I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 141
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 141
Joshua met the Marquis’s gaze with an ice-cold expression.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. Both you and His Highness the Crown Prince are chosen as rulers, aren’t you?”
The Marquis stepped back and smiled warmly.
There wasn’t even a trace of the strange atmosphere from just moments before.
However, Joshua found that attitude, which changed as quickly as flipping one’s palm, even more unsettling.
“Oh, I apologize if my words offended you.”
The Marquis stood up briskly.
After taking one last long look at the sleeping Emperor, the Marquis spoke to Joshua again.
“I cannot interfere with the intimate time between father and son, so I shall take my leave now. Please…”
The Marquis, who had been drawing out his words, offered his final greeting.
“May you continue to remain healthy in the future.”
With that farewell.
Click.
The door closed.
Joshua stared at the closed door with wide eyes for a long time.
* * *
After leaving the imperial palace, Marquis Bartsen did not return to his townhouse.
Instead, he headed to one of the capital’s high-end clubs.
“Welcome!”
“You’ve arrived, Lord Marquis!”
The nobles who had already arrived at the club welcomed the Marquis with boisterous enthusiasm.
David was also sitting among them.
His face was somewhat flushed, suggesting he had already had several drinks.
Marquis Bartsen quickly approached David’s side.
“Ah, Duke Laventess.”
David playfully scolded the Marquis with a languid smile.
“You’re late, Lord Marquis.”
“I had some business to attend to. So, how do you find the club? Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Of course. I haven’t been this cheerful in ages.”
On David’s wrist as he answered was an elegant wristwatch.
It was a wristwatch made of platinum.
Where the numbers should have been, transparent jewels were embedded in a row, scattering brilliant light.
Upon confirming this, a satisfied smile appeared on Marquis Bartsen’s lips.
“Do you like the gift?”
“Of course.”
David proudly showed off his wristwatch and added with satisfaction.
“Above all, it’s an item with good meaning, isn’t it.”
Recently, the Marquis had given gifts to nobles who shared his views, including David.
It was precisely this wristwatch.
Even for nobles who had become discerning through their affluent lifestyles, this was quite a luxury item.
‘Don’t those insolent women also bond with each other through things like uniforms.’
The Marquis personally presented the wristwatches to the nobles and smiled warmly.
‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we also had some symbol of being together.’
And so, at present.
The Marquis gazed down at David’s wristwatch with a pleased expression.
“It really suits you well.”
“Not at all. It’s thanks to your excellent aesthetic sense, Marquis.”
At that response, the Marquis’s eyes curved like crescents.
“How is your schedule tomorrow? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”
“No, this time I’ll host you. Do you happen to like caviar?”
“Of course. Hehe, I’m looking forward to this.”
The two men chatted warmly for quite a while.
They looked as affectionate as brothers.
* * *
A few days later.
As promised, I visited the pilot childcare facility located in the Mare District on the outskirts of the capital.
Mare District.
It was a district mainly inhabited by commoners, and also the place with the highest proportion of dual-income parents.
The parents of Mare District come into the capital every day to work.
So during the day, the district becomes hollowed out, making it difficult to properly care for children.
“We greet Marquis Lucerno.”
The staff who had been waiting greeted me.
The director of the childcare facility.
Two teachers who care for the children.
And one cook.
I also warmly returned their greeting.
“Hello, I’m Elodie Lucerno.”
Just then.
I felt someone’s gaze on me.
When I glanced over, children in the distance were looking this way with faces full of curiosity.
I smiled and waved at them.
“Hello, kids.”
The children also smiled brightly and greeted me back.
“Hello!”
Some placed both hands on their stomachs and bowed their heads politely.
Other children waved their tiny hands vigorously.
At that adorable sight, the corners of my lips showed no sign of coming down.
‘The children’s expressions are very bright.’
In fact, young children are affected by adults’ moods much more than one might think.
So the reason the children have such bright expressions must be because the adults at this childcare facility are taking careful care of them.
After waving back at the children for quite a while.
“Could I perhaps take a look around the facility?”
I looked around at the staff with a wistful expression.
The director stepped forward as the representative.
“Of course. Please come this way.”
So I took a tour of the facility’s interior under the director’s guidance.
The playroom, the staff office, and even the room where the children took naps.
Everything was kept clean and tidy.
Of course, since I had sent word in advance that I would be visiting, the facility likely made special efforts.
But it probably wasn’t too different from the usual state.
The Family Support Office also regularly sent people to inspect, they said.
I had also been steadily receiving related reports.
Finally, I stopped by the kitchen.
The first thing that caught my eye was a mountain of potatoes piled up near the sink.
Even to me, who didn’t have much knowledge about ingredients, the condition of the potatoes looked very good.
They were clean and round, without any damage or sprouted parts.
Next to them were piles of glossy tomatoes and carrots.
As I quietly observed the ingredients, the director beside me quickly spoke up.
“These are the potatoes we’ll use for today’s lunch.”
“What kind of dish are you planning to make?”
“We’re thinking of making a stew with potatoes, tomatoes, and beef.”
The director continued explaining gently.
“Actually, some children can be picky eaters. So we plan to cook the tomatoes and onions thoroughly so they don’t retain their shape. We’ll cut the carrots into small pieces and add them.”
“Wow, that sounds delicious.”
I replied cheerfully.
“If it’s alright, could I have some before I go?”
“Pardon? But it’s quite simple for someone of your status, Marquis. I don’t think it would suit your taste…”
“Not at all. I’m already salivating just thinking about it.”
When I answered with a deliberately exaggerated voice, the director stiffened her shoulders and nodded.
“Yes, I understand.”
Oh dear.
I smiled bitterly to myself.
Well, I suppose it can’t be helped that the director is so nervous.
This time I’m personally tasting the food to check what kind of quality food is being provided to the children.
‘Still, it should be fine, right?’
With such high-quality ingredients being used for cooking, at least the food shouldn’t be inedible.
Besides, what the director just said.
‘She said they boil tomatoes and onions for a long time to prevent picky eating, right? And they finely chop carrots and add them too.’
That means.
This childcare facility pays considerable attention to the children’s picky eating problems.
That would mean they’re paying attention to the children.
I looked at the director with a satisfied feeling.
“Oh right, I brought some gifts for the children.”
“My goodness, I don’t know how to thank you enough?”
The director’s eyes widened.
Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, I waved my hands dismissively.
“They’re not particularly amazing gifts. I loaded them in the carriage, so could I ask the teachers to unload them?”
“Of course. The children will be so delighted.”
The director smiled brightly once again.
Seeing that smile somehow warmed my heart as well.
How should I put it, of course taking care of children is her job.
But still, she really seems to cherish the children.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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