They say the ideal age for a child to be adopted into a home is between 2 and 4 years old.

Then what happens to me, who hasn't been adopted by the age of 5?

The answer is: an eyesore.

I was hiding in a corner to escape the headmistress's whipping, worrying if I'd be left all alone for the rest of my life just for being a year older than the others.

"I need a child to take back with me, just to spite the old fogies in the family."

A Duke with red eyes and a voice that was playful yet somehow chilling appeared at the orphanage.

I felt that if I followed that man, I wouldn't be cold or hungry anymore. If I become a useful child, can I be happy too?

I crawled out from under the covers and raised my hand high. "M-me! I'll do it!"

He stroked my hair, his lips curling into a crooked, intrigued smile.

"Really? Then you'll have to play the part of my daughter."

...Huh, was adoption always this easy?

And so, the life of a fake daughter began out of nowhere!

I thought I wanted to be a good, obedient daughter and live in this big, warm house for a long, long time.

But the Duke was a bit strange.

"Hmm, our daughter says she wants it. I'll just buy the whole merchant guild then."

"It looks like someone touched our daughter? Daddy will go take care of them. Wait here quietly."

The Duke says scary things so casually with a light smirk. It seems this Duke is showing me a bit too much affection...

Is being a fake daughter always like this...?