The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 128
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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 128
I threw myself into Father’s arms and giggled cheerfully, and Father’s eyes curved gently as well.
The people who saw Duke Dubbled’s affectionate expression stirred even more than when they heard “50 million francs.”
Father, who had been gently stroking my back, asked.
“Now then, what is it that you want?”
I had been waiting for these words.
‘Since everyone heard about giving me pocket money, now…’
I fidgeted with my hands and put on an innocent, childlike expression.
“Well, you see. I went to the fountain in the shopping district today. The adjutant told me about the legend of the nymph.”
“A nymph?”
“Yes! There’s a mysterious stone called a water source in Nymph’s Lake. Long, long ago, a hero had a sword, shield, and water source.”
The nobles listening to my story nodded their heads.
“The legend of Hero Tesla.”
“If it’s the story of the hero and the Demon King, I know it too. I remember pestering my parents to buy me Tesla’s Sword when I was young.”
“That was our generation, but it’s probably a story that children these days don’t know well.”
I raised my arm high and continued speaking.
“Father is the strongest person in the world, right?”
“That’s right.”
“The hero is said to be the strongest person in the world. Our Father is the hero. So I’m going to buy the water source!”
Then laughter burst out all around us.
“I think I understand why Duke Dubbled is so smitten with his daughter.”
“With a daughter like this, she can’t help but be adorable.”
Right? I seemed like a child, didn’t I?
It felt like my soul, which had gone through three regressions, was crying out in shame, but I deliberately ignored it and smiled wickedly inside.
Father chuckled and patted my head.
“Really? Let’s see if our daughter can obtain the water source.”
“Yes!”
I hugged Father’s neck and smiled brightly.
‘I’ll definitely get it.’
The express ticket that will take Dubbled to the pinnacle of power.
* * *
I came into the mansion with Father and the adjutant.
Father was in a good mood the entire time.
“I’ll go upstairs.”
“Right.”
After speaking with a smile, I quickly dragged the butler toward the mansion’s greenhouse.
“Tell Curtis to spread rumors immediately.”
“Rumors?”
“Rumors that I’m trying to find the water source of Nymph’s Lake. And that Father is supporting me with over 50 million francs.”
“So you deliberately mentioned that matter in front of people?”
“Because all battles in the Imperial Capital start with public opinion warfare.”
I lifted my chin with a smug expression, and the butler chuckled softly.
“How wise of you. Once the rumors spread, the Marquis Nodelli family might get scared and give up.”
If that happened, there would be no need to compete with Nodelli for purchases in the first place, so prices wouldn’t rise.
If things went well, I could buy the abandoned mine for half the originally planned budget, or even less.
“Even if not, money-hungry hyenas will come sniffing around about the rumors related to Nymph’s Lake. If they bring even stories related to abandoned mines, the mine owners will compete to offer me sales.”
“I’ll relay the message to Curtis.”
I nodded.
The problem was that Seria wasn’t currently at Hope Trading Company.
The Marquis Nodelli family had already started buying abandoned mines. I needed to spread rumors before they invested too much money to back out easily.
‘Can Curtis carry out my orders as thoroughly and quickly as Seria?’
But contrary to my concerns, Curtis’s execution surpassed Seria’s.
In just three days, rumors spread throughout the entire Empire.
And very satisfactorily at that.
A few days later.
While walking through the shopping district, I heard whispers around me.
“I heard Duke Dubbled is trying to find Nymph’s Lake to protect his daughter’s innocence?”
“I don’t know whether to call this ridiculous or romantic…”
“If it’s Duke Dubbled, wouldn’t he find it even if he had to create it himself?”
At the sound of giggling, I raised the corners of my mouth.
‘He put Father’s name at the very front of the rumors.’
Well done, Curtis!
Rumors grow and spread faster when they involve powerful people.
Since Duke Dubbled was at the forefront of the rumors rather than Lady Dubbled, there wasn’t a single person in the Empire who didn’t know the story that ‘Dubbled is targeting water sources.’
‘I must have good fortune with people in this life.’
As I covered my mouth with both fists and giggled, the Grand Duchess beside me asked.
“The little one seems to be in a good mood today.”
“Yes.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Godmother also looks like you’re in a good mood.”
“Something that was bothering me got resolved.”
Though she covered her mouth with her fan, her eyes were gently curved.
I lowered my voice and asked.
“About your daughter-in-law?”
“How clever of you.”
Grand Lady Camilla and I had become very close. She told me various stories, being childishly innocent yet sometimes more taciturn than adults.
‘Including stories about the Grand Duchess Consort.’
“The Grand Duchess Consort’s family has finally withdrawn from the Imperial Capital!”
“Yes. They held on for quite a long time.”
The Grand Duchess snapped her fan shut with a sharp sound.
‘Godmother is also a frightening person.’
Despite having sucked the Grand Duchess Consort’s lifeblood for a lifetime, she completely drove out her natal family who were ready to become leeches even after her marriage.
I don’t know what methods she used, but she made the Grand Duchess Consort’s natal family, who had been burning with greed, beg for their lives while agreeing to withdraw from the Imperial Capital.
‘She’s someone who never leaves any future troubles behind.’
Even while busy with that matter, she managed the social circles so well that the Emperor currently trusted the Grand Duchess far more than his birth mother.
“That’s good.”
When I spoke, the Grand Duchess chuckled softly and patted my head.
“Thank you. Now, shall we go in?”
“Yes.”
Today was the day of the charity party, a major event in the social circles.
Since it was an event organized by Old Lady Estera, who was a close friend of the Grand Duchess, both the Grand Duchess and I had decided to participate in the charity party.
“You said Young Ladies and Young Lords my age would be coming?”
“Yes, and… no, let’s save this as a surprise.”
I tilted my head in curiosity, but the Grand Duchess changed the subject.
“You’ll be entering the Theological Academy soon, won’t you?”
“Yes, this fall when my brothers leave for the Foreign Academic Institute, I’ll enter the Theological Academy.”
All noble children in the Imperial Capital go through the Theological Academy before advancing to the Imperial Academy or the Academy for Gifted Children.
The Theological Academy was essentially the mandatory educational institution for the Imperial Capital’s nobles.
Geniuses like my brothers sometimes go directly to the Academy for Gifted Children, but most go through the Theological Academy.
Since it’s the educational institution for all children, it’s the best place to build connections.
‘I decided to only attend the Theological Academy and receive education within the family house.’
It was an unavoidable choice since there were many people targeting my life or power.
The Theological Academy allowed escorts to accompany students, and since everyone commuted from their own mansions, there were no security issues.
“You’ll get acquainted with the children who will be entering the Theological Academy at today’s charity party.”
“So that’s why everyone was making such a fuss trying to get invitations to this party!”
“Yes, the spring charity party is also an event for preparing to form groups with only the best of the best at the Theological Academy.”
I nodded inwardly.
‘So it’s the headquarters of the Imperial Capital’s social maneuvering.’
The Grand Duchess gently caressed around my eyes as she spoke.
“You don’t need to worry about anything.”
I giggled and leaned my face into her hand.
It was worth the effort of carefully choosing and finding a godmother.
As we entered the party venue, the Noble Ladies rose to their feet.
“Glory to the Imperial Family. We greet the Grand Duchess.”
“We greet the Grand Duchess.”
The Grand Duchess smiled and nodded her head.
“I express my gratitude for the warm welcome. Everyone, please sit.”
I also greeted politely beside the Grand Duchess.
“Hello, Lady Yuselta, Lady Rodin, Lady Ariwood.”
The Noble Ladies laughed cheerfully and welcomed me.
“Nice to meet you, little Young Lady.”
Among those greeting, there were quite a few familiar faces.
Since this was an event hosted by the Grand Duchess’s close friend, there were plenty of the Grand Duchess’s people.
Because the Grand Duchess mainly befriends people of good character, they were all kind individuals.
They took care of me attentively so that I, who attended the event with my godmother due to not having a mother, wouldn’t feel left out.
“The children are gathered in that garden over there. Go and play together. Oh, would you like to take some juice?”
“Thank you!”
I greeted them and went to the garden.
“Young Lady!”
“Come here. Over here, over here!”
‘How can they all be so kind and cute?’
I looked around at the children extending their small maple leaf-like hands with an enchanted expression.
It seemed their parents had told them to take good care of me, as they were all eager to look after me.
“Hello, Young Ladies.”
“Yes. Oh, you already brought juice…”
A little lady with amber-colored hair made a dejected expression, apparently having been holding juice to give to me.
“I can drink two glasses!”
“I prepared some too…”
“I can drink three glasses too!”
“Thank you!”
We laughed merrily as we exchanged juice back and forth.
‘This is fun…’
The children are cute, the garden is beautiful, and everyone is kind.
‘It’s like I’ve fallen into a gentle world.’
Having never been close with peers in the past, I was very happy.
‘But since people have different personalities—’
“Excuse me, I had reserved that spot.”
“Move aside.”
—there are bound to be children who aren’t so kind.
A blonde Young Lady with a dark mole on her cheek and a Young Lady with beautiful wavy red curls pushed away the Young Ladies beside me with arrogant expressions.
‘Lady Yuselta and Lady Lloyd.’
As precious bloodlines of powerful figures, they were the leader-type children at any party.
Lady Yuselta smiled brightly and suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Hello, Lady Dubbled.”
“Hello.”
“I watched the mock battle at the Imperial Palace last time. My father is the Guard Captain of the Imperial Palace! By the way, how is Johan doing?”
From the other side, Lady Lloyd came over and took my hand.
“You were truly magnificent in the mock battle! But didn’t Isaac come?”
And from far away, a Young Lady with an excited expression came running over with quick steps.
“Lady Hadeloro.”
“You remembered me! I’m so happy. How is Henri doing?”
Thanks to having three handsome older brothers, I was popular even among these girls.
The children who had stepped back behind the three Young Ladies also blushed and wore dreamy expressions.
“Johan…”
“Henri…”
“Knight Isaac…”
Their gazes were burdensome, so I spoke with an awkward expression.
“Should I bring them next time…?”
“Please!”
“Please do!”
“We beg you!”
I was startled when they all shouted at the same time. When I flinched, the children giggled.
“The Three Young Masters don’t come to parties very often.”
“Yes, we can’t see them often, so we’re curious…”
I let out a small laugh.
‘This is perfect timing.’
I knew my brothers were popular, but was their popularity really this sky-high?
Curious, I asked.
“Are my brothers really that popular?”
When I opened my eyes wide, the Young Ladies were startled and exclaimed.
“Of course they are!”
“Naturally. Dubbled’s Three Young Masters are truly… ah.”
“The Lonely Silver, Johan…”
“The Red Melody, Henri.”
“The Dark Charisma, Isaac!”
What?
I blinked in bewilderment.
“The Lonely… what?”
“The Lonely Silver, Red Melody, Dark Charisma! That’s what they’re called these days!”
“Whoever came up with those nicknames did such a good job! Don’t you think?”
If my brothers heard this, three evil spirits would be born.
I swallowed dryly.
That’s when it happened.
“Hello, Young Ladies!”
With a cheerful voice, a young lady with luscious blonde hair entered the garden.
I turned around in surprise.
‘Lady Nodeli?’
Why is she here?
Marchioness Nodelli, the Empress Dowager’s daughter, is enemies with Grand Lady Camilla, so she rarely attends events like this.
Lady Nodeli, who saw me, tilted her head sideways.
“Oh my, what brings Miss Dubbled here?”
“Pardon?”
“You don’t seem like someone who should be attending something like this. This is a mother-daughter event, but Young Lady… you don’t have a mother, do you?”
“…What?”
“Oh, right. It’s not just your mother who’s missing, is it?”
She looked me up and down.
‘Well, would you look at that?’
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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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