Daddy!!
The next day, the day of my promise with Be ti, arrived.
The morning air on the day of our promise was chilly, yet refreshingly clear. And the moment I saw Be ti waiting for me at the mansion's entrance before boarding the carriage, I caught my breath.
Be ti wasn't in her usual strict, neat attire for handling affairs.
She looked like a noble flower blooming on a snowy mountain, draped in a deep purple velvet dress topped with a white fox fur cloak. My eyes were also drawn to the pale back of her hand peeking out from beneath sleeves embroidered with silver thread.
...Whoa, she's insanely beautiful.
It was hard to believe this was the same ferocious woman who'd pinned my neck to the bed a few days ago, declaring she would have me.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to just become her pet dog...
As I stood there staring blankly, Be ti raised an eyebrow slightly and approached me.
"Rian. Is there something on my face? Why are you just staring like that?"
"Ah, no. It's just... you're especially stunning today."
I wanted to toss out my usual cheeky compliment, but today, it just wouldn't come.
Be ti snorted at my words.
"All talk. Come on, let's go. I promised to give you 'food,' after all."
Be ti naturally took my hand first and led me to the carriage. A prince being escorted by the lady of Winterfell—what a sight. As I climbed into the carriage, the servants' shocked gazes stabbed into my back, but Be ti didn't care, gripping my hand tightly without letting go.
After arriving at the boutique street by carriage, we headed straight to Sweet Snowflake.
The shop was lavish from the entrance, filled with the sweet scent of sugar.
Creeeak—!
"Welcome... Du... Duchess! We greet Your Grace!"
The counter clerk stammered out "Duchess," and the customers inside bowed their heads upon seeing Be ti.
"We greet the ruler of Winterfell, Your Grace!"
The patissier rushed out from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion and bowed deeply.
"Yes. Do you have a spot where we can sit alone?"
Be ti nodded lightly.
"Then, please follow me to the second-floor outdoor terrace."
The patissier personally guided us to the second-floor outdoor terrace. After we sat, we ordered the three most popular desserts from the shop.
"Be ti, by the way... I've been wondering since the beginning. Why did you request marriage to me from the imperial family?"
For a split second, Be ti's eyes sharpened, but they returned to normal so quickly I wondered if I'd imagined it.
"That's..."
"Yes, tell me. I've been curious. The report said I'm incompetent, with looks being my only redeeming quality. Surely not because of my face...?"
Be ti frowned and sighed before speaking.
"I admit your looks are decent enough, but the reason I requested marriage to you is imperial law: a woman must marry to inherit a duchy. That's why I wanted to marry immediately, but at Her Majesty's request, the wedding will be on your coming-of-age day. Of course, there's another real reason."
"Pardon? What was that last part?"
Knock knock.
The patissier opened the door, wheeling in a cart and serving the desserts while explaining them.
"...Then, I hope the Duchess and the Prince have a wonderful time."
Creeeak—.
Gorgeous desserts captured our attention on the table.
"Be ti, dig in."
"..."
Be ti stared at me without responding.
"What? Something on my face?"
Be ti suddenly seemed lost in thought.
What's up? Doesn't she like the menu? She loves sweets.
Then Be ti abruptly cut a piece of cake with her fork, stabbed it firmly, and held it to my lips.
"Wait... are you feeding me?"
"Yes, I told you. I'd give you food."
This is totally that lovers' feeding thing, right?
Be ti prodded my lips with the cake as I froze.
"Okay! I'll eat it, so stop poking!"
True to her word, Be ti relentlessly fed me desserts afterward. Her movements were firm and unrelenting, like training a well-behaved dog with treats. But I wasn't about to just take it lying down.
"Be ti, don't just feed me—try some yourself. This is really good."
I picked up a pink macaron from the table and brought it to Be ti's lips. Her eyes widened round. She clearly hadn't expected me to turn the tables.
"...What are you doing?"
"Ahh~. If you don't, I won't eat anymore either."
I put on a stubborn face. Be ti stared at me in bewilderment, glanced around once, then reluctantly parted her lips a little.
Yeah, she loves sweets like crazy.
The small macaron slipped into her mouth. She chewed carefully, nom nom, and her expression shifted subtly.
"...Better than expected. No, it's delicious."
Be ti swallowed the macaron with brighter eyes than usual. It was the first time I'd seen her enjoy food like this. I found it adorable and let out a chuckle.
"See? You don't hate sweets—it's all a lie. I knew from when you added two sugar cubes."
"...Quiet. Just eat what I give you."
Even as she said that, Be ti sneakily picked up another macaron. Her 'taming' plan seemed derailed, but her mood was definitely better.
"Be ti, so what exactly does 'owning' me mean?"
"Rian, it means you become completely mine. You obey only my words, stay only by my side, and are utterly subservient to my existence."
Oh no. Bringing up possessiveness had made Be ti's eyes dangerous again.
"S-so... that means I only look at Be ti and stay by your side always?"
"Exactly."
Hmm... isn't that just love?
"Um... Be ti, isn't that love? Specifically, wanting to be loved by m—"
"Absolutely not. As I said, I'm not some child who doesn't understand her own emotions. So don't even mention love."
"Got it."
Hmm... the mood soured. But better than that dangerous glare from before...
In the end, we left the cafe in a deflated atmosphere. To refresh the mood, we decided to stroll the boutique street.
"Be ti, how was our date today?"
"...Date? I told you to watch your word choice."
People on the street parted ways for the lord of Winterfell and the prince walking side by side, bowing in respect.
"Shall we walk a bit more? The air's crisp and refreshing despite the chill."
Be ti hesitated briefly before nodding. We continued down the street, chatting about trivial things: the lives of the territory's people, new sites for spice development, and even petty preferences.
"Oh yeah, I heard two days ago that this month's Winter Rose Pepper revenue will be record-breaking."
We were passing near the central square on the way back to the carriage when we heard it.
Hic, hic.
A faint sobbing came from somewhere. Looking back, in the corner of the square by the fountain, a little girl who looked about five or six sat crying alone. Her worn but clean clothes and frightened expression as she glanced around tugged at me.
"Huh? Why's a kid crying alone?"
I instinctively approached her. Be ti tried to grab my sleeve, but I was already kneeling, eye-level with the child.
"Hey, kiddo, you okay? Why are you crying here alone? Where are your parents?"
I asked gently, reaching to wipe her tears. She stopped sobbing with hiccups and stared at me with wide eyes.
And in that brief silence.
Her eyes widened, her little lips trembled, and an unexpected word burst out.
"...Daddy?"
"...Huh?"
I doubted my ears. Daddy? Me? That's when it hit—the air behind me dropped like it was plunging below -40 degrees. Slowly turning, I faced the coldest, most ruthless, most deeply suspicious Be ti I'd ever seen, glaring down at me.
Her blood-red eyes pierced me like they were dissecting me, and her lips parted in chilling silence.
"...Rian. I think you owe me an explanation."
"B-Be ti... this is... I mean..."
I was so flustered I could barely speak.
"Daddy! Heehee."
But this girl, oblivious to my plight, kept pushing me into the fire.
Gasp! Rian! What twist of fate is this? 'Daddy'? Do you have a secret kid?! The Duchess's killing intent is at an all-time high! How will she deal with her precious possession tainted by someone else's fingerprints? 😱
Caught between the child's innocent gaze and Be ti's venomous suspicion, I sensed a massive storm brewing in my life.
"Ha..."