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IBP 127
Since my sister had stepped out for a moment, it became a meal for just the three of us: Ruth, Duke Ardos, and me.
“Coco, what’s that in your hand?”
“Theodore gave it to me... But this is a baby handkerchief? Why does an adult use a baby handkerchief?”
Even while eating sweet potato ice cream at the breakfast table, my mind was filled with thoughts of Theodore.
Ruth's answer to my question was simple and clear.
“Ugh, that unfilial brat. I guess his skills in handling children improved while he was cleaning up after the Imperial Concubine and the young prince.”
“Is that so?”
As I tilted my head in curiosity, Ruth's eyes narrowed.
“Wait, what. Coco, tell me right now. Did you fall for Theodore? Just because of a handkerchief?”
“It’s not that...”
Still puzzled, I fiddled with the handkerchief.
Then, Ruth whispered lowly.
“Coco, choose right now. This kind and lovely older brother, or that despicable traitor.”
“Hmm...”
When I made a face as if I were thinking deeply about it, Ruth looked utterly shocked.
I hurriedly answered.
“Of course I like Ruth better!”
“Then, you like me more than Father, who's just sitting there like a piece of furniture, right?”
“Do I have to choose between the Duke and Ruth? I like both of you.”
When I put on that thinking face again, Duke Ardos already looked displeased.
“Coco.”
“Yes?”
“You're hopeless, you little rascal.”
“...Why?”
His expression was very grumpy.
'I haven't even said it yet, so why is he like that?'
I was going to say, I like Ruth and the Duke, but I like my sister the most!
“What do you mean I'm hopeless?”
While I was wondering what he meant, Duke Ardos grabbed my hand.
“Hup.”
“This rascal, hesitating with her answer. You're coming with me somewhere today.”
He had a terrifyingly fierce expression...!
It was so intimidating that I completely forgot my lingering thoughts about 'Theodore.'
The moment I saw that look, I revealed my teeth in panic, like a tiny puppy.
“W-where are we going...?”
Duke Ardos made a subtle expression and stroked his chin.
“The place we are going to is... a place where you must not call me 'Duke.'”
“Is-is there such a place?”
As my eyes widened, Duke Ardos gave a smirk and grabbed my hand, telling me to get up quickly.
Then Ruth grumbled.
“Ah, Father! No matter what tricks you use, Coco will still like me more!”
* * *
“W-wow...! This is the best!”
The place Duke Ardos had brought me to, holding my hand tightly, was none other than...
“The toy shop of a master who sells the highest quality toys in the capital. How is it?”
<Willy's Golden Toy Shop!>
I looked at Duke Ardos with wide, surprised eyes.
“Are there balls, bones, and squeaky toys in there?”
“Of course!”
It was just as I was about to step inside.
“By the way, Coco. The people in that shop don't know that I am the Duke.”
“Your face must be in the newspapers; why don't they know?”
“...Smart girl. Watch closely.”
I watched as Duke Ardos seamlessly attached a fake mustache under his nose.
His dignified impression vanished instantly.
All that remained was a middle-aged man with a quirky expression and a mustache.
Furthermore, when he took off his uniform jacket, only a white dress shirt remained. Unless one looked closely, no one would know it was a shirt made of precious material.
“There are times when a man wants to be an ordinary person rather than a Duke. Now, let's go inside. Ahem, I've wanted to come here with you for a long time.”
I was about to dash into the toy shop when...
“Heave-ho.”
Plop. My squishy body was lifted up again!
“Now, Coco. There is one more thing to keep in mind. You need to practice before we enter the toy shop.”
“...What kind of practice?”
“Once we go inside, you must call me 'Daddy.'”
Desperate to see the wonderful sight beyond the window, I swung my legs and said, “Yes, yes! I will!”
“Good, let's go. You like me more than Ruth, right?”
“Yes! I love you!”
“What did you say?”
“I love you! Daddy!”
When I replied with a completely entranced expression, Duke Ardos looked immensely proud.
'I think I saw him take a recording device out of his pocket, or was I imagining it?'
But recording or not, my gaze was nailed to the toys!
The moment I crossed the threshold into the toy shop, my eyes flew open.
And...
“Wow! A toy ball!”
I had found a magnificent paradise.
There were plushies that were perfect for ripping, balls that were great for fetching, and square toys that made a 'pop' sound and were fun to pester!
“This is the best! I love it!”
“Ahem. Coco. Who is the best?”
“The golden toy ball and the bone plushie!”
“Khm, I think my identity might be revealed; should we leave?”
Glancing at the clerk who was striding toward us, I shouted loudly.
“...And Daddy is the best!”
Duke Ardos seemed incredibly thrilled that I called him Daddy.
“Right?”
“Yes! Please buy me toys! I want to rip them with my teeth!”
Duke Ardos. Sister's father.
No, Daddy's lips curled upward.
It was the happiest smile I had ever seen.
“...Fine, well, keep going. This Daddy will buy them all for you.”
I nodded my head with great enthusiasm.
“Yes!”
Duke Ardos nodded, looking very satisfied.
But it was right then.
“Eh? Customer?”
The clerk, who had approached us to guide us through the shop, tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
At the same time, he had a look as if he were chewing over a distant memory.
“It seems that clerk recognized me. Back then, it was <Wilton's Toy Shop>. I used to come here often. About ten years ago.”
...Ten years ago?
I tilted my head in confusion.
'Would Duke Ardos have any reason to buy toys back then?'
Sister and Ruth are old enough that I didn't think they would have been playing with toys ten years ago...
However, he didn't seem interested in resolving my doubt.
Just then, the clerk approached us with a beaming smile and spoke.
“Oh my, our customer with the wonderful mustache has arrived! It's been nearly ten years. By the way, this is...”
“This child is my late-born daughter.”
“Oh! Your youngest daughter?”
I replied energetically, like an auto-responder.
“Daddy!”
Duke Ardos gave a greedy smile.
Then, the clerk engaged in some light small talk as if it were nothing.
“Come to think of it, there are many things I wanted to give you when you returned.”
“Was that so?”
“Ten years ago, you paid a large deposit for things to give to your grandson, but you never actually picked up the items. I was so anxious because you hadn't visited for quite a while.”
That statement was surprising, but the most shocking part was something else.
'The Duke had a grandson? That means... my sister had a nephew? Did the clerk get something wrong?'
My eyes widened as I looked back and forth between Duke Ardos and the clerk.
Surprisingly, Duke Ardos gave no answer.
In his stead, the clerk spoke vibrantly.
“Ah, did you have many more grandchildren in the meantime? The person I'm talking about is a little baby with silver hair and purple eyes. A little angel who looked exactly like your eldest son.”
I was about to maturely point out that he had the wrong person and that Duke Ardos—no, Daddy—had nothing of the sort.
But it was strange.
The expression on Duke Ardos's face as he looked at the clerk twisted as if in pain.
“You seem to remember that infant grandson.”
“Yes. I have a fairly good memory. Actually, I was puzzled because you said you adored him since he was your eldest son's first child, yet you never came to collect the toys.”
“Was that so.”
“Yes, did the grandson not come with you?”
After a long silence, Duke Ardos's face darkened rapidly.
“...That child died. About ten years ago.”
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