Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 39

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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 39
After accumulating considerable favor points with the Duke, a temporary maid followed in my wake.
“I’d be happy to show you around. Is there anywhere else you’d like to visit?”
“Where is the previous Duke Papiope… or rather, where is Grandfather?”
“Declan should be in the Duke’s Residence annex. As far as I know, he has no other engagements today.”
“Then please guide me to the annex where Grandfather is.”
The word “mother” didn’t come easily when speaking of the Duke, yet strangely, calling him “Grandfather” felt natural.
Only the word “mother” felt unfamiliar and awkward.
The temporary maid then approached me with a worried expression and asked carefully.
“Based on what the annex servants have said, it seems Declan is in a foul mood at the moment. Will you be alright?”
“It’s fine. Still, as his granddaughter, I should at least pay my respects.”
“That’s a good idea. Declan truly adores well-mannered children, so if you simply state your reason for visiting, he may warm up to you.”
“Is that so?”
She answered my questions readily and even offered her personal insights with such grace.
…This maid isn’t bad at all.
Only then did I truly look at the face of someone I’d dismissed as merely passing by.
She was a woman with warm honey-colored hair and green eyes, possessing a sharp and capable appearance.
“Come to think of it, I don’t believe I’ve heard your introduction yet. Would you tell me your name?”
“I’m Lena. It’s an honor to serve the young lady, even if only for a short time!”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tania.”
“Young lady, I’m grateful you shared your name with me directly, but from now on, you should make it a habit to include your family name as well.”
Lena smiled warmly and pointed out what I needed to correct, item by item.
“Right. That was good advice, Lena. I’m Tania Papiope.”
“I greet you, Miss Papiope.”
With graceful movements, she grasped the hem of her dress and bowed respectfully.
I understood why the Duke had assigned Lena as my temporary maid.
…I might not even need to find a new maid.
It seemed I only needed to treat Lena well enough that she wouldn’t want to leave my service.
I was in the midst of contemplating how to win her over when—
“What, now that this is your home, you just block the corridor and obstruct traffic? What’s wrong with you?”
At the sound of that irritated voice, I turned my head to see my older brother Lucian Papiope glaring at me with annoyance.
“What are you staring at? Move aside, now.”
Faced with his utterly exposed true nature, I let out a small sigh.
Wow, the Duke really did bungle raising this one…
It seems child-rearing is failing nationwide these days.
I pressed my body against the wall to clear the way, but raised my hand in greeting instead.
“Hello.”
At that, Lucian’s face twisted grotesquely, and his crimson eyes gleamed with fury.
“Are you mocking me? Speaking informally to your older brother, who’s four years your senior? Where are your manners?”
Ugh…
By age, you shouldn’t be speaking to me casually.
I swallowed the thoughts that rose in my mind and replied matter-of-factly.
“But casual speech feels more intimate and natural than formal language, doesn’t it?”
“Then why do you only do it when we’re alone? You spoke formally to me yesterday in front of Mother—that was all an act!”
“It’s not an act. You just look so much like a nobleman that I naturally fell into formal speech without thinking.”
“What, what?”
“Having lived as a commoner, it was simply a reflexive habit, I suppose?”
But thinking about it later, I had become nobility now too…
Between siblings, formal speech felt too distant, so I had been planning to naturally switch to casual speech the next time we met.
I never expected my intention to drop the formality would be discovered this quickly.
“Don’t try to brush this aside with such pathetic flattery!”
Lucian stomped toward me with heavy footsteps.
Lena, who had been standing quietly behind me, tried to stop him, but when I gestured for her to hold back, she quietly returned to her position behind me.
Lucian stood directly in front of me, then seemed startled by my smaller stature than expected, looking down at the top of my head as he muttered.
“…You’re small.”
Then, as if his pride was wounded by the fact that I was his rival, he let out a deep sigh and sneered dismissively.
“This scrawny twig of a thing is competing with me for the position of heir? One poke and you’d snap. Hmph! Absolutely ridiculous.”
His tone was so cold it was hard to believe he was speaking to his own sibling.
“Is it true you broke all the records in the Talent Cultivation Institute entrance exam?”
Lucian’s expression openly displayed both contempt and hostility.
“Has the quality of people at the Talent Cultivation Institute really declined these days…”
Since I broke all the previous records, I performed better than you.
Lucian had been adopted into Duke Papiope’s Household three years ago, if I recalled correctly.
I understood his wariness since we had to compete for the position of heir.
But on the other hand, I had gained a new family, yet he was being so hostile that I felt somewhat disappointed.
Still, as the older one, I should show understanding.
I placed my hands on my hips and spoke with deliberate emphasis.
“Let me be clear. I have no intention of becoming a Duke with such enormous responsibilities and mountains of work to handle.”
“What, what?”
“So there’s no point wasting time being wary of me over succession competition or whatever.”
“Don’t lie! Then why did you win the adoption tournament with such desperation?”
…I never won with such desperation.
I was just playing around moderately, and the people who felt indebted to me simply handed me the trophy.
“Well, everyone dreams of becoming nobility, don’t they?”
After offering a reasonable excuse, I rose onto my tiptoes and whispered softly to his ear as if sharing a secret.
“Besides… I’ve lived as an orphan, so having a handsome older brother suddenly appear makes me so happy.”
Isn’t there a certain thrill in coaxing someone as prickly as a cat?
The exhilaration when he finally opens his heart to me later—how electrifying it would be.
As I lowered myself back down and stepped away from Lucian, I could see his face had already flushed crimson.
It looked as though one touch would make him burst.
It seemed the phrase “handsome older brother” had struck a chord with him.
“So, older brother, let’s not fight anymore and get along from now on, shall we?”
I laughed carelessly and extended my hand toward him.
But had I perhaps underestimated boys his age?
The one who had been muttering to himself suddenly shrieked at me.
“Why should I get along with a brat like you?!”
Smack—!
“Young Miss!”
Lena, startled, quickly separated him from me.
The back of my hand stung sharply where his blow had landed.
He’d struck with such force that my body nearly toppled over.
Lena caught me quickly before I could fall, but the back of my hand that had taken the full impact was already swelling red.
Good heavens. How cruel, how utterly cruel.
It seemed I still had a long way to go before befriending him.
I pressed the injured back of my hand with my other palm and looked at Lucian Papiope.
Yet even he hadn’t intended to strike me so forcefully—his eyes were trembling violently.
If I were truly a seven-year-old child, I would have wailed inconsolably with one hundred percent certainty.
Consider yourself fortunate, you little rascal.
I was about to speak with the magnanimity of an adult, assuring him not to worry as I was fine.
“You insolent wretch, Lucian Papiope!”
A thunderous voice erupted from behind me, echoing through the Corridor.
I instinctively realized something grave had occurred.
Being called by one’s full name meant someone was truly furious.
Glancing slightly backward, an elderly man with streaks of white in his hair came into view.
The imposing old man furrowed his deeply lined brow, his face contorted with rage.
His sharp eyes seemed to spark with fury.
It was Declan Papiope, the former Duke who resided in the separate quarters.

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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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