The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 25
“I’m disappointed in you.”
“…….”
“As the lady of the Delphinium family, you only spent 1,000 gold on shopping. Truly disgraceful.”
“…….”
I said nothing, merely staring at the rim of my teacup.
For a moment, I wondered if I had done something wrong, startled. But that fleeting anxiety fizzled out, like the carbonation in a soda gone flat.
“No matter how clueless someone might be about spending money, this is too much.”
‘What should I eat tomorrow?’
“Was there really so little to buy? How could you go on your first shopping trip and return after spending only 1,000 gold? In all my years, I’ve never heard of such a pitiful expenditure.”
‘I feel like having meat. Should I ask for it?’
“If word of this gets out, people will think the Delphinium family’s finances are in dire straits.”
‘What should I have for dessert?’
While deliberating over my dinner menu, I let my gaze drop from the rim of the teacup to the floor.
“Of course, I didn’t mean to scold you. What I’m saying is… spending only 1,000 gold isn’t going to dent the family’s finances.”
Now I was analyzing the patterns on the carpet beneath my feet.
The truth was, I hadn’t been paying attention to anything the duke said since the moment I entered the drawing room. My brain had already discarded this entire conversation. When the silence dragged on for a bit, I timed a random response.
“I’ll improve moving forward.”
“Good. I hope this doesn’t happen again.”
It seemed the duke had said all he needed to, as he returned to sipping his tea. Glancing at him lifting his teacup, I picked up my own still-warm cup and took a sip.
As the tea slid down my throat, warmth spread through my body. Soon, I felt relaxed, and my mind eased as well.
“The tea has a lovely aroma..”
Perhaps because I had never initiated a conversation before, the sudden remark seemed to catch the duke off guard. He set his teacup down and replied with a slightly flushed expression.
“It’s my favorite tea. I had it imported directly from the south. If we share tea time more often, I could introduce you to other kinds…..”
“I’m fine, Your Grace..”
At my firm refusal, the Duke of Delphinium visibly deflated. He hesitated, then cautiously asked, glancing at me for approval.
“Now that the adoption process is official… shouldn’t we settle on how you’ll address me?.”
“Address you?.”
“Yes. Try calling me Father..”
“……..”
“Or Dad, if you prefer..”
My dad is alive and well, though….
How could I possibly call a man I’ve known for only two days “Dad” when my real father exists?
“And to commemorate the formal adoption process, I’ll have a building constructed in your name…..”
“Thank you, Father!”
The word “Father” slipped out naturally.
A new dad who gives me a building! They say life can change in an instant—this was it, the jackpot.
At seven years old, I had become a property owner, and I left the study with a grin stretching from ear to ear.
“Hey, kid.”
Drunk on the taste of capitalism, I didn’t hear the call and kept walking lightly.
“Are you ignoring me?”
Turning toward the loud voice, I saw Lucian standing in the shadows, arms crossed, glaring at me with a disgruntled expression.
“Lucian?”
“I heard you spent 1,000 gold today?”
How long had it been since I got back, and already the entire estate knew about my spending? Apparently, secrets didn’t exist in this place.
I was stunned by how quickly news spread and the lack of privacy in this mansion.
‘At this rate, even me taking breaths might become a headline.’
‘Breaking: Lassetia Found Breathing in Her Room.’
The future practically wrote itself.
“Yeah, I already discussed that with Father.”
“Father?”
Lucian seemed a bit startled by the title that came out of my mouth.
“You’re already calling him Father…? This kid isn’t ordinary.”
I casually nodded at the bewildered Lucian and was about to head to my room when his voice stopped me again.
“That’s enough. I thought your goal was money.”
“Gasp. How did you figure that out?”
I turned around and covered my mouth with my hand, feigning exaggerated shock.
“What?” he said.
“Just kidding.”
Dropping the act, I returned to a straight face.
Lucian, looking utterly baffled, continued speaking.
“I initially thought your goal was money, but after hearing you only spent 1,000 gold today, I concluded that wasn’t the case.”
“I’ve already decided to improve. I know I still lack a sense of money management.”
“Still, I haven’t dropped my suspicions about you. Stay on your toes.”
With that, Lucian once again said his piece, turned abruptly, and disappeared. It was the exit of a third-rate villain.
Is he stupid? If he’s so suspicious of me, why does he keep coming to report his thoughts?
I stared blankly at the spot where he vanished before heading back to my room.
As soon as I arrived, I quickly climbed onto the bed. After fluffing up the pillow and smoothing it out, I laid my tired body down.
The moment I relaxed, my eyelids began to droop. Being in a younger body, sleep seemed to come at any time, without warning.
Having spent so much energy wandering outside, I fell asleep almost immediately, without a moment for further thought.
