Why Are You So Obsessed With Rejecting Affection? - Chapter 60

“Wait, Lucy, she’s not only the most adorable and happiest in our country – she’s the best in the universe.”

“Yes indeed, our young master is very smart.”

Wyndert cut off Lucy’s words and said those words with a serious face, but the content of what he said was so embarrassing I felt my face start burning.

But, preparing things more luxurious than Azuela, is it possible? Though I was a little confused if it was possible, I kept my mouth shut because I was the only one thrown off by this conversation.

I somehow felt reassured that two of the people I love will be coming with me. It felt like rather than entering the enemy’s territory alone I will feel at ease, like wearing strong armor.

‘That’s right, everyone in the Imperial Palace is an enemy.’

And… I’m sure I will meet Azuela there. Even if the Emperor was the one who really called for me, I don’t want to look shabby compared to Azuela.

“I will never lose!”

As I shouted my words, Miya meowed in my arms as if she knew what I felt, like she was cheering for me. Her bountifully fluffy tail flicked up and down on my forearm as if stroking me.

“I think Miya wants to support you too.”

Wyndert stretched out his hand to pet Miya’s head but she showed her teeth so he didn’t have any choice but to retract his hand.

‘They looked to be getting better at first.’

It seems like Miya doesn’t want to be friends with anyone but me…… I put my arms around her and hugged her.

“Are you planning on taking the cat too?”

“Rather than letting it stay in the Grand Duchy, I will bring it with me to the Imperial Palace, because she should be helpful.”

Miya and I became very good friends after I brought her home, but I didn’t forget the fact that she was a hidden card of the Empress and Azuela. For that reason, I was thinking of sending her to the palace sooner or later – so Azuela can fall for my tricks.

Of course, if a monster they thought would appear in the Grand Duchy appeared inside the Imperial Palace, that would be very embarrassing. When someone is embarrassed, it’s very easy to make some mistakes so I want to watch as Azuela’s facade cracks.

What will Azuela’s reaction be when she sees this child (cat)? Will she feel guilty?

‘I will make sure to make you feel like it was a mistake to lay your hand on us.’

While looking at Miya’s bright eyes, I made an oath.

For the first time we will meet each other, I will never lose to her.

* * * * * * *

“Our, our young lady… ?”

“Are you really surprised?”

Nina and Franc looked around as they murmured so that Shuelina, who was taking a nap, could have a good sleep.

The young lady they were serving could be an Imperial Princess, not just a simple orphan. It was absolutely unbelievable. They couldn’t even bring themselves to utter the words ‘Imperial Princess’ so they just shut their mouths.

“…… I’m glad she didn’t go.”

Nina muttered a little.

They thought she was an orphan but her family was unexpectedly still alive – he (the Crown Prince Lucas) even came himself to visit the house that adopted her.

His intentions didn’t seem to be fishy at all. Above all, their status was of the Imperial Family – eventually, it leads to being an Imperial Princess.

Her story seems like more than a fairytale.

Thinking of Shuelina, it looks like it would be better for her to regain her status as an Imperial Princess, rather than be a Grand Princess of the rumored wicked Grand Duke. However, the moment Nina thought of the Crown Prince persuading her (Shuelina) to come back, she thought ‘I don’t want the young lady to leave the mansion’.

“Me too.”

As a sincere maid, Nina felt that it was presumptuous of her to have that mindset that she should reflect on it. However, at that moment, she honestly thought she couldn’t let go of Shuelina, now that they’ve grown close to each other, and she didn’t want her to abandon her when she went to the Imperial Palace.

Beside her, there will be handmaids, not just average maids, to help her so she can’t ask her to take her along. Furthermore, she didn’t come from an aristocratic and powerful family.

“Really? Did you think so too?”

That’s why it was quite comforting that Franc feels the same too, and agrees with her honest confession.

“She’s our young lady.”

“Yeah, I felt like she was being taken away from us…….”

For the first time ever, they got along very well and so they were proud of it.

“Hmph, this is it, you taught me many times not to be presumptuous.”

“Hyuk! Maids!”

Their smile faded in an instant when they saw Lucy coming towards them from behind.

What to do, she looks really angry? The two exchanged glances as they swallowed their saliva and turned around.

“He-Head Maid, I’m sorry.”

“We were wrong….”

The authority of the Headmaid in the mansion is strong. She has the right to be greeted by the lowest-ranking employees, and she is one the most trusted people of the Grand Duke, just like the butler. While she doesn’t have the authority to fire the young lady’s personal maid at her own will, they can’t help but be concerned that they were found out by the one managing them.

“Don’t make it too obvious in front of the young lady. The master and young masters called you so you both should go to the lounge on the second floor.”

“Yes, Headmaid!”

They were a little scared because they didn’t know the reason why they were called, but they were glad it all ended without much nagging. They hesitated for a while but they couldn’t let the Grand Duke wait, so they rushed to the second floor. After carefully knocking on the door and entering, their master and his sons were sitting on the sofa with expressionless faces.

“The reason I called for you so suddenly…….”

“Tell us right now what Shushu likes!”

Just as the Grand Duke was starting to state his reason for calling them so suddenly in a stern voice, Deleign, who was beside him, cut off his words and shouted; he was jumping up and down as if he couldn’t wait to talk anymore.

“Del! You shouldn’t interrupt father.”

With a frown on his face, Wyndert warned Deleign, but Del was only looking at Nina and Franc with twinkling eyes. Their youngest young master was still only seven years old; it could be a cute sight if he was more cute than scary, but it would be best to put all of your efforts into trying not to tremble from the immense pressure around him.

It was thanks to the fact that they were now Shuelina’s direct maid that they were slightly used to it.

‘Ah, I was only called because I was the lady’s direct maid.’

Franc was a little relieved so she looked into the Grand Duke’s eyes because she didn’t know whether she should talk or not, but the Grand Duke only waved his hand to hurry and open her mouth.

“Our young lady loves chocolates and pie the most!”

Recalling the pretty and delicious snack Shuelina handed her, Franc shouted with conviction. It was a snack she cherished the most that she even put it inside a box with great care.

Besides, Shuelina is still young so she has no choice but to like sweets the most! She was very sure this was the right answer.

“… oh.”

But even Deleign was confused and stared at Franc. Franc was puzzled for a moment wondering if he had misunderstood her.

“I am sorry, Master. What is the reason for asking about her tastes?”

Nina, who was standing next to her, then asked politely.

The Grand Duke must have his reasons for why he was suddenly asking about what Shuelina likes, and she has a rough understanding of what that is.

“Shushu’s birthday is around the corner, so I want to make it the best birthday for my daughter.”

“You need the perfect birthday present for that!”

Franc exclaimed ‘Ah!’ at the Grand Duke’s words.

Come to think of it, I never thought of a birthday present!

Although it was impossible for her to give the Grand Princess something she can use, she still wanted to give her something.

“I think I should give her chocolate pie a present….”

Franc quietly muttered.

“We can’t hold Shushu’s birthday on the same day as the New Year’s celebration…… I’m planning to throw a party in advance.”

Wyndert muttered with a gentle expression.

Deleign, the only one who couldn’t go to the New Year’s, snorted.

A party can be held in their mansion in the Imperial Capital, but no noble families dare to throw a party during New Year, it is only inside the Imperial Palace. Besides, Shuelina would be sad if they threw a party without Deleign.

“What she prefers….”

Nina thought deeply about Shuelina’s words and what she usually does.

‘Wait, what does our young lady like?’

Her family, her cat Miya, her doll Tutu and delicious snacks, she never shows any extremely strong likes or dislikes about anything else. It was quite shocking for her to realize she still hasn’t figured out these basic things about Shuelina.

“I am a complete failure as a personal maid….”

Shocked, Nina opened her mouth blankly for a moment.

Shuelina was so docile that she always responds positively to everything she eats and receives, that’s why those serving her didn’t fully understand her – because she uses everything without being picky.

“My, my apologies master, because the young lady doesn’t really have certain likes or dislikes….”

“I thought you would know, of course, as a personal maid.”

Wyndert muttered in a disappointed voice at Nina’s answer.

“Then maybe a gem mine…. Should I give her something like a stable or a toy store?”

The Grand Duke said as he tapped his thigh with his fingers.

He wanted to somehow gift Shuelina something she would like the most, but no one in the room knows what she likes.

“I, I will! I’ll find out somehow!”

Seeing the strangely depressed eyes of the Grand Duke and the young masters, Nina recited in a determined tone.

“I will go to the treasure room and find out what the young lady likes the most.”

Normally, it was Nina and Franc who picked and handed things over to Shuelina, but this time, they will let her pick for herself.

If you check in the Grand Duke’s treasury full of all kinds of rare things, you will surely find something worthy of giving her as a gift.

“Stop by Edgar and get the keys. It’s okay to open up not only the space I gave to Shuelina, but also the other places.”

The Grand Duke’s eyes twinkled – the insistent pair of eyes telling the both of them to go.

“Then, we will find out soon and report back to you, Master.”

Nina nodded with Franc and then quickly left the lounge.

* * * 

“Oh my God! This is so beautiful!”

Because Franc suddenly asked me to go to the treasure room, I took her and Nina to the third floor.

As the Grand Duke guided them inside, the two of them screamed seeing what was inside, and even Miya, who was in my arms, perked up her tail and her body stiffened.

‘I guess I did too?’

Just like me now, I think the Grand Duke is having so much fun. The two of them were so cute so I smiled and patted Miya’s back.

Looking back, there were many luxurious and strange things in the treasury room.
At that time, I couldn’t explore it properly because my brothers suddenly came, but now, I was thinking of having a proper look around. (T/N: Girl, look at those blinding gems and give me one, I’m poor XD)

“Lady, how about this toy!”

Nina asked, pointing at the lovely doll’s house near one of the walls.

“The dolls are cute and pretty.”

I nodded and smiled, but this time Fran carefully picked up the toy sword next to it and swung it.

“How about this? The decorations are twinkling like lights!”

Then, as the sword moved, Miya opened her eyes wide and stared at it intently. Miya likes moving toys.

I nodded, thinking that I should find a safer toy than a sword.

“It suits you well. It’s pretty too!”

Seeing that I lightly said that I liked this and that, Franc let out a small sigh, put down the sword and looked around.

“If you want to see more here, you can look more. I want to look at something else.”

“Pardon? I need to be by your side!”

Franc was startled by my words and came running straight to my side.

Nina also stuck to me with a determined expression as if she would never leave my side.