The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 9
“I honestly don’t fully understand what you’re thinking or worrying about… but that won’t happen.”
“How can you be so sure? Everyone says that at first when they adopt someone. They promise to treat them well, shower them with care and love.”
“Love… I’m not sure about love. But even if I can’t give you love, I can raise you well enough. Whatever you want to do, whatever you want to learn, I’ll provide it all.”
“……”
“And my sons are all kind and have been well-educated since they were young. They would never do something like that….”
What is this? A textbook response from parents of school bullies?
“I don’t have any aegyo*.”
(*TL Note: Aegyo is hard to translate in a succinct way lol)
The Duke, puzzled by my abrupt statement, asked,
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m not the affectionate type. I’m just letting you know in advance that I won’t be winning everyone over with cuteness or lightening the mood with charm.”
“……”
“In case you might have some expectations for me. I don’t have any hidden talents. I don’t have any intention or desire to replace someone else either.”
“……”
“But I won’t return the favor or betray you. Unless, of course, it comes from your side first.”
“That… that beggar! A mere commoner dares to speak to the Duke like that! Duke, why are you even entertaining such presumptuous words?”
The coachman, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, pointed at me sharply.
“Quiet.”
The Duke calmly silenced the agitated coachman.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t that insubordination too?’
A coachman raising his voice at a Duke? If I get dragged off for speaking my mind, then you should be coming with me.
“Just looking at that coachman alone, I can see my future so clearly, Duke.”
I gazed up at the Duke with an innocent, wide-eyed look, as if I didn’t know anything.
“Very well. Thomas, either step outside or be quiet. I will not tolerate any further interference.”
The coachman, named Thomas, visibly deflated at the Duke’s words and stepped back reluctantly.
I shot Thomas a quick glare before turning back to meet the Duke’s gaze head-on and continuing.
“Duke, I know my words are presumptuous and lack decorum. But this is about my future, can’t I afford to be a little careful?”
“…You’re right.”
“I’m not going to replace anyone, nor will I take on any role within the Duke’s household. Knowing all of this, would you still adopt me?”
“……”
“What I’m saying, Duke, is that adopting someone isn’t something to be done lightly.”
My words came out even colder, shaken by the Duke’s lightheartedness in adopting a roadside child he had seen for the first time today, simply because she resembled his wife and their lost daughter.
The Duke seemed to sink into deep thought after hearing my sharp remarks. Turning my gaze away from him, I scraped the nearly empty dessert plates and spoke nonchalantly. A faint bitterness lingered on my tongue.
“Children don’t grow up on their own. If you’re not confident, don’t recklessly extend your hand to just anyone ever again. Fleeting kindness that you can’t follow through with is poison for someone like me, who has nowhere else to go.”
“…Even so, I’d still like you to come with me.”
I thought he’d give up at this point, but the Duke was surprisingly persistent.
“Fine.”
The Duke’s eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe a positive answer had come out of my mouth.
“But I have a condition.”
“A condition?”
“I’d like us to write up a contract. Shall we head to the Duke’s residence first?”
At my words, Thomas forgot all about the Duke’s earlier warning and began to lash out again.
“You don’t even realize the opportunity you’ve been given, and you dare to set conditions? You should be falling to your knees with gratitude and bowing in thanks!”
‘What is with this guy? He’s been annoying me since earlier.’
Should I bow twice and just finish him off?
“I should’ve known when you shamelessly ordered the entire menu!”
I considered saying something to that noisy coachman as a way to commemorate my sudden rise in status, but I quickly grew tired of the thought and ignored him, turning instead toward the Duke’s carriage.
