The Villainous Noble Lady Turned Into a Child, and Her Cold Duke Husband Became Kind - 7 - A Complicated Relationship (1.1)

“Father, please look at this.”

His son, who rarely came to the study, held something out.

It was a message card that Julius often used, but the letters looked like a snake wriggling around. The ink was smudged, the sizes were uneven—clearly poor handwriting.

Leonhardt turned the card over. Julius and Elicia’s names were written on it.

“What’s this? A ‘wish coupon’…?”

“Yes. She said she’ll grant one of my wishes, no matter what it is.”

…Why did he come all the way here just to show that?

Leonhardt tilted his head in thought.

Julius took the card back from his father’s hand.

“Father, you didn’t get one, did you?”

There was a hint of pride in his voice, which surprised Leonhardt a little.

Julius was usually quiet, not very interested in others, and rarely showed emotion.

…Maybe it’s because he always looked only at my back.

It reminded Leonhardt of himself as a child, and he had been a little worried. But he never thought Julius would show interest in the younger version of Elicia Vander.

Julius carefully tucked the message card into his chest pocket.

“You’re right. I didn’t receive one.”

“She said I’m special.”

“I see.”

Now that he thought about it, Leonhardt had seen Julius and the girl together quite often lately.

…One day, the black magic might wear off and she’ll return to normal.

When that happens, she’ll likely go back to being the so-called “poisonous woman” Elicia Vander.

Leonhardt wasn’t sure it was right to place too much value on a relationship that only existed in this short time.

“That small form is only temporary. She’ll return to being the poisonous woman. There’s no guarantee she’ll keep her current memories.”

“I understand.”

Julius answered clearly, which was unexpected.

“But, the current her hasn’t done anything wrong. She acts cheerful, but without her memories, I think she’s actually feeling anxious.”

“That may be true…”

“Father, that girl doesn’t fear us.”

Leonhardt was struck by those words.

It was true—Elicia had never once looked away from Leonhardt.

People usually feared offensive black magic and the pressure of overwhelming magical power, but that girl looked straight at him, touched his hand, and smiled.

Thinking of her defenseless face stirred something in his chest.

“Until she returns to normal, I will face the person called ‘Elicia’ as she is now.”

When he looked up, Julius was meeting his eyes.

“Father, instead of ‘the poisonous woman Elicia Vander,’ why don’t you try seeing the ‘Elicia’ who is standing in front of us?”

“…Very well. I’ll make time tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Father. I’ll invite her to tea.”

Julius bowed and left the study.

There was a lightness in his expression that Leonhardt had never seen before.

As the door closed and his son’s footsteps faded away…

…Not ‘Elicia Vander’—but simply ‘Elicia,’ huh?

“Keep my schedule open for tea time tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

The attendant standing by the wall bowed.

＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

The next afternoon, at tea time, Leonhardt headed to the girl’s room.

Since Elicia Vander had turned younger, they had barely seen each other.

She might be scared if he suddenly showed up now… or maybe she had even forgotten him.

He wasn’t very eager, but still, he knocked on the door.

He heard light footsteps from inside, and the door opened a little.

…No one there?

“Your Grace!”

Looking down at the voice from below, he saw a splash of bright red at his feet.

When their eyes met, her green eyes narrowed happily.

“Welcome!”

She opened the door wide.

Julius was already at the table inside, looking at him.

A little tug on his pants made him look down—she was gazing up at him.

“To the table, please!”

She led him to the table, climbed onto a chair, and sat down.

Julius gently patted her head.

“You did well welcoming him.”

“Yup!”

The cheerful girl and the calm-faced Julius looked just like siblings.

Leonhardt took a sip of the tea the maid had prepared.

There were sweets and also savory sandwiches and snacks—clearly made so that both Julius and Leonhardt could eat.

…Julius never shows his food preferences in front of others.

So the fact that there were savory foods prepared meant she knew Julius wasn’t fond of sweets. She must’ve asked about Leonhart’s preferences, too.

That’s how much Julius had come to trust her in such a short time.

Watching them talk made Leonhardt feel slightly left out.

“By the way, Father, how long are you planning to make her wear my clothes?”

That brought Leonhardt back to himself.

“I did contact the tailor, but since the social season is coming up, there will be a slight delay.”

“Shouldn’t you ask them to hurry? It’s too pitiful to keep her in my clothes.”

It was true—making her wear pants all the time wasn’t ideal.

“I’ll tell them to hurry.”

He looked at the girl but hesitated—what should he call her?

She was too innocent to be called the poisonous woman Elicia.

“…From now on, I’ll call you ‘Sia.’”

“Sia?”

She blinked, then smiled brightly.

“I know that! Friends use nicknames, right?”

“Friends…”

“Is that wrong…?”

Her green eyes shimmered as she looked up at him.

“…No.”

“Then, from now on, we’ll call you Sia. Nice to meet you, Sia.”

Julius patted the girl—Sia—on the head.

“Nice to meet you, Julius! And Your Grace!”

Julius smiled at her innocent and cheerful face.

It was the first time Leonhardt had seen such a kind and gentle expression on his son.

…In truth, she was his stepmother and Julius was her stepson…

But no matter how you looked at it, they seemed like close siblings.

Still, Leonhardt couldn’t bring himself to say anything more.

He could easily order Julius to stay away from Sia. But if he did, he’d be no different from the father he once resented—forcing his own thoughts and beliefs on his son and using power to control him.

A girl who happily accepts a nickname like that could never be called a poisonous woman.

…See the child before you, huh.

“Sia.”

When he called her name, her green eyes turned to him.

“From tomorrow, take your meals in the dining room.”

“Dining room?”

“It’s the room where everyone eats together.”

At that, Sia’s face brightened.

“Everyone? Will Julius be there too?”

“Yes, I’ll be there. I’ll come pick you up in the morning.”

“Yay!”

She raised both hands in delight, her whole body showing her joy. Just a normal girl.

Leonhardt saw no reason to be wary of her.

…Even if she might go back one day.

For now, he would try facing this girl—this Sia.