Chapter 57: Nathaniel Arrives at Winston
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: Nathaniel Arrives at Winston
Even though I had felt pity for Nathaniel and vowed to take good care of him just moments ago...
The second I thought about how useful he could be, I immediately started planning how to exploit him. I felt like a total piece of trash.
“Dia, what’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“Should I... not use my divine power?”
“...”
Perhaps it was because of my dark expression and silence.
Nathaniel asked while cautiously reading my face. He looked exactly like a small pet trying to gauge its master’s mood.
“No, you can use it as much as you want.”
“Okay.”
“But it’s a precious ability, so don’t use it recklessly in front of others. Got it?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel nodded obediently at my words. Seeing how docile he was made my conscience prick and ache again.
‘For now, let’s just focus on taking good care of him.’
I couldn't let Nathaniel stay in a place like this forever.
The room had been neglected for so long that it was filthy and covered in dust. I needed to inform the direct lineage soon and ask them to protect him.
‘Wait a minute.’
Come to think of it, if I played my cards right, couldn't I use this situation to naturally bring Nathaniel to the attention of the Winston family?
The thought made me tilt my head. I looked at Nathaniel, who was smiling innocently.
“Hey, Nathaniel.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you act?”
“...?”
Nathaniel simply blinked at my question. He probably didn't even understand what "acting" meant.
“Sorry, I was just asking.”
“Okay.”
“...”
Could I even do anything with a kid like this? I felt a wave of skepticism.
[What are you worrying about? Just go for it.]
‘What if I fail?’
[Well, things will work out somehow.]
‘Good grief.’
Desmond spoke indifferently, as if it were someone else's problem. I shook my head and noticed the small box I had momentarily forgotten.
“Oh, right. I brought you a gift, Nathaniel.”
“A gift?”
“Yup!”
Inside the box was pound cake. Since I didn't know what Nathaniel liked, I chose something standard.
There were three small pound cakes inside. One was lemon, one was chocolate, and the last was salted caramel.
‘The holy trinity of dessert flavors: sour, sweet, and salty! This will help me figure out Nathaniel’s taste.’
I still knew too little about him. That was why I had to put so much thought into choosing a dessert just to give him something delicious. Because I didn't know what he liked.
“Try them one by one.”
“Okay.”
Nathaniel couldn't take his eyes off the dainty-looking pound cakes.
He didn't show signs of being particularly happy or excited; rather, he seemed curious and a bit wary of the unfamiliar food.
However, since I was the one who brought it, he couldn't bring himself to refuse and reached out. The first one Nathaniel picked up was the lemon pound cake.
‘Lemon is the most standard choice.’
Eating a lemon on its own is unpleasant, but when made into a dessert, the sour and sweet flavors take over your mouth.
I also preferred fruits with a bit of tartness over things that were just sweet. Even if Nathaniel had just chosen it because he liked the look of the lemon, it made me feel good.
“How does it taste?”
“...”
After putting the lemon pound cake in his mouth, Nathaniel remained silent for a while.
His jaw moved slowly. Every time his molars crushed the cake, his face contorted strangely.
‘Is it because the taste is unfamiliar?’
Lemon can be a strange flavor when you first try it. Though, you usually find it delicious once you get used to it.
Even after finishing the cake, Nathaniel didn't show any particular reaction. He just tilted his head.
“Try this one too, Nathaniel.”
“...”
This time, I handed him the chocolate pound cake, the epitome of sweetness. At that, Nathaniel looked down at the cake with clear wariness.
‘Is it because of how it looks?’
It was a dark brown loaf with chunks of chocolate embedded inside and a pitch-black coating on the outside, so it was understandable to feel some aversion if seeing it for the first time.
Since I and others knew how delicious it was, we could eat it naturally without any resistance, but Nathaniel wouldn't be like that.
“This is really delicious. Trust me and try it, okay?”
“Okay.”
When I urged him again, Nathaniel reached out, unable to refuse.
However, unlike when he ate the lemon, his attitude was cautious. He opened his mouth just a tiny bit and took a very small bite.
“...!”
Then, Nathaniel’s eyes widened in surprise at the taste of the chocolate pound cake.
Soon, he began to wolf down the rest of it. Fortunately, it seemed he liked this one.
‘I guess chocolate is the winner.’
As expected, is chocolate the foundation of all desserts? Come to think of it, while there are people who hate sweets altogether, it’s rare to find someone who likes sweets but hates chocolate.
It’s a flavor anyone, child or adult, would love. I nodded to myself.
“Lastly, eat this too.”
“...”
Now, the look on Nathaniel’s face was different from before. He stared at the last salted caramel pound cake with eyes that seemed to be secretly anticipating it.
His pale gray eyes, filled with a hint of expectation, watched the dark brown cake before he picked it up.
Then, he took a much more enthusiastic, large bite than before.
“How is it?”
“...”
Unfortunately, unlike when he ate the chocolate, Nathaniel’s face returned to a blank expression.
It was a similar look to when he first ate the lemon flavor. A face that seemed to say he didn't know what this was.
“Next time, I’ll bring all chocolate.”
“Huh? Okay.”
Still, I was glad I found out Nathaniel’s preference. I stroked Nathaniel’s hair with a satisfied smile.
*
The next day, as expected, the newspapers were full of stories about the Apocrypha’s terror attack.
In the original story, the papers only heaped praise on the Temple and Marianne for their quick response, but this time was different.
[Terrorism Swiftly Ended Under the Leadership of the Winston Ducal Family]
[The Emperor Highly Praises House Winston’s Response]
[Saintess Marianne Treats the Injured]
Of course, Marianne and the Temple were still mentioned, but compared to the original where it was nothing but stories about them, this was a great sign.
Furthermore, since House Winston had quickly prevented a potentially larger attack and deployed their private soldiers to help transport and treat the injured nobles, the witnesses mentioned Winston far more often.
As a result, House Winston’s share in the narrative of the terror attack was growing significantly.
“Hehe, good. Very good.”
I nodded happily while reading the newspaper.
When Sophia approached, I quickly put the paper down and pretended to know nothing.
“Were you looking at the pictures in the newspaper again, My Lady?”
“Mhm.”
“There wasn't anyone as handsome as His Majesty the Emperor this time.”
Sophia chuckled and set a cup of cocoa down beside me. I stared at it intently.
Doesn't cocoa taste similar to chocolate? I think Nathaniel would like this too.
Speaking of which, it was about time for them to take the bait. I kept glancing toward the main entrance where people would be coming in.
“Dia, I heard Grandfather is back.”
“Yay!”
At Veronica’s words, I stood up as if I had been waiting for that very moment.
Then, Veronica, who was dressed particularly neatly today, took my hand and led me downstairs.
“Dia! Berry!”
“Grandpa!”
As soon as I went down the stairs and saw Duke Winston, I ran toward him.
With a hearty laugh, Duke Winston scooped me up.
“My Dia, have you been well without your grandfather?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, you’re supposed to say no at times like this.”
“Nooo.”
“Hahaha.”
Letting out a satisfied laugh, Duke Winston held me and patted my head. Even though he was older, his usually smooth face showed an undeniable exhaustion.
He must have had a hard time stopping the terror attack and cleaning up the aftermath all night. The states of Vincent and Brandon behind him were also a mess.
Still, thanks to their hard work, hasn't the prestige of House Winston risen significantly? I patted the shoulders of the direct descendants who were groaning.
“Uncle, you worked hard.”
“Dia, your uncle really did his best.”
“Mhm, mhm.”
I shook Brandon’s hand as if to say he did a good job, then turned my gaze.
Standing behind the family members was a familiar boy. However, I pretended to see him for the first time and asked.
“Who is that boy?”
“...”
The boy was none other than Nathaniel. Nathaniel was desperately looking away from me, trying his best not to act like he knew me.
Seeing that, I let out a satisfied laugh inwardly.