IFAHWIPUTML Chapter 12

"Why?"

Verasielle looked up at him with an incredulous expression.

She was certain Raphel was Chayston's nephew, but that was a fact only she knew from reading the original work.

Chayston wasn't yet convinced Raphel was his nephew. So until the antidote to determine hair and eye color arrived, Raphel should stay with her.

Especially if Chayston suspected she was a fraud.

'But he wants me to leave the child here?'

When Raphel was revealed as his real nephew in a month, would he even properly pay her the reward money?

Him? Who didn't listen properly and suspected her first? She'd be fortunate if he even apologized.

Just as Chayston didn't trust her, Verasielle didn't trust him either.

"He's a child who might be my nephew, isn't he? So naturally you must leave him."

Chayston absolutely could not entrust the child to Verasielle.

In a world where people used their own children for money.

That woman who looked so innocent on the outside—he didn't know what she might do to the child for money.

Not just his emaciated body, but hadn't she forced the child to memorize the name Raphaleon?

Who knew what else she might do to the child.

Whether this child was truly his nephew or not, he absolutely could not send the child with her.

"It hasn't been confirmed he's your nephew yet. Naturally I should be the one keeping him."

"I'll care for him in a better environment for the month."

They exchanged tense gazes without an inch of compromise.

Verasielle was in an extremely foul mood right now. Because there was only one reason the duke was being so unreasonable.

'He's saying he'll keep Raphel because he doesn't trust me.'

But she had no intention of meekly following his opinion.

In the end, Verasielle pulled out her trump card.

"Raphel. Who do you want to go with?"

"Now wait, that kind of question……!"

"Veraseel! Let's go see Grandpa qwick!"

Without even looking, Raphel wrapped his arms around Verasielle's legs.

"The child wants to be with me. But you want me to forcibly leave him at the ducal estate? When the child doesn't want that?"

She shrugged with a smug face.

Chayston's brow furrowed. The child clung to her legs like a cicada stuck to an old tree, showing no intention of changing his answer.

In the end, he too was forced to bring out his last resort.

"If you don't leave him, I cannot give you the reward money."

"What did you say?"

This bastard—I've been letting it slide, and now he's threatening me with money?

The two wildcats glared at each other, growling. They were one step away from starting round two.

"If word spreads that you have Lord Raphaleon with you, young lady, you might face threats."

But thanks to Rohan interjecting just in time, round two was fortunately diffused.

"Threats?"

"Because enemies targeting the Halos family are everywhere."

"……."

Verasielle closed her mouth.

As butler Rohan said, in the original work there were many villains targeting the Chayston family.

Though the fact that Raphel was the former duke's real son hadn't been revealed yet, the possibility of facing threats from the Halos family's political enemies wasn't small.

Perhaps, as he said, Raphel would be better off under the ducal family's shadow.

As Rohan said, if rumors spread and thugs showed up at the baron's estate, that would be troublesome.

At this reasonable argument, her heart was wavering unlike before. Should she get a written guarantee for the reward payment and leave Raphel…

"Veraseel…"

But Raphel clung to her, not letting go. He even grabbed the hem of her dress tightly, as if sensing the atmosphere was serious.

Quick situational awareness unusual for a young child.

The past few months living alone must have greatly affected Raphel.

"No, Raphel, that's…"

As Verasielle was stuck unable to do this or that, Chayston, who'd been watching the situation, spoke impulsively.

"Then, why don't you also stay at this estate for the month, young lady."

"What? Why should I?"

Verasielle's eyes widened as if she truly couldn't understand.

Has this man gone insane? He was talking complete nonsense.

"We don't know what threats the child might face outside, and since the child won't let go of you, young lady, stay together until the antidote arrives."

At this point, Chayston had become curious.

This woman who acted sharp as a cat with its fur raised toward him, but behaved like an endlessly gentle lamb before the child.

Her true nature, changing her appearance rapidly like Count Ashura.

Though he'd spoken somewhat impulsively, considering the safety of both as Rohan said, this method was best.

He could slowly expose her crime while living together for a month.

If it was revealed she'd tried to deceive him, he had no intention of letting her off.

While commoners struggling to survive might have pitiable reasons, for a baron's daughter squandering money on luxuries and trying to commit fraud when lacking money to satisfy her vanity—

If her crime proved true, he'd make her feel to the bone what a grave matter it was to deceive the Halos family using a child as hostage for profit.

"Please think of it as protection. As I mentioned, if rumors spread that you have Lord Raphaleon with you, young lady, regardless of the truth, both of you could be in danger."

As Rohan, understanding his master's intention, added support, Verasielle couldn't simply refuse either.

It wasn't just anything—her personal safety was at stake.

"Stay with us. I'll explain everything properly to Baron Prozier."

Chayston leisurely crossed his arms and waited for Verasielle's answer.

Actually, he didn't even need to wait—the answer was obvious.

The luxurious ducal estate was a mansion that would satisfy her extravagance and greed, so she'd have no reason to refuse.

Chayston thought such arrogant thoughts internally as he stared intently at Verasielle.

"Hah……. I have no choice, do I. Show me where I'll be staying."

Unable to leave Raphel or take him with her, Verasielle finally answered with a deep sigh.

Spending about a month with Raphel in this house wasn't so bad.

She could prepare for any contingencies, and in a month Raphel would adapt to this place, so maybe then they could part with smiles.

So she just needed to stay by his side until then.

When the antidote arrived, the fact that Raphel was Raphaleon would soon be revealed, and then she could receive the reward money, leave, and pay off her debts.

"Rohan. Show the young lady to her room."

Chayston smiled with satisfaction as if he'd known all along.

Thus began the cohabitation of three people, each with different ulterior motives.

Chayston didn't yet realize he'd fall into his own trap.

That night.

Verasielle sent someone to the baron's estate.

To explain why she needed to stay at the ducal estate for a month.

She didn't forget to mention she'd stop by early tomorrow to pack the belongings she hadn't been able to bring since this was completely unplanned.

"Sparkle sparkle!"

Having finished preparing for bed, Raphel's eyes lit up at the enormous window.

The room the duke had provided wasn't as extravagant as the drawing room, but it was luxurious all the same.

Though just one of dozens of guest rooms, the floor was completely laid with marble, and a chandelier hung with beautiful crystals.

A king-size bed large enough for five adult men with room to spare, a vanity like a sculpture, and even a bathroom with an enormous bathtub.

The room, reminiscent of a hotel suite, was easily three times larger than her room at the baron's estate.

"It's stars. So pretty, right?"

Verasielle lifted Raphel into her arms.

Raphel nestled into Verasielle's embrace with a bright smile. Verasielle's fragrant embrace always brought comfort.

In the eyes of the two who looked affectionate, the night sky scenery visible beyond the full-length window was reflected completely.

The landscape of tens of thousands of twinkling stars was truly spectacular.

From her room at the baron's estate, the sky was only visible in patches due to the large tree in the yard.

The sky glimpsed between the leaves always brought stuffiness.

So she'd vaguely wished to stay in a room with an unobstructed view, and this room happened to be just that.

The view was brilliant, with nothing to block the sight.

The vision that was wide open without any obstructing obstacles gave a sense of liberation just from looking.

She didn't particularly covet anything else in this house, but this view—she coveted.

Enough to want to preserve it in a photograph.

"Pretty."

As if wanting to catch the stars, Raphel stretched out his short arms while nestled in Verasielle's embrace.

He opened and closed his cotton-ball fists toward the air, trying to grasp the stars.

"Hng……."

But there was nothing to catch. When Raphel confirmed his small palm was empty, he whimpered and tugged at Verasielle's arm.

"Stars! Stars! Catch!"

"Stars? You can't catch those."

"No! No, catch!"

Raphel threw an unreasonable tantrum. Verasielle was troubled by the unreasonable demands of the immature child.

It was reminiscent of a child rolling on the floor at a department store toy section, struggling to get toys bought.

What did parents do in those situations……? Verasielle fell into thought for a moment.

"Catch! Catch!"

Waving his limbs wildly, Raphel threw a fit.

Verasielle decided to imitate the behavior she'd once seen.

"Wow, what's this?"

With an acting performance as if she'd discovered something amazing, Verasielle reached toward the stars and closed her fist as if snatching one.

"You catch?"

Raphel stopped struggling, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Verasielle didn't stop there but shook her clenched fist, then brought it to Raphel's face and spread her palm wide.

"Star, star where?"

Raphel's eyes followed her dazzling hand movements and scanned Verasielle's open palm here and there.

But there was nothing visible.

Raphel, thinking this couldn't be, patted Verasielle's hand with his small hands like baby fern shoots, but her hand was empty. The twinkling star was nowhere.

His confused eyes turned to Verasielle.

"The star is here."

Verasielle smiled warmly and tapped Raphel's eyes, saying.

So there was a star after all! Raphel giggled and touched his own eyes with both hands, but when nothing was caught, he quickly became dejected with disappointment.

"Not there…"

Beyond his deeply bowed head, Raphel's lips protruded five feet.

"Raphel's eyes have stars in them. Sparkle sparkle."

"Sparkle sparkle?"

"Yeah. Raphel's eyes sparkle like stars."

Raphel raised his head and captured the affectionate smile of Verasielle in his eyes.

Her lively green eyes were sparkling like stars. They were Raphel's very own stars that adorned the night sky, the ones he'd been searching for so desperately.