IWBAACTWITOS Chapter 3

Thaleia stared at Mia with a peculiar expression, then began struggling to pull her arm free from Royna's grip. Leaning against the cradle's edge was tiring. Extracting her arm from the baby wasn't difficult—the real obstacle was the cradle itself, slightly too tall for her.

Her legs kicked frantically, trying to find purchase on the chair. Her small, chubby bottom wriggled in the air. The sight was so adorable that Mia forgot about helping, transfixed by that tiny, wiggling rear end.

After struggling alone for a while, Thaleia's face flushed bright red. Finally, she requested rescue.

"Nanny, help me down."

Only then did Mia grasp Thaleia's waist and lift her from the cradle. Thaleia exhaled deeply, glared at Mia, then turned her head away with a sharp twist.

Thaleia didn't ask for help easily. She'd struggle desperately to accomplish things her child's body couldn't manage, only accepting assistance at the very end when she had no choice. This time too, she seemed displeased at having to ask.

Since it helped develop the child's independence, Mia usually watched and offered minimal assistance. But today she'd been selfishly indulgent, refusing to help until Thaleia asked directly. Guilt pricked at her.

'Though our young miss is adorable even when sulking.'

Mia gazed at the puffed-up cheeks and triangular eyes with obvious affection. Unable to resist, she pulled Thaleia into a hug and rubbed their cheeks together.

"How are you so cute and lovable?"

"Babies are cute naturally."

After tolerating it briefly, Thaleia grew annoyed. She pushed firmly at Mia's cheeks. Of all the babies Mia had seen, Thaleia was the least baby-like. Yet her reaction suggested complete awareness of still being a baby. It was rather funny.

"You're the cutest and most lovable baby I've ever seen."

"What about Royna?"

"Of course baby Royna is cute and lovable too."

At Mia's answer, a mischievous thought seemed to strike Thaleia. Her eyes widened as she put on an innocent expression.

"Then between Royna and me, who do you like more?"

The classic variation: 'Do you like mommy or daddy better?'

"Um..."

"You're with Royna all the time lately, so you like Royna more, right?"

"No, no! The baby needs more attention because she's so young."

"Then you like me more?"

"...Actually."

"Actually?"

Mia knew Thaleia was teasing her. But she couldn't avoid answering. She leaned close to Thaleia's ear and whispered softly.

"I like Miss Tilly more."

At Mia's sincere answer to the playful question, undeniable joy bloomed across Thaleia's face. Having answered, now it was Mia's turn for revenge.

"For now."

"...What?"

"Well, I've spent four years with Miss Tilly, and I just met the baby recently. Of course I like Miss Tilly more right now. But I'll grow to like baby Rona more and more too."

"..."

The corners of Thaleia's eyes began lifting again. Mia laughed inwardly while teasing her to the end.

"So you'll stay a good girl until the very end so I don't lose my love for you, right?"

"Nanny, fifty points."

"Pardon?"

"The question says to write your own thoughts, but the truth is the examiner has their own grading standards and doesn't actually care what the writer thinks."

"...Um, what?"

Mia had expected Thaleia to throw a tantrum. She didn't understand this cold verdict. Seeing Mia's bewildered face, Thaleia chuckled and said:

"Don't worry though. Later if you get fifty more points from Royna, the combined score is one hundred. When Royna can talk, ask her for fifty more points."

Thaleia didn't mention that the average would still be fifty points—the harsh reality of South Korea's grading system. She giggled at Mia's continued confusion.

From that laughter, Mia realized she'd poked Thaleia's mischievous side the wrong way. Before the situation escalated, she needed to improve Thaleia's mood. Though snack time wasn't quite due, Mia asked a maid to bring Thaleia's treats.

"Open wide, Miss."

Though she hadn't understood the full conversation, the nanny had clearly noticed my disappointment at her teasing answer. It was a belated attempt to earn points, but I graciously accepted the bribe.

"Tathy."

"Tasty?"

The nanny wiped the cream from my mouth, smiling contentedly.

"Our miss eats her snacks so well, eats her meals so well, she's so pretty I can't stand it."

I opened my mouth for another bite. The taste was sinfully guaranteed to add pounds, but my child passive meant I wasn't gaining weight yet—just expanding my stomach capacity. I was constructing the path to becoming an excellent pig, preparing for my future fattening plan. To the nanny, who didn't know my grand scheme, I was simply a pretty child who ate peppers and carrots without complaint.

"What will you do after your snack?"

"Sleep. Sing me a lullaby."

At the mention of sleep, the nanny smiled, but worry showed clearly through that smile. She was concerned about how much I slept. Once she'd even called a doctor to ask why I slept so much. The doctor said there was nothing seriously wrong—I might just naturally need more sleep.

She hadn't interfered much since then, but when I slept too long, she'd wake me out of concern. On those days, no matter how irritable and bratty I became at having my sleep disturbed, the nanny simply accepted it. I wanted to tell her not to spoil a child like this, but since I was the one throwing fits, I couldn't exactly complain.

'Well, she's strict most of the time.'

And I was already mentally grown, so there was no danger of being spoiled. Having dismissed my concerns about the nanny, I chewed thoughtfully, pondering what silly question to ask. 'Which lullaby should I request?' Then I glanced at the clock and had to change plans.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

"I won't sleep. I'll play house with Papa."

Today was a holiday, so Julian was home doing estate work. I could visit him anytime. I'd finished my snack, and it had been over four hours since Julian entered his office. Time to drag him outside for exercise.

Today I planned to teach Julian what real house-playing meant. Proper house-playing didn't need a mommy, daddy, and baby—it required a villain, a hostage, and a hero.

"Papa, hello!"

When I burst into Julian's office without warning, he looked startled, then broke into a bright smile upon seeing me.

"Tilly, did you come to see Papa?"

"Yeah, let's play."

"Our pretty one wanted to play with Papa. Where should we play?"

"Garden."

Julian seemed ready to carry me, but I insisted on walking myself. I threw a tantrum, then dragged my rabbit doll outside to the garden. After surveying the garden once, I used the rabbit's ears to tie it to a suitable branch. Then I climbed onto a rock with a stick and shouted at Julian.

"I've kidnapped your rabbit! If you want the hostage returned safely, you'll obey my commands!"

Julian had left his work to indulge his adorable daughter in the garden. Suddenly confronted with threats, he looked rather bewildered. For now, he decided to play along and asked what he should do.

"Run."

"...Pardon?"

"Warm up and circle this estate once. Understand?"

At my order, Julian turned to survey the ducal mansion. The estate was divided into the main building and annex, and we currently stood in the central garden. Behind the annex lay a lake and forest—running a full circuit would be nearly impossible. Especially for Julian, perpetually lacking exercise.

"...Here?"

"Hey! Don't you want the hostage back?"

When I threatened the poor rabbit's neck with my stick, Julian looked even more confused. He'd think I was playing a prank on him for lack of friends, but my intentions weren't simple mischief.

During Roxana's pregnancy with Royna, Julian had eaten alongside her and rapidly gained belly fat. Unlike Roxana, who'd recovered her original figure shortly after giving birth, Julian showed no inclination toward exercise.

Sitting on his lap daily, I knew. His sedentary work meant fat was accumulating in his belly and thighs. Just like my senior year of high school. And that kind of weight didn't come off easily.

"I have a question, um, so..."

"Call me Great Demon King."

"Yes, Great Demon King. First, what rabbit is this?"

"The neighboring kingdom's prince."

"...Why must I rescue the neighboring kingdom's rabbit prince?"

"Because the neighboring rabbit prince has use value for Papa's country."

"What? Then even if the rabbit prince is rescued, it's not really good for him, is it?"

"That's how the world works."

When I placed both hands on my hips and declared this proudly, Julian clutched his stomach and started laughing. Actually, this story was quite realistic for Julian's current situation. True, he'd be taking on unnecessary responsibility, but if handled well, he could gain justification to intervene in Celis Kingdom.

Julian never took a losing deal. He might seem like a crybaby fool in front of family, but he was capable enough to seize real power from nobles who'd held it for centuries—all within ten years. The scales simply hadn't tipped yet on whether this particular matter brought more loss or gain.

Julian's eyes sharpened momentarily, but meeting my gaze, he returned to his foolish smile and raised his hand high.

"Then one more question, Great Demon King. If I rescue that hostage, what benefit do I receive?"

"Simple. You'll gain the neighboring kingdom."

"I don't want the neighboring kingdom, Great Demon King."

"Then just give the kingdom to the prince. Nothing wrong with befriending the neighboring kingdom's king."

"Hmm..."

"If you're rescuing a friend, I'll mercifully let you circle just the garden, not the entire estate."

I thrust out my chest, pretending to be generous. I'd never intended to make him run the full estate anyway. Partly I wanted to guide events according to the original setting for the male lead's sake, but mostly—mostly it was about the exercise and health of my paunchy Chancellor papa.

After considering the garden circuit condition, Julian readily accepted my threat. I ran alongside him under the guise of surveillance. Julian was faster, but I had better stamina. After one full lap, Julian gasped for breath, clearly exhausted.

"Will you release the rabbit prince now?"

"Yeah!"

I freed the rabbit and approached Julian, touching his belly. Now that he'd started exercising once, it was time for shock therapy to ensure he continued regularly.

"Papa's belly is bigger and squishier than the rabbit prince!"

At my words, Julian looked at me with a shocked expression. I withdrew my innocent smile and spoke firmly.

"Lose weight."

"Yes, Great Demon King."

Today too, the Great Demon King of house-playing protected domestic peace and happiness through hostages and threats.