(Orlax Pov)
"Sir, Sera won't stop crying. She's been screaming and looking for you since morning."
When I heard her voice, I let go of her shoulders and let out a sigh, rubbing my head due to the headache.
"Seriously, Lira."
"Yes, sir. She's still crying in your room right now."
"Hah, Alex, deduct Lira's salary for the next two months."
Upon hearing my words, Lira's face paled, and her body collapsed to the ground as if her soul had left her.
I ignored her and went up to my room while Alex followed me.
When I opened the door to my room, I found Sera sitting on the bed, crying.
As soon as she heard the door open, she lifted her head, saw me approaching the bed, and quickly got up, jumping towards me.
"Papa! Ohhh! Papa."
"Yes, yes, I'm here. Don't worry."
I patted her head as she remained in my arms and tried to soothe her while she was still crying.
I felt annoyed by the tears and mucus staining my clothes, but I tried to ignore it with all my might.
I turned to Alex, who was still standing in the room with a tense posture.
"What's the matter, Alex? Speak up and don't act like a shy girl."
"Ahem, pardon me, sir. But regarding Lira's salary, could you reconsider?"
"Alex, it was obvious I was joking. Why did you take it seriously?"
"Sigh… It really doesn't seem like a joke when you say it with such a serious face, sir."
"Hmm, you're right. Anyway, prepare an engagement ring for me tomorrow because I'll be visiting the Duke's house in the morning. Also, tell Lira to come to my room now."
"Understood, sir."
When Alex left, I turned to Sera, who was still in my arms, looking at me now that she had calmed down.
She stretched her arm towards the eye patch covering my right eye, intending to remove it.
I took off the patch and opened my right eye, which had now turned blue, though I still couldn't see with it.
"It seems it'll take time, but I feel like it's gradually improving."
Sera continued staring at my right eye before shifting her gaze to my left eye, looking surprised.
"Papa, your eye."
"Hah, when did you learn that word?"
In response to my question, she just smiled while looking at me.
"You're a little strange."
"Now that I think about it, since she was a sealed spirit in the sword, she must be someone who lived at least three thousand years ago. Maybe one day, she'll regain her memories."
Just then, Lira entered the room with a happy smile, though her eyes were now red from crying.
"Lira, well done."
"Do you mean taking care of Sera, sir? It's my duty, no need to thank me."
"No, not that. You did well because you didn't leak any information about Sera when someone offered you money in exchange."
Lira was slightly surprised by my words, but she remained calm and looked at me curiously.
"How did you know, sir, that someone approached me with such an offer?"
"Well, don't be shocked, but I was the one who sent that person. I wanted to see if you were trustworthy or not. You didn't disappoint me—well done."
"Thank you, sir, but please don't do something like that again. I'm not some lowlife who would put a child's life in danger for money."
When I saw Lira's serious expression and heard her words, I unknowingly smiled, which slightly surprised her.
"I remember your mother is currently in the hospital because of an illness, right?"
"Yes, sir. Why?"
"Well, inform Alex that I will cover all her medical expenses. I'll also hire the best doctors for her."
"Sir!"
Lira was stunned by my words, and tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me gratefully.
"Wait, don't cry. That's disgusting."
When she heard my comment, she wiped her tears and looked at me with slight anger.
"Sir, has anyone ever told you that you ruin good moments with your words?"
"No, this is the first time. Now, I have a new task for you."
"What is it, sir?"
I gently placed Sera on the bed and walked over to the wardrobe while speaking to Lira.
"From today, you will stop taking care of Sera."
"What! Why, sir? Did I make a mistake? Tell me what I did wrong, and I promise it won't happen again!"
Lira panicked at my words and tried to figure out the reason while speaking quickly and loudly, almost waking Sera.
"Shhh, you'll wake her. No, you didn't do anything wrong. But from now on, you will be my personal maid."
Lira was surprised by my words but remained silent, waiting for me to continue as I pulled out nightwear.
"Someone else will take care of Sera, and I want you to start spreading rumors about me and providing information to people who offer you deals from now on."
"What kind of rumors, sir?"
"The kind I tell you to spread."
"Understood, sir. I will carry out my new task perfectly. Thank you very much for your generosity today. Excuse me."
After I gestured for her to leave, I went to the bathroom, relaxed for half an hour, and quickly fell asleep on the bed.
The next morning, I put on suitable clothes and asked Lira to bathe Sera and dress her in something appropriate.
I couldn't leave Sera at the palace because she clung to me tightly, refusing to let go, so I decided to take her with me.
After fifteen minutes, Leonardo greeted us as before, and I followed him into the palace while carrying Sera.
I found the Duke's family gathered as they were last time, but with one additional person.
Alice stood beside her mother on the left, a faint smile on her face.
She was wearing long blue pants and a simple white shirt today.
Her red and blue eyes looked at me with curiosity, as well as at Sera in my arms.
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, Grand Duke."
I greeted Armantor, standing in the middle, and Daniel, standing to his right.
When I reached Catherine, I completely ignored her, which made a vein bulge on her forehead.
I stood before Alice, who raised her hand, and I kissed the back of it while greeting her.
"Pleased to meet you again, Lady Alice."
"Likewise, Your Majesty."
I was slightly surprised by the smile she gave me but snapped out of it after a moment.
"Your Majesty, how about taking Alice for a walk in the garden while breakfast is being prepared?"
Armantor suggested this since he knew why I had come today and wanted us to have some time to get to know each other.
"I have no objections. Will you accompany me, my lady?"
"Gladly. Follow me."
After parting ways with the Duke's family, I followed Alice to the central garden of the palace.
"So, have you gotten used to seeing?"
She broke the silence as we reached the garden, wanting to know if she was adjusting to her new sight.
"Honestly, it still feels a little strange. But more importantly, who is this beautiful creature in your arms?"
Alice stopped in front of me, looking at Sera in my arms with excitement.
"Oh, you didn't see her last time. This is Sera, my daughter. Sera, this is Alice, my fiancée."
After introducing them, Sera curiously stared at Alice, especially at her right eye.
"Papa, your eye."
"Did you notice that? You're such a smart girl."
Alice started pinching Sera's cheeks upon hearing her words, slightly annoying her.
"May I hold her, please? Just for a little bit."
Alice pleaded, clasping her hands together in front of me, making me hesitate.
"No problem. Sera, go to Alice."
When Alice held Sera in her arms, I expected her to resist a little.
But to my surprise, Sera hugged Alice while looking at her right eye, smiling.
"Tsk, traitor."
I muttered while watching Sera clearly enjoying her new position.
"What, are you jealous?"
"Of course not. Why would I be jealous?"
"It's obvious that you're jealous. Just admit it."
"I am not jealous."
"Tsundere."
When I heard Alice call me "tsundere," I felt slightly irritated.
"Hah, what did you say?"
"Nothing. I think you're imagining things."
"It's impossible for someone at my level to imagine things."
"Arrogant."
"That's not arrogance—it's self-confidence."
"Yes, exactly. Self-confidence turns into arrogance. Haven't you heard that before?"
I sighed as I looked at Alice, who smiled triumphantly, thinking she had won the argument.
"Finally, you smiled."
"Me? Smiled? When?."
"Here comes the tsundere act again."
"You're really bold. Don't you know who I am?"
I changed my tone as I stepped closer to her, feeling her breath against my face.
"Who doesn't know you, Your Majesty?"
She smiled, staring directly into my eyes without a hint of fear.
"Then you know that if I wanted to, I could kill you right here and now."
"You won't."
"And how do you know I won't?"
"Go ahead, do it. Let's see."
I rubbed my temples, leaned back slightly, and let out a sigh, while a victorious smile spread across Alice's face once again.
'It's annoying when someone knows your personality completely.'