I nodded my head.

I wasn’t sure how Dad planned to handle this, but the situation didn’t seem to be turning in our favor.

“The atmosphere is not good.”

This was the square located in the center of the vast Mirmode mansion. It was a place where numerous knights, servants, and maids from other mansions passed by.

In short, even if they publicly announce today that I am their real daughter, there might be skeptical looks filled with distrust, considering the words of the princess.

Even if Dad firmly decides to cast away the ‘real daughter,’ those people would still murmur. They would continue to gossip about my lineage and blood.

So, a paternity test had to be done somehow. Of course, there were things to be done before that.

“No, Dad. I’ll do it.”

…Surely, I had to pull out the heavy artillery. I would be the one to discern whether that girl was genuine or not.

With my strong, marshmallow-like hands, not Dad’s muscular, powerful ones!

I narrowed my eyes fiercely. And then, putting some force into my round belly, I belted out a lion’s roar.

“Baby, come here!”

Perhaps my energy overflowed, as everyone turned to look in our direction.

Exactly when I was pushing my chubby belly, it happened.

Dad, with an affectionate smile, lifted me up and pulled me into his arms.

“Sian.”

Dong-dong.

I tried to move my arms and legs vigorously, but I was trapped by Dad’s solid, muscular physique.

I lowered my eyebrows and questioned Dad.

“Yes?”

“Dangerous.”

I sparkled my eyes and looked at Dad.

‘Because it’s dangerous, it should be the strong daughter, not the fragile Dad! I’ll protect you!’ I wanted to say, but Dad’s expression brightened. At times like this, Dad was very stubborn. I couldn’t argue separately.

Moreover…

“Sian, do you trust Dad?”

“Yes!”

“Then Dad has to let the princess and Count Yoter talk, right?”

“Uh…? That’s not allowed!”

I wiggled my short legs in Dad’s embrace.

Then, Dad smiled gently and stroked my head.

“It’ll only take a moment. Ten minutes.”

“…Ten minutes?”

Dad rarely spoke so firmly. Except when he suggested going to etiquette academy.

Moreover… I looked around.

‘Dad has his pride too. If he shows signs of yielding to me, the Duke’s authority won’t survive. This is the territory dominated by the logic of power, especially since it’s a villainous family…’

Even carriages with the insignias of other families were lined up.

Although Dad had a tender side, showing himself being outdone by a tiny kid like me would undoubtedly damage his authority.

‘Should I trust Dad…?’

…I was a bit worried.

I fixed my trembling eyes on Dad.

Even though he was pretending to be cold now, I knew Dad’s gentle heart very well.

‘Sian, don’t you find that homeless person on the street pitiful?’

‘Dad, that azo guy has a gold necklace and a sword.’

‘Uh…?’

‘That’s an expensive goya! Dad knows, but he acted all weak again!’

…The incident from the village flashed through my mind.

I became uneasy as thoughts of Dad’s kind deeds surfaced.

‘Can Dad confront those repugnant, viper-like people?’

But… this time, Dad’s lips were tightly sealed. It seemed like he was leaving it all to me.

I felt anxious, like a flower floating aimlessly on the surface of the water without roots.

However, despite that…

…He was our Dad.

I decided to trust Dad just this once.

If Dad couldn’t break through the situation, I could gather more strength.

That’s what being a family meant.

“Dad.”

“Yeah?”

“If someone says something, call me right away. I’ll be over there. And…”
Of course, because I was worried, I decided to have one insurance in place.

“I’ll take the little one with me!”

Adults among themselves.

Babies among themselves.

Even if Dad fails, I can discover any flaws in the baby, so it’s fine.

“Ah.”

It was an uncharacteristic attitude for Dad.

Dad swept my hair away with a sullen expression.

“If you want it, you can take it.”

I stared closely at the trembling child.

“Yes!”

Adults with adults, and children with children.

It wasn’t a bad arrangement.

Even though I only got half of what I wanted, my heart felt at ease.

Since I decided to trust Dad just this once… strangely, my shoulders felt a bit lighter.

Sian entered a small reception house next to the central square.

Next to her was the child who claimed to be “Matthias Mirmode’s real daughter.”

Sian Mirmode was the only one who could control Matthias.

Therefore, there was no one left who could control Matthias in the central outdoor square of this giant family.

She walked slowly and leisurely, standing right in front of the princess and Count Yoter.

It was a graceful gesture, like a hunter hunting wild beasts.

“I have a bad personality.”

“…That’s.”

Matthias approached the princess even more.

The princess quietly held her breath.

Matthias Mirmode’s piercing gaze looked down at her.

It was a cold, icy look.

He could tear her apart at any moment, but he refrained… it was the gaze of a superior predator.