Chapter 227
The Duke pretended not to notice, but he always paid subtle attention to that yellow head bobbing outside.
On days when it didn’t appear, he would sometimes open the office door and step outside.
And each time, he would find her sitting by the door, reading a book as big as her own small body.
‘How cute she was.’
Even while working, Viscount Debussy often stole glances at that little head, smiling to himself.
“You may come in, Young Miss.”
“A good guwl shoun’t distuwb Gwanfathew’s wowk. Ewy is a good guwl.” (A good girl shouldn’t disturb Grandfather’s work. Ery is a good girl.)
“As long as you stay quiet and behave, it’s fine.”
“Bwut, bwut! Ewy cann be wy-ut…” (But, but! Ery can’t be quiet…)
The way Erylotte sulked, knowing her own limitations, was endearing.
“It’s so hot today. Why not come inside?”
“If peopow talk to Gwanfathew, it gotta be a secwet. Ewy shoun’t wissen.” (If I talk about Grandfather, it’s a secret. Ery shouldn’t listen.)
“Then just don’t listen.”
“Bwut, bwut! Ewy has ee-uhs…” (But, but! Erylotte has ears…)
Sometimes, her actions were more than just cute—they were heart-wrenchingly adorable.
Like when this little child acted with such unusual cleverness. You could tell she was trying so hard in that small body of hers.
Since she was young, Erylotte had done everything with desperate determination.
Maybe that’s why fortune seemed to follow her, and from as young as three, she had achieved many notable feats.
Reading ancient scripts to locate the land where a dragon’s bones were buried.
Saving the Duke from Marquis Toliso’s ambush.
Discovering the reinforcement stones that saved Astra from a crisis.
Every time she made such contributions, Erylotte always credited others around her.
“It was because Viscount Debussy taught me.”
“It’s because I’m Grandfather’s granddaughter!”
“My father said it, so I just followed his example.”
She was a thoughtful child.
‘Would a girl like that really be careless with her monster?’
Viscount Debussy, staring at the yellow head, turned to the Duke.
“Your Grace.”
The Duke lifted his head.
The yellow head was still visible by the window.
“……”
The Duke had been watching her for quite a while.
Erylotte hadn’t moved from outside the office.
Finally, the Duke stood up.
As he opened the door, Erylotte’s shoulders flinched.
“Why are you staying there instead of coming inside?”
After hesitating for a long while, Erylotte lifted her head to look at the Duke.
Her eyes were red.
“Young Miss.”
“……”
Viscount Debussy, who had followed the Duke out, frowned as he watched.
Erylotte finally lowered her gaze to the floor.
The Duke’s brow furrowed at this sight.
“Do not lower your head!”
“……!”
The Duke’s shout echoed down the hallway, and Erylotte’s eyes widened.
“If you have something to say, then say it clearly. Ask for it to be heard!”
Erylotte was the cleverest of the third-generation grandchildren. But she never asked for anything.
Even as the other grandchildren flaunted the Astra name like a badge, this stubborn granddaughter of his never asked for even the smallest thing.
After a long pause, Erylotte finally spoke, her voice trembling.
“Grandfather, I…”
Her voice shook, but she forced a smile, trying her best to appear well.
“I… I didn’t… I didn’t tell Ragon to target Her Highness Anatoli…”
She tried her hardest to hold back tears.
“It wasn’t me… But still, I’m… I’m sorry.”
Erylotte gripped her skirt and looked up at the Duke.
“Because of me, Grandfather… and Father… are facing trouble… So…”
“That’s enough.”
The Duke’s words stopped her.
The tears pooled in Erylotte’s eyes finally fell, her face scrunching up like a little child’s.
“Gwanfathew…”
It reminded him of when she was three, sobbing the same way.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
Yet her apologies showed no signs of stopping.
With a hardened expression, Viscount Debussy began to speak.
“Young Miss, there’s no need to—”
Then.
The Duke’s hand rested on Erylotte’s back.
“I know.”
His voice was low and steady.
With those words, the child burrowed into the Duke’s embrace, her tears pouring out.
“Grandfather… hiic…”
It was the first time his grandchild had ever clung to him like this.
The Duke, stiff and awkward, held her in an equally rigid posture.
But then, as he felt her small, trembling shoulders, he patted her back gently.
As he comforted Erylotte, he spoke in a low voice.
“I promise.”
“……”
“I will not let those who made you cry go unpunished.”
The Duke’s gaze turned icy.
***
Click.
After finishing my conversation with Grandfather, I left the office.
Sniffling as I walked down the dark hallway alone, my eyes were puffy and my nose was red as a strawberry.
Just then, someone quietly started following me from behind.
Matching my pace, he soon fell in step beside me.
When I looked up, I saw it was Han Ji-hyuk.
I subtly held out my hand.
Han Ji-hyuk placed something on it.
It was a cold, damp handkerchief.
“Ow, it stings.”
“Well, of course, it would sting.”
“You could’ve gotten something less harsh!”
“I didn’t expect you’d actually rub it into your eyes with onion juice.”
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