The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 60
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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 60
Several more days passed.
Carlos still hadn’t woken up.
After about a week, worry began to creep in, but each time Sion visited my room and reassured me, I was able to endure the anxiety.
And there was someone who came to my room almost as frequently as Sion.
It was Demian.
Ever since I woke up, he had made it a daily routine to skip training and sit in my room for hours before leaving.
At first I wondered if he was monitoring me, but his behavior suggested otherwise.
He would bring flowers, pack snacks for me, and even bring books from the library or board games, saying I must be bored.
Today, as usual, he held a plate of apples in his hands.
“Open your mouth.”
“…Your Grace, I told you I can eat by myself.”
“With your arm like that, what can you possibly eat? Moving will only make your wounds worse.”
Demian stabbed an apple piece with a fork and held it out.
“You need to eat quickly to get better. They say fruit is good for anemia.”
His expression was stoic, but his actions were gentle.
The apple entered my mouth. It was sweet. The crisp texture was pleasant.
Demian stabbed the next piece.
“Your Grace, really, you don’t have to…”
“Next.”
I opened my mouth again.
Demian didn’t stop until I had eaten everything. One piece, two pieces, three pieces.
“…I really don’t understand why you’re doing this. Your Grace, don’t you have anything to do? You hardly seem to train these days.”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
Why is he raising his voice again?
When I covered one ear and frowned, Demian made a grunt and tapped his own mouth.
“I wasn’t trying to get angry.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I am still a princess, after all. You shouldn’t be getting angry at me, should you?”
“You completed the guardianship registration, yet you’re still going on about being a princess?”
“Yes, because becoming a ward doesn’t make my status disappear, does it?”
Though I actually have no intention of playing the princess role anymore.
But somehow, in front of Demian, I always want to push back like this.
Demian, who seemed displeased with my comment, pouted and grumbled before speaking in a muttering voice.
“…I told you, I thought my heart would stop. The Archmage suddenly appeared with you two, and you were both covered in blood. Father was unconscious, and Your Highness had collapsed with a pale face.”
“…I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”
“Who said it was Your Highness’s fault? If you’re going to apologize unnecessarily, just finish eating your apple.”
Demian frowned and forcefully stabbed the remaining apple, shoving it into my mouth.
I wish he’d pick one – either worry about me or torment me.
I’m getting full now.
“Just… please be more careful next time. I told you to take care of yourself and return safely.”
“I’m truly sorry for not keeping my promise.”
“That apology I like. It’s a relief that you understand.”
Demian’s voice trembled slightly as he took my finished fork and stabbed another apple piece.
How frightening it must have been when the two people who left the ducal palace returned covered in blood.
“…I’ll be careful from now on.”
I spoke with sincerity.
Demian nodded silently.
After a moment of silence, Demian rummaged through his chest as if remembering something.
“…Oh right, an official document came from the Temple.”
“An official document?”
What he handed me was a document stamped with the Temple’s seal.
I reflexively took it and blinked. The document in my hands felt heavy.
“…This is.”
“Yes. It’s official confirmation that your wardship registration has been completed. Now legally, Your Highness is a ward of House Carter. No matter what the Emperor says, he can’t take you away arbitrarily.”
I looked down at the document.
It felt deeply moving. This was the result of a life-threatening journey. The document I received after being attacked by assassins, after Carlos collapsed, after going through all of that.
‘To get just this one thing…’
I deliberately shook off the shallow contemplation that crept in.
“It came faster than expected. I thought they’d drag their feet.”
“For some reason, the Eastern Temple seems to have rushed the processing.”
So it was the Cardinal’s influence after all.
The fact that the Emperor had hidden records must have been quite a shock. Who told him to pledge loyalty to the Emperor anyway? For his age, he was remarkably naive.
“…So that’s why.”
While I was lost in thought, I heard Demian’s voice beside me.
“Yes?”
He seemed to have difficulty saying something, hesitating. It was unlike his usual self.
After rolling his eyes around for a while, he finally managed to speak.
“How long are you going to keep calling me Your Grace?”
“…What?”
It was an unexpected question.
Demian cleared his throat and stared straight at me. His face was stoic, but somehow his ears were slightly red.
“That’s right.”
Demian said.
“How long are you going to keep calling me Grand Duke, Grand Duke? Are you really going to keep acting like Your Highness the whole time at the Duke’s Mansion?”
“That’s not it, but… Then what should I… call you?”
I asked because I genuinely didn’t know. If not Grand Duke, then what should I call him? Lord Carter? That seems strange too.
Then Demian’s face crumpled all over the place.
“Do you perhaps not know my name?”
“Of course I know your name.”
…Could it be, he wants me to call him Demian?
Not Grand Duke, not Lord Carter, but Demian.
‘Between us, using names?’
It felt like something was stuck in my throat.
Just because I gained ward status doesn’t make me part of their family. It’s just a legally protected relationship, not real family.
This made it seem like we were something more.
It was awkward and ticklish.
When I remained silent for a long time, Demian narrowed his eyes again.
“What are you thinking about now?”
“Nothing much.”
I fidgeted with my hands. I avoided his gaze for no reason. I played with the edge of the blanket.
“Just thinking it’s a bit awkward?”
Why is his expression getting sulky again?
“You seem to find many things awkward.”
“But the Grand Duke and I aren’t close enough to call each other by name…”
“Ha, really. Do you think I’m suggesting this with some special meaning?”
Somehow his voice got louder again.
Why is he raising his voice again?
“At least until Your Highness becomes an adult, we have to live in the same mansion. If I keep calling you Your Highness, Your Highness, it feels like hosting a guest, which would make me uncomfortable.”
He let out hollow laughs while speaking almost like shouting.
His ears were even redder than before, and now I could see his neck turning red too.
His green eyes wandered aimlessly through the air, lost. Looking out the window, then at the floor.
‘He brought it up first, but he’s feeling awkward too.’
Showing such cute sides again, causing a fuss.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I tried to hold it back but couldn’t.
“Alright. Um… Demian.”
At my careful address, Demian froze, then his mouth moved slightly. He seemed like he wanted to say something.
“You called me first?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call you by name too.”
“Yes.”
Demian opened and closed his mouth. He repeated it several times. He seemed like he wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.
Finally.
“…I’ll take it slow.”
He scratched his head vigorously. As if embarrassed.
That sight was somehow funny.
“Take your time. I’ll wait.”
“…Yes.”
Demian nodded. His ears were still red. But his expression seemed to have softened a little.
It was awkward but not unpleasant atmosphere.
Then, the door burst open and Mia came running in.
“Young Master, Your Highness! His Grace has awakened!”
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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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