Why Are You So Obsessed With Rejecting Affection? - Chapter 53

“Shushu, your birthday is on New Year’s Day?” Wyndert asked with a startled expression. January 1st is New Year’s Day and this must be his first time hearing about my birthday.

“Maybe it wasn’t the day I was born but that’s the day you found me in the orphanage.”

My birthday would have been on the 13th if I hadn’t moved out of the orphanage. (T/N: There’s no specific month here as she’s inside a novel.)

It was impossible, however, to guess my real birthday unless I had my mother or a midwife to prove it, so it was automatically decided that way.

“Let’s have a grand birthday party!” Deleign screamed right after I finished speaking with a bright expression.

“What can be the world’s most luxurious gift?” Wyndert mumbled beside him. I’m sure at this rate, he’s about to go find some treasure from far away countries.

“We won’t attend the New Year’s Day festival so we can celebrate our Shushu’s birthday.” The Grand Duke also declared with a stern expression.

‘Huh? Is it possible for the Grand Duke to skip the New Year’s Day celebrations?’

It can’t be. It was natural for nobles to attend large scale parties and gatherings during New Year’s Day. What do you mean you’re not attending that because of your daughter’s birthday!

‘These people are too much!’

I hardened my expression as I shook my head to stop that train of thought.

“Wait! For me, it’s enough to spend time with you on my birthday, and I want to receive something…….”

“What is that?”

I openly said I wanted something from them for the first time ever since I’ve been here in the Grand Duke’s mansion.

I wondered if they were curious as to what it’s about, as my two brothers and the Grand Duke asked delightedly in the quiet atmosphere.

“I want to study the history of the Grand Duchy as I haven’t been living here for a long time yet.”

“Oh my gosh.”

“Because history is the origin of the Grand Duchy!”

I don’t think it’s their first time seeing a little kid wanting to study.

Everyone, including the employees, were looking at me with affectionate eyes as if they were looking at a wonderful and studious kid. Like a ray of love shooting out of their eyes.

“Then you voluntarily went to the archive room yourself?”

“Yes….”

“We’re very proud of you.”

He didn’t ask for my reasons, but everyone, including the maids and servants, had a proud look on their faces.

“I read about the demon forest in the archives room and I want to go there with you, like having a family picnic!”

Wyndert and Deleign shook their heads while frowning as soon as I finished talking.

“That’s not allowed! It’s a dangerous place.”

“We’re going there to subjugate monsters, Shushu. Not until the subjugation is over!”

My brothers were the first to oppose it, because my request was so out of the blue.

“I am very worried about your safety, especially with you wanting to go to such a dangerous place, lady…….”

Lucy, who was next to me helping me with my meal, also attempted to dissuade me using an appealing sentiment. I could hear everyone saying ‘Lady, it’s dangerous there!’

‘I’ll be alright if the Grand Duke agrees with it.’

I looked at the Grand Duke with eager eyes. “You’ll be able to come back after the subjugation, so you can all come and protect me together, right?”

‘And I will also protect everyone.’

I waited for the Grand Duke to make a decision, holding my hands tightly under the table. I couldn’t figure out how I would be able to get to the demon forest if the Grand Duke won’t give his permission.

“I see, it’s the first gift Shushu has ever wanted,” my eyes glimmered at his words, and he continued, “You’re not asking for the whole forest to be removed or cleared out, but just to go sightseeing with us, so there’s no way I will disagree.”

“Father!”

It seemed like my staring attack helped! (T/N: More like she’s acting cute, lol)

The Grand Duke unexpectedly gave his permission willingly. Wyndert sprung up from his seat to retaliate, but the Grand Duke waved his hand as if it were nothing.

“I decided to give in so Shushu can do what she wants.”

“But this is…!”

“Shushu can do what she wants while I lay the groundwork for her.” (T/N: Please adopt me!)

The Grand Duke had already said these words once, and I was flattered by his passionate heart and his wide smile.

‘I will definitely protect my family!’ I pledged once again and jumped into the arms of the Grand Duke.

“I’m so happy!”

“Instead, you have to be careful. You can easily get lost in the forest and monsters can pop out anytime.”

“That’s right, it’s a scary place!”

Deleign chimed in loudly in agreement with the Grand Duke’s warning. And as if to scare me, he even raised his arm and shook it above his head.

‘Do you think I’m going to back out just because you are trying to scare me?’

I squinted my eyes at Deleign and asked, “Big brother, have you been there already?”

Deleign stuttered at my question, utterly defeated, avoiding to answer.

‘Well, he’s only seven years old so why would they take him to help with the subjugation?’

I smiled at him and asked, ‘ Is that a yes?’

“Why, what do you want to ask?” Deleign shouted.

It’s in fact natural for him not to participate in the subjugations yet but he didn’t want to admit it.

“Because big brother seemed to know the demon forest well,” I smiled and answered him.

“You can go with me!”

I spoke cheerfully as I turned my head toward the Grand Duke. I wanted to know if there was more to remember about going to the demon forest.

“You must not go do whatever you want and mess around, and you must stay with me no matter what.”

“I can do that really well.”

The Grand Duke sighed and hugged me, “It can’t be helped.”

“I think Shushu is trying to become a good student.”

“I’m grateful that she has an affectionate heart for our Grand Duchy.” Both the Grand Duke and Wyndert said to me.

‘That’s right, because I will definitely protect the place I like!’

I will definitely find a way to save the Grand Duchy. Dad, brothers, I will protect you!

*** 

“Master should’ve been firm with the Young Lady when she insisted on dangerous things, as an adult.”

“It’s really disappointing.”

“Sigh, my lady should come back safely…….”

Lucy, Nina, and Franc complained about my decision to go to the forest of the monsters.

To be more precise, they couldn’t understand why the Grand Duke agreed to bring a little kid like me to visit the demon forest.

“Franc, carry the bucket more meticulously. Make sure that the water does not leak or spill.”

“Yes, head maid.”

“Whew, shouldn’t she have some snow shoes?”

Yet, it was very cute to see them packing my luggage for my trip to the demon forest.

Obviously, they already packed a lot of things meticulously the previous day, but they kept thinking there’s something missing.

The people in this family were all worried and cared about me in their own way.

“Lucy, I have to go now…….”

I was going to leave for the forest soon.

She hugged me with her crying face as I quietly muttered and pulled her at her sleeves.

“This Lucy will die of shock if something goes wrong with our lady’s body. You must come back safely.”

Well, it was an interesting threat. If I get hurt, she might die of shock.

That threat certainly worked as it was very mind-boggling.

“I will make sure to come back safely…….” I nodded and hugged Lucy.

“Let’s go Shushu.”

The Grand Duke came and lifted me up when Lucy didn’t let go of me.

“Wait! Wait, Master.”

With a worried face, Lucy stopped the Grand Duke and wrapped the shawl around me protectively so the wind wouldn’t chill me.

‘I’m not going to die…….’

From Lucy’s point of view, it makes her this nervous just by going to a dangerous place.

I don’t want Lucy to worry about me, but I can’t help it this time.

It was a place where wagons could not enter, so the Grand Duke decided to go while horseback riding and just holding me.

I got on a horse in the arms of the Grand Duke, but it wasn’t cold at all.

‘The cold isn’t scary if your heart is filled up [with happiness/love].’ I realized something new and nodded at my new discovery.

I don’t know just how meticulously those three clothed me. In addition, I was wearing a hooded yellow fur coat, making me completely look like a little yellow snow man.

“This is the entrance to the forest.”

We arrived at the demon forest after traveling for a long while.

My mouth gaped slightly while I looked at the entrance to the forest.

There was a strange atmosphere within it, like a haze. It seemed like the wind was blowing but there was no actual wind, and the branches weren’t moving.

“It’s a new experience! I want to go and see.”

“There is really nothing in the forest…….”

As the Grand Duke came, he emphasized several times that the only thing worth seeing in the forest of monsters were monsters – without knowing that I already know about the gap in the world.

I followed the group, step by step, up to the entrance to the forest.

“Oh?”

I thought it was blurred outside, but I felt strange as I passed the stone at the entrance.

‘What is this?’

My body was pounding. I know that the word ‘beating’ is used only when the heart beats.

But, oddly enough, I had a strange sensation that felt like my head was beating, not my heart.

‘It seems like something is beating.’

It was a weird feeling as if something had called me to come towards it.

“What’s wrong Shushu?”

The others seemed alright while I was the only one standing there with a stiff expression.

‘It felt like something was getting closer and closer…….’

I felt a little anxious. However, I decided to change the mood, thinking it was just a feeling.

I came here because I wanted to, so I have no time to think about this heavy atmosphere. I shook my head and hopped towards them.

“It’s nothing!”

That moment I tried to follow the Grand Duke and the group, three steps ahead of me, ‘Something’s here!’

My head became more and more fuzzy, and I felt unpleasant.

In an instant, something ran towards us from far away and hit me.

“Shushu! Shushu!”

I closed my eyes and fell back.