I Picked Up the Precious Daughter of the Villain

Silence passed.

Theodor had never in his life heard such a suffocating question. He should have expected it, but he couldn’t come up with an answer to this one.

He closed his eyes tightly and opened them.

To Theodor, who had not yet prepared a pleasant answer, the only thing he could reply to his daughter was the truth.

“None.”

He spoke as if chewing on each word.

“You have no mother.”

If she really knew the true meaning of these words, he couldn’t even imagine how much his precious child, Elodie, would be hurt.

He swallowed dry saliva and continued because it was something he really wanted to say to Elodie.

“You…are my daughter, I raised you with my own hands since you were born. Do not doubt it.”

“All right.”

Theodor blinked his eyes.

Because Elodie wasn’t sad or disappointed at all. On the contrary, she felt relieved…

“So, you mean I don’t have a mother? She won’t show up one day and take me away, will she?”

“……”

The hidden meaning of those words choked Theodor. In the end, he couldn’t get his voice out of his mouth and only nodded his head slightly.

Perhaps that was enough of an answer for Elodie, she smiled broadly and without looking back, she ran towards Arya.

Theodor looked up into the air.

He thought that his world, which had only been gray since he lost Elodie, had regained color, but now his chest felt empty.

* * *

The picnic ended happily.

It may have been more enjoyable because the Duke left in the middle.

Even while I was washing the dishes, I shook my head thinking about the Duke’s absurd behavior.

‘…Still, he’s really awfully nice to Elodie.’ 

Anyway, there are limits to what I can do for her.

For now, Elodie may be content with eating delicious food and putting on warm clothes, but there’s no telling what kind of dreams she may have in the future, and when that time comes, the wealth and power of the Duke will firmly support her.

‘Gee, it got too late.’

The night deepened in an instant as I was tidying things up.

I sneaked into the bedroom so as not to wake up Elodie, who would be sleeping first.

“……I wish she was Elodie’s mother.”

In an instant, my body froze on its own.

Elodie was saying something in a mumbling voice in her sleep.

“Saintess, if you really exist, please grant my wish. Please make Aria become my mom…”

The people of this country revered the Saintess, who was said to have contributed greatly to the founding of this country.

In fact, quite a few people did not believe in it because it was not a state religion, and I have never brought up the story about the Saintess to Elodie. However, her voice, who now prays to a Saintess, sounded more earnest than anyone else who would be praying in the temple.

“I will be a really, really good kid. I’ll never do anything bad. So, please make Aria be Elodie’s mom…”

I withdrew my hand from the doorknob.

I couldn’t bring myself to enter the bedroom right away. Most of all, my feet did not move properly when I thought of the wounds Elodie could get.

‘I can’t give her what she wants.’

Naturally, in my heart, I wanted to do what Elodie wanted.

To formally submits adoption papers, be called Mom, and introduce her as my daughter in front of others… 

I had no intention of getting married anyway. But, it would be better to have one child than to spend the rest of my life being lonely like this.

However, adoption is not easy.

If Elodie had been really an orphan, the situation might have been a little different. At least that would be a case that could be solved as long as I was mentally prepared. 

But, Elodie……

‘She is the daughter of the Duke of Vanice.’

I closed my eyes.

The daughter of none other than Theodor Vanice.

The child whom he loved so much that he even tried to exterminate a city to save.  She is a child who will one day become the owner of Duchy Vanice.

‘……’

Apart from my personal likes and dislikes for Theodor Vanice, I was not unaware that he was doing us quite a favor.

Because, if he wanted to, he could take Elodie by force from me at any given time.

He doesn’t even need to use force. As soon as he files a paternity suit with the court, Elodie will have to go to the Duchy.

That’s how much they resemble each other. 

There was only one reason why the Duke did not put such an action into practice. 

Elodie likes me so much that if she breaks up with me, she’ll be unhappy. 

Suddenly, the sound of Elodie’s prayer stopped and only the sound of her breathing was heard.

I quietly entered the bedroom.

Fortunately, Elodie did not even notice that I had come in. She seemed to be sleeping very deeply.

“Wow…tasty…”

Even talking in her sleep.

Seeing that her little lips were making noises, she seemed to be eating something delicious inside her dream.

I looked at Elodie’s innocent face under the moonlight.

Anxiety that had been around for quite some time swirled in the depths of my heart.

What would be the best way for her?

What Elodie wanted was simple.

Theodor Vanice completely gone from her life and only me and her to live happily ever after.

‘But that’s not possible.’

I laughed bitterly.

Leaving aside the issue of her father being a Duke, he was a real father who loved Elodie very much.

It was clear that one day, she would understand that feeling. Maybe in the distant future, she will need her biological father more than me.

‘Until that time comes.’

I lay down by Elodie’s side and gently stroked the child’s silver hair. Now, the texture has become quite soft, and the rough texture of the past was unimaginable.

‘I promise you, Elodie.’

I made a promise while looking at her.

‘I will make you happy no matter what.’

* * *

The next day.

The once-a-month holiday disappeared as quickly as snow on a summer day, and a new working day had dawned.

I started my usual routine after I came to the cafe with Elodie. 

In the morning, I serve the incoming guests, starting with the old lady, and in the afternoon, I manage the influx of guests, starting with the Duke.

There was only one thing that was different that day.

I brought a waffle to the Duke and inserted a small note into it. As a result, when I returned home with Elodie after finishing the café’s working hours, the Duke was waiting.

“What’s going on? Do you need my help? If you just say-”

“Let’s go inside and talk.” 

I interrupted the Duke.

Not for nothing, because it was very chilly in the late autumn nights after the sun went down.

I made hot cocoa for Elodie and a cup of hot tea for the Duke and me, then opened my mouth.

“It’s not that I need something…I called because I have something to tell you. Elodie, you should listen too.”

“Wh-what?”

Elodie looked up at me with anxious eyes.

I was also slightly nervous, and my mouth was dry as a sandbox.

Perhaps Elodie won’t like what I’m about to say.

I looked straight at the Duke.

“Sir, would you like to meet Elodie? Not just a place to watch from afar, but a place to spend time with each other.”

The Duke was silent for a moment.

“…I don’t think I deserve that.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise.

Of course, I thought he was going to quickly grab the chance, but on the contrary, he said something close to rejection.

“Whether I or Elodie likes it or not, you are her father. Unless your Grace will cut ties……”

I stopped for a moment.

The Duke of Vanice didn’t say anything, but I could feel the violent aura in his slightly changed posture.

Not wanting to receive death threats again, I waved my hand right away.

“It was just an example. Don’t take it seriously… Anyway, as long as you recognize Elodie as your daughter, don’t you also think Elodie needs you, sir?”

“What do you want to say?”

The Duke asked with an ice-cold voice.

I took a breath.

It didn’t seem like an offer to take out in a situation where the Duke seemed to be in a terrible mood, but it seemed there would be no chance if it weren’t now.

“I want you to spend time with Elodie once a week. Of course, on condition that I will also be present.”