The Obsessive Male Lead Is Jealous Of My Doll - Chapter 55

Chapter 28.1

A carriage without a family’s crest was heading out of the Duke’s castle toward the Cocoel Forest. The occasional winter breeze was cold, but the weather was clear and warm, making it a good day for a picnic.

“This is exciting.”

Stella, who was playing with her twin braids of black hair, smiled brightly. For her safety, Ignis had used a magical tool to change both her hair and eye color to black.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Ung! It’s too bad that Gemma couldn’t come because of her cold, but I’m so happy to go out with Karen and Brother.”

Karentina held the child’s hand tightly, thinking about how much she must have wanted to go outside to be this happy. In the meanwhile Ignis, Joseph, and a few knights, riding large warhorses, led the way in front as if escorting the carriage. With his hair and eyes now black like Stella’s, Ignis seemed almost like a different person.

‘…Don’t crown princes usually travel comfortably inside carriages? Just how many times had he been attacked to go to such lengths?’

At the thought, Karentina looked at Ignis, who was cloaked in a pitch-black robe, with pity in her eyes before she snapped out of her thoughts at Zion’s excited voice.

[ Karen, everything is ready. You’ll be really surprised when you get here! ]

Zion, who had gone ahead to the Cocoel Forest, spoke confidently. Even though she couldn’t see him, it felt like a puppy wagging its tail like a propeller.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

She leaned back against the carriage’s backrest and pondered the events of last night’s dinner.

After hearing that Ignis was looking for a woman with black hair, she had been keeping her distance from him, using the excuse of needing to prepare for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.

But an excuse only held out for so long.

With the imperial family members staying at her house, she couldn’t keep postponing meals forever.

「 Karen, we can’t eat together again today? 」

In the end, she quietly surrendered to Leah’s earnest plea, especially after hearing how disappointed Stella was. Besides, no one knew that she had saved Ignis, so there was no risk of being found out.

When Karentina appeared in the dining room holding Stella’s hand, Ignis looked at her with surprise before quickly turning his gaze away with an expressionless face.

Contrary to her concerns, the dinner went smoothly.

As the meal was coming to an end, Stella approached Ignis with her eyes wide and sparkling, ready to make her request.

“Brother, I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind of favor are you asking for this time?”

Ignis looked at her, his eyes twinkling fondly.

“I want to go to Cocoel Forest with Karen!”

With a tense expression, the child clenched her tiny fists tightly.

“It’s too dangerous, so you can’t.”

However, her eyes widened like a rabbit’s at his firm refusal. Then, in an instant, she burst into tears, letting out big sobs as she lay down on the spot, her big tears falling.

“Hhuaaang! I want to go to the forest!”

Ignis sighed and pressed his forehead as he watched his sister. On the other hand, Karentina couldn’t hide her surprise since it was her first time seeing Stella throwing a tantrum like this.

‘I didn’t realize it before since she’s been so well-behaved, but she’s still just a child.’

Even her tantrum seemed oddly cute, making her realize she was completely taken with the child. Karentina quickly tried to clamp down on the corners of her mouth, which were curling upward.

“This isn’t something you will get by throwing a tantrum.”

She had assumed that as a doting older brother, Ignis would give in to anything, though his firm stance was a bit unexpected.

“Hhuaanngg!”

As the child’s crying grew louder, Ignis rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression.

Karentina moved closer to comfort the crying Stella.

“Why do you suddenly want to go to the forest?”

How did Stella know about the northern forest, which even she didn’t know much about? It occurred to her that clever Stella wouldn’t throw a tantrum without a reason.

Tears welled up in the child’s red eyes.

“They say there are elks there.”

“Ah… elks.”

So, our little princess wanted to see the elks. Well, it must be boring to be stuck in the castle. Karentina gently patted her head, feeling sorry for Stella. When she turned her eyes to see Ignis looking at her with a cold gaze, she cleared her throat loudly.

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be fine if we thoroughly check things out and go during the bright daylight?”

Ignis’s gaze instantly became fierce.

“Are you telling me to send Stella to a place where we don’t know what kind of danger may lurk?”

Since he wasn’t wrong, Karentina asked the dolls about the Cocoel Forest.

‘Zion, Leah. What kind of place is the Cocoel Forest? Is it dangerous?’

[ It’s not dangerous. Like the little one said, there are plenty of elk and reindeer, almost like puppies. It’s a beautiful place with a large river and glaciers. Even Eloisa used to go there often. ]

‘Really?’

Just as she was about to reassure and persuade Ignis, Leah added.

[ As Lord Zion mentioned, it’s a place northern people visit frequently… but going deep into the forest is dangerous. ]

‘Why? Are there demonic beasts?’

Karentina asked again, puzzled by Leah’s hesitation.

[ There are bears. ]

[ Bears, to be exact. ]

Leah and Zion spoke up at the same time.