face, I could have become a star not just in Korea but in outer space as well.

While thinking this kind of thoughts, I tried to bury my face in the blanket.

“Oh, I’m cold.”

“Me too!”

It was peaceful. Until a noise from somewhere came to me and Carol.

“You’re a curse! That’s why Lady Carol was sick, too!”

“Hmm?”

I stopped Carol from pricking up her ears at the sound of her name.

“Shh.”

What was this about?

I held my breath, as did Carol.

“Brother is right! Look at the red hair. In the first place, no one else has your hair color… Are you even our father’s son?”

“Brother, shouldn’t you try to be quiet? There are a lot of ears here.”

Julien’s voice was calm. But that seemed to make the others angrier.

“And to be honest, don’t I look much more like Father than Brother?”

When Julien said this, everyone shut their mouths. The crown prince made a direct hit this time.

“Haa. A curse, you say? For someone with a curse, I’m much better-looking than anyone here.”

Oh, what a good talker.

…I think I may have taught him that conceitedness.

“That sounds like something Sharon would say.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment.”

I ignored Carol, who complained about how I interpreted everything as I pleased, and listened to the princes’ conversation.

“Ha. Who the hell is backing you that you’re picking a fight with me? The only one you can trust is your mother’s family! Why would Lady Carol believe in you and marry you?”

“I know. Lady Carol also has eyes… Will she place her fate on a falling bird?”

I bet that they were the falling birds. Half-baked idiots.

How could they say that their brother was a curse?

I bit back the swear words that threatened to spill out.

What ludicrous things to say to my cutie, whom I raised preciously!

The reason I didn’t come out right now was that I didn’t think the prince would want it.

He was a proud child. Also, I strongly believed that he could handle that much.

“That’s also not right. A falling bird?”

Julien’s invidious words showed themselves again.

“Tsk. Where can you go with that personality?”

I heard Carol murmur from my side.

“You’re doing this just because I showed some excellent sword skills in front of Father… Like a pack of dogs going wild…”

Holy moly.

A groan came out of my mouth. I’d never heard Julien blaspheme someone so coldly.

Also, who taught him to emphasize dogs as an insult…

I sighed. I don’t think I have a good aptitude to be a teacher.

But Carol was calm.

“Look at that. I knew he’d act like this.”

“Is Julien usually like that?”

“…You mean you didn’t know?”

I shut my mouth tight at Carol’s question.

“How about improving your skills at times like this? Barking at me won’t make your skills any better.”

It was a neat finish.

“…Bastard!!’

“Go die!”

“Do you really think you can become the emperor?”

Even as they yelled at him, the sound of the princes’ footsteps was retreating.

It was the crown prince’s perfect victory.

Losers. Idiots who don’t know what to say!

It was all because of the Emperor.

His carelessness weakened the imperial authority, so the next-in-line was also in jeopardy.

Julien’s sighs descended on the garden.

“Sharon.”

I heard footsteps approaching me.

Heavier than Carol’s, lighter than adults’.

It was precisely the footsteps of the crown prince.

“Sharon. I know you aren’t asleep. What are you doing here when it’s so cold?”

His voice was a little lower than usual, so I lifted my head without feigning ignorance.

“Why’s your face like that?”

Damn it. Everyone I saw asked that. I rubbed the now pale-green cheeks with my hands.

“Pfft. Don’t do that. It’s getting red now.”

Julien took my hand and looked at me quietly with his black eyes.

“Mm. Shall I hug you?”

I held my arms out. I thought he might need comfort. The crown prince stared at me vacantly, then turned red.

“A noblewoman can’t say that to just any man!”

“…Any man? Are you just anyone?”

I worked so hard to raise him! I felt totally disappointed!

When he was hungry, I baked him cookies!! We climbed mountains together! We also fished! No?

Julien looked troubled, as if he had noticed what I wanted to say.

“No, I’m not saying that… Whatever.”

The prince sighed and scratched his head.

Then, he bent down and gently embraced me.

“…Are you hurt?”

“I’m not injured.”

What was this guy saying. I told him again and again to read between the lines!

“Not that! Your heart.”

He replied seriously to my whisper as I gently brushed his head.

“I know. I’m not hurt at all. I’m not hurt at all when you’re by my side.”

His answer was firm, and I was relieved.

[1] Korean time means purposefully being late.