Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 34

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 34
Only after washing in the expansive bathhouse while receiving endless praise from the attendants did I truly realize that my status had transformed in an instant—from a common orphan to a duke’s daughter.
The maids dressed me in an adorable yellow gown with practiced efficiency.
I couldn’t fathom why the Duke’s Residence, which raised only a single son, possessed dresses for young girls.
Surely… Duke Papiope hadn’t prepared this in anticipation of my adoption…?
No, that couldn’t be it.
Even if the Duke had been eagerly awaiting my arrival, surely she wouldn’t have gone that far.
The perfectly fitted dress lifted my spirits, and my self-consciousness spiraled accordingly.
When I entered the Dining Room looking presentable, the Duke welcomed me with a radiant smile.
“Welcome, dear. With such fine features, even the slightest grooming makes you shine brilliantly.”
“Hehe, thank you so much! The dress is truly beautiful!”
I beamed with delight and twirled once in place to show off to the Duke.
The dress skirt bloomed like a flower before folding back into a bud.
When one receives something, responding with genuine joy brings satisfaction to the giver and inspires them to do even better next time.
As expected, a contented smile graced the Duke’s face.
Glancing around, the servants wore similar expressions.
All except one.
“By the way, Duke, might that person be…?”
I stole a glance at the boy seated in the second position at the long table.
Lucian Papiope.
The Duke’s first adopted child and my future legal older brother.
Though he shared the Duke’s blonde hair, his sharp, willful eyes and crimson irises conveyed an entirely different presence from hers.
The Duke seated me directly across from Lucian and introduced him.
“Ah, this is Lucian, my eldest son. He shall be your older brother.”
“Hello, I’m Tania.”
His crimson eyes swept over me from head to toe.
“Lucian.”
He offered only his name before turning his gaze away as if utterly disinterested.
…Hmm.
Even with a younger sibling who would compete for the position of heir, he felt no curiosity?
He was surely eleven years old this year.
I recalled he was exactly one year older than Elysion.
When Elysion had been Duke Papiope’s adopted child, all three siblings hadn’t been particularly close.
Fortunately or unfortunately, both Elysion and Rosemary had been indifferent about the succession struggle.
Because of this, they didn’t clash fiercely or keep each other in check; rather, they were indifferent to one another…
Like housemates sharing a roof. Nothing more than that?
Witnessing Lucian’s cold demeanor, I began to understand why their relationship had been that way.
However, now that we were legally family, I had no desire to remain distant strangers.
Though our blood didn’t mix, they were the family I had yearned for in my previous life.
Since I had never been interested in the Duke’s position as heir anyway, there was absolutely no reason we couldn’t get along.
When I stared at Lucian without saying a word, the Duke hastened to soften his demeanor.
“Lucian has always been rather taciturn by nature, so don’t take it to heart.”
Taciturn? More like his manners are hanging by a thread.
“Come now, you must be hungry. Sit down and eat. I’ve instructed the chef to pay special attention to your meal.”
Indeed, the chef had outdone himself—the table was laden with far more luxurious fare than what one typically saw at a noble’s dinner.
Seeing the carefully prepared spread, my thoughts drifted to Aiden.
I should have informed him of my victory before coming here.
He must be waiting for word.
I should have asked the temporary maid if I could send a letter.
I forcibly pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind and began eating alongside the Duke.
I planned to find a way to contact him after the meal.
“That’s right, Tania. I haven’t yet offered my congratulations.”
The Duke raised his wine glass with a gentle smile and clinked it softly against my water glass.
“Congratulations on becoming a member of House Papiope. Thank you for becoming my daughter.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
Daughter.
It felt strange and ticklish.
I never expected it would be easier to become Duke Papiope’s daughter than to become Aiden’s.
“Every evening is time spent with family. No matter how busy I am, I always make it a point to share dinner together.”
“If you speak of your family, are there others present?”
“My father wasn’t here today—that is, your grandfather—but you’ll meet him soon enough.”
I blinked slowly.
Declan Papiope.
I had actually wanted to bring him up, so it was disappointing that he wasn’t here.
“Is the former Duke occupied with other matters?”
“No, he’s sulking.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
When I raised my tone as if I’d misheard, the Duke shrugged and explained as though it were nothing serious.
“Father hoped that I would marry, bear children, and pass the title of heir to the next generation.”
Ah, so it was because of me…?
Now I understood why grandfather was sulking.
The former Duke Declan was renowned for doting on his only daughter.
How his heart must have ached when that precious daughter refused to marry and insisted on adopting a child and raising it alone.
And this wasn’t even the first time—it was the second.
It was too late to dissuade him, so perhaps this was his form of protest.
“Father still hopes that I will meet someone I love and build a proper family.”
The Duke sighed softly and lamented as though he couldn’t stop him, but then he glanced at Lucian and me, flinched, and waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m saying this out of an abundance of caution, so don’t worry about it. It was the same when I first adopted Lucian. In a few months, he’ll act as though nothing happened and join us at the table as usual.”
“…But even if he dines with us, that doesn’t mean his anger has truly subsided, does it?”
“No, he’s just pretending otherwise while showing considerable interest in Lucian. He’s pleased, but he’s simply staging a protest for no reason.”
At the Duke’s words, Lucian’s lips trembled ever so slightly, his emotionless expression never faltering as he continued his meal with impeccable etiquette.
Interesting. So he also pretends indifference while clearly relishing his grandfather’s attention.
I shrugged my shoulders and posed my question.
“Grandfather aside, I’m genuinely curious too. Duke, why did you choose adoption over marriage?”
Wasn’t it human nature to pass one’s wealth and power to a child born of one’s own blood?
At that, the Duke straightened her posture and declared with utmost seriousness.
“I’m a romantic. I believe in marrying for love.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“One should only marry when they’ve found someone they truly love, if at all. I can’t just marry anyone and have children—my entire life is at stake here.”
Every word rang true, making it difficult to offer any rebuttal.
If not for the fact that she held the rank of Duke.
“My father kept pressuring me to marry quickly, and as I grew older, I found no one I wished to marry. So I decided to adopt instead.”
…Though typically, adoption would involve selecting from distant relatives, not bringing in a complete stranger.
I swallowed my words and answered listlessly, “I see.”
Indeed, there was clearly a reason she earned the reputation of being eccentric.
“But Tania, even though I selected and adopted you through a competition, I won’t treat you like someone else’s child.”
The Duke placed her hand on my cheek, then slid it down to gently cup my chin as she spoke with emphasis.
“You are my daughter. Never forget that fact, wherever you go. Should anyone dare disrespect you, face them boldly as a duchess. It is your rightful privilege.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
I had never imagined the Duke could be such a tender mother.
Having only heard scandalous rumors about her, this side of her was entirely unexpected.
Her serious expression suddenly melted into a playful smile, and she stretched my cheeks like taffy.
“So feel free to call me Mother or Mom.”
At this sudden proposal, my face stiffened completely.
I wasn’t emotionally prepared yet…
Calling the mother of my friend by such an intimate name didn’t come easily to my lips.
It would have been far easier if she’d asked me to call her Mother after I married Elysion.
After endless deliberation, I finally answered with my eyes squeezed shut.
“I-I shall endeavor to do so, Your Grace.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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