Trapped in a Secret Room With the Magnificent Duke - Chapter 29
Diego, with an adorably mischievous smile, said.
“It look impressive, but actually, this magic not complete yet.”
He extended his hand toward the figure of Viscountess Alfonso.
“Choco, bark.”
“Woof, woof!”
At Diego’s command, their pet dog, Choco, disguised as Viscountess Alfonso, placed its front paw—no, its left hand—on Diego’s small hand. The bark that followed was so loud and impressive it was hard to believe it came from a dog.
“Good job.”
Diego, visibly pleased, patted Choco’s head—or rather, Viscountess Alfonso’s head.
“Woof!”
As Reyna watched Choco, disguised as Viscountess Alfonso, playing tug-of-war with Diego, she began to seriously worry.
‘Illusion magic, huh…’
At such a young age, Diego was still struggling to distinguish reality from illusion. While his skills had initially seemed impressive and surprising, seeing the stern and serious Viscountess Alfonso act outlandishly, growling and tearing at fabric, made Reyna uneasy.
There was a risk of significant mistakes or misuse.
‘Perhaps it’s best to consult with an expert in this field…’
Perhaps someone like her husband, Kadrion. Unfortunately, Diego’s magical talent had emerged shortly after her husband, Duke Gerard, had left for the palace.
“Nanny.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“Until the Duke returns, please ensure that this matter doesn’t leak outside.”
“Understood, Madam.”
The nanny nodded in agreement. Reyna then called her son, who was munching on a treat while scolding the dog in its Viscountess Alfonso guise.
“Diego.”
“Yes?”
Reyna spoke with a firm yet gentle tone, advising Diego to be cautious and avoid using illusion magic in front of others until Kadrion came back.
* * *
Not long after discovering Diego’s magical talent, Reyna found herself pondering.
‘Kadrion’s birthday is coming up soon. What would make for a special gift…?’
She held Diego’s small, soft hand and walked through Saint Street.
He would be grateful for anything from Reyna, even if it were just a tissue with her snot on it.
However, Reyna wanted to give something more meaningful along with the usual expensive gifts for his birthday—something to commemorate their tenth wedding anniversary.
“Wife, look over there.”
Diego said, holding Reyna’s hand tightly and pointing toward something in the shopping district.
Reyna turned her head to see several women in revealing, flowing dresses stepping out of a carriage. They soon headed toward the theater. It seemed like the performance troupe that had recently been specially invited by the Marshall guild for the amusement of the bored nobles.
“……”
Reyna’s gaze lingered on them for a while.
Before marrying Kadrion, she had only worn modest dresses that reached up to her neck. Following her father, Count Hendrick’s, rule to not even glance at unattainable things, Reyna had also maintained a reserved demeanor, making sure that young nobles never dreamt of a future with her.
Since marrying Kadrion, she had worn a few more varied dress designs, but she had never donned a dress as revealing as those worn by the performers. Was that why? The colorful, flowing dresses reminiscent of a goldfish’s fins caught Reyna’s eye.
A rigid noble might criticize the dancers’ dresses as vulgar, but…
‘Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to show Kadrion a different side of me sometimes…’
With that thought, Reyna’s gaze stayed on the dancers entering the theater.
“……”
Given how much Diego admired Reyna, just like Kadrion, it was natural that he would pick up on her interest.
* * *
That evening, Reyna returned to the Duke’s residence without having found the perfect birthday gift for Kadrion. Instead, the escort’s hands were full of Diego’s new clothes and toys.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sir.”
“No need to thank me, Madam…”
The escort, who had followed her to Diego’s room, shook his head embarrassed.
“Please just give them to me, Sir.”
The nanny received Diego’s belongings from the escort and began neatly organizing them.
Reyna watched for a moment before heading to the bathroom with Diego. Although the nanny and maids usually handled Diego’s bath, Reyna, feeling particularly energetic with Kadrion being away from the Duke’s residence for a long time, wanted to spend time with Diego.
After all, Kadrion was a man who could be jealous even of his own son.
“Is the water too hot?”
“No.”
Reyna gently scrubbed Diego’s chubby arms with a soft sponge as he played with floating rubber ducks in the bath.
“But, Wife,” Diego said, his eyes wide.
Reyna considered correcting Diego’s habit of calling her ‘Wife’ but he always just nodded and continued as usual, so she had given up on trying.
