The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 15
Thinking he might be joking, I studied Theodore’s expression, but he seemed completely serious.
“…….”
My jaw dropped at the sound of a word I had never uttered in my 24 years of life. We stared at each other in a meaningless confrontation in silence because the person who was supposed to be answering was unable to speak.
But in the end, succumbing to the peculiar pressure Theodore exuded, I cautiously opened my mouth while stealing glances at him.
“…Theodore-oppa?”
“Yes. I am your brother.”
Theodore finally looked satisfied, his shoulders rising in contentment. Having achieved his goal of hearing me call him ‘brother,’ Theodore walked past the despondent Duke Delphinium and left the office as if he’d accomplished everything he wanted.
Just when I thought he was leaving for good, Theodore stopped at the door, turned around, and addressed me.
“Tomorrow, we should get you some clothes and jewelry. You’ll be going out with me.”
“Going out together? Me and… you….”
“Brother.”
“Oh, yes. Going out with you, Theodore-oppa?”
“That’s right. In two days, another ducal family will be visiting our estate. Even if that weren’t the case, as a daughter of a ducal household, you should have at least 100 dresses ready to change into at any given time.”
“100 dresses…?”
I was momentarily stunned by the absurd number.
“Too few? Of course, I’ll buy you new ones as the trends change. Don’t worry.”
“You’re going to buy even more…?”
“Yes.”
“…….”
All I could do at that point was stupidly repeat his words. Theodore observed my reaction and then added,
“Ah, I see. A hundred must indeed be too few. Let’s start with 200 dresses tomorrow and plan another outing for a later day.”
I was about to protest, but Theodore was already walking out of the office with light steps.
The moment he left, my body sagged as if all my energy had been drained.
“Ugh, exhausting.”
In such a short time, it felt as though a whirlwind had swept through.
“New dresses… jewelry….”
I glanced to the side and saw the Delphinium Duke muttering to himself with his head lowered. He didn’t seem capable of holding a normal conversation right now, so I left him to it and stepped out of the office.
Waiting just outside the door, I encountered an unexpected guest.
“A rabbit…?”
It was Kaiden, the one who had stormed out earlier. Now, with a resolute expression, he thrust a rabbit doll directly in front of my face as I exited.
The sudden situation left me too bewildered to think clearly.
What was he trying to do by handing me the doll? Was it supposed to be a gift?
I thought he ran out because he hated me.
“What’s this?”
“…….”
I caught a glimpse of Kaiden’s ears, faintly tinged red.
Could he have stormed out earlier because he forgot to bring the rabbit doll?
I silently accepted the rabbit doll Kaiden handed me. Only then did his expression relax, as if he was finally satisfied.
“Thanks. Were you waiting here just to give this to me?”
At my question, Kaiden gave a small nod.
Cute.
This made me want to tease him even more.
“I thought you ran off because you hated me…. I was really hurt earlier, you know.”
I covered my face with both hands, faking a sad tone.
“I-it’s not because I hate you!”
Kaiden panicked and fidgeted as I pretended to cry.
“Just kidding.”
“You…!”
I uncovered my face immediately and acted nonchalant, leaving Kaiden flustered and at a loss for words.
“Should we introduce ourselves again? My name is Lassetia.”
“…I’m Kaiden Delphinium.”
I half-expected him to ignore me out of annoyance, but his willingness to reintroduce himself only made him seem cuter.
“Can I just call you Kaiden?”
“C-call me brother! I’m two years older than you, after all!”
What is this, is this actually a childcare story? I’m starting to get confused.
Tilting my head, I opened my lips.
“Alright, Kaiden-oppa. Thanks for the gift.”
I waved the rabbit doll and thanked him again, Kaiden’s ears reddened once more. He covered his face with his arm and hurriedly left.
“There he goes again.”
Looking at the rabbit doll suddenly in my hand, I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
