After a few seconds of silence, Jeremey went back to address the issue on hand. 

 

“What are you going to do now? An engagement ceremony on Rope Island? You’re not going to tell me you’ve changed your mind, are you?”

 

“No way.”

 

Rowena replied, shaking her head with a determined look in her eyes.

 

“This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

 

“What?”

 

“Uncle, you are also a playwright, aren’t you? I think tragedies are more effective when there is a large audience.”

 

Jeremy blinked, not understanding what she was saying for a moment.

 

“You’re talking about…”

 

“We have more witnesses now, don’t we?”

 

Rowena smiled brightly at him. A faint insanity ran through her laugh, and Jeremy just kept his mouth shut. He thought it was only the duke who was crazy, but he was wrong. His only niece seems to be weird in a way, but frankly, in this kind of a relationship? it will be even harder to not go crazy.

 

“If a lot of people see me dying there, the rumors will spread and articles will be written about me, no one will be able to deny it. No one will doubt it.”

 

“…… Rowena”

 

He had no idea what had happened last night. But even if he asked, Rowena wouldn’t tell him. When he called her name with caution, Rowena turned her head.

 

“…Are you okay?”

 

“What?”

 

“Are you all right?”

 

“Of course I am.”

 

“Alright…”

 

Since the person in question said she was fine, there was nothing else to say. Once they get out of this weird castle, things will be better again. Jeremy, who had been pondering for a while, spread his arms out. Rowena, after a moment of hesitation, wrapped her arms around him as he patted her back.

 

“We just have to hang in there a little longer. Rowena.”

 

“Uncle….”

 

“Thank you for holding up so long.”

 

Nodding, Rowena buried her face in her uncle’s shoulder. After a few moments, Jeremy, held he shoulder after she calmed down and entered into the main topic with a serious look on his face.

 

“Now, let me tell you about the plan in more detail.”

 

* * *

 

After changing into comfortable activity clothes, Damian was excited to be playing outside. He bounced the ball up on his chubby knees, feeling as if it would fly away at any moment. The nanny looked pleased to see him in such a state and spoke to him.

 

“Do you like it that much that you will get to play?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“But you often play ball with me and the other nannies.”

 

“But it’s different doing it with a teacher.”

 

“What’s the difference?”

 

“That’s …….”

 

As Damian opened his mouth to explain, someone approached them, coming out of the servant back door.

 

“Nanny.”

 

“What?”

 

“Please come in for a moment. Angie, the assistant nanny who was on duty tonight, is injured and her younger sister is here.”

 

“Is that so? I understand.”

 

The nanny, who nodded with a look of urgency on her face, hesitated for a moment and looked at Damian. Perhaps he had forgotten he was in the middle of a conversation, but he was already kicking a ball by himself at the lake. Bobo, the big dog, was wandering around next to Damian, running along the ball.

 

“The dog is there, and the teacher will be here soon… It will be alright to leave for a little while…”

 

The nanny turned around to leave as she muttered. Damian, left alone, kicked the ball far away.

 

“Bring it, Bobo!”

 

The dog, having heard the order, jumped toward the bushes. Seeing his tail wagging madly, Damian started laughing as well.After a while, Bobo, who had disappeared into the bushes, brought a man.

 

“What? Mister Ghost!”

 

Damian approached Killian with a startled look on his face.

 

“Mister!”

 

Damian rushed up to Killian and clung to him.

 

“You’re a ghost, but do you come out during the day too?”

 

“Let’s say it is.”

 

Killian, who answered casually, held out the ball in his hand. Damian, who took the ball from him, suddenly made a suggestion.

 

“Play ball with me!”

 

“Play ball?”

 

“Yes! Mister, haven’t you ever played with a ball when you were little?”

 

“Not that I remember.”

 

“Why not? Didn’t you have a father like me?”

 

“…… yes.”

 

“Then did you have any friends? You didn’t have any friends either? Kicking a ball with friends is fun.”

 

Killian looked at his son in silence as the questions came in.

 

“I’ll make a special effort to teach you! To be a good dad, you have to know how to play ball!”

 

This was his chance to show off his skills. Damian looked up with enthusiasm and spoke cheerfully, and Killian, smiling, squeezed his forehead with his index finger.

 

“I don’t need this.”

 

“…… Really?”

 

He was speaking with confidence, but hearing the casual rejection, Damian’s mouth dropped as if to wonder why he didn’t want to play with him, he didn’t keep it to himself and asked in a small voice.

 

“You don’t want to play ball with me?”