Please Save My Child - Chapter 18

Sophia, caught in the awkward silence, glanced at Dean and cleared her throat.

“Ahem!”

“…Ah! My apologies.”

“…It’s fine. Um, Sir Dean Peronte?”

“Yes…?”

“Why don’t you just confess your feelings already?”

At Sophia’s teasing suggestion, Dean’s face flushed bright red, and he quickly shook his head.

“N-no! I don’t have feelings for her.”

“…Really?”

“…Yes, how could I possibly dare to have feelings for Reina?”

Dean’s face was still red as he firmly denied his emotions. He had already convinced himself that what he felt wasn’t love but admiration.

Reina didn’t remember, but there had been a time when Dean owed her an enormous debt of gratitude.

So, if Reina was comfortable with it, Dean wanted to give Bonita a gift as well.

‘That’s what I wanted to ask her about…’

During a sparring session at the knights’ training ground, the conversation had turned to the Star’s Birth Festival.

Since this year’s festival would be grander than ever—especially with Estelle having returned—everyone was putting in great effort to prepare.

Dean had thought about Reina and Bonita then.

The only children in the mansion were Estelle and Bonita, and he worried that Bonita might feel dejected watching all the presents prepared for Estelle.

So after mentioning the traveling theater troupe, he had wanted to ask if he could take Bonita to see the play while Reina was working.

‘But I completely failed.’

He scratched the back of his neck, feeling the heat rise to his ears.

Even without seeing his reflection, he knew his face was as red as a boiled shrimp shell.

“…I’ll be heading to training now. Take care.”

“Yes, have a good day.”

Dean let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping as he trudged toward the training grounds.

Watching him disappear, Sophia sighed just as heavily.

“This is exhausting…”

***

This year’s Star’s Birth Festival was set to be the grandest since Damian Winternight had inherited the dukedom.

Since it was the first major celebration after Estelle’s return, everyone was putting their utmost effort into preparing.

The mansion’s servants had even started placing bets on who could present Estelle with the best gift.

Naturally, the duke was certain he would win.

Yet, at the same time, he was anxious.

‘Would a vineyard be too common?’

He had considered gifting Estelle the largest vineyard in the empire.

The wine produced there was of the highest quality, treasured across nations. He had planned to use grapes from that vineyard to make a special wine for Estelle’s debutante ball in the future.

‘But she’s still too young to understand the value of wine…’

Perhaps a mine would be a better choice. But which type of mine? A diamond mine was the most well-known, but maybe a ruby mine would be better? Topaz might also be a good option…

The duke sighed and stroked his chin, frustrated by the fact that he had no idea what Estelle liked best.

“…Hmm?”

Just then, he spotted Reina hurrying down the hallway, her face bright with excitement.

“Reina Boten.”

“…Ah, my lord. Good afternoon.”

Reina stopped in her tracks and bowed politely.

The duke, who knew she was not usually one to show much expression, asked curiously, “…Has something good happened?”

“Oh! C-can you tell?”

“……”

If she was asking if it was noticeable, the answer was a resounding yes.

‘I never knew a person could look this excited.’

“The thing is… I finally decided on what to give Bonita for the Star’s Birth Festival. But I’m not sure if it’s a good choice. Since it’s a gift for the most precious child, I’ve been agonizing over it a lot.”

“That’s only natural. It’s that kind of festival, after all. Not that I particularly believe in the gods.”

“……?”

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“Oh, no reason…”

Reina had assumed that everyone in this world believed in Bendicion, not just the citizens of the empire.

“The Star’s Birth Festival was created to honor the first human Bendicion ever loved, yet people still celebrate it even if they don’t believe.”

Reina herself wasn’t particularly religious either.

However, she was surprised to learn that the only other person in the mansion who shared her indifference toward faith was none other than the duke.

With a calm expression, the duke said, “If using it as an excuse makes the child happy, then that’s all that matters.”

“Oh, I suppose that’s true.”

Reina, feeling more at ease, smiled warmly.

The duke, recalling how much Bonita resembled Reina, nodded in understanding.

“What are you planning to give her?”

“Oh… I was thinking of taking her to see the performance by the traveling theater troupe in the city.”

“A performance?”

Standing before the duke, who could obtain anything he wanted, Reina suddenly felt embarrassed that all she could do for Bonita was take her to see a play. Her cheeks flushed red.

“…Yes, when we were in town last time, Bonita really wanted to see it… I-I know it’s nothing special compared to what you might give, Master, but…”

“It’s a good idea.”

“……?”

“I never thought of that, but she’d certainly enjoy it.”

The duke had never once attended a play or performance for any reason other than business.

Perhaps that was why the idea of taking Estelle to see one had never even crossed his mind.

He had heard that Estelle loved reading fairy tales, and as he thought of her, a soft smile appeared on his face.

‘He’s smiling.’

When Reina saw the duke smiling, she thought to herself that he must be thinking about Estelle again.

Reina asked, “What do you plan to give as a gift, Master?”

“I was considering a vineyard…”

“……”

“Would she even like a vineyard?”

Reina felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of his thinking.

At that moment, a passage from the novel surfaced vaguely in her mind.

[On the morning of the Star’s Birth Festival, during breakfast, Duke Winternight handed Estelle a document.

“What is this?”

“…It’s nothing special.”

But it was far from nothing special. He had agonized over this decision for days. The gift given on the Star’s Birth Festival had to be something truly special.

“Thank you.”

Estelle had already heard from Peter that the duke would give her a gift that morning.

With a heart full of anticipation, she opened the envelope—only to be completely taken aback.

“The grapes grown on this land are of the finest quality. Once you become an adult, you can use them to make wine…”

“I-I’m happy!”

Estelle forced a smile.]

“……”

“So, a vineyard it is…”

“M-Master!”

Reina, turning pale, quickly cut off the duke’s mumbling.

It might have been disrespectful, but it was far better than witnessing a future where both father and daughter ended up emotionally wounded because of a vineyard.

“Why?”

The duke, though interrupted, did not seem particularly offended.

“Would you like to join us for the play?”

“What?”

“You, the young lady, Bonita, and me… The four of us could go together!”

The duke’s shock was plainly written on his face.

Reina, realizing what she had just said, was stunned by her own words.

It was uncharacteristically bold—no, it was reckless.

To dare suggest an outing together to her employer…

Yet, to Reina’s surprise, Damian accepted her invitation.

As long as Estelle was happy and Bonita and Reina did not feel uncomfortable, he had no reason to refuse.

Neither Reina nor the duke were the type to openly discuss their plans, yet somehow, word spread throughout the mansion that they would be going out together on the Star’s Birth Festival, each bringing their daughter.

Many in the mansion looked at Reina with admiration, longing, or jealousy, their gazes mixed with various emotions.

At the end of the day, as Reina brushed Bonita’s hair, she reflected,

All I did was deliver a threat letter…

And yet, because of that alone, she had found her daughter, received overwhelming hospitality, and been given exceptional treatment.

Of course, she was still just a maid, but her accommodations had improved, she was being personally protected, and she could even engage in casual conversations with the duke or occasionally voice her opinions without fear.

As she thought about it further, Reina realized that compared to others, she was indeed being treated in an incredibly generous and unusual way.

‘I suppose my situation is enviable…’

“Boni, no matter how excited you are, you still need to sleep tonight.”

“Mmh.”

Before she knew it, the eve of the Star’s Birth Festival had arrived.

The mansion was already decorated with stars everywhere in celebration of the sacred day.

Estelle shyly smiled as she admired the decorations and even joined the servants in hanging the ornaments.

Even in the room where Reina and Bonita stayed, an adorable star-adorned wreath hung on the door.

“Tomorrow, we’ll watch the play and eat delicious food, right? If you don’t sleep now, you’ll be too sleepy tomorrow and miss out on all the fun.”

“But… my heart is beating so fast. It might explode.”

“Oh dear, that wouldn’t be good.”

Bonita, dressed in pure white pajamas, placed both hands over her chest with the most serious expression an eight-year-old could muster.

Reina set down the brush and gently took Bonita’s hands in her own, guiding her across the rug step by step.

Their slow movements almost looked like a dance.

“If Boni’s heart explodes, Mom will be so sad.”

“Mm, that’s why I’m trying really hard to keep it from bursting.”

Did Bonita even understand what she was saying?

Hearing such an adorable remark, Reina couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Haha, Boni, you’re the best.”

“No, I’m not the best.”

“Then who is?”

“Mom is the best, and I come next.”

This time, Reina couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Though Bonita’s words were spoken with a serious tone, to Reina, they were simply too precious and sweet.

“I’m serious…”

“I wasn’t laughing because I didn’t believe you, Boni. I’m just so happy. When people are happy, they can’t help but let their joy show.”

“……”

Bonita pursed her lips, looking up at Reina.

Reina lifted her onto the bed and gently rubbed their noses together.

“Has Mom ever lied to you, Boni?”

“…No.”

“Right? So Mom is really happy because of what you said.”

Though Bonita still seemed slightly pouty, she mumbled a quiet agreement.

Reina kissed Bonita’s puffed-up cheeks before tucking her into bed.

Turning off the lights, she lay down beside her.

As soon as the room darkened, Bonita whispered in a secretive tone, as if they were sharing a private conversation.

“…This year, we’re not having pancakes for the Star’s Birth Festival?”

“Mhm, instead of pancakes, we’re going to do something even better and eat something even tastier.”

“…Oh, I see.”

Her voice carried a hint of disappointment.