Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 45

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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 45
While my thoughts wandered, Lena finished arranging my hair and clapped her hands brightly.
“All done! Miss, you look absolutely beautiful today!”
At her urging, I glanced in the mirror and saw a cute child with long flowing hair adorned with two bun-shaped pigtails staring back at me.
Looking at my plump, soft cheeks that appeared supple and tender, I was struck anew by how young I appeared.
The twin siblings I’d found adorable, Elysion, Lucian, and so many others….
The realization that they were all older than me was written plainly across my face.
If my life story were a novel, readers who picked it up thinking it was a childcare tale would feel utterly deceived.
On the surface, I’m a sunlit child who seems to radiate brightness everywhere I go, but inside, I’m a fully grown woman with a mind weathered by experience.
This is completely false advertising, really.
As I stared seriously into the mirror, Lena giggled and pulled me back to reality.
“It’s almost time for your former guardian to arrive. Would you like to go greet him with me?”
“Yes!”
I stepped outside with Lena to prepare to welcome Aiden.
But it seemed I wasn’t the only one waiting for this day—the moment we went out, a familiar silhouette came into view.
The instant I saw his face, a smile bloomed naturally across mine.
“Aiden!”
Ignoring Lena’s protests, I ran straight into Aiden’s arms and nestled against him.
He naturally wrapped one arm around me and lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile.
“I missed you, Tania.”
“I missed you too!”
“Have you been doing well at the Duke’s Residence? I’m curious whether the Duchess has been taking care of you.”
“Everyone at the Duke’s Residence is kind to me. The Duchess especially so.”
“That’s a relief.”
I was catching up with Aiden after days apart.
Lena, who had followed behind me, smiled warmly as she watched me nestled in Aiden’s arms.
“Hehe, Miss, you only seem like a child your own age when you’re with your guardian. My earlier concerns were completely unfounded.”
“…What? Me?”
“Yes. It seems you depend on this person quite a lot.”
I turned my gaze to look at Aiden.
His warm amber eyes, meeting mine at close range, put my heart at ease.
The one person I can truly smile without reservation.
The one person who desires my childishness more than anyone else.
How could I possibly keep my guard up before Aiden?
I smiled brightly and admitted it.
“That’s right. I depend on him a lot.”
Lena smiled softly, as though relieved that I had someone to rely on.
But even as she smiled, something seemed to weigh on her mind, and she hesitated.
“Miss, because I know the bond between you two is special, I’m somewhat hesitant to mention this….”
“Feel free to speak. What is it?”
“When it’s just the two of us, feel free to call me by name or speak casually. However, when the Duchess or others are present, it would be appreciated if you could be more careful.”
Right. I’m a lady now.
I nodded, recognizing that Lena was displaying considerable flexibility in her advice.
“Got it. I’ll be careful.”
“No, my lady, you’re fine. My concern is with your former guardian.”
Aiden also seemed to understand what Lena was worried about, nodding readily.
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll make sure not to make any mistakes.”
After that, since we had some time before the luncheon we were invited to, we spent it exploring the Duke’s Residence together.
I kept a firm grip on Aiden’s hand the entire time.
And then, by pure chance.
Truly, by pure chance, while wandering through the Duke’s Residence, we encountered Grandfather Declan.
The moment Grandfather Declan saw Aiden and me, he asked with a stern expression, without even a greeting.
“Are you the one who protected our Tania?”
“Yes. It’s an honor to meet you. I took it upon myself to be her guardian, however briefly.”
Aiden bowed respectfully without a hint of confusion.
“How did you come to meet our granddaughter Tania?”
“My lady asked me for help first. I couldn’t turn away a child who had no home and appeared to have gone hungry for a long time.”
“I see, I see… What’s your profession? From your trained physique and calloused hands, you appear to be a warrior.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly, sensing something oddly roundabout about this situation.
What is this?
Why does this feel like introducing someone to Father for the first time before marriage?
But the two of them didn’t seem to notice anything strange, continuing their conversation seriously.
“Yes. I worked as a mercenary, but quit recently to care for my lady properly.”
“Hmm. That explains your excellent condition. You’re not the type to slack off on training like some worthless chaff.”
Grandfather Declan scrutinized Aiden’s physique as if appraising it.
Skin tanned from living under the sun. Broad shoulders and impressive height.
Most striking of all were his well-defined, balanced muscles. A taut physique that even clothing couldn’t conceal.
Grandfather Declan’s eyes grew increasingly filled with admiration as he examined Aiden meticulously, searching for any flaw.
It was clear that Grandfather Declan approved.
“Yes, yes, if you’re thinking of the child, it’s better to quit being a mercenary—you’d rarely be home and could die abroad at any moment. You made a good decision.”
Grandfather Declan nodded with satisfaction, then furrowed his brows with a look of regret.
“But then, after you even quit your mercenary work, Tania becoming a lady of Papiope must have put you in a difficult position?”
“Not at all. Rather, I’m pleased to see it as an opportunity for her to flourish and develop her talents in a better environment.”
“Hmm. You’re quite a magnanimous person.”
Sensing their conversation might continue, I cleared my throat to give Grandfather a hint.
“Ahem, ahem! Shouldn’t we head to the Reception Room soon? The Duchess must be waiting.”
Only then did Grandfather stop his barrage of questions and fulfill his duty.
“I had a conversation with Viviana that I needed to have, but I got carried away without realizing it. Yes, since we’ve met, let’s go together.”
Grandfather’s gaze lingered on Aiden’s and my tightly clasped hands as he chuckled.
Wondering what he might say, I spoke first.
“Ha, you’re envious of the bond between Aiden and me? If you’re envious, you lose.”
“…And if I am?”
“Pardon?”
I hadn’t expected Grandfather to admit his envy so readily, and my eyes blinked rapidly in surprise.
“My daughter Viviana has detested physical affection with me since childhood, calling it revolting…. And Lucian grows so tense in my presence that I’ve never even attempted it.”
As I rolled my eyes, Grandfather fidgeted with his hands as if embarrassed.
“You too—ahem! You’re my granddaughter now, aren’t you? The Neighboring Marquis’s grandchildren apparently kiss and hold hands with him first.”
Grandfather’s gaze kept flickering toward my hand clasped with Aiden’s.
His reaction was rather amusing, so I remained still to see how far he would go….
In the end, he turned his head away with a sulk.
“Hmph, no! It seems I’m destined to hold no hand but my wife’s for all my life.”
Really? You’re going that far?
He struck his knee, his expression one of lamentation. It was a sorrow as if he’d lost the entire world.
“Oh dear! My beloved went to heaven from illness, and now I’ll spend the rest of my life alone and die…! I should follow her soon—what’s the point of living long?”
Fearing Grandfather might actually mime his own death, I quickly grasped his hand.
It was the hand not holding Aiden’s.
“From now on, please stop this back-and-forth talk and hold my hand whenever you wish.”
“…Truly?”
“Yes. I’m fond of you, Grandfather, so I can hold your hand anytime.”
“…What about a cheek kiss?”
“I don’t think we’re at that level of closeness yet.”
“Hmm, even I must admit I was being unreasonable. Very well, I shall be content with hand-holding for now.”
Grandfather wore a genuinely satisfied smile, his lips curving with warmth.
I’d thought his mention of the Neighboring Marquis’s grandchildren was merely an excuse, but it seemed he truly had been envious.

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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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