Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 42

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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 42
“Oh, Father?”
At Grandfather’s entrance, everyone except me turned to stare at him in surprise.
“What, is there somewhere I’m not allowed to go? Why do all of you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“Well, sir, we didn’t expect your sulk to have passed so quickly. It’s only natural we’re startled to see you appear so casually.”
“Hmph. Sulk? Who’s sulking?”
Grandfather retorted with feigned indifference, then seated himself beside Lucian without bothering to observe proper seating etiquette.
He then gazed across at me and spoke.
“Child, when I encountered you earlier, there was something I failed to mention.”
All eyes in the Dining Room converged upon me.
I waited nervously for his words to continue, worried he might now say something about being unable to grant my wish.
“I congratulate you on becoming a member of Duke Papiope’s Household.”
“Pardon?”
Faced with such unexpected warmth, I found myself questioning him without thinking.
He seemed embarrassed to say more and shifted the subject.
“Ahem. In any case, since you’ve become my daughter’s daughter, from now on you shall address me as Grandfather.”
“Haha! I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve been calling you Grandfather all along, haven’t I?”
“There! That’s the point—you should think of me as your true grandfather, not just in name. Don’t be so difficult!”
After grumbling for some time, he seemed to notice the handkerchief bound around my hand, and his demeanor shifted as he asked with concern.
“So, your hand is alright? It must have bruised—I only thought of it belatedly after you’d left.”
As Grandfather expressed worry over my hand, Duchess Papiope tilted her head.
“Oh, Father. Were you with Tania when she struck her hand on the door?”
“…What? Struck it on a door?”
Grandfather furrowed his brow as if confused, but when I gave him a meaningful look, he quickly nodded.
“Yes, yes. I saw with my own eyes as she struck her hand on the door. She hit it so hard that I nearly scolded the door itself for what it did to Tania.”
“My.”
Duchess Papiope laughed with amusement, looking at me with a knowing smile.
“Tania, I hear you met Father separately, and you’ve completely won him over in that brief time. For him to even pretend to scold a door—your skill is remarkable.”
“Well, the door didn’t deserve any better, after all.”
I glanced at Lucian, who flinched slightly, then calmly replied as I speared a piece of steak with my fork and brought it to my mouth with practiced grace.
Duchess Papiope laughed at the playful exchange.
“It’s nice and lively with Father here.”
Grandfather regarded Duchess Papiope’s laughter with displeasure before opening his mouth slightly.
“Bibi, I hear Tania spent last night at her guardian’s residence.”
“That’s right. It seems you’ve already heard from Tania?”
“Yes. Shouldn’t we invite her guardian to Duke Papiope’s Mansion and meet them?”
“Of course. We did the same when Lucian arrived, so naturally we should meet with Tania’s guardian and have a conversation. I’ve already sent an invitation.”
“When will they arrive?”
“I sent it today, so we haven’t received a reply yet. If they accept the invitation, they should arrive in three days, around lunchtime on the weekend.”
“Hmm. I see…”
Duchess Papiope tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“But Father, why are you suddenly looking for Tania’s guardian?”
“I’m simply curious. What, am I not allowed to take an interest in my grandchildren?”
“Of course not, I’m delighted by it. Please continue to show great interest in the grandchildren going forward~!”
“Hmph….”
Grandfather, his expression still twitching slightly, turned his attention to me as his next target.
“Tania, eat up heartily! Your limbs are so thin that one blow would snap them in two.”
Though his tone was gruff, anyone could see he was deeply concerned.
Impatient with how slowly I was eating each piece, he took my plate and began slicing the steak with practiced efficiency.
Before long, perfectly portioned pieces of steak were placed before me.
No wonder people followed Grandfather so willingly.
I beamed at my hardworking grandfather and gave an exaggerated thumbs up.
“Our grandfather is the best! I’m so incredibly happy that you’re my grandfather!”
Though my praise was clumsy, Grandfather’s lips were already quivering with barely concealed joy.
What an endearing family this was.

✦ ✦ ✦
After the meal, I entered the room Duchess Papiope had prepared for me and couldn’t help but gasp in wonder.
Decorated in just a single day, it was filled with everything a young girl would adore at this age.
A princess-style lace canopy hanging from the bed, oversized plush bears.
Why was Duchess Papiope treating me so kindly?
Of course, given her nature, I never imagined she would neglect her adopted children.
But it was more than I expected….
It felt like family. As if I had truly become the Duchess’s daughter.
With a thrilled heart, I explored the room.
This was the first time I’d ever had such a luxurious space.
In my previous timeline, I had focused on how to save money rather than spend it.
I threw myself onto the inviting bed like a child.
Soft—!
It was so large that I wouldn’t fall off even after rolling around several times.
A warm, comforting scent of sun-dried linens drifted from the bedding.
As I indulged in this luxury alone, my thoughts suddenly turned to Aiden.
“I need to bring him to Duke Papiope’s Mansion soon.”
Of course, since he would be employed as a knight of Papiope, he wouldn’t have a room as luxurious as mine….
But still, I wanted us to be in the same space together soon.
I was grinning foolishly while hugging a pillow.
Knock knock.
At the sound of someone knocking on my door, I tilted my head curiously.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
Who are you?
Of course, hearing the young boy’s voice, I could roughly guess who it was.
In Duke Papiope’s Household, there’s only one boy.
When I didn’t answer, a very small voice came from outside.
“I came to… apologize.”
Finally, he’s come to his senses!
I lifted the corners of my mouth and walked briskly toward the door, opening it wide.
“Lucian!”
“….”
He avoided my gaze and looked elsewhere instead. His ears were flushed red, embarrassed at having to apologize first.
“…Why did you defend me?”
“I told you. I wanted to get along with you.”
Lucian bit his lower lip as if he couldn’t understand me.
“Even though I hit you?”
“I know you didn’t mean to push me that hard. Honestly, weren’t you happy when I said I wanted to get along with you?”
He opened his mouth to protest, but ultimately, he lowered his head and admitted it.
“…Yes.”
He answered so quietly that I could barely hear it even with concentration. After a moment, he steadied his breathing, and as if gathering courage, he lifted his head and met my eyes.
Resolute determination gleamed in his crimson eyes.
“I… I was sorry this afternoon. I’m also grateful that you overlooked my mistake.”
I felt good, as if I’d opened the heart of a sensitive cat.
“You understood my sincerity too, didn’t you? Then you won’t push me away anymore?”
“Um….”
“Promise me.”
When I held out my pinky finger, Lucian hesitated and asked.
“Um, is your hand okay? If you’re fine, let’s go to the Papiope Medical Clinic together.”
“Oh, this?”
I unwrapped the handkerchief still tied around my hand and showed him my completely healed hand.
“Just as the Duchess said, I went to see a Healing Ability User right after the meal. Thank you for worrying about me.”
“I see….”
Only then did Lucian’s tension ease, and he slowly sank to the ground.
Startled, I supported him as he collapsed.
“Lucian, are you alright?”
He covered his face with both hands and spoke in a voice thick with tears.
“I’m so ashamed of myself for resisting you. Tania, I’m truly sorry…. I don’t know what I’m doing at this age.”
No, you’re at the right age for that.
If someone older had done that, you’d be stripped bare by now with nothing left to show.

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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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