Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Man Who Drinks Cookies Like Water (3)
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"No such thing."
My deliberation had dragged on quite a bit, but in the end, I didn't choose the tragic ending.
The nanny seemed to interpret my answer in her own way, nodding with a rather solemn expression.
I checked her affection level.
[♥♥♥♥]
Four hearts. That should be enough to trust she wouldn't betray us.
"Dalia has talent for magic, but she's still young and inexperienced. Instead of magic, give her something else to focus on."
"Understood."
"It's for Dalia's sake."
I knew these words would weigh heavily on the nanny.
"We have to keep Dalia safe, right?"
[Sierra's Penetration Trait activates]
The elderly nanny's eyes sparkled. She was someone responsible who'd cared for us siblings for so long.
"You're right! Of course. Our poor young lady... Young master, you're so responsible."
[♥♥♥♥♥]
Her affection level shot up to full in an instant. It seemed my determination to protect Dalia had moved her. Good.
"I'm taking Dalia out. Prepare us. And call Dandel too."
"You're heading out right away without rest? You must be tired."
Her voice brimmed with concern. I was newly surprised that someone was worrying about me, and I shook my head. Just moments ago, this person—who might have faced any number of fates depending on my choice—was showing me such care.
"No time to rest."
"But, Your Grace! I heard you weren't injured, but you still need a check-up. On the day you return, you should rest fully..."
"No. Today, I have to be happy, so I'm busy."
"Pardon?"
Dalia tilted her head and made an OK sign with her hand, bringing it close to her eye.
"I don't get big brother's inner thoughts."
"Dalia, want to go eat something sweet?"
"Big brother's inner thoughts: I like it!"
Dalia grabbed her skirt and hopped up and down.
"Young lady, a duke's lady shouldn't hop around like that."
The nanny nodded helplessly and led Dalia away.
I started toward my room but stopped and called after the nanny.
"Right! Bring Pippin too! Scrub him clean! He reeks of fish."
***
Enbi was a free but lonely merman.
Though of the merman king's bloodline, he grew up without enjoying any parental privileges like being called royalty or noble-born by humans. The merman race didn't care if their offspring lived or died. The orcas had taken in the abandoned young Enbi—not merfolk, but real orcas.
And so, Enbi, who belonged to the orca pod yet never truly fit in, eventually became a notorious delinquent in the merman world. It was the heroine Anemone who changed the brawling Enbi.
Enbi picked a fight with Anemone when she came to subjugate magical beasts, but he fell for her pure, upright strength and followed her even to land. Afterward, Anemone found him annoying at first but grew sympathetic and became his closest friend. The rest naturally unfolded into romance.
There were three key events for conquering Enbi.
One was the scene where Enbi confesses his unhappy past.
One was tasting land desserts with Anemone and discovering a new world.
And one was confirming their feelings at the plaza fountain.
These three were indispensable for Enbi's route. There were minor events too, but these had the flashiest illustrations and the most dialogue.
'In that sense, the event I'm targeting this time is the dessert-gorging scene.'
This event—which I'd dubbed the 'dessert-gorging scene' for easy recall—was easy to trigger and highly effective. Enbi, who'd never left the sea his whole life, showed immense interest in land culture. Anemone took this sea fool on multiple plaza dates, and the dessert shop was one of the courses.
The vibrant dessert illustrations were standout artwork even in this game. They made my mouth water just looking at them from outside the screen.
Enbi, overwhelmed by his first taste of sugar, falls completely, raising Anemone's affection by one.
That's exactly the affection boost I'm after now.
'Stuff him full so he's happy, and his affection goes up to four. Then sweet-talk him to max it at five. Finally, trigger the past confession event, and the item is mine.'
A perfect plan.
The dessert-gorging scene would be the cornerstone of my flawless strategy.
But just the two of us would look awful, so I brought Dalia and the stragglers too.
"It's an honor to serve Duke Gluttony. What can I prepare for you?"
A waiter in a crisp white uniform approached our table. We'd claimed a terrace seat with a full view of the plaza. The terrace was furnished like a noble parlor, reserved solely for noble guests like us. The uniformed staff lined up waiting looked almost like an army.
Instead of answering myself, I left the ordering to Dandel. He was far more savvy about this than me. Dandel approached the waiter with his usual cheeky flair.
"Our duke wishes to sample as many varieties as possible."
"As many varieties as possible...?"
"Everything on the menu. And everything not on it, if possible."
The somewhat absurd order made the waiters murmur among themselves, then they brought over another table to attach. After Dandel and the waiter huddled and chatted away, the order wrapped up.
Dandel stared at the waiter's retreating back as he dashed off with the order sheet, then sidled up to me and whispered.
"Your Grace, I ordered a ton, as flashy as possible, just like you wanted."
I nodded in satisfaction. Yeah, to let Enbi experience new wonders, it has to be plenty and extravagant. Finding the exact shop Anemone went to would've been ideal, but in this half-baked game, I couldn't pinpoint it once I arrived at the plaza.
So, execute Plan B. The flashiest and priciest! Money's no object.
"But are you really feeding that brute?"
Meanwhile, as I basked in my plan's perfection, Dandel asked in an uneasy tone. I shrugged and followed his gaze.
Pippin was trying to stop Enbi, who wasn't content with chugging water from the pitcher—he was trying to eat the pitcher itself. The hopeless Pippin was struggling against the even more hopeless Enbi.
"Hey, sir! You can't eat that! It's pottery! Pottery! Expensive pottery!"
"What's pottery? No more water? Water! Saltwater?"
Dandel and I locked eyes. His look asked if I was serious. Spending this much on that sea idiot? Are you insane?
"Don't we treat guests properly?"
"Guest... Understood."
Dandel's obedience was a virtue. He didn't complain about unfairness like some people or pick pointless fights with Enbi.
I leisurely sipped my tea while watching Enbi endlessly demand more water and Pippin try to rein him in. When I picked up my teacup, Dalia mimicked me with hers. Hers was a child-sized one with animal patterns.
"H-Ho..."
She tried to copy me but couldn't drink the hot tea well. Dalia scrunched her brow with all her might, trying to cool it.
"Dalia. A duke's lady can't scowl and cool her tea like that. Wait a bit and then drink."
"Yes."
Instead of forcing the tea, Dalia picked up a small prepared cookie. It crunched lightly and crisply. Cookie crumbs dotted her light purple dress, but I let it slide. Her skirt flared out like petals, and her legs— not reaching the ground—swung happily back and forth.
[Whoa, feeling amazing magic right next to me makes my body itch.]
Lagia barged in rudely during the peaceful moment.
"A talking dagger..."
Dalia turned her eyes toward Lagia with interest. I gently turned her head aside.
"Eeeh? Eeeh."
Dalia kept munching her cookie with her head turned as I'd set it.
"You, don't talk to Dalia. And don't mention that stuff outside."
[What, what? This was a secret? But the little lady's magic... the more I sniff, the more alluring it is? Dalia, was it? She feels like you, Sierra, but totally different magic. Deeper, murkier, stronger... Ah, it's been ages since I sensed magic like this.]
"I said don't talk to her. We don't want it out yet that Dalia can use magic."
My resolve was firm. Lagia seemed to read the sincerity in my voice and didn't pry further.
[Pity, but if it's your choice~ no helping it~]
Carefree Dalia stuffed her cheeks full like a squirrel. I poked her round cheek and smiled.
"Dalia, tons of tasty cookies are coming soon."
"Yes."
Watching the little one contentedly chew her cookie, my past flashed with every blink—miserable memories. My eyes grew dry.
There was a time buying a single bag of cookies made me tremble. I'd use snack money for school lunch fees, and while friends hit the snack bar, I'd head to the discount mart. Amid the penniless days, even stingier ones stuck like nails underfoot.
One day, my sister unusually begged for cookies. Not even that expensive—just a few thousand won. I was broke before payday. Every thousand-won bill felt precious. We'd shelled out big for her hospital bills, but somehow, small change terrified me to spend.
'Here's two thousand; go buy some at the convenience store.'
I left her and went to my part-time job. This is all for you—how much more do I have to sacrifice? I think I felt that way.
That day, my boss gave me cookies from the bakery to try. One bite, and it was infuriatingly delicious. Swallowing my pride, I begged for a few extras. I wanted my sister to taste them too. The walk home felt unusually light.
'Juyeong-ah, I'm back! You wanted cookies today, right...'
When I got home, she was collapsed on the floor. Just a cold. But her weak body made every illness near-fatal. I was the only one to nurse her. She vomited on an empty stomach without eating and got rushed to the ER. She couldn't even take a bite of those fancy cookies.
'...So unlucky, can't even eat when I give it to you.'
'Sorry...'
On the irritable way home from the hospital, she apologized to me. The thousand-won bill I'd left was untouched on the spot I'd set it. She'd collapsed right after I left for work, too weak to even reach the door, let alone the store.
And still, she apologized.
I trashed the precious cookies in the hospital bin in a fit of temper. After putting her to bed, regret hit. Should've refrigerated them. Shouldn't have thrown them out. I hated myself for being so pathetic, and it tormented me that she never tasted that delicious treat.
"Delicious. So delicious."
Dalia tugged my sleeve. She somehow knew just what I wanted to hear. Young and healthy. For kids, health is everything. I truly believe that.
"Want to take some home? Or should I buy the chef?"
I wiped her mouth and smiled tenderly. Becoming Sierra Gluttony let me afford such indulgences. Dalia lifted her lips into a pouty smile. Crumbs dusted there too.
"Tell me anything, Dalia. I'll do it all. I can do it all."
"Mmm..."
Now, at least, I had to protect my sister. Make her happy. As much as Juyeong wanted to be.