Please Save My Child - Chapter 19

***

Reina dressed Bonita in the lovely navy blue dress she had purchased during their last outing. The lining had vertical stripes, and the lace layered over it was full and delicate, resembling cream-colored peonies in bloom.

Though the dark color could have made the dress look heavy, the scattered faux pearls added a bright and elegant touch. Lastly, she placed a bonnet on Bonita’s head, adorned with large ribbons on either side.

“Wow!”

Bonita jumped with excitement as she admired her reflection in the mirror.

She had insisted that she didn’t need new clothes that day, but now that she was wearing them, she clearly loved them.

“Look at this, Boni. Aren’t these shoes pretty?”

As Reina watched her daughter’s bright and joyful expression, she proudly held up a pair of brand-new Mary Jane shoes that had never been worn before.

Once the perfectly fitting shoes were on her daughter’s feet, Reina couldn’t help but think that Bonita looked just like a little princess.

She wanted to scoop her up and smother her with kisses, but she held back and finished getting ready herself.

Reina’s outfit was simple—modest if put nicely, plain if not. She gathered her hair and tied it up with a white ribbon. After checking the time, she took Bonita’s left hand.

“Boni, there will be a lot of people outside today.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You remember what Mom always tells you, right?”

“Mm-hmm! When there are a lot of people, don’t get distracted. Hold Mom’s hand tightly. If I get lost, I should stay where I am and not go anywhere!”

“That’s right.”

Reina chuckled softly and stepped outside.

As they left the mansion, the crisp air greeted them.

It was much colder than before—proof that the season was changing.

Every year, as the Star’s Birth Festival approached, the days turned colder.

Last year, Reina had to worry about gathering firewood, but now, she didn’t have to.

That simple realization brought a genuine smile to her face.

“Reina!”

Estelle, wrapped in a fluffy pink cape, beamed as she called out to her.

Her checkered dress and cape seemed to be a matching set.

Perhaps to hide her striking white hair, she had tied it up and worn a bonnet with a small brim.

“Miss, you’re already outside?”

“Yes! We’re going out together today, aren’t we?”

Estelle smiled brightly and took Reina’s hand, leading her toward where the duke was waiting.

The duke stood silently, gazing at the winter scenery with an impassive expression.

Though the season had changed, the ducal estate’s garden remained in full bloom, thanks to the magic stones.

“Did I keep you waiting, Master?”

“…Mm.”

Today, both Estelle and the duke were dressed plainly to disguise their noble status before heading into the city.

Even so, they couldn’t completely hide their natural elegance.

A refined fragrance lingered around them, and their hair gleamed with an almost unnatural luster.

‘They look just like nobles dressed as commoners.’

Reina could tell they had made an effort, so she decided not to comment and simply smiled.

The four of them would take a carriage to the city’s outskirts.

At some point, an exceptionally ordinary-looking carriage had been prepared—so plain that it was almost shocking, given the duke’s usual standards.

But once Reina stepped inside, she couldn’t hide her surprise.

The exterior might have been plain, but the interior was beyond luxurious.

She helped the two children into the carriage first.

The duke, however, remained outside, gazing into the carriage.

Already seated, Reina looked at him curiously.

After standing there for a long moment, he finally asked, “…Are you planning to call me ‘master’ in the city as well?”

“…Ah.”

Now that he mentioned it, addressing him as “master” would certainly stand out.

Then again, even without the title, both the duke and Estelle naturally drew people’s attention.

With his regal demeanor and towering height, the duke would be impossible to ignore no matter what he wore.

Reina debated whether she should point that out but ultimately decided against it.

Instead, she nodded. “You’re right. ‘Master’ would feel out of place. What should I call you, then?”

“…Damian.”

Reina blinked in disbelief.

“…Excuse me?”

“Call me Damian.”

For a moment, she wondered if he had come up with a fake name just for the day.

But she knew better.

The man she served was Duke Damian Winternight, and now, that very same duke was telling her to call him by his first name.

Feeling the awkwardness of the situation, Reina darted her eyes around uneasily.

“…It’s an order.”

With that, the duke climbed into the carriage.

He rapped twice on the carriage wall, signaling the coachman.

As the carriage began to move, the two children pressed against the window, watching the passing scenery with excitement.

Inside the carriage, Reina tended to the children while the duke crossed his arms and closed his eyes in silence.

Though the situation felt strange to Reina, it wasn’t as uncomfortable as she had expected.

‘Maybe it’s because of everything that’s happened so far.’

Somehow, she had ended up having private conversations with him, negotiating strange deals, sharing meals, and even making flower crowns together.

Reina felt that, in that moment, the duke wasn’t as difficult a person as she had initially thought.

He’s just inexperienced.

With that thought, she turned her gaze back toward the children.

Before they knew it, the carriage had arrived at the outskirts of the town, stopping in a secluded area with little foot traffic. The duke slowly opened his eyes and looked out the window.

“We’ll have to walk from here.”

The duke was the first to step down from the carriage, swiftly lifting Estelle into his arms as he did so.

Reina, intending to get off next to help Bonita down, was just about to step out when—

“……!”

A large hand grasped her waist and effortlessly lifted her.

For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow down—the way her hair fluttered in the air, the way the man’s eyes blinked as he looked at her.

“…Uh…”

Estelle and Bonita both stared blankly at the scene, their mouths slightly agape.

Even Reina herself was unable to fully grasp what had just happened.

The duke gently set her down on the ground.

“This carriage is high off the ground. If you misstep, you could injure your leg.”

“T-thank you, Master.”

“Damian.”

“…D-Damian… sir.”

“……”

“…M-Mr. Damian?”

“…That will do.”

Satisfied, the duke then lifted Bonita from the carriage as well.

“You’ve grown heavier since last time.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“That wasn’t meant as a bad thing. No need to apologize.”

Reina steadied her legs, which were still shaking slightly, and reached out to Bonita. Though she herself was still in shock, she could only imagine how startled Bonita must have been.

“Mr. D-Damian, do you know where the performance is being held?”

“I’ve heard a rough idea.”

His response was nonchalant, but his gaze lingered on Reina and Bonita’s hands, which were now clasped tightly together.

Bonita had wrapped her tiny fingers around Reina’s pinky and ring finger, holding on firmly.

“……”

The duke glanced at Estelle and subtly extended his hand in a similar manner, his pinky and ring finger slightly curled.

Estelle hesitated for a moment, wondering what he was doing. After a brief pause, she cautiously reached out and grasped his hand.

The moment she did, the duke’s lips curled ever so slightly.

The bright sunlight poured down upon the father and daughter.

Reina, cheeks reddened from the cold, watched them quietly.

‘They really are like novel protagonists…’

They both looked too perfect.

Even though they had dressed plainly in an attempt to blend in, Reina could tell that their outfits had been carefully chosen and were still made of the finest materials.

Even when I feel happy, why does this sense of misery linger…?

No one was trying to make her feel inferior.

So why was she pushing herself into that corner?

“…Mom?”

Bonita tugged at Reina’s hand.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Reina quickly smiled as she always did.

“I’ve been to the performance before, so I’ll guide the way.”

“Mm, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

***

The Star’s Birth Festival was a celebration enjoyed by the entire empire.

As the festival began, every shop was decorated with various star-shaped ornaments, selling items that children would love and gifts for lovers to exchange.

“The streets are bustling.”

“Have you ever been to a crowded place like this before?”

“To be honest, not really.”

The children clung tightly to their guardians, overwhelmed by the large crowds.

“……”

The duke, glancing down at them, crouched slightly and effortlessly lifted them into his arms.

Now carrying Estelle in one arm and Bonita in the other, he caused not only the children but also Reina to gasp in shock.

“M-Master…!”

“Damian.”

“Mr. Damian…! They must be heavy! Let me carry Bonita instead.”

Reina extended her arms toward Bonita, but her arms were notably thin.

She had once claimed that carrying two buckets of water was nothing for her, but in a crowd this large, it would certainly be difficult.

“I’ll carry them until we reach the theater.”

“A-ah, but still…”

“It’s fine. They’re both so light that it’s actually concerning.”

The children, lacking anything to hold onto, instinctively clung tightly to his shoulders.

To an observer, it almost looked like he was carrying two oversized paper bags.

Reina nervously fidgeted, but when it became clear that the duke had no intention of setting them down, she decided it would be best to get to the theater as soon as possible.

Carefully grasping the duke’s sleeve, she led the way through the crowd toward the performance area.

The streets were so packed that it took quite some time before they could even see the edges of the theater tent.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

“It’s really crowded… Are all these people here to watch the play?”

“…Hmm.”

There were indeed a lot of people.

The line stretched so far that it was impossible to see where it ended.

Even if the performance was scheduled to be held multiple times, it seemed they wouldn’t be able to watch it until the sun was nearly setting.

“It looks like we’ll have to wait quite a while. The kids might get hungry.”

Hearing Reina’s concern, the duke frowned slightly.

After scanning the area, he spotted a food stall with seating.

Without hesitation, he strode toward it with the children still in his arms.

“Wait here.”

“…Yes?”

Handing Reina some money, the duke simply said, “Buy something to eat,” before turning and heading toward the theater entrance.