The Saintess Became the Northern Grand Duke’s Daughter - Chapter 25

Liriette knew.

 

She realized the fact that just being the lost daughter of the Duke, who hasn’t even married yet, caused a lot of trouble.

 

The Duke will be accused of having an illegitimate child.

 

It will have a devastating effect on his upcoming marriage.

 

That’s why she intended to remain as silent as possible, covered only in the guise of the Duke’s daughter.

 

She then tried to put down the name she was the Duke’s daughter once the High Priest’s interest faded.

 

‘But to really be his daughter…’

 

It was on a different level than pretending to be his fake daughter.

 

That meant that he would give her his family name, and announce to the whole world that she was his own daughter.

 

‘There’s nothing good about that for the Duke.’

 

So she had to say no.

 

Even if it was a moment, even if it was her dream.

 

However, the Duke spoke before her.

 

“I’m not saying this to prevent the High Priest from taking you. Not sympathy for a child with nowhere to go, or reward for healing my eyes.”

 

If that was all, it was enough for them to maintain the current state.

 

“This is my pure greed. I want to protect you completely from a position where no one interferes.”

 

“…”

 

Liriette looked at the Duke, her eyes quivering, and stuttered her words.

 

“I…”

 

“I’m not asking you to answer right now. It must be embarrassing and burdensome for someone to suddenly want to be your father.”

 

The Duke added, stroking Liriette’s little head.

 

“Think it through and let me know when you come up with an answer.”

 

It was a friendly voice that made her wonder if it was really the ice duke.

 

***

 

The Duke was holding his face with his hands folded. This time, he had a creepy face as if he was contemplating who to kill, but Simon noticed.

 

The young emotion in the Duke’s eyes right now was nervousness.

 

‘If anyone sees it, they’ll think he’s waiting anxiously for an answer after courting an arrogant noble lady.’

 

In fact, it wasn’t much different from that.

 

Because the Duke asked Liriette to formally become his daughter.

 

Yet she had no answer for several days.

 

‘Does she hate being my daughter?’

 

Simon said to the Duke, whose eyes became more stark.

 

“Your Grace. Wouldn’t it have been better to appeal to Miss Liriette a little more?”

 

“Appeal?”

 

“Yes. She has a lot to gain from being Your Grace’s daughter. First of all, Miss Liriette will become the only princess in the Empire. That means she will become one of the ten most powerful women in the Empire.”

 

However, his eyes were cold.

 

“I wonder if Liriette would be interested in something like that.”

 

“Even for a child, she doesn’t seem to have a strong desire for power, but shouldn’t you take out all of your cards anyway?”

 

Simon recited all the Duke’s cards he thought of.

 

“Once she becomes the Princess of Windsor-Ice, she can use the gate and go anywhere. She can also use the luxurious villas owned by the Duke of Windsor-Ice in each country to her heart’s content… You can also say she could marry any Imperial man. For example, even the Crown Prince wouldn’t be an undeserved opponent for the Princess of Windsor-Ice.”

 

Simon, who had spat out the words there, covered his mouth with a gasp. It was because the Duke was looking at him with a terrifying look that couldn’t compare to his appearance just now.

 

Simon immediately admitted his guilt.

 

“I made a mistake. Please forgive me.”

 

 

Liriette widened her eyes.

 

“What is all that?”

 

Simon said.

 

“This is a document that lists the rights that Miss Liriette will receive if you officially enter the Duchy of Windsor-Ice.”

 

He set down a thick stack of papers on the table. There were so many papers that it was bigger than Liriette.

 

“His Grace the Duke told you to read it whenever you’re bored, but I hope Miss Liriette will check these carefully. It might be of great help in making difficult decisions.”

 

He said and left her room.

 

Liriet looked at the papers with her eyes widened, then lifted her tiptoe and caught the topmost paper in the bundle.

 

One piece, and another.

 

Liriet read the paper with a serious face.

 

***

 

The study of the Duke with a red sunset.

 

Although there was a knocking sound, the Duke read the documents without any response.

 

However, he raised his head in a flash at the voice that followed.

 

“Duke, this is Liriette. May I come in?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It was a lightning fast response.

 

After a while, Liriette entered the room. She lowered her eyebrows as she looked at the pile of papers on the desk.

 

“If you’re busy…”

 

“Not at all.”

 

Answering like a single knife, the Duke stood up and removed the chair for his guest. Liriette quietly sat down and said.

 

“It’s nothing else, I saw the papers the Duke sent me. There were so many of them that I couldn’t read them all.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes. The name of the Duke of Windsor-Ice is greater than I thought.”

 

The power and wealth that could be enjoyed just by looking around the name was enormous.

 

Liriette lowered her eyebrows.

 

“But, Duke. To me, all of that felt like a burden, not a gift. When I become the Duke’s real daughter, I’m going to have to weigh this much, and I’m terrified.”

 

Simon, you stupid bastard.

 

That’s why I said that if I tried to appeal to her like that, Liriette would hate it.

 

Hiding his thoughts, the Duke calmly nodded his head.

 

“I see.”

 

“…”

“Never mind, I will tell Simon to bring the papers back. I’m sorry if I burdened you.”

 

It was a cold voice, but the contents were infinitely careful and considerate.

 

Liriette stared at the Duke and said.

 

“Duke, why do you want to accept me? You have nothing to gain from that.”

 

“Why do you think there is none?”

 

“That…”

 

She confessed honestly.

 

“The Duke is having a child without ever getting married. It will be a huge blemish for the Duke.”

 

Hmm.

 

She wasn’t a noble, yet she knew how fierce it was in the nobility world.

 

Liriette continued while biting her lip.

 

“I’m so grateful and sorry for letting me pretend to be the Duke’s fake daughter. I don’t want to cause more trouble here.”

 

It was a clear refusal.

 

However, the Duke’s expression didn’t harden. Instead, his face looked a little happy.

 

“It wasn’t that you were worried because you didn’t like me being your father.”

 

Liriette shouted, her face startled.

 

“That can’t be!”

 

“…”

 

“The Duke is a very kind person. You’re one of the coolest men I know. For someone like that to be my father, nothing in the world makes me happier.”

 

The corners of the Duke’s lips twitched.

 

He said, suppressing the laughter that was about to burst out.

 

“Then there’s no problem at all going on.”

 

“But…”

 

“If the power and wealth that comes with the name of Windsor-Ice are burdensome, you don’t have to accept it. Choose what you want and enjoy it.”

 

Liriette asked with a confused face.

 

“…What can the duke get by doing that?”

 

The Duke replied with an extremely clear face.

 

“A nice and pretty daughter.”

 

“…!”

 

Liriette’s light blue eyes trembled violently. Looking down at such Liriette, the Duke said.

 

“Above all, when I become a real father rather than a fake father, you will put your heart more on being childish too. I’m not talking about things like favors or inconveniences or what now.”

 

Liriette didn’t say anything and looked at the Duke.

 

It was absurd that the Duke with the most wealth and power on the continent said it was all he wanted. She didn’t even understand.

 

But nonetheless…

 

‘I’m happy.’

 

Suddenly, tears fell from Liriette’s eyes.

 

The Duke said, taking out his handkerchief and wiping away Liriette’s tears.

 

“Once again, please. Won’t you be my daughter?”

 

Liriette replied, straining her eyes to keep her from crying.

 

“Please grant me one request.”

 

“Tell me anything.”

 

“Please let me leave the Windsor-Ice Castle whenever I want.”