‘What is that kid doing there?’
Edwin was trailing Ivelina like a petty thief.
She had loaded the carriage full of boxes, and now here she was at the fountain, playing with some child.
He had been lurking behind a pillar, watching, when Ivelina stood up and began walking straight in his direction, the child in tow.
‘Damn.’
At this rate, they were going to come face to face.
He had half a mind to go up and say something — but she had arrived in the duke’s carriage, hadn’t she? Someone could be watching, from anywhere. Whether the tail was on him or on Ivelina, he couldn’t say.
‘Blast.’
Edwin turned and walked away.
* * *
“You’re here, darling?”
Camilla looked up at Edwin with a bright smile, her cheeks flushing pink.
But Edwin was in no state to receive anyone’s greeting. Seeing Ivelina had left a bad taste in his mouth that he couldn’t shake — the casual, natural way she had been using that carriage, as though she already belonged to Duke Hardeion.
“Insufferable!”
Edwin cursed and kicked the door shut.
Even the mental image of Ivelina and the duke standing side by side was enough to make his jaw clench.
Alarmed by his reaction, Camilla reached out toward him.
“D-darling! Did something happen? What’s the matter?”
Edwin didn’t bother answering. He walked into the sitting room and dropped himself heavily onto the sofa.
Camilla followed at his heels.
“Darling.”
“What.”
“Have you been busy lately?”
“So? What of it.”
“It’s just — you don’t come by as often anymore…”
“Ha. Here we go again.”
Edwin pulled himself upright.
He was already irritated enough over Ivelina — and now, the moment he walked in, he was being harangued on top of it.
“You know I can’t stand clinginess.”
“……”
“Keep your boundaries.”
“It’s just that I barely see you anymore…”
“Am I supposed to come every day and report in? Use your head — I’m obviously busy. Why all the whining?”
“I was just worried about you…”
“Stop your whimpering. I’m in a foul mood as it is. Don’t make it worse. Get me something to eat — I’ve been starving all day.”
“A-alright, just a moment. I’ll have something ready soon.”
‘Tch.’ Edwin watched Camilla’s retreating back and clicked his tongue.
‘The gift for making a person lose all patience. Truly remarkable.’
* * *
Before the gates of the Hardeion estate.
‘This child is actually quite something.’
I had assumed he was deeply shy with strangers — and yet here was Kayrin, holding my hand with a firm, steady grip.
“Walk with me.”
“I’d rather not.”
“This is a very big place. Easy to get lost.”
“…Fine, then.”
He’d agreed quickly enough once I framed it as a matter of safety. His small fingers, little and fidgety, were now laced tightly through mine.
‘So cute.’
“Is this your house?”
“It’s not mine exactly — it’s my boyfriend’s. I’m staying here for a bit.”
“Is it all right to bring strangers into someone else’s house?”
“…Well.”
His question stopped me for a moment.
“I’ll get permission. Oh, but wait — he is a man. And you’re a child, so… that should be fine, right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“It’ll be fine, is what I mean. My boyfriend can be a bit intimidating, but he’s not the sort to… harm a child.”
‘At least I’d like to believe that.’
I brought Kayrin to the annex. On the way, he suddenly snatched the straw hat from my head.
“Can I borrow this?”
“Hmm? Why?”
“I have a fear of being stared at.”
“Oh, I see. Go ahead, keep it on.”
I gave the waiting servants a brief explanation of the situation as we arrived.
“I ran into a child who had wandered away from his family at the square. I’d like to keep him here until we can find his parents. I’ll ask the duke’s permission shortly.”
“Of course, my lady. Just let us know if you need anything.”
“In that case — could you bring some clothes small enough to fit him, and a few picture books? He’s nine years old. And please do start preparing dinner early!”
“Right away, my lady.”
We passed through the entrance and into the annex hall. On the stairs, Kayrin spoke.
“Future duchess? Seriously?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re not just the owner’s girlfriend — you’re his fiancée?”
“Oh — yes. That’s, um, the arrangement for now. We haven’t decided about marriage yet…”
We reached the second floor. I eased the bedroom door shut behind us.
Kayrin finally removed the hat.
He had mentioned a fear of being watched, so I should dismiss the chambermaids and let them rest.
“That was quick of them. Can you wash up by yourself? I think this outfit should fit you.”
The clothes the chambermaid had brought looked just about right for him.
“I can wash myself. I’m not a baby.”
‘This child. The way he talks, you’d think he’s lived twice already.’
“You’re remarkably self-possessed, aren’t you? For a nine-year-old, you’re very mature.”
“You’re an adult, but you have your foolish moments too.”
“…Excuse me, I am not foolish.”
“You seem like exactly the sort of person who’d get swindled.”
“No one has ever said that to me.”
“You brought a stranger home without any suspicion whatsoever.”
“I’m actually a very suspicious person. I just don’t apply that to children.”
“Judging only by appearances has a high probability of leading to trial and error.”
“I don’t do that.”
“And don’t go following people just because they’re handsome. That’s how you end up trapped before you know it.”
‘…That one landed, I’ll admit.’
I happened to catch Emily’s eye across the room. She was straightening some books, and the glance that passed between us was pointed — she knew the whole story of me and Kael, after all. It landed somewhere uncomfortable.
“Ahem! A-anyway! I’m not foolish. We need to find your parents. Is there any way to contact—”
Kayrin reached out and tugged at my skirt hem with his small, fidgeting fingers.
“Hmm? What is it? Do you need something?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“Please don’t contact my parents yet. I want a few more days here to think.”
“…That won’t work. A few days is too long. Tomorrow — just until tomorrow. Understood?”
“…All right. Then at least let me sleep here tonight.”
“Deal. But wash up first and then we’ll eat. If you don’t have dinner, I’m going to find your parents right now!”
Six o’clock in the evening.
The sun was slowly setting outside the window. By the time it dipped below the horizon, Kayrin had washed and changed.
“Kayrin — I have dinner plans with my boyfriend. I’ll eat quickly and come back.”
“You two must be very close. Love match?”
“…More or less. It’s not an arranged marriage.”
“I see. Enjoy your dinner.”
“Thanks. Play nicely with Emily while I’m gone!”
I left Kayrin in Emily’s care and headed to the main house, a box of macarons in hand.
* * *
‘Knock, knock.’
“…Um, Kael.”
I poked just my head through the door. Kael was at his desk reviewing documents, his face devastatingly handsome even in a slight frown.
‘Even that little crease between his brows is unfairly attractive.’
‘He really is good-looking. I’ll give him that much.’
Kael looked up. The way his eyebrows rose just slightly told me my arrival had caught him off guard.
“Are you busy?”
“A little. What is it?”
“…I came for dinner.”
* * *
