Chapter 23: Annual event of the Duke of Liberica(1)

Once a year, the Liberica Duke Family holds an event.

On the surface, it’s meant to promote friendship, but in reality, it’s more like a hearing.

It’s a check to see whether everyone’s doing their job properly or just freeloading on their salary, so naturally, no one looks happy to attend.

On the morning of the annual event, I went to see my parents.

Ever since the kidnapping incident, I’ve made sure to visit them at least once a day and shower them with affection.

Is it because I always feel like they’re on my side?

Or maybe my thoughts have just gotten simpler since becoming younger.

When I opened the door to Dad’s office, he was still working diligently, even on the day of the annual event.

“Our daughter’s here?”

“Hehehe, Daddy!!”

I ran into his arms and hugged him.

He gave me a look that said, I can’t stop you, and patted my head.

“You’re going to trip running around like that.”

“You just have to catch me before I fall, right?”

Holding me in his arms, Dad continued working.

I glanced at his desk and noticed there were even more documents than usual.

“Daddy, do you have more papers than usual today?”

“Since there’s an event today, I have to take care of the paperwork in advance.”

He praised my sharp eye and patted me again, which made me a little embarrassed.

Being in Dad’s arms was nice, but just as I was about to go see Mom…

He wouldn’t let go.

“D-Dad…? I’m going to go see Mom now.”

“You can come in freely, but leaving is a different matter.”

“…Huh?”

After being stuck in his arms for a while, I realized this couldn’t go on and finally opened my mouth.

“Daddy, Daddy.”

“What is it, my adorable youngest?”

“Wanna try a quiz?”

“Ooh, I’m curious. Go ahead.”

As always, I knew I had to ask him to put me down first before saying things like this.

After taking a deep breath, I spoke.

“Do you know what my favorite bread in the whole world is?”

“Hmm, my baby probably likes croissants, or maybe…”

“Wrong!”

“Then what’s your favorite bread…?”

“Ah-bread!”

“……”

Dad froze on the spot.

As I fidgeted, wondering if I’d said something wrong, something unexpected happened.

He quietly set me down on the floor and told me to hurry to Mom.

Did I disappoint him with my joke?

I stepped out of the office feeling slightly dejected.

Right then, a thunderous boom rang out from the room.

‘KWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’

“Hiiieeek!?”

Startled, I thought about opening the door again but couldn’t bring myself to do it.

A classic horror movie cliché.

[If you open a random door because someone says it’s fine, you die.]

I quietly walked away toward Mom’s room.

“Hoo, the office is a wreck.”

Our youngest’s cuteness was just too much.

If I had any less patience, I might’ve smashed my desk right in front of her.

Even as I looked at the desk that had split in two with papers scattered everywhere, I felt good.

Paperwork can be redone, and a desk can be replaced.

But the youngest’s affection? That’s irreplaceable.

More importantly, I hope the recording came out well.

I checked the magic tool for video recording—it worked perfectly.

‘Ah-bang!’

‘Ah-bang!’

‘Ah-bang!’

How many times did I replay that same moment over the next hour?

Every time I watched it, she looked cuter.

I just wanted to keep watching it.

Still, if I didn’t finish today’s work, there’d be trouble.

“…Just one last time, then I’ll get to work.”

After replaying it about thirty more times, I finally pulled myself together and started cleaning up.

*

The annual event begins in the evening.

Then why am I getting ready so early?

It’s not even lunchtime yet…

I was on my way to see Mom when Anna grabbed me and dragged me off.

“Anna. Why are we starting preparations already?”

“We’re already quite late, Miss.”

“W-What are you talking about!? There’s still over eight hours left!”

“Only eight hours remain. Now, let’s begin.”

Anna suggested starting with a bath and a massage, then headed to the bathroom.

Today, the bathtub smelled fragrant—unlike usual.

Normally, there would be a little yellow duck, but today there was no duck, only the lovely scent.

Once I soaked in the tub, Anna began massaging me, starting with my arms.

She said it’s better to relax first before dressing up, but I’m not sure I get it!

After the bath, I stepped out to get dressed, but sleepiness hit me hard.

As I dozed off, Anna just smiled and continued dressing me up.

“All done, Miss. Please wake up.”

“Mmm, did I fall asleep?”

I vaguely remember receiving something, but everything was finished before I knew it.

As I tried to rub my eyes, Anna gently held my hand back.

She said it would smudge the makeup and gently dabbed under my eyes—her touch was so soft…

When she urged me to look in the mirror, I saw a different version of myself standing there.

Even though I was still a young girl and she only applied light makeup, I looked completely different.

Before the makeup, I looked like a cute little girl.

After the makeup, I looked like an extremely cute little girl reflected in the mirror.

“Anna! You’re amazing! You’re really good at makeup!”

“It’s only possible because you’re so cute, Miss.”

“Hehehe, r-really…?”

I stared at my reflection for a while, then a thought struck me.

Wouldn’t my family love to see me like this?

“Anna! I’m going to go see my parents and sisters real quick!”

“Yes, Miss.”

I hadn’t put on the dress for the event yet, so I was wearing a comfortable one-piece dress.

I ran toward my parents’ room, but then I bumped into my sisters in the hallway.

I didn’t know why all three of them were together, but this was my chance.

“Sisters! How do I look!?”

At that moment, the magic device in my eldest sister’s hand almost dropped to the floor.

‘That thing costs so muchhhh!’ Liriel screamed as she caught it just in time.

Then my second sister walked over and pulled me into a hug.

“Our baby sister is so pretty.”

“R-Really…?”

I blushed in embarrassment, but my sisters wouldn’t be my sisters if they stopped there.

Liriel immediately started taking pictures of me with the ‘camera’ she just saved.

Then my eldest sister slowly walked over and hugged both of us at once.

“…Sis, this is uncomfortable. Let me go.”

“You two are just too cute. Accept your fate and stay in my arms.”

She hugged us tightly for a long time while Liriel busily snapped pictures of us.

Come to think of it, since when did Liriel get so into photography…?

“Liriel, why are you taking so many pictures…?”

“These kinds of photos are definitely in demand!”

Hmm, it’s about money, huh…? As expected of someone from our family.

It was about 30 minutes before my eldest sister finally let us go.

It was a shame I didn’t get to see my parents, but I was still excited thinking of it as a surprise.

After saying goodbye to my sisters, I returned to my room and changed into my dress.

Wait, did I always have a dress like this?

I asked Anna about it, and she replied.

“This was sent by Lady Bella Robusta.”

If it’s Bella’s choice, I can trust it.

They don’t call her the flower of high society for nothing.

She always knows the latest trends in the Empire, yet she’s always cooped up in the Mage Tower.

Where does she even get that information…?

I decided to ask her next time we meet and finished changing.

Since I was still young, I didn’t wear too many accessories—just a simple bracelet.

Once everything was ready, I waited in my room until I heard a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Mom walked in.

“Wow! My daughter is so pretty!”

She instantly hugged me and patted me affectionately, making me feel a little shy.

“T-Thank you. But, um… why did you come to my room?”

“Hmph. My youngest is so cold. You never come visit your mother.”

Mom sounded hurt, and it wasn’t fair.

Every time I tried to go see her, something happened and I got pulled away.

“That’s not true! I did try! But every time I was about to go, I got dragged off to get ready, and then when I was on my way again, my sisters caught me!”

“But you never made it, did you?”

“……”

She must’ve seen my sulky face.

She poked my cheeks and said it was just a joke.

“It’s just too much fun teasing you. I’m joking!”

“Uuugh, I don’t like moms who tease their daughters!”

“Really? You don’t like Mommy?”

Mom pulled something out from behind her back and waved it gently in front of me.

As I stared at it in confusion, I saw the word invitation written on it.

Just as I was wondering what kind of invitation it was, I spotted the seal stamped in the center of the envelope.

I couldn’t help but gasp.

It was the crest of the family I once told her I really, really wanted to visit.

It was an invitation to the swordsmanship tournament hosted by the Arabica Duke Family, renowned for their knights.

“Mommy, I love you!!”