The Male Lead I Raised Is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 22 Episode 22

I went through so much in one day that I passed out the moment I placed my head on the pillow.

It was late in the afternoon when I opened my eyes.

“Bella, why didn’t you wake me up…”

Oh right. This isn’t the Valruga Castle.

While continuing to rub my heavy eyelids, I forced myself to get out of bed.

“Ugh…..”

I went to the room where Treon and Bircher were staying, but there was no one in the room.

“Where did everyone go?”

I went down the stairs to head to the room where I had met the informant yesterday while my mouth yawned and tears flowed out.

As soon as I took the last step, someone suddenly grabbed me and lifted me up into the air.

“Kyaa!”

“The sleeping beauty has finally woken up.”

At my scream, he made a cheeky expression and hugged me.

“Were you surprised? I’m sorry. My son is always calm with this. I thought everyone at this age would be like that. Hahaha!”

“That’s something unique to the Duke’s son.”

Treon appeared behind the man and criticised him.

From the title of Duke, I immediately recognised the man’s identity.

A huge body, blazing red hair and sun-tanned skin.

In his mid-30s, wearing sunglasses gave him the impression of a wealthy businessman from California.

The big shot of the South, Duke Summerhield.

‘The duke himself came?’

I knew that the Duke of Summerhield would come, but I thought it would be one of his vassals at most. I never imagined that he would come himself.

From my sleepiness, I came to my senses.

“Hello, Duke.”

“Did you sleep well?”

Duke Summerhield had a smile on his face that seemed comical.

“……Yes. But isn’t it heavy, Duke?”

I was still hugged by him.

He held me up with one arm, and it was as stable as if I was sitting on a chair.

How strong is he?

My words meant, ‘That’s enough, please put me down.’ but Duke Summerhield gave a completely different response.

“Not at all? You’re so light that I wonder how can you be this light.”

…I’m glad to hear that.

“Duke, are you that ignorant? She meant to put her down.”

Treon scolded and stretched out his arm to me.

I went to hug Treon to be placed down, but this time Treon held me and didn’t put me down.

“Treon?”

Why aren’t you letting me down? When I asked with that implication, Treon answered.

“You don’t have shoes on.”

“Oh.”

I guess I forgot to put on my shoes since I went out half-asleep.

It’s been a while since I reincarnated, but I was still not used to wearing shoes.

T/N: The novel is based on Western/European culture and in most Asian countries, we don’t wear shoes in the house.

Duke Summerhield murmured as he watched Treon hug me.

“Tiny.”

“What?”

“Are girls really this small? Is it normal to be this tiny and thin?”

“I’m not small.”

Even in my previous life, I was short so I was a little defensive about it but he managed to poke that part.

Duke Summerhield laughed out loud at my sulky words.

“Haha. I’m sorry. It’s because you’re so different from what I expected when I received a bold offer to devour Count Martech. I imagined it was a woman like Countess Lima, but I never thought that you would only be 12 years old.”

“What, 12 years old……”

I was fifteen this year.

At my reaction, Duke Summerhield asked Treon with a puzzled face.

“Did I make a mistake again?”

Treon sighed heavily.

“Madam turned fifteen this year.”

“It was my mistake.”

Duke Summerhield swallowed his words and comforted me.

“It’s my fault. When my son was 12, he grew up like a bear, so I thought everyone was like that.”

Treon also joined along to comfort me.

“In the first place, their family is known for their tall height since they’re exposed to the sun a lot. Don’t worry too much, madam will grow bigger in the future.”

I’m not a plant, and there’s no way people grow bigger because they get a lot of sunlight.

Rather, I couldn’t even raise my face because I was embarrassed to be comforted like this.

Yeah, my growth period hasn’t ended yet.

I smiled at Duke Summerhield, expressing that I was fine now.

The duke then relaxed and spoke to one of his servants behind him.

“Is a daughter always this lovely? Hey, what don’t I ask my wife that we should get a daughter too?”

“I’m not sure. With madam’s personality, she would likely shoot you.”

“Is that so? Still, I think she will agree with me once she meets that girl.”

All of a sudden, Bircher, who had brought my shoes, lifted my feet and placed them on.

It wasn’t until Bircher tied my shoelaces that I could finally stand on my own.

My face heated up from the disgrace I had shown earlier, but I swiftly greeted the duke formally.

“Thank you for coming. Let’s officially start discussing the deal, shall we? Duke Summerhield.”

The duke’s expression changed.

Until now, it had been a face that was looking at a cute little child, but now it was the face looking at an equal partner.

He greeted me with the same courtesy.

“As you wish, Duchess.”

＊＊＊

Please do not repost. Read only at Dropped Inks.

Later in the afternoon, we returned to the Martech County with Duke Summerhield.

Although Duke Summerhield did not announce his visit, the Count welcomed us at the entrance as if he was informed.

“Oh my! I can’t believe that the Duke came to visit me in person!”

The duke’s status in the empire was remarkable.

In the past, the four warriors that helped the emperor defeat the Demon King were the first great 4 Dukes.

Nearly a thousand years have passed since then, but the title of ‘Duke’ has only existed for the four families as they relished in absolute status and wealth within the empire.

All except for the Duke of Valruga, to which we belonged to.

‘But it’s true that the discrimination is severe.’

When we arrived, the man who had never even shown his nose to us now stuck close to the Duke and rubbed his hands like a fly.

The drawing room we entered, which was guided by the Count, was three times larger than the room we stayed in yesterday and was filled with antique furnitures.

From the servant with a well-educated attitude at every move, to the high-quality tea with a strong aroma.

No to mention, the sofa, made of smooth and glossy leather, was plushier than the bed we were given yesterday.

‘Perhaps they had given us a spare room for the servants.’

“Duke, what brings you here all of a sudden? If you had called me, I would have come to you instead.”

Count Martech was a man who resembled an old goat, with his poorly-groomed moustache.

In contrast to his restlessness, the Duke leaned comfortably on the couch, as if it was the Summerhield Duchy and not the Count’s house.

Duke Summerhield drank his tea and asked in a relaxed manner.

“Do I need a business to visit the Count’s castle?”

Count Martech immediately waved his hand.

“No, no. How could that be? The duke is always welcome to visit. I was just wondering why the busy duke came to visit our little estate all of a sudden…”

“There’s nothing special in the Count’s estate.”

Despite the clear insult, Count Martech simply smiled kindly.
Not only was the power of the Duke of Summerhield, the 4th duke in the kingdom, was powerful, but he was also the most frequent customer that purchased the swords from Count Martech.

“And this is…?”

Count Martech’s gaze finally turned to me.

“This is the new Duchess of Valruga.”

Duke Summerhield said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Count Martech greeted me with a bright face and friendly attitude.

“Ah! The new duchess…! It is an honour to meet you like this!”

I had no intention of accepting that greeting.

Anyway, I came here to bring Count Martech’s downfall, and now I have a strong backbone known as the Duke of Summerhield.

I tilted my head and spoke.

“I arrived at the castle yesterday. However, I didn’t meet Count Martech since I was informed that you had such an important guest. I wonder who that important guest was.”

Count Martech’s perfect smile broke.

But he soon bowed his head again with a stiff look on his face.

“I apologise. That…I believe the servants had made a mistake.”

“I can’t believe this is how the Count treats the Duke.”

Do I look pathetic to you?

At Duke Summerhield’s words, Count Martech hurriedly waved his hand.

“No! How could that be! I’ve been busy with work lately, so I couldn’t pay attention to the servants that they seem to have lost their discipline. I will punish them very well so that such a thing will never happen again. Butler! Go and find out who did this, now! Once you find them, kick them out immediately! Our family doesn’t need such a servant.”

Count Martech immediately gave out his orders, as if he was trying to prove his sincerity.

“Even after reported, the Count didn’t take actions properly. The Count’s abillities aren’t very great either.”

Despite Duke Summerhield’s insult, Count Martech simply smiled kindly.

“Haha…How can I compare myself to the Duke? Didn’t the Duke rose his status at just the age of twenty-two and greatly increased grain production in the South? I wish I could emulate the Duke’s wisdom!”

“Really? I think the Count seems to believe too much in his abilities.”

“Yes? What do you mean……”

“Count. I heard a very interesting story.”

The atmosphere surrounding Duke Summerhield changed in an instant.

From an arrogant and free spirit to the form of a beast seeking out its prey.

“A story, you say……”

“Did the Count lie about the materials of the swords sold to our family?”

“H-Huh? What…! That’s ridiculous! I paid special attention to swords sent to the Duchy of Summerhield…! Who on earth said that!”

As expected, Count Martech jumped.

“If you give me your permission, I will get rid of them and reveal the truth! I am wronged, Duke!”

At this point, I tilted my head and spoke the words as I had planned.

“But what if he happens to be the man who lived at the Count’s estate? He said the Count was secretly deceiving the materials used.”