It was then that my mother’s abrupt words came out.

“Mom?”

“Because I can’t be here for no reason. It’s okay to use me.”

She was like my old mother. She was not the mother who couldn’t say a word because she was tamed by violence.

“Do you know what that means?”

“It feels like my daughter is doing something at her own pace, and there’s nothing I can’t do.”

The image of a docile mother disappeared everywhere.

“Is it okay? This is the Grand Duchy.”

“Are you saying that I’m not good enough because it’s the Grand Duchy?”

At my mother’s words, the Grand Duke hurriedly waved his hands.

“No way. I don’t mean it at all.”

I’ve seen this somewhere.

It was similar to what men do to their lovers who have done great wrongs in books; a pale face, a head that shook dozens of times in a minute, and even his hand.

“What does that mean?”

“It means it could be dangerous.”

“My life itself has always been dangerous, so don’t worry. I’m confident in protecting myself.”

“…I always thought that Bebe resembled someone so proud, and I think she’s just like you.”

“Because we are a mother and daughter. Bebe is my daughter.”

Somehow, it felt like my mother’s voice was filled with strength.

“Yes, she’s your daughter…”

However, the Grand Duke mumbled towards the end of his speech. Then he smacked his lips as if he had something to say.

“Just in case.”

“Yes.”

“Where did we meet?”

“No idea.”

“…Do you have any ties with anyone?”

“I don’t have any.”

“You’re firm.”

I didn’t know what I expected, but the Grand Duke’s lips drooped.

‘But my mom said it as if she knew something about the Grand Duke…’

However, my mother strongly rejected the Grand Duke.

“Yes.”

“Right… Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you could take care of me for a moment as the next Grand Duchess. Otherwise, you’ll attract unwanted people.”

“I thought you would have a lot of power just because you’re the Grand Duke, but I guess not.”

“Hmm. I’m going to be strong from now on.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Please protect my daughter and I.”

In a friendly voice, my mother smiled at him. Only then did Grand Duke’s face slowly warm up.

“That’s a confident request from you. Don’t worry. I keep what I’m determined to protect.”

My mother’s eyes, which had no expression all the time, creased gently.

“If you feel that way, feel free to use me.”

The Grand Duke nodded belatedly as he looked at my mother and spoke in a firm voice.

“Okay. Anyway… you’ve said everything you want to say, so you two should finish your meal. I’ll excuse myself now.”

“Very well, goodbye.”

He waved his hand without hesitation, and the Grand Duke mumbled slightly and turned around to leave.

His mother looked at him for a long time until the door opened and closed.

“Mom, let’s eat now.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Today’s been crazy.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.”

As if she had finally come to her senses, my mother got up from her seat and struggled to come to the table.

After that, no one came into the room until the end of meal time.

Just looking at the food in front of my eyes, my mother occasionally had a sad expression.

How much time had passed?

After a very long time, Cecilia came inside after my mom and I finished our meal.

She called others to organize the table and bowed to my mother.

“I’m introducing myself again because I don’t think I said my name properly. I am Cecilia, Bebe’s nanny.”

“I heard from Bebe. You have helped her a lot.”

“I didn’t do anything. She was so brave that she overcame it well alone.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

There was an awkward silence between the two.

‘They are very similar.’

Was it because they cared about me for no reason? Or was it because of the soft gaze? I looked at the two and jumped up from my seat.

“I’m going to rest today. Mom, I think today has been too much.”

“Yeah. I should. I’m going to rest now.”

Only then did my mother get up from her seat and walk to bed. My mother’s steps were much better than before because she moved a few times today.

Thanks to this, I arrived in bed alone, although it was slow without someone’s help.

“Then I’ll turn on the fireplace and leave.”

“Yes.”

I lied down next to my mother, who was already in bed.

Today, I wanted to be lazy like this, so I dug into the blanket. My mother, who laid in bed first, naturally hugged me.

My mom moved as she hugged me.

“Nice.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah. I love it.”

“Mommy… likes it too.”

Meanwhile, Cecilia left the room. There was only the breathing of the two of us in the room.

The regular breathing sounds as cozy as if it were a lullaby.