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nHe wondered if doing so would hurt the princess of a small country barely mentioned anywhere

nOf course, if she grew up and couldn’t wear the clothes she brought from the kingdom, he would be able to recommend new clothes a little more easily.

nAnyway, it was a little difficult now.

nHowever, her clothes were too shabby to leave as it is. They didn’t even look properly sized. Presumably, the clothes weren’t specially tailored to her.

nNow that the princess only stayed inside, she could wear anything comfortably. However, in a little more time, she would have to go outside as well.

nHe thought they would probably have to schedule soon….

nWhen it came to that, the kind of clothes she wore was very important.

nThe aristocrats judge many things shallowly.

nHe didn’t want Rieta, his responsibility, to be viewed negatively.

n“I shall return.”

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nThe Duke was forced to stand up.

nSince Rieta wasn’t here at the moment, she wouldn’t be able to order clothes.

n“It’s okay, so please come back anytime. I couldn’t be happier if you invite me.”

n“I’ll try.”

nHe said so but wasn’t really confident. He didn’t know how to talk to Rieta about her clothes, and he realized that it was difficult to judge how far he could get involved with Rieta’s life.

nHe was Rieta Liz’s guardian.

nBut he was not her father.

nThe distance between a guardian and a father was farther than he thought, so he was forever mindful of the gap.

n‘It isn’t simple.’

nThinking so, he returned to the mansion, but the usually quiet hallways were noisy today. Even though the Duke returned, servants and maids were running around the hall.

nSoon, a servant came up and reported the situation urgently.

n“Princess Rieta and Master Noel were injured.”

n“Hurt? Where are they now?”

n“Eastern living room.”

nThe Duke immediately walked to the eastern living room.

n“How did you get hurt?”

n“Well, that’s…”

nThe servant hesitated for a moment, answering with difficulty.

n“Young Master Noel asked her to climb a tree with him.”

nClimbing a tree?

nWell, it was good for children to climb trees.

nAristocrat or not, it was decent exercise.

nBut that was the case when one wore proper clothing and shoes that fit well.

nIn the Rieta’s case, it was quite dangerous to do such activities.

nHer shoes were old and loose, and her clothes were rather long.

n“…He’s too careless.”

nThe Duke naturally was a bit frustrated with Noel.

nIf he had looked at Rieta’s clothes at all, shouldn’t he have refrained from asking for her to do such a dangerous thing?

nWhen he arrived at the drawing room pondering about it, he saw two children sitting on a big sofa.

nNoel seemed to have a nosebleed, as his nostrils were stuffed with cotton. The doctor carefully touched Noel’s nose.

n“Ah, Duke, you’re here.”

n“What do you think?”

n“Fortunately, Young Master’s handsome nose is fine.”

n“I’m glad you didn’t get hurt.”

nThe Duke’s answer was sincere. When the nosebleed stopped and the situation calmed, he would punish him.

n“You must have gotten hurt because you cushioned the girl’s fall.”

nThe Duke nodded slightly at the doctor’s explanation.

nIt was a good thing to protect a falling person.

nThe duke gave his son points for that. Even so, Noel received many more bad scores.

n“Princess, are you okay?”

n“I’m okay.”

nRieta answered bravely in slightly stilted Imperial.

nGiven that there were no signs of treatment, it seemed that she was not hurt.

nThe Duke answered, ‘Thank God,’ taking the leaves and grass that remained in her hair.

nAnyways, this time he needed to talk to Noel.

nStrictly.

n“….I’m.”

nHowever, Rieta carefully added another word.

nShe awkwardly tugged at the hem of her clothes.

n“I’m not okay…”

nFrom where she was pointing, the ‘clothes of the kingdom’ were seriously torn.

nIt seemed to have been torn when she fell from the tree.

n“…..!”

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nThe Duke looked at her clothes for a long time and jumped up from his seat, startled.

n“That’s a big problem!”

nRieta asked back, “Pardon?”

nShe was just asking for a needle and thread.

nBut the Duke didn’t give her time to say anything else.

n“I’ll have to get someone to solve this problem right away!”

nHe ordered the servant right behind him.

n“Let Madame Emily come! Right now!

nBeing so rash was curiously exhilarating.

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