I Possessed As A Childcare Extra Chapter 35

It got even worse after they became adults.

Even a grand duke’s family that seemed like they lived in their own country still had to maintain at least minimal social interactions. Whenever the men of Tricen showed their faces at social gatherings, all kinds of rumors spread.

Aeon, perhaps thanks to his experience, was quiet—either because he handled every woman who came his way, or because nothing worth gossiping about happened.

Leoni, true to his short temper, snapped at anyone who spoke to him, so the only thing people heard was, “I heard he made another young lady cry today.”

Narkis was especially colorful.

Maybe because he at least put on a polite smile, many young ladies placed their hopes on Narkis.

So it wasn’t that people were making up things that didn’t happen… It felt more like they were determined to create real scandals.

And Narkis avoided them with all his might. With everything he had.

He didn’t dance, and he never exchanged more than two sentences. For young ladies, that didn’t leave many options.

Glances over fans. Dropping handkerchiefs. Pretending to faint.

Since he completely ignored fans and handkerchiefs, the first scandal that actually broke was this:

“Tricen’s young duke stepped back to avoid a collapsing count’s daughter.”

Apparently, he stared at her and said just one thing.

“I’ll be going now.”

By the time people started saying subtle tricks didn’t work on him at all, a young lady appeared who threw herself at him with her whole body.

Narkis vanished in an instant. The poor young lady couldn’t keep up with a Sword Master’s speed.

Given his countless prior records, something like “Narkis refused champagne offered by a count’s daughter” didn’t even qualify as a scandal.

Because he avoided contact with all women so extremely, Narkis was called “the Ice Prince of the North.”

Wasn’t that a bit too cute? It wasn’t ice-level—it was more like germophobia.

Why did the guy who used to grab my hand so casually turn out like this?

Well… servants’ hands probably didn’t count as people to him.

Did he really hate touching women other than his little sister?

Then what about the princess? He must’ve met her at least once in the capital. Could he even escort her?

Would an engagement even be possible at this rate? Did becoming a sister-obsessed fool erase even his original fiancée?

Do childcare-story older brothers usually not marry? Poor Miss Edel.

After drowning in a sea of question marks, I offered my silent condolences.

Just then, the young lady whispered secretly,

“I’m sleeping with Dad tonight.”

The life of a childcare-story protagonist. I was deeply impressed by the young lady’s completely businesslike expression.

“Looks like you missed your father after not seeing him for a few days.”

“Don’t tease me.”

She lightly punched my shoulder, then instantly turned into the adorable youngest daughter and threw herself into Aeon’s arms as soon as he appeared.

She’s a total pro now.

If it were Aeon, sleeping face-to-face probably wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

I suddenly thought of my father from my previous life—whose face I couldn’t even remember anymore.

My chest hurt.

When your mood’s ruined, you drink.

The banquet was winding down. I took a bottle of apple wine and a crystal glass piled on the table as spoils.

Holly had taken the completely drunk Lindsay away, and Kyle was—

“Sir Esteban! How long are you going to stay that stiff?!”

“Tonight, I swear I’ll see you crawling on all fours!”

Surrounded by heavily drunk knights.

It would be hard for him to escape.

I’ll drink alone then. Drink until I drop and pass out.

As I turned away without regret, I made eye contact with Kyle.

Somehow, he had persuaded the knights—who looked ready to collapse if he didn’t drink with them—and came over to me.

“Annie! Heading in?”

“Uh… yeah. You?”

“I think I’ll have to stay a bit longer.”

“Yeah, looks like it. I guess those gentlemen don’t need guards tonight?”

“Lucky draw.”

The unlucky ones stood around the hall with exhausted expressions.

“Good night, Annie.”

“You too. Have a good night.”

“Oh, I almost forgot to say.”

I stopped after waving goodbye. Kyle smiled brightly.

“You’re really beautiful today. That dress suits you well.”

Saying something like that so casually.

Embarrassed, I replied awkwardly,

“Thanks. You look great too, so don’t just hang out with the old men.”

“I’ll do my best.”

My heart raced, and I fled like I was escaping.

When a national-treasure-level Kyle acts sly, I have no idea how I’m supposed to react.

Only when I climbed the empty main building stairs did I finally notice my dress.

The new dress that fit my body perfectly felt unfamiliar.

But it was pretty.

Of course it was—the tailor who dressed the young lady made it.

The lace and embroidery at the hem shimmered softly, like it had been dusted with platinum powder.

Why put this much effort into a maid’s dress? It must’ve been insanely expensive.

Since the young lady gave it to me, I probably shouldn’t sell it.

But I wouldn’t be attending any more parties anyway.

Once I left Tricen, I wouldn’t be a maid anymore.

…Selling it really would be better.

Just as I made up my mind, moonlight poured over my skirt.

I was already in front of the second-floor terrace.

The full glass window Leoni had smashed five years ago had been perfectly restored.

The snow-covered garden was bright even at night—like a white sea.

“…This is nice.”

Too nice to just drink alone in my room and pass out.

I sat down on the terrace window frame and set the crystal glass beside me.

Cold seeped in through my back as it touched the window, but the interior was warm thanks to strong heating magic.

It felt pleasantly cool.

“One glass for you.”

Gurgle.

The sound of pouring alcohol echoed through the empty corridor.

The transparent apple wine shimmered strangely under the moonlight.

“One bottle for me.”

I muttered dryly, tilting the bottle toward the glass.

“Cheers.”

I am officially the most pitiful drunk in the North.

I drank straight from the bottle.

The wine in the glass would end up in my stomach too.

“Khah!”

Even fruit wine in the North was strong.

They say alcohol gets sweeter the further south you go—could I even get used to that?

“As long as it gets you drunk, it’s fine…”

“So this is where you were.”

“Eek!”

If I hadn’t already been sitting, I would’ve fallen flat.

Something white suddenly appeared right in front of my eyes.

“Ah, young master! I thought you were a ghost! At least make some noise!”

Narkis looked at me like I was a hopeless drunk.

“Would a drunk notice even if I did?”

“I’m not drunk! I was just startled!”

His red eyes were cold.

I had shouted. Even blamed him.

Well, what was he going to do? Kick me out?

The fact that I even thought that meant I was drunk.

You shouldn’t chug straight from the bottle.

“Then what are you doing, sitting alone in the hallway like this—”

Narkis clicked his tongue when he saw the unattended crystal glass.

“Drinking with an imaginary friend?”

So nosy.

What was he, my teacher?

Whether I drank with an invisible friend or not was none of his business.

“Well, I’d like to try refusing champagne while sober like you do.”

“You’re not in your right mind.”

“I’m seriously worried about the future of the grand ducal house. Young master, what are you planning to do?”

“I’m drunk.”

“Are you not planning to marry?”

“…Even the elders don’t say things like that.”

Frowning, Narkis stepped closer.

I was the one feeling frustrated—why were you scowling?

He knelt down in front of me.

Perfect height for grabbing his collar.

I felt dizzy trying to suppress the urge to grab him and shout, “Is this how a sober man makes other families’ daughters cry? What about our young lady?!”

…Why was I dizzy?

“Stop drinking.”

Narkis took the bottle away.

My apple wine!

“Why? On such a nice night. Look—the moon’s pretty.”

“You keep saying things only a drunk would say.”

“I’m really not drunk! I’ve only had one sip!”

“What kind of sip is half a bottle?”

“Wait—have you been here the whole time?”

No wonder the bottle felt light.

“…But I wanted to drink.”

For no reason.
Old memories just surfaced.

I thought I had forgotten them completely.

…But I hadn’t.

Being stuck in a childcare story, watching the young lady up close, made it impossible not to think of my family from my previous life.

“You can’t even drink well.”

I snorted.

“How would you know that, young master?”

“If Edel’s maid caused trouble while drunk, I’d hear about it.”

“That’s embarrassing…”

I swear, I never caused trouble.

A few days ago, Holly and I just emptied the kitchen wine barrels. That’s not a riot.

“And I can tell just by looking at you now.”

Narkis moved the bottle farther away and held out his hand.

“Get up.”

“I can stand on my own.”

And I could.

Aside from feeling a bit lightheaded from drinking too fast, I was fine.

I stood firmly, brushed off my skirt, and Narkis withdrew his hand, crossing his arms.

“I even paid for it.”

“…What?”

What was he talking about?

Narkis said nothing, only narrowed his brows.

Awkward.

At times like this, it was the subordinate’s job to let things slide.

“It’s white—will it stain?”

“That.”

He cut me off.

“I chose it.”

“…Pardon?”

“The fabric. The design. The decorations. All of it.”

“…Wow.”

Because it had to match the young lady’s dress?

Still, it made no sense.

Most people left that to the tailor.

What kind of young master personally chose every detail of a maid’s dress?

“Because I thought it would suit you.”

That wasn’t what I was asking.

I wanted to know why you felt the need to do that.

Bathed in moonlight, Narkis looked away.

His eyes looked red—probably from the terrace lanterns.

And his bitten lip only looked redder because of the light.

No, no, no!

I’m completely drunk!

I dropped my head and bent my knees in a panic.